IMF keeps Korea growth view at 1.9% on 'energy buffers' despite Gulf shock SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -The International Monetary Fund on Thursday maintained its growth outlook for South Korea at 1.9 percent for this year, holding steady from its January projection as it pointed to “sufficient buffers” to withstand energy shocks stemming from the Gulf conflict. The assessment came as the war-driven surge in oil and gas prices adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to the global economy, with Asia seen as particularly exposed due to its heavy reliance o April 17, 2026

Lee to embark on trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend for summit talks SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a weeklong trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Sunday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, followed by a series of expanded discussions with key officials. Lee's visit to the world's most populous nation co April 16, 2026

FM seeks Mexico's help in securing stable crude oil imports in phone call SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun talked with Mexico's new Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco over the phone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Congratulating him on his inauguration last week, Cho said the two countries should further expand economic cooperation, stressing that the Latin American country is South Korea's top trade and investment partner in the region. He then asked for help in ensuring a stable supply of crude oil for South April 16, 2026

FMs of South Korea and Brazil seek closer cooperation on supply chains SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira to discuss measures to address supply chain disruptions amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. According to the ministry, Cho spoke with him by phone the previous day, during which he explained South Korea is making an all-out effort to secure alternative routes and sources for crude oil and other resources, citing the count April 16, 2026

South Korea secures additional crude oil, naphtha through alternative routes SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil by the end of this year, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said on Wednesday. At a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Kang, who just returned from a weeklong trip to Kazakhstan, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, said the country has reached a deal to secure additional crude oil, including up to 2.1 million tons of naphtha, by the end of this year. "Compared to consumption levels l April 15, 2026

South Korea jobs rise in March, but youth outlook worsens *Updated with additional information SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) -South Korea's headline jobs market maintained resilience in March as the impact of the Gulf war remained peripheral for now, but data pointed to worsening conditions for youth, signaling a structural job cliff for young people. The number of employed people rose by 206,000 from a year earlier to 28.795 million, easing slightly from a 234,000 increase in February, according to data released by the Data and Statist April 15, 2026

Seoul-born, 1955: two women set to anchor U.S.-Korea diplomacy SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Two women born in the same year, in the same city — Seoul in 1955 — are poised to represent Washington and Seoul in each other’s capitals, an unlikely symmetry that underscores the increasingly transnational nature of modern diplomacy. The White House on Monday (local time) nominated Michelle Steel, a former California congresswoman, as ambassador to South Korea, formally requesting Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Steel would return to he April 14, 2026

Seoul targets sovereign AI and AI belt in Saemangeum for new strategic funding SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) -South Korea will channel around 10 trillion won ($7.4 billion) into a new slate of strategic industries from high-value OLED displays to sovereign artificial intelligence and AI infrastructure belt along the southern coast in a bid to widen its technological edge over fast-following rivals and anchor future growth engines. The second round of “mega projects” under the 150 trillion won National Growth Fund spans six areas — next-generation b April 14, 2026

Young Korean men squeezed out as women and AI reshape labor market SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) — Young South Korean men are being squeezed out of the labor market at a notable pace amid increased competition from women and artificial intelligence, a study by the Bank of Korea showed Tuesday. According to the central bank, the economic participation rate for men aged 25 to 34 fell from 89.9 percent in 2000 to 82.3 percent in 2025, in contrast to a steady average of around 89 percent from 1995 to 2024. The downward trend is even more pronou April 14, 2026

Minor party leader Cho Kuk declares bid for parliamentary seat in Pyeongtaek SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Cho Kuk, the leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party said he will run for a parliamentary seat in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province in the upcoming local elections in June. At a news conference at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Cho vowed to reform the country by rooting out insurrection forces behind disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched declaration of martial law in December 2024. Cho, who had been expected to run in one of several cont April 14, 2026