K-pop shares going "Up, Up, Up" in their "Golden" moment

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - K-pop stocks are on a roll, humming along to the chart-topping "up, up, up" tune of "Golden" from Netflix's animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters." The four household K-pop agencies have been riding on the Sony film's surprise success and its soundtrack. Shares of YG Entertainment have more than tripled from 32,300 won ($23.38) a year ago to 97,600 won this month. Those of SM Entertainment soared from 58,100

September 16, 2025

Travel advisory issued for parts of Cambodia

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A travel advisory was issued for some parts of Cambodia amid a rise in employment scams and detentions involving South Korean nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. The advisory includes a special travel warning for Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, and Bavet, a border town in Svay Rieng province. The ministry urged South Koreans planning to visit these areas to cancel or postpone their trips. Tho

September 16, 2025

Z-gen South Korean chaebol heirs embrace paths once off-limits

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - The Generation Z heirs and heiresses of South Korea’s powerful chaebol families are breaking out of their traditionally cloistered worlds, venturing into public spheres once considered off-limits — from serving in the military to debuting as entertainers. For decades, children of Korea’s leading business dynasties largely stayed in the shadows and confined to their own insulated world. Their lives typically revolved around elite overse

September 16, 2025

US aircraft carrier skips trilateral exercise with South Korea, Japan

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A U.S. aircraft carrier is not participating in this year's trilateral exercise with South Korea and Japan, military officials here said Tuesday. The weeklong air and naval exercise, dubbed "Freedom Edge" involving Aegis destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, patrol aircraft, refueling planes, and helicopters, which kicked off early this week, is currently underway in waters near South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. Aimed at str

September 16, 2025

Seoul holds off US trade deal despite Japan's tariff edge

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korea is holding out in protracted trade negotiations with the United States and resisting pressure to sign a deal quickly even as Washington grants Japan a softer tariff regime that could erode Korean competitiveness. According to the Federal Register, the U.S. Commerce Department confirmed a preferential 15 percent tariff rate on Japanese automobiles and auto parts starting Tuesday, a significant discount from the 27.5 percent rate applied to

September 16, 2025

Seoul trade chief picks up baton in stalled trade talks with US

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) -South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has left for Washington in hopes of finalizing a trade deal with the United States that has been stalled since a framework was agreed in late July, in return for a reprieve on the U.S. tariff rate for Korean imports from the initial 25 percent to 15 percent. Yeo ascends to the mound on behalf of Seoul after Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan returned to Seoul Sunday without settling talks with his U.S. cou

September 15, 2025

South Korea, China to hold foreign ministers' meeting in Beijing

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will visit Beijing this week, making his first trip to China since assuming his post. According to the Foreign Ministry, Cho is scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday during his two-day visit. The meeting's agenda is expected to include North Korea-related issues and raise concerns over large steel structures recently installed by Chinese authorities in waters near the West Sea.

September 15, 2025

Kim Se-young racks up third consecutive top-10 finish at LPGA event in Ohio

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Golfer Kim Sei-young has secured three consecutive top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour. In the fourth and final round of the Kroger Queen City Championship at TPC River's Bend in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, Kim shot a 3-under 69 to finish at 15-under 273, tying for fifth with Nelly Korda of the U.S. and Nasa Hataoka of Japan. Charlie Hull of England won the tournament with a 20-under 268, five strokes ahead of Kim. Hull narrowly defeated world No. 1

September 15, 2025

South Korea expands support for socially withdrawn youth amid rising numbers

SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare said on September 14 that it will step up efforts to support isolated and secluded young adults, also described as socially withdrawn youth, after identifying more than 1,300 cases through pilot centers. Isolated and secluded young adults, often described as socially withdrawn youth, are young people who cut themselves off from education, work and social interaction for extended periods of time. Many s

September 14, 2025

Heavy autumn rain brings relief to drought-stricken South Korea

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Heavy autumn rain fell across South Korea overnight Friday into Saturday, bringing the first significant precipitation in two months to drought-stricken areas including Gangneung, where extreme water shortages had prompted disaster declarations, officials said Saturday. Rainfall totals from Friday noon to Saturday afternoon reached 173 millimeters in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and over 100 millimeters in Gangneung, which had declared a drought d

September 13, 2025