PM Han rejects claims Korea discriminates against U.S. firms SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday rejected claims that South Korea discriminates against U.S. companies, saying the country's laws and regulations apply equally to domestic and foreign businesses. “I can say clearly that we do not discriminate against companies based on nationality,” Han told foreign business executives in her first appearance as prime minister at an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea event at The Shilla Seoul. September 11, 2026

Lee's approval rating drops to new low of 38% SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating continued to slide, hitting a new low, according to a survey released by Gallup Korea on Friday. The survey of about 1,000 adults nationwide conducted earlier this week found that 38 percent of respondents said Lee was doing a good job, down 2 percentage points from the previous week and the lowest level since he took office in July last year. Some 51 percent of respondents held negative views, unchanged September 11, 2026

Finance ministry sees solid recovery for first time since 2024 SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's government said Friday the economy was in a "solid recovery" for the first time in two years on strong exports and revived domestic demand, but remained wary of inflationary pressure and employment weakness. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) said in its September Green Book that exports increased sharply and domestic demand, including consumption, improved, marking the first use of the "solid recovery" asses September 11, 2026

Korea's fiscal red shrinks to a 5-year low on chip boom SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's fiscal deficit thinned to a five-year low as of July as chip-driven corporate earnings and bigger employee bonuses along with brisk property and stock-market activity swelled tax receipts. The managed fiscal balance, a gauge of the government's underlying fiscal position that excludes social security funds, posted a deficit of 64.8 trillion won ($48.1 billion) in the January-July period, narrowing by 22 trillion won from an 86.8 September 11, 2026

Korea's Sept. 1-10 exports hit record $35 bn, up 83% on yr SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's exports roared on, surging 82.6 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of September to a record $35 billion and extending a blistering run that has already lifted this year's shipments past the country's full-year record for 2025. Imports rose 20.7 percent to $24.6 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $10.4 billion, according to preliminary Korea Customs Service data released Friday. The number of working days was unchan September 11, 2026

BOK tests AI agents for economic statistics SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) — The Bank of Korea is testing artificial intelligence agents to interpret statistical changes and simulate policy judgments as it explores wider AI use in South Korea's official economic statistics. The Bank of Korea (BOK) and the Korean Statistical Society opened a joint forum Friday to discuss how artificial intelligence, machine learning and new data techniques can improve the accuracy and timeliness of economic statistics. BOK Senior Deput September 11, 2026

Recovery workers leave for Nepal to replace search-and-rescue team SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A new group of South Korean relief workers left for Nepal on Friday to support recovery efforts following devastating floods and landslides that struck late last month, killing more than 1,400 people and leaving thousands still missing, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. The eight-member team including ministry officials and other personnel from the National Fire Agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the National M September 11, 2026

Seoul's industry min back in Washington for final push on US investment deal SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) -South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan shuttled back to the United States from Europe after accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his state visit to France earlier this week, making his second U.S. trip in little more than a week to finish the first action plans under Seoul's $350 billion investment commitment. Kim traveled to the United States after completing his European schedule via Belgium and is due to remain there through Saturday. He September 11, 2026

Lee reshuffle reignites South Korea election reform debate SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's second Cabinet reshuffle is spilling into a broader debate over electoral reform in South Korea, as controversy surrounding a ministerial nominee has revived calls across the political spectrum to overhaul a voting system blamed for encouraging satellite parties and distorting voter choice. People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig on Thursday formally proposed that the ruling Democratic Party (DP) begin negotiat September 10, 2026

Chip boom: boon or curse for Korea's household debt? SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - The chip bonanza is not just lifting South Korea's nominal growth to levels unseen in decades. It is also pushing the household debt ratio toward an 11-year low as gross domestic product expands much faster than borrowing. The household debt-to-GDP ratio could fall toward 80 percent this year - or the lowest level since 79.2 percent in 2015 - if double-digit nominal growth of 15 to 20 percent is sustained in the second half. The ratio had already September 10, 2026