Ex-justice minister Cho Kuk freed in Lee's Liberation Day pardon SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - Former justice minister and ex-leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party Cho Kuk was freed early Friday under President Lee Jae-myung’s first pardon. Lee's first amnesty, marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, pardoned some 836,687 individuals, including around 2,000 minor offenders convicted of livelihood-related crimes and about 20 business moguls, in a move aimed at "promoting unity in the country." Cho was par August 15, 2025

Lee calls for peace and unity at 80th Liberation Day celebration SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday set out his vision in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation at a ceremony in central Seoul. Lee said the country had "overcome various difficulties, achieving rapid industrialization and democratization" since its liberation in 1945, saying it is now a time for more "dialogue and cooperation" and that the country should move beyond various conflicts. Lee also stressed th August 15, 2025

Heat wave to return on Liberation Day after torrential rains lash central regions SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - A sweltering heat wave is expected to return on Friday, when the country marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, after torrential rain swept through Seoul and other central regions earlier this week. With sporadic showers lingering in some parts of the country until early Friday morning, daytime highs are forecast to soar to 34 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Many parts of the capital area and cent August 14, 2025

South Korean display makers to get boost as ITC's impending ban on Chinese BOE panels SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - Display maker Samsung Display is expected to benefit from a ruling that would ban U.S. imports of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels from China’s BOE Technology for more than a decade. In a preliminary ruling last month, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) barred the Chinese display maker and its seven subsidiaries from importing OLED panels into the U.S. for 14 years and 8 months, industry sources said Wednesday. The ruling follow August 14, 2025

[K-Tech] KAI delivers AI-based air combat training system to Air Force SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has delivered an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tactical simulation and training system to the South Korean Air Force, the company said on Wednesday. The system, designed for tactical development and pilot training, is part of a contract valued at 35.5 billion won (about $26 million) and incorporates reinforcement learning–based AI, making it the first of its kind in the country. It allows virtual aircraft to lear August 14, 2025

Netflix tops most popular streaming platform among South Koreans SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - Global streaming giant Netflix was voted the most popular streaming platform among South Koreans, a survey reveals. According to a survey of 1,500 users conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency and released on Thursday, participants were asked to express their satisfaction levels, with Netflix taking the top spot with an average score of 3.75 out of a possible 5 points. It was followed by Tving with 3.66 points, Coupang Play with 3.64 points, Wavve with 3.6 August 14, 2025

[TRAVEL] How cabbages in Gangwon's mountainous areas beat summer heat TAEBACK, GANGNEUNG, August 14 (AJP) - Kimchi, the traditional fermented vegetable dish, is a staple in everyday meals in South Korea. Whether served with a steaming bowl of rice or paired with noodle soups, few consider a meal complete without it. Many people customarily prepare large quantities of kimchi to last through the cold winter months when fresh vegetables become relatively scarce. The traditional practice of making the spicy dish, known as "kimjang," is recognize August 14, 2025

Pyongyang denies removal of propaganda loudspeakers along border SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - North Korea on Thursday reiterated that it has no intention of restoring ties with South Korea. "We have clarified on several occasions that we have no will to improve relations with the ," said Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the isolated country's leader Kim Jong-un, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Her remarks came as she denied recent claims by South Korean military authorities that the North had begun dism August 14, 2025

Washington sends congratulatory message to Seoul ahead of Liberation Day SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - The U.S. sent a congratulatory message to South Korea on Wednesday, just days ahead of the country's 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Friday. In a press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Korean people as you celebrate your national day." "For over 70 years, the United States and August 14, 2025

Samsung Biologics surges ahead as Trump targets pharma imports Editor's Note: This article is the 31st installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - South Korea's largest contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Samsung Biologics is charging ahead in global markets, even as U.S. President Donald Trump reshapes the biopharmaceutical landscape with sweeping protectionist meas August 14, 2025