Samsung heir begins naval officer training to become ensign

SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - Lee Ji-ho, the son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, began his military service as a naval officer candidate with a ceremony in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province on Tuesday. Of the 84 candidates who enrolled last Monday, 83 attended the ceremony after one male candidate withdrew. They will undergo 10 weeks of combat training, including marksmanship, chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) defense drills as well as exercises involving in

September 23, 2025

Homegrown multi-purpose satellite shipped to South America ahead of launch in November

SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - A multi-purpose satellite, dubbed "Arirang 7," has been shipped to South America, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said on Tuesday. The satellite, equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera, left the KASA in Daejeon on a freight aircraft bound for the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The homegrown satellite, expected to arrive there on Thursday, is being transported in a specially designed, vibration

September 23, 2025

South Korea, Japan, and US reaffirm commitment to North Korea's denuclearization

SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. on Monday reiterated their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, while stressing the importance of their trilateral alliance. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with his Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi. In a joint statement released later in the day, the

September 23, 2025

Lee begins his week-long visit to New York

SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday began his week-long visit to the U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly. Upon arriving in New York, Lee met with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), according to Ha Jung-woo, a presidential adviser on AI. Fink expressed his intention to "actively cooperate" by leveraging global capital to help South Korea become the "AI capital" of Asia, and Lee welcome

September 23, 2025

Korean young conservatives pay subdued tribute to US evangelist Kirk

SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Young Korean conservatives and Christians mourned U.S. evangelist Charlie Kirk in a subdued manner, even as his memorial service in the U.S. drew elaborate tributes and the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday. The muted reaction in the country comes as political scandals involving conservative leaders and religious figures continue to weigh heavily on the community following the impeachment of a conservative president. Kirk had visited Kor

September 22, 2025

Cameras allowed for opening of Kim Keon Hee trial, but not for full proceedings

SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A Seoul court has permitted media outlets to film the opening of the first trial for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who faces corruption charges. The Seoul Central District Court announced on Monday that it will open the courtroom for a media photo and video opportunity before the hearing begins at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the court's decision, video and photography will be permitted from the beginning of the session until the presid

September 22, 2025

Aju News chair named first head of Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship Association

SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Kwak Young-kil, chairman of Aju News Corporation, has been appointed as the founding head of the Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship Association, marking a milestone in efforts to deepen ties between the two countries. The appointment ceremony was held Monday at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul. Kwak underscored the strong presence of Korean companies in Kazakhstan, noting that the business community and other sectors have long sought opportunities to e

September 22, 2025

Seoul seeks to document abuses amid claims of US detention mistreatment

SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has begun surveying more than 300 of its citizens who were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia, after some former detainees alleged they were subjected to mistreatment while in custody. The survey, distributed this week to 316 South Koreans who have since returned home, asks respondents to describe the circumstances of their arrest and their experiences during detention. It will remain open for a we

September 22, 2025

South Korean army blends fun and firepower in Ground Forces show

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Military bands struck up "Golden," the chart-topping theme from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, as tanks stood in long rows and children darted between armored corridors. Overhead, parachutists trailed colored smoke. South Korea, still technically at war with North Korea, is now among the world's leading defense exporter. Yet when the Army opened its annual Ground Forces Festival at Gyeryongdae airfield, it made sure the awe was mixed wi

September 19, 2025

Lee to head to New York early next week to attend UN General Assembly

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on his trip to the U.S. next Monday to attend the UN General Assembly's annual high-level session in New York. In a press briefing on Friday, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee will begin his week-long itinerary by delivering a keynote speech at the assembly's 80th session on Sept. 23. He will then preside over an artificial intelligence (AI)-themed open debate the following day, making him the fi

September 19, 2025