SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - An emergency meeting, chaired by National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, was convened on Sunday shortly after the U.S. struck nuclear facilities in Iran. In the meeting, key security officials assessed the situation in the Middle East and discussed the potential impact on South Korea's security and economy. Earlier, the U.S. carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites including a secret underground uranium enrichment facility located in a remot

SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - The U.S. Embassy in Seoul reportedly resumed accepting visa applications on Friday, about weeks after its sudden halt to scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants late last month. But the resumption appears to come with stricter "vetting" procedures including mandatory social media screening for students planning to study in the U.S. According to a notice on its website, all individuals applying for nonimmigrant visas are "request

SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - A heavy rain advisory was issued for the Seoul metropolitan area and parts of Gangwon Province, as this summer's monsoon front brought downpours of up to 30 mm per hour. As the seasonal monsoon rain swept through the capital region, the Seoul Metropolitan Government ramped up efforts to prevent flooding and damage, implementing preemptive measures in flood-prone and low-lying areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) predicted up to 100 mm of

SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - Many Pundits here have begun to speculate about a possible renegotiation of South Korea's defense cost-sharing deal with Washington, after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that the U.S. has set a "new standard" for defense spending with its allies around the world including those in Asia. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also said Thursday that its European allies are setting a "global standard" for alliance

SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - Four more South Koreans were evacuated from Iran to neighboring Turkmenistan amid a deadly conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. They joined about 30 other evacuees including their Iranian family members, who had arrived in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat via a land route the previous day, with transportation assistance and consular support provided by South Korean diplomatic missions there. "With Iranian airspace

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - An increasing number of South Koreans are opting to live alone. According to a report released by Statistics Korea on Thursday, the number of single-person households surpassed 8 million last year, up a whopping 616,000 households from a year ago. Those who live alone are increasingly likely to be employed, with some 5.1 million having jobs, up 426,000 from the previous year. By area, Gyeonggi Province had the highest number of employed single-person househ

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - All South Koreans will get a cash voucher ranging from 150,000 won to 500,000 won (US$109 to $362) depending on their income brackets, as early as next month. It is part of plans to boost private consumption and revive the economy, as President Lee Jae-myung signed off on a supplementary budget worth 20.2 trillion won ($14.5 billion) during a cabinet meeting in Seoul on Thursday. The budget, which still requires parliamentary approval, also includes support

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest book fair kicked off on Wednesday at COEX in southern Seoul, drawing thousands of literature lovers, authors, and publishers from around the world. The Seoul International Book Fair, co-hosted by the Korean Publishers Association (KPA), features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries. Among the attendees was former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who took part in an event held during the fair and also delivered a s

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met for the first time on Jun. 17 (local time) in Kananaskis, Canada, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit. What could have been a routine diplomatic meeting carried an unexpected weight, shaped by the strikingly similar lives the two men have led. Both were invited to the summit as guest leaders. Their discussion covered bilateral cooperation, but it