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
  • S. Korea expands missile defense with additional Cheongung-II deployment
    S. Korea expands missile defense with additional Cheongung-II deployment SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea has added another domestically developed Cheongung-II missile defense system to its network, putting the first system scheduled under its 2026 fielding plan into operation, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Cheongung-II, also known as the M-SAM-II, is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at lower altitudes during the terminal phase of flight. The latest system was deployed to a missile defense battery in Gyeonggi Province in May and began full operational missions on Aug. 1 after completing simulated training reflecting the unit’s actual operating environment. The South Korean military has progressively fielded Cheongung-II systems since 2020 as part of efforts to strengthen its defenses against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The ministry said the expansion of units operating the system would further enhance the country’s lower-tier terminal missile defense capability. South Korea plans to build a denser multilayered defense network by deploying the long-range surface-to-air missile system (L-SAM) in the late 2020s. The L-SAM, South Korea’s first domestically developed upper-tier terminal defense system, is designed to intercept missiles at higher altitudes and protect a wider area using advanced precision-guidance technology. Under the planned layered structure, the L-SAM would first attempt to intercept an incoming missile in the upper tier of the terminal phase. Patriot and Cheongung-II systems would then provide additional interception opportunities at lower altitudes. The military is also developing next-generation interception systems based on technologies accumulated through its existing air and missile defense programs. Projects currently under development include the M-SAM-III, which is expected to have improved engagement capabilities, and the L-SAM-II high-altitude interceptor, designed to cover an expanded defense area. South Korea is also developing a long-range artillery interception system to counter North Korean artillery threats and is considering high-power laser weapons as another potential missile defense capability. “We will deploy the remaining systems as scheduled and further strengthen the military’s missile response capabilities,” said Kim Ki-young, director general for force policy at the Defense Ministry. “The military will continue building an overlapping, integrated and multilayered defense system capable of responding rapidly and accurately to increasingly sophisticated and diverse aerial threats by bringing together its advanced defense science and technology capabilities,” Kim said. 2026-08-04 11:14:05
  • N. Korea threatens new level of deterrence over S. Korea-led RIMPAC role
    N. Korea threatens 'new level of deterrence' over S. Korea-led RIMPAC role SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday condemned South Korea and Japan’s leadership roles in this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) claiming that trilateral military cooperation with the United States has become a “new security crisis” in the Asia-Pacific region and threatening to respond with a stronger deterrent. The Korean Central News Agency carried a commentary issued Monday by a North Korean military commentator under the title, “The U.S.-Japan-South Korea tripartite threat entrenched as a new security crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.” “The tripartite threat posed by the United States, Japan and South Korea is becoming increasingly evident as they openly disregard the security concerns of regional countries and seek military superiority by continuously strengthening their combined war-fighting capabilities,” the commentary said. It cited the recently concluded U.S.-led RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, as evidence of that trend. North Korea took particular issue with what it described as the leading roles played by South Korea and Japan in carrying out Washington’s regional strategy. During RIMPAC 2026, the Republic of Korea Navy assumed command of the Combined Forces Maritime Component for the first time, while Japan served in a deputy command role for a combined task force. The commentary claimed that the command assignments demonstrated Washington’s intention to improve operational interoperability with South Korea and Japan, shift a greater share of the regional security burden onto its allies and establish military dominance in the Asia-Pacific. It also referred to remarks by U.S. Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, who said the leadership roles performed by South Korea and Japan were “not simply symbolic” but operational. North Korea claimed the remarks showed that RIMPAC amounted to a rehearsal for an “aggressive war” led by the United States, Japan and South Korea. The commentary also criticized recent military activities involving Seoul and Washington, including the Buddy Squadron combined air exercise and the 2026 Combined Joint Sustainment Training, as well as South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. “The confrontational moves of the United States on and beyond the Korean Peninsula, along with the recklessness of Japan and South Korea in joining them, have already crossed a critical point and are threatening global peace and security,” it said. “The tripartite threat posed by the United States, Japan and South Korea is becoming entrenched as a new security crisis in the Asia-Pacific region,” it added. North Korea warned that it would counter what it called a “new level of threat” with a corresponding level of deterrence, describing such a response as part of its consistent approach to controlling the security situation and managing crises. The statement came days after RIMPAC concluded in and around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise drew attention to South Korea’s expanded naval role, as it became the first Asian country to command the exercise’s combined maritime component. 2026-08-04 10:23:19
  • Drone scare costs Korean frontline chief post
    Drone scare costs Korean frontline chief post SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Monday relieved the commander of the Army’s I Corps from duty after the unit came under scrutiny over two separate controversies involving front-line readiness, including a near-miss incident in which a U.S. drone was mistaken for an unidentified aerial object. The ministry said Lt. Gen. Han Ki-sung, commander of I Corps, was removed from his post as an investigation continues into recent incidents involving the corps. The commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command will serve as acting I Corps commander during the period, officials said. The move came after the Joint Chiefs of Staff found that a communication failure between South Korean and U.S. working-level officials led South Korean forces to prepare to intercept a U.S. military drone operating near the inter-Korean border in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on July 30. According to the JCS inspection, the U.S. side notified an I Corps official of the drone flight plan by text message the previous day. The official reportedly replied that there were no restrictions but failed to report or share the information with superiors or related units. The official reportedly treated the flight as a routine low-altitude drone operation conducted as part of joint Marine exercises and did not consider it necessary to escalate the matter beyond the corps level. The drone, however, flew at a higher altitude than expected. South Korean forces then classified it as an unidentified aerial object and issued “Durumi,” an air defense posture for possible enemy drone threats. The military was preparing for a possible interception before the aircraft was confirmed to be a U.S. drone. A JCS official said the U.S. side also failed to follow the proper process. Under the rules, a flight plan should be submitted in advance through official documents and approved by either the Air Force Operations Command or the Ground Operations Command. In this case, however, the plan was shared only through text messages between working-level officials a day before the flight. I Corps was also under scrutiny over a separate controversy involving guard duty along the western front. Since early this year, the corps had reportedly ordered troops at front-line guard posts and general outposts not to keep live rounds loaded in crew-served weapons, including K4 automatic grenade launchers and K6 heavy machine guns. The ammunition was instead kept in boxes nearby. The change was reportedly aimed at preventing accidental discharges, but critics said it could undermine readiness in a sensitive border area that serves as a key approach route to Seoul. The JCS was not informed of the change, even though front-line guard operations generally require weapons to be loaded with live ammunition. I Corps reportedly notified only the Ground Operations Command, its higher command, and kept the practice in place for about six months. 2026-08-03 17:58:00
  • Korea readies maiden Arctic voyage to chart new container route
    Korea readies maiden Arctic voyage to chart new container route SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korea is set to sail its first container ship from Busan to Rotterdam through Russian Arctic waters as early as this month, which will mark a milestone voyage that could reshape trade between Northeast Asia and Europe while offering an alternative route amid mounting geopolitical risks. Busan-based PanStar Line, selected to operate the government-backed pilot voyage, has acquired HMM's 2,700-TEU container ship Mombasa and renamed it PanStar Acro. The company completed the purchase on July 31 and is preparing the vessel for a tentative departure around Aug. 22, according to industry officials. The round trip is expected to take about 45 days. The Busan-to-Rotterdam voyage could shorten the conventional Suez Canal route by about 8,000 kilometers, or 36 percent, potentially reducing transit times, fuel consumption and inventory costs for exporters. The departure date, however, has yet to be finalized. A Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official told AJP on Monday that PanStar had been confirmed as the trial operator but said the government was still weighing departures in either August or September. "We are looking at August or September," the official said. "August is being considered because that is when sea ice is expected to have