PHOTOS: Exam season SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - For South Korean families, November is the month of the national university entrance exams. Far from being a mere academic hurdle, it is a period that consumes the nation, climaxing in the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or Suneung, and the subsequent, high-stakes essay examinations. While the students bear the immediate, exhausting burden of preparation, the weight of the moment extends deeply into the lives of their parents. They, too, are thru November 17, 2025

KOSPI defies overall subdued mood in Asia, friction weighs over Tokyo and Shanghai SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s stock market opened the week on a strong note Monday, lifted by easing concerns over an AI bubble ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly results and trade uncertainties with the United States, in contrast to the subdued sentiment across most of Asia. As of 9:03 a.m., the KOSPI was up 1.7 percent at 4,079.41, while the tech-heavy Kosdaq added 0.6 percent to 903.26. Market heavyweights led the advance, with Samsung Electronics jumping 3.7 percent to 1 November 17, 2025

South Korea elected chair of key global food standards committee SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea has been elected chair of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, securing a larger role in shaping global food rules at the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting held in Rome from Nov. 10 to 14. The appointment coincides with the commission’s approval of South Korea’s proposal to add the term “kimchi cabbage” to international standards for kimchi — a move officials say strengthe November 17, 2025

Korea's bakery hotspot London Bagel chain moves to fix working conditions SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - LBM, the operator of South Korea’s bakery hotspot London Bagel Museum and now under expansive investigation over alleged labor abuses, on Monday unveiled a comprehensive set of remedial measures to improve working conditions. The initiative focuses on bolstering job stability, enforcing compliance with legal working hours, and upgrading store-level safety and health systems. Repeatedly apologizing to employees and customers, CEO Kang Kwan-gu November 17, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace takes command of Korea's first privately led rocket launch SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for the launch of its fourth Nuri rocket on Nov. 27, a milestone that marks the country’s transition from government-led space projects to a growing private-sector ecosystem. Officials say the shift is expected to open new export opportunities for domestic defense and aerospace companies as global demand for launch services accelerates. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the rocket is scheduled to lift off be November 17, 2025

South Korea targets AI, R&D collaboration in broader ASEAN strategy SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is seeking to upgrade its free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen digital trade and ease regulatory hurdles for companies operating in the region, a senior government official said Monday. Yeo Han-koo, South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, said the government plans to prioritize the removal of non-tariff barriers that have slowed South Korean firms’ entry into fast-growing ASEAN November 17, 2025

Indonesia's High-Speed Rail: A Debt Trap? The murder of a South Korean student in Cambodia has sparked concerns over online scams. Chinese crime syndicates lured South Koreans with promises of high salaries, only to detain and force them into scams such as romance fraud and phishing. While these activities occurred in Phnom Penh, the main hub was Sihanoukville, influenced by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The city, home to Cambodia's largest port, saw a surge in Chinese investment, transforming it in November 17, 2025

OPINION: In Trump's tariff world, South Korea learns cost of compromise When South Korea and the United States released a joint fact sheet on Nov. 14, it marked the end of 10 months of bruising trade negotiations set in motion by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement is sweeping: Seoul will commit $200 billion to U.S.-designated projects and another $150 billion to the American shipbuilding industry, on top of a $150 billion investment pledge made in August. In exchange, Washington will cap tariffs on South Korean automobiles and pharmaceutica November 17, 2025

Korea's top conglomerates vow near $700 bn domestic investment, doubling US commitment SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - South Korea’s four largest conglomerates — Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG — pledged more than 1,000 trillion won ($687 billion) in domestic investment over the next five years, vowing to build new AI, semiconductor and hydrogen hubs outside the capital region to counter concerns that Seoul’s $350 billion U.S. investment commitment could drain high-tech capacity and jobs from home. The massive investment plans were laid out during a two-hou November 16, 2025

PM orders safety measures for Han River ferry service after another accident SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Sunday instructed city officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of an accident involving a water ferry service along the Han River. His instruction came a day after one of the boats stalled near a dock in Jamsil, southern Seoul, while passing through shallow waters. Although there were no casualties or injuries, all 82 passengers aboard were frightened before being safely rescued. Stressed the need to November 16, 2025