North Korean leader visits father's mausoleum

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited his father's mausoleum in Pyongyang on Wednesday, state media reported. According to the state-run Korean Central Television, Kim paid his respects around midnight on the 14th anniversary of his father's death at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where his grandfather and regime founder Kim Il-sung and father Kim Jong-il's embalmed bodies lie in state. Accompanied by senior officials and key mi

December 17, 2025

OPINION: Hyundai Motor and Chung Euisun at the autonomous crossroads

The crisis Hyundai Motor faces in autonomous driving is not, at its core, a technological one. Nor is it a matter of insufficient capital or a shortage of talent. The problem is simpler—and more troubling: decisive leadership is being smothered by institutional hesitation. Hyundai’s real competitors today are no longer other carmakers. They are Tesla, Google’s Waymo and Apple—companies that do not merely manufacture vehicles but accumulate data

December 17, 2025

South Korea's LS Eco Energy to expand rare earth metals business in Vietnam

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - LS Eco Energy said on Wednesday its board has approved an investment plan to expand its rare earth metals business in Vietnam, as the South Korean firm seeks long-term growth in strategic materials. The investment, valued at about 28.5 billion won ($21 million), will be funded in part through the sale of treasury shares. LS Eco Energy plans to raise approximately 10.7 billion won by selling 297,303 treasury shares to its largest shareholder, LS Cable &

December 17, 2025

South Korea 'considers separate agreement with US for nuclear submarines'

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korea is considering a separate agreement with the U.S. for the construction of nuclear submarines, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lak said on Tuesday. Upon arriving at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., Wi said that such an agreement would be needed, separately from the comprehensive joint fact sheet signed between the two countries last month, which outlines agreements on bilateral trade and security. Wi then added that he

December 17, 2025

INTERVIEW: Korea's weak won reflects structural dollar imbalance, not crisis conditions

South Korea’s won has weakened past 1,470 per dollar, a level that evokes memories of past currency crises. But strong external fundamentals suggest the current situation differs sharply from previous episodes of financial turmoil, according to Jeon Kwang-woo, chairman of the World Economic Research Institute and a former head of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the National Pension Service (NPS). Despite record current account surpluses and a stock market ral

December 17, 2025

"No Other Choice" , "Golden" enter Oscar shortlists for 98th Academy awards

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) -South Korea has secured two high-profile spots on the Academy Awards shortlists, with “No Other Choice” advancing in the International Feature Film category and “Golden,” from animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters, shortlisted for Best Original Song, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. No Other Choice — a darkly comic thriller that examines moral compromise and social pressure through an ordinary man pu

December 17, 2025

INTERVIEW: Mongolian envoy anticipates S. Korea's cooperation in key sectors including critical minerals and infrastructure

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - The Netflix survival entertainment program, "Physical: Asia," recently concluded, became a global hit. Notably, the Mongolian team, competing neck and neck with the Korean team until the final round, demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience truly worthy of the title "Descendants of Genghis Khaan." Their outstanding performance left a deep impression on Korean viewers and strengthened people to people connection between Korea and M

December 17, 2025

Korean calligraphy exhibition marks 60 years of immigration to Argentina

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - A Korean calligraphy exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of Korean immigration to Argentina opened on December 12 at the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo in Buenos Aires, bringing together Korean community members and Argentine officials to reflect on six decades of shared history. The opening ceremony was attended by Han Byung-gil, chairman of the Korea Council on Latin America & the Caribbean, who delivered congratulatory remarks highlighting

December 16, 2025

24/7 hotline for transnational crimes available, spy agency says

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Victims of transnational crimes such as online scams and phishing schemes, as well as those who encounter or are aware of misinformation threatening national security and public safety, can dial 111 to report them, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on Tuesday. They also can text to #0111 or leave messages on the NIS' website around the clock. These crimes involve multiple countries or foreign nationals, including voice phishing, oversea

December 16, 2025

South Korea deploys new tactical missiles capable of countering North Korean long-range artillery

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korea's new tactical surface-to-surface missiles have been deployed and are combat-ready, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Tuesday. The missiles, known as KTSSM, are a crucial part of the country's defense strategy designed to precisely counter North Korean artillery and strike command facilities including underground bunkers in the event of conflict. A ceremony marking the deployment was held at a military c

December 16, 2025