melted the most, but we cannot confirm a specific departure date." Even during the summer navigation season, the vessel must meet stricter standards than conventional container ships because ice hazards remain possible. The PanStar Acro will enter Hanjin Busan New Port Co.'s terminal for modifications to improve its ice resistance before seeking a Polar Ship Certificate from the Korean Register by Aug. 15. Twenty crew members, including at least one officer experienced in polar navigation, are expected to participate in the voyage. The ship is scheduled to sail from Busan to Rotterdam before calling at Hamburg and Poland's Gdansk on its return journey. PanStar has opened a dedicated booking system and is seeking approximately 1,300 TEUs of cargo, including automobile parts, synthetic resins, steel products, food, cosmetics, used vehicles and liquid cargo. Japanese exporters have also expressed interest in using the service. Why PanStar is leading the trial PanStar, a Busan-based maritime logistics company, operates businesses spanning container shipping, freight forwarding, passenger ferries, warehousing and ship management, with an established logistics network linking South Korea and Japan. By consolidating cargo from Korea, Japan and eventually China at Busan, the company hopes to build a new Asia-Europe service while gaining early operational experience in Arctic navigation. PanStar was the only shipping company to apply for the government-backed demonstration project, as larger carriers remained cautious over sanctions risks, uncertain cargo demand and commercial profitability. The government project required a container ship of roughly 3,000 TEUs capable of sailing the Northern Sea Route during the limited August-September navigation window while qualifying for a Polar Ship Certificate. Because PanStar had no suitable vessel in its fleet, it initially explored purchasing a secondhand ship in Europe or commissioning a newbuild in China. Neither option could meet the targeted sailing schedule. The search eventually led to HMM's 2,758-TEU Mombasa. The companies signed a purchase agreement on July 31, after which the ship was renamed PanStar Acro for the Arctic mission. The transaction involved more than simply disposing of an aging vessel. HMM had been operating Mombasa in commercial service, requiring adjustments to its fleet deployment before transferring ownership. Although the purchase price has not been disclosed, comparable secondhand ships of similar size are valued at roughly $36 million in the international market. The Northern Sea Route has attracted growing attention as climate change gradually reduces Arctic sea ice. For voyages between Busan and Rotterdam, the route cuts approximately 8,000 kilometers from the traditional Suez Canal passage. While actual time savings depend on weather, ice conditions and escort requirements, shorter voyages can reduce fuel consumption, delivery times and working capital tied up in cargo. According to the Arctic Council's Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment working group, the number of vessels operating in Arctic Polar Code waters has increased by about 40 percent since 2013, while total sailing distance has nearly doubled. Satellite observations also show Arctic summer sea ice shrinking by roughly 9.8 percent each decade relative to the 1981 to 2010 average, gradually extending the seasonal navigation window. China has emerged as one of the route's most active users. Last year, the Chinese-operated Istanbul Bridge completed a voyage from China to Britain through the Arctic in about 20 days, roughly half the transit time typically required via the Suez Canal. For Beijing, the route offers not only faster access to Europe but also reduced dependence on strategic maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca. Why South Korea is moving now As one of the world's largest exporting nations, South Korea depends heavily on uninterrupted maritime supply chains. Operational experience along the Northern Sea Route could provide exporters with an alternative corridor whenever geopolitical tensions or disruptions threaten traditional shipping lanes. Busan also enjoys a geographic advantage. Located closer to the Pacific entrance of the Arctic than most competing Asian ports, it could develop into a regional consolidation hub for Korean and Japanese cargo bound for Europe. Interest from Japanese shippers in the PanStar trial underscores that potential. The voyage also marks a shift in Korea's Arctic ambitions. In 2013, Hyundai Glovis became the first Korean shipping company to test the Northern Sea Route by transporting Russian naphtha to Gwangyang aboard a chartered tanker. This time, however, the focus is not bulk commodities but ordinary containerized exports from multiple companies—a far more complex commercial model that more closely resembles regular liner shipping. The biggest challenge facing the project is geopolitical rather than environmental. Most of the Northern Sea Route lies within waters administered by Russia, making cooperation with Russian authorities unavoidable for navigation information, permits, weather services and, in some cases, icebreaker assistance. Even relatively small payments for those services could raise compliance questions under Western sanctions and potentially expose shipping companies, insurers and financial institutions to secondary sanctions. Government officials said Seoul has therefore been consulting closely with the United States and other partners before allowing the voyage to proceed. Ships operating in Arctic waters must also comply with the International Maritime Organization's Polar Code governing vessel design, equipment, crew qualifications, emergency preparedness and environmental protection before receiving a Polar Ship Certificate. Despite growing interest, the Northern Sea Route remains far from a mainstream container corridor. The route recorded just 103 full transit voyages carrying approximately 3.2 million tons of cargo in 2025—a tiny fraction of global maritime trade—and remains highly seasonal, with much of the traffic linked to Russian energy exports and Chinese shipping. 