Surge in Chinese travelers to South Korea boosts bilateral ties, Beijing's state daily says SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - A surge in travel between South Korea and China is laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral ties, Beijing's state-run newspaper Global Times reported on Wednesday. Quoting South Korean Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon, the English-language sister newspaper of the People's Daily said, "The number of Chinese visitors to South Korea is expected to exceed 6 million in 2026." The surge is "not merely a recovery in tourism statist February 11, 2026

Lee to meet DP, PPP leaders over luncheon SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to sit down for talks with the leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) later this week. In a press briefing on Wednesday, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters that Lee is scheduled to hold a meeting with DP leader Jung Chung-rae and PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday to "seek bipartisan cooperation on state affairs and discuss w February 11, 2026

South Korea, Netherlands hold inaugural 2+2 ministerial meeting in Seoul SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea and the Netherlands held a meeting attended by high-ranking foreign and trade officials from both countries in Seoul on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with their Dutch counterparts David van Weel and Aukje de Vries for the inaugural 2+2 ministerial dialogue. Pointing to a shift in the geopolitical environment with the spread of protectionism, they discussed ways to deepen cooperation across a wide r February 11, 2026

Seoul offers cautious compromise on medical student expansion, satisfies no one SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea has proposed adding 668 medical students between 2027 and 2031, limiting the increase to 32 medical schools outside the capital region in a bid to ease doctor shortages without triggering backlash like the 2020 walkout. The cautious approach, however, has drawn criticism from across the spectrum, with both doctors and civic groups arguing that it avoids addressing structural problems in the healthcare system. According to an outline released February 11, 2026

Injury-stricken Hwang Hee-chan adds to South Korea's woes ahead of World Cup SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Striker Hwang Hee-chan has been sidelined for several weeks due to a calf injury, according to his club Wolverhampton Wanderers. "Channy is out and it'll be a few weeks. It's his calf. We'll rescan again a couple of weeks and see where he's at," manager Rob Edwards told reporters on Tuesday, days ahead of their away match against Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League. Hwang started the club's home match ag February 11, 2026

Impeached president to face verdict in main martial law case next week SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's verdict on charges related to his botched martial law debacle will be delivered next week during a nationally televised trial. The Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday allowed live media coverage of Yoon's trial, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Feb. 19. Yoon, who was already sentenced to five years in prison last month on one of several charges related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law in 2024, will have an February 11, 2026

Lunar New Year exodus expected to peak next Tuesday SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Holiday traffic is expected to peak on Lunar New Year's Day, which falls next Tuesday, according to SK Telecom's navigation app TMAP. With the country's biggest holiday of the year coming in the latter part of the weeklong break, the annual mass exodus of people heading to their ancestral hometowns is expected to spread out, while their return trips will be concentrated early next week, making Feb. 17 the most likely day for heavy congestion. February 11, 2026

Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan finishes 6th in short program, eyes Olympic medal SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan finished sixth after a flawless performance in the men's short program on Tuesday at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Cha scored 92.72 points with 50.08 technical elements and 42.64 in program components, below his personal best of 101.33 but above his previous season best of 91.60 set at last November's NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan. With his sixth-place finish among 29 skaters, he advanced to the February 11, 2026

South Korea's WBC hopes fade as injuries sideline more key players SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Eagles' catcher Choi Jae-hoon has been dropped from South Korea's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said on Tuesday. The KBO said Choi will be unable to participate in the international tournament, which opens next month, after injuring his finger during the Eagles' winter training. Choi will be replaced by NC Dinos' Kim Hyung-jun. Kim was initially excluded from the roster February 10, 2026

Trade chiefs from South Korea, US to meet in Seoul amid Trump's renewed tariff pressure SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - With the U.S. renewing tariff pressure, attention is turning to an upcoming working-level meeting between trade officials in Seoul this week. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced Tuesday that its minister Yeo Han-koo is set to hold talks with visiting deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer on Wednesday. The meeting was initially intended to address non-tariff barriers (NTBs), which are measures other than tariffs that re February 10, 2026