FM meets USFK commander at Camp Humphreys SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visited Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on Friday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho met with Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) earlier in the day. The visit was arranged after Brunson invited Cho during a luncheon last month that also included Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Defense Department's undersecretary of defense for policy, who was visiting February 13, 2026

South Korea vows swift action to prevent drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - South Korea on Friday vowed to take "immediate action" to prevent a recurrence of drone incursions into North Korea. "We will immediately implement measures to prevent similar cases from happening again," Unification Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho said in a regular press briefing. The remarks came several hours later in response to a request earlier in the day by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The February 13, 2026

Teen skater comes from behind to win bronze in men's short-track speed skating SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - With this year's Winter Olympics now halfway through in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, short-track speed skater Rim Jong-un won bronze in the men's 1,000 meters on Thursday. Lim, the only South Korean skater to reach the final, came from behind to finish third with a time of 1:24.61. With top contenders like Jens van't Wout of the Netherlands, Sun Long of China and William Dandjinou of Canada leading early, Lim slipped to last among the February 13, 2026

Korea's science ministry drops titles to loosen bureaucratic culture SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - What’s in a title? In South Korea, quite a lot — enough to make headlines. Last month, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) replaced nameplates for more than 900 employees, removing official titles and leaving only first names followed by the universal honorific suffix “-nim.” The change cost about 10 million won ($6,900). The move was ordered by Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, an AI engineer-turned policymaker who also serves as a de February 13, 2026

Ex-interior minister sentenced to 7 years in prison in martial law case SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday for his role in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. In a trial broadcast nationwide, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that he was guilty of aiding Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, by instructing police and fire agencies to cut off power and water to media outlets on Yoon's orders. The court February 12, 2026

Cheong Wa Dae expresses regret over canceled meeting with DP, PPP leaders SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday expressed "regret" over the cancellation of a planned luncheon meeting hosted by President Lee Jae Myung with the leaders of the leading parties. "It is very regrettable that the meeting was canceled," said Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs. "It was meant to improve communication and bipartisan cooperation on key state affairs, but the chance to fulfill that purpose was los February 12, 2026

South Korea forms task force to prepare for nuclear sub talks with US SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that it has formed a task force ahead of talks with the U.S. on building nuclear-powered submarines, as part of a broader tariff-related deal between the two allies. The task force is expected to prepare for a visit by a group of U.S. officials to discuss relevant issues and proceed with follow-up steps, based on a joint fact sheet released in November last year that outlines the details of the deal reached February 12, 2026

South Korea to participate in annual multinational military exercise in Thailand SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea will take part in a multinational combined exercise set to be held in Thailand next week, according to military authorities. About 390 South Korean Navy personnel and marines are set to depart the southern port city of Busan on Thursday to participate in "Cobra Gold," the largest multinational combined exercise held annually in Thailand since 1982 and hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Scheduled for Feb. 23 to March 6, this yea February 12, 2026

Teen snowboarder reaches men's halfpipe final SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - With this year's Winter Olympics underway in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan, teen snowboarder Lee Chae-un finished ninth in the qualifying round of the men's halfpipe on Wednesday, becoming the first South Korean man to reach the final. He is now set to compete in the final round in the alpine town of Livigno in northern Italy on Thursday, where the top 12 snowboarders will vie for medals. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Lee competed as South K February 12, 2026

Court set to rule on former interior minister over alleged martial law involvement SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min is set to be sentenced on Thursday for his alleged role in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 2 p.m., in a trial broadcast nationwide. Lee is accused of aiding Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 by instructing police and fire agencies to cut off power and water to media outlets on Yo February 12, 2026