Yoon's close aide elected ruling party's new floor leader amid martial law aftermath

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Five-term lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was elected the ruling People Power Party (PPP)'s new floor leader on Thursday. Kweon secured a majority with 72 out of 106 votes, defeating four-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho who garnered 34 votes. He vowed, "I will swiftly streamline the party, prepare for the possibly upcoming presidential election, and then step down." A close aide of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kweon replaces Choo Kyung-ho, who resigned

December 12, 2024

Suspicions deepen over aborted martial law

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly conspired with several top military brass and other key officials, days or weeks before his abrupt declaration of martial law last week, with a trail of evidence suggesting a thickening plot behind it. Prosecutors on Thursday summoned Yeo In-hyeong, the chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, for questioning. Yeo, who allegedly assisted in Yoon's botched plan, was interrogated earlier this week and called in

December 12, 2024

Korea seeks measures to ensure smooth transition away from coal power

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea is accelerating its transition away from coal power, aiming to shut down 40 coal power plants by 2038 as part of its ambitious carbon neutrality goals. The move, while essential for environmental sustainability, is expected to have significant economic and social implications for regions heavily reliant on the coal industry. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy outlined its revised plan in 2024, reaffirming the closure of 28 coal powe

December 12, 2024

Cho Kuk sentenced two years in prison

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Cho Kuk, the leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court on Thursday. Cho was convicted on charges of forging his children's credentials for university admissions, obstructing prosecutors' investigation while serving as a presidential aide during the Moon Jae-in administration, and other offenses. With the ruling, the former Justice Minister lost his parliamentary seat and is e

December 12, 2024

K-pop becomes protest anthem in rallies against Yoon

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - K-pop songs have emerged as the new soundtrack of protest in South Korea since President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration, with their stimulating tempo, dynamic beats and catchy hooks energizing young participants at rallies. Girls' Generation's 2007 debut song "Into the New World" has become a rallying cry at candlelight protests across Seoul, where demonstrators are calling for Yoon's resignation and impeachment.

December 12, 2024

Global experts to discuss AI's impact on communication in Istanbul

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - A global forum focusing on the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in communication is set to kick off in Istanbul on Friday. Organized by Türkiye's Directorate of Communications, the International Strategic Communication Forum, also known as Stratcom Summit, will bring together government officials, academics, and industry leaders to discuss the latest AI trends, challenges, and transformative potential in communication. Over 3,000

December 12, 2024

Apple integrates ChatGPT into iPhone, marking major AI push

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Apple announced on Wednesday that it has integrated ChatGPT into its Siri voice assistant, expanding the AI capabilities of iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The feature, first unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, leverages the power of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model to provide more comprehensive and informative responses to complex queries. With this update, Siri can now access and process information from the real world through Apple&

December 12, 2024

AI companion robot 'Hyodol' showcased at conference

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Hyodol, a South Korean robot maker, showcased its artificial intelligence-powered companion robot at a recent smart welfare conference. The event, held at the Gungdong Community Welfare Center on Nov. 27, brought together about 60 people to discuss the future of technology-driven social services. Hyodol’s robot, also named Hyodol, leverages ChatGPT technology to engage in interactive conversations, fostering emotional connections and supporting cog

December 12, 2024

South Korea's petrochemical industry faces overhaul

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea's government is seeking sweeping measures to restructure its beleaguered petrochemical industry, which has been grappling with intense competition from China. The initiative, unveiled by Economy Minister Choi Sang-mok, aims to bolster the sector's competitiveness by easing regulations and providing financial incentives. The move comes as major domestic players like LG Chem, Lotte Chemical, and Hanwha Solution have reported significant l

December 12, 2024

Yoon defends aborted martial law decree, vows to fight to the end

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his aborted declaration of martial law last week as a legitimate exercise of his authority in governing state affairs and vowed to fight to the end, in a pre-recorded nationwide address at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul on Thursday. Yoon, who had holed up in his official residence in Hannam-dong after making a brief apology last Saturday, appeared to deliver the address to justify last Tuesday's debacle and r

December 12, 2024