Two more dead, bringing death toll to four in truck crash in Bucheon SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Two more people have died from a deadly crash at an open-air market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province last week, bringing the death toll to four. According to police on Wednesday, a man in his 20s and a woman in her 80s, who were seriously injured last Thursday when a pickup truck plowed through the market, died earlier this week. Two women in their 60s and 70s died at the scene, and a number of injured people have since been receiving treatment. The d November 19, 2025

Global defense officials attend KOTRA forum to explore Korean weapon systems SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on Wednesday hosted a defense export networking event with the Seoul Association of Military Attachés (SAMA), bringing together foreign defense officials and South Korean defense companies in an effort to expand global partnerships. The gathering drew 110 participants, including 35 military attachés from 30 countries — including Chile, India, Poland and Canada — as well as re November 19, 2025

South Korea's Innospace to develop space data center with UAE firm SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s Innospace, a private rocket developer, is deepening its ties with the Middle East as it seeks new footholds in the global space economy. The company said Wednesday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Madari Space, a United Arab Emirates start-up, to jointly develop and commercialize a space-based data center. The agreement was announced during the Dubai Airshow. Under the partnership, the two companies will expl November 19, 2025

Seoul tweaks rules on artisanal spirits but disappoints brewers hoping to ride the K-wave SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea is home to the world's best-selling liquor — soju, a clear distilled spirit often dubbed Korean vodka — and the globally rediscovered rice wine, makgeolli. Authorities have finally moved to loosen regulations on traditional liquor tastings and wholesale licensing, but artisanal brewers find them fall short of their expectations on addressing the deeper structural barriers that prevent them from riding the rising K-food wave. November 19, 2025

Tax delinquents named and shamed online SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - The identities and personal details of some 1,577 individuals and companies caught dodging taxes have been posted online, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday. The list includes those with outstanding taxes of over 10 million Korean won (about US$6,800) as of January this year and other perpetual delinquents who have failed to pay for more than a year. They are 1,078 individuals with a combined 73.6 billion won in unpaid taxes and 499 c November 19, 2025

Asian markets hold breath ahead of Nvidia earnings release for cue on AI-bubble theory SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday morning as investors across the region braced for Nvidia’s earnings release — a crucial test for the burgeoning “AI bubble” narrative — while Korean markets continued to reel from heavy foreign profit-taking and a weakening won. South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.3 percent to 3,942.1 as of 11 a.m., with investors sidelining ahead of Nvidia’s results due at 6 a.m. Thursday Korea tim November 19, 2025

South Korea's HMM to create joint venture with UAE firm to re-enter LNG market SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest container carrier, HMM, is reentering the liquefied petroleum gas market after nearly a decade. The company said Friday it has partnered with B International Shipping & Logistics, a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates–based BGN Group, to create a Singapore-based venture called HMMB INT Shipping Pte. Ltd. Each partner will hold a 50 percent stake. The new company plans to operate two very large gas carriers, e November 19, 2025

South Korea's Hanjin expands support for US veterans SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanjin Group marked Veterans Day this year by reaffirming its support for Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a nonprofit that assists wounded and ill service members and their families. The company said Wednesday it hosted a ceremony on Nov. 12 to pledge continued backing for the organization. The event drew Hanjin President Cho Hyun-min, Chief Executive Noh Sam-seok, senior leaders from the fund and a group of Vietnam War veter November 19, 2025

North Korean leader makes rare visits to security and judicial agencies SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited several key security and judicial agencies, emphasizing their role in defending the regime, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the state-run on the occasion of the November 19, 2025

KAI to deepen defense collaboration with UAE's Edge Group SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries said on Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ Edge Group to explore joint marketing and development of weapons systems. The partnership will link KAI with Edge’s Platforms & Systems division, opening the door to cooperation across air, land and maritime platforms. Company officials said the arrangement is expected to strengthen KAI’s competitiveness in a region where de November 19, 2025