Frigid weather to linger despite spring's arrival SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - A cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas on Thursday. The advisory, issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration, takes effect at 9 p.m., as freezing temperatures are expected overnight. After a brief spell of balmy weather just a day after Ipchun, the official start of spring by the lunar calendar, Seoul is expected to see morning lows plunge to -12 degrees Celsius on Friday, with the fresh cold snap lingering February 5, 2026

South Korea to chair multinational initiative on critical minerals through June SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - South Korea will chair a multinational initiative aimed at strengthening "diversified, resilient and secure critical minerals supply chains" through the first half of this year, the U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday. Announcing the creation of FORGE, short for the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as the "successor to the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)" at a U.S.-led mini February 5, 2026

Police seek arrest warrant for ex-DP lawmaker SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Police on Thursday filed arrest warrants for Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), and Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official, over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The move comes about a month after the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched their investigation into the case. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 loca February 5, 2026

FM meets US energy chief to discuss nuclear cooperation SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on the sidelines of a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the speedy implementation of a tariff-related bilateral agreement reached in October last year. The agreement includes Seoul's pledge to invest $350 billion in the U.S. as part February 5, 2026

Older mothers on the rise due to later marriages SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - The number of women giving birth in their late 30s and 40s is on the rise, as more and more tie the knot later in life, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said on Thursday. Childbirths among women in their late 30s increased for 11 consecutive months last year, rising an average of 5.1 percent from January through November, compared with the same period in 2024. Births to women in their 40s showed a similar trend. Over the same period, childbirths amo February 5, 2026

Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu signs with Turkish club SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu has transferred from Belgium's KRC Genk to Turkey's Beşiktaş JK. According to the Turkish club, he signed a deal running through June 2029 for a transfer fee of 14 million euros. Beşiktaş JK, based in Istanbul, are one of Turkey's most decorated clubs with 16 Turkish Süper Lig titles and 11 Turkish Cup trophies. Oh began his European career in January 2023 with Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC after leaving Suwon S February 5, 2026

Kim Jae-youl elected to IOC executive board, second Korean to serve on the body SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) -Kim Jae-youl, president of the International Skating Union and a member of the International Olympic Committee, has been elected to the IOC Executive Board, becoming only the second South Korean to serve on the body. Kim was chosen Tuesday (Korea time) during the 145th IOC Session in Milan, host city of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. He received 84 votes in favor out of 100 valid ballots, with 10 against and six abstentions. He joins the late Ki February 5, 2026

South Korea eyes top-10 finish at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - South Korea aims for a top 10 finish with at least three gold medals at this year's Winter Olympics which kick off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan later this week. At the previous Olympics in Beijing four years ago, the country finished 14th, winning two gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. Its most recent top-10 finish came at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where it placed seventh overall with five gold, eight silver, and four bronze medals. Th February 4, 2026

Lee honors war veterans, others with Lunar New Year gifts SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has extended Lunar New Year greetings through gifts to war veterans, the underprivileged, and other vulnerable groups, with the country's biggest holiday just around the corner, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. The gift package contains a bowl-and-spoon set and ingredients for hearty meals consisting of grains, vegetables, and other local staples selected from across the country, as part of efforts to promote regional develop February 4, 2026

Trade chief vows to find 'mutually beneficial' tariff solution with US SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the United States have been working closely to come up with a "reasonable solution" to tariff-related issues after U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt threat last week to raise tariffs, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Yeo Han-koo said on Wednesday. While wrapping up his weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., Yeo told reporters that he met with numerous U.S. government officials including representatives fr February 4, 2026