• 
  Trade minister to hold further talks with US officials after Trump threatens higher tariffs SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korea will continue talks with U.S. trade officials this week to resolve any misunderstanding after U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt threat to raise tariffs on its closest ally earlier this week. Just a day after his arrival in Washington, D.C., Minister of Trade and Industry Kim Jung-kwan met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday to figure out what is behind Trump's tariff threat. Trump on Monday warned he would raise January 30, 2026
• 
  Former justice minister named special ambassador for climate SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Former Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil has been named South Korea's special ambassador for climate and environment, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. She will take up the one-year ambassadorial role to tackle climate and environmental issues while promoting the government's efforts. Having served as the country's first female justice minister under the late Roh Moo-hyun administration, Kang also led the Democratic Party's (DP) election January 30, 2026
• 
  South Korea's ambassador to China wealthiest among senior officials SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon declared assets worth 53 billion won (US$38 million), making him the wealthiest among high-ranking officials, according to figures released by the Government Ethics Committee on Friday. Most of the assets held by the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo are in real estate, including land, buildings and residential properties registered under his or his spouse's name, along with savings and other holdings. His mot January 30, 2026
• 
  Gwangju Police Book 50-Something Woman for Drunk Driving After Red-Light Violation Gwangju Bukbu Police Station said Thursday it booked a woman in her 50s, identified only as A, on suspicion of driving under the influence in violation of the Road Traffic Act. Police said she is accused of driving about 2 kilometers while intoxicated, leaving a restaurant in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, at about 4 p.m. Wednesday and heading to an area near the Unam 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center. Officers said she ran a red light while driving through an intersection and was caught by ne January 29, 2026
• 
  Dispute Grows Over Proposed South Jeolla-Gwangju Administrative Merger Controversy over a proposed administrative merger between South Jeolla Province and the city of Gwangju is spreading across the region. The Samhyang-eup Council of Local Institutions and Social Groups in Muan County said the recent merger agreement between the provincial government and Gwangju was “a rushed deal” that “gave up South Jeolla’s interests.” In a statement released Jan. 28, the council criticized an announcement that South Jeolla Gov. Kim Young Rok and Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki January 29, 2026
• 
  Fire at Seongnam Multifamily Home Kills 1; Another in Cardiac Arrest A fire at a multifamily home in Seongnam, south of Seoul, left one person dead and another in cardiac arrest, authorities said. Fire officials said the blaze broke out at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday at a four-story building in Sinheung-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, in Gyeonggi province. Firefighters extinguished the fire about two hours later, but a man in his 30s who lived on the third floor died. A man in his 40s from the fourth floor was taken to a hospital in critical condition after su January 29, 2026
• 
  Fire at Recycling Company in Incheon Extinguished; No Injuries Reported A fire at a recycling company in Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, was extinguished in about an hour after breaking out at about 5:56 a.m. on the 9th. No injuries were reported. Fire authorities deployed about 30 pieces of equipment and about 80 personnel and finished putting out the blaze at about 7 a.m. Authorities are investigating the cause and the extent of the damage.* This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
• 
  Fire Reported in Incheon’s Seo District; Heavy Smoke Reported Near Gajwa-dong A fire broke out in Incheon’s Seo District, officials said. In a disaster alert text message sent on the 29th, the district office said a fire near 173-222 in Gajwa-dong was producing heavy smoke as of 6 a.m. It urged nearby residents to move farther from the site and drivers to detour. * This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
• 
  Guri Mayor Baek Kyung Hyun Lays Out Six Policy Priorities for 2026 Guri Mayor Baek Kyung Hyun used a New Year news conference on Tuesday to present what he called six operating directions for 2026: welfare, the economy, urban infrastructure, transportation, culture and the environment. Baek framed the agenda as a question of direction rather than speed, arguing that city policy should focus on where Guri is headed. On welfare, he emphasized what he described as a tighter safety net, treating support as a system rather than a one-time benefit. He pointed January 29, 2026
• 
  Yangpyeong County head cites 88.3% pledge completion, outlines 2026 priorities Yangpyeong County Gov. Jeon Jin-seon told reporters on Jan. 28 that his administration has carried out 88.3% of its campaign pledges and will steer county policy in 2026 around four priorities: safety, the environment, tourism and health. About 100 news outlets attended the New Year briefing at the county hall. Jeon reviewed major projects and outlined plans, while stressing that the county’s focus is on building policies that last beyond a single term. Jeon cited the 88.3% pledge-implem January 29, 2026