2026-08-03 17:26:24
  • Seoul reorganizes military counterintelligence command
    Seoul reorganizes military counterintelligence command SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - Seoul has launched three new military intelligence and security bodies to replace the Defense Counterintelligence Command, a powerful military unit dismantled over its alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt in 2024. The Ministry of National Defense said Monday it held a launch ceremony for the new Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, under the supervision of Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The move marks the formal breakup of the Defense Counterintelligence Command’s main powers, which had long been concentrated in a single organization. The former command handled counterintelligence, military security and security investigations, giving it broad authority inside the armed forces. Under the new structure, those three functions have been divided among separate organizations. The Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters will take over counterintelligence duties. The Defense Security Support Group will handle military security affairs. A new Security Investigation Bureau under the Defense Ministry’s Investigation Headquarters will be responsible for investigating crimes that threaten national security. The reorganization follows months of scrutiny over the former counterintelligence command, which was accused of involvement in Yoon’s short-lived martial law bid in December 2024. The Defense Ministry has said the command’s core functions would be dispersed to prevent unchecked authority and improve political neutrality. Its duties will include responding to intelligence operations by North Korea and foreign actors against the South Korean military, as well as counterterrorism threats. It will also focus on preventing leaks of military secrets and providing counterintelligence support for new areas such as maintenance, repair and overhaul work for U.S. Navy vessels and the protection of key strategic assets. The ministry said controversial functions previously linked to the counterintelligence command, including monitoring military trends, gathering personnel intelligence and collecting information on misconduct or corruption for power-related purposes, have been institutionally abolished. 2026-08-03 11:31:27
  • South Korea to open mine clearance work to private sector
    South Korea to open mine clearance work to private sector SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korea will allow qualified private organizations to take part in mine detection and clearance work as part of a new five-year plan to reform how the country manages landmines no longer needed for military purposes, the defense ministry said Monday. The Ministry of National Defense said it has finalized its first five-year mine action plan, which will run from 2027 to 2031. Under the plan, mine clearance will no longer be treated mainly as a military operation handled by the armed forces. Instead, it will be reorganized into a broader mine action system based on domestic law and the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Under the new system, the government will move away from a clearance-only approach and adopt a process based on evidence-based surveys, followed by clearance and the release of land for public use. The ministry said it will systematically identify mine-risk areas through field surveys before conducting removal operations. Areas found to pose no danger will be removed from minefield designation or have their restricted zones reduced, allowing the land to be opened. The plan applies to two types of areas: minefields that were previously installed but are no longer needed for military purposes, and suspected mine areas where civilian access is restricted even though there are no official records of mines being laid. As of last year, there were more than 200 such sites, covering about 85 square kilometers, including areas near the Civilian Control Line and rear air defense positions. The ministry also plans to introduce a private outsourcing system under which qualified private corporations or organizations can carry out mine detection and clearance work on behalf of the government. The move is aimed at responding to changes in the military’s manpower structure, including declining troop numbers, and growing demand for mine detection and clearance. Since South Korea currently has no specialized private mine clearance firms, the ministry plans to begin outsourcing work in small areas in 2027 before gradually expanding the scale of private-sector participation. The ministry also plans to train civilian specialists, make use of advanced equipment such as explosive detection and disposal robots and unmanned search vehicles, and strengthen cooperation with international organizations. The ministry will finalize its 2027 action plan, including target areas for mine clearance, by year-end. 2026-08-03 11:01:09
