Multinational interest revives Korea's dream of becoming gas producer SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A beleaguered deep-sea gas development campaign in the East Sea has been revived after BP plc. and a few unspecified foreign names submitted offers to tap reserves off the east coast of South Korea. State-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) published on Sunday that several multinational energy firms filed letters of intent by the deadline on Sunday, resuscitating the campaign shunned by local companies due to association with former disgraced presid September 22, 2025

Kim Jong-un signals openness to US talks while rejecting S. Korea as partner SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - In a speech delivered at the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang on Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he could meet with the United States if Washington abandoned its insistence on denuclearization, while ruling out dialogue or unification with South Korea, "I still personally have good memories of President Trump," Kim said, according to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 22. "If September 22, 2025

Defense chiefs of South Korea, Saudi Arabia hold talks in Riyadh SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea and Saudi Arabia pledged to strengthen their defense partnership during high-level talks in Riyadh, the South Korean defense ministry said Monday. South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek described his talks with Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s National Guard minister, on Saturday as “a meaningful first step” in expanding military collaboration. The trip marked his first visit to the Middle East since as September 22, 2025

Hanwha honors US Korean War veterans with industrial tour, tribute SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Three major South Korean defense companies joined the government last week in honoring American veterans of the Korean War. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, hosted 85 veterans and family members from Sept. 18 to 20 as part of the ministry’s long-running “Revisit Korea Program.” Established in 1975, the initiative invites U.S. veterans back to the September 22, 2025

South Korean leader warns US demands could risk crisis without currency safeguards SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung said he is determined to resolve long-standing tariff and trade frictions with the United States as quickly as possible, framing the issue as central to the viability of South Korea’s massive investment push in the American economy. In an interview with Reuters published Monday, Lee highlighted differences between Seoul and Washington over how to guarantee the commercial feasibility of a planned $350 billi September 22, 2025

Korea's tariffs on US exports soar, marking world's fastest growth SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's tariffs on U.S. exports surged to nearly 5 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in the second quarter, marking the fastest growth among the top 10 exporting countries to the U.S. The finding was released in a report Monday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The report highlights a significant financial burden on South Korean exporters, with tariffs growing 46 times compared to the fourth quarter of last year — the September 22, 2025

South Korea hit hardest by US tariffs in 2nd quarter SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korea was hit hardest by tariffs on its exports among major U.S. trading partners in the second quarter of this year, an analysis suggests. The Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) said Sunday that tariffs on the country's exports to the U.S. increased by US$3.23 billion during the period between April and June, ranking sixth behind China ($25.93 billion), Mexico ($5.52 billion), Japan ($4.78 billion), Germany ($3.57 billion), and Vie September 21, 2025

Data breaches affect more KT subscribers than initially reported SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Additional data breaches at mobile telecom provider KT have affected more subscribers in broader areas than initially reported. According to a report submitted Sunday by the country's second-largest mobile carrier to Hwang Jung-ah, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, such cases also occurred in Dongjak and Seocho in southern Seoul and other areas, not just the previously reported locations of Gwangmyeong and Geumcheon in southwestern Seoul and September 21, 2025

Soundtrack of K-pop anime extends reign on UK chart for seventh week SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - The soundtrack of Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" extended its reign at No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart to a seventh consecutive week. According to the chart, "Golden," one of the main theme song from the K-pop-themed anime, maintained its hold on the top spot for the week of Sept. 19 to 25, beating English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean's "Man I Need." Since debuting at No. 93 after i September 21, 2025

Korea's eating culture continues to fascinate SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Whether it’s instant ramyeon or a royal feast, one thing is clear: Koreans take eating seriously. The country’s rich history of mukbang – videos showcasing the enjoyment of food – has now evolved into elaborate global productions. The latest example is "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," which recently climbed to No. 1 on Netflix's non-English TV chart, underscoring worldwide fascination with Korean cuisine and the September 19, 2025