PHOTOS: Tourism pop-up store opens for southeastern regions

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Gyeongnam Tourism Organization opened "A Travel to the Southern Store," a joint tourism pop-up store featuring products from Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province, at Hikr Ground in Seoul on Tuesday. The store, running until Dec. 8, will showcase about 270 products from 80 companies across the three regions. The exhibition at Korea Tourism Organization's Seoul center aims to promote regional tourism startups and their products through various even

November 5, 2024

PHOTOS: Gyeongbuk Apple Festival opens in Seoul

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - The Gyeongbuk Apple Festival opened Monday at Seoul Plaza, offering visitors a chance to taste and purchase apples from 14 cities and counties of North Gyeongsang Province. The three-day event, now in its 19th year, runs through Nov. 6 under the theme "I Love Children, I Love Gyeongbuk Apples," showcasing the region's premium apple products to urban consumers. The event is organized by the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Neunggeum Agricultural Cooperative Associati

November 5, 2024

Hyundai E&C signs Bulgaria nuclear plant design contract

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) – Hyundai Engineering & Construction signed a 20 trillion won (US$14.5 billion) contract on Monday to design two nuclear reactors in Bulgaria, partnering with U.S.-based Westinghouse. The project will add two 2,200-megawatt Westinghouse AP1000 reactors to Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear plant located 200 kilometers north of Sofia. The plant currently operates two Russian-designed units. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2035, with the m

November 5, 2024

'10,000 North Korean troops in Russia,' South Korean Defense Ministry says

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - About 10,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with a considerable number of them moving to frontline areas, the Ministry of National Defense here said on Tuesday. "Approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia, and a considerable number of them have moved to frontlines including Kursk," said a ministry spokesperson during a press briefing. The remarks came just several hours after a similar statement from t

November 5, 2024

Myanmar's junta chief to make first China visit since 2021 coup

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will visit China for the first time since seizing power in a 2021 coup, attending the Mekong Summit in Kunming on Nov 6-7, according to AFP on Monday. The visit comes as Myanmar's military faces increasing pressure from rebel forces, with China recently closing its borders with rebel-held territories and encouraging dialogue between some armed groups and the junta. During the visit, Min Aung Hlaing will meet with officials

November 5, 2024

OPINION: How does electoral college voting system work in US election?

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - On Nov. 5, millions of Americans will cast their votes for president, with the vast majority deciding between Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump. This historic election, however, is not determined by a singular national poll, but rather a state-by-state contest. Many people outside the US, and some inside, do not understand how this complicated system works. Here are five things to know about the electoral college system: 1. It's not o

November 5, 2024

At least 36 passengers die in bus crash in Indian Himalayas

SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - At least 36 people were killed when a bus plunged down a ravine in the northern Himalayan region of India. According to news reports, the bus, carrying about 60 passengers, rolled down a 200-meter-deep ravine around 8:25 a.m. on Monday in the Almora district. The bus, which has a capacity of 43 passengers, was reportedly overloaded.

November 5, 2024

Japan, China officials hold talks to pave way for leaders' summit

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Japan's National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba met with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday to lay groundwork for a potential meeting between their leaders later this month. During the 4 1/2 hours of talks in Beijing, they also discussed key bilateral issues including China's restrictions on Japanese seafood imports and security measures for Japanese citizens in China following recent attacks. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru

November 5, 2024

OPINION: Massachusetts could be next state to get rid of 'subminimum wage' for tipped workers

SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has stood at US$2.13 an hour since 1991. Back then, it amounted to half the $4.25 regular minimum wage. But Congress has failed to increase the tipped minimum while periodically raising the regular wage floor. Today, the tipped rate is less than one-third of the $7.25 federal full minimum wage. As of Oct. 2024, 30 states and Washington, D.C., had instituted their own, higher, regular minimum wages. The number of

November 5, 2024

Japan's H3 rocket takes military satellite into orbit

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Japan successfully launched its new flagship H3 rocket carrying a military communications satellite, marking the third straight success for the spacecraft after its failed debut last year. The rocket, jointly developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the nation's leading heavy machinery maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture on Monday to deliver a Defense Ministry satelli

November 5, 2024