US aircraft carrier skips trilateral exercise with South Korea, Japan

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A U.S. aircraft carrier is not participating in this year's trilateral exercise with South Korea and Japan, military officials here said Tuesday. The weeklong air and naval exercise, dubbed "Freedom Edge" involving Aegis destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, patrol aircraft, refueling planes, and helicopters, which kicked off early this week, is currently underway in waters near South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. Aimed at str

September 16, 2025

Seoul holds off US trade deal despite Japan's tariff edge

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korea is holding out in protracted trade negotiations with the United States and resisting pressure to sign a deal quickly even as Washington grants Japan a softer tariff regime that could erode Korean competitiveness. According to the Federal Register, the U.S. Commerce Department confirmed a preferential 15 percent tariff rate on Japanese automobiles and auto parts starting Tuesday, a significant discount from the 27.5 percent rate applied to

September 16, 2025

Seoul trade chief picks up baton in stalled trade talks with US

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) -South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has left for Washington in hopes of finalizing a trade deal with the United States that has been stalled since a framework was agreed in late July, in return for a reprieve on the U.S. tariff rate for Korean imports from the initial 25 percent to 15 percent. Yeo ascends to the mound on behalf of Seoul after Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan returned to Seoul Sunday without settling talks with his U.S. cou

September 15, 2025

South Korea, China to hold foreign ministers' meeting in Beijing

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will visit Beijing this week, making his first trip to China since assuming his post. According to the Foreign Ministry, Cho is scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday during his two-day visit. The meeting's agenda is expected to include North Korea-related issues and raise concerns over large steel structures recently installed by Chinese authorities in waters near the West Sea.

September 15, 2025

Kim Se-young racks up third consecutive top-10 finish at LPGA event in Ohio

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Golfer Kim Sei-young has secured three consecutive top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour. In the fourth and final round of the Kroger Queen City Championship at TPC River's Bend in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, Kim shot a 3-under 69 to finish at 15-under 273, tying for fifth with Nelly Korda of the U.S. and Nasa Hataoka of Japan. Charlie Hull of England won the tournament with a 20-under 268, five strokes ahead of Kim. Hull narrowly defeated world No. 1

September 15, 2025

South Korea expands support for socially withdrawn youth amid rising numbers

SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare said on September 14 that it will step up efforts to support isolated and secluded young adults, also described as socially withdrawn youth, after identifying more than 1,300 cases through pilot centers. Isolated and secluded young adults, often described as socially withdrawn youth, are young people who cut themselves off from education, work and social interaction for extended periods of time. Many s

September 14, 2025

Heavy autumn rain brings relief to drought-stricken South Korea

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Heavy autumn rain fell across South Korea overnight Friday into Saturday, bringing the first significant precipitation in two months to drought-stricken areas including Gangneung, where extreme water shortages had prompted disaster declarations, officials said Saturday. Rainfall totals from Friday noon to Saturday afternoon reached 173 millimeters in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and over 100 millimeters in Gangneung, which had declared a drought d

September 13, 2025

South Korean workers return home after weeklong detention in Georgia

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in an immigration crackdown in Georgia, the U.S. returned home on Friday after being held for about a week. A total of 316 South Koreans, along with about a dozen foreign workers, traveled by bus to Atlanta to board a chartered flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after being released from a detention facility the previous day and arrived at Incheon International Airport at around 3:30 p.

September 12, 2025

Top US trade official urges South Korean workers to obtain proper visas after Georgia raid

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - After last week's immigration crackdown in Georgia that detained hundreds of Souh Koreans allegedly working without valid permits, the U.S. top trade official stressed the need to secure proper visas for employment, while senators promised to come up with legislative measures to prevent similar incidents. While welcoming the massive investment plans and projects of South Korean businesses including automaker Hyundai Motor Group, U.S. Secretary of Comm

September 12, 2025

South Koreans detained in US immigration raid set to return home after delay

SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Hundreds of South Koreans detained in a sweeping immigration raid in Georgia in the U.S. are expected to return home at last after their scheduled departure was unexpectedly delayed earlier this week. According to the Foreign Ministry, 316 South Koreans, along with about a dozen foreign workers, are set to board a chartered flight in Atlanta and arrive at Incheon International Airport on Friday. The ministry added that one South Korean chose to remain in

September 11, 2025