  • Korean comic wins Eisner Award for first time
    Korean comic wins Eisner Award for first time SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - A Korean comic has won a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for the first time, marking a milestone for Korean graphic novels in the U.S. comics market. Sanho’s “Purgatory Funeral Cakes,” originally published in Korea as “Funeral Cake Shop Yeonokdang,” won the award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia at the 38th Eisner Awards, according to Comic-Con International. The English edition was translated by Danny Lim and published by Dark Horse. The category honors the best Asian comics published in English in North America. Korean works such as Kim Dong-hwa’s “The Color of Earth,” Keum Suk Gendry-Kim’s “Grass” and Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok’s “Hellbound” had previously been nominated, but this is the first time a Korean comic has won the award. The Eisner Awards, often described as the Oscars of the comics industry, were presented during San Diego Comic-Con on July 24. The awards are regarded as one of the world’s three major international comics prizes, along with France’s Angouleme International Comics Festival and the Harvey Awards in the United States. “Purgatory Funeral Cakes” is a fantasy graphic novel about a mysterious cake shop that makes cakes for the dead. The cakes help the souls of the deceased complete their 49-day journey through purgatory before moving on to their next life. The book was published in Korea by Munhakdongne and released in the United States by Dark Horse in 2025. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young sent a congratulatory message to Sanho, saying the award showed that the artist’s originality and body of work had been recognized globally. “Sanho has continued to produce outstanding works, including winning Today’s Korean Comics Award in 2021 and the Korea Creative Content Agency President’s Award at the Korea Content Awards in 2022,” Choi said. “This award is the result of global recognition of the artistic achievement and original worldview built through those efforts.” “I hope Sanho will continue to move readers around the world with works filled with outstanding imagination and deep resonance,” he added. “The government will provide full support so that more achievements like this can be made in the comics sector.” Korean comics have previously won major international honors, including Ancco’s “Bad Friends” at Angouleme in 2017, Park Yoon-sun’s “The Incredible Story of the Giant Pear” at Angouleme in 2024, Ma Yeong-shin’s “Moms” at the Harvey Awards in 2021 and Keum Suk Gendry-Kim’s “Grass” at the Harvey Awards in 2020. With Sanho’s Eisner win, Korean comics have now been recognized at all three major international comics awards. 2026-08-01 17:11:18
  • North Korea denounces NATO fuel network overhaul as war preparation
    North Korea denounces NATO fuel network overhaul as war preparation SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - North Korea on Saturday denounced NATO’s plan to modernize its military fuel supply network as an “unprecedented” act of war preparation, accusing the transatlantic alliance of expanding its military reach beyond Europe. The criticism came after NATO approved a 27 billion euro ($31 billion) program to modernize its fuel storage and distribution infrastructure, including pipelines and new facilities in the alliance’s eastern and southeastern regions. NATO’s North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s main political decision-making body, approved the NATO Fuel Supply Chain Capability Program on July 22. NATO said the investment is intended to update existing fuel storage and distribution infrastructure and ensure that allied forces have the energy needed to maintain combat readiness. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said in a commentary that NATO’s plan showed what it called the alliance’s intent to stockpile fuel and other war materials “to ignite war at any time and in any part of the world.” “We will never tolerate NATO’s dangerous and provocative acts and will take resolute counteraction,” KCNA said. The modernization plan comes as NATO members seek to strengthen military mobility and logistics amid concerns over a possible conflict with Russia. Politico Europe, citing two NATO diplomats, reported that ambassadors from the alliance’s 32 member states approved the plan at their final regular meeting before the summer recess. NATO members have spent months discussing how to overhaul a roughly 10,000-kilometer pipeline network built during the Cold War, according to the report. The plan is designed to connect existing fuel infrastructure in Western Europe with newer NATO members in Eastern and Northern Europe. The project, which includes pipeline modernization and the construction of energy storage facilities, is expected to take up