China retrieves over 50 cultural relics from Italy

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - China's National Cultural Heritage Administration said it retrieved 56 cultural relics from Italy over the weekend. This return marks another success in cooperation between China and Italy under their bilateral agreement aimed at preventing illegal trade in cultural relics. In October 2022 and April 2024, the Italian Carabinieri military police informed China of the discovery of 56 suspected Chinese relics. After reviewing the findings, China's

November 11, 2024

OPINION: Why German government collapsed and what to expect now

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has sacked his finance minister Christian Lindner escalating a long conflict in the German government and ultimately causing the fragile coalition between Social Democrats, Greens, and the Free Democratic Party to collapse. For once, Scholz, often mocked as a robotic speaker without emotion, appeared to be angry – even resentful. In a speech, Scholz blamed Lindner for the government's collapse, and portrayed hi

November 11, 2024

Putin signs mutual defense pact with North Korea into law

SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law ratifying a treaty that pledges mutual military support between Russia and North Korea. Initially signed during his visit to Pyongyang in June, Putin submitted the treaty to the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament last month. It was subsequently approved by the Federation Council, the upper house. The military pact commits the two countries to come to each other's aid in th

November 10, 2024

PHOTOS: China offers visa-free entry to South Korea

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - China will allow visitors from South Korea and eight other countries to enter without visas for up to 15 days, starting Friday and lasting until the end of the year. This marks the first time Beijing has included Seoul in such an arrangement. The temporary program applies to ordinary passport holders from South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia, Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein, traveling for business, tourism, family visits or transit. Those seekin

November 8, 2024

PHOTOS: 'Firefighters' revisits devastating Seoul arson attack

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The cast and crew held a press conference on Friday for the upcoming movie “The Firefighters,” which tells the story of a devastating arson case that shook the nation more than two decades ago. Directed by Kwak Gyeong-taek, the film dramatizes a 2001 residential building fire in Seoul, following a rookie firefighter, played by Joo Won, and his rescue team captain, portrayed by veteran actor Yoo Jae-myung. It opens on Dec. 4. The event was held at CGV Y

November 8, 2024

INTERVIEW: As pet culture evolves, a startup reshapes animal funeral care

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - At Four Paws Hwaseong, rows of small cabinets display photos capturing cherished moments of deceased pets. These once-beloved family members now rest peacefully, surrounded by flowers, toys, snacks and mementos from their lives. Through dignified funerals conducted by professional morticians, Petdoc seeks to support pets throughout their lifetimes, even beyond death, in a manner similar to human services. Founded in late 2016, the company launched its fl

November 8, 2024

Ex-pollster with ties to first couple grilled by prosecutors

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Myeong Tae-kyun, the enigmatic figure at the heart of a widening political scandal engulfing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, appeared before prosecutors on Friday. The 54-year-old former pollster arrived at the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, where he is expected to face questioning regarding his relationships with the first couple. Expressing remorse for his past actions, Myeong stated, "I feel sorry to the peop

November 8, 2024

K-pop band with hearing impairment to showcase AI-powered music at int'l event

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Big Ocean, a Korean boy band whose members have hearing impairments, has been invited to showcase how artificial intelligence can transform lives through music at a major international AI event in Geneva next year. The three-member group, which uses AI-powered voice conversion technology to produce its songs, will perform at the AI for Good Global Summit in July 2025. The meeting, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, brings together AI

November 8, 2024

French, Canadian envoys mark end of WWI with warning on global tensions

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The French and Canadian embassies in Seoul marked the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I (1914- 1918) Friday reflecting on lessons from the Great War for today’s global hostilities. The solemn commemoration at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul drew dozens of attendees, including diplomats, military officials and members of the French and Canadian communities in South Korea. The event included a poetry reading by high school students, a m

November 8, 2024

Delhi turns to artificial rain to combat hazardous air pollution

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Delhi has requested approval from India's central government for an artificial rain plan to alleviate severe air pollution as air quality reaches hazardous levels in India's capital region. Air quality index readings exceeded 400 at 39 monitoring stations across Delhi Tuesday, indicating a dangerous condition even for healthy people. Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday urged the central government to approve its proposal to use artificial

November 8, 2024