Seoul high school baseball team seeks forgiveness in Gwangju over May 18 taunts SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) -Kids or not, South Koreans are learning that mockery of historic tragedies comes with serious accountability, as Seoul-based Paichai High School's baseball team traveled to Gwangju on Monday to offer a formal apology to players of Gwangju Jeil High School and local residents and seek their forgiveness for taunting chants mocking the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. The apology came one week after Paichai players shouted "Let's go to Star July 6, 2026

Facial recognition now mandatory for mobile phone sign-ups in South Korea SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Starting Monday, South Korea is rolling out stricter identity verification procedures for signing up for a mobile phone line, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT said. To open a new account, customers must now complete identity verification via facial recognition. The measures aim to curb voice-phishing scams involving illegally obtained mobile phone lines. The country's three major mobile carriers and other operators will apply the strengthened July 6, 2026

South Koreans must choose their words under new online rules SEOUL, July 03 (AJP) - South Koreans are being forced to watch their language and behave online as amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act take effect on July 7. The mock tests are already underway. Rather than making direct assertions, some users now recommend softer wording — phrases such as "it is said," "some claim" or "I heard" — reflecting growing uncertainty over where the legal boundaries of July 3, 2026

From Starbucks to teen baseball, May 18 mockery carries a dear price SEOUL, July 03 (AJP) -Starbucks' May 18 controversy continues to reverberate across South Korea, with the country's largest coffee chain under Shinsegae Group paying for the blunder through a dent in sales while a Seoul high school baseball team is seeking forgiveness from a rival school in Gwangju after taunting its players with Starbucks-related slogans during a national championship game. The episode underscores the strict social boundaries surrounding the May 18, 1980 July 3, 2026

Lee's approval rating rebounds to 54% SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has rebounded in about three weeks. In a survey of about 1,005 adults nationwide conducted by pollster Gallup Korea earlier in the week, 54 percent of respondents said Lee is doing well, up 3 percentage points from the previous poll in the second week of last month. About 36 percent disapproved of his performance, while 10 percent remained undecided. Among Lee's supporters, the most-cited reason was &q July 3, 2026

Another 3,600-ton submarine slated for launch later this year SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - Another 3,600-ton submarine is expected to be launched later this year, the South Korean Navy said on Friday. According to the Navy, the second vessel in the Jangbogo-III Batch-II series, named after Seo Hui, an eminent diplomat from the early years of the Goryeo Dynasty, is slated for launch in the second half of this year, ahead of its scheduled delivery in 2028. The Navy said the name was chosen in recognition of Seo's diplomatic achievements July 3, 2026

OECD warns of South Korea's growing reliance on chip exports SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - South Korea faces mounting long-term risks from its growing reliance on semiconductor exports and rapidly aging population despite an improving economic outlook, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In its latest report released on Thursday, the Paris-based organization said strong semiconductor exports, resilient employment and recovering domestic demand have supported the economy, "despite headwinds from the Middle July 3, 2026

Investigators inspect ballot-counting site in southern Seoul after monthlong blockade SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - A parliamentary committee investigating ballot shortages that disrupted last month's local elections broke into a venue in southern Seoul on Thursday, after the site had been blocked by protesters for nearly a month. Committee members managed to enter an indoor handball gymnasium within the Olympic Park in Songpa, which served as a ballot-counting site on the June 3 election day, after police cleared access routes and dispersed protesters who had been block July 2, 2026

Taking command is easier than commanding the war SEOUL, July 02 (AJP) - South Korea says its military is ready to assume wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States immediately. Its ally remains doubtful. The United States has a point. Recent difficulties identifying North Korean missile launches, limitations in military reconnaissance satellites and South Korea's continued reliance on U.S. intelligence, communications and strategic assets suggest Seoul has yet to eliminate some of the capability gaps that the c July 2, 2026

Visa fee waiver for group tourists extended until end of this year SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - South Korea has extended its visa fee waiver program for group tourists from six countries including China, the Philippines, and Viet Nam until the end of this year, the Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday. The extension also applies to those from Cambodia, India and Indonesia, and aims to further boost foreign tourism. The fee waiver, which was supposed to expire in June, eliminates a US$15 (about 22,500 won) charge for group visa applications. As th July 1, 2026