Pilot program for hiring Filipino domestic helpers hits snag

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - It has been more than a month since around 100 workers from the Philippines who arrived in Seoul in August started working as domestic helpers in South Korean homes after completing a monthlong training here. They were hired as maids or nannies under part of a pilot program initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government which aims at relieving difficulties faced by young couples who struggle to balance childcare and household chores. However, their hirin

October 18, 2024

Festival showcasing latest design trends kicks off in Seoul

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - A festival featuring the latest design trends kicked off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul on Thursday. With a special focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the design industry, the festival, hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation, is expected to attract a horde of artists, designers, and industry workers as it showcases a diverse array of exhibitions and other programs. Visitors can explore innovative artworks and crafts

October 18, 2024

Ex-president's daughter appears for questioning in DUI fender-bender

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter Da-hye appeared for a questioning at a police station in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday. She was caught driving under the influence after hitting a taxi while attempting to change lanes in Itaewon, Seoul in the wee hours of Oct. 5. The 31-year-old's blood alcohol concentration was 0.149 percent, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 percent for license revocation. The taxi driver, who reportedly settled with her, sus

October 18, 2024

Prosecutors drop charges against first lady in stock manipulation case

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - After a four-year investigation, prosecutors decided Thursday not to indict first lady Kim Keon Hee over allegations of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea. The allegations first surfaced in February 2020 when news outlet Newstapa, citing a leaked police report, raised suspicions that Kwon Oh-soo, former chairman of Deutsch Motors, conspired with a stock trader identified as Lee to manipulate the

October 17, 2024

South Korea keeps eye on alleged North Korean troop deployment for Russia's war in Ukraine

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Seoul is "closely monitoring" reports of Russia forming a special battalion composed of North Koreans, the National Intelligence Service here said Wednesday. The NIS also added that it is collaborating with Ukraine to verify these reports. The comments came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of sending troops to Russia. In his daily video message last weekend, he said, "We see an increasing alliance between

October 17, 2024

Progressive candidate wins by-election for Seoul superintendent

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Jung Keun-sik, a former sociology professor at Seoul National University and progressive candidate, has been elected as Seoul’s education chief. Jung won the by-election early Thursday, securing 50.17 percent of the vote (936,967 votes) with 97.28 percent of ballots counted, narrowly defeating conservative former lawmaker Cho Jun-hyuk. The election was held to fill the vacancy left by former superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, who stepped down in August afte

October 17, 2024

Trump signals massive hike for USFK upkeep if reelected

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has implied the possibility of increasing South Korea's contribution for maintaining U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, if he wins a second U.S. presidency. Speaking at an interview with the Economic Club of Chicago and Bloomberg News on Tuesday, he claimed that South Korea would be paying US$10 billion annually for the upkeep of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) if he were still in offic

October 16, 2024

Russia urges South Korea to refrain from provocations over North Korea's drone allegations

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Russia urged South Korea to refrain from "further provocations" regarding North Korea's allegations of Seoul deploying drones across the border. South Korea "should take Pyongyang's warnings very seriously and cease further escalation on the peninsula through their reckless and provocative campaign, which exacerbates tension and could lead to actual armed confrontations," said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson from Russia's For

October 15, 2024

Yoon names former chief of staff as new ambassador to China

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol named his former chief of staff Kim Dae-ki as the new ambassador to China, the presidential office said Monday. Kim's "deep understanding of Chinese society, history, and culture, along with his fluency in Chinese," makes him well-suited for the role, the office explained in a statement. Kim's extensive experience is expected to "not only enhance diplomatic relations between the two countries but also bring

October 14, 2024

Biden proposes trilateral summit with Yoon, Ishiba

SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed holding a trilateral summit with the leaders of South Korea and Japan later this year, a South Korean presidential official said Saturday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed the proposal to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a state dinner on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos on Thursday, according to the official. Yoon responded positively, sayin

October 12, 2024