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  After 18 years of growth, Jeju Air confronts its worst disaster SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Jeju Air, South Korea's largest low-cost carrier (LCC) involved in Sunday's fatal crash at Muan Airport, was established in 2005 as a joint venture between AK Holdings and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, marking nearly two decades of operations before its first major accident. The airline, which became the first Korean budget carrier to operate international routes in 2009 and list on the stock market in 2015, operates 42 aircraft serving 5 December 30, 2024
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  Jimmy Carter's complex legacy on Korean Peninsula SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Throughout his career as both president and private citizen, Jimmy Carter maintained a complex and sometimes contentious relationship with the Korean Peninsula, challenging South Korea's military government over human rights and engaging in unprecedented diplomacy with North Korea. Carter, the 39th U.S. president (1977–1981), died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. During his presidency, Carter's campaign promise December 30, 2024
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  About 140 victims identified in fatal plane crash as efforts to verify remaining passengers continue SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The bodies of around 140 victims from a Jeju Air plane that crashed in southwestern South Korea on Sunday were identified on Monday, while efforts to verify the remaining victims continue. Most of their identities were confirmed through fingerprint recognition. The deadly crash carrying 181 people exploded while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province the previous day, claiming 179 lives and leaving two survivors. Rescu December 30, 2024
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  Investigators seek arrest warrant for Yoon SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Investigators are seeking an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his aborted martial law debacle earlier this month, as he continues to refuse to appear for questioning. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, said on Monday that it had filed a request for an arrest warrant the previous day for Yoon on charges of insurrection and abuse of p December 30, 2024
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  Korea narrows export gap with Japan to record low SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s export gap with Japan has narrowed to an unprecedented $20.2 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, as the country climbed to sixth place in global export rankings, government data revealed Monday. The Korea International Trade Association reported that South Korea’s exports totaled $622.4 billion from January to November, compared to Japan’s $642.6 billion. The gap is the smallest since the staggering differences seen in t December 30, 2024
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  Special inspections underway on Boeing 737-800s after plane crash SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said Monday it has launched special inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines, following the tragic Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport that left 179 people dead. During a press briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong, Joo Jong-wan, head of the ministry’s Aviation Policy Office, said the government is prioritizing a thorough review of maintenance system December 30, 2024
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  Korea eyes export boom to Philippines as bilateral FTA takes effect SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for a boost in exports to the Philippines, especially in automobiles and auto parts, as a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force on Dec. 31. The deal is set to open up new opportunities for South Korean businesses in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies, according to a report released Monday by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). The Philippines, South Korea's 15th-largest tra December 30, 2024
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  Biden sends condolences to victims of Jeju Air crash SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - U.S. President Joe Biden and firs lady Jill Biden sent a message of condolence over the tragic crash of a Jeju Air plane in South Korea on Sunday, which killed 179 people. "Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred..... in Muan," Biden said in a statement. "As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted b December 30, 2024
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  Korean startups to meet Silicon Valley experts at AJP innovation forum SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The AJP Global Innovation Growth Forum (GIGS), hosted by AJP, an English news agency under Aju News Corporation, and supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, will take place at 02:00 p.m. (local time) on January 6, 2025, at the Versailles Ballroom of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Former Administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration, Joo Young-sup, will attend to provide valuable insights. On January 7, a dinner party will give part December 30, 2024
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  Bird strike warning issued minutes before fatal plane crash SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - The control tower at Muan International Airport warned of possible bird strikes just minutes before a plane crash Sunday that left most of the 181 people aboard feared dead, transportation officials said. The ill-fated Jeju Air plane received the bird strike warning at 8:57 a.m., and the pilot declared a "mayday" emergency one minute later, according to Joo Jong-wan, director general of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and December 29, 2024