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  North Korean leader sends New Year's letter to Putin SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a New Year's greeting to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported on Tuesday. According to the official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim extended his "warm greetings of best wishes to the fraternal Russian people and all the service personnel of the brave Russian army," calling Putin his "dearest friend and comrade" in a letter sent the previous day. Pledging to s December 31, 2024
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  Korean shipbuilding workforce grows for first time in 8 years SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s shipbuilding industry saw its technical workforce grow by 0.8 percent in 2023, breaking an eight-year streak of declines, according to a government report released Tuesday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's annual workforce survey reported that the nation's industrial technology workforce totaled approximately 1.72 million in 2023, reflecting a modest 1 percent increase from the previous year. The survey, conducted December 31, 2024
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  Global DRAM prices expected to decline further next year SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Global DRAM price declines will be limited to 0-5 percent next quarter when including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) products, market researcher TrendForce reported, citing seasonal weakness and cautious buying strategies ahead of the new U.S. administration. Server DDR5 DRAM prices are projected to fall 3-8 percent in the first quarter of 2025 reversing from a 3-8 percent increase in the fourth quarter. Server DDR4 prices are expected to see an even steepe December 31, 2024
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  Regional airports in South Korea struggle with heavy operating losses SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Four of South Korea’s regional airports, including Muan Airport, the site of a recent fatal Jeju Air crash, are operating under capital impairment, underscoring the financial challenges faced by the country’s smaller aviation hubs. Government data from the All Public Information In-One system revealed Tuesday that airports in Muan, Yeosu, Sacheon, and Wonju collectively reported negative capital of 32.9 billion won ($22.3 million) as of the end December 31, 2024
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  More youngsters eligible for working holiday program between South Korea and Germany SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Starting next year, more young people will be eligible to participate in a working holiday program between South Korea and Germany. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that the program's age limit for participants will be expanded from 18-30 to 18-34, effective from the first day of the new year. The program, based on the agreement between the two countries in 2009, allows participants to work a certain number of hours while studying or t December 31, 2024
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  Arrest warrant issued for Yoon over martial law debacle SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - A court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his aborted martial law debacle earlier this month. This is the first time in the country's history that an arrest warrant has been issued for an incumbent president. The Seoul Western District Court approved the arrest warrant requested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against him on charges of insurrection and abuse of power as Yoon December 31, 2024
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  Ukraine warns of 'North Korean troops reaching NATO borders' SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Ukraine has warned that North Korean troops could appear on the borders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if Russia is not stopped. In a post shared on his Telegram on Sunday, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, wrote that European countries and NATO should brace for potential hybrid threats at their doorsteps. "The appearance of North Korean troops dressed in Russian uniforms or Iranian proxies on the borders o December 30, 2024
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  What caused fatal crash of Jeju Air flight? SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - A Jeju Air flight exploded during a landing attempt at an airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, claiming 179 lives. The deadliest disaster in the country's aviation history has sparked widespread speculation, just ahead of a full-scale investigation to determine why the plane crashed into the runway and what led to the failure of its landing gear. The passenger plane, which departed from Bangkok, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Muan December 30, 2024
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  Construction contracts surge on semiconductor facility projects SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea's construction contract value jumped 18 percent year-on-year to 53.7 trillion won ($41.3 billion) in the third quarter, driven largely by major semiconductor facility projects, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported Monday. Civil engineering contracts soared 56.2 percent to 18.2 trillion won, while building construction increased 4.9 percent to 35.5 trillion won. Private sector contracts rose 21.1 percent to 41.7 tril December 30, 2024
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  Quiet acts of kindness, solidarity emerge at plane crash site SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - A gesture of solidarity that gained prominence during protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol has quietly extended to the scene of South Korea’s most devastating aviation tragedy in years. On Monday morning, a handwritten sign appeared at a cafe near Gate 4 on the second floor of Muan International Airport, offering solace to the grieving: “Volunteers and bereaved families, please enjoy an Americano or cafe latte. It’s prepaid.” December 30, 2024