Tata Daewoo Mobility aims to expand fire truck business in Viet Nam SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Daewoo Mobility plans to expand its fire truck and other vehicle businesses in Viet Nam, the company said on Monday. It recently supplied two firefighting vehicles built on its flagship MAXEN heavy-duty truck platform to Hanoi's Fire and Rescue Police Authority. They can be operated remotely to approach dangerous fire sites, break through walls or other structures and spray water directly at the source of a fire September 21, 2026

Chip rebound deepens South Korea's reliance on exports SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Exports made up a larger share of South Korea's economy in 2024 as the recovery in the semiconductor industry helped boost manufacturing, according to data by the Bank of Korea (BOK) released on Monday. The central bank said exports accounted for 16.1 percent of total demand, which covers both intermediate materials used in production and finished goods and services, up from 14.7 percent in 2023. Of all spending on finished goods and services, the September 21, 2026

K-pop rock band Xdinary Heroes to return with 2nd mini album SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - K-pop rock band Xdinary Heroes will release a new mini album next month, their agency JYP Entertainment said on Monday. The six-member band unveiled their plan for the album's release slated for Oct. 12 through a teaser video and promotional posters on social media. The teaser for "IMPULSE" centers on the keyword "desire," opening with the phrase, "Desire. That's what moves people." JYP said additio September 21, 2026

Neosapience surges over 200% in KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Generative artificial intelligence (AI) voice technology firm Neosapience surged more than 200 percent above its initial public offering (IPO) price on its KOSDAQ debut on Monday. Shares traded at 27,350 won (US$19.76) as of around 2 p.m., up 173.5 percent from the IPO price of 10,000 won. The stock rose as high as 30,750 won during the session after opening at 25,250 won. The sharp debut followed strong retail demand. The Sept. 10-11 public offering September 21, 2026

Forum in Seoul to discuss copyright rules for AI-generated music SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - An open forum on copyright rules for artificial intelligence (AI)-generated music will be held in Seoul on Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Monday. The forum, the country's first of its kind, will be held at the National Assembly, with a focus on how copyright organizations should register, manage and distribute royalties for AI-assisted music. A key issue will be how to determine the level of human September 21, 2026

Lee embarks on weeklong trip to US, Mexico SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to leave for the U.S. and Mexico on Monday for a weeklong trip highlighted by a U.N. General Assembly address and a summit with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. At a press briefing at Chong Wa Dae in central Seoul, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee will deliver an address at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday afternoon, outlining his administration's vision for peaceful coexist September 21, 2026

South Korea taps Latin America for defense exports as Lee heads to Mexico SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korea is stepping up its push into Latin America's defense market as President Lee Jae Myung embarks on a state visit to Mexico this week, where expanding defense cooperation is expected to feature in talks with President Claudia Sheinbaum amid Mexico's military modernization drive. The strategy was highlighted at a public-private seminar on expanding defense exports to Latin America held on Monday at the National Assembly Members' Offic September 21, 2026

Super Junior's Yesung to drop teaser ahead of 10th-anniversary album SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - K-pop boy group Super Junior's member Yesung will unveil a teaser song next week ahead of his 10th-anniversary solo album, slated for early next month, his agency SM Entertainment said on Monday. "Winds of Time" will be unveiled next Monday to build excitement for his second full-length album, "Where We Are," due out on Oct. 6. Yesung took part in writing the lyrics for the song, an alternative pop track built around acoustic in September 21, 2026

Yen-backed stablecoin soars after Upbit debut SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Trading in yen-pegged stablecoin JPYC jumped about 200-fold after its listing on South Korea's Upbit exchange, with blockchain transfers and new issuance also surging, industry data showed on Monday. JPYC trading volume reached 45.1 billion won (US$32.49 million) last Saturday, compared with a daily average of $163,020 during the roughly 11 months before the token was listed, according to CoinGecko. The turnover was also more than 500 times the $64 September 21, 2026

Rare appearance of shark draws onlookers in Busan SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - A shark measuring 3 to 4 meters was spotted for a third straight day at a waterfront park in Busan over the weekend, drawing crowds of onlookers as authorities stepped up safety measures. The shark was first reported at about 8:57 a.m. last Friday in a waterway connected to the sea at North Port Waterfront Park in the southern port city's Dong district. The Korea Coast Guard initially tried to guide the shark toward open water but halted the effort September 21, 2026