Former PM calls for more flexible approach to 52-hour workweek to support semiconductor industry

SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A more flexible approach to the mandatory 52-hour workweek may be necessary, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said earlier this week. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "I fully understand concerns that making an exception could set a bad precedent or be widely misused. But if that happens, the law can intervene to amend any flawed regulations." Seeking support from the main opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-membe

February 20, 2025

Trump comments on North Korean soldiers in Russia, hints at possible deal to end war

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday commented on North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to assist its war in Ukraine. "Soldiers are being killed by the thousands on a weekly basis," Trump said. "Apart from Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, a lot of Koreans have been killed. We want to end it. It's a senseless war. It should have never happened." Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida,

February 19, 2025

Trump reaffirms 25 percent tariffs; South Korea to support affected firms with trade finance package

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Wednesday that his administration would impose tariffs of approximately 25 percent on imported automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, with formal details expected to be unveiled around April 2. Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump outlined his plan, specifying that automobile tariffs would likely be set at 25 percent. He suggested that tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals cou

February 19, 2025

Former SNU scholar appointed to head non-profit foundation for school safety and youth education

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Former Seoul National University president Sung Nak-in was appointed as a new chairman of a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting school safety and youth education on Tuesday. Founded in 1999 with the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan as its first chairman, the foundation has been instrumental in raising awareness about school safety while providing educational resources and scholarships to underprivileged students to support their education. A

February 19, 2025

Constitutional Court holds hearing in Yoon's absence

SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped a hearing for his impeachment trial, over his botched martial law debacle last December, which was held at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. Yoon's legal representatives said that he had intended to attend but changed his mind at the last minute, as the day's hearing would primarily focus on arguments from previous sessions, with no witnesses present. Except for the first two hearings, which b

February 18, 2025

Over 140,000 visitors enjoy outdoor sledding along Han River this winter

SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - Winter recreational facilities in parks along the Han River in Seoul ended their seasonal operations last week after attracting more than 140,000 visitors over the past two months, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The city government said on Monday that more than 140,000 people visited three outdoor sledding rinks —Ttukseom, Jamwon, and Yeouido — between late December and last Sunday. They drew about 1,300 visitors a day and 4,40

February 18, 2025

South Korea suspends new downloads of DeepSeek over privacy concerns

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - New downloads of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek have been temporarily suspended due to excessive data collection and privacy concerns, South Korea's data protection watchdog said on Monday. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said it decided to suspend the service here since last Saturday, after a probe raised concerns over the app's compliance with data protection regulations. The suspension applies to Apple

February 17, 2025

Around 2,000 teachers take sick leave every year

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - Nearly 2,000 teachers in South Korea take a leave of absence from school every year due to illness, a report reveals. According to the report submitted to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Education on Monday, 1,973 full-time teachers took sick leave between April 2023 and April 2024. More than half of them were teachers from primary schools, with 412 from middle schools and 289 from high schools. Despite the number of those taking sick leave ste

February 17, 2025

Another former sex slave dies, leaving only seven survivors

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - Gil Won-ok, one of the last surviving victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II, died on Sunday. She was 97. Gil was only 13 years old when she was forced to serve as a sex slavery by imperial Japan during the war. With Gil's passing, only seven survivors now remain. "Gil was an active advocate for raising awareness about sex slavery both domestically and internationally. We hope she finds peace," said Shin Young-

February 17, 2025

China expresses concern over attempted break-in by costumed pro-Yoon protester

SEOUL, February 15 (AJP) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Korea expressed "concern and regret" on Saturday over an attempted break-in by a supporter of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was dressed as the Marvel character "Captain America." The incident occurred on Friday evening when a man in his 40s, identified only by his surname Ahn, tried to enter the embassy in Seoul's Myeongdong district as its doors were briefly opened. He was immediately arrest

February 15, 2025