Korean court grants refugee status to Russian draft dodger

SEOUL, June 13 (AJU PRESS) - A Russian man who fled his country to avoid being forced to fight in the war against Ukraine, has been granted a refugee status in Korea, it was revealed this week. In a verdict on May 22, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, whose name is unidentified. In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the Russian posted anti-war messages on social media and participated in protests opposing the war. Then he left Russia to avoi

June 13, 2024

AKC chief outlines vision to strengthen ties with ASEAN countries

SEOUL, June 13 (AJU PRESS) - The Southeast Asian region with a combined population of over 600 million is emerging as one of Korea's key business markets. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political and economic union of 10 states in the region, includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam. The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) in Seoul has been crucial in expanding economic and cultural exchange betw

June 13, 2024

Popular Korean instant noodles recalled in Denmark over spiciness concerns

SEOUL, June 13 (AJU PRESS) - Three varieties of Korea's spicy instant noodles have been pulled out from shelves in Denmark this week. The recall affects food retailer Samyang's signature Buldak series - "3x Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen," "2x Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen," and "Hot Chicken Flavor Stew Ramen." According to the Danish health authorities, the high levels of capsaicin in a single serving could pose a risk of "acute poisoni

June 13, 2024

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung indicted over alleged involvement in money transfer to N. Korea

SEOUL, June 12 (AJU PRESS) - On Wednesday, prosecutors indicted Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, on charges of involvement in an unauthorized money transfer to North Korea about five years ago. The former Gyeonggi Province Governor is accused of pressing underwear maker Ssangbangwool Group, through Lee Hwa-young, a former vice Gyeonggi governor, to illegally transfer around $8 million to North Korea between January 2019 and January 2020. In return

June 12, 2024

Experts warn Korea no longer safe from earthquakes after 4.8-magnitude quake hits Buan

SEOUL, June 12 (AJU PRESS) - Experts are warning that the Korean Peninsula can no longer be regarded as a safety zone for earthquakes, after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck an area 4 kilometers southwest of Buan, North Jeolla Province at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) initially reported the magnitude of the earthquake as 4.7, but later revised it to 4.8 after a detailed analysis. About 300 people reported sensing the tremors, but

June 12, 2024

Vice minister apologizes over tax delinquency of U.S oil exploration consulting firm Act-Geo

SEOUL, June 11 (AJU PRESS) – A Korean senior official has apologized after it was revealed that the government contracted a U.S. geoscience consulting firm to analyze possible offshore oil and gas reserves when the company was delinquent on taxes. President Yoon Suk Yeol last week announced he gave the green light to conduct exploratory drilling for potentially vast oil and gas prospects found off the eastern coast of the nation, based on Act-Geo's research. It projected 4

June 11, 2024

Southern wetland emerges as top tourist destination

SEOUL, June 11 (AJU PRESS) - A tranquil and serene marsh along the southern coast of Korea attracted hordes of visitors last year, becoming the top destination among some 2,750 tourist spots in the country. The number of visitors to Suncheon Bay and its adjunct garden in South Jeolla Province reached 7.78 million in 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said last week. The sudden allure was attributed to a garden expo held from April to October. The expo itself drew a wh

June 11, 2024

Early heatwave brings this summer's first tropical night to Korea

SEOUL, June 11 (AJU PRESS) - Korea saw this summer's first tropical night on Monday, about a week earlier than last year. A tropical night is when the lowest temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius after dark. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the lowest temperature in Gangneung was 25 degrees, causing a sleepless night for some locals. Last year, the eastern coastal city had its first tropical night on June 28, while the neighboring city of

June 11, 2024

Rio's landmark statue 'dons traditional Korean dress'

SEOUL, June 11 (AJU PRESS) - The statue of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil's iconic landmark in Rio de Janeiro, was adorned with hanbok or traditional Korean costume last week. The blue-colored image of hanbok, created by fashion designer Lee Jin-hee, was projected onto the majestic statue on June 7. The event was part of events to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1959. "The vivid color of blue is one of five directional colors

June 11, 2024

Paju increases financial aid for sex workers to help them find new career path

SEOUL, June 11 (AJU PRESS) - Paju, a northern border town near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), is set to increase cash handouts for those leaving prostitution and sex trade businesses. The town, notorious for its red-light district called "Yongjugol," has been cracking down on such businesses since 2021. As part of these efforts, it provided one million won ($726) per month for the first year and half that amount for the second year. But now it has decided to give the same a

June 11, 2024