AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Kim Hee-su
Kim Hee-su김희수
ReporterMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Seoul City Hall & Defense, Foreign Affairs
Kim Hee-su is a bilingual reporter at AJU Press, covering defense and foreign affairs. Before joining AJP in 2025, she worked at The Korea Times, where she wrote interview stories, including a profile of North Korean defector Kim Gum-hyok, and produced digital content. She also previously worked as a researcher for KBS News 9’s International News Department, supporting correspondents in 10 countries around the world. She graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada with a double major in Book and Media Studies and East Asian Studies. "I'm driven by storytelling."
Latest by Kim Hee-su
  • Hyundai Rotem partners with Korea Aerospace University to strengthen space business
    Hyundai Rotem partners with Korea Aerospace University to strengthen space business SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace University to cooperate in the space industry, the company said Monday. The agreement, signed on Friday, is aimed at building an industry-academia cooperation platform in the space sector through joint research, networking and talent development. Under the MOU, the two sides will work together on joint research and commercialization of next-generation space technologies, establish a virtuous cycle of technology and academic information sharing, and foster future space professionals through field-based training programs. As part of efforts to strengthen joint research and commercialization capabilities, Hyundai Rotem and Korea Aerospace University will cooperate in planning and carrying out national research and development projects, while the university’s expert groups will support technical verification of Hyundai Rotem’s projects. The two sides also plan to jointly utilize research infrastructure. “We expect this partnership with Korea Aerospace University’s expert groups and research infrastructure to help strengthen our space technology capabilities,” a Hyundai Rotem official said. “We will put strong momentum behind our space business and build a virtuous cycle of shared growth with partners contributing to the development of Korea’s space industry.” 2026-05-11 11:35:07
  • S. Korea expands drone security push with Army pact, coastal test site
    S. Korea expands drone security push with Army pact, coastal test site SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea is expanding efforts to strengthen its drone security capabilities, as the National Intelligence Service signed a cooperation agreement with the Army and the government opened the country’s first integrated test site for land, sea and aerial unmanned systems. The moves reflect Seoul’s push to turn lessons from overseas battlefields into practical drone operations at home, as unmanned systems play a growing role in both military and public security missions. The NIS said Friday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Army at Gyeryongdae, the military headquarters in South Chungcheong Province. Under the agreement, the two sides will share domestic and overseas drone security information, improve regulations on advanced drone use, verify drone and counter-drone systems and conduct joint drills against threats to national security facilities. The spy agency said it will also share information and analysis on drones used in overseas conflicts to support the Army’s efforts to strengthen its drone capabilities and upgrade tactics. The NIS signed a similar agreement with the Navy in October last year. “Information on drones used in overseas battlefields is an important asset for improving our military’s operational capabilities,” the NIS said. “Through close cooperation with the Army, we will support responses to drone threats and help establish a national drone security system.” In a related move, the Ministry of Science and ICT opened a coastal test site for unmanned vehicles in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. The facility, located at the Dangjin Drone Industry Support Center, is the country’s first test site where land, sea and aerial unmanned systems can be operated together for cooperative missions. The ministry said the site will support demonstrations of integrated control technologies for coastal security missions, including monitoring illegal entry, detecting pollution sources and responding to maritime accidents. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Coast Guard. 2026-05-08 16:45:07
  • South Korea pushes for drone autonomy through standardization
