Chinese account for big portion of foreign engineering students with PhD degrees in South Korea

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The number of foreign engineers with PhD degrees from South Korean universities has nearly doubled in recent years, with Chinese making up a significant portion, an analysis reveals. According to a report released earlier this week by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), Chinese students accounted for three out of every ten foreign engineering PhD graduates here as of 2023. China's share of foreign PhD graduates in enginee

February 21, 2025

UN urges Ukraine to protect North Korean POWs, opposes forced repatriation

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The United Nations urged Ukraine on Thursday not to repatriate North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). North Korea allegedly deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to assist Moscow's war in Ukraine, and two soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield in Russia's Kursk region last month. "International humanitarian law (IHL) requires POWs to be treated humanely at all times and with respect for their honour in all circumstan

February 21, 2025

Constitutional Court to hold final hearing in Yoon's impeachment trial next week

SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea will have the final hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial next week over his botched martial law debacle last December. After wrapping up the 10th hearing on Thursday, the court said it will hear final statements from both sides including Yoon at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Once next week's hearing concludes, the court will begin its deliberation to decide whether to impeach or reinstate him, which norma

February 20, 2025

Former PM calls for more flexible approach to 52-hour workweek to support semiconductor industry

SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A more flexible approach to the mandatory 52-hour workweek may be necessary, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said earlier this week. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "I fully understand concerns that making an exception could set a bad precedent or be widely misused. But if that happens, the law can intervene to amend any flawed regulations." Seeking support from the main opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-membe

February 20, 2025

Trump comments on North Korean soldiers in Russia, hints at possible deal to end war

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday commented on North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to assist its war in Ukraine. "Soldiers are being killed by the thousands on a weekly basis," Trump said. "Apart from Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, a lot of Koreans have been killed. We want to end it. It's a senseless war. It should have never happened." Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida,

February 19, 2025

Trump reaffirms 25 percent tariffs; South Korea to support affected firms with trade finance package

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Wednesday that his administration would impose tariffs of approximately 25 percent on imported automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, with formal details expected to be unveiled around April 2. Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump outlined his plan, specifying that automobile tariffs would likely be set at 25 percent. He suggested that tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals cou

February 19, 2025

Former SNU scholar appointed to head non-profit foundation for school safety and youth education

SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Former Seoul National University president Sung Nak-in was appointed as a new chairman of a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting school safety and youth education on Tuesday. Founded in 1999 with the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan as its first chairman, the foundation has been instrumental in raising awareness about school safety while providing educational resources and scholarships to underprivileged students to support their education. A

February 19, 2025

Constitutional Court holds hearing in Yoon's absence

SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped a hearing for his impeachment trial, over his botched martial law debacle last December, which was held at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. Yoon's legal representatives said that he had intended to attend but changed his mind at the last minute, as the day's hearing would primarily focus on arguments from previous sessions, with no witnesses present. Except for the first two hearings, which b

February 18, 2025

Over 140,000 visitors enjoy outdoor sledding along Han River this winter

SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - Winter recreational facilities in parks along the Han River in Seoul ended their seasonal operations last week after attracting more than 140,000 visitors over the past two months, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The city government said on Monday that more than 140,000 people visited three outdoor sledding rinks —Ttukseom, Jamwon, and Yeouido — between late December and last Sunday. They drew about 1,300 visitors a day and 4,40

February 18, 2025

South Korea suspends new downloads of DeepSeek over privacy concerns

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - New downloads of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek have been temporarily suspended due to excessive data collection and privacy concerns, South Korea's data protection watchdog said on Monday. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said it decided to suspend the service here since last Saturday, after a probe raised concerns over the app's compliance with data protection regulations. The suspension applies to Apple

February 17, 2025