American business chamber raises alarm over contentious union law

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea urged the South Korean government on Friday to take industry concerns into account as it prepares to implement the so-called Yellow Envelope Act, a contentious new labor law that has become a flashpoint in the country’s corporate sector. AMCHAM Korea Chairman James Kim said the chamber would soon present policy recommendations to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which has formed a task

September 19, 2025

Kyung Hee University hosts 44th Peace BAR Festival to mark UN International Day of Peace

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Kyung Hee University System is hosting its 44th Peace BAR Festival from Sept. 19 to 20, bringing together global leaders and intellectuals to address humanity's challenges under the theme "The Moment of Chaos: Planetary Consciousness and Future Politics." The festival, announced by the university system led by Chancellor Choue In-won, commemorates the United Nations' International Day of Peace, which was originally proposed by the univer

September 19, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace to supply 24 more K9 howitzers to Norway

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a new contract with Norway’s defense procurement agency to supply 24 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers. The company did not disclose the value of the deal, citing an agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, known as NDMA. The signing ceremony was held on Sept. 18 in Oslo and attended by Hanwha’s chief executive, Son Jae-il, and Gro Jaere, director general of the NDMA. It is the

September 19, 2025

Tourism Malaysia Seoul concludes successful roadshow event with Batik Air Malaysia

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The Tourism Malaysia Seoul on Thursday has wrapped up a four-day roadshow across Korea's key metropolitan hubs - Seoul Daejeon, Gwangju, and Busan - to showcase the attractions of Sabah, the northern Borneo state known for its natural beauty and cultural appeal. The promotional campaign co-sponsored by the Sabah Tourism Board and Batik Air Malaysia, is timed with the launch of the airliner's direct route between Incheon and Kota Kinabalu, one of Malaysia&#

September 19, 2025

North Korean leader inspects test of tactical drones

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a test of tactical drones and instructed enhancements to their operational capabilities, state media reported Friday. The test demonstrated the "excellent combat effectiveness of the Kumsong-series tactical attack drones," with Kim expressing his satisfaction with the test results, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. It is the first time that North Korean media has mentioned the &q

September 19, 2025

Hyosung Heavy secures $150 million US power grid contract

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hyosung Heavy Industries, a South Korean power equipment maker, said Friday it has secured a $150 million contract to supply ultra–high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers to a U.S. firm. The deal will provide a package of 765-kilovolt transformers, reactors and 800-kilovolt circuit breakers. It is the first time a Korean company has delivered a complete solution for America’s 765-kilovolt transmission network — the backbone of

September 19, 2025

Outgoing Japanese PM to 'hold talks with Lee' in Busan late this month

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishida is considering a visit to South Korea to meet with President Lee Jae Myung later this month, according to multiple Japanese media outlets. Ishiba is expected to visit the southern port city of Busan from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 for talks with Lee. The Japanese leader announced his intention to step down earlier this month, after less than a year in office, as he succumbed to mounting pressure from the rulin

September 19, 2025

Hyundai Motor CEO calls for Korea-US deal on auto tariffs

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s chief executive warned that stalled U.S.-South Korea trade talks on auto tariffs are threatening the company’s competitiveness in its most important overseas market, even as rival Japan secured a more favorable deal with Washington. Speaking at Hyundai’s first overseas investor day in New York on Thursday (local time), Jose Munoz said the company’s current financial outlook assumes a 25 percent U.S. tariff on im

September 19, 2025

Hyundai Rotem opens first rail component plant in US

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean rail manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has opened its first American production facility, a move aimed at aligning with Washington’s push to localize infrastructure supply chains. The 8,500-square-meter plant, called Hyundai Rotem Smart Electric America, officially opened on Wednesday (local time) in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, the company said Friday. Demand for rail infrastructure in Southern California is likely to surge ahead of

September 19, 2025

Rosé's catchy song amasses over 2 billion views on YouTube

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, continues to break records with her catchy song "APT." According to her management agency, the global hit, a collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars, amassed over 2 billion views on YouTube in about a year after its release in October last year. With the latest feat, she now has another music video surpassing 2 billion views on the American streaming giant, adding to the quartet

September 19, 2025