    South Korea pushes for drone autonomy through standardization SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea is moving to standardize its drone industry around K-MOSA as the government seeks to shorten development cycles, lower production costs and build a scalable domestic manufacturing ecosystem for unmanned systems. The initiative comes as drones rapidly redefine modern warfare from Ukraine to the Middle East, exposing how military competitiveness increasingly depends not only on advanced unmanned systems but also on resilient supply chains and the capacity for fast, low-cost mass production. “Drones have already changed the battlefield, but South Korea still has a long way to go,” said Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean Army lieutenant general. The Office for Government Policy Coordination said Thursday that it had finalized key policy tasks during the third meeting of the government’s drone and counter-drone task force. Officials said they had completed scenario analyses on evolving security threats, including hybrid drones, and agreed to coordinate inter-ministerial response systems under a broader national defense framework. At the center of the strategy is a standardized marketplace built on K-MOSA, short for Korea’s modular open systems approach for defense unmanned systems. The framework is designed to move the industry away from fragmented proprietary specifications by allowing certified drone parts and modules to operate interchangeably across platforms. Under the envisioned system, authorized buyers would be able to compare, select and procure interoperable components through a digital platform, reducing dependence on single vendors while making drone systems easier to upgrade as battlefield requirements evolve. The government said the framework is intended to shorten development timelines and enable low-cost mass production. The push also reflects a broader industrial vulnerability. Although South Korea’s drone exports have expanded rapidly, the domestic ecosystem remains heavily exposed to cheaper Chinese products and components. According to a report by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) released last November, South Korea’s drone exports reached $27.54 million in 2024, nearly 10 times higher than three years earlier. Yet the country still accounted for less than 0.5 percent of global drone exports, underscoring the gap between outward growth and meaningful global competitiveness. The same report showed global drone trade more than doubled over the past three years to exceed $6 billion, while the overall market is projected to expand more than 14 percent annually to reach $163.6 billion by 2030. Despite that growth, South Korea’s drone sector continues to struggle with weak manufacturing infrastructure, low localization of critical parts and heavy dependence on imports. DJI remains the dominant global player. Trade data cited by Monthly Trade, a publication affiliated with the KITA, showed China accounted for roughly 37.8 percent of global drone exports in 2024, down from 64.5 percent in 2022 but still by far the largest share. DJI alone is estimated to control more than 70 percent of the global finished-drone market. South Korea’s dependence is especially acute in components. Recent trade analysis found that Chinese products accounted for roughly 70 percent of South Korea’s drone-parts imports on average over the past three years, leaving domestic manufacturers vulnerable to supply disruptions or export controls from Beijing. Industry officials say the imbalance ultimately comes down to cost. Chinese components are often significantly cheaper than domestic alternatives, making it difficult for smaller Korean drone makers to source locally while competing in an intensely price-sensitive market. Kim Mu-hyun, a researcher at the KITA, said South Korea’s dependence on Chinese drone parts does not stem from a lack of technological capability. “South Korea has the technology,” Kim said. “The fundamental problem is that there is not enough domestic demand, so even if companies make the parts, it does not become profitable.” Kim argued that localization is necessary over the long term, but demand must come first. Without sustained civilian, public-sector or defense procurement, manufacturers have little incentive to invest in production lines or expand hiring. That imbalance is reflected in the industry’s structure. According to the 2024 Drone Industry Survey cited in industry reports, South Korea had 6,835 drone-related companies as of December 2023, but combined industry sales totaled just 1.09 trillion won ($1.4 billion). Of those firms, only 608 were manufacturers, while 6,227 focused on services or drone utilization, highlighting how the sector remains centered more on operation than deep manufacturing capacity. Employment data points to a similar weakness. According to figures from the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology cited in local industry reports, the number of workers employed by drone manufacturers fell from 4,152 in 2021 to 2,740 in 2023, even as the number of drone manufacturers rose from 345 to 608 over the same period. Experts say the government’s latest initiative could mark a shift from fragmented support measures toward a more coordinated national drone strategy. But its ultimate success will depend on whether the framework can generate enough sustained demand to justify large-scale domestic investment and reduce South Korea’s reliance on cheaper foreign supplies during a military contingency. 2026-05-08 16:14:50
  • Hanwha Group moves to bring aerospace under its defense arm
