Defense chiefs from South Korea, US reaffirm alliance in phone call

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - South Korea's Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho spoke with newly appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the phone on Friday, according to the Ministry of Defense here. During their first phone call, Kim and Hegseth reaffirmed the "strong and unwavering alliance" between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening and expanding the bilateral relations, which have served as a "linchpin" of peace

January 31, 2025

Over 70 percent of separated family members in South Korea die without reunion, government reports

SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Over 70 percent of South Koreans who registered for family reunions have died without seeing their loved ones in North Korea, according to government data released Thursday. The Ministry of Unification reported that 97,350 registered separated family members had passed away by the end of last year. Over the past year, 2,959 more passed away, leaving only 36,941 survivors. Of the 134,291 individuals who applied for family reunions, around 72 percent hav

January 30, 2025

'Air Busan crew, passengers saw flames from baggage compartment'

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - A fire likely caused by an external battery or electronic device broke out in the baggage compartment of an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport, leaving seven people with minor injuries, authorities said Wednesday. The blaze erupted Tuesday night at the tail of the plane as it was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew members. Passengers aboard the aircraft reported seeing

January 29, 2025

N. Korean leader dismisses US outreach signals in visit to nuclear facility

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a nuclear-material production facility and a nuclear weapons institute, underscoring the necessity of bolstering the nation’s nuclear capabilities, according to the North's state media Wednesday. Kim’s visit, which was not dated in the report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled an interest in reengaging with the North Korean leade

January 29, 2025

Foreign tourists to Seoul near pre-pandemic levels

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) -- Foreign tourist arrivals in Seoul topped 12 million in 2024, approaching pre-pandemic levels, city officials said Tuesday. The South Korean capital welcomed 12.12 million international visitors from January through November, reaching 95 percent of the record 12.74 million visitors in the same period in 2019, the Seoul Metropolitan Government reported. The rebound follows steady growth from pandemic lows, with annual visitor numbers rising from 2.19 mi

January 28, 2025

Holiday blizzard causes chaos across Korea

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - A powerful snowstorm disrupted transportation across South Korea on Tuesday, the fourth day of the six-day Lunar New Year holiday, causing multiple traffic accidents and grounding flights and ferries. Mount Halla on Jeju Island recorded 61.1 centimeters of snow accumulation since Monday, while the central county of Jincheon received 42.3 centimeters, and Seoul's Gwanak District measured 15.7 centimeters. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA

January 28, 2025

Heavy snow disrupts holiday traffic across Korea

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed much of South Korea on Tuesday, causing widespread travel disruptions during the Lunar New Year holidays. As of 8 a.m., weather authorities reported snowfall of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour in central and southern regions, with some areas experiencing up to 5 centimeters per hour. Mount Halla on the southern island of Jeju recorded an accumulation of 127.2 centimeters. Elsewhere, 84.9 centimeters were reported in Seolcheonbong

January 28, 2025

Prosecutors indict President Yoon on insurrection charges, citing 'unconstitutional martial law'

SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - Prosecutors announced Sunday that President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on insurrection charges, following an investigation that deemed his Dec. 3, 2024, declaration of emergency martial law an unconstitutional attempt to undermine South Korea's democratic order. Yoon is accused of using an unconstitutional martial law decree to block the National Assembly, seize electronic data from the National Election Commission (NEC), deploy soldiers to detai

January 27, 2025

S. Korea to develop subway congestion prediction system using weather data

SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced plans on Monday to develop a system that predicts subway congestion levels based on weather conditions. The system, slated for completion by the end of the year, will combine meteorological data with subway congestion information provided by Seoul Metro. According to South Korea's statistical information service, about five million people use Seoul’s subway trains daily, primarily for commu

January 27, 2025

Yoon indicted on charges of insurrection for first time as sitting president

SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally indicted Sunday on charges of leading an insurrection, marking the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history that a sitting president has been prosecuted while in office. The indictment comes 54 days after Yoon’s controversial declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, which sparked widespread protests and led to his impeachment by the National Assembly. The Seoul Central District Pro

January 26, 2025