Yoon not to attend Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling

SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the Constitutional Court of Korea's verdict in his impeachment trial, his legal representatives said on Thursday. The court earlier announced that it will deliver its ruling on Yoon's impeachment over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law at 11 a.m. on Friday. "The president has decided not to be present for the ruling," Yoon's legal representatives said in a statement, citing security co

April 3, 2025

Italian Embassy partners with Korean fried chicken giant Kyochon for new Italy-inspired menu

SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - The Italian Embassy in Seoul has joined forces with Kyochon Food & Beverages, South Korea’s leading fried chicken franchise, to develop new chicken dishes using premium Italian ingredients. Unlike other major fried chicken chains known for heavily spiced or sweet-and-spicy sauces, Kyochon is recognized for its signature crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet soy glaze. With about 1,400 locations across the country, Kyochon has also built strong po

April 3, 2025

Event to connect foreign job seekers in South Korea with career networking opportunities

SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - Hordes of foreigners are expected to gather for an event in Seoul next week, which aims to help those seeking job opportunities here. Hosted by Exprivé, a company that connects over 10,000 foreign influencers living here to promote Korean culture worldwide, the event, scheduled for next Saturday in Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong district, will offer international students a chance to meet with businesses across various industries. The event will beg

April 3, 2025

PHOTOS: Seoul locks down key areas ahead of Yoon Suk Yeol verdict

SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - One day before the Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, authorities in the capital have significantly expanded security measures, sealing off key areas and restricting public access. Police have widened the so-called “vacuum zone” around the court to a 150-meter radius, erecting large barriers and using buses to block roads and sidewalks leading to the court. The heightened restriction

April 3, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace partners with US drone firm to enter lucrative unmanned aircraft market

SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace, a leading South Korean defense firm, has announced a strategic partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of the United States to jointly develop and produce advanced unmanned aircraft. The collaboration positions Hanwha to tap into the rapidly growing global drone market, projected to reach 50 trillion won (approximately $34 billion) by 2040. The partnership will center on the development of the Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL) unmann

April 3, 2025

KORUS FTA now a blank sheet as Trump imposes 'reciprocal' tariffs on Korean imports

SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - The United States announced on Thursday that it will impose a 25 percent "reciprocal" tariff on all imports from South Korea, effectively nullifying the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The sweeping measure marks a dramatic shift in economic relations between the two longtime allies. President Donald Trump signed an executive order enacting the tariff policy, which targets several major U.S. trading partners. China faces the highest levy at 34 per

April 3, 2025

Mirae Asset expands global reach with strategic investments, innovation

Editor's Note: This article is the 13th installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, April 2 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest financial services conglomerate, Mirae Asset Financial Group, is further solidifying its international presence, and its continued expansion underscores its ambitions to become a dominant force in global finance. Long be

April 3, 2025

Tensions heighten ahead of Constitutional Court's verdict on Yoon's fate

SEOUL, April 2 (AJP) - As the Constitutional Court of Korea is set to deliver its ruling on the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol in his impeachment trial later this week, tensions are escalating between his supporters and opponents. With the court's ruling just two days away, protests from both sides are intensifying and turning violent at times, accompanied by overnight vigils and rallies near the courthouse, raising concerns about potential clashes if either side refuses to acc

April 2, 2025

Satellite images suggest North Korea bolstering drone infrastructure

SEOUL, April 2 (AJP) - North Korea appears to be expanding its drone infrastructure and may be establishing a separate military unit, according to a report released by a U.S. think tank on Tuesday. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington said satellite images taken last Friday show seven newly built hangars for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at multiple sites in North Pyongan Province on the outskirts of Pyongyang, offering a glimpse into the country

April 2, 2025

Household debt per borrower hits record high

SEOUL, April 2 (AJP) - South Korea's household debt burden has reached a record high, with the average per capita debt climbing to nearly 96 million won ($65,500). According to data released Wednesday by the Bank of Korea, the average household debt per borrower stood at 95.5 million won at the end of the fourth quarter of last year, the highest level since records began in 2012. While the total number of borrowers declined by 110,000 to 19.68 million — its lowest level

April 2, 2025