    Hanwha Group moves to bring aerospace under its defense arm SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - Defense-heavy Hanwha Group has climbed to No. 5 in South Korea’s latest conglomerate rankings by the Fair Trade Commission, and it appears to be aiming to go literally higher by bringing aircraft and rocket manufacturing business back into the family. The group has recently secured more than a 5 percent stake in Korea Aerospace Industries, the country's aircraft-making monopoly, for the stated purpose of “management participation,” signaling that its long-rumored ambition to build a “Korean Lockheed Martin” is moving into clearer view. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems recently purchased additional KAI shares on the open market, raising their combined stake to 5.09 percent. The group is reportedly planning to invest an additional 500 billion won ($345 million) by the end of this year to lift its holdings further to 6.43 percent. The move marks Hanwha’s return to possible management involvement in KAI roughly eight years after it sold its entire stake in 2018 to improve its financial structure. Hanwha had quietly re-entered KAI’s shareholder base in March with a 4.99 percent stake, deliberately stopping just below the disclosure threshold that would have triggered stricter reporting requirements and intensified takeover speculation. By crossing the 5 percent threshold, Hanwha has effectively shown its hand and will to bring KAI back home to complete its broader aerospace and defense ambitions. KAI is de facto state-owned with the Export-Import Bank of Korea holding the largest 26.41 percent stake, followed by the National Pension Service with roughly 8 percent. Hanwha would become the largest non-public shareholder in KAI once stake purchase is completed. Hanwha itself has openly acknowledged the possibility of pursuing a larger role. “If discussions on a government-led privatization of KAI become public, we plan to review whether to pursue an acquisition or integration in line with the government’s policy direction,” the group said. Hanwha’s ties with KAI date back to 2015, when it acquired Samsung Techwin, now Hanwha Aerospace, and inherited Samsung Group’s roughly 10 percent stake in KAI. But the group sold the entire holding in 2018 as part of efforts to shore up its balance sheet. Speculation over a renewed KAI bid intensified after Hanwha acquired Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, in 2023, strengthening its ambition to build an integrated defense structure spanning land, sea, air and space. Since then, Hanwha has repeatedly emerged as the leading candidate whenever discussions resurfaced over the possible sale of the Export-Import Bank’s KAI stake. Industry watchers also point to significant technological synergies. Hanwha Aerospace has strengths in fighter jet engines and space launch vehicles, while KAI specializes in aircraft manufacturing, satellite platforms and systems integration. A combination of the two could create South Korea’s first vertically integrated aerospace champion with the scale to compete more directly against global defense giants such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. “Hanwha’s grand ambition is ultimately to create Korea’s Lockheed Martin,” said Kim Houng-yu. “KAI could become a key pillar in completing that vision.” The push is also viewed as a strategic investment in the emerging “new space” economy, where private companies are taking increasingly central roles in satellite development, launch systems and defense-related aerospace technologies. Still, major obstacles remain before any actual takeover could materialize. The most immediate issue is likely to be monopoly scrutiny. If Hanwha acquires KAI, the group would effectively control both fighter aircraft manufacturing and engine supply, a structure that could face close examination from the Fair Trade Commission. Concerns over privatizing a strategically sensitive defense company, potential clashes in corporate culture and labor union opposition are also viewed as major hurdles. “Defense is a special market, unlike ordinary industries, so the government could play some role in adjusting monopoly-related concerns,” Kim said. “Conditions could be attached during the acquisition process.” Another defense industry expert argued that the emergence of a Korean version of Lockheed Martin could ultimately strengthen South Korea’s global competitiveness. “South Korea still does not have a comprehensive defense company that covers everything from ground weapons and missiles to advanced weapons systems and aircraft platforms,” the expert said. “Rather than looking only at domestic competition, it could be positive to have a defense-specialized group like Korea’s Lockheed Martin when considering global competitiveness.” Hanwha’s latest stake expansion also reflects how Chairman Kim Seung-youn’s aggressive mergers, acquisitions and restructuring efforts are increasingly translating into stronger profitability rather than simply a larger corporate footprint. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Hanwha Corp. posted 189.5 billion won in first-quarter operating profit on a standalone basis, up 24.8 percent from a year earlier, driven by improved operational efficiency and dividend income from key affiliates. Core defense affiliates also posted strong results. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean recorded first-quarter operating profit increases of 20.6 percent and 70.6 percent, respectively, as exports of K9 self-propelled howitzers and Chunmoo multiple rocket launch systems expanded amid rising global defense demand following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing instability in the Middle East. Buoyed by growing confidence on land and at sea, Hanwha is now looking higher – toward aerospace. 2026-05-07 17:59:48
