South Korea set to face Brazil in friendly in Seoul

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - South Korea is set to face Brazil in a friendly match in Seoul on Friday night. Led by Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national team, ranked 23rd in the latest FIFA rankings, will take on the sixth-ranked team at 8:00 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Past statistics show that South Korea has struggled against the South American powerhouse, winning just once in eight encounters. Their most recent match ended in a 4-1 defeat in the round of 16 at the 2022 Q

October 10, 2025

Subway breakdown in Seoul causes delays for commuters on first day back after Chuseok

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - A subway train in Seoul broke down Friday morning, disrupting service for nearly an hour and causing delays for commuters returning to work on the first day after the week-long Chuseok holiday. According to operator Seoul Metro, the incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. between Banghwa and Myeongil stations on subway line No. 5, causing delays of approximately 50 minutes. The exact cause of the breakdown is under investigation. * This article, publishe

October 10, 2025

President Lee hails Hangul as symbol of Korean people's power and key to global cultural rise

SEOUL, October 09 (AJP) - South Korea marked Hangul Day on Thursday, celebrating the 579th anniversary of the creation of the Korean alphabet that gave ordinary people the power to read, write, and express their thoughts freely. President Lee Jae Myung said Hangul embodies the spirit of popular sovereignty and equality, calling it a living symbol of democracy rooted in the wisdom of the people. "Hangul is a cultural heritage that holds the spirit and history of our people,&qu

October 9, 2025

Seoul making "upmost" diplomatic efforts for release of a Korean from Israeli detention

SEOUL, October 09 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered the utmost diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe release and return of a South Korean national aboard a Gaza-bound aid vessel detained by Israeli forces, the presidential office said Thursday. The president directed the government to carry out all possible diplomatic endeavors for the swift and safe return of the Korean citizen, identified as Kim Ah-hyun, after being briefed on the matter, according t

October 9, 2025

Korean ramyun craze goes global as instant noodle sales hit record high

SEOUL, October 09 (AJP) - South Korea has been named the world's No. 2 instant noodle-consuming country, trailing only Vietnam, as global demand for the quick and spicy comfort food continues to surge and bring travelers to its shores. Once an affordable meal for busy workers, Korean ramyun has grown into a cultural export that attracts noodle lovers who are eager to experience the food they’ve seen in K-dramas and online challenges. According to the World Instant Noodle

October 9, 2025

Crimes by South Koreans abroad rise 45 percent in four years: data

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Crimes committed by South Korean nationals overseas have risen sharply in recent years, climbing by about 45 percent between 2020 and 2024, according to government data. The figures are prompting renewed criticism that the Foreign Ministry has failed to respond to growing risks faced by citizens abroad. Data submitted by lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon of the main opposition People Power Party showed that the number of South Korean nationals reported as criminal of

October 8, 2025

Prices of daily necessities rise faster than wages over past five years

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Data shows that the cost of living in South Korea has climbed sharply over the past five years, with food and basic consumer goods becoming noticeably more expensive while wage growth lags behind. Data released by the National Data Office on Wednesday showed that the price index for food and non-alcoholic beverages in September THIS YEAR rose 22.9 percent compared with five years earlier. The increase far exceeds the overall consumer price rise of about 1

October 8, 2025

Foreign Ownership of Seoul Apartments Surges, Americans Lead

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - Americans own the most foreign-held apartments in Seoul, followed by Chinese and Canadians. According to data analyzed by Rep. Jeong Jun-ho of the Democratic Party, as of last December, Americans owned 5,678 apartments, accounting for 45.4% of the 12,516 foreign-owned units in Seoul. Notably, 63% of American-owned apartments are in the 'Han River Belt,' including Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong, and Gwangjin. In Gangnam

October 7, 2025

Hwang You-min rises to world No. 33 after Hawaii LPGA win

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - South Korean female golfer Hwang You-min climbed to 33rd in the world rankings after capturing her first Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour title at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii, securing a direct entry to the U.S.-based circuit. In the latest Women's World Golf Rankings released Tuesday, Hwang jumped 20 spots from 53rd to 33rd following her victory at Hoakalei Country Club in Oahu on Sunday. The 22-year-old carded a final-round 5-un

October 7, 2025

Hwang You-min wins Lotte Championship and entry to LPGA Tour

SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - Hwang You-min became the sixth South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour this year, capturing her maiden title at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii on Saturday. The 22-year-old clinched victory at the Hoakalei Country Club in Oahu with a final-round 5-under 67, finishing at 17-under 271 overall. The win immediately secures her LPGA Tour membership, though she has the option to defer it until the start of the 2026 season. Hwang earned a winner’s

October 5, 2025