10 days ago
SEOUL, Sept 7 (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States have agreed on the size of Seoul's planned investment in a gas project in Texas at around $22.3 billion, Korean media outlet Edaily reported on Monday, citing unidentified officials and politicians.
The project, which would be Seoul's first U.S. investment under last year's trade agreement, aims to build a 6.3-gigawatt gas plant in Encinal, Texas, to meet rising power demand for AI data centres, according to the media reports.
The investment would be part of the trade deal signed by the two allies last year, under which Seoul pledged $350 billion worth of U.S. investments in exchange for favourable U.S. tariffs on imports of South Korean goods.
The reports did not say whether Seoul would shoulder the whole cost of the Texas project.
Seoul is also considering other potential projects in the United States, including building a large-scale nuclear power plant or a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, the reports said.
#states
The project, which would be Seoul's first U.S. investment under last year's trade agreement, aims to build a 6.3-gigawatt gas plant in Encinal, Texas, to meet rising power demand for AI data centres, according to the media reports.
The investment would be part of the trade deal signed by the two allies last year, under which Seoul pledged $350 billion worth of U.S. investments in exchange for favourable U.S. tariffs on imports of South Korean goods.
The reports did not say whether Seoul would shoulder the whole cost of the Texas project.
Seoul is also considering other potential projects in the United States, including building a large-scale nuclear power plant or a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, the reports said.
#states
11 days ago
SEOUL, Sept 7 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country's newest destroyer would be part of a nuclear response system and could deliver "annihilating retaliatory strikes", state media KCNA reported on Monday, although it did not say whether the vessel would carry nuclear weapons.
North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernise its navy as Kim pursues a broader expansion of the country's nuclear-capable forces.
At a commissioning ceremony in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, Kim said the new ship's deployment to the sea east of the Korean Peninsula sent a clear signal to North Korea's adversaries.
"The time has come for us to exercise our sovereignty at sea and under water," Kim said, according to KCNA.
The 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the "Kang Kon", is the second warship of its class to enter service, following the commissioning of the "Choe Hyon" destroyer on North Korea's west coast about three months earlier, KCNA cited Kim as saying.
#north #destroyer #korean #seoul
North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernise its navy as Kim pursues a broader expansion of the country's nuclear-capable forces.
At a commissioning ceremony in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, Kim said the new ship's deployment to the sea east of the Korean Peninsula sent a clear signal to North Korea's adversaries.
"The time has come for us to exercise our sovereignty at sea and under water," Kim said, according to KCNA.
The 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the "Kang Kon", is the second warship of its class to enter service, following the commissioning of the "Choe Hyon" destroyer on North Korea's west coast about three months earlier, KCNA cited Kim as saying.
#north #destroyer #korean #seoul
11 days ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A group of Chinese artists is boycotting a major art exhibition in South Korea over the organizers' plans to use the name "Taiwan Pavilion" for an exhibition of works by Taiwanese artists.
China considers self-governing Taiwan to be part of its territory and rejects the island's claim to sovereignty. Beijing generally refers to Taiwan as "China's Taiwan region."
China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday criticized the South Korean organizers of the biennial Gwangju Biennale, one of Asia's most prominent art exhibitions, saying the organizers have "stubbornly clung to the wrongful practice, allowing China's Taiwan region to participate under a designation that is completely incompatible with its status."
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China hopes the South Korean government will uphold its political commitment to the "one China" principle through concrete action.
The Chinese artists said the same day that they were withdrawing from the festival, which opens Saturday and runs through mid-November.
#korean
China considers self-governing Taiwan to be part of its territory and rejects the island's claim to sovereignty. Beijing generally refers to Taiwan as "China's Taiwan region."
China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday criticized the South Korean organizers of the biennial Gwangju Biennale, one of Asia's most prominent art exhibitions, saying the organizers have "stubbornly clung to the wrongful practice, allowing China's Taiwan region to participate under a designation that is completely incompatible with its status."
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China hopes the South Korean government will uphold its political commitment to the "one China" principle through concrete action.
The Chinese artists said the same day that they were withdrawing from the festival, which opens Saturday and runs through mid-November.
#korean
16 days ago
Park Yong-woo is the latest Korean international to pass through TNT FC's doors, but he is certainly not the first. The Ulsan HD midfielder spent this summer training with TNT as he worked his way back to full fitness - prompting one question: just how many big names have used TNT as their training ground over the years?
Following an injury last year, Korea international midfielder Park Yong-woo joined TNT FC this summer as a training member as he prepared for his return to football. Training alongside TNT's younger players, Park worked to raise his match fitness before eventually rejoining Ulsan HD.
With TNT FC run like a professional club, it provides the ideal environment for players to keep themselves ticking over. Park isn't the only current or former international who has trained with TNT FC over the years.
TNT FC has clearly become a kind of unofficial "training/refresher home" for established Korean pros, particularly when they're between clubs, recovering from injury, or preparing to return.
