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  Nurses strike to exacerbate healthcare crisis in S. Korea SEOUL, August 25 (AJU PRESS) - Some 30,000 unionized nurses and medical workers have decided to strike this week, citing demands for higher wages and a normalized medical system amid a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors. The Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union, representing approximately 30,000 nurses and medical workers at 61 hospitals, said over 91 percent of its members supported the strike plan. The union has been urging hospitals to swiftly address the medical vac August 25, 2024
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  PHOTOS: Apple TV+ releases 'Pachinko' season 2 SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - A press conference for "Pachinko" Season 2 was held in Seoul on Friday. The series, adapted from Min Jin Lee's bestselling novel, explores the harsh realities faced by the Korean diaspora in Japan. The Apple TV+ original debuted in March 2022, garnering critical acclaim for its storytelling, cinematography and performances. The first episode of the second season was released Friday on Apple TV+. August 23, 2024
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  OPINION: Harris delivers warm and strong acceptance speech as Democrats take joy, hope and renewal to electorate SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - In the recent history of convention speeches, Kamala Harris' remarks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago were relatively short. But they hit all the right notes. Harris was steady, warm, clear and, at times, funny. She reaffirmed all the themes her campaign has established so quickly and thoroughly: freedom, unity, and a vision for a better future. While there were a few moments in the speech that may indicate troubles to come, for August 23, 2024
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  Unprecedented heatwave to persist through early September SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Korea has been experiencing an unprecedented heatwave this summer, with unbearable tropical nights now continuing for over a month. A tropical night is when the lowest temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius after dark. Many Seoul residents had a sleepless night on Friday as the capital region extended its streak of tropical nights to 33. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Seoul had already experienced three oc August 23, 2024
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  Korean school team wins Japan's prestigious baseball championship SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - A small Korean school in Japan won the island country's annual high school baseball championship for the first time on Friday. Kyoto International Junior and Senior High School defeated Kanto Daiichi High School 2-1 in the final of Koshien, the prestigious baseball tournament held every summer in Hyogo, western Japan. Now in its 106th year, Koshien features only 49 baseball teams out of about 4,000 Japanese high schools that qualify to compete. August 23, 2024
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  Hanwha Aerospace builds first overseas defense production plant in Australia SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Hanwha Aerospace has built a manufacturing plant in Australia to produce self-propelled howitzers and armored vehicles, the Korean defense firm announced on Friday. The facility, named the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE), is the first overseas production base created by a Korean defense company. Located in Geelong, Victoria, the plant is scheduled to begin mass production of Australian versions of Hanwha's K9 Self-Propelled August 23, 2024
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  OPINION: US voters say they're ready for woman president − but sexist attitudes still go along with opposition to Harris SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Since President Joe Biden exited the presidential race on July 21, 2024, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris' campaign has generated widespread enthusiasm and attention. She quickly became the official Democratic presidential nominee and erased Donald Trump's lead over Biden in national and swing-state polling. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have also drawn tens of thou August 23, 2024
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  New variant drives sharp increase in COVID-related hospitalizations SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - A recent wave of COVID-19 cases has led to a rise in hospitalizations during the third week of August, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) said Friday. From Aug. 11 to 17, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations surged nearly fourfold, with the number of patients rising from around 465 to 1,464 in just a few weeks. Patients with COVID-19 now account for 70.3 percent of all respiratory disease cases, up from 32.4 percent in August 23, 2024
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  PHOTOS: Meet diverse animals at Seoul Children's Grand Park Zoo SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Seoul Children's Grand Park Zoo is home to about 600 animals across 60 different species. Following last year's escape incident involving Sero the zebra, the zoo has intensified its efforts to enhance animal safety and welfare. August 23, 2024
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  Travelers from Korea to Japan increase this month despite earthquake concerns SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Despite concerns about major earthquakes following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Japan this month, the number of travelers flying from Korea to Japan has increased compared to last year. According to data from Incheon International Airport Corp. and Korea Airports Corp., about 1,385,000 travelers used Japan routes, including both departures and arrivals, at domestic airports from Aug. 1 to 20. This represents a 20.8 percent increase from a year ago August 23, 2024