Trump's Tylenol vitriol upsets Korean moms-to-be, Seoul backs safety

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump's comments linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism have rattled some expectant mothers in South Korea, sparking anxiety and anger, while Korean health authorities firmly denied any scientific connection. At a White House press conference Monday, Trump said he would direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restrict acetaminophen-based medicines such as Tylenol during pregnancy, except in cases of severe

September 26, 2025

South Korea to send special envoy to Egypt to mark 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Park Beom-gye, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, will visit Egypt next week as a special envoy, presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said in a press release. His visit from Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 comes in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Cairo. Park will meet with key figures and officials in Egypt to further strengthen bilateral relations while explaining South Korea's foreign policies and d

September 26, 2025

HYBE revs up global idol pipeline as BTS comeback nears

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) -HYBE, the K-pop powerhouse behind global superstar BTS, is accelerating its international expansion with region-specific idol franchises as it sets the stage for BTS’s long-awaited group comeback next year. Latin America is the next market to host a HYBE-incubated idol group, following rollouts in Japan, the U.S., and China. The company also announced it will open a new outpost in Mumbai, India, this year — its fifth overseas base — to ta

September 26, 2025

South Korea appoints new envoy to Tokyo ahead of outgoing Japanese PM's visit next week

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Former envoy to Viet Nam Lee Hyuk has been appointed as South Korea's new ambassador to Tokyo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Born in 1958, Lee graduated from Korea University with a degree in economics before joining the ministry along with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. The seasoned diplomat with deep expertise in Japanese affairs also served in ambassadorial posts in the Philippines and Vi

September 26, 2025

Korean fintech rushes to Vietnam's crypto market amid regulatory easing

SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) -With a young, tech-savvy population, strong investment inflows, and government-backed pilot frameworks, Vietnam is increasingly being seen as an ideal springboard for Korean exchanges and fintech firms seeking growth beyond saturated domestic markets. As Upbit, Bithumb, and BDACS jostle for early-mover advantage, Vietnam’s regulatory sandbox may well determine the next phase of Korea’s digital finance ambitions in Southeast Asia. According t

September 26, 2025

Impeached ex-president makes first public appearance after refusing dozen previous hearings

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday attended a hearing for his trial over last year's botched martial law debacle. After skipping about a dozen hearings citing poor health, he made his first public appearance in nearly three months. The trial at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul began at 10:15 a.m., with charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.

September 26, 2025

Strong U.S. Data and Trump Remarks push the KRW-USD Above 1,410

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - The U.S. dollar shot up above 1,410 won in early Seoul trading Friday for the first time in four months on stronger-than-expected U.S. growth data and renewed jitters over trade prospects after U.S. President Donald Trump stressed that South Korea's $350 billion investment commitment in the U.S. should be made "up front". Fears about the hefty greenback price tag Korea may be forced to bear unsettled the markets. The KOSPI lost 2.1 perce

September 26, 2025

North Korea sends high-ranking delegation to UN for first time in seven years

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - North Korea's high-ranking official has left Pyongyang to attend the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday. Along with his entourage, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong arrived in Beijing on an Air Koryo flight the previous day, en route to New York, becoming North Korea’s first high-level official to attend the annual UN gathering in sev

September 26, 2025

Korea's BSI eases, but outlook uneasiness persists due to U.S. uncertainty

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - South Korean business sentiment eased for the second consecutive month thanks to robust chip exports and consumer spending spurred by government relief program, but uneasiness persisted due to trade uncertainties related to the United States. The Composite Business Survey Index (CBSI) rose 0.6 points to 91.6 from the previous month, sustaining upward movement for the second straight month, according to the Bank of Korea data released Tuesday. In t

September 26, 2025

Trump presses for 'upfront' investment pledges from South Korea amid stalled tariff talks

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday ramped up his demand that South Korea fulfill its $350 billion investment pledge to Washington in full and upfront. After signing an executive order related to TikTok at the White House, Trump mentioned that the U.S. would receive $550 billion from Japan and $350 billion from South Korea, adding that the payments should be made "upfront." He then went on to boast that his sweeping tariff policy is bri

September 26, 2025