The original TNT model was essentially "give players somewhere serious to train when they don't have a club." So for someone like Ki Sung-yueng, it wasn't that he was joining TNT because he needed to find a club. He was essentially using their established training environment while he was between FC Seoul contracts.
#training #international #summer
Following an injury last year, Korea international midfielder Park Yong-woo joined TNT FC this summer as a training member as he prepared for his return to football. Training alongside TNT's younger players, Park worked to raise his match fitness before eventually rejoining Ulsan HD.
With TNT FC run like a professional club, it provides the ideal environment for players to keep themselves ticking over. Park isn't the only current or former international who has trained with TNT FC over the years.
TNT FC has clearly become a kind of unofficial "training/refresher home" for established Korean pros, particularly when they're between clubs, recovering from injury, or preparing to return.
The original TNT model was essentially "give players somewhere serious to train when they don't have a club." So for someone like Ki Sung-yueng, it wasn't that he was joining TNT because he needed to find a club. He was essentially using their established training environment while he was between FC Seoul contracts.
#training #international #summer
22 days ago
SEOUL, Aug 25 (Reuters) - South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix's union members narrowly rejected a tentative wage agreement on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the matter.
A total of 50.08% of the 15,045 workers who cast ballots voted against the agreement, the source said. The difference was just 25 votes, the source added.
SK Hynix was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters. The source spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media.
The agreement, reached last week, included a 6.3% wage increase and a revision to SK Hynix's profit-sharing bonus scheme, under which 40% of bonuses would be paid in cash and 60% in company shares.
The world's second-largest memory chipmaker has been reaping strong profits from booming demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence applications.
#agreement
A total of 50.08% of the 15,045 workers who cast ballots voted against the agreement, the source said. The difference was just 25 votes, the source added.
SK Hynix was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters. The source spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media.
The agreement, reached last week, included a 6.3% wage increase and a revision to SK Hynix's profit-sharing bonus scheme, under which 40% of bonuses would be paid in cash and 60% in company shares.
The world's second-largest memory chipmaker has been reaping strong profits from booming demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence applications.
#agreement
23 days ago
September S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESU26) are down -0.19%, and September Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQU26) are down -0.59% this morning, pointing to a lower open on Wall Street as chipmakers came under pressure at the start of a pivotal week.
Chip and AI infrastructure stocks were among the biggest losers in pre-market trading, following a slump in major tech names across Asia. Samsung Electronics sank over -8% in Seoul after the chipmaker's record shareholder return plan disappointed investors. Also, Alibaba Group tumbled more than -8% in Hong Kong after the tech heavyweight raised HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) in the city's largest secondary share offering. In addition, SoftBank Group slid over -5% in Tokyo after announcing plans for a record 1 trillion yen ($6.3 billion) retail bond sale to finance its AI investments.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
Ahead of Nvidia Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for NVDA Stock
Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week
#group
Chip and AI infrastructure stocks were among the biggest losers in pre-market trading, following a slump in major tech names across Asia. Samsung Electronics sank over -8% in Seoul after the chipmaker's record shareholder return plan disappointed investors. Also, Alibaba Group tumbled more than -8% in Hong Kong after the tech heavyweight raised HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) in the city's largest secondary share offering. In addition, SoftBank Group slid over -5% in Tokyo after announcing plans for a record 1 trillion yen ($6.3 billion) retail bond sale to finance its AI investments.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
Ahead of Nvidia Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for NVDA Stock
Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week
#group
23 days ago
SK Hynix (NASDAQ:SKHY) plans to buy back about 24.07 million of its own shares over about three months (3.3% of the memory maker's issued shares) and then cancel every one of them. The board approved the program, worth 40 trillion won (about $29 billion), on Aug. 19, and the buying window opened the very next day. The company describes it as the largest treasury-share cancellation ever conducted by a South Korean listed company.
And this is not a buyback of the familiar American variety, where repurchased stock can sit in the treasury for years or quietly offset stock-based compensation. The shares come out of the count for good.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Investors liked it. SK Hynix's Seoul-listed shares surged 12% on Thursday, recovering most of a steep drop from the day before, and its Nasdaq-listed shares (each representing one-tenth of one Seoul-listed common share) rose about 4% to close near $163.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
#NVIDIA
And this is not a buyback of the familiar American variety, where repurchased stock can sit in the treasury for years or quietly offset stock-based compensation. The shares come out of the count for good.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Investors liked it. SK Hynix's Seoul-listed shares surged 12% on Thursday, recovering most of a steep drop from the day before, and its Nasdaq-listed shares (each representing one-tenth of one Seoul-listed common share) rose about 4% to close near $163.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
#NVIDIA
24 days ago
Ruby Tuesday Matthews is giving her 245,000 social media followers an unfiltered look at the aftermath of a recent cosmetic surgery procedure.
The 33-year-old content creator traveled from Byron Bay, Australia, to Seoul, South Korea, for an endoscopic lift, a minimally invasive facelift technique that uses small incisions to lift sagging eyebrows and smooth forehead wrinkles.
