OECD warns of South Korea's growing reliance on chip exports SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - South Korea faces mounting long-term risks from its growing reliance on semiconductor exports and rapidly aging population despite an improving economic outlook, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In its latest report released on Thursday, the Paris-based organization said strong semiconductor exports, resilient employment and recovering domestic demand have supported the economy, "despite headwinds from the Middle July 3, 2026

Investigators inspect ballot-counting site in southern Seoul after monthlong blockade SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - A parliamentary committee investigating ballot shortages that disrupted last month's local elections broke into a venue in southern Seoul on Thursday, after the site had been blocked by protesters for nearly a month. Committee members managed to enter an indoor handball gymnasium within the Olympic Park in Songpa, which served as a ballot-counting site on the June 3 election day, after police cleared access routes and dispersed protesters who had been block July 2, 2026

Taking command is easier than commanding the war SEOUL, July 02 (AJP) - South Korea says its military is ready to assume wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States immediately. Its ally remains doubtful. The United States has a point. Recent difficulties identifying North Korean missile launches, limitations in military reconnaissance satellites and South Korea's continued reliance on U.S. intelligence, communications and strategic assets suggest Seoul has yet to eliminate some of the capability gaps that the c July 2, 2026

Visa fee waiver for group tourists extended until end of this year SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - South Korea has extended its visa fee waiver program for group tourists from six countries including China, the Philippines, and Viet Nam until the end of this year, the Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday. The extension also applies to those from Cambodia, India and Indonesia, and aims to further boost foreign tourism. The fee waiver, which was supposed to expire in June, eliminates a US$15 (about 22,500 won) charge for group visa applications. As th July 1, 2026

South Korea hikes postal rates amid mounting deficit SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - Postal prices have been hiked for the first time in nearly five years, with basic rates rising from 430 won (about US$0.29) to 500 won, Korea Post said on Wednesday. Under the hikes taking immediate effect from the first day of July, standard mail now costs 500 won for letters between 5 grams and 25 grams and 520 won for those over 25 grams and up to 50 grams. The adjustment comes amid declining mail volumes in an increasingly digital era. The state-run p July 1, 2026

Hyundai Motor pledges $1 million in aid for Venezuela earthquake victims SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group will donate US$1 million in relief aid to Venezuela, where powerful earthquakes and aftershocks have caused heavy damage, the automaker said on Wednesday. The donation will be delivered through humanitarian organization Korean Red Cross and used for disaster relief, recovery efforts and other emergency assistance. "We extend our condolences to Venezuelans affected by the sudden quakes and hope the support will help speed recovery,&qu July 1, 2026

Mocking Gwangju is no child's play, baseball aspirants learn SEOUL, July 01 (AJP) - "A man is responsible for his ignorance," Milan Kundera once wrote. Young Koreans are now learning that lesson the hard way. Just last week, Starbucks Korea was forced to close stores early nationwide for employee history lessons, absorbing an estimated 2 billion won ($12.8 million) in losses after a promotional campaign on May 18 sparked outrage in Gwangju. Its "Tank Day" promotion of 5/18 tumbler sparked social outrage for its painf July 1, 2026

More areas in Gyeonggi Province placed under property curbs amid surging prices SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - Three additional areas in Gyeonggi Province have been designated as "speculative zones" in an effort to curb overheated demand in parts of the Seoul metropolitan region, where housing prices have recently skyrocketed, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Tuesday. According to the ministry, Dongtan in Hwaseong, Giheung in Yongin, and Guri have been newly added to such zones, under which loans for buying homes there are limited, w June 30, 2026

Dozens of new Korean-language centers to open across 23 countries SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - About 29 new Korean-language centers under the auspices of the King Sejong Institute will open in 23 countries, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Tuesday. The additions will bring the number of the institute's branches to 273 in some 89 countries, offering Korean language and culture amid growing interest among foreigners in learning Korean following a recent Korean pop-culture boom. As of last year, a total of 239,020 people studied K June 30, 2026

Wearing Korea: 372 stories stitched together by hanbok SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - Russia-born Violetta, who moved to South Korea after marriage, was sweating under the weight of an elaborately adorned hanbok. But she did not mind. Somewhere beyond the stage, her husband and 7-year-old son were watching with pride. For the brown-eyed mother, the Korea Hanbok Model Contest was about far more than a runway. "Women can feel beautiful and confident," Violetta said. "That is what makes this event more meaningful." For he June 29, 2026