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  Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed or injured in Russia, Zelensky claims SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Monday that more than 3,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been killed or injured in combat with Ukrainian forces. "The number of North Korean soldiers killed and wounded in the Kursk region has already exceeded 3,000," he said citing preliminary data. Zelensky took to social media to make the claim, while expressing concerns that Pyongyang is also threatening to send additional tr December 24, 2024
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  'North Korea preparing to send additional troops, equipment for Russia' SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korea's military has detected that North Korea is taking steps to send additional troops and equipment to support Russia, including the potential deployment of suicide drones. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday, North Korea is supplying Russia with 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery. The JCS also revealed that North Korea is making efforts to produce and supply suicide drones, including those sh December 23, 2024
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  KCCI helps semiconductor industry address labor shortage with training program SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - A total of 668 individuals have completed a program operated by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to cultivate skilled semiconductor specialists and obtained jobs in the semiconductor industry over the past three years. This initiative is a crucial part of South Korea's efforts to bolster its semiconductor workforce amid fierce global competition. Recognizing the surging demand, the KCCI plans to expand its training curriculum. Thi December 23, 2024
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  VISUALS: Seoul City Hall ice rink opens for season, admission still 1,000 won SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - The popular ice skating rink in front of Seoul City Hall has opened for its annual winter season, offering 52 days of skating enjoyment from Dec. 20 to Feb. 9, 2025. Continuing a tradition of affordability, the admission fee remains a mere 1,000 won ($0.69), unchanged since the rink's inauguration in 2004. Helmets and knee pads are available for free rental. December 23, 2024
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  Top university leaders discuss strategies for tackling upcoming complex crises at Seoul forum SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Leaders from South Korea's top universities in economics, technology, and law gathered in Seoul for a forum to discuss the challenges the country faces ahead of the new year. Under the theme "Renovation and Revolution of Korea," the University Presidents' Future Forum 2025 brought together leaders from prestigious institutions, including KAIST, Seoul National University (SNU), and Yonsei University. The event at the National Assembly i December 23, 2024
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  Shinsegae's Centum City surpasses $1.5 billion sales mark, driven by K-beauty, tourism SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Shinsegae Department Store's Centum City branch in Busan surpassed 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in annual sales on Saturday, marking the second consecutive year that a non-Seoul department store has achieved this milestone. The feat comes despite the ongoing challenges facing regional retail. The store's success can be attributed in part to a surge in foreign visitors, with customer visits increasing by 253 percent this year following a 668 perc December 23, 2024
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  Tesla challenges German dominance in Korea's imported car market SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc. is set to secure the third position in South Korea's imported car market this year, disrupting the traditional German-led hierarchy, industry data showed on Monday. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), German luxury automaker BMW led the market this year with 67,250 units sold up to November, followed by Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz with 59,561 units. Tesla record December 23, 2024
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  AI, sustainability take center stage at upcoming CES 2025 SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, set to open Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas, will host more than 4,500 companies from 160 countries under the theme "Dive In," focusing on connecting, solving problems, and discovering new possibilities through technology. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang will deliver his first keynote in eight years, expected to discuss next-generation AI accelerators and computing technology's impact. Other keynote speakers incl December 23, 2024
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  Korea ranks second in office property investment in Asia-Pacific SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korea's commercial office property investments have surged 18 percent this year, securing the second position in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan, according to a new market report released on Monday. The report from global real estate consultancy Savills showed South Korea captured 22 percent of the region's office property investments in the first three quarters of 2024, while Japan led with 30 percent market share. China, Australia and I December 23, 2024
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  Police secure President Yoon's phone records related to emergency martial law SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - The National Police Agency's special investigation team announced Sunday that it had obtained phone records from President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of its probe into the president's declaration and execution of emergency martial law on Dec. 3. The president declared martial law at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, citing threats to national security. Martial forces were deployed to major government facilities, including the National Assembly and December 23, 2024