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  Speed skater Lee Seung-hoon wins first World Cup gold in seven years SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon won his first ISU World Cup gold medal in seven years, triumphing in the men’s mass start race on Monday in Poland. Competing in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the 36-year-old finished the race in 7 minutes, 48.05 seconds, edging out Bart Hoolwerf of the Netherlands (7:48.50) and Andrea Giovannini of Italy (7:48.56). This is Lee’s first World Cup gold medal since December 2017, when he last won a race February 24, 2025
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  Seoul to provide Korean language programs for students with non-native parents SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - In a bid to support students struggling with the Korean language due to their parents' immigrant background, Seoul will offer Korean language programs at universities starting in March. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Sunday that the language courses will serve as alternative education programs, offering accredited academic credits, with attendance and curriculum reflected in the students’ home schools. Certified teachers w February 24, 2025
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  Fathers make up over 30 percent of parental leave users in South Korea for the first time SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - For the first time, more than 30 percent of all parental leave users in South Korea were fathers last year, showing that more men are willing to take time off to care for their children. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Sunday, 256,771 people used work-life balance programs, such as maternity and parental leave, in 2024. This is an increase of 7.2 percent compared to the previous year. In South Korea, it is still uncommon for men to t February 23, 2025
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  North Korea remains on FATF blacklist for 15th consecutive year SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - North Korea has been re-listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist for the 15th year in a row, maintaining its status as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF said Friday that North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar remain on its list of “high-risk jurisdictions,” the highest warning level designated by the organization. "The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK's continued fail February 22, 2025
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  Yoon faces additional charge for alleged interference in arrest attempt SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing new charges of obstructing law enforcement by using an agency responsible for his personal security, police said Friday. Police said Yoon instructed the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to block officers from executing his arrest warrant. They explained that they had obtained encrypted messages exchanged between Yoon and PSS Deputy Chief Kim Sung-hoon via "Signal," a highly secure American messaging app. February 21, 2025
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  Chinese account for big portion of foreign engineering students with PhD degrees in South Korea SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The number of foreign engineers with PhD degrees from South Korean universities has nearly doubled in recent years, with Chinese making up a significant portion, an analysis reveals. According to a report released earlier this week by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), Chinese students accounted for three out of every ten foreign engineering PhD graduates here as of 2023. China's share of foreign PhD graduates in enginee February 21, 2025
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  UN urges Ukraine to protect North Korean POWs, opposes forced repatriation SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The United Nations urged Ukraine on Thursday not to repatriate North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). North Korea allegedly deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to assist Moscow's war in Ukraine, and two soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield in Russia's Kursk region last month. "International humanitarian law (IHL) requires POWs to be treated humanely at all times and with respect for their honour in all circumstan February 21, 2025
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  Constitutional Court to hold final hearing in Yoon's impeachment trial next week SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea will have the final hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial next week over his botched martial law debacle last December. After wrapping up the 10th hearing on Thursday, the court said it will hear final statements from both sides including Yoon at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Once next week's hearing concludes, the court will begin its deliberation to decide whether to impeach or reinstate him, which norma February 20, 2025
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  Former PM calls for more flexible approach to 52-hour workweek to support semiconductor industry SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A more flexible approach to the mandatory 52-hour workweek may be necessary, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said earlier this week. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "I fully understand concerns that making an exception could set a bad precedent or be widely misused. But if that happens, the law can intervene to amend any flawed regulations." Seeking support from the main opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-membe February 20, 2025
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  Trump comments on North Korean soldiers in Russia, hints at possible deal to end war SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday commented on North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to assist its war in Ukraine. "Soldiers are being killed by the thousands on a weekly basis," Trump said. "Apart from Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, a lot of Koreans have been killed. We want to end it. It's a senseless war. It should have never happened." Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, February 19, 2025