South Korea, US reaffirm goal of North Korea denuclearization

SEOUL, February 15 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States on Saturday reaffirmed their shared goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea during their first foreign ministers' talks since Donald Trump's return to the presidency. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Munich, Germany, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. During their 40-minute meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening

February 15, 2025

China expresses concern over attempted break-in by costumed pro-Yoon protester

SEOUL, February 15 (AJP) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Korea expressed "concern and regret" on Saturday over an attempted break-in by a supporter of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was dressed as the Marvel character "Captain America." The incident occurred on Friday evening when a man in his 40s, identified only by his surname Ahn, tried to enter the embassy in Seoul's Myeongdong district as its doors were briefly opened. He was immediately arrest

February 15, 2025

Trump to unveil automobile tariffs on April 2

SEOUL, February 15 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he plans to unveil tariffs on imported automobiles on April 2, a move that could directly affect South Korea’s car exports to the U.S. Responding to a reporter’s question about the timeline for the auto tariffs, Trump asked his aide, "We're going to do it on April 2, I think. Is that right?" The official confirmed, "That's right." He made the remarks during a White Hous

February 15, 2025

South Korea adds one more gold on last day of Winter Asiad in Harbin

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - South Korea added one more gold in the women's curling on the last day of this year's Winter Asian Games in Harbin on Friday. Led by skip Gim Eun-ji, the South Korean curling team defeated China, earning the country's 16th and final gold medal at the quadrennial sporting event. But the men's curling team settled for silver after a loss to the Philippines, while the men's ice hockey team claimed bronze by defeating China. South Kor

February 14, 2025

Six dead in construction site fire in Busan

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - A fire broke out at a construction site in Busan, leaving six workers dead and about 25 others injured with smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. According to firefighters, the fire started around 10:50 a.m. on the first floor of the luxury Banyan Tree Hotel, which is slated to have its grand opening in the southern port city later this year. Firefighters rescued about a dozen trapped inside using helicopters from the roof, while more than a hundre

February 14, 2025

North Korea 'poised to mass-produce ICBMs,' US commander says

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - North Korea is likely to soon begin mass production of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, a U.S. military commander speculated on Thursday. In a written statement to the Senate Committed on Armed Services, Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, claimed North Korea "probably can deliver a nuclear payload to targets throughout North Americ

February 14, 2025

Acting president says US reciprocal tariffs will have limited impact

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Friday that U.S. plans for reciprocal tariffs would likely have limited impact on the Korean economy due to existing free trade agreements, but warned that non-tariff barriers require close monitoring. The remark follows U.S. President Donald Trump's signing of a memorandum on reciprocal trade and tariffs that would examine not only tariffs but also non-tariff barriers and exchange rates of trading partners. The

February 14, 2025

Constitutional Court to hold two additional hearings for Yoon's impeachment trial next week

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea said on Friday that it will hold one more hearing session for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his botched martial law debacle in December last year. This follows the court's earlier announcement that the trial's ninth hearing will be held on Tuesday, meaning that there will be two additional hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday next week. The court also accepted a request from Yoon

February 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Graduation season

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - As graduation season unfolds across South Korea, universities are hosting commencement ceremonies to honor their graduates.

February 14, 2025

Hanmi Science leadership dispute ends as founder's widow takes helm

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - A protracted leadership dispute at Hanmi Science, the holding company of South Korean pharmaceutical firm Hanmi, has drawn to a close with the appointment of Song Young-sook as its sole chief executive officer. The board of directors announced Friday that Song, the widow of Hanmi’s late founder, Im Sung-ki, will replace Im Jong-hoon as CEO. The decision comes nine months after Song stepped down from her position as co-CEO last May. In a further

February 14, 2025