OPINION: What to expect on US election day. History could be made, or we're in for long wait

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - As Americans vote in one of the most important presidential elections in generations, the country teeters on a knife edge. In the battleground states that will likely decide the result, the polling margins between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are razor thin. These tiny margins, and the general confusion around American politics today, make it impossible to predict the outcome. The polls might well be wrong: the electorate may have s

November 6, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul hosts Small Business Day celebration

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - The 2024 Small Business Day celebration was held Tuesday at Gwanghwamun Square under the theme "Together with Small Business Owners, Vibrant Tomorrow." The event, co-organized by Seoul City, the Seoul Federation of Small Business and the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, featured 48 small business vendors selling various products from fashion items to food products.

November 6, 2024

Indonesia's GDP growth slips below 5% for first time in a year

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Indonesia's economic growth fell to 4.95 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, dropping below 5 percent for the first time since the third quarter of 2022, the statistics bureau (BPS) reported on Tuesday. The slowdown was primarily driven by weak household consumption, which accounts for half of GDP, growing only 4.91 percent due to sluggish clothing and footwear sales. Manufacturing production increased by 4.72 percent, while major apparel

November 6, 2024

INTERVIEW: AI startup creates interactive memorial avatars

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - A single photo and a brief voice recording are all it takes for DeepBrain AI to create lifelike avatars of deceased loved ones. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the Korean start-up allows families to reconnect with their departed through a virtual, interactive memorial service called Re;memory. The company launched it in 2022, initially involving the creation of digital replicas of individuals to preserve their legacies. "We began Re;memory 1

November 5, 2024

Forum discusses reunification challenges between two Koreas amid growing tensions

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - An inaugural forum brought together dozens of experts and hundreds of participants in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province last week. Hosted by the Ajou Institute of Unification in cooperation with the provincial government, the forum discussed peace and security on the Korean Peninsula while raising awareness of reunification between the two Koreas. "Despite challenges posed by the North's provocations including repeated missile launches, the province ai

November 5, 2024

South Korea's tradition of making fermented sauces slated for UNESCO listing

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - South Korea's tradition of making fermented sauces or "jang" is highly likely to be added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO said Tuesday that "knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to jang-making" in South Korea have been selected for "inscription" by its consultive body, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The country's seasonal

November 5, 2024

Israel suspends agreement allowing UN agency to provide aid in Gaza

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Israel said on Monday it has ended its agreement allowing the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main aid provider in Gaza, to operate within its territory, in line with recent legislation to sever ties with the agency. Israel claims that UNRWA has connections to Hamas, an accusation the agency denies, affirming its commitment to neutrality. Additionally, Israel confirmed its forces conducted a ground raid in Syria on Sunday, targeting a Syrian nati

November 5, 2024

Korea fines Meta $15.6 million for privacy breach

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - U.S. social media giant Meta Platforms has been fined 21.6 billion won (US$15.6 million) for collecting sensitive personal information of about 980,000 Facebook users without consent, the South Korean cyber watchdog said on Tuesday. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) found that Meta had gathered and shared data on users' religious beliefs, political views and sexual orientation with around 4,000 advertisers. The data was collected

November 5, 2024

South Korea to acquire more early warning aircraft from US

South Korea's E-7 aircraft flies in the sky, in this file photo taken in September 2011. Courtesy of the South Korean Air Force. SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - South Korea will procure airborne early earning aircraft and other related equipment from the U.S. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Monday that the U.S. State Department has approved the sale of four E-7 airborne early warning & control aircraft along with relevant logistics and program support to Korea.

November 5, 2024

Prayer meeting to take place in southern India for Kamala Harris' victory

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - A special prayer meeting will take place in a village in southern India for Kamala Harris, the Democratic Vice President and U.S. presidential candidate. According to news reports, the prayer meeting will be held in Thulasendrapuram village in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday to wish for Harris's victory, where her maternal ancestors once lived. The residents plan to hold the prayer meeting at a Hindu temple in the village. The temple in the village displa

November 5, 2024