Iran commemorates 46th anniversary of Islamic Revolution with diplomatic event in Seoul

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea held a commemorative event Monday marking the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The gathering took place at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel and was attended by approximately 200 guests, including foreign diplomats, entrepreneurs, scholars, media officials, and South Korean government representatives. The Islamic Revolution, which culminated in February 1979, led to the overth

February 11, 2025

Opinion: Kazakhstan's economic policy direction for 2024 and prospects for Korea-Kazakhstan economic cooperation

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - What is the general perception of Kazakhstan among Koreans? Many might think of it as a "landlocked country in Central Asia" or "a country where many Koreans live." The fact that only about 40,000 South Koreans visited Kazakhstan in 2024 suggests that the country remains rela

February 10, 2025

PHOTOS: Jeongwol Daeboreum, first full moon of lunar calendar

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - On Feb. 12, South Korea will celebrate "Jeongwol Daeboreum," the first full moon of the lunar calendar. This day is steeped in tradition, with families gathering to eat "ogokbap," a nourishing five-grain rice dish, and partake in "bureom," the custom of cracking walnuts, peanuts, and other hard-shelled nuts to ensure good health in the year ahead. Across the country, time-honored rituals mark the occasion. In rural areas, children and a

February 10, 2025

South Korea adds more medals in speed skating at Harbin Asian Winter Games

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Speed skater Kim Jun-ho won bronze in the men's 500-m race at this year's Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China which kicked off last Friday. He clocked in at 35.03 seconds, securing third place behind China's Gao Tingyu (34.95 seconds) and Japan's Wataru Morishige (34.97 seconds). This was his second bronze medal, having also won in the 100-m race last Saturday. Later in the day, Kim along with Cha Min-kyu and Cho Sang-hyeok won si

February 10, 2025

Acting President seeks phone call with Trump

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok is seeking to have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday. Choi has been handling state affairs after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law debacle late last year. Seoul has made a request through diplomatic channels, according to the ministry. "It is expected to hear from the U.S. side, once arrangements are made," a ministry spokesperson told reporte

February 10, 2025

US tariffs threaten jobs in Korea's manufacturing sector

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s automotive and steel industries are confronting the prospect of a major production overhaul as concerns grow over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed universal tariffs, a move that could upend the nation’s manufacturing sector. The specter of tariffs ranging from 10 to 20 percent on Korean vehicles, coupled with potential reciprocal measures, threatens to erode the economic gains secured under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Ag

February 10, 2025

Hollywood stars to visit Seoul for promotional events of Bong Joon-ho's upcoming film

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - A couple of Hollywood stars starring in director Bong Joon-ho's latest film will visit Seoul next week, according to its distributor Warner Bros. British actress Naomi Ackie, American actor Mark Ruffalo, and Korean-American actor Steven Yeun will meet fans, while participating in a slew of events to promote Bong's "Mickey 17," which is set for release here on the last day of this month. The sci-film is Bong's first movie in several

February 10, 2025

Chinese cruise passengers to Jeju surge more than sixfold

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Cruise travelers to South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju surged more than sixfold last year. According to a report released by the Jeju Tourism Organization on Monday, the number of cruise passengers to the island in 2024 reached 640,183, a 6.4-fold increase from 100,109 in 2023. The agency attributed the dramatic increase to the resumption of Chinese group tours on cruise ships in March 2023, following the end of COVID-19 restrictions. The

February 10, 2025

Second season of 'Squid Game' wins gong at Critics' Choice Awards in US

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Netflix's megahit South Korean series "Squid Game" has won Best Foreign Language Series for its second season at this year's U.S. Critics' Choice Awards held last week. After being delayed twice due to massive wildfires in Los Angeles along the coast of Southern California, the awards ceremony was held in Santa Monica last Friday. Considered one of the major awards shows in North America, alongside the Golden Globes and the Screen

February 10, 2025

Korea's economy under greater downward pressure, state think tank warns

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) warned of mounting risks to the nation’s economy, citing sluggish production growth and worsening domestic and external conditions. In its February economic trends report, released Monday, the KDI noted that while industrial production showed some growth, broader economic challenges persisted. "Domestic demand remains weak due to sluggish consumption and a downturn in constructio

February 10, 2025