K-dessert course featured in dramas excites international sweet tooth SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Korean traditional flavors — black sesame, mugwort, jujube, gardenia, and rice — are folded into the filling of the Joseon macaron, a reimagined treat that delights the palates of haughty Chinese envoys on screen and the cravings of global audiences off screen in the hit Korean drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The global craze for Korean cuisine has spilled beyond savory dishes into desserts and pastries, cleverly catering to both healt September 22, 2025

Cameras allowed for opening of Kim Keon Hee trial, but not for full proceedings SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A Seoul court has permitted media outlets to film the opening of the first trial for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who faces corruption charges. The Seoul Central District Court announced on Monday that it will open the courtroom for a media photo and video opportunity before the hearing begins at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the court's decision, video and photography will be permitted from the beginning of the session until the presid September 22, 2025

South Korea vows govt intervention to fight hackers SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - The South Korean government has vowed proactive intervention to fight cyberattacks and protect consumer privacy as nationwide consumer services reel from a string of data breaches. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, presiding over an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, ordered a comprehensive overhaul of telecommunications and financial services regulations to better address the growing threat. "Realizing a digital transition and building an AI power September 22, 2025

After Homeplus scandal, Lotte Card hack puts spotlight on MBK Partners SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A major data breach at Lotte Card has intensified scrutiny of MBK Partners, one of Asia’s largest private equity firms, which already faces mounting criticism over its troubled ownership of Homeplus, South Korea’s second-largest retail chain. The two incidents have stoked concerns that MBK, which manages more than $30 billion in assets, has prioritized short-term financial returns at the expense of adequate investment in security and corpora September 22, 2025

Kazakh minister strengthens science and education ties during Seoul visit SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek wrapped up a two-day visit to South Korea on September 11, focusing on expanding cooperation in science, technology, and higher education, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea said. While in Seoul, Nurbek met with South Korean officials and university leaders to deepen collaboration and create more opportunities for students and researchers. In talks with Bae Kyung- September 22, 2025

Aju News chair named first head of Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship Association SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Kwak Young-kil, chairman of Aju News Corporation, has been appointed as the founding head of the Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship Association, marking a milestone in efforts to deepen ties between the two countries. The appointment ceremony was held Monday at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul. Kwak underscored the strong presence of Korean companies in Kazakhstan, noting that the business community and other sectors have long sought opportunities to e September 22, 2025

KAIST combines AI and light-based brain control to fight Parkinson's disease SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has announced a new way to detect and treat Parkinson's disease earlier, using artificial intelligence and light to study and control brain signals. The work was led by Professor Heo Won-do of KAIST's Department of Biological Sciences. Professor Kim Dae-soo of KAIST’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Director Lee Chang-joon of the Institute for Basic Science (IB September 22, 2025

Seoul seeks to document abuses amid claims of US detention mistreatment SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has begun surveying more than 300 of its citizens who were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia, after some former detainees alleged they were subjected to mistreatment while in custody. The survey, distributed this week to 316 South Koreans who have since returned home, asks respondents to describe the circumstances of their arrest and their experiences during detention. It will remain open for a we September 22, 2025

Multinational interest revives Korea's dream of becoming gas producer SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A beleaguered deep-sea gas development campaign in the East Sea has been revived after BP plc. and a few unspecified foreign names submitted offers to tap reserves off the east coast of South Korea. State-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) published on Sunday that several multinational energy firms filed letters of intent by the deadline on Sunday, resuscitating the campaign shunned by local companies due to association with former disgraced presid September 22, 2025

Kim Jong-un signals openness to US talks while rejecting S. Korea as partner SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - In a speech delivered at the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang on Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he could meet with the United States if Washington abandoned its insistence on denuclearization, while ruling out dialogue or unification with South Korea, "I still personally have good memories of President Trump," Kim said, according to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 22. "If September 22, 2025