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  Another former sex slave dies, leaving only seven survivors SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - Gil Won-ok, one of the last surviving victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II, died on Sunday. She was 97. Gil was only 13 years old when she was forced to serve as a sex slavery by imperial Japan during the war. With Gil's passing, only seven survivors now remain. "Gil was an active advocate for raising awareness about sex slavery both domestically and internationally. We hope she finds peace," said Shin Young- February 17, 2025
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  Korea's fresh fruit imports hit record high in 2024 SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s imports of fresh fruit soared to a record $1.45 billion (2.1 trillion won) in 2024, marking a 20.1 percent increase from the previous year, according to data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The surge underscores the growing reliance on imported produce as domestic fruit production struggles with adverse weather conditions. The value of imported fresh fruit, including bananas, pineapples, mangoes, oranges, and blueberries, February 17, 2025
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  PHOTOS: UNESCO-recognized tug-of-war competition in Samcheok SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - Celebrations of Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar New Year, were held in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, from Feb. 14 to 16. The festival featured a performance of Samcheok Gigijuldarigi, a distinctive form of tug-of-war recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. February 17, 2025
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  INTERVIEW: Chinese unit from K-pop global project set sights high with ambitious goals SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, consisting entirely of six Mandarin-speaking members, with no South Korean members, made their debut with a showcase in central Seoul last week. They aim to combine K-pop with Chinese cultural elements on the global stage, with a vision to localize their unique fusion genre in one of the world's most populous countries. As their aim suggests, their title track, "Bubble Gum," unveiled at the Wo February 17, 2025
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  South Korea launches safety certification system for EV batteries SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The Korean government on Monday introduced a mandatory certification system for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, a move aimed at strengthening safety regulations following a high-profile battery fire last year. The new policy requires all EV batteries to undergo 12 stringent safety tests, including assessments for thermal shock, combustion resistance, and overheating prevention. These tests will be conducted by the Korea Automobile Testing & Researc February 17, 2025
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  Korea launches center to attract foreign tech talent SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - In a bid to bolster its high-tech workforce, South Korea on Monday unveiled a new recruitment center aimed at attracting 1,000 advanced technology professionals from overseas by 2030. The effort is part of the government’s "K-Tech Pass" program, a sweeping initiative designed to address the growing demand for specialized talent in emerging technologies. The center, established under the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), February 17, 2025
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  US conducting cross-border subsidy probe into Korean pharmaceutical capsules SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The United States has launched a countervailing duty investigation into pharmaceutical hard capsules exported from Vietnam-based facilities operated by South Korean companies, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) reported on Monday. The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies its sweeping tariff offensive, targeting both allies and adversaries. Trade analysts expect stricter enforcement of existing import regulations, including an February 17, 2025
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  Global chipmakers race to secure HBM talent amid AI boom SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - SK hynix and Micron Technology are ramping up efforts to enhance their high-bandwidth memory (HBM) capabilities through internal restructuring and aggressive external recruitment, as demand for AI-driven HBM chips continues to rise. SK hynix has introduced an internal Career Growth Program focused on HBM design, advanced packaging development, AI infrastructure, and customer quality management. The company is also transferring DRAM process engineers to i February 17, 2025
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  Korean business delegation heads to Washington amid trade tensions SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - A high-profile delegation of South Korean business leaders, led by Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is set to visit Washington this week, marking the first major private-sector mission since President Donald Trump began his second term. The visit comes as the Trump administration signals plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on nations with value added tax (VAT) systems, a move that could affect South Korea’s February 17, 2025
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  Kim Jong-un visits mausoleum on father's birth anniversary SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a mausoleum to pay tribute to his late father on the anniversary of his birth, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday. His sister Yo-jong and other high-ranking officials accompanied him on his visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang where his father and grandfather's embalmed bodies lie in state. According to KCNA, Kim "expressed his solemn commitment to dedicating himself to February 17, 2025