to 30 years to complete. It is also considered NATO’s largest-ever common-funded project. A NATO diplomat was quoted by Politico as saying, “A stronger NATO starts with pipelines.” Some members had initially raised concerns over the cost of the project but later withdrew their objections, according to the report. North Korea, however, argued that the plan should not be viewed solely as preparation for a possible war with Russia. KCNA claimed that NATO has been increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and conducting joint military activities with what it called North Korea’s hostile states around the Korean Peninsula. The commentary also criticized the participation of NATO members in the recently concluded Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) saying it showed that NATO has “never excluded the Asia-Pacific region from its war scenario.” “NATO has existed as a military bloc for decades, but it is unprecedented for it to carry out war preparations this openly,” KCNA said, warning that such moves would only “bring forward the time of war and shorten the time left for NATO’s destruction.” NATO also agreed at the July 22 meeting to raise its common budget for next year to as much as 6.5 billion euros, up from 5.3 billion euros this year, and approved its common investment priorities for the next five years. 2026-08-01 14:53:10
  • Korea to import Argentine crude next year as Lee, Milei deepen energy ties
    Korea to import Argentine crude next year as Lee, Milei deepen energy ties SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korea will begin importing crude oil from Argentina next year as the two countries move to diversify energy supply chains and expand cooperation in critical minerals, the presidential office said Friday. President Lee Jae Myung, who is on an official visit to Argentina, held a summit with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires to discuss energy, critical minerals, trade and investment cooperation. The two leaders held a 25-minute preliminary meeting followed by a 58-minute summit. Presidential National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Korean companies conducted a trial import of Argentine crude this year and plan to start regular imports next year. “Korean companies have test-imported Argentine crude oil this year, and based on that, they plan to begin imports next year,” Wi said at a press briefing in Buenos Aires. “The two governments agreed to cooperate so that the planned imports can proceed in a stable manner from next year.” The trial shipment this year amounts to 880,000 barrels, while the volume for next year has not yet been decided. Wi said Korea’s imports of Argentine crude could increase over time, noting Milei’s pledge to expand Argentina’s energy exports by about fivefold. “This has created a practical opportunity to expand Korea’s crude oil supply sources, which have been concentrated in the Middle East, to South America,” Wi said. “We expect this to help reduce geopolitical uncertainty and strengthen Korea’s ability to respond to energy supply risks.” The move comes as Seoul seeks to reduce excessive dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies amid instability in the region, including recent tensions involving Iran. The two countries also agreed to expand energy cooperation beyond crude oil to natural gas and nuclear power and to jointly identify specific cooperation projects. Lee and Milei also used the summit to sign a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals, setting up a framework for supply chain cooperation in minerals needed for future industries. The MOU calls for the two countries to share information on policies and investment systems and promote joint projects across the lithium value chain, including exploration and mining. Argentina is the world’s fourth-largest holder of lithium reserves. The two countries also finalized a double taxation avoidance agreement, a move expected to ease the tax burden on Korean companies operating in Argentina and improve predictability for investors. Lee and Milei also agreed to push for an early resumption of negotiations on a trade agreement between Korea and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc that includes Argentina and Brazil. Wi said a Korea-Mercosur trade deal, if concluded, would open smoother export channels for Korean products to a market of 280 million people. To follow up on the summit results and identify new projects, the two countries agreed to resume the Korea-Argentina Joint Economic Committee and the Energy and Resources Cooperation Committee. They also agreed to pursue the early conclusion of a mutual recognition agreement for driver’s licenses and seek new cooperation projects in defense, space, Antarctica and health care. During the talks, Milei emphasized his government’s regulatory reform efforts and called for more active Korean investment in Argentina. “Through various legislative measures, Argentina’s property rights protection system has become stronger,” Milei was quoted as saying. “The business environment has improved.” Asked whether tensions between Milei and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva could affect Korea-Mercosur trade negotiations, Wi said there were various issues between Brazil and Argentina but no special disagreement over Mercosur. Lee’s visit to Argentina was part of a tour that began in San Francisco and continued through Brazil, Chile and Argentina. It marked his longest overseas trip and the largest number of cities visited since he took office in June last year. 2026-08-01 12:03:27
