Behind the Jamsil protests: The pro-democracy politics of young Koreans SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - Unlike their clear-cut elders, young South Koreans are neither right nor left. They are simply pro-democracy, and intolerant when they believe it is under attack — whether through a martial law declaration or a shortage of ballot papers. The generational divide has become increasingly visible in recent months as South Koreans in their 20s and 30s have emerged as a new political force, distancing themselves from the country's deeply entrenched ideol June 15, 2026

SK's Chey, ex-wife Roh fail to reach settlement in billion-dollar divorce battle SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong failed to reach a settlement Monday in their closely watched billion-dollar divorce dispute, facing each other in court for the first time in more than two years. The Seoul High Court's family division held a second court-led mediation session at 2 p.m. as part of the remand trial ordered by the Supreme Court. Despite expectations that both sides would begin substantive discussions on th June 15, 2026

Devices with large lithium batteries to be banned on KTX and subway trains SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - Starting next month, passengers will be barred from bringing devices equipped with large-capacity lithium batteries onto KTX bullet trains and subways, railway operator Korail said on Monday. To improve passenger safety amid fire risks, lithium-battery-powered items such as electric kickboards, electric bicycles and other personal devices will be restricted from being brought onto trains or entering railway stations. Also included are portable high-capacit June 15, 2026

Jamsil elections protest swells as Seoul election authorities face probe SEOUL, June 14 (AJP) -Protests demanding a rerun of South Korea's June 3 local elections swelled back to hundreds over the weekend as investigators moved closer to questioning election officials over the ballot paper shortage scandal that has triggered the country's biggest election-related demonstrations in years. The demonstrations around Seoul's Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Jamsil, which served as a vote-counting center, entered their 10th day Sunday, with police i June 14, 2026

Korea, U.S. to set target year for wartime OPCON transfer by year-end: defense chief SEOUL, June 14 (AJP) -South Korea and the United States will propose a target year for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to their presidents by the end of this year, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday, signaling fresh momentum behind President Lee Jae Myung's goal of regaining command authority during his term. Speaking in an interview with KBS, Ahn said the allies will discuss verification of Full Operational Capability (FOC) at the annual Security Co June 14, 2026

Chip boom deepens Korea's jobs divide as manufacturing employment shrinks SEOUL, June 14 (AJP) -South Korea's worsening employment data is exposing a growing K-shaped divide in the labor market, where a historic semiconductor boom continues to create high-paying jobs while much of the broader manufacturing sector sheds workers. The country's employment rate posted its steepest decline in more than five years in May as weakness in manufacturing and youth hiring highlighted the limited spillover from a recovery increasingly driven by memory chip e June 14, 2026

UK's Indo-Pacific minister in Seoul to boost cooperation with South Korea SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - U.K. Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra has been in Seoul this week as she seeks to deepen cooperation with South Korea across various sectors and address shared global challenges. During her three-day visit which began on Thursday, Malhotra has been meeting with South Korean government officials and business leaders to discuss cooperation in advanced technologies, clean energy, and defense, according to the British Embassy in Seoul. She arrived f June 12, 2026

Lee's approval rating falls below 60% as controversy over local elections deepens SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to 57 percent, the lowest level so far this year, according to a survey of over 1,000 adults conducted by pollster Gallup Korea early this week and released on Friday. Some 57 percent said Lee is doing a good job, down 7 percentage points from a similar survey conducted just before the June 3 local elections. After months of strong approval ratings since early February, his support slipped below 60 percent June 12, 2026

Another fire breaks out at SK hynix's plant in Cheongju SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - A fire broke out at SK hynix's chip plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province on Friday, injuring one worker and forcing about 4,000 employees to evacuate. The fire came less than two weeks after a similar incident at the same plant on June 1. According to workers and fire officials, flames started at around 9:55 a.m. in a gas room on the second floor of its M15X facility at the plant. The fire was fully extinguished within about 10 minutes after th June 12, 2026

World Cup 26: Scenes from first World Cup SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) -South Koreans were united at lunchtime Friday, erupting in cheers, gasps and sighs of relief as they gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, offices, restaurants and homes nationwide to watch the national team's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. June 12, 2026