Tesla tops BMW as No. 1 imported car brand in South Korea

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Tesla has overtaken BMW to become the best-selling imported car brand in South Korea, industry data showed on Wednesday. The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said new registrations of imported passenger vehicles rose 23.4 percent in November from a year earlier to 29,357 units. Cumulative registrations from January to November climbed 16.3 percent to 278,769 units. Tesla led the monthly tally with 7,632 units, outpac

December 3, 2025

Man arrested for making hundreds of prank calls

SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - A man in his 50s has been arrested for making more than hundreds of false reports with the police over several months. According to police authorities, the man allegedly made 750 false reports and prank calls to emergency hotlines from March until last month, claiming incidents such as finding a weapon linked to an unsolved case and a bus driver operating under the influence. He also reportedly committed theft at local businesses and threatened store owne

December 3, 2025

Heavy snow advisory issued for Jeju's mountainous areas

SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - A heavy snow advisory was issued for the mountainous areas of the southern resort island of Jeju, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Wednesday. Such an advisory is issued when more than 5 centimeters of snowfall is expected within 24 hours, warning pedestrians and drivers to exercise extra caution. A strong wind advisory also remains in place for most parts of Jeju. Meanwhile, biting cold swept across the country, with morning lows a

December 3, 2025

South Korea's KB Securities opens Mumbai office to tap India's financial markets

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s KB Securities has formally opened an office in Mumbai, marking its entry into India’s fast-growing financial market. The new office is located in Lower Parel, positioned between Mumbai’s traditional business center of Nariman Point and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the city’s financial hub. KB Securities said the branch will focus on exploring investment opportunities and strengthening its presence in India&rsquo

December 3, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace wins second contract for Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace said on Wednesday it has signed a second production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply additional Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles, in a deal valued at 225.4 billion won ($170 million). The new order follows an earlier 162.3 billion won contract, bringing total procurement for the program to 387.7 billion won. Deliveries of the missiles and launchers to the South Korean mil

December 3, 2025

Korea's life expectancy rises to 83.7, outliving OECD average

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Koreans born last year are expected to live up to 83.7 years on average, outpacing the OECD average, according to the 2024 Life Table released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday. Life expectancy for men reached 80.8 years and for women 86.6 years, each up 0.2 years from the previous year. The gender gap has continued to narrow since peaking in 1985, now standing at 5.8 years. For those already aged 60, men are expected to live a

December 3, 2025

Korea's GDP fared better than expected in Q3, nominal GNI falls on sharp won weakening

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea's economy grew faster than earlier estimated on the back of stronger capital investment, but its nominal income declined against a strong dollar, reflecting the Korean won’s status as one of the weakest performers among major traders. According to the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Wednesday, real gross domestic product increased 1.3 percent from the previous quarter — the strongest since the fourth quarter of 2021 — acceleratin

December 3, 2025

PHOTOS: One year since martial law crisis

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the martial law decree imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Lee Jae Myung used his address to the nation to reflect on the unprecedented crisis and highlight the role of citizens in defending the constitutional order. "The fact that our citizens peacefully defeated the illegal martial law and expelled the unjust power is a monumental event that will be eternally remembered in th

December 3, 2025

Former president shares thoughts on martial law debacle, urges stronger democracy

SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in shared his thoughts on social media on Wednesday, joining others in marking last year's martial law debacle that plunged the country into political turmoil. "I am very proud of our citizens who defended democracy and demonstrated the country's remarkable democratic resilience to the world," Moon wrote on Facebook. But he pointed out, "The forces behind have show

December 3, 2025

South Korea's Doosan Bobcat files 14 patent suits against US machinery maker Caterpillar

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Doosan Bobcat’s North American unit has filed a series of patent infringement lawsuits against U.S. construction machinery maker Caterpillar. The company said Wednesday it has lodged complaints covering 14 patents with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Unified Patent Court in Europe, and a federal court in Germany. “The patents in this lawsuit protect unique features o

December 3, 2025