Over 1,500 join palace walk event in Seoul to promote cultural exchange

SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - With his son’s hand in his, Lee Bong-soo walked quietly through the grounds of Seoul’s royal palaces, taking in the scenes he had long wanted to share outside the pages of a textbook. "I always wanted to take my son to a palace, but the opportunity never really came up," said Lee, a resident of Goyang. "My workplace and home are far apart, which made it even harder. Palaces are full of historic sites and interesting things to see.

June 15, 2025

Lee calls emergency meeting in response to Israel's attack on Iran

SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung convened an urgent meeting on Friday to discuss measures in response to Israel's attack on Iran earlier in the day. Lee said, "The most important thing is the lives and safety of South Koreans there," stressing the need to thoroughly assess the situation of South Koreans residing there. He ordered key officials to prepare appropriate safety measures for South Koreans residing in nearby areas while analyzing potential im

June 13, 2025

Lee's nominee for senior post bows out over allegations

SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday accepted the resignation of a key nominee who had come under fire over several allegations. Oh Kwang-soo, Lee's pick for senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, stepped down less than a week after his nomination, becoming the first top-level government official to resign since Lee took office on June 4. Amid mounting controversy over hidden real estate dealings involving his wife along with a suspicious loan ta

June 13, 2025

S. Korea and Viet Nam agree to expand cooperation in rail and nuclear energy

SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Vietnamese President Lương Cường on Thursday, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation. The 25-minute call, which began at 9:30 a.m., opened with President Cường congratulating Lee and expressing hope for meaningful progress during his term. "I hope President Lee achieves many accomplishments during his presidency," Cường said, according to

June 12, 2025

President vows to end stock manipulation, warns 'one-strike-out' under new rules

SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has declared a crackdown on illegal stock trading, pledging to restore trust in South Korea's capital markets through stronger oversight and strict penalties. During a meeting held at the Korea Exchange on Wednesday, the president warned that illegal profits in the market would not be tolerated under his administration. "If you try to play games in the South Korean stock market, you will lose everything," Lee said, addin

June 12, 2025

Cheong Wa Dae swarmed by visitors ahead of closure for renovation as Lee prepares to move in

SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - The former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul has been swamped by visitors, ahead of its impending closure for renovation, as President Lee Jae-myung prepares to move into the compound. The number of visitors to Cheong Wa Dae began surging before and after the June 3 presidential election, amid anticipation that it might be their last chance to visit before it closes again, prompting many to flock there. According to the Cheong Wa Dae Fou

June 12, 2025

Two pilots eject as South Korean fighter jet veers off runway during takeoff in Alaska

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A South Korean KF-16 fighter jet participating in U.S.-led multinational drills in Alaska was damaged during takeoff, Air Force authorities said on Wednesday. But two pilots aboard were confirmed safe as they managed to eject themselves from the double-seat jet when it veered off the runway at Eielson Air Force Base. According to a military source, the two pilots are "safe" and have been reportedly transferred to a nearby hospital there. While

June 11, 2025

OpenAI's top strategist returns to Seoul as Lee ramps up 100 tln won AI push

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Just a week after President Lee Jae-myung took office, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is back in Seoul. His second visit in less than three weeks signals more than a passing interest -- OpenAI is clearly watching Korea’s AI ambitions with growing seriousness. Kwon is expected to spend Jun. 12 meeting with South Korean corporate partners, continuing the momentum from his late-May visit, when he announced OpenAI’s formal entry int

June 11, 2025

Rainy season to start early this year with first monsoon rainfall in Jeju

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - This summer's first monsoon rains will drench the country later this week, starting with the southern resort island of Jeju, which is expected to see up to 40 mm of precipitation, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday. According to the KMA, the monsoon rain front currently hovering near Japan will move north as a North Pacific high-pressure system approaches, bringing heavy rainfall to Jeju Island on Thursday before spreading to other sout

June 11, 2025

Lee confirms presidential watch plan, puts tradition back on track

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday addressed recent speculation that he might do away with the time-honored tradition of presidential watches, saying a new edition will be made with an emphasis on value and purpose. “After listening to various suggestions, I decided a meaningful and practical gift would be most appropriate," Lee wrote on Facebook. "I’ve instructed that a cost-effective presidential watch be produced.” The a

June 11, 2025