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  Pilot program for hiring foreign domestic helpers suspended amid weak demand SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - A pilot program allowing families to directly hire foreign domestic helpers has been terminated, according to the Ministry of Justice. The program was launched in March this year with the aim of addressing the country's extremely low birthrates by helping couples juggle childcare and housework, enabling them to work with fewer worries. However, it soon drew criticism, as some households could afford the service while some foreign workers were not en September 8, 2025
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  Lee meets with ruling and opposition leaders SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung said Monday that national unity would be his top priority, as he met with the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. The luncheon meeting came for the first time several weeks after Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Jang Dong-hyuk of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) were elected party leaders last month. Lee, who again wore his signature red September 8, 2025
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  South Korea to allow visa-free travel for Chinese visitors starting this month SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) -South Korea announced Sunday that it would temporarily allow visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups of three or more people, in a move aimed at revitalizing its tourism sector. The new policy, which takes effect on Sept. 29, permits these groups to travel across the country for up to 15 days. China has already been allowing visa-free travel for South Korean nationals since November of last year. Under the new policy, which will run until June 30 o September 7, 2025
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  South Korea, Italy reaffirm economic ties as 'complementary commons' SEOUL, September 5 (AJP) - South Korea and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation at the first business forum in Seoul on Friday, with a focus on advanced technology as both countries face resource constraints and aging populations. The forum, co-hosted by the Italian Embassy in South Korea, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), September 5, 2025
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  68 countries to join Seoul Defense Dialogue next week SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - The defense ministry will host the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in central Seoul from Monday to Wednesday, bringing together senior officials from around the world. Launched in 2012, the annual forum is designed to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen regional security cooperation. This year, more than 1,000 participants from 68 countries and international organizations are expected to attend, according to the ministry. Defe September 5, 2025
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  Ruling and opposition party leaders to meet with acting US ambassador SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - The leaders of South Korea's two main political parties, Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Jang Dong-hyeok from the main opposition party People Power Party (PPP), are scheduled to hold separate talks with acting United States Ambassador Joseph Yun, who has been serving as acting ambassador since January, at the National Assembly on Friday. Jung, leader of the ruling party, is set to meet Yun at 3 p.m. in his office at the Assem September 5, 2025
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  Two South Koreans dead in Lisbon funicular crash SEOUL, September 5 (AJP) - Two South Koreans were killed and another seriously injured in a funicular crash in Lisbon on Wednesday (local time), Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The ministry confirmed that a South Korean man and woman died in the crash, while another woman underwent surgery at a local hospital and is still in intensive care. "Our embassy is working closely with Portuguese authorities to provide consular support, including assistance for the injure September 5, 2025
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  French bestseller 'Empire of the Ants' to be released as webtoon SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - French novelist Bernard Werber’s 1991 bestseller "Empire of the Ants" will be released as a full-color webtoon in Korea and France in November. Weber is one of the most popular foreign novelists among South Korean book lovers. First published in 1991, Empire of the Ants explores human and ant societies through science fiction, focusing on survival, evolution and social order. Translated into Korean in 1993, the novel became a bests September 4, 2025
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  Trump calls Beijing parade 'impressive,' mentions Kim and Putin SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was "very surprised" that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not highlight America’s role in World War II during a speech at a military parade in Beijing. "I watched the speech last night. President Xi is a friend of mine," Trump told reporters at the White House as he met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. "I thought that the United States should have September 4, 2025
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  Trump says 'not concerned at all' on Beijing military parade SEOUL, September 3 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off suggestions that deepening ties among China, Russia and North Korea posed a challenge to Washington as the leaders of those countries gathered in Beijing for a military parade. In an interview with the Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump said he was "not concerned at all" about the possibility of an "axis" against the United States. He added, "They would never use their military on us September 3, 2025