Over 1,500 displaced as heavy rains batter southern provinces

SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Unusual autumnal torrential downpours swept across southern regions, causing landslides and flooding, and displacing more than 1,500 people, authorities said on Sunday. The record heavy rains also led to submerged roads and inundated buildings. Although heavy rain warnings have been lifted, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warned of more rainfalls across the southern provinces later in the day. The hardest-hit areas included South Gyeon

September 22, 2024

Koreans' views toward Japanese improve, survey finds

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Four in 10 Koreans see Japan favorably, a recent survey reveals. According to a survey of over 1,000 Koreans conducted by the East Asia Institute (EAI) last month, some 41.7 percent of respondents hold a favorable view of Japan, up 12.8 percentage point from a year ago and the highest level since the annual survey first began in 2013. An almost similar proportion, or 42.7 percent, had the opposite view, but that was a significant decrease from 53.3 per

September 20, 2024

Czech Republic optimistic about Korean consortium's bid for nuclear power plant project

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Czech President Petr Pavel has shown optimism about a Korean consortium's chances of winning a bid for the construction of two new nuclear power plants in Dukovany. This positive prospect was shared during a summit with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of Korea's National Security Office, on Friday. At the summit held at Prague Castle, Pavel expressed his high expectations for Korea's participatio

September 20, 2024

Most foreign students opt for job opportunities in Korea instead of returning home

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Most of foreign students in Korea hope to find a job here after graduation rather than returning to their home countries, a recent straw poll suggests. JobKorea, Korea's largest employment portal, conducted a survey of some 155 international students here and found that about eight out of ten were either searching for a job here or planning to do so. About 10 percent of them have already landed a job, while only a fraction had no interest at all i

September 20, 2024

USFK nominee warns of North Korean missile threats

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - North Korea's rapidly advancing nuclear and missile programs are the most urgent challenging tasks for the post to lead the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), said a nominee during his confirmation hearing. Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson, who is poised to assume the triple-hatted position also overseeing the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and United Nations Command (UNC), if confirmed, stressed the need to strengthen defense against North Korea's grow

September 19, 2024

3 fishermen killed in boat accident near southwestern port city

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Three fishermen were killed and five were rescued in a fishing boat accident near the southwestern port city of Gunsan, the Gunsan Coast Guard said Monday. According to the Gunsan Coast Guard, the crew members of the 35-ton-class 77 Daeryeong -- the captain (71), chief engineer (53), and an Indonesian crew in his 40s, were pronounced dead after being transferred to a nearby hospital. The remaining five foreign crew members (three from Viet Nam, two f

September 16, 2024

Nearly 2,000 separated family members die this year only in South Korea

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Nearly 2,000 separated family members in South Korea died during the first eight months of this year without reuniting with loved ones in North Korea, according to government data released Sunday. A total of 1,961 applicants for government-arranged reunions passed away between January and August, raising the total number of such deaths to 96,352. As of late August, around 134,160 people had registered with the unification ministry for family reunion ev

September 15, 2024

Nuclear energy projects top agenda for Yoon's visit to Czech Republic next week

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to prioritize expanding economic cooperation during his trip to the Czech Republic next week. According to the presidential office, Yoon will visit Prague from Sept. 19 to 22, where he will sit for talks with Czech President Petr Pavel to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation with a particular focus on nuclear energy. One of the key topics on Yoon's agenda is likely to be seeking support for Korea

September 13, 2024

Changdeokgung Palace offers autumnal nighttime tours

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the romantic autumnal atmosphere of Seoul's royal palace. Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul is running three-month moonlight tours until November, offering a rare opportunity to experience the enchanting beauty of the palace at night, which served as the quarters for ancient kings and queens hundreds of years ago. The well-preserved historical palace was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in

September 12, 2024

Biden nominates new USFK chief

Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson. Courtesy of the U.S. Army SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson has been named as a nominee to lead the U.S. Forces Korea, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. U.S. President Joe Biden nominated him to replace General Paul LaCamera who has led the position since July 2021. Brunson's nomination, which comes as LaCamera's tour in Seoul ends, requires approval from the Senate. Brunson currently serves as the Commandin

September 12, 2024