Trump confirms Korea-backed U.S. projects including Alaska LNG SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) -U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a sweeping package of South Korean-backed energy investments spanning a gas-fired power plant in Texas, eight large-scale nuclear reactors and the Alaska liquefied natural gas project. Trump made the announcement at the White House alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Alaska officials, presenting the projects as the first major rollout of South Korea's investment pledge to the United States. & October 1, 2026

Seoul disability policy fair held at DDP Visitors post sticky notes of encouragement for the employment of people with developmental disabilities at the 'Seoul Disability Policy Fair' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, September 30, 2026. September 30, 2026

Seoul disability policy fair held at DDP Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon tours booths at the 'Seoul Disability Policy Fair' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, September 30, 2026. September 30, 2026

Seoul disability policy fair held at DDP Visitors receive counseling at an on-site job fair for people with disabilities at the 'Seoul Disability Policy Fair' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, September 30, 2026. September 30, 2026

Seoul disability policy fair held at DDP The 'Seoul Disability Policy Fair' is held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, September 30, 2026. September 30, 2026

DMZ mine blast highlights long road to recovery for injured troops SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - A landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone has become a political and security flashpoint after the United Nations Command attributed the explosions to North Korean mines and declared a violation of the Korean War armistice. Away from the dispute, three South Korean servicemen remain hospitalized. Officials are debating responsibility for the mines found south of the Military Demarcation Line separating the two Koreas, and Seoul’s defense chief h September 30, 2026

KOSPI falls for third day as foreign selling erases AI-led gains SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korean stocks fell for a third straight session Wednesday as heavy foreign and institutional selling erased early gains in chip shares fueled by optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure spending. The KOSDAQ bucked the decline as semiconductor equipment and battery shares advanced. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.48 percent, to close at 6,838.04. It opened 1.06 percent higher than the previous session's close at 6,943.47 and climbed September 30, 2026

For young Koreans, subscriptions make more sense than ownership SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - A recent Samsung Electronics sales pitch for newlyweds in Cheongdam, a high-end shopping district in southern Seoul, was unusual: the familiar lineup of refrigerators, washing machines and TVs was missing. Instead, the household appliance giant was selling a subscription package: kitchen and living room appliances bundled with care services and tailored to the size of a couple’s first home. The pitch reflected a changing calculation among younger September 30, 2026

Seoul's spy agency claims Ukraine asked POW transfer keep sealed SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Ukraine handed over two captured North Korean soldiers in respect for their wishes without any conditions attached and asked the transfer kept discreet, Seoul's spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday. In a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed Kyiv had requested strict secrecy from the early stages of consultations, according to People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yeong-ha. September 30, 2026

Seoul library's autumn poetry A message reading, "A line of breeze, a leaf of autumn foliage, and autumn becomes poetry in every alley," is displayed on the exterior wall of Seoul Metropolitan Library in central Seoul, Sept. 30, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun September 30, 2026