2027 Junior college admissions fair opens at Coex A student holds a university brochure at the '2027 Junior College Early Admissions Fair' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, September 18, 2026. September 18, 2026

2027 Junior college admissions fair opens at Coex Students browse booths at the '2027 Junior College Early Admissions Fair' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, September 18, 2026. September 18, 2026

Seoul kicks off preparations for 2028 UN Ocean Conference in Busan SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Seoul has begun preparations for the 2028 United Nations Ocean Conference in Busan, holding its first consultation with foreign diplomats to discuss key ocean issues and priorities. Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Nam Jae-heon met diplomats from Norway, Chile, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece and Brazil in Seoul on Thursday to discuss preparations for the fourth UN Ocean Conference, or UNOC4. The conference, scheduled to be held in Busan in 2028, September 18, 2026

Seoul draws Hormuz line as Tokyo weighs mine-clearing role SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Friday ruled out any South Korean military deployment that would draw the country into the war involving Iran, while leaving room for a narrowly defined mission to protect Korean vessels, citizens and energy routes around the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks marked Lee’s clearest attempt yet to draw a line between joining a war and contributing to maritime security as Seoul faces sustained U.S. pressure over Hormuz. &ldquo September 18, 2026

KOSPI jumps 2.7% as chips rally on lower oil, yields SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks jumped nearly 3 percent Friday as falling oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields eased inflation concerns. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the broad rebound as foreign investors returned after uncertainties over rate decisions by the U.S. and Japanese central banks were removed. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,894.23, up 2.66 percent from the previous session. The index opened 2.54 percent higher at around 6,885 and climbed as h September 18, 2026

Icheon to bring Goryeo diplomat Seo Hui's legacy to life SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The city of Icheon will turn the legacy of Goryeo-era diplomat Seo Hui into a two-day history and culture festival next month, the city said Friday. The Jangwigong Seo Hui Diplomacy Culture Festival will run Oct. 3-4 at Seo Hui Theme Park in Icheon, about 60 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Held under the theme "Seo Hui Speaks K-Diplomacy," the event will mark the 1,028th anniversary of Seo's death. Programs include a memorial ce September 18, 2026

IU celebrates 18th debut anniversary with another generous donation SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Singer and actress IU has donated 200 million won (US$145,00) to mark the 18th anniversary of her debut, her agency said on Friday. According to EDAM Entertainment, IU donated 50 million won each to four nonprofit organizations, including Korea Welfare Services, Habitat for Humanity Korea, Seoul Rehabilitation Center and Heart to Heart Foundation. The donated money will be used to support young patients from low-income families, war veterans and others September 18, 2026

Former envoy says Trump could propose Pyongyang summit SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said President Donald Trump could propose a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China in November, with Pyongyang potentially emerging as a venue despite slim prospects for an immediate diplomatic breakthrough. Speaking at the West Coast Exchange conference hosted by Korea Risk Group in Incheon on Thursday, Biegun said North Korea's re September 18, 2026

Trump-Xi chip bargaining puts Korean memory makers on alert SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) -From tariffs and rare earths to Iran and artificial intelligence, the U.S.-China summit on Sept. 24 has a crowded agenda. For South Korean chipmakers, the business issue to watch would be whether semiconductors become bargaining currency in a broader trade deal between the world's two largest economies. Chinese President Xi Jinping is said to be assembling an unusually large business delegation, possibly to match the high-profile entourage U.S. Presid September 18, 2026

Rising flu cases among children spur early vaccinations SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Influenza is spreading unusually early this autumn, with cases rising sharply among young children, prompting health authorities to move up vaccination schedules for vulnerable groups including children and older adults. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the number of suspected flu cases are now more than four times higher than during the same period last year. It monitored about 800 clinics and medical institutions a September 18, 2026