Chinese milk tea chains push into South Korea's coffee-saturated market SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - South Korea has long been known as a “coffee republic,” with one of the world’s highest concentrations of cafes per capita. But a wave of Chinese milk tea brands is challenging that dominance, betting that young Korean consumers are ready for a new kind of drink culture. ChaPanda, a fast-growing Chinese beverage chain listed in Hong Kong, disclosed last week that South Korea had become its largest overseas market, accounting for nearly ha September 1, 2025

Kim Jong-un expected to depart Pyongyang Monday by train for Beijing military parade SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to leave Pyongyang by train on Monday and arrive in Beijing the following day to attend a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to multiple government sources on Sunday, Kim is likely to depart Pyongyang on Monday with a special armored train, which takes about 20 to 24 hours to reach the Chinese capital. A September 1, 2025

[K-Pop] Stray Kids break record, topping Billboard 200 for seventh time SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids have claimed their seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with their latest full-length album. According to Billboard's preview on Sunday, the group's latest album "Karma" debuted atop the chart, surpassing the soundtrack album of Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." "All seven of the group's Billboard 200 chart entries have debuted at No. 1, beginning with 'Oddinar September 1, 2025

Pyongyang condemns joint statement on cyber threats SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - North Korea on Monday denounced South Korea, the United States and Japan for pledging joint action against its illicit information technology (IT) activities, calling the move a "political farce." In an op-ed carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the foreign ministry accused the three countries of having "recently made public a joint statement full of fabrication under the pretext of coping with the 'cyber September 1, 2025

US tightens grip on Korean chipmakers' China operations SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - For years, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the two South Korean giants that dominate the global memory chip market, operated their Chinese factories with a special privilege. A designation from Washington allowed their plants to import the American equipment essential for advanced semiconductor production without the usual licensing hurdles, insulating them from the turbulence of U.S.-China trade disputes. That privilege is about to vanish. On Sat September 1, 2025

Ulsan signs deal to build hydrogen plant SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Ulsan City said Monday that it had signed an agreement with Deokyang Energen, a fuel gas and pipeline company, to build a hydrogen production and distribution center, as the city seeks to cement its role as a leader in the nation’s hydrogen economy. Under the memorandum of understanding, Deokyang Energen will invest 22 billion won, or about $15.9 million, to construct the facility by October 2026 in Hwangseong-dong, within the Ulsan Mipo National September 1, 2025

S. Korean households cut food spending to nine-year low amid persistent inflation SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - South Korean households reduced their food spending to the lowest level in nearly a decade, as high prices forced families to cut back even on basic groceries. Adjusted for inflation, monthly household spending on food and nonalcoholic beverages fell 1 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, to 341,000 won, or about $245, according to government data released on Monday. That was the lowest level since 2016. In nominal terms, spending rose 1.8 September 1, 2025

OPINION: Kazakhstan's constitution at 30: What has been achieved? SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - When people voted in the 1995 national referendum (August 30) to adopt a new Constitution, they laid the cornerstone of modern statehood. More than just a legal charter, the Constitution of Kazakhstan is marked by its humanist focus. Article 1 declares the country a democratic, secular, legal, and social state, in which the hi September 1, 2025

New Cold War in offing? Leaders from China, North Korea, Russia to gather for military parade SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to make his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage later this week, with his upcoming trip to Beijing for a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This will mark Kim's first time attending a multilateral gathering, since assuming power in late 2011, as he has previously held only bilateral summits during his visits to C August 31, 2025

Woman arrested after breaking into BTS' Jungkook's home in Seoul SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - A woman who broke into K-pop juggernaut BTS' member Jungkook's home was arrested, police said on Sunday. The woman in her 40s, was booked on charges of trespassing in the parking lot of Jungkook's home in Seoul's posh district of Yongsan around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday, according to police. She was spotted by a security guard who found her behavior suspicious and reported her to the police. She reportedly said, "I entered because it was August 31, 2025