Samsung, SK hynix to cover 80% of chip power grid costs in Honam: KEPCO SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix would have to shoulder about 80 percent of the 1.4 trillion won ($1.05 billion) needed to build the initial power supply network for a major semiconductor manufacturing complex in South Korea's southwestern Honam region unless government funding is provided, the head of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) said Monday. KEPCO President and CEO Kim Dong-cheol outlined the cost-sharing arrangement during a parlia October 12, 2026

South Korea to tighten military service benefits for artists SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - South Korea plans to tighten eligibility for alternative military service granted to artists, including raising the threshold for international competition winners from second place to first, the Military Manpower Administration said Monday. The agency unveiled the plan during a National Assembly audit, saying it would “strengthen the eligibility criteria in consideration of changes in South Korea’s national standing and fairness in military ser October 12, 2026

OP-Ed: Uzbekistan bets on Turkic world tourism Editor's Note: The following opinion article is contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Korea. In recent years, tourism has become one of the strategic areas of development in the Republic of Uzbekistan, playing an increasingly important role in the economy, as well as in strengthening international ties, cultural exchange, and public diplomacy. In this context, the development of cooperation in the field of tourism with brotherly countries that are membe October 12, 2026

Humanoid ethics: how far have we come? SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - Silicon Valley's billionaire titans are getting the big-screen treatment this fall — brilliant, eccentric and increasingly cast as villains of the AI era. Films about Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman are turning the people shaping the technological future into subjects of public scrutiny. They call for restraint and warn of AI's potential harm to humanity, yet compete fiercely to invest more and roll out ever more powerful systems. October 12, 2026

Google Korea wins final ruling over 154 bln won tax bill SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - Google Korea has won a final ruling against a tax bill of more than 154 billion won ($115.4 million), after South Korea's Supreme Court threw out an appeal by the tax authorities, according to the legal community on Monday. The Supreme Court's Second Division, presided over by Justice Oh Kyung-mi, dismissed the appeal by the head of the Yeoksam Tax Office on Oct. 8 without a full review. The decision cemented two lower court rulings in favor of t October 12, 2026

Starbucks reclaims top coffee brand spot after five months Starbucks has reclaimed the top spot among coffee brands after five months. A Starbucks store is seen in downtown Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. Starbucks retook the No. 1 position with 121 billion won in payments in September, ahead of A Twosome Place, which held the top spot for four months from May, by 10.6 billion won. October 12, 2026. October 12, 2026

Starbucks reclaims top coffee brand spot after five months Starbucks has reclaimed the top spot among coffee brands after five months. A Starbucks store is seen in downtown Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. Starbucks retook the No. 1 position with 121 billion won in payments in September, ahead of A Twosome Place, which held the top spot for four months from May, by 10.6 billion won. October 12, 2026. October 12, 2026

Seoul tightens public drinking rules with Seoul Station plaza ban SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) -Seoul is poised to become less lenient on drinking in public spaces. Seoul Station Plaza will become an alcohol-free zone on Nov. 9, with violators facing fines of 50,000 won ($35) starting March 1, 2027, Seoul’s Jung-gu district announced Monday. The move comes as the Seoul Metropolitan Government considers fines for drinking along Cheonggye Stream, part of a broader push by local governments across South Korea to curb drinking in parks, plazas an October 12, 2026

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles: JCS SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea on Monday morning, with at least one type traveling more than 900 kilometers, South Korea’s military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches from around 9:20 a.m. and that South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities were conducting a detailed analysis of the missiles’ specifications. “At around 9:20 a.m. today, our military October 12, 2026

Foreign selling drags KOSPI below 6,500 SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - Foreign pullout from the Seoul bourse went on Monday upon returning from a three-day break with chip bellwethers becoming the primary target. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 2.09 percent, to 6,487.53, set to extend the losing streak for the fourth straight session. Foreign investors sold a net 356.5 billion won ($266.5 million). SK hynix fell 2.6 percent, more than twice Samsung Electronics’ 1.2 percent loss. SK hynix droppe October 12, 2026