Bitter divide over history marks Korea's Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 15 (AJU PRESS) - Descendants of independence fighters and opposition lawmakers boycotted the government’s Liberation Day ceremony Thursday, protesting the appointment of a new head of the National Independence Museum. The Heritage of Korean Independence, a state-funded group of independence fighters’ descendants, led the protest. They accused Kim Hyoung-suk, the newly appointed museum president, of holding pro-Japanese views and threatening to distort Ko

August 15, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol outlines unification strategy during Liberation Day speech

SEOUL, August 15 (AJU PRESS) - At the 79th Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a three-stage strategy for Korean unification, highlighting the need for a unified Korean Peninsula founded on freedom and democracy. His speech comes amid rising tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang, following the rapid deterioration of inter-Korean relations since Yoon assumed office in 2022. The Yoon administ

August 15, 2024

Korea's first military spy satellite approved for full-fledged operation

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea's first indigenous military reconnaissance satellite has received approval for operation from the Ministry of National Defense, the state arms procurement agency said on Wednesday. The spy satellite, launched in December 2023, has passed a series of operational evaluation tests in space and will begin full-fledged operations, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). This satellite is a key asset for the Kil

August 14, 2024

PHOTOS: Seodaemun Prison echoes Korea's path to liberation

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - On August 15th, South Korea celebrates Liberation Day, marking the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, built in 1908, during the Japanese occupation (1910~1945), once held numerous Korean independence activists. Today, it stands as a museum and memorial, its cells and exhibition halls telling stories of resistance and resilience. The prison serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for Korea's independence and the va

August 14, 2024

Century-old Dilkusha House overlooks Seoul as Korea celebrates Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - High on a hill in Jongno District, overlooking central Seoul, stands Dilkusha, a two-story Western-style brick house with a storied past. Over the past century, this house -- whose name means "Heart's Delight" in Persian -- has been called many names, including the "Western people's home," the "red brick house," and the "ghost house." Throughout its existence, Dilkusha has borne witness to Korea's libe

August 14, 2024

Moody's upgrades SK hynix's credit outlook

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - International credit rating agency Moody's on Wednesday upgraded SK hynix's outlook from 'Negative' to 'Stable' while maintaining its 'Baa2' corporate credit rating. The agency cited significant improvements in the Korean chipmaker's earnings and cash flow, driven by rising memory prices and the company's competitive edge in AI chip technologies. Moody's expects the positive trend to continue over the next 1

August 14, 2024

Scholars begin one-person protest to demand Hangeul signage at Gwanghwamun

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - In commemoration of Liberation Day which falls on Thursday, the Korean Language Society has started a one-person rally at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, starting with its chairman Kim Ju-won since Monday. The rally, which continues through the week, is part of the society's efforts to replace the current signage at Gwanghwamun Gate, which is written in Chinese characters, with the Korean alphabet. Lee Dae-ro, an activist promoting Han

August 14, 2024

Korean battery makers may benefit as EV manufacturers disclose supplier information

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - The Korean government's recommendation for electric vehicle manufacturers to disclose their battery suppliers, following a recent fire incident, is expected to strengthen the position of Korea's top three battery makers, experts said Wednesday. The Korean government announced the measure on Tuesday in response to growing demand for transparency regarding EV batteries, following the August 1 fire in Incheon involving a Mercedes-Benz EV. Th

August 14, 2024

BTS' 'Spring Day' garners 1 billion streams on Melon

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - BTS' hit song "Spring Day" has garnered 1 billion views on Melon, Korea's largest online music streaming site, the seven-member boy band's agency Big Hit Music said on Tuesday. Released in February 2017, the song carries a message of hope while waiting to reunite with a distant friend. The lyrics are known to be based on the autobiographical stories of members RM and Suga. The song was an instant hit at the time of its

August 14, 2024

PHOTOS: Korean flags fly nationwide to mark Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - Korean national flags are displayed at government buildings, homes, and along streets nationwide on Aug. 15 to commemorate Liberation Day. Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule on Aug. 15, 1945, with the end of World War II.

August 14, 2024