Matthews said she initially thought she might also need to undergo a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), but her surgeon decided the lift alone could achieve the look she wanted.
"The goal was never to change the way I look," she wrote in a post on Instagram stories. "I wanted to keep my face and my features—just look a little more refreshed and awake, while addressing some of the volume loss through my face."
She also explained in a video that she didn't want to add a "cat-eye" or "fox-eye effect," and that she just wanted her surgeon to work with her natural features.
#wanted #ruby #tuesday
The 33-year-old content creator traveled from Byron Bay, Australia, to Seoul, South Korea, for an endoscopic lift, a minimally invasive facelift technique that uses small incisions to lift sagging eyebrows and smooth forehead wrinkles.
Matthews said she initially thought she might also need to undergo a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), but her surgeon decided the lift alone could achieve the look she wanted.
"The goal was never to change the way I look," she wrote in a post on Instagram stories. "I wanted to keep my face and my features—just look a little more refreshed and awake, while addressing some of the volume loss through my face."
She also explained in a video that she didn't want to add a "cat-eye" or "fox-eye effect," and that she just wanted her surgeon to work with her natural features.
#wanted #ruby #tuesday
24 days ago
Ruby Tuesday Matthews, 33, underwent an endoscopic lift procedure in South Korea to achieve a refreshed, youthful look
The influencer shared her swollen post-surgery recovery on Instagram and said she had issues accessing her iPhone because it didn't recognize her face
Matthews said she shared her journey because she wanted to be transparent with her followers about the procedure
Ruby Tuesday Matthews has shared the aftermath of her latest cosmetic surgery, which left her face so swollen that her iPhone could not recognize her.
The Australian influencer, from Byron Bay, traveled to the Ilchi Plastic Surgery clinic in Seoul, South Korea, for an endoscopic lift on Friday, Aug. 21.
#shared #tuesday #korea
The influencer shared her swollen post-surgery recovery on Instagram and said she had issues accessing her iPhone because it didn't recognize her face
Matthews said she shared her journey because she wanted to be transparent with her followers about the procedure
Ruby Tuesday Matthews has shared the aftermath of her latest cosmetic surgery, which left her face so swollen that her iPhone could not recognize her.
The Australian influencer, from Byron Bay, traveled to the Ilchi Plastic Surgery clinic in Seoul, South Korea, for an endoscopic lift on Friday, Aug. 21.
#shared #tuesday #korea
24 days ago
SEOUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office.
The ****** sment came after North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu's office.
North Korea is estimated to have supplied Russia with more than 15 million rounds of artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents, it said.
The lawmaker's office, citing a South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency ****** sment, said North Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support.
#office #jong
The ****** sment came after North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu's office.
North Korea is estimated to have supplied Russia with more than 15 million rounds of artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents, it said.
The lawmaker's office, citing a South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency ****** sment, said North Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support.
#office #jong
25 days ago
British boccia star David Smith is seeking to reclaim the 'triple crown' of the sport as he targets gold at the World Championships in Seoul, South Korea.
Smith, the current European champion, first held the triple crown in 2018, when he won gold at the World Championships in Liverpool whilst also holding the 2016 Paralympic ******* le and 2017 European ******* le.
The 37-year-old held that honour for four years before taking silver at the 2022 world champs.
Smith who resides in Swansea has five medals from four Paralympic Games and is seeking to regain the world ******* le, 20 years on from his championship debut.
"When I held the Triple Crown before, I had a rival after Rio who sort of got reclassified, then I had new rivals coming up," said Smith, who admits he now faces much stiffer competition at this year's Worlds from 24 August to 4 September.
#held #european #paralympic
Smith, the current European champion, first held the triple crown in 2018, when he won gold at the World Championships in Liverpool whilst also holding the 2016 Paralympic ******* le and 2017 European ******* le.
The 37-year-old held that honour for four years before taking silver at the 2022 world champs.
Smith who resides in Swansea has five medals from four Paralympic Games and is seeking to regain the world ******* le, 20 years on from his championship debut.
"When I held the Triple Crown before, I had a rival after Rio who sort of got reclassified, then I had new rivals coming up," said Smith, who admits he now faces much stiffer competition at this year's Worlds from 24 August to 4 September.
#held #european #paralympic
27 days ago
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Samsung Electronics raised prices for some advanced chipmaking services by up to 15% for new orders, as surging AI demand fills key production lines and pushes customers toward alternatives to capacity-constrained Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM).
Prices for U.S. and Chinese customers using Samsung's 4-nanometer SF4 process rose 10% to 15% in July, while 5-nanometer wafers climbed by a similar amount, Reuters reported Wednesday. Samsung declined to comment.
Samsung's Seoul-listed shares tumbled 7.8% Wednesday as the KOSPI sank 5.8%, despite fresh evidence that AI infrastructure demand remains strong.
