Malaysia targets 47 million visitors in 2026 tourism push

KUALA LUMPUR, October 01 (AJP) - Malaysia unveiled an ambitious target to draw 47 million international visitors in 2026 at the opening of Global Travel Meet 2025, a three-day summit focused on sustainable tourism development and industry partnerships. The event, running from Oct. 1 to 3 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, seeks to bolster Malaysia's standing as a premier travel destination while building momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026, the country's major tourism camp

October 1, 2025

Korean retailers double down on SE Asian foray amid weak demand at home

SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - Faced with lengthy depression in domestic demand at home, Korean retailers have been aggressive in their outreach and expansion in the Asian market, riding on the popularity of Korean contents and food. Pivot Asia has become the common strategy for Korean retailers spanning from fashion houses to convenience stores. Lotte Shopping is accelerating its overseas business with 'Lotte Mall Westlake Hanoi', based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since opening two y

October 1, 2025

Concert for Peace 2025 brings global musicians together in Seoul

SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - The Concert for Peace 2025 took place on September 30 at Youngsan Art Hall in Seoul, with musicians from several countries performing together to highlight the role of culture in building dialogue. This was the third edition of the series, which began in Hiroshima and Osaka, and has become a platform for showing how music can cross borders and speak to shared human values. At the heart of the event was the Child Citizen Orchestra, founded i

October 1, 2025

Hotels in flurry of preparations ahead of APEC summit in Gyeongju

SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea comes just around the corner, accommodation arrangements for leaders and heads of state have become a point of contention. With both U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to attend, the historic city of Gyeongju is drawing attention as it prepares to host the multilateral gathering from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Recently, Hotel Shilla asked customers to cancel r

October 1, 2025

Samsung Elec's watershed tri-fold display to share APEC spotlight

SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will seize the global stage of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea to unveil the world’s first tri-fold smartphone. Tentatively named the Galaxy G Fold, the device features a 9.96-inch infolding display, up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, and as much as 1 terabyte of storage, according to market sources. It runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and comes with a 200-megapixel main camera, along

October 1, 2025

From BTS to global idol incubator: HYBE's next chapter

Editor's Note: This article is the 38th installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - HYBE, the Korean entertainment powerhouse behind BTS, has become a defining force in the global music industry. What began as Big Hit Music under founder Bang Si-hyuk has grown into a multi-label empire that not only produces K-pop superstars bu

October 1, 2025

PHOTOS: October brings burst of color to Korea's landscapes

SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - The Korean Peninsula is undergoing a dramatic seasonal transition, as October ushers in the full splendor of autumn. Across South Korea, the landscapes are beginning to transform, with mountains and fields now donning the brilliant, kaleidoscopic hues of fall foliage and late-season flowers. This annual display of natural beauty coincides with a palpable sense of anticipation among the public. Excitement is building nationwide as people prepare for the

October 1, 2025

Korean shipbuilders out to defend LNG dominance as orders revive

SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - Korean shipbuilders have dominated the global orderbook for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers this year, securing 14 out of 16 new orders and leaving none for Chinese rivals despite an overall market slowdown. The global LNG market has long been split between Korea and China, with Korea’s lead appearing at risk until last year. But Korean yards have pulled ahead again in 2025, buoyed by shifts in demand and trade policies. China

October 1, 2025

Trump open to Kim talks "without preconditions" as North Korea intensifies outreach

SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - The White House said on September 30 that U.S. President Donald Trump remains open to talking with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "without any preconditions," a move that has fueled speculation about renewed summitry when Trump travels to South Korea later this month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Responding to a question about whether Trump might seek a meeting with Kim during his visit to the southeastern city of Gye

October 1, 2025

INTERVIEW: Global Cybersecurity Forum speakers warn of Korea's vulnerability to cyberattacks and crimes

SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - South Korea’s position as one of the world’s most digitalized societies also makes it highly vulnerable to cyberattacks and crimes, warned guest speakers at the Global Cybersecurity Forum. "Traditional defenses like fences and soldiers are no longer sufficient. Cyber resilience must be treated as a core part of national security, not an afterthought," said Heidi Crebo-Rediker, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

October 1, 2025