• Seoul downplays concerns over foreign command of Cheonghae unit SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's defense ministry said Thursday that any tactical control over its Cheonghae naval unit by multinational commanders would be strictly limited, amid concerns over its potential involvement near the Strait of Hormuz.
• S. Korea approves merger of Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea has approved the merger of three low-cost carriers — Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul — clearing a major regulatory hurdle ahead of their planned integration in March 2027.
• Over 20 million foreign tourists arrive in South Korea this year SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - More than 20 million foreign tourists have visited South Korea so far this year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Thursday.
• North Korea-linked hackers resume cyber operations to steal drone technology SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - A North Korea-linked hacking group has apparently resumed cyberespionage operations targeting Europe's drone industry, Voice of America reported on Thursday.
• Seoul outlines first military energy plan to boost battlefield resilience SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's defense ministry unveiled its first military energy transition plan Thursday, aimed at securing reliable power supplies for military operations and meeting rising energy demands.
• Chip tax windfall lifts Korea's fiscal surplus to record SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) -South Korea posted its largest January–September fiscal surplus since reporting began in 2014 as a tax windfall from the semiconductor boom pushed revenue growth well ahead of spending, government data showed Thursday.

AJP Briefing>

• South Korean chip giants diverge amid Nvidia's deepening scandal SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - The prospect of Nvidia losing its founder split South Korea's two chip giants on Thursday, pulling down SK hynix, the memory maker seen as most exposed to Nvidia. SK hynix fell 1.8 percent to 1,254,000 won (US$942.1). Samsung Electronics instead held on to gains, rising 1.0 percent to 208,000 won ($156.3). The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gave back an early climb and finished 0.6 percent below the previous day's close, ending a two-day rally. The
• KOSDAQ turns lower after authorities deny stimuli SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) -South Korean authorities denied plans to announce fresh stimulus measures for the KOSDAQ on Friday, sending the junior stock index lower after two sessions of sharp gains fueled by speculation about a support package. The KOSDAQ fell 2 percent to 690.83 as of 2:40 p.m. Thursday following the denial. It had gained more than 10 percent over the previous two sessions, bucking broader market concerns over possible U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes and risks surrounding Nvidi

AJP ScaleUP

• BaroPharm tumbles 27% on KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) — South Korean pharmacy platform operator BaroPharm plunged nearly 27 percent below its initial public offering (IPO) price on its KOSDAQ debut Wednesday. Shares traded at 12,000 won ($8.97), down 26.83 percent from the IPO price of 16,400 won as of 2:26 p.m. The stock opened at 16,000 won, slightly below its offering price. It briefly climbed to 17,370 won before reversing course and falling as low as 11,760 won during the session. About 17.09 million shares had
• Korean biotechs pitch cancer drugs at BIO-Europe ZURICH, November 10 (AJP) - South Korean biotech firms are pitching cancer treatments, liver disease drugs and drug-delivery technologies to global pharmaceutical companies at BIO-Europe in Cologne, seeking partners to finance development and reach overseas markets. Licensing, joint development and investment discussions continued Tuesday as the three-day event entered its second day. No Korean company had announced a signed agreement by then, according to the Korean media reports cited, thoug

ASIA Insight

• France's education divide holds lessons for Korea SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - “Education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights.” The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights set out that principle in its interpretation of the right to education. The protests sweeping France show how deeply access to schooling — alongside housing, jobs and basic public services — shapes expectations of government. The unrest poses a dilemma for developed economies: how to r by Lee Jung-woo
• Pepero Day finds new fans overseas SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - For Kim Sun-mi, a familiar red box of Pepero brings back memories. For Pranaya Sathe, a box featuring Stray Kids member Felix offers a reason to try the chocolate-coated biscuit sticks for the first time. Between those two purchases lies the changing appeal of Pepero Day, South Korea’s annual snack-giving occasion that is finding fresh customers through K-pop, cartoon characters and collectible packaging. Kim, a 34-year-old office worker in Seoul’s Gwa by Joonha Yoo

AJP Watch

• HK Express bets on Korea as airline margins tighten SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - HK Express is pushing deeper into South Korea’s crowded budget airline market, betting that more flight options and a stronger local presence can draw Korean travelers back to Hong Kong. The Cathay Pacific subsidiary is expanding its share of flights between the two markets even as overall Korean visitor arrivals in Hong Kong decline. Its challenge is to turn that growing passenger base into sustained profits while preparing for a larger Korean competitor. Kore
• Jensen Huang gives the 'You Quiz' jinx fresh material SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) — “You Quiz on the Block” has a knack for getting people onto television who rarely have time for it. Presidents, Hollywood stars and business titans take a seat, loosen up and reveal the person behind the public image. Sometimes, the interview ages beautifully. Sometimes, the internet keeps the receipts. Now in its eighth year, the tvN talk show hosted by Yoo Jae-suk, one of South Korea’s most beloved television personalities, has accumulated a

AJP Focus

• Korea's contradictory weight-loss policy sends mixed signals SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - "Losing weight has never been so easy," said Park Eun-young, a 54-year-old resident of Busan, South Korea's southern port city. She's not exaggerating. The country's first homegrown GLP-1 obesity drug has been available for two weeks, and Korean can now bring home prescribed foreign brands bought much more cheaply in neighboring countries such as Japan. The liberalization comes even as U.S. regulators require warnings across the drug class about
• Can Korea's civilian nuclear expertise power a submarine? SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - South Korea wants to take its homegrown nuclear expertise to sea. The challenge is turning decades of civilian reactor development into a power source that can operate safely and reliably inside a submarine. The country has an established nuclear industry and several small modular reactor (SMR) designs. But a reactor intended to supply electricity on land faces a different assignment beneath the waves, where space is tight, crews live nearby and maintenance cannot int