Captured N. Korean soldier says mockups of Seoul, Jeju facilities in North's training camps

A North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine said that the North has military training camps that feature mockups of facilities and buildings in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island, according to a South Korean lawmaker who recently met the soldier on Thursday. Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the ruling People Power Party made the remarks in an interview with SBS radio, as he released an audio clip of the North Korean soldier, identified only by his surname Ri. Ri is one of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukra

March 6, 2025

ADOR files court complaint to restrict NewJeans' music activities

ADOR, the K-pop girl group NewJeans' agency, has filed a complaint seeking to ban the group's music activities, according to the group Thursday, marking the latest development in the ongoing dispute between the agency and the artists. The group, which rebranded as NJZ early last month, revealed on its social media that ADOR filed the complaint on Feb. 11, demanding the court prohibit the group from "all music activities, including songwriting and performances," as well as related promotional end

March 6, 2025

Working-level APEC meeting on food security held in Gyeongju

A working-level Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on food security was held in South Korea to discuss global food security, Seoul's agriculture ministry said Thursday. The three-day APEC policy partnership on food security took place in Gyeongju, about 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul, from Tuesday, with some 120 officials from 21 APEC member states in attendance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In the meeting, officials adopted "Driving Innovation in A

March 6, 2025

Govt. to provide 25 b won in export vouchers to SMEs this year

The government will provide export vouchers worth a combined 25 billion won ($17.3 million) to small and midsized enterprises this year as part of efforts to expand South Korea's exports, the industry ministry said Thursday. The export vouchers will be provided to 300 companies to help them expand their presence in the global market and bolster their competitiveness in exports, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The vouchers will include business consulting services and sup

March 6, 2025

Genesis releases revamped GV60 EV with enhanced performance features

Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group's independent luxury brand, said Thursday it has launched its revamped GV60 electric vehicle model with a suite of design and performance upgrades. The upgraded model, introduced three years and five months after the launch of the original GV60, refines the brand's "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy with enhanced details, offering a more distinctive and sophisticated interior and exterior. Equipped with an 84 kilowatt-hour fourth-generation battery, the GV60 boast

March 6, 2025

Kia partners with Gyeonggi Province, Hwaseong for future mobility ecosystem

Kia Corp. on Thursday partnered with Gyeonggi Province and the city of Hwaseong to develop an ecosystem for the future mobility industry in the region, with a focus on the automaker's purpose-built vehicles. Under a memorandum of understanding signed at Kia Autoland Hwaseong, Kia will proceed with the construction of the world's first dedicated PBV plant, the Hwaseong EVO Plant, while Gyeonggi Province and Hwaseong will support regulatory approvals and infrastructure improvements. An MOU signing

March 6, 2025

S. Korea, US stage combined firepower drills near inter-Korean border

South Korea and the United States on Thursday held combined live-fire drills near the inter-Korean border, officials said, in a show of firepower against North Korean military threats ahead of their annual springtime exercise this month. The exercise took place at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, just 25 kilometers south of the border, mobilizing more than 160 pieces of military hardware, including K2 tanks, K55A1 self-propelled howitzers, Apache attack helicopters and F-35A stealth

March 6, 2025

BOK warns of high uncertainty regarding inflationary pressure

Uncertainties remain high regarding prices, given geopolitical issues and trade conflicts among major nations, the central bank said Thursday. Bank of Korea Deputy Gov. Kim Woong made the assessment during a meeting meant to check prices after government data showed that consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2 percent from a year earlier in February following 2.2 percent growth in January. "Uncertainties remain high regarding geopolitical situations, trade conflicts among major nations

March 6, 2025

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Poland reaffirm steadfast commitment to advancing defense cooperation

The top diplomats of South Korea and Poland have agreed to continue working together to advance defense cooperation, including providing full support for swift progress in key arms exports, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski reached the understanding during their talks in Warsaw on Wednesday, as they shared the view that their partnership in the defense industry has become "a key pillar" in bilateral relations, the m

March 6, 2025

Seoul shares start higher as Trump delays auto tariffs on Mexico, Canada

South Korean stocks opened higher Thursday after the US administration agreed to delay auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 19 points, or 0.74 percent, to 2,577.13 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US shares rebounded as investor sentiment improved after the Trump administration suspended new auto duties on Mexico and Canada for a month and signaled it is open to more tariff negotiations. The S&P 500 gained 1.12 percent, and

March 6, 2025