Trump responds to letter urging protection for North Korean POWs in Ukraine SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to a letter calling for protection of North Korean prisoners of war held in Ukraine, a civic group that assists North Korean defectors said on Tuesday. According to the Emergency Committee for the Free Repatriation of North Korean Soldiers, led by defector-turned-lawmaker Thae Yong-ho, its U.S.-based affiliated group, Free Joseon, sent a letter to Trump last month urging that the POWs' free will be respected February 10, 2026

Japanese PM says she hopes to visit South Korea again in reply to Lee SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi thanked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for his congratulatory message following her party's landslide victory in a snap election over the weekend. In a reply to Lee's message on X, formerly Twitter, late Monday night, Takaichi wrote, "I sincerely thank for his warm congratulations." She said Japan and South Korea as neighboring countries must cooperate as partners on various challenges February 10, 2026

Black Eagles paint Riyadh sky with dazzling aerobatics in debut performance SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - South Korea's aerobatics team wowed spectators with impressive maneuvers at an air show in Saudi Arabia on Monday. It was the Black Eagles' first appearance at the show, which was part of the International Defense Industry Exhibition in the Middle Eastern country. After the Saudi Falcons’ performance, the Black Eagles took off with eight aircraft, forming star- and diamond-shaped patterns before moving into their other signature maneuvers, February 10, 2026

Explosion ignites fire at oil storage facility in Gyeongsan SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - An explosion at an oil storage facility in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, sparked a fire in the southeastern city on Tuesday. According to police authorities, the fire started around 8 a.m. when an explosion occurred at the outdoor facility of Daehan Oil Pipeline Corp. With only smoke currently visible, the flames have subsided. No casualties were immediately reported. February 10, 2026

Seoul weighs heavier fines for antitrust offenses SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - South Korea is reviewing a major overhaul of its antitrust penalty system, moving toward fines linked to overall corporate revenue as part of a broader effort to curb repeated violations by large conglomerates. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Monday it has commissioned an external study to redesign its sanctions framework for unfair trade practices, laying the groundwork for tougher legislation later this year. At the center of the reform is February 9, 2026

Agriculture minister dismisses further tariff-related pressure from US SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - South Korea is unlikely to be pressed to open its agricultural market further beyond the scope of last fall's broader tariff-related deal with the U.S. Dismissing doubts, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong made the remarks during a press briefing at the government complex in Sejong on Monday, when reporters asked whether South Korea's move to expand imports of American potatoes was made at Washington's request. She clarified that the impor February 9, 2026

Lee congratulates Japan's PM on landslide election win SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her party's landslide victory in a snap election the previous day. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lee said he "sincerely congratulates" the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-led coalition on securing a majority in Japan's House of Representatives. Wishing for Japan's continued development under Takaichi's leadership, he recalled hi February 9, 2026

Military helicopter crashes in Gapyeong, killing two crew members SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - A military helicopter crashed in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province on Monday, killing two crew members, according to military authorities. The South Korean Army said the AH-1S Cobra went down at about 11:04 a.m. during training, which involved practicing emergency landings in conditions similar to an abnormal situation without shutting down the engine. The exact reasons for the crash were not immediately known. Two officers on board were rushed to a hospi February 9, 2026

Lee praises late bloomer's surprise silver-medal finish at Winter Olympics in Italy SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday congratulated snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum after the athlete secured South Korea's first medal at this year's Winter Olympics, which kicked off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan last Friday. Lee praised Kim's silver-medal finish in the men's parallel giant slalom, saying the athlete spent "years of training for races decided by fractions of a second, perfecting his technique and equipment on harsh snow, February 9, 2026

South Korea, Saudi Arabia agree to expand defense cooperation SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - South Korea has agreed to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security and defense, the Ministry of Defense said on Monday. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met his Saudi counterpart Khalid bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh over the weekend, where they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand biliteral cooperation. They said the MOU would establish a joint framework covering research and development, defense technology, and syste February 9, 2026