South Korea to hire domestic helpers from more Asian countries

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Foreign domestic helpers working here are expected to be more diverse, starting from next year. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said on Monday that it is considering expanding the current program, currently limited to workers from the Philippines, to include more Asian countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The pilot program, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, was introduced this summer to alleviate the challenges faced by young

November 4, 2024

UN Security Council holds talks over North Korea's ICBM launch

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Member countries of the United Nations Security Council are holding talks in Washinton, D.C. on Monday over North Korea's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch last week. Shortly after the launch, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned it as "clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions." Barbara Woodward, the U.K. ambassador to the UN and current Security Council president, called North Korea's r

November 4, 2024

Six Cambodians jailed in Korea for violent gang assault

SEOUL, November 04 (AJP) - A Korean court on Sunday sentenced six Cambodian nationals to prison terms ranging from 3.5 to 5 years for a violent attack outside a nightclub in Suwon, south of Seoul. The group assaulted a fellow Cambodian man with blunt weapons on June 9, 2023, leaving the victim with multiple fractures requiring five weeks of medical treatment. Judge Kong Hyun-jin of the Suwon District Court cited the severity of the crime, noting that the main defendant distributed w

November 4, 2024

Korea's opposition party agrees to scrap plan for financial investment income tax

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) agreed Monday to scrap a plan to introduce a new tax on financial investment income, citing challenges in the country’s stock market. "We have agreed to support the government's push to withdraw the financial investment income tax," DP leader Lee Jae-myung said at the party’s Supreme Council meeting. The new tax was originally scheduled to be implemented next year, imposing

November 4, 2024

US strategic bomber joins air drills with S.Korea, Japan in response to N.Korean missile test

SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) — South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted joint aerial drills on Sunday involving a U.S. B-1B strategic bomber in response to a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by North Korea, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The supersonic bomber, escorted by fighter jets from the three countries, conducted precision strike exercises in the overlapping air defense identification zones (ADIZ) of South Korea and Japa

November 3, 2024

British Embassy in Seoul hosts investment blitz

SEOUL, November 01 (AJP) - The British Embassy in Seoul hosted an investment blitz at Broughton's Club in central Seoul on Thursday. About 40 South Korean business representatives from various sectors gathered at the event to explore future investment opportunities in the U.K. while enjoying Aberlour single malt Scotch whisky. Experts from the embassy provided comprehensive guidance and insights on key business areas such as electric vehicles, batteries, and new technologies.

November 1, 2024

Flamboyant influencers mingle at Halloween party in Seoul

Participants enjoy a Halloween party in Seongsu-dong, Seoul on Oct. 31, 2024. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - Hundreds of foreign influencers gathered for a Halloween party in Seoul's Seongsu-dong, an industrial-turned-trendy district known for its vibrant atmosphere. Participants in spooky or creative costumes enjoyed the autumnal American celebration, featuring various fun events and performances. The party was hosted by Exprivé, a company that connects

November 1, 2024

North Korean troops to Russia will become 'cannon fodder': S. Korea

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korea's top envoy to the United Nations condemned North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, saying that they will be used as mercenaries with their earnings eventually funneled into the coffers of the North Korean regime. "As legitimate military targets, they will end up as mere cannon fodder, while the wages they are supposed to receive from Russia will end up squarely in Kim Jong-un's pocket," said Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook at

October 31, 2024

South Korean man held in China on alleged espionage charges

SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - A South Korean man has been detained in China since late last year on alleged espionage charges, China's foreign ministry revealed on Tuesday. The man in his 50s, whose name has not been disclosed, was arrested at his home on suspicions of violating Beijing's anti-espionage law, which was amended to broaden the scope of espionage activities and took effect in July this year. China has detected an "illegal activity in accordance with the law,

October 29, 2024

North Korea's troops in Russia moving to frontlines, spy agency speculates

SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Part of North Korean troops in Russia are reportedly moving to the frontlines, South Korea's spy agency said on Tuesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) here told a National Assembly hearing, "We are closely monitoring North Korea's troop deployment in Russia including the possibility of some military personnel, including high-ranking generals, moving to the frontlines along the border with Ukraine." The NIS also speculated that

October 29, 2024