OPINION: Moldova votes on whether to join EU as Russia intensifies vast disinformation campaign

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Moldova is emerging as a major strategic battleground in a fierce competition between Russia and the west. A Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign has intensified over the last few months, in the run-up to Moldova's presidential elections. One of the key reasons for this is that a referendum on EU membership has been scheduled for the same day, Oct. 20. The challenges for this small country, wedged between Ukraine and Romania, are complex. Russia co

October 16, 2024

Lee Kuan Yew's house faces demolition debate as family dispute resurfaces

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The former residence of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, is once again at the center of a debate over preservation versus demolition. Lee Hsien Yang, the late prime minister's younger son, announced on Tuesday via Facebook his intention to apply for demolition permits. "It is my duty to carry out my father's wishes within the limits of the law," he wrote. The house at 38 Oxley Road, built in the late 1890s and occupied

October 16, 2024

Japan kicks off election campaign amid ruling party scandal

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Japan has begun an official campaign for the Oct. 27 general election as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to secure a fresh mandate amidst a slush fund scandal plaguing his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The 12-day campaign period began on Tuesday for the election in which 1,344 candidates compete for 465 seats in the House of Representatives. The LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, aim to maintain their majority, while the opposition Constitutio

October 16, 2024

Philippines accuses China of deliberate collision in South China sea dispute

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) accused a Chinese maritime militia vessel of deliberately ramming one of its two patrol boats near Thitu Island in the South China Sea on Sept. 11, news reports said Tuesday. The collision damaged the starboard bow of the Philippine vessel, but it was able to maintain its position and continue its mission. This incident occurred just three days after China reportedly used water cannons again

October 16, 2024

Hyosung chairman pledges massive investment in Viet Nam

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Cho Hyun-joon, the chairman of South Korean conglomerate Hyosung Group, has pledged massive investment in Viet Nam during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, the group said on Tuesday. Cho visited Prime Minister Pham the previous day to discuss future business cooperation. "I agree with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's statement during his visit to Korea that for the next 30 years, cooperation between Korea and Vie

October 15, 2024

Tensions grow as North Korea blows up parts of inter-Korean roads

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Tensions are growing after North Korea blew up parts of the inter-Korean roads along the border on Tuesday. The explosion came just a week after the renegade country threatened to sever all inter-Korean roads and railways. "North Korea blew up portions of the inter-Korean roads north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on the Gyeongui and Donghae lines around noon," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "The South Korean military did

October 15, 2024

LG Energy Solution wins deals to supply electric vehicle batteries to Ford

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution has signed supply contracts for electric vehicle batteries with Ford Motor, the Korean battery maker said Tuesday. Under the deals, LG will supply the U.S. automaker with a total of 109 gigawatt-hours of electric commercial vehicle battery cells and modules. The Korean firm plans to deliver 75 gigawatt-hours over six years starting in 2027, along with 34 gigawatt-hours over five years beginning in 2026. All products are scheduled to be

October 15, 2024

Visang showcases AI-based language learning platform

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Visang Education, a Korean educational company, on Tuesday unveiled its artificial intelligence-based language learning platform, AllviA Connect Learning (ACL). The system, designed for remote education, could help foreign workers learn Korean before entering the country, according to Paul Rho, Visang Education's global business division head. "Using ACL, companies can efficiently provide tailored Korean language education to their employees,&qu

October 15, 2024

Russia urges South Korea to refrain from provocations over North Korea's drone allegations

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Russia urged South Korea to refrain from "further provocations" regarding North Korea's allegations of Seoul deploying drones across the border. South Korea "should take Pyongyang's warnings very seriously and cease further escalation on the peninsula through their reckless and provocative campaign, which exacerbates tension and could lead to actual armed confrontations," said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson from Russia's For

October 15, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul transit workers rally over death of union activist

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Members of the Seoul Transit Corporation Labor Union rallied near Seoul City Hall on Tuesday, demanding an apology from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro for the death of union activist Park Ju-hyun. Park was one of 35 employees fired in March for alleged unauthorized absences during union activities that exceeded the permitted hours for union work. Park died recently after collapsing from a cerebral hemorrhage while returning home. He was schedule

October 15, 2024