Fire breaks out at National Hangeul Museum in Seoul

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul on Saturday, leaving one firefighter injured, but no damage to artifacts was reported. The blaze started at 8:40 a.m. on the third floor and spread to the fourth floor, firefighters said. It was extinguished seven hours later. At the time of the fire, the museum was closed for renovations, and no visitors were inside. Two construction workers were rescued, and four others were evacuated safely.

February 1, 2025

Acting President again vetoes bill for special probe into Yoon's martial law debacle

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday vetoed a bill proposing independent prosecutors to investigate allegations related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last month. The bill, revised and proposed again by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) after the previous one was scrapped on Dec. 31 when Choi exercised his veto, was passed by the opposition bloc earlier this month. DP lawmakers and others from minor opposition

January 31, 2025

Two Korean-American teen skaters among victims of plane collision in US

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Two Korean-American teen skaters were among the victims of an aircraft crash in the U.S. on Wednesday, according to local news reports. An American Airlines flight from Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River after colliding midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard while landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. The nighttime midair collision took the l

January 31, 2025

Defense chiefs from South Korea, US reaffirm alliance in phone call

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - South Korea's Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho spoke with newly appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the phone on Friday, according to the Ministry of Defense here. During their first phone call, Kim and Hegseth reaffirmed the "strong and unwavering alliance" between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening and expanding the bilateral relations, which have served as a "linchpin" of peace

January 31, 2025

Over 70 percent of separated family members in South Korea die without reunion, government reports

SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Over 70 percent of South Koreans who registered for family reunions have died without seeing their loved ones in North Korea, according to government data released Thursday. The Ministry of Unification reported that 97,350 registered separated family members had passed away by the end of last year. Over the past year, 2,959 more passed away, leaving only 36,941 survivors. Of the 134,291 individuals who applied for family reunions, around 72 percent hav

January 30, 2025

'Air Busan crew, passengers saw flames from baggage compartment'

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - A fire likely caused by an external battery or electronic device broke out in the baggage compartment of an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport, leaving seven people with minor injuries, authorities said Wednesday. The blaze erupted Tuesday night at the tail of the plane as it was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew members. Passengers aboard the aircraft reported seeing

January 29, 2025

N. Korean leader dismisses US outreach signals in visit to nuclear facility

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a nuclear-material production facility and a nuclear weapons institute, underscoring the necessity of bolstering the nation’s nuclear capabilities, according to the North's state media Wednesday. Kim’s visit, which was not dated in the report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled an interest in reengaging with the North Korean leade

January 29, 2025

Foreign tourists to Seoul near pre-pandemic levels

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) -- Foreign tourist arrivals in Seoul topped 12 million in 2024, approaching pre-pandemic levels, city officials said Tuesday. The South Korean capital welcomed 12.12 million international visitors from January through November, reaching 95 percent of the record 12.74 million visitors in the same period in 2019, the Seoul Metropolitan Government reported. The rebound follows steady growth from pandemic lows, with annual visitor numbers rising from 2.19 mi

January 28, 2025

Holiday blizzard causes chaos across Korea

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - A powerful snowstorm disrupted transportation across South Korea on Tuesday, the fourth day of the six-day Lunar New Year holiday, causing multiple traffic accidents and grounding flights and ferries. Mount Halla on Jeju Island recorded 61.1 centimeters of snow accumulation since Monday, while the central county of Jincheon received 42.3 centimeters, and Seoul's Gwanak District measured 15.7 centimeters. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA

January 28, 2025

Heavy snow disrupts holiday traffic across Korea

SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed much of South Korea on Tuesday, causing widespread travel disruptions during the Lunar New Year holidays. As of 8 a.m., weather authorities reported snowfall of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour in central and southern regions, with some areas experiencing up to 5 centimeters per hour. Mount Halla on the southern island of Jeju recorded an accumulation of 127.2 centimeters. Elsewhere, 84.9 centimeters were reported in Seolcheonbong

January 28, 2025