Korea, China hold FTA talks on services, investment in Beijing

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea and China on Tuesday began a new round of negotiations aimed at expanding their bilateral free trade agreement, with a particular focus on the services and investment sectors. The four-day discussions, which will run through Friday, are taking place in Beijing and involve approximately 40 government officials. The South Korean delegation is led by Kwon Hye-jin, the country’s chief trade negotiator, while Lin Feng, director-general of Chin

April 15, 2025

North Korea urges loyalty to leader on regime founder's birthday

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday called for greater loyalty to its leader Kim Jong-un as it marked the birthday of his grandfather and regime founder, Kim Il-sung. In its editorial in celebration of the 113th anniversary of Kim senior's birth, the state-run Rodong Sinmun praised his legacy of "juche (self-reliance) ideology," claiming it continues to evolve under Kim junior's leadership into "scientific implementation doctrines." The news

April 15, 2025

PHOTOS: Cherry blossoms at Seoul's Seokchon Lake

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - A frothy canopy of pale pink and white has enveloped the walking paths encircling Seokchon Lake, transforming the popular Jamsil district into a springtime idyll. The full bloom of cherry blossoms has arrived, casting a delicate beauty over the waters and drawing throngs of visitors to the renowned scenic spot.

April 15, 2025

PHOTOS: Tug-of-war ritual in Dangjin seeks unity, blessings

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - From April 10 to 13, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province reverberated with the rhythmic chants and straining muscles of thousands gathered for the annual Gijisi tug-of-war festival, a vibrant tradition that transcends mere sport. Designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015, the Gijisi tug-of-war is deeply rooted in agricultural ritual, a communal prayer for a bountiful harvest and protection against calamities. The scale of the Gijisi eve

April 15, 2025

Trump signals possible tariff exemption for auto parts

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is considering temporary exemptions to tariffs on imported auto parts, citing the need to give American automakers more time to shift supply chains and ramp up domestic production. Speaking alongside President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador during a bilateral meeting at the White House, Trump said his administration is exploring ways to ease pressure on the U.S. auto industry as it adapts to sweeping trade measu

April 15, 2025

Tom Cruise to return to Seoul next month to promote final installment of 'Mission: Impossible'

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Hollywood star Tom Cruise will visit Seoul next month to promote his latest "Mission: Impossible" series with other cast members accompanying him. "I am so excited to share that I'll be returning to Seoul with the cast of 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning' in May," he said in a video message earlier this week. "I look forward to seeing you all very, very soon." His upcoming visit will be his 12th trip to the

April 15, 2025

City data shows aging sewer infrastructure linked to sinkholes and ground settlements

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Seoul’s aging underground infrastructure is drawing attention after newly released data linked deteriorating sewer systems to a series of sinkholes and ground settlement incidents across the city. According to figures submitted to Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Jin Sun-mi, 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles), roughly 30.4 percent, of Seoul’s total 10,866 kilometers of sewer lines had been in use for over 50 years as of December 2023. The data, provid

April 15, 2025

South Korea on US 'sensitive' countries list despite last-ditch efforts to avoid inclusion

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea's inclusion on the U.S.' list of "sensitive" countries goes into effect on Tuesday, despite Seoul's efforts to halt the move. Such a classification by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) could restrict bilateral cooperation in scientific and advanced technologies, as new procedural requirements are likely to cause unavoidable disruptions. Once it takes effect, researchers from the listed country will be required to submit

April 15, 2025

S. Korea prepares for high-stakes tariff talks with US

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea is preparing for a critical round of trade negotiations with the United States next week, as Seoul seeks to mitigate the fallout from a sweeping tariff policy introduced by the Trump administration. The talks come amid heightened tensions after President Donald Trump earlier this month announced steep "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of trading partners, including South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The administration has since paused impleme

April 15, 2025

OPINION: How to assess the candidates who want to be our next president?

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - With the country facing an unexpected presidential election on June 3, after several months of political turmoil, we need to ask ourselves what we want of the next national leader and what qualities he needs to possess. There are three aspects to this question and, while voters may place their emphasis on one rather than on the other two, all three are important. The first concerns the ability of the leader to command respect on the Korean political stage

April 15, 2025