New Cold War in offing? Leaders from China, North Korea, Russia to gather for military parade SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to make his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage later this week, with his upcoming trip to Beijing for a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This will mark Kim's first time attending a multilateral gathering, since assuming power in late 2011, as he has previously held only bilateral summits during his visits to C August 31, 2025

UN OHCHR Seoul Office calls for attention to the victims of North Korean abductions SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The UN Human Rights Office in Seoul called for attention to the suffering of victims of enforced disappearances and abductions by North Korea and their families. The office urged attention to the issue to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance, which was observed on Saturday. The day aims to raise awareness of people who have gone missing against their will, highlight the suffering of their families, and call for action to stop August 30, 2025

Heat and rain to linger nationwide through weekend SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - South Korea will face more heat and rain this weekend. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said heat alerts were in effect nationwide and rain warnings were issued for Gyeonggi Province north of Seoul, Gangwon Province in the northeast, and parts of the capital. The Seoul Metropolitan Government closed 29 streams across the city on Saturday morning as a precaution against flooding. Rain is forecast to continue in the capital area and inland August 30, 2025

South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun wins again over visa denial SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - A Seoul court has once again ruled in favor of South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun, ordering the cancellation of the government's decision to deny him a visa to enter the country. The Seoul Administrative Court on Thursday sided with the 48-year-old singer, also known by his U.S. name Steve Seung-jun Yoo, in his third lawsuit against the South Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles, which had repeatedly rejected his visa applications. Yoo, o August 29, 2025

Southern port city hosts cruise dating event for 84 young professionals SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - A total of 84 unmarried working people from the southern port city of Ulsan are set to join a "cruise dating" event on Friday. The Ulsan City organized the event, titled "Chilseok, Ulsan Romantic Day," to help young professionals, born between 1986 and 2000, living in the city find new connections and to encourage them to settle down in the city. Held on Chilseok, the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, the festiv August 29, 2025

US Senator emphasizes balance between nuclear deterrence and USFK flexibility SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) -A United States senator said Thursday that Washington can uphold its nuclear deterrence commitment to South Korea while keeping U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) flexible enough to respond to wider challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, made the comments at a Capitol press conference as the U.S. considers expanding the operational scope of the 28,500 USFK troops under the concept of "strategic flexibility." Th August 29, 2025

Impeached ex-president to be tried in absentia as he continues to stall SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to show up for his trial once again on Thursday, prompting a court to proceed with it in absentia. The Seoul Central District Court said it made the decision because it could no longer afford to delay the trial, saying, "It is difficult to force Yoon to appear in court." Citing health-related reasons, Yoon has been stalling questioning by independent prosecutors as well as a trial over his botched August 28, 2025

Skin clinics top choice for foreign medical tourists in South Korea SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - More than half of foreign patients who visited South Korea last year visited skin clinics, medical statistics reveal. According to a report by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) released on Thursday, of the 1.17 million foreigners who received medical treatments here last year, some 705,044 visited skin-related clinics, accounting for 56.6 percent, a whopping 117-fold increase from a mere 6,015 in 2009. The next most frequent treatmen August 28, 2025

Probe into martial law debacle likely to hit snag as ex-PM avoids arrest SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Independent investigators probing disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle are likely to face a setback in their inquiry after former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo avoided arrest on Wednesday. The Seoul Central District Court rejected a request for an arrest warrant for Han, citing that there is "room for legal dispute" over his alleged role in the debacle late last year, which eventually led to Yoon's ouster from office August 28, 2025

Son Heung-min gears up for ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Son Heung-min, who made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut with Los Angeles FC (LAFC) earlier this month, is set to throw his ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium in California on Wednesday. Excitement has been building among his fans, as LAFC posted a couple of clips of him practicing ahead of his upcoming pitch at the Dodgers' home game against the Cincinnati Reds. With Los Angeles being home to the largest Korean community in the U.S., many co August 27, 2025