(3rd LD) Trump calls on Japan to 'step up' as U.S. seeks to keep Strait of Hormuz open | Yonhap News Agency
President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his expectation for Japan to "step up" to support the United States, as the U.S. military strives to keep the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, open amid the ongoing war against...
Police to set up triple-layer barrier around BTS concert to counter terror threats | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Police plan to set up three layers of barricades near the site of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert this weekend as part of preventative measures against potential terror threats, officials said Thursday. Acting National...
BTS set to make long-awaited comeback with 'Arirang' | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Global K-pop sensation BTS will return as a full group Friday, ending a hiatus of three years and nine months from group projects with the release of its fifth studio album, "Arirang." It will...
Research team verifies applicability of synaptic transistor for next-gen AI chips in space | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean research team has confirmed the potential application of a synaptic transistor, a key component for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) chips, in high-radiation space environments, the science ministry said Thursday. The Korea...
Today in Korean history | Yonhap News Agency
OK March 20 1902 -- A telephone line is established between Seoul and Incheon. 1958 -- A commercial airline starts flights between Seoul and Jeju. 1999 -- President Kim Dae-jung holds a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi at...
Delinquency rate on bank loans rises to 0.56 pct in Jan. | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- The delinquency rate on loans extended by local banks increased in January due to a rise in newly soured debts, data showed Friday. The delinquency rate on banks' won-denominated loans came to 0.56 percent...
‘Alright mate?’: Amazon pins UK hopes on AI upgrade of Alexa
Photograph: Amazon View image in fullscreen Alexa+ is launching in the UK for a limited time for eight years of compatible devices. Photograph: Amazon ‘Alright mate?’: Amazon pins UK hopes on AI upgrade of Alexa Long-awaited Alexa+ aims to get...
Samsung Electronics to close its TV plant in Slovakia: sources | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. will shut down its TV production plant in Slovakia, industry sources said Thursday. This undated photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. shows workers at the company's TV factory in Slovakia. (PHOTO...
Samsung Life to unload 1.32 tln won worth of shares in Samsung Electronics | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Life Insurance Co. said Thursday it will sell around 1.32 trillion won (US$881.6 million) worth of its shares in Samsung Electronics Co. In a regulatory filing, Samsung Life said it decided to offload...
Google co-founder spends $45m in fight against California billionaire tax
Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters Google co-founder spends $45m in fight against California billionaire tax Sergey Brin gives $25m on top of $20m he’s already given to Super Pac trying to block state’s proposed 5% wealth tax A Google founder has more...
Seoul to provide US$2 mln in humanitarian aid to conflict-hit Lebanon | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will provide US$2 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-hit Lebanon, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The assistance will be financed through an emergency overseas assistance program of the state-run Korea International Cooperation...
Samsung Electronics to invest 110 tln won in AI chip R&D, facilities this year | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday it plans to invest more than 110 trillion won (US$73.3 billion) this year in research and development and facilities for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors as it seeks to strengthen...
Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees | Yonhap News Agency
Binna Choi, artistic director for Korea at the 2026 Venice Biennale, speaks during a press conference at the Arts Council Korea on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap) At a press conference at the Arts Council Korea on Thursday, Choi said the...
Seoul again urges its nationals to swiftly leave Iran, Iraq, Lebanon amid Mideast conflict | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry on Thursday renewed a call for its nationals in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon to promptly leave the countries for their safety, as the conflict in the region is escalating amid fears...
Qatar may have to declare force majeure on long-term LNG contract with S. Korea, others: report | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The CEO of QatarEnergy warned Thursday that the state-owned company may have to declare force majeure on long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with countries, including South Korea, for up to five years, a...
Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation | Yonhap News Agency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States has no "definitive" time frame on ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, stressing "we are winning on our terms," while rejecting media speculation that the U.S. is moving toward an...
How the Iran war has left Europe facing yet another energy crisis
How the Iran war has left Europe facing yet another energy crisis 15 minutes ago Share Save Katya Adler Europe Editor Share Save BBC The knock-on effects of the conflict now whipping through the Middle East are awakening ghosts of...
Possum found nestled in with plush toys at airport gift shop in Tasmania
0:24 Possum found in Hobart airport gift shop's toy section – video Possum found nestled in with plush toys at airport gift shop in Tasmania A brushtail possum was found peering out among the toy kangaroos and dingoes in a...
S. Korea, U.S. conclude key springtime military drills amid N. Korean threats | Yonhap News Agency
OK By Lee Minji SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States wrapped up their annual Freedom Shield (FS) exercise Thursday aimed at strengthening their combined readiness posture, amid North Korea's verbal threats and the launch of...
Jihadist violence in Nigeria and DRC rose sharply last year even as global deaths from terror fell
In February, 162 people were massacred in Kwara state near the border with the Benin Republic, one of the deadliest single attacks in Nigeria’s history. Photograph: Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen In February, 162 people were massacred in...
Nearly half of moviegoers cut cinema visits citing cost as primary factor: survey | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Nearly half of moviegoers reduced cinema visits over the past year due to a variety of factors, including rising costs and the growing appeal of streaming services, a recent survey showed Thursday. The Korean...
Gov't discusses adopting AI education programs in elementary, middle schools | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The science and education ministries discussed Thursday ways to foster artificial intelligence (AI) talent amid fast changes in the rapidly evolving sector, officials said. Korea eyes 10 tln-won investment in AI sector via state...
Uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy deepens amid Middle East crisis: BOK | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Uncertainty over the path of U.S. monetary policy has deepened amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, a senior official at South Korea's central bank said Thursday. At a press conference following the decision,...
SK Telecom, Ericsson join hands to collaborate on AI-based mobile network tech, 6G | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co. said Thursday it has partnered with Sweden-based telecommunications firm Ericsson to jointly develop artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile network technologies and advance sixth-generation (6G) communication technology development. SK Telecom said the collaboration...
POSCO Future M partners with U.S. startup to develop advanced battery materials | Yonhap News Agency
Under the agreement with cleantech firm Molten Industries, POSCO Future M aims to strengthen its anode materials supply chain by combining its own anode technologies with Molten's methane-based graphite production technology, the company said in a press release. The company...
(LEAD) Korean currency falls sharply past 1,500 won amid oil price surge | Yonhap News Agency
OK (ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 6-9) SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency fell markedly past the 1,500-won level against the U.S. dollar Thursday as global oil prices surged amid intensifying tensions in the Middle East....
Authorities to closely monitor FX conditions amid Mideast crisis, U.S. rate freeze | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The government will use all available resources to stabilize South Korea's financial markets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the United States' rate freeze, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Thursday. Koo made...
Financial firms urged to enhance risk management amid Middle East crisis | Yonhap News Agency
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The country's financial regulator called on financial firms on Thursday to enhance their risk management amid the escalating Middle East crisis, although the impact of the geopolitical risk on the domestic financial sector has...
A ‘few scallywags’ gossiping or a premier under threat? Inside Labor’s push to ditch Jacinta Allan
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has dismissed talk of leadership change as gossip from a ‘few scallywags out there who might need a bit of a cuddle’. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP View image in fullscreen Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has dismissed talk...
US aircraft carrier to sail to Crete for repairs after fire on board
US aircraft carrier to sail to Crete for repairs after fire on board 31 minutes ago Share Save Jessica Rawnsley Share Save Reuters The US Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, is preparing to leave the...