Investors are questioning the scale of AI spending even as chipmakers struggle to keep up with it.
#customers
Samsung Electronics raised prices for some advanced chipmaking services by up to 15% for new orders, as surging AI demand fills key production lines and pushes customers toward alternatives to capacity-constrained Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM).
Prices for U.S. and Chinese customers using Samsung's 4-nanometer SF4 process rose 10% to 15% in July, while 5-nanometer wafers climbed by a similar amount, Reuters reported Wednesday. Samsung declined to comment.
Samsung's Seoul-listed shares tumbled 7.8% Wednesday as the KOSPI sank 5.8%, despite fresh evidence that AI infrastructure demand remains strong.
Investors are questioning the scale of AI spending even as chipmakers struggle to keep up with it.
#customers
1 month ago
SEOUL, Aug 15 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Saturday for talks with North Korea to pursue peaceful coexistence, saying Seoul would seek safeguards to prevent conflict and noting the need to replace the peninsula's armistice with a "peace regime".
In a speech marking the anniversary of Korea's liberation from ******* anese colonial rule, Lee said the two Koreas should hold a sit-down for coexistence.
He urged dialogue between North Korea and concerned parties to end the 1950-53 Korean War, which was stopped by a ceasefire, not a peace treaty, and said discussions could also explore effective measures to curb Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
Lee said Seoul would take preemptive and sustained steps to ease tensions and build layered safeguards to contain escalation.
Lee's call largely builds on his pledge last year to respect North Korea's system and seek peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang.
#seoul #coexistence #korea
In a speech marking the anniversary of Korea's liberation from ******* anese colonial rule, Lee said the two Koreas should hold a sit-down for coexistence.
He urged dialogue between North Korea and concerned parties to end the 1950-53 Korean War, which was stopped by a ceasefire, not a peace treaty, and said discussions could also explore effective measures to curb Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
Lee said Seoul would take preemptive and sustained steps to ease tensions and build layered safeguards to contain escalation.
Lee's call largely builds on his pledge last year to respect North Korea's system and seek peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang.
#seoul #coexistence #korea
1 month ago
SEOUL, Aug 14 (Reuters) - TerraPower and South Korea's SK Innovation signed on Friday a preliminary global agreement on small modular reactors (SMRs), Seoul's Industry Ministry said, opening a path for the SK Group affiliate to participate in the U.S. company's projects at home and abroad.
The agreement was signed at a meeting in Seoul between TerraPower co-founder Bill Gates, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, the ministry said.
The deal gives SK Innovation, the parent of South Korea's largest oil refiner, an opportunity to take part in development of TerraPower's SMR projects in the United States and overseas, the ministry said. It did not disclose financial terms or the scope of any investment.
TerraPower, backed by Gates, is developing its sodium-cooled Natrium reactor project in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The company received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March and is targeting commercial operation in 2031, the ministry said.
South Korea's Doosan Enerbility said on Friday it won a contract from TerraPower to manufacture key components for the reactor, including the reactor vessel, support structures and internal structures, without disclosing the value of the deal.
#ministry #south #innovation #gates
The agreement was signed at a meeting in Seoul between TerraPower co-founder Bill Gates, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, the ministry said.
The deal gives SK Innovation, the parent of South Korea's largest oil refiner, an opportunity to take part in development of TerraPower's SMR projects in the United States and overseas, the ministry said. It did not disclose financial terms or the scope of any investment.
TerraPower, backed by Gates, is developing its sodium-cooled Natrium reactor project in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The company received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March and is targeting commercial operation in 2031, the ministry said.
South Korea's Doosan Enerbility said on Friday it won a contract from TerraPower to manufacture key components for the reactor, including the reactor vessel, support structures and internal structures, without disclosing the value of the deal.
#ministry #south #innovation #gates
1 month ago
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 09: Atletico Madrid players pose during the preseason friendly match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid enter 2026/27 without their all-time top scorer Antoine Griezmann, replacing him not with one successor but with a reshaped attack built around a group of returning World Cup winner and three new signings.
After a preseason campaign which saw Atleti crash to consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City sandwiched in between wins over Getafe and Marseille.
Los Colchoneros now look to build on last season's fourth-placed finish, a joint-worst performance since Diego Simeone's debut season in 2011/12. 2025/26 compensated with thrilling cup runs to the final of the Copa del Rey and semifinal of the UEFA Champions League, but ultimately left the squad empty-handed for a fifth consecutive season.
Simeone remains the most tenured manager in Europe's top five leagues, and the calculus around him has not changed: Atletico finished fourth in La Liga last season, secured Champions League qualification, but fell in the semi-finals to ***** nal after a topsy-turvy continental campaign.
#season
Atletico Madrid enter 2026/27 without their all-time top scorer Antoine Griezmann, replacing him not with one successor but with a reshaped attack built around a group of returning World Cup winner and three new signings.
After a preseason campaign which saw Atleti crash to consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City sandwiched in between wins over Getafe and Marseille.
