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  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
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  A film, a fallen monarch, and a nation looking back SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) -Thirty-one days after its release, The King’s Warden crossed the ten-million admissions mark, becoming the 34th South Korean film to reach that milestone — and still counting as the crowds kept on growing. The numbers came quickly. One million in five days. Two million by day twelve. Three million on Lunar New Year. Four million the next day. By March 10, cumulative admissions reached approximately 11.7 million. But March 10, 2026
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  War in Middle East echoes through Seoul SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The war unfolding across the Middle East may be thousands of miles away from Seoul, but its shockwaves are being felt sharply in the capital of South Korea. Rockets are flying across borders in the region with no sign of the conflict abating. On the far eastern edge of the globe, the repercussions are unfolding in diplomatic halls, financial markets and even gas stations across the South Korean capital. A Tale of Two Embassies At 1 March 5, 2026
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  AW 2026 opens as showcase of AI-native manufacturing innovation SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - The present and future of manufacturing innovation led by autonomous manufacturing and physical AI gathered in one place. AW 2026 (Smart Factory & Automation World) opened at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on March 4, presenting the largest-ever exhibition with 453 companies from 24 countries and 2,300 booths. From humanoid robots and smart logistics to AI factory special pavilions, the event showcasing a convergence of intelligent automation technologie March 4, 2026
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  The first full moon of the year is red GYEONGGI, March 03 (AJP)-On the fifteenth night of the first lunar month, Korea steps outside. The holiday is Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the year — a night when neighborhoods, not just families, gather under the open sky. If Lunar New Year belongs to the dining table, Jeongwol Daeboreum belongs to the fields, the hills, the riverbanks. People tilt their heads upward and wait for the moon to rise, round and bright in the brittle winter air. The full moon h March 4, 2026