Surge in unpaid wages for foreign workers in Korea amid economic downturn

SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) - An increasing number of foreign workers in Korea have faced issues with receiving their wages or experiencing delays in receiving their wages. According to a report by People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kim So-hee based on data from the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service on Monday, government payouts to cover these unpaid wages have nearly doubled over the past four years. In 2022, about 79.1 billion Korean won (US$58.8 million) in back wa

October 7, 2024

North Korea continues to send trash-filled balloons toward South Korea

SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) - North Korea sent more trash-filled balloons toward the South, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday. The isolated country resumed this bizarre campaign just three days after a similar launch occurred late last week. Since late May, North Korea has sent thousands of these balloons in retaliation for leaflets sent across the border by North Korean defectors and activists here. The JCS warned that these balloons could drift into Gyeonggi

October 7, 2024

Ex-president's daughter faces summons for DUI

SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - The police have booked former President Moon Jae-in's daughter, Da-hye, on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and are coordinating the schedule for her summons. CCTV footage shows a car driven by Da-hye collided with a taxi while changing lanes in front of Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Seoul, at around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. Da-hye was seen stumbling around, unable to stand properly, about 30 minutes before the accident. She got into a parked

October 6, 2024

South Korea evacuates 96 nationals from Lebanon

SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - A South Korean military aircraft successfully brought home 96 nationals from Lebanon on Saturday, marking its first evacuation operation in response to the escalating tensions in the region. The KC-330 military transport plane landed at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, at approximately 12:50 p.m. On Wednesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol had ordered the immediate dispatch of military transport aircraft to bring South Korean citizens home. As

October 5, 2024

Yoon to hold talks with Japan's new prime minister in Laos

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol will embark on a week-long trip later this week to attend the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos. According to the presidential office, Yoon will stop by the Philippines and Singapore to hold bilateral talks before heading to Laos for the summit scheduled for Oct. 8 to 11. It will be his third ASEAN summit since taking office in 2022 and his administration is ramping up efforts to expand c

October 4, 2024

Octogenarian becomes oldest contestant at beauty pageant in Seoul

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - Choi Soon-hwa, the oldest contestant at this year's beauty pageant, narrowly missed winning the crown in Seoul early this week. At 81, she looked exquisite and graceful on stage with her silver hair at the pageant on Monday. Organizers said it was the first time a model of that age participated in the pageant, but Choi proudly stood out among younger rivals in their 20s and 30s. The pageant allows the winner to represent Korea in November's Miss Univ

October 2, 2024

Golfer Pak Se-ri wins Van Fleet Award for strengthening US-Korea relations

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - Korean golf pioneer Pak Se-ri received an award in New York on Tuesday for her contributions to strengthening Korea's relations with the U.S. The Van Fleet Award, named after General James Van Fleet, the U.S. commander who fought in the Korean War, is presented annually by the U.S.-based non-profit organization Korea Society to individuals who have contributed to promoting Korea and its relationship with the U.S. Previous recipients include former UN

October 2, 2024

Indian cultural festival kicks off with traditional dance performance

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - The "Sarang Festival," a nine-day Indian cultural event hosted by the Indian Embassy to Korea, began on Tuesday with a traditional Kuchipudi dance performance by artists from the Avanthika Space for Dance, a renowned arts institute based in Kerala, Southern India. Kuchipudi, a classical dance form from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is known for its graceful movements, expressive storytelling, and combination of dance, drama, and music. The da

October 2, 2024

War Memorial of Korea chief reflects on sacrifice of war veterans in celebration of Armed Forces Day

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - "We will never forget war heroes who gave their lives during the Korean War about seven decades ago," the War Memorial of Korea's chief stressed in his exclusive interview with AJP last month. "We will ensure their dedication and sacrifices remain honored and remembered throughout history, preserving the legacy of the fallen to inspire future generations with the values of peace and freedom as well as the importance of national defense,

September 30, 2024

Event on Nami Island promotes UAE's vibrant heritage and culture

Performers showcase the UAE's traditional dance Al-Ayyala at an event on Nami Island, Gangwon Province on Sept. 27, 2024. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - A special event featuring several performances and exhibitions to promote the UAE's heritage and culture took place over the weekend on Nami Island, a tiny island near Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. In cooperation with the UAE Embassy in Korea, the three-day event, hosted by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, an educ

September 30, 2024