FM urges regional cooperation against online scams at forum in Malaysia SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun called for closer cooperation to tackle online scams and other crimes while discussing regional issues with participating countries at the annual East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. According to the ministry, Cho emphasized the need to "work closely with EAS member countries and the broader international community" to combat the growing threat of transnational cybercr October 28, 2025

Countdown begins as global leaders set to converge in Gyeongju for APEC summit SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - The countdown to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit has begun, with leaders from 21 member economies set to converge in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju this week. According to diplomatic sources, participants from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and the U.S. will gather ahead of the summit's opening on Friday. Among them were U.S. President Donald Trump, making his first visit since beginning his second, non-consec October 28, 2025

Putin meets North Korean foreign minister, hails progress in ties SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that relations with Pyongyang are moving forward as planned during a meeting in Moscow with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, the Kremlin said Monday. Conveying his warm regards to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, he said, "Everything is going according to plan." Choe thanked Putin for taking the time to meet with her and mentioned that she had heard his summit with Kim in Beijing early last October 28, 2025

Korea's Q3 GDP adds stronger than expected 1.2% on quarter, sentiment weakens ] Seoul, October 28 (AJP) -South Korea’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter, expanding 1.2 percent on quarter on the back of a rebound in capital investment and a modest recovery in consumer spending, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday. The stronger-than-expected growth — up from 0.7 percent in the second quarter and following a 0.2 percent contraction in the first — was largely driven by renewed capit October 28, 2025

Trump makes another overture to Kim, but any impending meeting remains in doubt SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed eagerness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his brief visit to South Korea this week. "I'd love to meet with him if he'd like to meet, I got along great with . If he wants to meet, I'll be in South Korea," Trump told reporters on Monday aboard Air Force One while traveling from Malaysia to Japan as part of his Asian tour, which includes South Korea for the Asia-Paci October 27, 2025

Seoul pushes ASEAN ties beyond trade to digital and maritime fronts SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea is moving to expand relationship with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) beyond trade and economic front to push for common security goals amid volatility around Asia-Pacific superpowers – the United States and China. President Lee Jae Myung, in his address at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, described ASEAN as "neighbors who have overcome hardships together," calling the bloc South Korea's closest part October 27, 2025

APEC Week: from RM to hanbok, K-culture competes for global spotlight SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Iconic K-pop star G-Dragon has set the tone for this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju with a playful 75-second promotional video featuring President Lee Jae Myung as a runway marshaller guiding arriving aircraft. Another K-pop figurehead, BTS leader RM, will carry the cultural baton, delivering a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit before executives from 21 member economies, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. K-pop October 27, 2025

Ferry service along Han River to resume next week after monthlong inspection SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A ferry service on the Han River, which was suspended just 10 days after its bombastic launch, will resume next week following a monthlong inspection, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Monday. Starting Nov. 1, the service will begin at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than before, and run until 9:37 p.m., offering 16 daily trips at 90-minute intervals. According to the city, more than 300 trial runs without passengers were conducted to enhance service October 27, 2025

BTS's RM to speak at APEC CEO Summit this week SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - RM, the leader of K-pop juggernaut BTS, will deliver a keynote speech at the CEO Summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju this week. Although specific details remain under wraps, he is scheduled to speak for about 10 minutes on Wednesday, focusing on the country's soft power and how cultural creativity can nurture local industries. Over 1,700 global business leaders, includi October 27, 2025

Kevin Kim appointed acting US envoy to Seoul SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Kevin Kim, a senior official in the U.S. State Department, "has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim," the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said in press release on Monday. Kim "previously served as senior bureau official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and deputy assistant secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia," it said, adding that he will work with embassy staff and the South Korean government to October 27, 2025