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  North Korean hackers account for over half of global crypto theft SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - North Korea-linked hackers reportedly have stolen approximately $1.34 billion in cryptocurrency across 47 separate scams this year. The amount is the largest ever recorded, according to a report released on Thursday by American blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. The stolen amount surpasses the previous record of $1.1 billion in 2022 and more than doubles last year's total of $660.5 million. The firm said that North Korean hackers accounted for 60 December 20, 2024
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  Yoon refuses to accept impeachment trial documents for third time SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - The presidential office has refused to accept delivery of documents related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial for the third time this week, the Constitutional Court of Korea said on Thursday. These documents are part of the ongoing trial proceedings following his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier in the week. During a briefing, the court's spokesperson Lee Jin explained that the documents were first delivered via Korea Post on December 20, 2024
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  Lotte Chemical adjusts bond terms to ease liquidity trouble SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - The troubled South Korean petrochemical firm Lotte Chemical has successfully negotiated the adjustment of financial covenants on corporate bonds worth 2.04 trillion won (US$1.4 billion) to avoid potential early redemption demands. The adjustment, announced on Thursday, came after the company failed to maintain its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)-to-interest coverage ratio above the required threshold of 5.0 times, r December 20, 2024
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  Top university leaders to discuss upcoming challenges at forum in Seoul SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - South Korea's top university leaders will gather in Seoul next week for a forum to discuss the challenges and tasks the country faces ahead of the new year. Co-organized by English-language news agency AJP and its Korean-language affiliate Aju Business Daily, the University Presidents' Future Forum 2025 will bring together leaders from prestigious universities and other academic institutions including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Tec December 20, 2024
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  Hungarian envoy says relations with South Korea poised for further growth SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - "A growing number of universities in Hungary now offer programs dedicated to South Korea thanks to the Korean Wave," said Hungarian Ambassador to South Korea István Szerdahelyi during his recent interview with AJP. "Riding the wave of these changes, we hope to see more South Korean students coming to Hungary," Szerdahelyi added, sharing his vision for the future of bilateral relations between the two countries. Hungary, is, in December 20, 2024
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  Toxic substances found in Christmas toys sold on Chinese e-commerce sites SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - Seoul City has discovered alarming levels of toxic substances in Christmas toys sold on major Chinese e-commerce platforms, with some items containing hazardous materials far exceeding South Korean safety standards. On Friday, the city government announced that six out of 15 inspected products, including paper toys, beads, and toy blocks, failed to meet domestic safety regulations. Two Santa Claus figurines from AliExpress were found to contain phthalat December 20, 2024
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  Far-right media may have shaped Yoon's martial law decision SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 3 martial law decree, criticized as both extreme and impractical, has ignited scrutiny over his decision-making process and alleged reliance on far-right media sources. Analysts suggest that conspiracy theories promoted by far-right YouTube channels, which have propagated unfounded claims of election fraud, may have influenced the president’s controversial actions. The channels in question have repeatedly December 19, 2024
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  Acting president's veto of six bills sparks backlash from Democratic Party SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday vetoed six controversial bills, exercising presidential power for the first time since assuming interim leadership following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vetoes, which include four agricultural bills and two related to parliamentary procedure, were approved during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting convened by Han earlier in the day. “My heart feels heavy as I ask the National Assembly t December 19, 2024
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  South Korea's tourism goals stumble amid political turmoil SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s ambitious goal of attracting 20 million foreign tourists in 2024 faces setbacks amid political upheaval, including recent martial law declaration and the impeachment of the president, tourism officials and industry experts say. While daily life for locals remains largely unaffected, the uncertainty has spooked international visitors, raising concerns about safety. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported a considerable December 19, 2024
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  US raises alarm over Russia's possible shift on North Korea's denuclearization amid growing military ties SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The U.S. has raised concerns that Russia may shift its stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Russia may be close to accepting North Korea's nuclear weapons program, reversing Moscow's decade long commitment to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula," said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a Security Council meeting in New York on Wednesday. "We believe that Moscow will become more r December 19, 2024