  • Koreas July exports hit record near $99 billion as chips soar
    Korea's July exports hit record near $99 billion as chips soar SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports reached a record high in July, driven by a sharp increase in semiconductor shipments and broad gains across most major export items, the industry ministry said Saturday. Outbound shipments jumped 62.8 percent from a year earlier to $98.89 billion in July, while imports rose 26.5 percent to $68.56 billion, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The country posted a trade surplus of $30.32 billion, remaining above the $30 billion mark for the second straight month. Semiconductor exports surged 179 percent on-year, while exports excluding chips rose 26 percent. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, climbed 69.6 percent to $4.12 billion, staying above $4 billion for the third consecutive month. All major information technology items posted gains. Semiconductor exports remained above $40 billion for the second straight month as memory chip prices continued to rise, despite concerns over Apple’s possible use of Chinese memory chips and China’s release of a new artificial intelligence model. Computer exports also continued to grow at a high rate, led by enterprise solid-state drives amid expanding investment in AI infrastructure. Wireless communication devices performed strongly on robust sales of premium smartphones, including the Galaxy S26, despite pressure from higher chip prices. Display exports also increased. Mobility exports extended their growth streak to six months, supported by strong sales of eco-friendly vehicles, including hybrid cars, and a base effect from changes in the timing of summer holidays at major automakers. Ship exports also increased on larger shipments of liquefied natural gas carriers and tankers. Exports of petroleum products and petrochemicals increased in value terms, helped by higher prices, but shipment volumes declined amid continued tensions in the Middle East. Petroleum product export volume fell 8.8 percent, while petrochemical export volume dropped 9.1 percent as domestic supply was prioritized. Steel exports increased for the second month in a row, supported by U.S. demand for AI data centers and oil pipeline replacement projects. The gain came despite the European Union’s tariff-rate quota system. Biohealth products, cosmetics and agricultural and fisheries products all set July records. Biohealth exports rose on higher market shares for biosimilar products and increased supply volumes to Europe. Cosmetics exports were supported by expanded offline distribution in the United States and Europe, while food exports were led by ramen, snacks and kimchi. By region, exports increased to eight of South Korea’s nine major export destinations, with the Commonwealth of Independent States the only region to post a decline. Exports to China jumped 96.2 percent to $21.68 billion, exceeding $20 billion for the second straight month. Strong shipments of semiconductors, nonferrous metals and petroleum products offset weakness in petrochemicals and general machinery. Exports to the United States rose 68.7 percent to $17.43 billion. Semiconductor, computer, electrical equipment and steel exports increased on expanding AI data center investment, although automobile exports declined due in part to increased local production. Shipments to ASEAN countries rose 73.7 percent to $18.8 billion, while exports to the European Union climbed 55.7 percent to $9.38 billion. Both marked record highs, led by major items including semiconductors, computers and ships. Exports to the Middle East increased 24.7 percent to $1.83 billion on strong shipments of general machinery, petrochemicals and wireless communication devices. Exports to Japan, India and Latin America rose 11 percent, 45 percent and 26 percent, respectively, while shipments to the CIS fell 9 percent. Imports rose 26.5 percent to $68.56 billion in July. Energy imports jumped 50.1 percent to $14.48 billion, while non-energy imports increased 21.4 percent to $54.08 billion. Crude oil imports rose 54.2 percent to $9.3 billion as both volume and prices increased. The cumulative trade surplus for the January-July period reached $168 billion, up $134.1 billion from a year earlier. “July exports remained strong in the $90 billion range despite the start of the second half,” Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan said. “The result was supported by continued strength in semiconductors, gains in 19 of the 20 major export items and a 26 percent increase in non-chip exports.” Kim cautioned that export conditions are expected to remain challenging due to new U.S. tariff measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act, stronger protectionism in major economies and uncertainties in the Middle East. “The government will closely monitor conditions by major item and market, while mobilizing all available policy tools so that Korean companies can respond in a timely manner to changes in the trade environment, including tariffs and non-tariff barriers,” he said. 2026-08-01 10:22:46