Pope Leo heads to France with AI, apologies for clergy abuse on agenda

Rappler - Sep 25, 2026

Pope Leo is likely to draw large crowds on the September 25 to 28 visit, which includes stops in Paris, at the famed Catholic shrine in Lourdes, and in a city on the German border central to the founding of the EU

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What MARINA’s system failure reveals about government readiness

Sep 25, 2026

What MARINA’s system failure reveals about government readiness

MANILA, Philippines — In the digital age, it only takes one cyberattack to bring a government service to a halt. When the Maritime Industry Authority’s (MARINA) seafarer document system was hit, the disruption exposed a problem beyond the attack itself: an aging digital infrastructure that had been waiting years for an upgrade. The agency temporarily

UAAP Esports eyes main event status after quick success

Sep 25, 2026

UAAP Esports eyes main event status after quick success

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP Esports is no longer content with proving that esports belong in the collegiate sports scene. It now wants to prove that it can draw the same respect, attention, and energy as the league’s biggest events. Don’t call it just another sport, esports is a main event. At least, that’s what the

Lee says Ukraine breached non-disclosure agreement on 2 NK soldiers

Sep 25, 2026

Lee says Ukraine breached non-disclosure agreement on 2 NK soldiers

MEXICO CITY — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday expressed regret that Ukraine has disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea, calling it a breach of a non-disclosure agreement that he said may lead to many problems. "It was appropriate in every aspect not to disclose, considering many problems it may cause when disclosed, and (we) had agreed to do so," Lee said in a post on his X account, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Ukraine recently sent the two North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Shortly after Zelenskyy's speech, the Ukrainian presidential office said the transfer of the two North Korean prisoners to South Korea was carried out through direct dialogue with Seoul. "(Ukraine) disclosed the transfer in breach of a non-disclosure agreement," Lee wrote. "I don't know the reasons (for the disclosure), but I regret it." Lee said the issue is a very sensitive matter that could immensely affect diplomacy and national security, as well as th

Lee calls Mexico 'indispensable' partner amid growing global economic uncertainties

Sep 25, 2026

Lee calls Mexico 'indispensable' partner amid growing global economic uncertainties

MEXICO CITY — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday described Mexico as an "indispensable strategic partner" and stressed the need to deepen bilateral economic cooperation amid global economic uncertainties. Lee made the remarks at a meeting that he jointly hosted with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, according to senior South Korean presidential secretary for public affairs Seong Ghi-hong. The meeting was attended by dozens of business leaders from both countries. Lee said the two countries are indispensable strategic partners to each other, and need to elevate their economic cooperation at a time when global economic uncertainties are growing, with global supply chains undergoing rapid changes, according to Seong. The South Korean president also pledged to support the successful implementation of Sheinbaum's vision, called "Plan Mexico," which she unveiled last year to strengthen industrial competitiveness and expand infrastructure. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen investment and trade between South Korean and Mexican companies, the presidential secretary said.

Korea, Mexico adopt joint action plan to expand cooperation in defense, crude oil, AI

Sep 25, 2026

Korea, Mexico adopt joint action plan to expand cooperation in defense, crude oil, AI

MEXICO CITY — South Korea and Mexico on Thursday adopted a joint action plan to expand bilateral cooperation into crude oil, critical natural resources, defense and artificial intelligence, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said of his summit here with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The South Korean president announced the signing of the Korea-Mexico Joint Action Plan 2026-2030 in a joint press announcement with his Mexican counterpart. The action plan calls for South Korea and Mexico to expand bilateral cooperation in advanced industries, including AI, digital technology, aerospace and defense, according to Lee. "This will help foster connections between the strategic industries prioritized by my administration and the advancement of new industries envisioned under Mexico's economic development strategy, "Plan Mexico," he said. South Korea and Mexico will also work toward having the agreement take effect promptly by completing necessary procedures, including the formal signing and parliamentary ratification. Also during the summit, the two countries concluded negotiations on a

Lee reaffirms he will not seek reelection through constitutional revision

Sep 25, 2026

Lee reaffirms he will not seek reelection through constitutional revision

MEXICO CITY — President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed Thursday that he will not seek reelection through constitutional reform. The president made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean residents in Mexico while on a state visit. "Those who are worried, don't be," the president said. "There will never be a case of my (term) going beyond June 2, 2030." Lee has repeatedly said he has no intention of seeking reelection through constitutional revision amid opposition accusations that he may seek a second term through the push for a constitutional revision by his administration and his ruling Democratic Party. The Constitution currently stipulates any changes to the presidential system shall not apply to the president in office at the time of a revision. Lee took office in June last year for a five-year term. The president also warned against radicalism in pursuing reforms, saying: "(One) needs to restrain himself properly. If one goes too far or too hastily, he would face backlash. "While minimizing resistance and backlash, (reforms) should be pursued in a way that is effective, practical a

Lee pledges to work harder to 'illuminate' every citizen's life in Chuseok message

Sep 25, 2026

Lee pledges to work harder to 'illuminate' every citizen's life in Chuseok message

MEXICO CITY— President Lee Jae Myung pledged to work harder to "illuminate" every citizen's life regardless of differences in opinion in a video message released Thursday to mark the Chuseok holiday. Appearing alongside first lady Kim Hea Kyung in the video, Lee said, "As president, I am truly grateful and deeply honored to share this moment with all of you, our great people of the Republic of Korea, who have built today's Korea and are shaping the Korea of tomorrow. "I will work even harder to ensure that every citizen's life is illuminated brightly, regardless of their qualifications or conditions and whatever their opinions or thoughts," he said. "Though our places of residence, occupations and chosen paths may differ, we are united by our love for the country," he added. The president wished citizens "a wonderful Chuseok holiday," expressing his hope that they can reach out to those they miss and share precious moments of happiness with those they love. He delivered the message while spending the holiday in Mexico on a state visit aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. He is sched