Los Colchoneros now look to build on last season's fourth-placed finish, a joint-worst performance since Diego Simeone's debut season in 2011/12. 2025/26 compensated with thrilling cup runs to the final of the Copa del Rey and semifinal of the UEFA Champions League, but ultimately left the squad empty-handed for a fifth consecutive season.
Simeone remains the most tenured manager in Europe's top five leagues, and the calculus around him has not changed: Atletico finished fourth in La Liga last season, secured Champions League qualification, but fell in the semi-finals to ***** nal after a topsy-turvy continental campaign.
#season
1 month ago
View the best images from training as our players returned to the City Football Academy following Asia Tour 2026.
Match Preview
Following a successful trip to Hong Kong and Seoul in preparation of the 2026/27 campaign, the Blues were back in Manchester as we build towards the Community Shield final.
The traditional season curtain-raiser will see Enzo Maresca's side lock horns with **** nal at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Sunday 16 August at 15:00 (UK).
Subscribe to CITY+ for exclusive games & features
#city
Match Preview
Following a successful trip to Hong Kong and Seoul in preparation of the 2026/27 campaign, the Blues were back in Manchester as we build towards the Community Shield final.
The traditional season curtain-raiser will see Enzo Maresca's side lock horns with **** nal at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Sunday 16 August at 15:00 (UK).
Subscribe to CITY+ for exclusive games & features
#city
1 month ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Wednesday performed its second ballistic missile test in less than a week, its neighbors said, a likely protest of the upcoming South Korea-U.S. military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said a ballistic missile fired from the North's eastern coastal Wonsan area around 6 a.m. flew more than 700 kilometers (435 miles). The **** anese Defense Ministry also detected the launch, saying the weapon landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, between the Korean Peninsula and **** an.
The launches, within days of each other, were seen as part of North Korea's extended run of weapons tests as the country has refused to return to talks with the U.S. and South Korea for years. Experts say North Korea often uses its rivals' military training as a pretext to boost its own testing activities.
South Korea's military said it remains ready to repel any provocation by Pyongyang in cooperation with the United States. South Korea's national security council called North Korean ballistic missile launches "acts of provocation" and urged the North to halt them immediately.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters that **** an strongly protested the North Korean launch through their embassies in Beijing. "It's a serious problem that affects the safety of the **** anese people," he said.
#Japan
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said a ballistic missile fired from the North's eastern coastal Wonsan area around 6 a.m. flew more than 700 kilometers (435 miles). The **** anese Defense Ministry also detected the launch, saying the weapon landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, between the Korean Peninsula and **** an.
The launches, within days of each other, were seen as part of North Korea's extended run of weapons tests as the country has refused to return to talks with the U.S. and South Korea for years. Experts say North Korea often uses its rivals' military training as a pretext to boost its own testing activities.
South Korea's military said it remains ready to repel any provocation by Pyongyang in cooperation with the United States. South Korea's national security council called North Korean ballistic missile launches "acts of provocation" and urged the North to halt them immediately.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters that **** an strongly protested the North Korean launch through their embassies in Beijing. "It's a serious problem that affects the safety of the **** anese people," he said.
#Japan
1 month ago
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting "988."
Mina Chan, a K-pop influencer who was a fan of the boy band Enhypen and had over 300,000 TikTok followers and 150,000 Instagram followers, has died. She was 25.
Chan died by suicide at her home in Seoul, South Korea, during a social media livestream last Wednesday, Aug. 5, Yongsan Police told The Korea Herald. USA TODAY reached out to TikTok and South Korean authorities for comment.
Chan's behavior began to concern some of her livestream viewers, who began reaching out to local law enforcement, asking them to help the content creator, according to the New York Daily News. Police appeared on the scene after one of the influencer's acquaintances called authorities as well, the Korea Herald reports, but Chan was ***** ounced dead by the time law enforcement arrived at her home in the early morning hours.
#chan #followers
Mina Chan, a K-pop influencer who was a fan of the boy band Enhypen and had over 300,000 TikTok followers and 150,000 Instagram followers, has died. She was 25.
Chan died by suicide at her home in Seoul, South Korea, during a social media livestream last Wednesday, Aug. 5, Yongsan Police told The Korea Herald. USA TODAY reached out to TikTok and South Korean authorities for comment.
Chan's behavior began to concern some of her livestream viewers, who began reaching out to local law enforcement, asking them to help the content creator, according to the New York Daily News. Police appeared on the scene after one of the influencer's acquaintances called authorities as well, the Korea Herald reports, but Chan was ***** ounced dead by the time law enforcement arrived at her home in the early morning hours.
#chan #followers
1 month ago
Former world number one Iga Swiatek cruised into the Toronto Masters semi-finals on Monday, taking just 64 minutes to sweep past Russian Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1.
Poland's Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, reached just her second WTA semi-final this year after Rome and seeks her first final since winning the Korea Open almost a year ago in Seoul.
