Most Korean trade firms say foreign workers help business SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - Nearly three in four South Korean trade companies that employ foreign workers say those workers have a positive effect on their business, and most see them filling jobs Koreans avoid rather than taking jobs from them, a large industry survey showed Monday. The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) released the findings at a forum in Seoul on reshaping the country's foreign workforce and immigration policy, as a shrinking working-age population p July 13, 2026

Missing Navy sailor found dead in East Sea after search near NLL SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - A Navy sailor who went missing from a frigate on patrol near the Northern Limit Line in the East Sea was found dead Monday after a search lasting more than 21 hours, the Navy said. The Navy said the sailor’s body was found at 5:58 a.m. in waters about 52 kilometers east of Geojin-eup in Goseong County, Gangwon Province. The sailor, a private first class, had been serving aboard a Navy frigate on patrol about 50 kilometers east of Geojin-eup when he wa July 13, 2026

South Korea joins the world's new era of extreme summer SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) — South Korea has officially entered what meteorologists increasingly describe as the era of extreme summer, with authorities activating the country's highest-ever heat alert for the first time as scorching temperatures spread well beyond their traditional hotspots. The Korea Meteorological Administration on Sunday issued its inaugural Heat Wave Emergency Warning for Pohang and Gyeongsan after apparent temperatures were forecast to exceed 38 degre July 12, 2026

Korean navy searches for missing sailor near NLL in East Sea SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) -South Korea's Navy is searching for a missing sailor who disappeared while serving aboard a frigate conducting a patrol mission near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea, military officials said Sunday. The missing sailor, a private first class, was reported missing after failing to report for duty at around 8 a.m., according to the Navy. He was last seen between midnight and 2 a.m. by a watchstander conducting an internal security patrol thro July 12, 2026

Seoul mulls nationwide sick pay program in H1 2027 SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) - South Korea plans to roll out a nationwide sick pay program in the second half of next year, extending income support to all eligible workers who are unable to work because of illness or injury outside the workplace, after four years of pilot projects that paid more than 20 billion won in benefits. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has begun consultations with labor groups, medical professionals and other stakeholders ahead of the nationwide launch, which w July 12, 2026

South Korea bakes as 'life-threatening' heat warning debuts SEOUL, July 12 (AJP)-Sweltering South Korea activated its highest-level heat alert on Sunday for the first time, as temperatures and heat indices surged to levels authorities described as life-threatening, marking the inaugural issuance of the newly created Heat Wave Emergency Warning 18 years after the country's heat alert system was introduced. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issued the emergency warning at 11 a.m. fo July 12, 2026

Gov't pledges emergency aid for regions hit by torrential rains SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - About 2.1 billion South Korean won (about US$1.4 million) in emergency disaster relief funds will be provided to regions affected by torrential rain earlier this week, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Friday. According to the ministry, six regions affected by heavy downpours that began Wednesday are eligible for the support including Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province and North Gyeo July 10, 2026

Prosecutors seek 13 years in prison for Moonies leader over bribery allegations SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Prosecutors on Friday sought a 13-year prison term for Han Hak-ja, leader of the powerful Unification Church, better known as the Moonies, over multiple allegations including bribery involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, the widow of the church's founder Moon Sun-myung, is suspected of bribing Kim with a luxury bag and jewelry, in return for favors for the church in 2022. She is also accused of colluding with an ex-cult follower the sam July 10, 2026

Teen's killing tests South Korea's family exemption law SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - A serving police officer destroyed evidence in his own son's murder case, and under South Korean law he cannot be prosecuted for it. That fact, uncovered during the investigation into the killing of a high school girl in the southern city of Gwangju in May, has pushed South Korea into a national debate over a decades-old provision of its Criminal Act that shields relatives from punishment when they hide offenders or destroy evidence on their behalf. P July 10, 2026

Monsoon downpours leave one missing, force 700 people to evacuate nationwide SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Torrential monsoon rains that battered South Korea's central region and other parts of the country over the last two days left one person missing and damaged more than 4,000 facilities, government authorities said on Friday. Fire officials and other emergency workers have been searching for a man in his 70s who was swept away by floodwaters while crossing a stream in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province the previous day. Landslides were also reported in s July 10, 2026