National
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Unification minister sends condolences to former North Korean figurehead
SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of North Korea's former perennial nominal head of state Kim Yong-nam. In a statement, Jeong said, "We express our condolences over Kim's death and extend our deepest sympathies to his family on behalf of the government," adding that Kim had led the North Korean delegation to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, contributing to inter-Korean dialogue. J
November 4, 2025
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Lee praises APEC achievements, urges swift approval of next year's budget
SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - In an address to the National Assembly on Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung highlighted his endeavors at last week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the country's southeastern city of Gyeongju, saying he had "put every possible effort into achieving the best results even in the worst-case scenario." During the address, his second of its kind following a similar speech on a supplementary budget in June, Lee outlined his ke
November 4, 2025
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Roster unveiled ahead of football matches later this month
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - South Korea will have this year's final friendlies with Bolivia and Ghana later this month. The Korea Football Association on Monday unveiled the roster for the national team ahead of upcoming matches against Bolivia in Daejeon on Nov. 14 and Ghana in Seoul on Nov. 18. The roster includes regular call-ups who play for overseas clubs such as Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), Lee Jae-sung and Kim Min-jae of Bundesliga club
November 3, 2025
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Seoul expects details on nuke submarine and wartime command in SCM week
SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - Seoul and Washington are expected to discuss detailed plans for the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine initiative — two agenda items that could reshape the country’s self-defense posture — during this week’s high-level bilateral security talks. The 57th annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), set for Tuesday in Seoul, is expected to focus on adjustments to the c
November 3, 2025
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Actor Yeo Jin-goo to join KATUSA next month
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - Actor Yeo Jin-goo will begin his mandatory military service with the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) next month. "Recruited as a member of KATUSA, Yeo will fulfill his 18-month military duty starting Dec. 15," his management agency said on Monday. "We ask for your continued support and encouragement until he returns healthy and more mature after completing his military duty," it added. But the exact time an
November 3, 2025
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South Korea urges North Korea to come forward for talks
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - The Ministry of Unification on Monday urged North Korea to break its silence and return to dialogue, stressing that opportunities for peace on the Korean Peninsula including talks with the U.S. remain open. "South Korea will continue to work toward restoring inter-Korean relations," said Ministry spokesperson Koo Byung-sam during a regular briefing, offering another conciliatory gesture to the isolated country. But the ministry refrained from c
November 3, 2025
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Heritage agency raises concerns over Seoul's decision to ease height limit near Jongmyo Shrine
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on Monday expressed regret over a decision to raise a height limit for buildings in Seoul's derelict district of Sewoon near Jongmyo Shrine. The KHS had been in talks with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to adjust the height limit for the area, which is slated for redevelopment into an urban complex, but the city government abruptly decided last week to raise the limit from 71.9 meters to 145 meters. The KHS worri
November 3, 2025
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Drunk driver arrested after hitting Japanese tourists in Seoul
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - Two pedestrians were hit by a drunk driver in central Seoul on Sunday, according to police. They have been identified as a Japanese tourist and her daughter. A man in his 30s was arrested for drunk driving after allegedly driving onto the sidewalk and hitting them as they crossed the street at around 10 p.m. His blood alcohol level was high enough to have his license immediately revoked. The mother, in her 50s, was taken to a nearby hospital in card
November 3, 2025
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Asian Culture Calendar
SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea Nov. 6 - 8 Jeju Olle Walking Festival Sep. 26 - Nov. 8 Daegu International Opera Festival Japan Nov. 1 - 10 Gion Odori Nov. 1 - 3 Meiji Shrine Autumn Grand Festival Nov. 9 Arashiyama Momiji Festival Nov. 1 - 10 Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival Nov. 1 -4 SAKANA & JAPAN Festival Thailand Nov. 5 - 6 Loy Krathong Festival Nov. 5 - 6 Yi Peng Lantern Festival Nov. 21 - 23 Surin Elephant Round-up Nov. 28 - 29 Pattaya Intern
November 3, 2025
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Season's first cold wave advisory issued in Seoul
SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - Morning lows in Seoul fell below 1 degree Celsius on Monday, prompting the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) to issue the season's first cold wave advisory for the capital and nearby areas the previous day. Such an advisory is issued when morning temperatures are expected to drop by more than 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, or at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average, or when the morning low is forecast to remain at or below -12
November 3, 2025