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  New China envoy arrives in Seoul, vows enhanced bilateral ties SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - China's new ambassador to South Korea, Dai Bing, arrived in Seoul on Thursday, calling the two nations "inseparable partners" and expressing hopes for South Korea's stability amid its current political turmoil. "South Korea and China are inseparable partners and their cooperation has high levels of mutual benefit and strategic importance," Dai said in a written statement after arriving at Gimpo International Airport. The vete December 27, 2024
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  North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces, spy agency confirms SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - A North Korean soldier allegedly deployed to Russia to support its war in Ukraine has been captured by Ukrainian forces, South Korea's spy agency confirmed on Friday. "Through real-time information sharing with allied intelligence agencies, we have verified that one injured North Korean soldier has been captured," said National Intelligence Service (NIS) in a statement. "We will closely monitor further developments." The first co December 27, 2024
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  Deepening political woes rattle Korean financial markets SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - Investors' hopes for a year-end "Santa rally" in South Korea have fizzled as economic stagnation, political turmoil, and a plummeting value of the Korean currency won hammer the financial markets. The KOSPI stock index tumbled 1.59% on Wednesday, falling to 2,391.00 during early trading and breaching the key 2,400 level. Losses were widespread, with all but one of the top 10 market-cap stocks - SK Hynix - suffering declines. With just tw December 27, 2024
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  Rookie girl band ILLIT's debut single sets record with over 500 million Spotify streams SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - Rookie girl band ILLIT set a new record on Spotify with their debut single, reaching 500 million views on the global streaming site. The quintet's single "Magnetic" has amassed over 503.58 million streams, achieving the feat in the shortest time among debut tracks of K-pop acts, their agency said on Friday. Released in March 2024, the song captures the moments of magnetic attraction to a crush, portraying the journey of realizing and expre December 27, 2024
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  Shinsegae partners with China's Alibaba to shake up e-commerce market SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - South Korean retail giant Shinsegae Group is teaming up with China's Alibaba Group in a strategic move to bolster its position in the country’s fast-evolving e-commerce market. The two companies announced plans for a 50:50 joint venture, set to launch next year, combining Shinsegae’s Gmarket platform with Alibaba’s South Korean operations, AliExpress Korea. The partnership, Shinsegae said in a statement, aims to create a synergis December 27, 2024
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  Yoon's legal representatives set to attend impeachment hearing SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - Lawyers representing President Yoon Suk Yeol are expected to attend a public hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday. Yoon's longtime friend and legal representative Seok Dong-hyun told reporters that Yoon has formed a legal defense team to handle his impeachment trial and investigations related to his short-lived martial law attempts earlier this month. According to Seok, Bae Bo-yoon, a former scholar who se December 27, 2024
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  IBK workers stage first general strike SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - The labor union of the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) staged its first-ever general strike on Friday, citing wage inequality and unpaid allowances. With more than 60 percent of the bank’s workforce expected to join the walkout, disruptions are anticipated at branches nationwide. The strike follows months of failed negotiations between the union and IBK management over wages and collective bargaining agreements. Earlier this month, 88 percent of uni December 27, 2024
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  PHOTOS: Snow sledding park opens in Dongdaemun SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - A new winter recreation facility featuring outdoor snow sledding has opened in Seoul's Dongdaemun District, offering a variety of winter activities for residents and visitors. December 26, 2024
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  PHOTOS: The 13th Art Show opens at COEX SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The 13th Art Show is underway at COEX in Seoul, showcasing diverse works from both domestic and international artists. The exhibition runs from Dec. 23 to 28, 2024. December 26, 2024
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  National Assembly votes to appoint Constitutional Court justice nominees SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Three justices nominated for the Constitutional Court of Korea were approved by the National Assembly on Thursday. But their final appointments remain uncertain as they require approval from Acting President Han Duck-soo who insists that he can only proceed if the National Assembly reaches an agreement granting him the authority to do so. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a majority in the National Assembly, has been seeking to fill December 26, 2024