Tour for reunification wraps up in Seoul ahead of major campaign on Liberation Day in August

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A nationwide tour promoting reunification between the two Koreas, organized by a civil coalition, wrapped up with a final rally in Seoul on Friday after spanning 13 cities and provinces. The Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival Organizing Committee held an event at the Kim Koo Museum & Library in Yongsan, bringing together civil representatives from across South Korea. The event served as the finale to a series of rallies that began on May 12 in Daegu and

May 30, 2025

Former UN chief calls for global solidarity at forum in Astana

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged international cooperation and regional unity at the Astana International Forum (AIF), which is underway in Kazakhstan. Ban, who now serves as chair of the Green Growth Global Institute and chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, highlighted the importance of global dialogue at the two-day forum in the Kazakh capital. "As the former UN Secretary-General who helped realize the Par

May 30, 2025

Concert offers chance to explore Latin American music traditions

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A concert in southern Seoul earlier this week offered an opportunity to explore the transatlantic evolution of Baroque music, while also engaging with early Latin American music. Last Wednesday's concert at Banpo Simsan Art Hall, part of a music festival hosted by the Seocho Cultural Foundation, along with Musica Ex Machina, a creative ensemble dedicated to rare early classical music, examined how Baroque music evolved into a distinct hybrid form through ex

May 30, 2025

Int'l forum to tackle global challenges kicks off in Astana

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A two-day international forum putting the spotlight on multilateral cooperation to tackle various global challenges and other issues is being held in Kazakhstan this week. The Astana International Forum (AIF) kicked off on Thursday in the Kazakh capital, bringing together over 1,000 participants including heads of state, business executives, renowned academics, and representatives from more than 70 countries. During the forum, over 100 ministerial o

May 29, 2025

Four dead after Navy patrol plane crashes in Pohang shortly after takeoff

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A patrol aircraft with four people aboard crashed on a mountain in the southeastern city of Pohang on Thursday, according to military authorities. "A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft crashed several minutes after taking off from an air base in Pohang for training at around 1:40 p.m. due to unidentified reasons," the Navy said in a statement. The Navy is investigating further details including the exact cause of the crash. Firefighters were immediately

May 29, 2025

US Embassy in Seoul halts new interviews ahead of impending stricter student visa policy

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has reportedly halted the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants. This appears to be related to reports that the U.S. government has instructed its embassies and consular offices overseas to temporarily suspend such procedures as it prepares to mandate social media screening for students planning to study in the U.S. The embassy's website no longer shows available dates for those seeking to schedule interviews

May 29, 2025

Early voting for next week's presidential election gets underway

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Early voting for the upcoming presidential election began at about 3,500 polling stations nationwide on Thursday, as South Koreans prepare to head to the polls next week to elect the country's next president. The two-day early voting period runs through Friday, allowing voters to cast a ballot at any polling station nationwide between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., regardless of their registered address, as long as they present a valid ID. Out of 44.39 million eligi

May 29, 2025

Number of newborns rises for 9th consecutive month

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - The number of newborns has increased for nine straight months, Statistics Korea said Wednesday. A total of 21,041 babies were born in March, up 6.8 percent or 1,347 newborns, compared to the same month last year, continuing an upward trend that began in July last year. It also marked the first time in about a decade that the number of babies born in March increased, a month often considered stressful for many people with an avalanche of somatic illnesses as

May 28, 2025

Two-day early voting for presidential election set to begin on Thursday

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Early voting is set for Thursday and Friday, with next month's presidential election just around the corner. About 3,500 polling stations have been set up including at major railway stations and airports across the country. Voting hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters with valid ID cards can cast their ballot at any polling station, regardless of their registered addresses. They can find information about the nearest polling locations on the website of

May 28, 2025

Over 6,000 armed police to escort ballot boxes in Seoul for June 3 election

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - More than 6,000 armed police officers will be deployed in Seoul to escort ballot boxes and maintain security during South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Wednesday. The early election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in April, following a Constitutional Court ruling. With the presidential term vacated, the country must elect a new leader within 60 days,

May 28, 2025