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India's Assam looks for Korean support in semiconductors, green tech
The government of the Indian state of Assam urged Korean companies to take part in its semiconductor and green technology sectors at a roadshow event in Seoul on Monday. “Assam is driving innovation and ensuring a sustainable, low-carbon economy,” the state's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma underlined in his keynote speech discussing Assam's strategic advantages, investment-friendly policies, and vision for sustainable industrial growth. He visited South Korea to attract investors for Advanta
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Soldiers ordered to sing, dance, put on talent show for Yoon Suk Yeol's birthday
The 2023 birthday celebration of now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly included a talent show, group song and dance by soldiers of the Capital Defense Command. According to local broadcaster SBS, scores of soldiers of the 55th Security Brigade were ordered by Kim Yong-hyun -- former defense minister and then-leader of the Presidential Security Service -- to put on a talent show and performance for the president. The event was held as a 60th anniversary celebration for the PSS but was
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Over 34m people expected to travel during Lunar New Year holiday period
More than 34 million people are expected to travel domestically and internationally during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, according to a state-run institute Tuesday. The Korea Transport Institute said it estimates 34.84 million people to be on the move during the six-day period from Saturday to next Thursday, which would mark a 29 percent increase from the figure seen over last year's Lunar New Year, when the holiday lasted five days. The peak travel day is forecast to be next Tuesday, wit
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump signs memorandum directing trade representative to review existing US trade deals
US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum on "America First" trade policy calling for a review of existing US trade agreements to seek "reciprocal and mutually advantageous" concessions with respect to free trade partners, the White House said. Trump did not mention South Korea in the memorandum, but the document raised the possibility that the South Korea-US free trade agreement could be subject to a fresh review. "The United States Trade Representative shall review existing Unite
Jan. 21, 2025 -
CIO says no plans to forcibly bring in Yoon for questioning Tuesday morning
The state anti-corruption agency said Tuesday it had no plans to forcibly bring in President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning before his scheduled attendance at his impeachment trial later in the day. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials sent investigators to the Seoul Detention Center on Monday to forcibly bring in the detained president after he refused to comply with multiple orders to appear for further questioning over his failed martial law bid. The investigators wit
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Arrest warrants sought for all 46 courthouse intruders
All of the 46 supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol who were apprehended for violently storming the Seoul Western District Court that issued an arrest warrant for the impeached president last Sunday are facing formal arrests, prosecution officials said Tuesday. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office sought arrest warrants on Monday for the 46 people detained in connection with the courthouse violence during their protests against the formal arrest of Yoon, the officials said. They are cha
Jan. 21, 2025 -
After court attack, Seoul police mulls guidelines for stronger use of force at protests
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is reportedly considering issuing guidelines for officers to "actively use" batons, stun guns, capsaicin spray and other equipment to contain mob violence at protests, in light of Sunday's violent attack on a Seoul court by supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. According to local media outlets, the SMPA is mulling giving such guidelines to police stations and special task forces as early as Tuesday. Article 10 of the Act on the Performance of Duties by
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Captured NK soldier in Ukraine says didn't know he would be fighting Ukrainians
One of the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine this month has claimed that he arrived in Russia without knowing whom he would be fighting, according to another video of his interrogation released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Earlier this month, Zelenskyy disclosed that his forces had captured the North Korean soldiers in Russia's western front-line region of Kursk, sharing videos of their interrogation on the social media platform X. In the latest video posted on Monday,
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Acting president says is ready to discuss extra budget with parliament
Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Tuesday the government is prepared to discuss injecting additional budget with the National Assembly amid growing calls for an extra budget to revitalize the economy already facing headwinds. "There are growing calls from the political sphere, local governments and the business sector for additional fiscal input to support struggling livelihoods and strengthen industrial competitiveness," Choi said during a Cabinet meeting. Choi said the government and the par
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump calls N. Korea 'nuclear power,' says he 'got along very well' with Kim
US President Donald Trump on Monday described North Korea as a "nuclear power" and anticipated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be "happy" to see his return to the White House. During a press availability at the Oval Office, Trump made his first public mention of the recalcitrant regime since he was sworn in as the United States' 47th president in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington earlier in the day. "I was very friendly with him. He liked me. I liked him. We got along very well. They t
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Yoon expected to speak at impeachment trial at 2 p.m.
President Yoon Suk Yeol is slated to appear at the the third hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, where he is widely expected to offer an explanation of his controversial declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. Yoon's lawyers have confirmed the 64-year-old, who is under criminal investigation alongside the impeachment trial on insurrection and power abuse charges, will attend their hearing of the trial at 2 p.m. The court will review evidence submitted by the Na
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Senate votes to confirm Trump's pick for secretary of state
The US Senate voted to confirm Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump's secretary of state Monday, marking its first approval of a Cabinet-level official for the new Trump administration. The upper chamber of Congress approved Rubio as America's chief diplomat, hours after Trump was sworn in as the United States' 47th president under a renewed pledge to "put America first." His confirmation comes as the top diplomat post faces a full plate of foreign policy challenges, including an i
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Defense ministry approves plan to relocate Daegu military airport
The defense ministry has officially approved a plan for the relocation of a military airport in the southeastern city of Daegu, officials said Tuesday. The ministry and the Daegu municipal government have been seeking to relocate the Daegu airport to a joint civilian-military airport to be built in the nearby counties of Uiseong and Gunwi by 2030. Under the plan, the Daegu city government will build the new airport and donate it to the defense ministry, while the ministry will transfer the forme
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Acting President Choi says to make alliance great again in message to Trump
Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday expressed optimism in making the alliance with the United States great again as he congratulated President Donald Trump on his return to the White House. "President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, congratulations on your inauguration!" Choi said in his account on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The Republic of Korea looks forward to Making the Alliance Great Again in the 47th presidency, as we have during the 45th," he added. Trump took office
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump returns to White House with renewed vow to 'put America first'
Donald Trump took office as the United States' 47th president on Monday, renewing his vow to "put America first" and tariff foreign countries to enrich Americans, while signaling an intent to refrain from military involvement in conflicts overseas. During his swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Trump, 78, underscored his America First credo as his second four-year term is expected to see a major shift in the US' approach to alliances, trade and other key issues. Vice Presi
Jan. 21, 2025