Highway congestion builds on Chuseok as Koreans travel to hometowns

Sep 25, 2026

Highway congestion builds on Chuseok as Koreans travel to hometowns

Heavy traffic clogged expressways across South Korea on Friday, the second day of the Chuseok holiday, as people headed to their hometowns for family reunions, with trips from Seoul to the southeastern city of Busan estimated to take seven hours and 20 minutes. As of 2 p.m., travel times from Seoul were estimated at six hours to Mokpo, seven hours and 20 minutes to Ulsan, six hours and 40 minutes to Daegu, and five hours and 40 minutes to Gwangju, according to the Korea Expressway Corp. This year's holiday for Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, runs from Thursday to Sunday. The holiday is marked by visits to hometowns, family reunions, ancestral rites and traditional holiday foods. Trips to Seoul were expected to take eight hours and 10 minutes from Busan, seven hours and 10 minutes from Mokpo, seven hours and 50 minutes from Ulsan, and six hours and 40 minutes from Gwangju. The state-run company said traffic congestion on roads leaving the Seoul area was expected to peak between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and ease between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. In the opposite direction, congestion was ex

N. Korean official says S. Korea to become target of 'collective punishment'

Sep 25, 2026

N. Korean official says S. Korea to become target of 'collective punishment'

North Korea on Friday condemned a recent remark made by the top commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) that South Korea plays a decisive center for collective defense, noting Seoul will instead become a target of punishment. The statement came from Kang Chol-su, section chief of North Korea's Institute of Enemy State Studies, in a commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In the statement, Kang said the U.S. is "openly revealing its gangster-like nature" to use South Korea as Washington's "key base for implementing its hegemonic strategy and as its mercenaries in the regional conflict." "(U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson) talked about the redesigning of the security of the Korean peninsula, stressing the need for the ROK and the U.S. to jointly cope with the threat from outside the Korean peninsula," Kang said. The ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "This is a clearer manifestation of the attempt to completely discard the deceptive veil of 'defense of the ROK,' which has so far been used as the justification for the existenc

Hyundai Motor poised to rank No. 3 in US quarterly sales, closing in on Ford

Sep 25, 2026

Hyundai Motor poised to rank No. 3 in US quarterly sales, closing in on Ford

Hyundai Motor Group is poised to overtake Ford Motor in quarterly vehicle sales in the United States for the first time, underscoring the growing presence of the Korean automaker in the world’s largest car market. Cox Automotive estimates that the group’s three brands — Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis — will sell 511,421 vehicles in the U.S. between July and September, up 6.5 percent from a year earlier. By contrast, Ford is projected to sell 504,172 vehicles, down 7.1 percent, according to the market researcher’s latest forecast. If the estimates hold, Hyundai Motor Group would rank third in quarterly U.S. sales behind General Motors, with 671,706 vehicles, and Toyota Motor, with 642,707. The result would mark the first time the Korean group has surpassed Ford on a quarterly basis. The shift comes as U.S. consumers increasingly favor fuel-efficient vehicles amid elevated gasoline prices. Utilizing the market condition, Hyundai Motor Group has been going all-out to expand hybrid sales in the U.S. However, Ford sells much fewer hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles there. Cox Automotiv

Gov't weighs raising admission fees to palaces, royal tombs for 1st time in 20 years

Sep 25, 2026

Gov't weighs raising admission fees to palaces, royal tombs for 1st time in 20 years

The government is weighing an increase in admission fees at major palaces and royal tombs next year, officials said Friday, as officials and experts argue current prices are low by global standards and point to shifting visitor patterns. If increased, it would mark the first change in two decades, according to the officials. Under current rates, adult admission to both Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace is 3,000 won ($2.20), while the UNESCO-listed Jongmyo Shrine, Changgyeong Palace and Deoksu Palace charge 1,000 won. Joseon-era royal tombs (1392-1910) range from 500 won to 2,000 won for adults. Kim Jae-kyu, head of the private National Heritage Planning and Evaluation Institute, said at a recent public forum hosted by the Korea Heritage Service that South Korea's palace and tomb fees are very low even by international standards. Using the Big Mac index as a benchmark, Kim noted that France's Versailles equates to about nine Big Macs and Japan's Nijo Castle to roughly 1.2, while fees at Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces amount to about half a Big Mac. Kim also pointed to changing visitor

Shark fever hits Busan as 102,000 rush to see 'Bukangi' at start of Chuseok break

Sep 25, 2026

Shark fever hits Busan as 102,000 rush to see 'Bukangi' at start of Chuseok break

More than 100,000 people flocked to a waterfront park at Busan’s North Port on Wednesday, the first day of the Chuseok holiday, hoping to catch a glimpse of a shark nicknamed “Bukangi” that has been spotted in a canal there. The turnout was about 50 times the park’s usual holiday visitor count. According to the Busan Facilities Corporation on Thursday, approximately 93,000 people had visited the waterfront park in Dong District by 6 p.m. Wednesday. Including visitors who arrived later, the total was estimated at around 102,000. The park typically receives about 2,000 visitors on a holiday. The shark, which was spotted at North Port and given the nickname Bukangi, has become a local attraction, drawing crowds even during the holiday period. The waterfront park is about 500 meters from Busan Station and is within walking distance. As crowds gathered around the park Wednesday afternoon, Busan Metropolitan City sent a safety alert urging people to avoid driving and to use public transportation, warning of severe congestion in the area. To prevent safety accidents, the city has restri

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