  • KF-21 cleared for combat, opening era of Korean-made fighter jets
    KF-21 cleared for combat, opening era of Korean-made fighter jets SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - South Korea’s homegrown KF-21 fighter jet has received final combat suitability approval, clearing the last major hurdle in its development 10 years and five months after the project began. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Thursday that the KF-21 was declared suitable for combat use, meaning the aircraft has met the Air Force’s required operational capability and secured the technical reliability needed to carry out missions in actual battlefield conditions. The KF-21 development project began in December 2015. Since testing and evaluation began in May 2021, the aircraft has undergone about five years of ground tests through February this year to verify its durability and structural integrity. The aircraft also completed more than 1,600 flight tests, covering over 13,000 test conditions, including aerial refueling and weapons launch trials. Through the tests, authorities verified the KF-21’s flight performance and stability. With the latest approval, the project is expected to be formally completed next month. The first mass-produced unit is scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force in the second half of this year. The KF-21 will replace the Air Force’s aging F-4 and F-5 fighter jets, marking a major step in South Korea’s efforts to build an independent fighter aircraft development capability. “This combat suitability approval is the result of close cooperation among the Defense Ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Air Force, Korea Aerospace Industries and other related organizations,” said Noh Ji-man, head of DAPA’s Korean Fighter Program Office. “It is a symbolic achievement showing that South Korea has fully secured its own fighter jet development capability,” he added. However, some officials say the deployment timeline could still be subject to change as pressure grows on the defense budget. 2026-05-07 17:43:12
  • Korea weighs Louisiana LNG project for $200 bln US investment package
    Korea weighs Louisiana LNG project for $200 bln US investment package SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - South Korea has begun reviewing a liquefied natural gas export terminal project in Louisiana as a potential first project under its $200 billion strategic investment package with the U.S., officials and industry sources said Thursday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recently selected a consortium of Samil PwC and Kim & Chang to advise on the Louisiana LNG project, part of the Korea-U.S. strategic investment package agreed last year. Industry watchers say the Louisiana LNG project reflects Washington’s broader push to increase LNG exports, particularly as demand for non-Russian energy has grown in Europe following the war in Ukraine and Asian demand for alternative supplies has risen amid instability around the Strait of Hormuz. The project involves building export infrastructure to liquefy and ship natural gas produced along the U.S. Gulf Coast to markets in Europe and Asia. For South Korea, however, the key issue will be whether the investment can generate tangible benefits for Korean companies, rather than simply meeting U.S. demands. Seoul is expected to seek conditions that allow Korean firms to participate in construction, supply steel and equipment, and secure stable access to U.S. LNG. The move comes as Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan departed for North America on Tuesday for a four-day trip focused on advancing investment talks with the U.S. and strengthening industrial cooperation with Canada. Kim arrived in Washington on Thursday after visiting Ottawa, where he sought Canadian support for Korean companies bidding for the country’s submarine procurement project. He said the U.S. Trade Representative’s ongoing Section 301 investigation into countries including South Korea and Japan appeared to be aimed at restoring the 15 percent reciprocal tariff that had been ruled unlawful. “I understand the purpose of the investigation is to restore the 15 percent tariff,” Kim said. “Any U.S. measures following the investigation are likely to remain within that scope, and we will make every effort to ensure that they do.” Kim also pushed back against concerns that South Korea was moving slower than Japan in implementing its U.S. investment package. “Specific projects cannot be realized simply by announcing them. They need to be carried out in concrete terms,” he said. Kim said details could be discussed only after the special act on U.S. investment takes effect in June. The special act on the management of Korea-U.S. strategic investment was passed by the National Assembly on March 12 and is scheduled to take effect on June 18. Asked about the Louisiana LNG project, Kim stopped short of confirming it as the first investment. “It is true that the Louisiana project was among the projects being reviewed,” Kim said. “But we are not yet at a stage where we can say whether it will become the first project.” 2026-05-07 10:45:10
