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  Arrest warrant issued for Ex-DP lawmaker over bribery allegations SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) was arrested on Tuesday over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for Kang, along with Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official, citing concerns that they might destroy evidence. Their arrest comes about two months after the allegations surfaced late last year, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to launch an investigation. March 4, 2026
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  South Korea, Singapore agree to upgrade free trade deal SEOUL, March 2 (AJP) - The leaders of South Korea and Singapore agreed on Monday to begin negotiations to upgrade their free trade agreement, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was reached as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who arrived in Singapore the previous day, sat down for talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for the first time in several months since they last met in Seoul in November. In a joint press statement March 2, 2026
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  S. Korea's Lee calls for peace, reconciliation on March 1st Independence Movement anniversary SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, as he marked the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement at a ceremony held at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul. Lee personally presented awards to independence movement meritorious persons at the ceremony before delivering his address. The following is the full text of President Lee's commemorative address: March 1, 2026
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  Lee to visit Singapore and the Philippines next week SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to embark on a trip to Singapore and the Philippines next week, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, Lee is scheduled to depart for Singapore on Sunday for a summit with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During his three-day stay there, Lee will also meet with ceremonial head of state Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Lee will then attend a joint event between the two countries to discuss February 27, 2026
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  South Korea holds live-fire drill on border islands SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - This year's first maritime live-fire drill was conducted in waters off the West Sea, the Marine Corps said on Thursday. The drill, which involved K9 self-propelled howitzers, took place on the northernmost islands of Baeknyeong and Yeonpyeong near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas. Calling it a "routine, annual and defensive" drill, the Marine Corps said about 190 rounds were fired. The February 26, 2026
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  Kookmin University selected for S. Korea's Seoul BRIDGE project to commercialize strategic technologies SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Kookmin University announced on Thursday that its Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation has been selected for the Seoul BRIDGE project. The initiative is a key component of the Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) framework, a project managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to align university research with regional economic needs. Through this selection, Kookmin University will receive 650 million won annually over the next four years February 26, 2026
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  South Korea pledges $100,000 in aid to cyclone-hit Madagascar SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - South Korea will provide US$100,000 in humanitarian aid to Madagascar to help the country recover from damage caused by a recent tropical storm, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Madagascar, an island country off the southeastern coast of Africa, was recently struck by a tropical cyclone that left dozens dead and caused widespread damage including collapsed buildings, disrupted communications, and downed power lines. The ministry hopes February 26, 2026
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  S. Korea 'watching for possible US-North Korea talks' as Trump prepares for China trip SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - South Korea is keeping a close eye on developments ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China late next month, South Korea's U.S. envoy said on Monday. At a press briefing with South Korean correspondents in Washington, D.C., Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha said, "With all possibilities in mind including the possible resumption of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea, we are closely watching related developments." February 25, 2026
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  USFK chief expresses regret over drill 'not shared' with Seoul SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has expressed "regret" that South Korean defense officials were not briefed on last week's U.S. air drill over the West Sea. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Brunson said he regretted that South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were "not briefed in time," clarifying that he had discussed the drill with Ahn by phone. February 25, 2026
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  Ex-DP lawmaker faces arrest after Nat'l Assembly passes motion over bribery allegations SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion allowing the arrest of Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The motion was passed with 164 votes in favor and 87 against, with three abstentions and nine invalid ballots. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official in return for the DP's candidate nominations for February 24, 2026