Trump picks pro-Israel hardliner as US envoy

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Mike Huckabee, the former Republican governor of Arkansas, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has said that he intends to carry out Trump's policies rather than set his own, but he hinted at a likely continuation of pro-Israel policies similar to those seen in Trump's previous administration. These include the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognition of the Golan Heigh

November 15, 2024

Samsung SDI clinches four CES awards

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - South Korean battery manufacturer Samsung SDI Co. announced on Friday that it has secured four Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 Innovation Awards in the company's first apply. Samsung SDI's winning entries include the PRiMX battery series for electric vehicles (EV) featuring high-nickel cathode technology, a wireless-enabled battery module, an energy storage system with thermal diffusion prevention, and a high-power cylindrical battery for prof

November 15, 2024

Hyundai Motor names first foreign CEO

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Co. appointed Jose Munoz as its new chief executive officer on Friday, marking the first time a foreign national has led South Korea's largest automaker since its establishment in 1967. Munoz, who joined Hyundai in 2019 as president of the North American operations, has been serving as the Global Chief Operating Officer. The Spanish-born executive's term will begin at the start of next year. He will succeed Chang Jae-hoon, who has

November 15, 2024

Korean firms face increased pressure from U.S. policy shifts

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - South Korean industries are growing increasingly anxious as U.S. policies, including the potential abolition of EV subsidies and re-designation of Korea as a currency manipulation watchlist country, threaten to intensify economic and trade pressures. The U.S. Department of the Treasury added seven countries -- China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Germany -- to its semiannual list of currency manipulators under observation on Thursday, signal

November 15, 2024

Japan, Britain to hold economic talks amid Trump trade concerns

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Japan and Britain are to hold ministerial talks on economic security ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House. The initiative will bring together foreign and economic ministers from both countries, political sources said on Thursday. The discussions are expected to commence following next week's G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro where Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to meet. The prop

November 15, 2024

Thailand's baby hippo 'Moo Deng' boosts zoo visitors fourfold, drives regional tourism

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Daily visitors to Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province have quadrupled to 12,000 from 3,000, with a record 14,000 visitors on Oct. 13 and 300,000 for the month, the Bangkok Post reported on Thursday. Chonburi Governor Thawatchai Srithong said tourism revenue in the province reached 27 billion baht ($770 million) between July and October, a 4 percent increase from the same period last year, crediting the baby pygmy hippopotamus born in Ju

November 15, 2024

Guangzhou records longest summer since 1961  

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Guangzhou reached an average temperature of 23.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, setting a record of 235 summer days since the start of meteorological records in 1961. The figure surpassed the previous record of 234 summer days in 1994, according to the city's meteorological bureau. The city in south China officially entered summer on March 23 this year, based on relevant standards. Ai Hui, a senior engineer at the city's climate and agricultural

November 15, 2024

Railway passengers in China reach record 3.71 billion in first 10 months of this year

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - China saw 3.71 billion railway passengers travel during the first 10 months of this year, China State Railway Group said Thursday. While the figure marks a 13 percent increase compared to last year, passenger transport capacity also saw significant growth. The average of 10,555 passenger trains in operation each day represents a 9.3 percent increase from the previous year. Between January and October, the operator ran 1,599 tourist trains, which support

November 15, 2024

PHOTOS: Pop-up store for Netflix series 'Arcane' dazzles visitors

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - A pop-up store featuring Netflix series "Arcane" opened in southern Seoul last week, coinciding with the release of its second season. "Arcane" is an animated steampunk action series based on the lore and characters of multi-player online game "League of Legends." The spacious area measuring 366 square meters at Shinsegae Department Store provides visitors with an opportunity to play games, including "Wild Rift," the mobile

November 15, 2024

OPINION: Trump's pick of Marco Rubio for foreign policy might be hopeful sign for NATO

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Almost all of Donald Trump's nominees for critical positions within his presidential administration have been non-traditional. Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth was just named as Trump's possible defense secretary. Alongside Elon Musk, pharmaceutical company entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has been tapped to lead a newly named Department of Government Efficiency. With little background in border protection, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem has been nom

November 15, 2024