Korean instant noodle exports hit record high in February

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s instant noodle exports surged to a record monthly high of $121.15 million in February, a 30.4 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Korea Customs Service. Total exports for the first two months of the year reached $228.64 million, up 28 percent year-on-year, with export volume rising 30.2 percent to 57,190 tons. The figures highlight the growing global appetite for Korean instant noodl

March 12, 2025

Soaring debt, housing slump threaten Korean construction industry

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Anxiety is mounting among small and mid-sized construction firms in South Korea as a wave of bankruptcies sweeps through the industry. At least seven companies, including Shindonga Construction and Sambu Construction, have filed for court receivership this year, underscoring the financial distress gripping the sector. According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 109 construction firms shut down by February 28 this year &mdas

March 12, 2025

INTERVIEW: Czech envoy highlights growing partnership between Czechia and South Korea

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Ivan Jančárek, the Ambassador of Czechia to South Korea, underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. As they celebrate 35 years of diplomatic ties and a decade of strategic partnership, he highlighted key areas for further collaboration. "There is great potential for cooperation in trade, technology, and infrastructure," he said, pointing to the increasing opportunities for South Korean investment in Czechia&rsq

March 12, 2025

Mugshot of teacher accused in brutal stabbing of young girl unveiled

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The identity and personal details of a 48-year-old teacher accused of fatally stabbing a young girl last month were unveiled on Wednesday. Police in Daejeon said they decided to disclose the mugshot of Myung Jae-wan online for about a month after reviewing the case the previous day, given the heinous nature of the crime. Under South Korean law, police can disclose personal information only when there is clear evidence linking a suspect to a crime or if the

March 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Arrival of spring

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The warmth of spring has arrived, bringing life to rural fields and urban parks. Here's a glimpse of how people are celebrating the season.

March 12, 2025

US steel, aluminum tariffs take effect; South Korea's exemption quota scrapped

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The Trump administration’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports took effect on Wednesday, marking the first sweeping trade measure imposed on all U.S. trading partners since the president’s return to office in January. The tariffs, enacted through executive order last month, apply a uniform 25 percent duty on all imported steel and aluminum products, encompassing 253 derivative items. The policy eliminates South Korea’s previo

March 12, 2025

US bill targeting Chinese batteries may open opportunities for Korean firms

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved the "Reducing Dependency on Foreign Adversary Batteries Act," marking a significant shift in U.S. policy by establishing the first non-tariff barrier against Chinese battery manufacturers. The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, would prohibit the use of batteries from six leading Chinese companies in projects involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or funded by the agency.

March 12, 2025

Trump's escalating tariff policy raises global recession concerns

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Concerns over a potential global recession triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war have intensified in recent days as his escalating trade policies threaten global economic stability. Last week, the president imposed a 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada while doubling levies on Chinese goods to 20 percent — only to announce two days later that he would delay some of those increases until April 2. A 25 percent tariff on

March 12, 2025

Ex-ambassador to Thailand tapped as US point man in East Asia

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - A former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand has been nominated as a candidate for the post of assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday on his social media platform Truth Social that he has picked Michael DeSombre for the role. "I am pleased to announce that Ambassador Michael George DeSombre will be nominated as the next United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific

March 12, 2025

Launch of South Korea-US joint space telescope scrubbed minutes before liftoff

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - The launch of a space telescope co-developed by South Korea and the U.S. was postponed once again on Monday. According to the Korea Aerospace Administration (KAA), the planned launch of SPHEREx from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California was called off about 40 minutes before its liftoff at noon due to bad weather. Unless unexpected changes get in the way, another attempt is set to take place at noon the following day, weather permitting. But it look

March 11, 2025