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  More patients rejected from emergency rooms amid doctors' strike SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - The number of patients being turned away from emergency rooms (ERs) has more than doubled due to a medical vacuum caused by trainee doctors protesting the government's plan to increase medical school admissions, the National Fire Agency (NFA) said Wednesday. From February to Aug. 25 this year, the NFA redirected some 1,197 ambulances to other hospitals after they were rejected at ERs — a 131 percent increase from 678 cases during the same period September 4, 2024
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  Amid declining sales, Audi closes several service centers in Korea SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - German luxury automaker Audi is grappling with declining sales in Korea, leading to the closure of several local service centers. Audi's new vehicle registrations in Korea from January to July this year totaled 4,524 units, marking a 59.4 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). In July, Audi registered 921 vehicles, placing seventh among importe September 4, 2024
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  KAI showcases latest fighters, helicopters at Egypt air show SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), one of the country's largest aerospace and defense companies, said on Wednesday it is showcasing aircraft at the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS) in El Alamein, aiming to expand its presence in African and Middle Eastern markets. The three-day event, which opened Tuesday, features about 200 companies from 80 countries displaying approximately 50 military and commercial aircraft. KAI is presenting its FA-50 multi-purpose September 4, 2024
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  Gyeongbokgung Palace invites visitors to experience royal delicacies this fall SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - Visitors are invited to indulge in a taste of royal cuisine at Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul this fall. A culinary program at the historic palace, which began on Wednesday, runs until the end of October, offering a unique opportunity to savor traditional Korean confectionery and refreshments once served to royal families. "This special experience allows visitors to sample royal court desserts and medicinal teas through the reenactment of the k September 4, 2024
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  POSCO secures stake in world's second-largest graphite reserve in Tanzania SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - POSCO International, the trading arm of Korea's steel group POSCO, has agreed to invest $40 million in a graphite mine project in Tanzania. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced Tuesday the company signed a deal to increase the POSCO group’s stake in Black Rock Mining (BRM), which owns the Mahenge graphite mine, to 19.9 percent. POSCO Holdings had previously invested $7.5 million in the Australian company. The Mahenge mine is es September 4, 2024
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  Bus drivers in Gyeonggi withdraw strike plan after reaching last-minute deal SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - Unionized bus drivers in Gyeonggi Province withdrew their strike plan on Wednesday after reaching a last-minute settlement with their employers. The two sides agreed to a 7 percent wage increase, lower than the unions’ original demands of 12.32 percent and 21.86 percent, following a 12-hour negotiation that concluded at 3 a.m. The federation of unions, which represents 16,000 drivers from 45 companies in the province surrounding Seoul, had planned t September 4, 2024
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  OPINION: The harsh process of becoming K-pop star is opening to western performers SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - "Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience" is a six-part reality show following five British trainees over 100 days as they debut as a Korean-pop (K-pop) idol boy group called Dear Alice. In collaboration with SM Entertainment, a K-pop powerhouse, the show will introduce the behind-the-scenes of making a K-pop idol through an immersive training system. Showing a glimpse of the lives of K-pop trainees, the first episode introduces K-pop as a multi-billion September 4, 2024
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  Ko Ah-sung 'seeks escape' in her latest film SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) -Actress Ko Ah-sung returned to the silver screen with her new film, "Because I Hate Korea," which hit local theaters last week. As its provocative title might suggest, especially to many Koreans, the film revolves around a woman in her late 20s who decides to move to New Zealand in search of happiness, quitting her job and leaving her family and boyfriend behind. "'I should do this, otherwise, I would forever regret not doing it.' September 4, 2024
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  VISUALS: Incheon International Airport hosts conference on the future of aviation industry SEOUL, September 03 (AJP) - The 2024 World Aviation Conference, a two-day event hosted by the Incheon International Airport, was kicked off Tuesday at the Inspire Entertainment Resort near the airport in Incheon. Under the theme "A New Way Forward: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity," the conference will focus on post-pandemic industry trends and the recovery and growth of the aviation market following the COVID-19 downturn. The event, which was inaugurated in 2016, brings toge September 3, 2024
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  Actor Yoo Ah-in sentenced to 1 year in prison for drug offenses SEOUL, Sept. 3 (AJP) - Actor Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to one year in prison for illegal drug use on Monday. The Seoul Central District Cour also imposed a fine of two million Korean won (US$1,492). Yoo was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing. The verdict came out after the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office sought a four-year prison term for Yoo in July. The court said, "Despite warnings from medical professionals, Yoo continued to use sedative September 3, 2024