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  Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez to perform in Seoul next month SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez will visit Seoul next month for a concert celebrating the first anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba. According to the concert's organizers, he will take the stage on March 21 at Seongsu Art Hall in Seoul's trendy district frequented by young people and fashion-savvy individuals. Rodríguez is renowned for his innovative approach to blending traditional Cuban sounds wi February 25, 2025
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  Gov't extends support measures until March as veg prices continue to skyrocket SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - As vegetable prices have surged due to supply shortages from extreme weather this winter, discount programs for agricultural produce will be extended to ease the burden on consumers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on Tuesday. The ministry has offered discount programs of up to 40 percent off the prices of cabbage, radish, carrots, and other vegetables, set to expire on Wednesday. But these measures have now been extended until Mar February 25, 2025
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  4 dead, 6 injured as bridge collapses at construction site in Anseong SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - A bridge at a construction site in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, collapsed on Tuesday, leaving four workers dead and six others injured, according to government authorities. The incident occurred at around 9:50 a.m. when a steel reinforcement structure fell from a bridge under construction on a highway between Anseong and Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, connecting Seoul to the administrative city of Sejong. Ten workers who were working at the time fe February 25, 2025
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  Gov't to conduct survey to scrap red tape in service industry SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - A thorough survey will identify regulations and other red tape hindering the service industry's growth and competitiveness, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said on Tuesday. The survey, to be conducted through the state-run Public Procurement Service, aims to figure out excessive regulations or restrictions that exist only in South Korea, compared to other major economies. According to the ministry, productivity in the service sector remains sign February 25, 2025
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  Shinsegae Tomboy's goose down products found to contain duck feathers SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean fashion company Shinsegae Tomboy has announced a voluntary recall and refund for 13 down-filled garments after discovering that products marketed as containing goose down were instead filled with duck feathers. The affected items, nine from the VOV brand and four from G-Cut, were part of the company’s 2024 winter collection. The discrepancy was identified during an internal quality inspection of down-filled products supplied by partner February 24, 2025
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  Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts debuts with 'The Chase' SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts made their debut on Monday with their single "The Chase." The eight-member band became SM Entertainment's first girl group in nearly five years, following the debut of aespa in 2020. Hearts2Hearts is a multinational girl group composed of six South Koreans, one member with dual nationality from South Korea and Canada, and another from Indonesia. The members’ ages range from 14 to 18 years old. During February 24, 2025
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  Ukraine alleges North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Ukraine has accused North Korea of supplying a significant portion of the ammunition used by Russian forces on the front lines of the ongoing war. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Sunday at a press conference in Kyiv that “50 percent of the ammunition” used by Russian forces on the front lines comes from North Korea. He further explained that Pyongyang is also providing the Kremlin with large quantities of 170mm February 24, 2025
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  Samsung Group begins new round of global recruitment SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Samsung Group has launched a new round of international recruitment for research and development professionals, as global competition for technical talent continues to escalate. The recruitment initiative spans nine Samsung affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung SDI, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDS, Samsung Biologics, Samsung Bioepis, and Samsung Heavy Industries. While maintaining its Korean language proficiency requ February 24, 2025
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  North Korea warns of 'resolute' response to South Korea-led sanctions monitoring body SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - North Korea on Monday vowed to take “resolute” measures against the newly formed South Korean-led body established to oversee U.N. sanctions targeting its nuclear and missile activities. The North’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement through its state-run news media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), following the group’s commencement of official activities. The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) w February 24, 2025
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  CJ's instant cooked rice sales surge on US demand SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean food manufacturer CJ CheilJedang reported record-breaking sales of its instant cooked rice product, reaching 914.6 billion won (US$638.1 million) in 2024, driven by robust growth in the U.S. market. The company's overseas revenue accounted for 24 percent of total sales of instant rice, with North America, predominantly the U.S., contributing 188.4 billion won, or 84 percent of international earnings. The instant rice brand has witnessed February 24, 2025