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  South Korea to transfer KF-21 prototype to Indonesia SEOUL, April 7 (AJP) - South Korea has agreed to transfer one of its fighter jet prototypes to Indonesia as part of the two countries' joint development project. According to a report submitted on Tuesday by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to Kang Dae-sik of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), who leads the National Assembly's defense committee, the two countries reached an agreement in their working-level talks in February to transfer one of April 7, 2026
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  Chinese AI role in Iran war flags lessons for Seoul SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) — The war in the Gulf is underscoring a critical lesson for South Korea, which faces its own security risks on the Korean Peninsula: the growing role of Chinese AI and satellite technologies in tracking and exposing military movements. Chinese firms are increasingly using publicly available data — including commercial satellite imagery, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals — and April 6, 2026
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  Prosecutors seek 10-year prison sentence for ex-president in appeals trial SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of obstructing law enforcement during an appeals trial in Seoul on Monday. It is one of the cases related to his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, separate from his main charges of insurrection and abuse of power, for which he was sentenced to life in prison in February. In the first ruling delivered last January, Yoon was sentenced to fi April 6, 2026
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  Lee expresses regret over civilian drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed "regret" over civilian drone incursions into North Korea, saying they fueled unnecessary military tensions between the two Koreas. His remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals including a graduate student in his 30s, a military officer and an intelligence agency employee, accused of flying drones into North Korea April 6, 2026
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  South Korea, US launch monthlong survey to recover Korean War remains SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - South Korea has begun a joint excavation with the U.S. to recover the remains of personnel from military aircraft that crashed in the East Sea during the 1950–53 Korean War, the Ministry of Defense said Monday. The monthlong survey, which runs until May 1, is taking place near Gangneung and Yangyang in Gangwon Province as a preliminary step ahead of a joint underwater project planned for August. During the survey, officials from both countries will al April 6, 2026
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  S.Korea civil service exam attendance slips to 75 percent, competition intensifies SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - The attendance rate for South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service written exam edged down to 75 percent this year, while overall competition continued to climb, the government said Saturday. Out of 108,578 eligible applicants, 81,479 took the 2026 exam held across 17 cities and provinces, according to the Ministry of Personnel Management. The 75 percent turnout marks a slight decrease from 75.2 percent last year and 75.8 percent in 2024. April 4, 2026
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  S. Korea pump prices extend gains on prolonged Middle East conflict SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - Retail gasoline and diesel prices in South Korea continued their upward trajectory on Saturday, driven by concerns over a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The national average price of gasoline stood at 1,938.6 won ($1.28) per liter as of 9 a.m., up 6.8 won from the previous day, according to Opinet, the Korea National Oil Corp.'s price information portal. The average price of diesel also rose, climbing 6.3 won to 1,929.4 won per liter. Pric April 4, 2026
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  S. Korea to offer incentives for off-peak public transport use amid energy crunch SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s presidential office said on Friday it will provide incentives for citizens who use public transportation during off-peak hours, part of a strategy to manage a surge in demand and energy supply uncertainties triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. The measure aims to encourage a voluntary shift in commuting patterns as rising oil prices drive more people toward public transit, Blue House spokesperson Jun Eun-su said during a briefin April 4, 2026
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  S.Korea to announce major US investment project within weeks, US official says SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - South Korea is finalizing a major investment plan for the United States, a senior Trump administration official said, as Washington rolls out a new wave of tariffs on metals and pharmaceuticals. During a telephone briefing on Thursday, the senior U.S. official stated that Seoul is expected to unveil a significant investment project in the U.S. within the coming weeks. The official's remarks came after highlighting recent investment commitments from J April 4, 2026
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  Korean-French fusion and K-pop flair greet Macron couple in Seoul SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - Winning over a French palate is no small task — even more so when the guests are the president of France and his wife. South Korea answered with a carefully staged blend of Korean tradition and French culinary technique at a state dinner hosted by President Lee Jae Myung for President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron on Thursday. Chef Son Jong-won, known for “Culinary Class Wars 2,” was brought in for the occasion, crafting a menu th April 3, 2026