Technocrat-turned-executive to guide Korea's energy policy SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - In a move signaling South Korea’s deepening commitment to pragmatic industrial policy, President Lee Jae-myung on Sunday nominated Kim Jung-kwan, a technocrat-turned-corporate strategist, as the next Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. The choice of Kim, currently president of Doosan Enerbility, places a seasoned public servant with cross-sector experience at the helm of a ministry central to Korea’s energy transition and industrial competiti June 30, 2025

South Korean pair claims maiden LPGA victory at Dow Championship in Michigan SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - Golfers Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi secured their maiden LPGA title by winning the Dow Championship in the U.S. on Sunday. In the fourth and final round of the championship in Midland, Michigan, the South Korean pair finished at 20-under 260, leading to a playoff in which they birdied the first hole to beat the American team of Megan Khang and Lexi Thompson. Another South Korean team, Park Sung-hyun and Yoon Ina, tied for fourth at 11-under. With Sunday' June 30, 2025

Regulators target Aekyung, SK Chemicals over humidifier disinfectant scandal SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s antitrust regulator has launched enforcement proceedings against Aekyung Industrial and SK Chemicals after the two companies failed to comply with orders to publicly acknowledge their responsibility in one of the country’s deadliest consumer product scandals. The Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has issued examination reports recommending prosecution for both firms, according to industry sources. In 2018, the commission imposed fines t June 30, 2025

N. Korean leader Russian culture minister, pushes for stronger cultural ties SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova in Pyongyang on Sunday, highlighting growing cultural cooperation between the two countries. The visit marked one year since the signing of the North Korea-Russia Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which took place during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June last year. The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Workers' Party of June 30, 2025

President Lee names key Cabinet picks, tapping bureaucratic, political veterans SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Sunday unveiled a slate of high-profile cabinet nominees, selecting experienced bureaucrats and longtime political allies to lead his administration through a pivotal early phase. The appointments include key posts overseeing the economy, judicial reform, education, and national safety. Koo Yun-cheol, a veteran technocrat and former chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, was tapped as Deputy Prime Minister and June 29, 2025

Loan cap in South Korea risks deepening housing inequality SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - A sweeping new lending regulation which took effect Friday is shaking South Korea’s housing market, drawing mixed reactions from economists and homebuyers alike. The rule, which caps home mortgage loans at 600 million won (approximately $430,000), is intended to curb speculative buying and stabilize soaring home prices in Seoul. But critics warn it could further squeeze middle-class buyers out of the market. Under the new regulation, even high-in June 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Special counsel team opens inquiry into Yoon Suk Yeol SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - A special counsel team concluded its initial round of questioning with former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Sunday, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged insurrection related to his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. Yoon was allowed to leave after 15 hours of interrogation. Prosecutors, however, plans to summon him again at 9 a.m. Monday for further inquiry. The session marked a striking moment of reversal for Yoon, who was questioned for the first time ins June 29, 2025

South Korea-US tariff negotiations intensify as July deadline approaches with specific American demands SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States engaged in detailed tariff negotiations from Jun. 22 to 27 in Washington DC, with American officials presenting specific demands ranging from beef import regulations to participation in Alaska's liquefied natural gas projects, government sources said on Saturday. The third round of technical discussions between Trade Minister Yeo Han-gu and US counterparts comes as the Jul. 8 deadline for mutual tariff relief approaches, ma June 28, 2025

Samsung Electronics surpasses 10,000 GWh renewable energy usage in 2024, introduces first domestic PPA contracts SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' renewable energy consumption exceeded 10,000 gigawatt-hours for the first time in 2024, reaching 10,069 GWh and representing an 8.4 percent increase from the previous year, the company reported on Friday. The milestone was disclosed in Samsung's 2025 Sustainability Management Report, which detailed the company's environmental, social and governance performance alongside its expanding commitment to clean energy adoption across June 28, 2025

Special prosecutor to question former President Yoon over martial law case on Saturday SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - Special prosecutor Jo Eun-seok questioned former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday as a suspect in connection with the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and related charges, after Yoon arrived at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office through the main entrance at 9:55 AM. The questioning marks the first time the former leader has been investigated at the prosecution office where he once worked for over two decades, coming 16 days after the special prosecutor' June 28, 2025