Drug smuggling into Korea increases by 23% in 2023

SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - The Korea Customs Service reported a 23.4 percent increase in the amount of smuggled drugs seized in 2023, according to data released Monday by the main opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi. A total of 769 kilograms (1,695 pounds) of illegal drugs, valued at 61.3 billion won ($45.7 million), were confiscated by customs authorities in 2023. This marks a significant rise from the previous year and a dramatic 419 percent increase compared to t

September 9, 2024

Over 1 in 5 Korean workers experience workplace sexual harassment: survey

SEOUL, Sept. 9 (AJP) -- More than one in five South Korean workers have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a survey released Sunday. The poll also found that 15 percent of respondents reported incidents of sexual assault or rape at work. The civic group Gapjil 119 surveyed 1,000 workers nationwide between May 31 and June 10. Among the key findings, 22.6 percent of respondents reported experiencing workplace sexual harassment, with women (26.1 percent)

September 8, 2024

Kishida supports President Yoon's vision for Korean reunification

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed support for President Yoon Suk Yeol's vision for Korean reunification at their summit held at the South Korean presidential office, Friday. Kishida voiced his hopes for Yoon's "August 15 Unification Doctrine," which outlines three principles: "freedom-based values," "changes in the North Korean populace," and "international solidarity." "I hope that Presid

September 6, 2024

Giant lobster balloon amuses visitors to popular lake in southern Seoul

SEOUL, Sept. 06 (AJP) - A giant red lobster artwork named the "Floating Lobster King" greeted visitors to Seokchon Lake in southern Seoul on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of Lotte World Mall, an iconic shopping center with a 555-meter (1.820 feet)-tall Lotte Tower. The lobster is the main art piece of "Lobster Wonderland," a public art project by British pop artist Philip Colbert. The project, hosted by Lotte Corp., Korea's confectionery gian

September 6, 2024

Ruling camp signals flexibility on medical school enrollment

SEOUL, Sept. 06 (AJP) - South Korea’s ruling camp has signaled a potential shift in its stance on medical school enrollment, opening the door for negotiations with medical professionals and opposition parties. Originally slated to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 in 2026, the government now appears more open to revisiting this figure. This development comes amid growing pressure from the medical community, including ongoing strikes by trainee doctors, and some wi

September 6, 2024

Korea Air Force selects first female test pilot for KF-21 fighter jet

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has made history by selecting a female pilot, Major Jeong Da-jung, as a test pilot for the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, known as "Boramae." This marks the first time a woman will fly a new jet fighter under development, ROKAF announced Thursday. Major Jeong, 37, is a seasoned pilot with around 1,300 flight hours and experience as a test pilot for the KF-16, the Korean variant of the F-16 fighter jet. Her new

September 6, 2024

ASEAN-Korean Centre to present ecological diversity at Gwangju Biennale exhibitions  

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Starting on Sept. 7, The ASEAN-Korean Centre (AKC) will set up a pavilion exhibition space to present the ecological diversity of ten member countries of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the Gwangju Biennale, One of Asia's top contemporary art events, the AKC said Friday. The AKC is an intergovernmental organization designed to promote economic and socio-cultural cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

September 6, 2024

Busan sets record with 1.38 million foreign visitors in first half of 2024

Courtesy of the Korea Tourism Organization SEOUL, Sept. 5 (AJP) - The southern port city of Busan reported Wednesday a record 1.38 million foreign visitors in the first half of this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 1.32 million in 2019. This marks the highest number since the government began tracking foreign visitors in 1999. Global accommodation reservation service Hotels.com ranks Busan as Korea’s second-most popular travel destination after Seoul. Kn

September 5, 2024

Korea sees biggest number of international students in 25 years

SEOUL, Sept. 05 (AJP) - Korea has recorded its highest number of international students in 25 years, with over 200,000 enrolled this year—the largest figure since the government began tracking in 1999, the Ministry of Education announced Wednesday. During a ministerial meeting at the Government Complex in Seoul, the ministry reported on the first-year progress of the "Study Korea 300K Project." Launched in August last year, the initiative aims to attract 300,000 in

September 5, 2024

Gov't eyes first pension premium hike in 27 years as part of overdue reform

SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - A set of proposals to revise Korea's national pension was revealed on Wednesday. The proposals, which aim to increase both the contribution rate and the benefits for retirees, were revealed about a week after President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to implement reforms at a press conference last week in response to the aging Korean population and depleting funds. Under the proposals, wage earners' contribution rate will increase from 9 percent to 13 percen

September 4, 2024