South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers hold first phone call, discuss APEC and regional issues

SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, marking his second call with a foreign counterpart since taking office July 21. In their phone call, which lasted about 30 minutes, the two foreign ministers discussed ways to improve bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on key regional and international issues, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. "Minister Cho

July 28, 2025

Heat wave claims over 1 million livestock, elevates human casualties

SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - A relentless heat wave gripping South Korea has led to a surge in heat-related deaths, claiming over a million livestock and a growing number of human lives. Heatwave warnings were in effect across the nation on Sunday. According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, a total of 1,011,243 livestock animals have perished this year as of July 25. The ministry noted a sharp escalation in these numbers recently, directly attributing it to the sweltering temp

July 27, 2025

Foreign residents in South Korea rise to all-time high, exceeding 2.7 million

SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - The number of foreign nationals residing in South Korea has surged to an all-time high, surpassing 2.73 million, driven by a post-pandemic rebound in entries for academic, employment, and tourism purposes. As of the end of June this year, the total foreign resident population in the country reached 2,732,797, according to data released by the Ministry of Justice's Korea Immigration Service, Sunday. This figure represents a 1.5 percent increase, or 40,068

July 27, 2025

Heat wave warning issued again in Seoul as unbearable heat persists

SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - A heat wave warning was issued in Seoul on Thursday, after this summer's brief monsoon season came to an end last week. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the warning was issued around 10 a.m. for the capital as well as surrounding Gyeonggi Province, as scorching heat continues nationwide with daytime highs soaring up to 36 degrees Celsius. The highest-level warning, first issued this season earlier this month before being tempo

July 24, 2025

Prosecutors raid former PM's residence in martial law probe

SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors on Thursday raided the residence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as part of their investigation into disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. Searches were conducted at Han's private home and his former official residence as prime minister in central Seoul. The raid came just about three weeks after Han was questioned for about 14 hours earlier this month. Prosecutors all

July 24, 2025

Gender equality and family minister nominee resigns amid growing criticism

SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Kang Sun-woo, a ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, decided to step down on Wednesday amid mounting criticism, with one controversy following another. In a message posted on Facebook, Kang said, "I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt because of me," expressing regret to the ruling Democratic Party for having caused a "heavy burden." She also wrote that she feels deeply sorry for President Lee Jae-my

July 23, 2025

G-Dragon to promote upcoming APEC Summit in Gyeongju

SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - G-Dragon, a member of the K-pop boy band Big Bang, will promote the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which is scheduled to be held in the historic southern city of Gyeongju this fall. In a message on Facebook on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who has been heading preparations for the two-day summit to be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, revealed that the flamboyant rapper has been named promotional ambassador, adding that his huge

July 23, 2025

Korean named guest language for next year's arts festival in France

SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Organizers of one of France's largest arts festivals, held every summer in Avignon, have chosen Korean as the official guest language for next year's event. Held every July in the southern French city since 1947, the Avignon Festival presents a broad spectrum of arts including music, dance, and literature, along with various performances, discussions, and other programs, highlighting a particular language as a bridge connecting different cultures. K

July 23, 2025

Sejong mayor presses for capital relocation, says structural reform is urgent

SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - On Tuesday, Sejong City Mayor Choi Min-ho called for the full relocation of South Korea's presidential office and National Assembly to Sejong, saying that completing the city’s role as an administrative capital is essential to resolving regional imbalance and improving government efficiency. "Sejong and the completion of the administrative capital are not merely political issues but matters of Korea's future strategy," Choi said durin

July 22, 2025

Court postpones another of Lee's trials indefinitely, bringing all his cases to halt

SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - A district court on Tuesday decided to postpone President Lee Jae-myung's trial over alleged illegal money transfers to North Korea. The Suwon District Court in Gyeonggi Province said it made the decision in consideration of his status as president. "In order to ensure that the defendant (Lee) can fulfill his official duties guaranteed by the Constitution, we decided to postpone the trial to a later date for the sake of continuity in state affairs,

July 22, 2025