Sydney roundtable highlights new opportunities for Australia–Korea clean energy ties

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A roundtable focused on strengthening clean energy partnerships between Australia and Korea was hosted in Sydney last Thursday. Hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) with support from HWLE Lawyers and Elecseed, the event brought together 25 C-suite executives and senior government officials to explore collaboration opportunities across the clean energy sector. Representatives from major organizations including POSCO

November 28, 2025

US envoy urges allies to address 'common challenges' in Indo-Pacific

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Friday stressed the importance of addressing shared challenges on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Indo-Pacific region. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, first starts with having a shared assessment of the threats that we face," Kim said at a forum in Seoul. "Ultimately what matters is that we strengthen

November 28, 2025

Asian Culture Calendar

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea Dec. 11 – 14 Busan International Children’s Book Fair Dec. 12 – Jan. 4 Seoul Lantern Festival Japan Dec. 6 – 7 Tokyo Whisky Festival Dec. 13 – 14 Ishigaki Island Pottery Festival Dec. 11 – 21 Tokyo Art Book Fair Dec. 1 - 25 Shibuya Christmas Market Dec. 12 - 25 Nagano Christmas Market Dec. 20 - Jan. 31 Okinawa Zoo & Museum Christmas Fantasy Thailand Dec. 1 – 7 Chiang Mai S

November 28, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a 705.4 billion won ($480 million) contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to mass-produce long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM) by 2030. The agreement covers the supply of anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) and launchers for the country’s upper-tier missile defense network. The L-SAM system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40

November 28, 2025

K-pop quintet donate 200 million won to aid victims of Hong Kong's deadliest fire

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - K-pop group (G)I-DLE donated money to support victims of Hong Kong's deadliest fire earlier this week. The multinational quintet with Chinese member Yuqi donated 200 million won (approximately US$136,000) to support emergency relief efforts for those affected by the fire, the Shanghai-based nonprofit Fosun Foundation said on Friday. The donation comes a few days after Yuqi posted a message on social media expressing her hope for everyone's saf

November 28, 2025

Samsung scion's naval commissioning reunites Lee family, including ex-wife

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Naval Academy commissioning ceremony for 24-year-old Lee Ji-ho, son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, brought together members of the Samsung family — including the chairman’s former wife Im Se-ryung — in a rare public appearance since their 2009 divorce. Lee Ji-ho, commissioned as part of the 139th class of naval officers, was joined by his grandmother Hong Ra-hee, widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, and his aun

November 28, 2025

South Korea to delay tax audits for foreign firms increasing investment

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) will postpone regular tax audits for up to two years for foreign companies that substantially increase their investments in the country. NTS Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyun announced the measure on Friday during a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham) in Seoul. Companies that raise their domestic investment by a defined percentage compared with the previous year will be eligible to

November 28, 2025

Ex-police chief tapped as envoy to Cambodia to combat crimes against South Koreans

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A former police chief has been named ambassador to Cambodia to address the rising crimes against South Koreans there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. A graduate of the Korean National Police University, Kim Chang-ryong has held key positions at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and has also served as a consul in São Paulo, Brazil, and in Washington, D.C., U.S. The appointment appears to be aimed at further bolstering cooperat

November 28, 2025

PHOTOS: Salvation Army starts year-end charity campaign

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - The iconic sound of charity bells has returned to the streets of South Korea, but this year, the tradition comes with a modern upgrade. The Salvation Army Korea signaled the start of its fundraising season on Nov. 28 at Gwanghwamun Square. The launch event featured a ceremonial bell-ringing attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Salvation Army Commander Kim Byung-yoon. Now in its 97th year, the year-end Red Kettle campaign will operate at approximatel

November 28, 2025

Korean lawmakers advance bill to close loopholes on synthetic nicotine

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea is moving closer to regulating synthetic nicotine as tobacco after a key parliamentary committee approved an amendment to the related act, paving the way for a full legislative vote on Dec. 12. The amendment would broaden the legal definition of tobacco to include products containing nicotine derived from non-tobacco sources. Synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes are currently treated as industrial products, allowing them to bypass tobacco-r

November 28, 2025