"From the beginning I went for it. I felt like I could dominate," Swiatek said. "I was quite happy with the way I played."
The 25-year-old world number eight from Warsaw will on Wednesday face Ukraine's ninth-ranked Elina Svitolina, who rallied past 19th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Svitolina won eight consecutive games in the second and third sets to dispatch her Russian rival in 93 minutes.
#swiatek #World #number
Poland's Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, reached just her second WTA semi-final this year after Rome and seeks her first final since winning the Korea Open almost a year ago in Seoul.
"From the beginning I went for it. I felt like I could dominate," Swiatek said. "I was quite happy with the way I played."
The 25-year-old world number eight from Warsaw will on Wednesday face Ukraine's ninth-ranked Elina Svitolina, who rallied past 19th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Svitolina won eight consecutive games in the second and third sets to dispatch her Russian rival in 93 minutes.
#swiatek #World #number
1 month ago
By Kyu-seok Shim and Heejin Kim
SEOUL, Aug 10 (Reuters) - South Korea will launch a 5 trillion won ($3.52 billion) semiconductor fund targeting promising chip materials, parts, equipment and fabless companies, a presidential official said, as Seoul seeks to accelerate plans for new chip manufacturing hubs across the country.
The government will also provide a further 5 trillion won in trade finance for suppliers, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told a press briefing after a meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung on Monday.
The measures are part of Lee's semiconductor megaproject initiative unveiled in June, under which Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, together with suppliers and local governments, are expected to invest more than $576 billion in new chip manufacturing projects, including major fabrication facilities in the country's southwest region.
"The government will create a new semiconductor fund worth about 5 trillion won focused on promising materials, parts and equipment firms and fabless companies," Kang said.
#semiconductor #kang #billion
SEOUL, Aug 10 (Reuters) - South Korea will launch a 5 trillion won ($3.52 billion) semiconductor fund targeting promising chip materials, parts, equipment and fabless companies, a presidential official said, as Seoul seeks to accelerate plans for new chip manufacturing hubs across the country.
The government will also provide a further 5 trillion won in trade finance for suppliers, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told a press briefing after a meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung on Monday.
The measures are part of Lee's semiconductor megaproject initiative unveiled in June, under which Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, together with suppliers and local governments, are expected to invest more than $576 billion in new chip manufacturing projects, including major fabrication facilities in the country's southwest region.
"The government will create a new semiconductor fund worth about 5 trillion won focused on promising materials, parts and equipment firms and fabless companies," Kang said.
#semiconductor #kang #billion
1 month ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Around 50,000 fans watched Manchester City beat Atlético Madrid 3-1 in a pre-season exhibition game at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, offering a rare example of soccer making headlines for on-field action here during a scandal-hit summer.
The big transfer news of the period saw South Korea's star player Lee Kang-in move from Paris Saint-Germain to Atlético Madrid last month in a deal reportedly worth more than $40 million.
Despite Lee's second-half introduction, he couldn't prevent Manchester City rallying from a goal down to win. Jorge Dominguez put Madrid ahead just before the break but two goals from Omar Marmoush and one from Rayan Ait-Nouri gave the English club the victory.
The match offered a welcome break from the World Cup fallout, which involved police raids and parliamentary hearings. A leaked government audit recently revealed that Korea Football ****** ociation (KFA) officials used corporate credit cards in 2011 and 2012 to pay for services at adult entertainment venues for foreign referees.
"We express our sincere apologies for causing concerns over a range of issues, from a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented police raid to media reports about incidents from more than a decade ago that even members within the federation were unaware of," the KFA said in a statement Saturday.
#city #break
The big transfer news of the period saw South Korea's star player Lee Kang-in move from Paris Saint-Germain to Atlético Madrid last month in a deal reportedly worth more than $40 million.
Despite Lee's second-half introduction, he couldn't prevent Manchester City rallying from a goal down to win. Jorge Dominguez put Madrid ahead just before the break but two goals from Omar Marmoush and one from Rayan Ait-Nouri gave the English club the victory.
The match offered a welcome break from the World Cup fallout, which involved police raids and parliamentary hearings. A leaked government audit recently revealed that Korea Football ****** ociation (KFA) officials used corporate credit cards in 2011 and 2012 to pay for services at adult entertainment venues for foreign referees.
"We express our sincere apologies for causing concerns over a range of issues, from a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented police raid to media reports about incidents from more than a decade ago that even members within the federation were unaware of," the KFA said in a statement Saturday.
#city #break
1 month ago
Omar Marmoush scored twice in a three-minute spell in the second half as Manchester City came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid in a friendly in Seoul, South Korea.
The Spanish side took the lead just before half-time when City failed to properly clear Koke's corner and Morten Hjulmand set up 16-year-old Jorge Dominguez, who shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But City equalised in the 57th minute. Antoine ***** yo did well to slide and keep the ball in play before he charged into the penalty area down the left flank and his low cross was converted by Marmoush.
