World Cup 26: Koreans ride emotional journey during the first match SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) -The thrill before kickoff Thousands of supporters dressed in red packed Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Friday morning, creating a sea of national flags and cheering sticks as South Korea opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against the Czechia. Office workers on leave, families with children and foreign visitors gathered beneath giant screens, united by anticipation and hope. The nail-biting first half As the match sett June 12, 2026

BTS releases 'Come Over' as part of 2026 FESTA SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - K-pop supergroup BTS on Friday released "Come Over," a track previously available only on the deluxe vinyl edition of its fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," BigHit Music said. The release is part of 2026 BTS FESTA, the group's annual celebration held around its June 13 debut anniversary. "Come Over" was included only on the deluxe LP version of "ARIRANG," which came out on April 3. Suga produced the track, with RM a June 12, 2026

UK's Indo-Pacific minister in Seoul to boost cooperation with South Korea SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - U.K. Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra has been in Seoul this week as she seeks to deepen cooperation with South Korea across various sectors and address shared global challenges. During her three-day visit which began on Thursday, Malhotra has been meeting with South Korean government officials and business leaders to discuss cooperation in advanced technologies, clean energy, and defense, according to the British Embassy in Seoul. She arrived f June 12, 2026

SpaceX IPO fever meets Starlink's reality check in Asia SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - SpaceX's record-shattering market debut is drawing fresh attention to Starlink, its satellite internet business, as investors look beyond rockets and Mars ambitions to identify the company's most important source of revenue. While SpaceX is best known for reusable rockets and the Starship program, analysts increasingly view Starlink as the company's financial engine. The low-Earth orbit satellite internet network has become SpaceX's largest bus June 12, 2026

KOSPI surges over 4% as foreign buyers return after weeks of selling SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - The KOSPI closed up 4.63 percent Friday, capping a volatile week with a broad rally as foreign investors returned to Korean stocks after weeks of relentless selling. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed up more than four percent on Friday, capping a volatile week with a broad rally as foreign investors returned to the market after weeks of relentless selling. The index gained 359.67 points or 4.63 percent, though it eased from a sharper morning advance June 12, 2026

Hanwha Ocean virtually wins $5 bln KDDX destroyer bid SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean has virtually been selected as the preferred bidder for South Korea’s next-generation destroyer project, industry sources said Thursday, beating rival HD Hyundai Heavy Industries by less than one point in a closely watched competition. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA, completed its evaluation of proposals for the detailed design and construction of the lead ship for the Korean Destroyer Next Generation, or KDDX, and n June 12, 2026

Lee's approval rating falls below 60% as controversy over local elections deepens SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to 57 percent, the lowest level so far this year, according to a survey of over 1,000 adults conducted by pollster Gallup Korea early this week and released on Friday. Some 57 percent said Lee is doing a good job, down 7 percentage points from a similar survey conducted just before the June 3 local elections. After months of strong approval ratings since early February, his support slipped below 60 percent June 12, 2026

For BTS fans, following them 'Into the Sun' is worth every second — even 3 months SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) — While much of South Korea was painted red in celebration of the national football team's opening victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country's second-largest city turned purple as BTS fans flooded Busan for a two-day concert marking the group's 13th anniversary. For many ARMY members, the concerts were more than another stop on BTS's world tour. They marked an emotional return to the very venue where the group bid farewell before an June 12, 2026

Samsung Biologics, union to resume talks next week SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics and its labor union will resume negotiations next week in a bid to narrow differences over wage increases and personnel system reforms that have strained relations at the South Korean contract drugmaker for months. The two sides agreed to meet on June 16, industry sources said Friday, after the union pressed management to return to the bargaining table and the company responded earlier in the day. Management has proposed first holding work June 12, 2026

Another fire breaks out at SK hynix's plant in Cheongju SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - A fire broke out at SK hynix's chip plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province on Friday, injuring one worker and forcing about 4,000 employees to evacuate. The fire came less than two weeks after a similar incident at the same plant on June 1. According to workers and fire officials, flames started at around 9:55 a.m. in a gas room on the second floor of its M15X facility at the plant. The fire was fully extinguished within about 10 minutes after th June 12, 2026