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  PHOTOS: Film on independence fighters will be released on Dec. 24 SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A press conference and media preview screening for "Harbin," a film depicting the life-risking journey of Korean independence fighters during the Japanese colonial period, took place at CGV in Yongsan, Seoul, Dec. 18, 2024. The film opens in theaters Dec. 24. December 19, 2024
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  Prices of popular winter fruits surge due to heat wave damage SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korean consumers are bracing for higher winter fruit costs, with tangerines and strawberries experiencing significant price hikes compared to last year. The culprit is a prolonged summer heat wave that wreaked havoc on crops. Data released Thursday by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. revealed that retail prices for tangerines have surged 18 percent year-on-year to 4,265 won ($2.94) per 10 pieces. Strawberries, likewise, have seen a 14 December 19, 2024
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  Yoon marks low-key birthday as he prepares for impeachment trial SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol quietly marked his 64th birthday on Wednesday without any official schedules or festivities. His low-key birthday came amid his suspension from presidential duties after a motion to impeach him over his abrupt declaration of martial law was passed last week. But the presidential office in Yongsan received over 2,000 letters congratulating Yoon on his birthday, and some of his die-hard supporters also sent flowers to the Constitution December 19, 2024
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  Acting President Han talks with Japanese PM on the phone SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over the phone on Thursday. Han's conversation with Ishiba came after his phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden last weekend. During their talks which lasted about 20 minutes, Han assured Ishiba that the country's state affairs including diplomatic and security policies would be managed without disruptions in accordance with the Constitutional law and order, despi December 19, 2024
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  VISUALS: Opera 'Again 2024 Turandot' will hit South Korean stage SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A press call for the opera "Again 2024 Turandot" was held at COEX in Seoul on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The opera, scheduled to run from Dec. 22 to 31 at COEX, is Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's final masterpiece. This three-act opera tells the love story between Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf, set in ancient China. December 19, 2024
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  Lotteria caught in viral storm over martial law meeting SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Lotteria, a popular South Korean fast-food chain, has unexpectedly found itself at the center of a political storm and social media frenzy after it was revealed that former and current military intelligence commanders secretly discussed martial law plans at one of its franchise locations. According to the National Police Agency, Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho and former commander Roh Sang-won met at a Lotteria store near Sangnoksu Station in Ansan o December 19, 2024
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  Koreans Zinc's stake battle now depends on shareholder vote SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest zinc smelter, Korea Zinc, and a rival consortium led by Young Poong and MBK Partners have concluded their respective campaigns to acquire shares in the company. However, neither side has secured a majority stake, setting the stage for a crucial shareholder vote in January. As of Wednesday, Korea Zinc is estimated to hold a 33.83 percent stake, while the Young Poong-MBK alliance holds a 39.83 percent stake. The upcoming extraordi December 19, 2024
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  Oxford team promotes Korean language education SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) -- Researchers at the University of Oxford are expanding efforts to promote Korean language education amid surging worldwide interest in Korean culture. Oxford's Korean studies program has signed memorandums of understanding with South Korea's Pyeongtaek University and Indonesia's Pancasila University to develop and share Korean language curricula, Professor Jieun Kiaer said Wednesday. The initiative responds to growing demand for Korean lang December 19, 2024
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  South Korean won hits 15-year high against dollar SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The South Korean won surged past 1,450 to the U.S. dollar in early trading Thursday, its highest level in over 15 years, as a stronger dollar emerged in the wake of expectations for delayed interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve. In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,452.1 per dollar as of 9:10 a.m., up 16.6 won from Wednesday’s close. The rate opened at 1,453.0 won, a rise of 17.5 won, and remained at similar level December 19, 2024
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  U.S. Senate passes annual defense bill maintaining current level of USFK upkeep SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a defense bill which includes Washington's commitment to maintaining about 28,500 American troops in South Korea. The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which allocates $895 billion for defense and security for fiscal year 2025, passed the Senate with a decisive 85-14 vote after clearing the House last week. The bill's passage comes amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may seek to red December 19, 2024