The pair linked up again two minutes later with a near identical goal - Marmoush finishing comfortably following ***** yo's low cross from the left.
There was a crowd of more than 50,000 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and the loudest cheer was reserved for the second-half introduction of Atletico's South Korea international Lee Kang-in.
#marmoush #half #south #minute
The Spanish side took the lead just before half-time when City failed to properly clear Koke's corner and Morten Hjulmand set up 16-year-old Jorge Dominguez, who shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But City equalised in the 57th minute. Antoine ***** yo did well to slide and keep the ball in play before he charged into the penalty area down the left flank and his low cross was converted by Marmoush.
The pair linked up again two minutes later with a near identical goal - Marmoush finishing comfortably following ***** yo's low cross from the left.
There was a crowd of more than 50,000 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and the loudest cheer was reserved for the second-half introduction of Atletico's South Korea international Lee Kang-in.
#marmoush #half #south #minute
1 month ago
SEOUL, Aug 6 (Reuters) - North Korea has deployed troops, weapons and now, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a war since the 1950s.
Here is what is known about the growing military ties:
WHAT ARE THE LATEST REPORTS?
A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for attacks on Ukraine, an official at Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency said.
The unit comprises about 90 North Korean personnel and is expected to be based in Russia's Voronezh region, the official said. The United States is aware of the North Korean deployment, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters.
#north #official #reuters #seoul
Here is what is known about the growing military ties:
WHAT ARE THE LATEST REPORTS?
A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for attacks on Ukraine, an official at Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency said.
The unit comprises about 90 North Korean personnel and is expected to be based in Russia's Voronezh region, the official said. The United States is aware of the North Korean deployment, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters.
#north #official #reuters #seoul
1 month ago
Manchester City wraps up its Asia tour on Sunday against Atlético Madrid at Seoul World Cup Stadium, the same ground where these clubs met in a friendly three years ago.
Enzo Maresca's first preseason has gone well so far. City drew 1-1 with Inter in Hong Kong before losing the shootout, then beat a K-League All Stars side 3-1 on Wednesday.
Maresca took the job this summer and inherits a squad that won both domestic cups last season.
Watch Manchester City vs. Atlético Madrid on Paramount+
Diego Simeone's side has split its two warm-ups, beating Getafe 4-1 on July 29, then falling to Manchester United 2-1 a few days later.
#madrid
Enzo Maresca's first preseason has gone well so far. City drew 1-1 with Inter in Hong Kong before losing the shootout, then beat a K-League All Stars side 3-1 on Wednesday.
Maresca took the job this summer and inherits a squad that won both domestic cups last season.
Watch Manchester City vs. Atlético Madrid on Paramount+
Diego Simeone's side has split its two warm-ups, beating Getafe 4-1 on July 29, then falling to Manchester United 2-1 a few days later.
#madrid
1 month ago
Rico Lewis says he is relishing the responsibility of now being one of Manchester City's longest serving senior players.
Men's Team
There have been a number of notable senior departures within the City squad since the end of last season with the likes of Bernardo Silva and John Stones having moved on.
It means despite still being just 21, with more than 100 senior games under his belt, Lewis is now one of the most experienced members of the City squad.
However, addressing the media at Saturday's pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's final 2026 Asia Tour game against Atletico Madrid in Seoul, Lewis said it was a role he was relishing.
#relishing #rico #manchester
Men's Team
There have been a number of notable senior departures within the City squad since the end of last season with the likes of Bernardo Silva and John Stones having moved on.
It means despite still being just 21, with more than 100 senior games under his belt, Lewis is now one of the most experienced members of the City squad.
However, addressing the media at Saturday's pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's final 2026 Asia Tour game against Atletico Madrid in Seoul, Lewis said it was a role he was relishing.
#relishing #rico #manchester
1 month ago
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed his club's decision on the future of Julian Alvarez, who has been continually linked with FC Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed his club's decision on the future and potential sale of Julian Alvarez, who has been continually linked with FC Barcelona.
"The situation is very clear, the entity made a decision that (Atleti CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) explained very well," Simeone said, while appearing before the media in Seoul on Saturday and also ruling out a sale as Gil Marin had earlier.
"We are very happy with Julian, from a sporting point of view we will help him to continue growing, to continue improving and to give us again what he has given us in these two years, which was a lot.
"We have already seen what happened with Griezmann, I don't see any other way than to work from the sporting side as we have to and try to help as we have done these two years," Simeone added, in a nod to the Frenchman's 2019, €120 million high-profile move to the Spotify Camp Nou.
#madrid
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed his club's decision on the future and potential sale of Julian Alvarez, who has been continually linked with FC Barcelona.
"The situation is very clear, the entity made a decision that (Atleti CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) explained very well," Simeone said, while appearing before the media in Seoul on Saturday and also ruling out a sale as Gil Marin had earlier.
"We are very happy with Julian, from a sporting point of view we will help him to continue growing, to continue improving and to give us again what he has given us in these two years, which was a lot.
