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

Police to step up protection for presidential candidates amid rise in political threats

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Korean police are preparing to strengthen security around presidential candidates ahead of the June 3 election, responding to a sharp rise in threats and politically motivated incidents following the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Authorities say they are reviewing plans to increase the number of officers assigned to each candidate’s security detail, noting that recent months have seen an unusual spike in extreme acts such as ars

April 14, 2025

BYD begins deliveries of Atto 3 electric cars in South Korea

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - BYD Korea has commenced customer deliveries of its compact electric SUV, the Atto 3, marking the brand's formal entry into South Korea's EV market, the company announced Monday. Originally launched on Jan. 16, deliveries of the Atto 3 had been delayed pending completion of a government subsidy evaluation by the Ministry of Environment. That review concluded in early April, clearing the way for sales to begin in earnest. The Atto 3 is available in

April 14, 2025

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo declares presidential bid

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Hong Joon-pyo, former Daegu mayor and veteran politician on Monday declared his candidacy for South Korea's upcoming presidential election, becoming the latest candidate from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Vowing sweeping reforms as part of his presidential agenda, Hong said the June 3 election to fill a power vacuum following the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month will be "not about a change in leadershi

April 14, 2025

Namwon kicks off countdown to Chunhyang Festival with press day

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Namwon City hosted a press day and ambassador networking event on April 10 in Seoul to mark 20 days ahead of the opening of the 95th Namwon Chunhyang Festival, South Korea’s longest-running local cultural celebration. Held at Park Hall in the Peace & Park Convention Center in Yongsan-gu, the event brought together travel journalists, foreign correspondents, influencers, and cultural figures to preview this year’s expanded festival lineup and

April 14, 2025

Hyundai E&C shortlisted for nuclear projects in Finland, Slovenia

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced Monday that it has been shortlisted for nuclear power projects in Finland and Slovenia, marking a notable advance beyond its existing operations in Bulgaria. In Finland, a consortium led by Hyundai E&C and Westinghouse Electric Company of the United States was selected as one of three finalists for an Early Works Agreement (EWA) with Fortum, the state-owned Finnish energy firm. The agreement is part of Fo

April 14, 2025

India's ambassador joins lantern lighting in Seoul to mark Buddha's Birthday

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - India’s Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar and his spouse participated in a lantern lighting ceremony at Dongguk University in Seoul on Apr. 9 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Buddha. The event, organized by Dongguk University with the participation of the Embassy of India in the Republic of Korea, was attended by over 500 people and featured the lighting of 16,000 lanterns. “This celebration holds profound meaning for both India and K

April 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Exhibition of traditional Korean fans

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - An exhibition of traditional Korean fans has opened at the Kansong Art Museum in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The exhibition, which began on April 9, revisits a custom cherished by Koreans who exchanged calendars in winter and fans during the summer months. Beyond their practical function of offering respite from the heat, fans, particularly during the late Joseon Dynasty, evolved into a popular artistic medium. Calligraphy and intricate paintings adorned these objects, tr

April 14, 2025

US naval commander visits HJ shipyard

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Rear Admiral Neil Koprowski, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visited the Yeongdo shipyard of HJ Shipbuilding and Construction last week, the company said in a statement Monday. During the visit, Admiral Koprowski toured the Busan-based shipyard with his staff, inspecting ongoing naval vessel construction and facilities capable of large-scale maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. He was greeted by Yoo Sang-cheol, the shipbuilder’s chi

April 14, 2025