  • Seoul at a strategic crossroads as Hormuz crisis deepens
    Seoul at a strategic crossroads as Hormuz crisis deepens SEOUL, May 06 (AJP) - A third Korea-bound tanker has begun a longer but safer voyage through the Red Sea to carry much-needed crude home, while an HMM cargo carrier damaged by an explosion in the heart of the Strait of Hormuz is being towed toward port — two parallel scenes underscoring the growing price South Korea is paying for its heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies. With both Washington and Tehran claiming the upper hand over the strategic chokepoint, uncertainty over who truly controls the Strait of Hormuz has intensified. As of Wednesday, 26 Korea-related vessels carrying 173 crew members remained stranded inside the Persian Gulf on dwindling resources, adding urgency to Seoul’s strategic calculations. The possibility that Iranian militant forces may have been involved in the latest maritime incident has fueled calls for Korea to reconsider its cautious stance toward Washington’s repeated requests to join “Project Freedom,” the U.S.-led naval operation aimed at restoring safe passage through Hormuz. Seoul has simultaneously been courted by both the U.S. and a separate Europe-led framework seeking to reopen the waterway responsible for roughly one-fifth of global energy flows. The focal point of the latest tensions is the Namu, an HMM-operated cargo ship that suffered an explosion near the port of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates at around 3:40 p.m. Monday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said 24 crew members — including six Koreans and 18 foreign nationals — were aboard. No casualties were reported. An HMM official said Wednesday the company had secured a tugboat and expected towing operations to begin later in the evening. “The schedule remains subject to several variables, but if the operation proceeds quickly, the vessel could arrive in Dubai by Thursday night,” the official said. A full investigation into the cause of the explosion is expected once the vessel docks in Dubai. HMM said Iran had expanded its control zone in the Strait of Hormuz on the day of the accident, although the Namu itself was not inside the restricted area. Four other HMM vessels remained anchored near the control line alongside hundreds of ships awaiting passage clearance. Speculation over a possible external strike quickly emerged, but industry officials and union representatives cautioned against premature conclusions, noting the absence of visible structural damage consistent with a missile or drone attack. “If a fire had been caused by an external factor, there would have to be signs of damage to the hull, but no such signs have been reported,” said Jeon Jeong-geun, head of HMM’s seafarers’ union. “Nearby vessels have also reported no major visible damage.” Jeon added that further inspection would still be required to determine whether the vessel sustained damage below the waterline. “Whether a strong shock wave was transmitted can only be determined after checking the condition of the underwater hull,” he said. He also directly challenged U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of the incident. “President Trump’s remarks are far from the facts,” Jeon said. “Our vessels were anchored, not sailing, when the damage occurred.” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the exact cause would only be determined after the vessel undergoes inspection at port. The Iranian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday denied any involvement by Iranian armed forces in the incident, saying Tehran “firmly rejects and categorically denies” allegations linked to the damage to the Korean vessel. It said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz requires compliance with Iranian regulations, warnings and designated routes, adding that disregarding such requirements “may lead to unintended incidents.” Trump, however, has repeatedly used the incident to intensify pressure on Seoul. “Their ship was smashed yesterday. But the ships protected by the U.S. were not attacked,” Trump said on Tuesday, arguing that South Korea should join Project Freedom. The U.S. launched Project Freedom on Sunday to escort commercial vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. A merchant ship operated by Danish shipping giant Maersk became the first stranded vessel to successfully transit the strait under U.S. naval escort. Yet the operation’s future quickly became uncertain after Trump abruptly announced its suspension on the second day, fueling questions over Washington’s next move. Some analysts interpreted the reversal as part of Trump’s familiar negotiating strategy of maximizing pressure before pursuing talks, while others suggested the mission may have imposed greater operational burdens on the U.S. military than initially anticipated. For Seoul, the crisis presents a far more complex challenge than previous overseas naval deployments. Unlike South Korea’s anti-piracy missions near Somalia under the Cheonghae Unit in 2020, the Hormuz situation involves an active war environment, including risks from Iranian drone attacks and naval mines whose locations may not be fully identified. Trump has repeatedly singled out South Korea while calling for allied naval participation, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also publicly urged allies, including Seoul, to shoulder greater military responsibilities. But joining U.S.