Ukraine alleges North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Ukraine has accused North Korea of supplying a significant portion of the ammunition used by Russian forces on the front lines of the ongoing war. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Sunday at a press conference in Kyiv that “50 percent of the ammunition” used by Russian forces on the front lines comes from North Korea. He further explained that Pyongyang is also providing the Kremlin with large quantities of 170mm

February 24, 2025

South Korea discusses defense industry collaboration with UAE, Egypt

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korea discussed ways to strengthen defense ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Monday. According to the South Korean arms procurement agency, DAPA chief Seok Jong-geon visited the UAE and Egypt from Feb. 17 to 21 to promote defense exports. During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Seok attended IDEX, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East, where he met with senior def

February 24, 2025

Speed skater Lee Seung-hoon wins first World Cup gold in seven years

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon won his first ISU World Cup gold medal in seven years, triumphing in the men’s mass start race on Monday in Poland. Competing in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the 36-year-old finished the race in 7 minutes, 48.05 seconds, edging out Bart Hoolwerf of the Netherlands (7:48.50) and Andrea Giovannini of Italy (7:48.56). This is Lee’s first World Cup gold medal since December 2017, when he last won a race

February 24, 2025

Seoul to provide Korean language programs for students with non-native parents

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - In a bid to support students struggling with the Korean language due to their parents' immigrant background, Seoul will offer Korean language programs at universities starting in March. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Sunday that the language courses will serve as alternative education programs, offering accredited academic credits, with attendance and curriculum reflected in the students’ home schools. Certified teachers w

February 24, 2025

Fathers make up over 30 percent of parental leave users in South Korea for the first time

SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - For the first time, more than 30 percent of all parental leave users in South Korea were fathers last year, showing that more men are willing to take time off to care for their children. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Sunday, 256,771 people used work-life balance programs, such as maternity and parental leave, in 2024. This is an increase of 7.2 percent compared to the previous year. In South Korea, it is still uncommon for men to t

February 23, 2025

North Korea remains on FATF blacklist for 15th consecutive year

SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - North Korea has been re-listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist for the 15th year in a row, maintaining its status as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF said Friday that North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar remain on its list of “high-risk jurisdictions,” the highest warning level designated by the organization. "The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK's continued fail

February 22, 2025

Yoon faces additional charge for alleged interference in arrest attempt

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing new charges of obstructing law enforcement by using an agency responsible for his personal security, police said Friday. Police said Yoon instructed the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to block officers from executing his arrest warrant. They explained that they had obtained encrypted messages exchanged between Yoon and PSS Deputy Chief Kim Sung-hoon via "Signal," a highly secure American messaging app.

February 21, 2025

Chinese account for big portion of foreign engineering students with PhD degrees in South Korea

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The number of foreign engineers with PhD degrees from South Korean universities has nearly doubled in recent years, with Chinese making up a significant portion, an analysis reveals. According to a report released earlier this week by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), Chinese students accounted for three out of every ten foreign engineering PhD graduates here as of 2023. China's share of foreign PhD graduates in enginee

February 21, 2025

UN urges Ukraine to protect North Korean POWs, opposes forced repatriation

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The United Nations urged Ukraine on Thursday not to repatriate North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). North Korea allegedly deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to assist Moscow's war in Ukraine, and two soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield in Russia's Kursk region last month. "International humanitarian law (IHL) requires POWs to be treated humanely at all times and with respect for their honour in all circumstan

February 21, 2025

Constitutional Court to hold final hearing in Yoon's impeachment trial next week

SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea will have the final hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial next week over his botched martial law debacle last December. After wrapping up the 10th hearing on Thursday, the court said it will hear final statements from both sides including Yoon at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Once next week's hearing concludes, the court will begin its deliberation to decide whether to impeach or reinstate him, which norma

February 20, 2025