Biathlete Kim Yun-ji adds another medal at Winter Paralympics in Italy SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Biathlete Kim Yun-ji on Tuesday added another medal at the Winter Paralympics, which kicked off last week in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Kim finished second in the women's sitting cross-country sprint final with a time of 33:10.1, just behind the U.S.' Oksana Masters, who claimed gold with a time of 33:07.01. It was her second medal at this year's quadrennial sporting event, after she won gold in the women's sitting sprint 12.5- March 11, 2026

Tools to detect deepfakes and voting fraud showcased ahead of local elections SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - A demonstration to detect artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes and prevent other election-related fraud was held at the government complex in central Seoul on Tuesday. It was part of efforts by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to prevent any illegal activities in voting and other violations ahead of local elections slated for early June. The ministry said it has worked with the National Forensic Service since 2024 and ca March 10, 2026

No booze, just brews: Morning rave in Seoul SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) -Music filled a beauty brand store in Bukchon, central Seoul, early in the morning as people gathered with coffee cups in hand, swaying to a DJ set to begin the day. The gathering followed the format of a “morning rave,” a lifestyle event gaining popularity overseas. Instead of alcohol and late-night partying, participants came for music, coffee and conversation. Around 200 people attended, moving between dance space, makeup experiences and person March 10, 2026

Independence fighter's lifelong dedication remembered SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - People gathered at a memorial hall in southern Seoul on Tuesday to mark the 88th anniversary of the death of independence fighter Ahn Chang-ho. They laid flowers and bowed their heads in remembrance of his enduring devotion and sacrifice for the country. It was the Sino-Japanese War that changed everything for him. At the age of just sixteen, watching foreign powers clash on Korean soil in 1894, he realized that it was because the country had no strength to March 10, 2026

Annual South Korea–US joint military exercise underway SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - The annual joint military exercise between South Korean and U.S. troops has been underway since early this week. The exercise, dubbed "Freedom Shield," which kicked off on Monday, aims to prepare for contingencies on the Korean Peninsula while assessing combat readiness to prepare for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul. Approximately 18,000 troops are participating in this year's exercise, similar to last yea March 10, 2026

Oil surge causes brutal Black Monday in Seoul SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - The global energy market plunged into turmoil Monday as fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict sent crude prices soaring. Brent crude had surged 25 percent from the previous session to $116 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped 27 percent to $115. Dubai crude — the benchmark most relevant for Asian importers — also breached the $100 mark after the March 6 close, marking its sharpest rise in more than two and March 9, 2026

Indian spring festival brings colors flying in Miryang SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - Miryang city in South Gyeongsang Province held the 16th Holi Hai Festival at the Sunshine Miryang Theme Park Cultural Plaza on March 8. Approximately 1,000 Korean and foreign participants joined the event. Holi is a traditional Indian festival celebrating the arrival of spring where people throw colored powder and water at each other. The event was designed as a platform for communication where citizens and foreign residents can enjoy togeth March 9, 2026

South Koreans return home from Middle East SEOUL, March 06 (AJP) - Korean travelers who departed for the Middle East are returning home one by one as many air routes have been disrupted in the aftermath of Middle East tensions. Additionally, the Dubai-Incheon route, which had been suspended due to the aftermath of Iran's airstrikes, resumed on March 6. The flight took off three hours and ten minutes later than scheduled due to local airport conditions. Korean Air has suspended flights to the Middle East March 6, 2026

Winter Paralympics: Intense Strategy in Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles SEOUL, March 06 (AJP) - South Korea’s wheelchair curling mixed doubles team of Lee Yong-seok and Baek Hye-jin defeated Britain and Japan in succession to improve to 2–1 in the preliminary round at the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Paralympics. After narrowly losing to host Italy in their opening match, Lee and Baek bounced back with a 14–3 victory over Britain in the morning session before overpowering Japan later in the day. Eight teams are competing in t March 6, 2026

Fuel prices spike due to war in Middle East SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Gasoline and diesel prices at gas stations across South Korea on Thursday have increased sharply following airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel late last month. The nationwide average gasoline price has surpassed 1,800 won ($1.2) per liter for the first time in three years and seven months. It is the first time the national average has exceeded the 1,800-won mark since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel prices have also cros March 5, 2026