-commanded operations carries significant diplomatic risks. If South Korean naval forces operate directly under U.S. command in the strait, Seoul could be perceived as assuming a more active role in the conflict itself, according to an industry official. At the same time, South Korea has been participating in a separate U.K.-French initiative involving roughly 40 countries aimed at supporting the eventual postwar reopening of the strait. Discussions began with a France-hosted virtual meeting of military chiefs in March and have since continued at the general officer level, with broad agreement on the need for international coordination to maintain freedom of navigation. Domestic politics pose another obstacle. Expanding the Cheonghae Unit’s operational mandate from the Gulf of Aden to Hormuz — or altering its mission area entirely — would likely require parliamentary approval, transforming the issue into a politically sensitive national debate rather than a purely military decision. For now, Seoul appears inclined toward more limited contributions, such as dispatching liaison officers to multinational headquarters or strengthening intelligence-sharing arrangements. Such measures would allow South Korea to respond to allied pressure while minimizing direct military exposure. Still, the European-led framework remains largely focused on postwar maritime stabilization, leaving unresolved the immediate dangers facing Korean crew members and vessels trapped inside the Gulf. With the U.S.-Iran standoff continuing, market expectations suggest normalization of Hormuz shipping traffic could take far longer than initially hoped. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday Korean time, prediction market Kalshi estimated a 60.8 percent probability that shipping operations through Hormuz would return to normal by Oct. 1. Analysts say the crisis has evolved beyond a simple question of naval deployment into a broader test of South Korea’s diplomatic balancing strategy between its alliance obligations with Washington and its preference for multilateral risk management. “For Trump, this is an incident that is very easy to use politically at a time when no country other than Israel is openly siding with the war,” said Jeong Kyung-woon of the Korea Military Studies Association. Jeong added that any deployment of South Korean military assets would likely remain limited for now. But if tensions in the Middle East worsen or the blockade drags on, pressure on Seoul to assume a more active military role is expected to intensify. 2026-05-06 16:57:21
  • BIGBANG to reopen fan club after 11 years ahead of comeback
    BIGBANG to reopen fan club after 11 years ahead of comeback SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BIGBANG will recruit members for its official fan club, V.I.P, for the first time in 11 years ahead of the group’s 20th anniversary comeback, YG Entertainment said Saturday. The group unveiled a teaser poster for the recruitment of the sixth generation of V.I.P through its official social media channels on Friday. It marks the first official fan club drive since 2015. The poster features BIGBANG’s official light stick, known as Bang Bong, which symbolizes the bond between the group and its fans. Recruitment for the fan club will take place through BIGBANG’s official community on fan platform b.stage. “We prepared this new V.I.P membership round to communicate more closely with fans who have supported BIGBANG for many years,” YG said. “Please look forward to the new journey of the 20th anniversary that the artists and V.I.P will write together.” BIGBANG recently performed at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States, where the group said it had completed preparations for a new album and plans to begin a world tour in August. Originally a five-member group, BIGBANG now works as a trio after Seungri left in 2019 amid the Burning Sun scandal involving a Seoul nightclub and T.O.P departed following the end of his contract with the agency. T.O.P, who later appeared in Netflix’s “Squid Game” Season 2, had previously been convicted of marijuana use. 2026-05-02 17:09:01
  • Seoul weighs role in Hormuz security efforts as US plan adds new variable
    Seoul weighs role in Hormuz security efforts as US plan adds new variable SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - South Korea is weighing how to contribute to multinational efforts to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as a separate U.S.