US Senate passes resolution commemorating Korean War anniversary

SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The U.S. on Thursday adopted a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, reaffirming its alliance with South Korea. According to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, the Senate unanimously passed the resolution coinciding with the anniversary, which recognizes "important lessons from the war, particularly the imperative of maintaining military readiness in defense of the United States and its allies." The res

June 27, 2025

Concerns grow in Seoul as Washington signals push to raise defense spending from Asian allies

SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - Speculation has been growing that the U.S. could pressure South Korea and other Asian countries to shoulder a greater share of security costs, after NATO allies agreed earlier this week in the Hague, the Netherlands, to spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. Amid these developments, a White House spokesperson was quick to say on Thursday that if European allies can increase their defense spending, Asian allies can do the same. &qu

June 27, 2025

S. Korea starts dismantling of Kori-1 nuclear reactor after final green light

SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - South Korea has begun dismantling its first commercial nuclear reactor, Kori-1, following final approval from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission on Thursday. The project, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), is expected to span 12 years, ending with full site restoration by 2037. Kori-1, located in Gijang County, Busan some 320 kilometers (198 miles) southeast of Seoul, was a 595-megawatt pressurized water reactor built by Westinghouse. It

June 27, 2025

Top security adviser attends NATO summit on behalf of Lee

SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with a slew of heads of state and government officials on the sidelines of the NATO summit which kicked off in the Hague, the Netherlands early this week. Wi, who is attending the two-day summit on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, held a series of talks with key figures and participants including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio. According to the presidential of

June 26, 2025

Small business owners overwhelmed by rising costs and wage pressure

SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - South Korea's small business owners are feeling the weight of growing economic pressure, with rising food prices and labor costs making it harder than ever to stay afloat. Many are now calling on the government to freeze or even lower the minimum wage. According to a survey released Thursday by the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), 63.4 percent of self-employed respondents said their business conditions have worsened compared to last year. Only 6

June 26, 2025

North Korean defectors recount plight at UN human rights event in Seoul

SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - North Korean defectors recounted their harrowing journeys of escape and the plights they endured at an event in Seoul this week, informing international experts on human rights violations in the isolated country. Hosted by the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, the two-day event which kicked off on Thursday was part of the drafting process for a ten-year assessment of the human rights situation in North Korea. The event brought together human rights exp

June 26, 2025

President Lee calls for 'fair growth' and capital market reform in first parliamentary address

SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung called Wednesday on lawmakers to back his push to revive the economy and support struggling households, calling the effort "the most urgent task we must address today." Delivering his first policy speech at the National Assembly since taking office, Lee urged cooperation on a supplementary budget designed to stimulate growth and stabilize livelihoods. "On June 4, right here in the National Assembly, I took the president

June 26, 2025

President Lee opens online platform to enhance communication with public

SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has opened an online platform on Tuesday to gather and reflect public opinion on state affairs. According to the Presidential Office, the platform is to collect public opinion and questions on a wide range of national issues, including the economy, welfare, society, politics, diplomacy, and security via Google Forms. All submitted questions will be reported to the president. The presidential office stated that Lee plans to respond

June 25, 2025

Yoon's legal team denounces arrest warrant as special counsel ramps up investigation

SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team filed a formal objection with the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday, pushing back against an arrest warrant request from the special counsel investigating his December 3 martial law declaration. They argued that the warrant lacks legal basis and violates Yoon's right to a fair defense. Before the special counsel took over, Yoon had been summoned three times by the police -- on June 5, 12, and 19 --

June 25, 2025

Acting US envoy discusses prospects for relations between two allies in Seoul

SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - A group of journalists from leading news outlets gathered in Seoul for a seminar to discuss the evolving diplomatic landscape between South Korea and the U.S. since the inauguration of new administrations in both countries. Hosted by the Korea Press Foundation in central Seoul on Tuesday, the seminar offered an opportunity to hear from Joseph Yun, the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, through in-depth discussions about recen

June 24, 2025