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  Cost drives South Korean travelers' choices, survey finds SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Nearly half of South Korean travelers prioritize price when selecting travel booking platforms, with 47.9 percent citing cost as their top consideration, according to a survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency. The survey, which analyzed responses from 1,600 users across four major booking platforms, highlights the growing importance of affordability in travel decisions. The findings also revealed significant consumer dissatisfaction. Fourteen pe December 24, 2024
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  Yoon's troop deployment under martial law raises questions about alliance: US Congress report SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to deploy troops under martial law without notifying U.S. military commanders in South Korea has raised concerns about the state of alliance coordination, according to a new report released by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on Dec. 23. The report, accessible on the CRS website, highlights potential ramifications for U.S.-South Korea relations and broader foreign policy. It warns that Seoul could face cha December 24, 2024
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  Stray Kids' latest album claims top spot on Billboard chart SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids' latest album "Hop" made history for a South Korean act by reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the sixth time. Billboard said last Sunday that the album ranked first after earning 187,000 equivalent album units for the week ending Dec. 19 in the U.S. It praised the eight-member band achieved a historic milestone by securing the top spot on the chart with six consecutive albums, a feat unprecedente December 24, 2024
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  Opposition party to push for Acting President's impeachment this week SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) vowed on Tuesday to take immediate steps to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo. "Han made it clear at a Cabinet meeting that he will not promulgate the bills," the DP's floor leader Park Chan-dae said. "The only interpretation of this is that he intends to buy time." The development comes after Han refused the DP's demand to promulgate two bills for investigations by independent pr December 24, 2024
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  Demand for Santa Claus jobs surges despite subdued holiday mood SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Demand for part-time Santa Claus jobs has more than doubled this year, according to data from Danggeun Market, a popular local community platform. Between Nov. 23 and Dec. 17, searches for keywords like “Santa role” and “one-day Santa” surged over 100 percent compared to the same period last year, with job postings experiencing similar growth. The listings offer a variety of seasonal opportunities, from posing as Santa at kinde December 24, 2024
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  Executive promotions plunge across major conglomerates amid economic uncertainty SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The number of executive promotions at South Korea's top 30 business groups has decreased around 10 percent this year, reflecting growing economic uncertainties and prolonged market downturn, data from a corporate analysis firm showed on Tuesday. According to a report by Leaders Index, 1,303 executives were promoted across top 30 major conglomerates between Aug. 1 to Dec. 20, marking a 9.6 percent decline from 1,442 promotions last year. The decline December 24, 2024
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  Historical espionage film 'Harbin' set for release in North America SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - "Harbin," starring South Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin, is set to hit theaters across North America early next month, film distributor Well Go USA Entertainment said. Slated for release in various cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto on Jan. 3, the historical espionage film, revolves around the sacrifices and struggles of Korean independence fighters including Ahn Jung-geun, who fought for his country during Japan's imperial expa December 24, 2024
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  Hotels see growing demand of seasonal products SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Major South Korean hotels are reporting significant sales growth from their private-brand (PB) Christmas teddy bears and related merchandise, as seasonal decorations drive experiential consumption. Kensington Hotel Yeouido reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase in PB product sales after displaying its signature bears and doorman bear keychains, with the latter requiring a second restock due to high demand. Hanwha Hotels & Resorts saw sales of December 24, 2024
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  Consumer sentiment in South Korea worst since November 2022 SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Korea's consumer sentiment dropped sharply in December, marking its steepest decline since the 2008 global financial crisis amid political uncertainty concerning President Yoon Suk Yeol, the central bank said on Tuesday. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) fell 12.3 points from the previous month to 88.4 in December, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK), reaching its lowest level since November 2022. The decline represents the largest mont December 24, 2024
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  'North Korea proposed troop deployment to Russia,' U.S. officials believe SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - North Korea initially proposed deploying its troops to Russia to assist Moscow's war in Ukraine, The New York Times reported on Monday, citing U.S. intelligence agencies. The deployment was "North Korea's idea and not Russia's," although Russian President Vladimir Putin "quickly embraced it," the daily wrote. Over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to have been sent to Russia since last fall, with most of them depl December 24, 2024