Alliance reaffirmed, substance lacking: Korean-American lawmaker on Lee–Trump summit

SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - Two weeks after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and the United States President Donald Trump held their first summit, U.S. lawmakers are offering mixed assessments, praising its reaffirmation of ties but also pointing to unresolved challenges such as defense costs and trade issues. Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from California and one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress, said the summit served as a "necessary reaffirmation&qu

September 8, 2025

INTERVIEW: What surprised foreign job seekers about life and work in Seoul

SEOUL, September 7 (AJP) - At a career forum in Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong on Saturday, more than 40 panelists shared hard-won lessons with international students seeking job opportunities here. Hosted by Exprivé, a company that connects over 10,000 foreign influencers living in Korea to promote Korean culture worldwide, Saturday's event aimed to help job seekers bridge into local industries and drew a packed crowd. On the sidelines, four Asian panelists from Singap

September 7, 2025

INTERVIEW: UN OHCHR Seoul Office Chief calls for "sustainable approach" to North Korean human rights

SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - South Korea needs to develop a consistent stance on human rights in North Korea instead of one that changes every time there is a new government, according to a top UN official. "There needs to be a sustainable approach to DPRK human rights," said James Heenan, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, using the official name of North Korea. "One that doesn’t change drastically every time there’s a new admini

July 28, 2025

INTERVIEW: How literature is bringing South Korea and Poland closer together

SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - For many South Koreans, Poland once seemed like a distant European country, often known only for legendary figures such as pianist Frédéric Chopin and Nobel laureate chemist Marie Curie. But the Slavic country in central Europe has drawn closer to South Korea in recent years thanks to a burgeoning appreciation for its rich literary tradition and cultural heritage. "Although South Korea and Poland are geographically far apart and have had rel

July 18, 2025

INTERVIEW: US strikes on Iranian nuke sites may spur North Korea's nuclear buildup, Iranian envoy warns

SEOUL, July 4 (AJP) - Last month's U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which came shortly after Israel's sudden attack on Tehran, have ignited a cycle of escalating military tensions and retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. These developments could have "perilous" global repercussions with far-reaching consequences for further hostilities, potentially emboldening nuclear-armed countries including North Korea to reassess their military capabilities a

July 4, 2025

INTERVIEW: How Kazakhstan's Korean Cultural Center fosters bilateral relations

SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - In the central Eurasian steppe, there is a place that has been at the forefront of promoting Korean culture and heritage for over 15 years. Located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) there has played a pivotal role in introducing Korean culture across Central Asia since 2010. As the region's first and only such center, it has provided locals with a wide range of programs that raise awareness of the northeastern Asian cou

June 24, 2025

INTERVIEW: How one gamer turned his passion into global console hit

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - For Lee Jun-ho, it all began with tears. He was a middle school student, clutching a controller as the final scene of Shining Force, a turn-based tactical role-playing game, played out on the screen. "I remember tears streaming down my face as the ending unfolded," he recalled. That moment of revelation would eventually lead Lee to the heart of South Korea's gaming industry. Today, he serves as the creative director behind The First Berserker:

June 11, 2025

INTERVIEW: Taman Safari Indonesia introduces attractive tours for Korean tourists as bilateral tourism flourishes

SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - At the bustling Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) this week, a booth showcasing lush jungles, exotic wildlife, and vibrant imagery stood out. At the center of this was Alexander Zulkarnain, Chief Marketing Officer of Taman Safari Indonesia, eager to introduce South Korean visitors to Indonesia's hidden travel gems. "Indonesia and South Korea have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties for 52 years," Zulkarnain said in an interview with AJP.

June 7, 2025

INTERVIEW: Outgoing chief reflects on how Tokyo's Korean Cultural Center builds bridges between neighboring countries

SEOUL, May 16 (AJP) - At the heart of Tokyo, Japan, there's a dedicated space where locals can explore and immerse themselves in South Korea's history and culture. Located at the corner of Shinjuku, a bustling district in the capital known for its characteristic alleys lined with shops, clubs and restaurants, the Korean Cultural Center was founded in 1979 as the first of its kind overseas. Since then, it has served as a major hub for raising awareness of South Korea

May 16, 2025

INTERVIEW: SNU professor explains why Pansori resonates beyond words

SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - When Anna Yates-Lu first sat down for a live Pansori performance, she barely understood a word. At the time, she had studied Korean for just six months and couldn’t keep up with the subtitles and the stage at the same time. But that didn’t matter. “The sound alone completely captivated me,” she said in an interview with Aju Press on May 9. “I didn’t need to understand the words. The voice, the gestures, the rhythm. All of i

May 13, 2025