news highlight

• 
  N. Korea calls UN human rights report fabrication SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - North Korea rejected the United Nations' latest report on its human rights record on Saturday. It also warned that it would not tolerate the same treatment under the next secretary-general. The report was submitted by Secretary-General António Guterres to the 81st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and released Friday. It found that human rights conditions in North Korea had continued to worsen, and that authorities had expande October 3, 2026
• 
  Suwon pays homage to King Jeongjo in Hwaseong festival  SUWON, South Korea, September 29 (AJP) — Nightfall turned the gates and courtyards of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace into a stage Tuesday as performers offered a preview of the 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of Korea’s Joseon dynasty, reigned from 1776 to 1800 and under his watch, Joseon enjoyed a renaissance. Remembered for his efforts to strengthen royal authority and promote scholarship, he commissioned Suwon Hwaseong F October 3, 2026
• 
  Prime Minister Han pledges inclusive 'AI Basic Society' SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - South Korea's prime minister pledged Saturday to build what the government calls an "AI Basic Society," presenting the country's rapid adoption of artificial intelligence as a modern way to honor the ideal on which the nation was founded. The government has put money behind that goal. The Ministry of Science and ICT has proposed spending 9.4 trillion won ($6.96 billion) on AI next year, up 84.3 percent from 2026, as part of a record 29.6 October 3, 2026
• 
  N. Korea fires missile after Seoul demands DMZ mine apology SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea on Saturday. The launch came three days after South Korea demanded an apology for a land mine blast that injured three of its soldiers inside the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the missile at around 6:30 a.m. after it was launched from the Wonsan area on the North's east coast. Military authorities were still analyzing its range and specifi October 3, 2026
• 
  Trump threatens to double Korea's bill over Alaska LNG holdout SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - South Korea's bill will double unless it agrees soon to fund a natural gas project in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Friday (local time). The threat came two days after he announced a Korean commitment that Seoul says it never made. Seoul's position is that neither the decision to invest nor the amount has been settled. The Alaska project would come out of the $350 billion investment package South Korea pledged last year in return for October 3, 2026
• 
  Tom Cruise attends red carpet ahead of 'Digger' release Actor Tom Cruise greets fans at a red carpet event for the film 'Digger' held at Times Square Atrium in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, October 2, 2026. October 2, 2026
• 
  Tom Cruise attends red carpet ahead of 'Digger' release Actor Tom Cruise greets fans at a red carpet event for the film 'Digger' held at Times Square Atrium in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, October 2, 2026. October 2, 2026
• 
  Tom Cruise attends red carpet ahead of 'Digger' release Actor Tom Cruise greets fans at a red carpet event for the film 'Digger' held at Times Square Atrium in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, October 2, 2026. October 2, 2026
• 
  Red bull high-wire performance held in Seoul Estonian Red Bull slackline athlete Jaan Roose performs the 'Red Bull Seoul Highline' walk roughly 120 meters above Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul, October 1, 2026. October 2, 2026