[PHOTOS] Korea celebrates 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring

SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - Today marks Ipchun (입춘), the first of the 24 solar divisions of the year. Ipchun symbolizes the start of spring. On this day, it is a tradition to post phrases such as "Ipchun Daegil" (great fortune as spring begins) and "Geonyang Dagyeong" (many blessings with the rise of positive energy) on front doors or pillars of homes. In Korea's agrarian past, Ipchun was a vital period, signaling the beginning of preparations for the farming seaso

February 3, 2025

North Korea condemns US secretary of state over hostile remarks

SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - North Korea has strongly criticized the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for referring to the country as a "rogue state." The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday that Rubio’s comments reflect Washington's continued hostile stance toward Pyongyang. Rubio made the remarks during an appearance on the "Megyn Kelly Show," broadcast on SiriusXM’s Triumph talk radio channel on Jan. 30. While disc

February 3, 2025

US tariffs on Canada, Mexico disrupt operations of Korean manufacturers

SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, a move that threatens to disrupt South Korean manufacturers with significant production bases in those countries. Announcing the plan on Saturday, Trump vowed to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, alongside a 10 percent levy on Chinese imports, rattling global markets and raising alarms among multinational corporations. The proposed tariffs

February 3, 2025

Trump launches tariffs on allies, signals wider trade offensive

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States is to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China starting Feb. 1, marking a significant escalation in global trade tensions. The White House announced on Friday tariffs of 25 percent on Mexican and Canadian goods and 10 percent on Chinese imports, affecting trade worth about $1.3 trillion annually. South Korean exporters face a double hit from the tariffs, both directly on their U.S. semiconduct

February 1, 2025

Fire breaks out at National Hangeul Museum in Seoul

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul on Saturday, leaving one firefighter injured, but no damage to artifacts was reported. The blaze started at 8:40 a.m. on the third floor and spread to the fourth floor, firefighters said. It was extinguished seven hours later. At the time of the fire, the museum was closed for renovations, and no visitors were inside. Two construction workers were rescued, and four others were evacuated safely.

February 1, 2025

SK On completes its three-way merger to boost battery and trading operations

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - SK On, South Korea's leading battery manufacturer, completed its merger with SK Enterm on Saturday, finalizing a three-way consolidation that includes SK Trading International (SKTI) announced last July. The merged entity, which will operate under the SK On name, aims to strengthen its raw material procurement capabilities and financial stability in the increasingly competitive global battery market. SK Trading International, which merged with SK On

February 1, 2025

South Korea's monthly exports falls for the first time in 16 months

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - South Korea's exports declined 10.3 percent year-on-year to $49.12 billion in January, marking the first decrease in 16 months due to fewer working days caused by the earlier Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Saturday. Data from the ministry shows that the decrease broke a 15-month streak of positive export growth that had continued since October 2023, though daily average exports rose approximately 8 percent com

February 1, 2025

Acting President again vetoes bill for special probe into Yoon's martial law debacle

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday vetoed a bill proposing independent prosecutors to investigate allegations related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last month. The bill, revised and proposed again by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) after the previous one was scrapped on Dec. 31 when Choi exercised his veto, was passed by the opposition bloc earlier this month. DP lawmakers and others from minor opposition

January 31, 2025

Gala show spotlights China's advancing humanoid robotics

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Sixteen humanoid robots took center stage at China’s annual Spring Festival Gala, performing alongside human dancers in a striking display of the country’s progress in robotics. Watched by hundreds of millions, the performance underscored Beijing’s ambitions to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and automation. The high-profile showcase comes against the backdrop of growing U.S.-China tensions over advanced technology.

January 31, 2025

LG Electronics showcases technologies to consul generals from 11 countries

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - LG Electronics showcased its latest technologies to consul generals from 11 countries at its North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on Thursday, the firm said Friday. The diplomatic delegation, coordinated with the Korean Consulate General in New York, included representatives from Canada, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand, the Philippines, and Türkiye. The visitors met with Thomas Jung, LG Electro

January 31, 2025