Defense Ministry forms task force to investigate those involved in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A task force has been formed to investigate any illegal activities by military personnel and officials during disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. Minister Ahn Kyu-back will lead the task force consisting of some 50 members from various military branches and civilian advisers, in coordination with a separate task force headed by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to conduct November 21, 2025

Trump Burger and Silla gold crown in Gyeongju APEC-themed travel package SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A “Trump” hamburger named after the U.S. president who enjoyed it during his visit to South Korea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event — along with a chance to view authentic Silla dynasty crowns instead of the replica that pleased the VIPs — are among the highlights of a new tourism package launched to capitalize on APEC summit week in late October. Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Corporation (GCTO) wil November 21, 2025

Man arrested after knife attack on woman in southern Seoul SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A man was arrested after attacking a woman in her 20s with a knife at a crammer in Seoul's affluent district of Gangnam on Friday. According to police, the man fled the scene shortly after the incident, which occurred around 11:50 a.m. in Sinsa-dong, but was later apprehended in Mapo, western Seoul, after authorities tracked him using CCTV footage. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, and police are investigating the deta November 21, 2025

National Museum of Korea set to open new gallery showcasing Islamic art SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea is set to open a new gallery featuring Islamic-themed art on its third floor starting Saturday. The exhibition is divided into three themes: religious art, cultural expansion, and court culture and manuscripts, covering Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century. The first section showcases the essence of Islamic calligraphy, from early Quran manuscripts on parchment to large manuscripts from the Timurid Empire. Architec November 21, 2025

Firefighters struggle to contain wildfire in Inje SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Firefighters are still battling a wildfire in the mountainous areas of Inje, Gangwon Province, with about 60 percent of the flames contained as of early Friday morning. According to the Korea Forest Service, more than 300 rescue officials were mobilized overnight to extinguish the blaze which broke out at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day, but the rugged mountain ranges made the operation difficult. Additional helicopters were also deployed at sunrise November 21, 2025

Korean president unveils SHINE doctrine as new backbone of foreign policy in Egypt SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday branded "SHINE" - stability, harmony, innovation, network, and education - as the backbone in his foreign policy, offering it as a framework for mediating peace in the Middle East and positioning Korean defense capabilities to complement tool in the role during his state visit to Egypt. Lee highlighted stability and harmony as the centerpiece of the twin pillars guiding Seoul's pos November 21, 2025

Lee departs for Johannesburg to attend G20 summit SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Friday headed to Johannesburg to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which will be held in South Africa this weekend, after wrapping up his visit to Egypt. During his stay in Egypt earlier this week, Lee met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss expanding trade and cultural cooperation as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. He also delivered a speech at Cairo University. In a joint press statem November 21, 2025

Korea braces up for travel boon during winter holiday season from China–Japan fallout SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Korean travel agencies and the industry are bracing up to seize a potential boon from the fallout and escalating hostility between China and Japan over remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in early November on a potential Taiwan contingency that have led to a series of boycott-driven cancellations. Nearly 500,000 Chinese travelers have reportedly canceled Japan-related bookings — 32 percent of all Japan-bound reservations — after November 20, 2025

First mate, helmsman held over ferry accident SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The first mate and helmsman of a passenger ferry that ran aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight were arrested on Thursday over their alleged negligence, according to police. Police detained the first mate in his 40s, and the helmsman, an Indonesian also in his 40s, after both were found to have neglected their duties, causing the 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II to run aground. Initial investigations revealed that the f November 20, 2025

Another star couple set to wed next month SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Acting couple Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin will tie the knot next month. Shin and Kim recently decided to marry after building deep trust over years of their relationship," their management agency said in a press release. Their private wedding will be held in Seoul on Dec. 20 with only family and close friends in attendance. Shin and Kim have been a public item since 2015 when they admitted their relationship. The agency asked for "war November 20, 2025