Russia deepens ties with North Korea as trade officials arrive for talks

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Russian officials arrived in North Korea for talks, the isolated country's state media reported on Wednesday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a Russian delegation led by Roman Chekushov, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, met with North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun and other officials to discuss expanding economic cooperation. Their meeting is the latest development in the rapidly strengthening military and economic ties between th

August 28, 2024

Czech PM's envoy to visit Korea to discuss cooperation over nuclear reactor deal

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - A special envoy from the Czech Republic is scheduled to visit Korea next week to discuss economic cooperation, signaling potential progress in negotiations for a nuclear power plant contract worth about 24 trillion won ($18 billion), industry sources said Wednesday. The envoy, representing Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, will be in Korea from Sept. 3 to 6. The Czech government is reportedly keen to discuss comprehensive industrial cooperation that Korea has

August 28, 2024

Samsung SDI, GM sign deal for U.S. battery joint venture

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Samsung SDI, a Korean battery maker, and General Motors have signed a formal agreement to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle battery production in the U.S., the companies announced Wednesday. The venture will invest about $3.5 billion to build a battery cell manufacturing plant in New Carlisle, Indiana, with an initial annual production capacity of 27 gigawatt-hours. The plant is targeting mass production in 2027 and is expected to create ove

August 28, 2024

OPINION: French police have arrested founder of Telegram. What happens next could change course of big tech

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - French police have arrested the founder of Telegram. What happens next could change the course of big tech When Pavel Durov arrived in France on his private jet last Saturday, he was greeted by police who promptly arrested him. As the founder of the direct messaging platform Telegram, he was accused of facilitating the widespread crimes committed on it. The following day, a French judge extended Durov's initial period of detention, allowing police to

August 28, 2024

Foreign Ministry warns Korean religious group to evacuate from Israel amid escalating tensions

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Amid rising conflicts between Israel and militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Tuesday issued an urgent evacuation warning for a religious group of 180 Koreans currently in Israel. Israel is a key pilgrimage destination for Korean Christians, who visit holy sites such as Jerusalem, believed to be the location of Jesus' crucifixion and tomb, and Bethlehem, regarded as His birthplace. The country attracts around t

August 27, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul mayor, ruling party discuss excluding Filipino domestic workers from minimum wage rule

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Na Kyung-won, a ruling People Power Party lawmaker, jointly hosted a policy seminar at the National Assembly on Tuesday to discuss a proposal to exclude Filipino domestic workers from the minimum wage rule.

August 27, 2024

South Korea to increase financial aid for North Korean defectors

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - South Korea will boost financial assistance for North Korean defectors, as part of its budget plans for next year. The Unification Ministry said Tuesday that its proposed budget stands at 1.55 trillion Korean won (US$1.17 billion), down 3.7 percent from this year. However, the proposal includes a 50-percent increase in the initial lump-sum payment given to North Korean defectors to help them settle and adapt to their new life in South Korea. The proposal,

August 27, 2024

Jeju's popularity wanes among Korean travelers: survey

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Once a top destination for those seeking scenic beauty, gourmet food, and outdoor activities, the southern resort island of Jeju is losing its luster among Korean vacationers, according to a survey released Tuesday. Jeju, a favorite getaway for decades due to its proximity to Seoul and reputation as a tranquil retreat, is now struggling to maintain its allure. Rising costs have made it more expensive to visit Jeju than destinations in Southeast Asia, like Vi

August 27, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul fair showcases diverse holiday gifts

SEOUL, August 27 (AJU PRESS) - The 2024 Festive Gift Fair is being held at COEX in Seoul this week to showcasing new trends in the holiday gift industry, facilitate information exchange and stimulate distribution. Running from Monday to Thursday, various exhibition halls display a wide range of holiday gifts, including policy promotion items, household goods, traditional products, liquor, food and beverages, agricultural and fishery products, and health items. Participating exhibitors offe

August 27, 2024

Korea swiftly secures COVID-19 treatments amid rising cases

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, Korea has swiftly secured some 177,000 doses of treatments, according to health authorities. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said earlier this week that shipments totaling 262,000 doses have been arriving in phases since mid-August, with approximately 5,000 doses being administered daily. The number of COVID-19 cases has surged recently, increasing from 226 in the thir

August 27, 2024