Lee's approval rating drops to lowest level since taking office

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has dropped to a record low since he took office in June this year. According to a survey of over 1,000 adults conducted earlier this week by pollster Gallup Korea and released on Friday, Lee's approval rating stood at 54 percent, down one percentage point from a similar survey at the end of September. His disapproval rating also rose to 35 percent, while about 10 percent of respondents remained undec

October 17, 2025

Talks underway with Cambodia for repatriation of dozens of South Koreans

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Talks are underway with Cambodia to bring back about 59 South Koreans detained over alleged online job scams and other various crimes, a government task force, currently in Phnom Penh, said on Friday. The development comes after the Southeast Asian country said the previous day that the detainees including four women would be deported to Seoul in cooperation with the South Korean Embassy there. "Authorities plan to deport 59 South Korean nationals&h

October 17, 2025

Lee Kang-in named AFC's top Asian player

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Midfielder Lee Kang-in, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was honored with an award by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Asian governing body for football said on Thursday. At an awards ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Lee was named this year's "AFC Asian International Player of the Year," awarded to the top player from an AFC member country, beating rivals like Japan's Takefusa Kubo of La Liga club Real Sociedad and Ir

October 17, 2025

New military chiefs of South Korea, US hold first phone talks

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. military chiefs spoke by phone on Friday to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) here said. JCS chief Jin Young-seung talked with his U.S. counterpart Dan Caine for the first time since assuming his post late last month. The two agreed on the importance of maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula and deterring North Korean threats through a strong alliance

October 17, 2025

Seoul confident of Washington's "understanding" on Korea's FX situation

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (AJP) – Seoul held firm against U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand that Korea’s pledged $350 billion investment be made in upfront cash, expressing confidence that Washington’s financial and trade officials understand Korea’s vulnerability to large foreign capital outflows. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said U.S. officials have shown understanding of Korea’s position. “I met Secretary S

October 17, 2025

USFK lodges protest over raid by prosecutors

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has lodged a protest over an abrupt raid on its base in Pyeongtaek in July. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month, Lt. Gen. David Iverson, deputy commander of the USFK, expressed concerns over the July 21 raid of Osan Military Base by independent prosecutors investigating disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year. Washington took issue with the raid, s

October 16, 2025

In Myeong-dong streets, anti-Chinese sentiment is nowhere

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The return of Chinese group tourists to Korea has been met with a mix of concern over disorderly crowds and optimism for an economic boost. Three weeks into the visa-waiver program, the outcome appears largely positive. Myeong-dong, Seoul's central shopping district, has regained its pre-pandemic bustle as Chinese tour groups return in force. Once stigmatized as noisy and unruly, Chinese budget travelers are leaving a more favorable impression this ti

October 16, 2025

Trump throws cold water on trade deal prospects with repeated demand for 'upfront' cash

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump once again claimed on Wednesday that South Korea has agreed to pay US$350 billion "in upfront cash" to fulfill investment pledges as part of a broader trade deal between the two countries. "They've all signed..... Japan, South Korea," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I mean, South Korea -- $350 billion upfront." Throwing cold water on optimistic expectations for a possible settlement

October 16, 2025

SK chief's divorce case sent back to lower court

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The Supreme Court of Korea on Thursday sent the high-profile divorce case of SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won and his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong back to the high court. The top court found flaws in the lower courts' assessment of Roh's contribution to the conglomerate's growth, ruling that some 30 billion Korean won (US$21 million) in slush funds from Roh's father, the late former President Roh Tae-woo, which were funneled into SK Group, can

October 16, 2025

Top court set to deliver ruling in SK chief's divorce case

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The Supreme Court of Korea is set to deliver its final ruling on Thursday for a high-profile divorce case between SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won and his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong. The court will decide whether to uphold or overturn the previous ruling that ordered Chey to pay Roh 1.38 trillion won (approximately US$970 million) in asset division and 20 billion won in alimony, making it the most expensive divorce case in the country's history. Th

October 16, 2025