"We have already seen what happened with Griezmann, I don't see any other way than to work from the sporting side as we have to and try to help as we have done these two years," Simeone added, in a nod to the Frenchman's 2019, €120 million high-profile move to the Spotify Camp Nou.
#madrid
1 month ago
Watford sporting director Luke Dowling says the club are in "regular" talks with Manchester City over re-signing defender Stephen Mfuni on loan and hinted striker Nestory Irankunda could leave the club this month.
Mfuni, who spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hornets, has featured for City on their pre-season tour of Asia.
He played 45 minutes in City's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan before being replaced at half-time by fellow former Watford loanee Max Alleyne - as well as the whole second half of City's 3-1 win against a K-League XI in Seoul on Wednesday.
"Everyone who watched Watford play last year in the games when Mfuni, especially, played, it wouldn't surprise me with Man City losing Nathan Ake this year, if they kept him around," Dowling told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"He's left-footed like Ake, he can play left-back, he can play left centre-half, so that wouldn't surprise me at all.
#mfuni
Mfuni, who spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hornets, has featured for City on their pre-season tour of Asia.
He played 45 minutes in City's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan before being replaced at half-time by fellow former Watford loanee Max Alleyne - as well as the whole second half of City's 3-1 win against a K-League XI in Seoul on Wednesday.
"Everyone who watched Watford play last year in the games when Mfuni, especially, played, it wouldn't surprise me with Man City losing Nathan Ake this year, if they kept him around," Dowling told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"He's left-footed like Ake, he can play left-back, he can play left centre-half, so that wouldn't surprise me at all.
#mfuni
1 month ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Police raided the Korea Football ****** ociation's offices Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2024 appointment of Hong Myung-bo as South Korea's national team coach.
Investigators searched the KFA headquarters in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, and the KFA House in central Seoul, looking for evidence that officials improperly intervened in the hiring process.
A police investigation began shortly after Hong's appointment but had stalled this summer after nearly two years without a conclusion. It gained renewed attention amid public anger after South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Hong, who had also led the team at the 2014 World Cup, stepped down after the tournament, as did Chung Mong-gyu as federation president. Both appeared before a parliamentary hearing at the National ****** embly in Seoul in July.
Former KFA technical director Lee Lim-saeng reportedly offered Hong the job at a bakery near the coach's home.
#national #investigation #appointment
Investigators searched the KFA headquarters in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, and the KFA House in central Seoul, looking for evidence that officials improperly intervened in the hiring process.
A police investigation began shortly after Hong's appointment but had stalled this summer after nearly two years without a conclusion. It gained renewed attention amid public anger after South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Hong, who had also led the team at the 2014 World Cup, stepped down after the tournament, as did Chung Mong-gyu as federation president. Both appeared before a parliamentary hearing at the National ****** embly in Seoul in July.
Former KFA technical director Lee Lim-saeng reportedly offered Hong the job at a bakery near the coach's home.
#national #investigation #appointment
1 month ago
They stood there, looking at each other, just like they did halfway around the world 35 years before. By now, wisdom and hardship had carved creases on the edges of their eyes, and the pounding of countless rounds in the ring had made once hardened bones brittle. Their joints were a little creaky, too, from years of punishing repetition.
The last time they met, both were in their primes, one just embarking on a magical journey with a heart-wrenching sendoff, and the other about to get a lifetime reward he knew he did not deserve.
This time, Roy Jones Jr. and Park Si-Hun met as two men in the twilight of their years, with far more in common than they had in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988.
This was a healing moment, filled with the kind of backstory that stirs documentaries.
A shaping moment of a friendship forged between two broken men bonded by one broken, battered gold medal.
#moment
The last time they met, both were in their primes, one just embarking on a magical journey with a heart-wrenching sendoff, and the other about to get a lifetime reward he knew he did not deserve.
This time, Roy Jones Jr. and Park Si-Hun met as two men in the twilight of their years, with far more in common than they had in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988.
This was a healing moment, filled with the kind of backstory that stirs documentaries.
A shaping moment of a friendship forged between two broken men bonded by one broken, battered gold medal.
#moment
1 month ago
Everything you need to know ahead of the final match of City's 2026 pre-season tour of Asia.
The team have made the short trip from Hong Kong to South Korea in anticipation of our clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August, with kick-off set for 12:00 (UK).
Ahead of what is expected to be an exciting match-up against some of the Korean league's best players, here is all the key pre-match information you need, including how to follow all the action live, below…
The Blues take on the La Liga side at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday 9 August.
Subscribe to CITY+ to see our Tour matches
#need
The team have made the short trip from Hong Kong to South Korea in anticipation of our clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August, with kick-off set for 12:00 (UK).
Ahead of what is expected to be an exciting match-up against some of the Korean league's best players, here is all the key pre-match information you need, including how to follow all the action live, below…
The Blues take on the La Liga side at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday 9 August.
Subscribe to CITY+ to see our Tour matches
#need