-led proposal adds another layer of complexity to ongoing discussions led by Britain and France. Military authorities have been taking part in talks on supporting the reopening of the key waterway after the war, starting with a virtual meeting of chiefs of staff hosted by France in March and followed by senior-level military discussions. Seoul has maintained that it is reviewing possible contributions. The discussions, involving around 40 countries, have produced broad agreement on the need for international cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation. The more difficult question is whether South Korea will deploy military assets. The Strait of Hormuz remains exposed to regional tensions and irregular threats. Operations to clear mines or protect civilian vessels could leave participating forces vulnerable to drone attacks and other asymmetric threats. The possible deployment of the Cheonghae Unit’s destroyer Dae Jo-yeong, or its replacement vessel Wang Geon, has been discussed, but caution remains strong within the military given the need to ensure troop safety. Domestic procedures also remain a key factor. If the Cheonghae Unit, currently deployed in the Gulf of Aden, is redirected to the Strait of Hormuz or given an expanded mission, parliamentary approval would be required. That means the issue would require not only a military decision but also political consensus. The government’s emphasis on a phased response plan appears to reflect these constraints. As an initial contribution, Seoul is expected to consider sending personnel and sharing intelligence. Options include dispatching liaison officers to a multinational command or strengthening information-sharing channels. Such steps would allow South Korea to respond to international calls for cooperation while minimizing the military burden. The U.S. proposal for a “maritime freedom” coalition has emerged as a new variable. If a separate U.S.-centered coalition takes shape alongside the existing UK-France-led initiative, Seoul may have to reassess how and where to participate. The government has refrained from making a formal announcement while continuing close consultations with Washington. Experts say the issue should be seen not simply as a question of troop deployment but as a broader diplomatic strategy. Seoul must balance cooperation with the U.S., given the importance of the alliance, with participation in a European-led multilateral security effort. Leaning too heavily toward one coalition could also create diplomatic risks, they say. The government is likely to first assess the details of the U.S. proposal and the level of international participation before deciding on the scale of its phased contribution. The deployment of military assets is expected to be considered only as a limited option at a later stage. However, pressure for more active military involvement could grow if the security situation in the Middle East deteriorates further or if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are prolonged. 2026-05-02 16:24:05
  • Pokémon leaps off screen as game IP craze paralyzes Seongsu
    Pokémon leaps off screen as game IP craze paralyzes Seongsu SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - Crowds are continuing to line up for a Pokémon pop-up event in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong on Saturday, a day after tens of thousands of fans packed the area and prompted organizers to suspend parts of the event just hours after it opened. The continuing turnout shows how game and animation intellectual property, or IP, is increasingly moving beyond screens into offline spaces, drawing massive crowds through pop-up stores and experience-based events. The event, held to mark the 30th anniversary of the Japanese animation and game franchise, drew large crowds from early morning as fans gathered for a pop-up store operated by Pokémon Korea. Authorities began receiving multiple reports around 10:30 a.m. that the area was becoming dangerously crowded. No injuries were reported. Pokémon Korea had opened the pop-up store in Seongsu-dong and held an event offering rare cards to visitors who participated in games. The promotion drew fans during the Labor Day holiday, while visitors to a Pokémon-themed garden installed at the nearby 2026 Seoul International Garden Show in Seoul Forest also added to the crowd. Photos and videos posted on social media showed narrow streets in Seongsu packed with people, with some users expressing concern over crowd safety. According to Seoul city estimates, the number of people in the Seongsu cafe street area rose from around 26,000 at 10 a.m. to about 40,000 by noon. The organizer suspended the event around noon at the request of Seoul city and other authorities. Some participants protested the decision, leading to brief disputes at the scene. Police officers were deployed to mediate and manage the crowd. The trend comes as pop-up stores have become a mainstream marketing channel in Korea. According to Sweet Spot’s 2025 Pop-up Trend Report, 3,077 pop-up stores were held across its network last year, up 109 percent from a year earlier. Seongdong District, which includes Seongsu-dong, accounted for 35.38 percent of pop-ups in Seoul. Sweet Spot also said more than 60 pop-up stores were operating in Seongsu-dong in a single week as of April 2026, showing how temporary retail events have become a regular feature of the district rather than one-off promotions. Cushman & Wakefield’s 2025 Seoul High Street Retail report said the district is evolving from a pop-up store hub into a flagship destination, recording the lowest vacancy rate among major commercial districts in Seoul. The shift also reflects the growing commercial value of character and content IPs. KOCCA’s latest annual report showed Korea’s content industry sales rose 2.6 percent to $112 billion in 2025, while exports grew 5.9 percent to $14.91 billion, driven in part by character businesses. 2026-05-02 15:05:19