Georgia raid may foil Korean investment and ties: US senator

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Despite the stream of damage-control statements from Washington, the recent massive immigration raid at a South Korean battery plant in Georgia has rattled economic cooperation and investment prospects with Seoul, argued a U.S. Democratic senator. Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing Maryland, said in an e-mail interview with AJP on Tuesday that the Georgia raid threatened "our strong relationship with South Korea and the prospect of future inve

September 17, 2025

Trump to visit South Korea next month for APEC summit, US envoy says

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit South Korea next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a U.S. envoy said on Wednesday. At a conference in central Seoul, Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun said Trump will attend the multilateral gathering scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in the historic city of Gyeongju. Stressing the strong alliance between the two countries, Yun expressed expectations for another

September 17, 2025

Ex-foreign minister poised to take up role as new envoy to US

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is soon expected to officially assume her post as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Wednesday that Washington has completed its agrément procedures for her appointment. Kang served as the country's first female foreign minister under former President Moon Jae-in, working with top U.S. officials during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term from

September 17, 2025

Moonies leader appears for questioning over bribery allegations

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Han Hak-ja, leader of the powerful Unification Church, better known as the Moonies, appeared for questioning on Wednesday over allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, the widow of the church's founder Moon Sun-myung, is suspected of bribing Kim with a luxury bag and jewelry. She is also suspected of colluding with an ex-cult follower in 2022 to give 100 million won (US$72,400) to Kweon Seong-dong, the former leader of the main oppos

September 17, 2025

FM heads to Beijing to discuss Xi's possible visit to South Korea next month

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun headed to Beijing on Wednesday, making his first trip to China since assuming his post. Cho is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi later in the day. Their discussions are expected to focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to South Korea late next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the historic city of Gyeongju. Although Beijing has yet to c

September 17, 2025

 Lee vows practical diplomacy with US, China, Japan, and Russia

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that South Korea will pursue "practical diplomacy centered on national interest" to improve relations with the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, Lee outlined the first of five foreign policy tasks under his administration, emphasizing that South Korea must navigate its diplomacy based on pragmatic choices rather than ideology. "We will move beyon

September 16, 2025

Orderly Gen Z-led uprising in Nepal strikes a chord with Young Koreans

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - “They are better than us,” said one Korean viewer of a viral video showing Nepal’s royal palace on fire, recalling with bitterness former South Korean President’s stunt of declaring martial law last November. Another Korean remarked on YouTube, “It’s impressive how the Nepalese military maintained neutrality, focused on protection and mediation, and stayed true to their beliefs until the end.”

September 16, 2025

K-pop shares going "Up, Up, Up" in their "Golden" moment

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - K-pop stocks are on a roll, humming along to the chart-topping "Up, up, up" tune of "Golden" from Netflix's animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters." The four household K-pop agencies have been riding on the Sony film's surprise success and its soundtrack. Shares of YG Entertainment have more than tripled from 32,300 won ($23.38) a year ago to 97,600 won this month. Those of SM Entertainment soared from 58,100

September 16, 2025

Travel advisory issued for parts of Cambodia

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A travel advisory was issued for some parts of Cambodia amid a rise in employment scams and detentions involving South Korean nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. The advisory includes a special travel warning for Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, and Bavet, a border town in Svay Rieng province. The ministry urged South Koreans planning to visit these areas to cancel or postpone their trips. Tho

September 16, 2025

Z-gen South Korean chaebol heirs embrace paths once off-limits

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - The Generation Z heirs and heiresses of South Korea’s powerful chaebol families are breaking out of their traditionally cloistered worlds, venturing into public spheres once considered off-limits — from serving in the military to debuting as entertainers. For decades, children of Korea’s leading business dynasties largely stayed in the shadows and confined to their own insulated world. Their lives typically revolved around elite overse

September 16, 2025