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Ruling Democratic Party dominates early vote counting in S. Korea's local elections SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Early vote counting for the June 3 local elections shows the ruling Democratic Party taking the lead in 14 of 16 metropolitan and provincial races, including the Seoul mayoral election. The conservative People Power Party is leading in only one region, North Gyeongsang Province. If the current trend continues, the elections will end in a sweeping victory for the Democratic Party. The ea
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Former justice minister Choo Mi-ae to become first female provincial governor in S. Korea SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - The Ruling Democratic Party candidate and former justice minister Choo Mi-ae is certain to win the Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial race, making her the first woman to head a metropolitan or provincial government in South Korean history. According to the National Election Commission on Wednesday, Choo is projected to defeat People Power Party candidate Yang Hyang-ja in the June 3 local e
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National Election Commission apoligizes for ballot shortage SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Heo Chul-hoon, secretary-general of South Korea's National Election Commission, issued a public apology on Wednesday evening after several polling stations ran out of ballot papers during local elections. Speaking at the commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Heo said he takes full responsibility for the oversight. He said the commission deeply apologizes for causing g
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Ruling party leads in South Korean local election exit polls
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WNMC 26: AI reshapes how news is experienced, not just made, media leaders say in Marseille
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South Korea's local election turnout reaches 57.4% by 5 p.m. SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Voter turnout in South Korea’s June 3 local elections reached 57.4 percent as of 5 p.m. (0800 GMT) Wednesday, sharply higher than the level recorded at the same point in the previous local elections, according to the National Election Commission. The commission said 15,052,860 people had cast ballots nationwide during the 11 hours since voting began at 6 a.m. When combined with -
South Korea's June 3 local elections seen as key test for Lee government and party leaders SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s June 3 local elections are shaping up as a crucial political test one year after the launch of President Lee Jae Myung’s government, with the outcome expected to affect the administration’s governing momentum as well as the futures of several major political figures. The elections, the first nationwide vote since the change in government, are widely vie -
South Korean local election turnout reaches 48.9 percent SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Over 21.8 million people cast their ballots in South Korea's ninth nationwide local elections by 2:00 p.m. on election day. This pushed overall voter turnout to 48.9 percent, signaling potentially historic final participation levels. The mid-afternoon figure is 8.2 percentage points higher than the turnout recorded at the same time during the previous local elections four years ag -
South Korea counts local election votes to decide political control SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - South Koreans turned out in large numbers for nationwide local elections on Wednesday, setting up a high-stakes verdict on the one-year-old administration of President Lee Jae-myung. Voting proceeded smoothly across 14,288 polling stations before ballot boxes were transferred to designated counting centers. The election serves as a critical midterm referendum that could either grant t
ASIA Insight>
ASIA DEEP INSIGHT: US Defense Chief speech in Singapore brings tough choices for Seoul The world is changing fast, and the recent defense meeting in Singapore proved it. United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue, and his words carry a heavy message. For South Korea, sitting right between major global powers, his speech is a loud wake up call. The days of relying on a system where America promises to protect everyone without asking for much in return are officially over. Washington wants friends to pay more and do much more on their own. This new by Park Sae-jin
Expanded World Cup brings new chances for Asia as South Korea looks beyond 11th straight berth
SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - This year's World Cup, now just over a week away, will be remembered as special for several reasons. It will be the first hosted by three countries in the quadrennial football extravaganza's history, spread across vast distances in North America and, most notably, the first to expand from 32 to 48 teams. For Asia, the number itself matters almost as much as the tournament. What once felt like a narrow gate to the sport's grandest stage has widened significantly
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Incheon's Hanagae Beach opens for summer season
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Counting begins as South Korea's local elections draw to a close
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Voting continues despite fire in polling station building
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Election officials make final preparations ahead of local elections
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Thousands enjoy Seoul in early summer vibe through palace walking event
AJP Focus>
UPDATE: Korea's May inflation hits 26-mo high, hastening hike agenda *Updated with additional information and market response. SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - South Korea's inflation accelerated by the fastest pace in 26 months to run above 3 percent in May as energy shocks from prolonged Gulf conflicts pushed up prices from fueling to service charges coupled with crisis-level exchange rate to rock capital markets and send the central bank scrambling for emergency actions. The composite consumer price index for May rose 3.1 percent from a year earlier, according to
How shaved ice tells different stories across East Asia
SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - Shaved ice is a summer staple across Asia, but the same dessert has taken sharply different paths in South Korea, Japan and China. In South Korea, bingsu has become a luxury item, a social media prop and a marker of changing consumer habits. This summer, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is selling its Jeju apple mango bingsu for 149,000 won, the highest price among major Seoul hotels. The Shilla Seoul charges 130,000 won for its signature apple mango bingsu at its lounge bar The L
AJP Vids
Technology>
- Researchers discover natural substance capable of slowing down cancer cell growth
- KAIST unveils mid-to-long-term strategy for artificial intelligence talent
- South Korean researchers develop virtual simulator for AI servers
- Kookmin University selected to lead state-funded artificial intelligence material research hub
Entertainment
New boy band to hold debut showcase in Tokyo later this month
SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - A new boy band will make a debut, Starship Entertainment said on Tuesday. In partnership with Japanese entertainment agency Amuse, the seven-member rookie band, dubbed AEN, will consist of four Korean and three Japanese members: Bomin, Haru, Haruto, Jiyong, Junseo, Kaira, and Kyuhyun. Their name stands for "a new era of now" and also carries the meaning of "eternity" in Japanese. Six members excluding Haruto, previously appeared on Sta
