Veteran actress Kim Soo-mi dies at 75

SEOUL, October 25 (AJP) - Veteran actress Kim Soo-mi died of cardiac arrest on Friday. She was 75. According to police, Kim was found unconscious at her home by her son early in the morning and was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Kim, who is known for her signature TV role as a warm-hearted rural grandmother, had been hospitalized several times since May this year. She was advised to rest for a while due to accumulated fatigue from her busy wo

October 25, 2024

South Korea, U.S. defense chiefs to hold talks in Washington

SEOUL, October 25 (AJP) - Defense officials from South Korea and the U.S. will gather for talks in Washington next week, the Ministry of National Defense here said on Friday. The annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) slated for next Wednesday at the Pentagon will be the first in-person meeting between South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin since Kim's appointment in early September. The main agenda of the meeting will be

October 25, 2024

Special exhibition celebrates 30th anniversary of Latin American museum on Seoul's outskirts

SEOUL, October 25 (AJP) - A special exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Latin American Cultural Center kicked off in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday. Over 100 guests and other attendees including Lee Dong-hwan, the mayor of Goyang and several ambassadors from Latin American countries gathered for the occasion. "The center, which has served as a bridge between Latin America and South Korea, is the result of the lifelong dedication of former diplomat Lee B

October 25, 2024

Yoon condemns North Korean troop deployment to Russia

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia as a "provocation that threatens global security" during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Seoul on Thursday. Yoon made clear that South Korea would not tolerate such actions. Speaking from the presidential office in Yongsan, Yoon said, "We strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile developments, provocati

October 24, 2024

Ex-president Lee Myung-bak's elder brother dies at 89

SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - Lee Sang-deuk, the elder brother of former President Lee Myung-bak, died on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with age-related illnesses. He was 89. Lee senior had been receiving treatment at Seoul National University Hospital, according to his close aides. First elected to the National Assembly in 1988, the six-term lawmaker served as its vice speaker from 2006 to 2008. Once a prominent political figure during his younger brother's presidency, t

October 23, 2024

Pilot program for hiring Filipino domestic helpers hits snag

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - It has been more than a month since around 100 workers from the Philippines who arrived in Seoul in August started working as domestic helpers in South Korean homes after completing a monthlong training here. They were hired as maids or nannies under part of a pilot program initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government which aims at relieving difficulties faced by young couples who struggle to balance childcare and household chores. However, their hirin

October 18, 2024

Festival showcasing latest design trends kicks off in Seoul

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - A festival featuring the latest design trends kicked off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul on Thursday. With a special focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the design industry, the festival, hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation, is expected to attract a horde of artists, designers, and industry workers as it showcases a diverse array of exhibitions and other programs. Visitors can explore innovative artworks and crafts

October 18, 2024

Ex-president's daughter appears for questioning in DUI fender-bender

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter Da-hye appeared for a questioning at a police station in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday. She was caught driving under the influence after hitting a taxi while attempting to change lanes in Itaewon, Seoul in the wee hours of Oct. 5. The 31-year-old's blood alcohol concentration was 0.149 percent, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 percent for license revocation. The taxi driver, who reportedly settled with her, sus

October 18, 2024

Prosecutors drop charges against first lady in stock manipulation case

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - After a four-year investigation, prosecutors decided Thursday not to indict first lady Kim Keon Hee over allegations of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea. The allegations first surfaced in February 2020 when news outlet Newstapa, citing a leaked police report, raised suspicions that Kwon Oh-soo, former chairman of Deutsch Motors, conspired with a stock trader identified as Lee to manipulate the

October 17, 2024

South Korea keeps eye on alleged North Korean troop deployment for Russia's war in Ukraine

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Seoul is "closely monitoring" reports of Russia forming a special battalion composed of North Koreans, the National Intelligence Service here said Wednesday. The NIS also added that it is collaborating with Ukraine to verify these reports. The comments came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of sending troops to Russia. In his daily video message last weekend, he said, "We see an increasing alliance between

October 17, 2024