Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • FM heads to Washington for talks after Trumps tariff threat
    FM heads to Washington for talks after Trump's tariff threat SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. foreign ministers are set to sit down for talks in the U.S. this week after President Donald Trump abruptly threatened last week to raise tariffs. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is visiting Washington, D.C. to attend a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals scheduled for Wednesday. The meeting will bring together G7 countries and other mineral-rich nations to discuss ways to stabilize and diversify supply chains, as the U.S. ramps up efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese critical minerals after China's restrictions on exports of rare earth materials. On the sidelines of the ministerial gathering, Cho is set to hold a one-on-one meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two are expected to discuss various issues including the implementation of a tariff-related bilateral agreement reached in October last year. Their upcoming meeting comes after Trump warned last Monday that he would raise reciprocal tariffs on Seoul from 15 percent back to 25 percent, citing delays in implementing the broader deal, which includes Seoul's massive investment pledges to the U.S. 2026-02-03 08:50:33
  • LG Chem moves to halt Chinese firms operations in Korea over cathode patent dispute
    LG Chem moves to halt Chinese firm's operations in Korea over cathode patent dispute SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - LG Chem has filed for a court injunction against JaeSe Energy, the South Korean subsidiary of Chinese cathode materials producer Ronbay, seeking to halt alleged patent infringement, industry sources said Monday. If granted, the injunction could effectively suspend JaeSe Energy’s domestic operations, which have annual production capacity of 70,000 tons. According to the sources, LG Chem submitted the injunction request on Jan. 16. JaeSe Energy was established as Ronbay’s Korean unit, with Ronbay widely regarded in the industry as the world’s largest producer of nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathode materials by output. The legal action follows a ruling by the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board, which rejected petitions by JaeSe Energy seeking to invalidate three LG Chem patents. Two of the patents relate to cathode crystal-structure orientation, while the third covers relative composition ratios on the cathode surface. LG Chem and JaeSe Energy have been locked in legal disputes since 2024 over core cathode material technologies. LG Chem filed a lawsuit in August 2024, alleging that cathode products manufactured and sold by JaeSe Energy and Ronbay infringed multiple patents. JaeSe Energy has maintained that its technology was independently developed and countered by filing petitions to invalidate LG Chem’s patents. The appeals board upheld the validity of LG Chem’s patents and dismissed the challenges. If the court grants the injunction, production, sales and distribution of products found to infringe the patents would be immediately restricted. JaeSe Energy operates a manufacturing facility in Chungju, central South Korea, with annual capacity of 70,000 tons — enough to supply cathode materials for roughly 700,000 electric vehicles. A shutdown could disrupt cathode supply chains both domestically and overseas. An LG Chem official described the company’s patented technologies as foundational to maintaining South Korea’s competitiveness in high-performance battery markets. "LG Chem intends to protect its intellectual property while also pursuing licensing and other IP-based business models to promote broader industry growth," the official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-03 08:39:54
  • UPDATE: Koreas inflation cools to 2% in January on soft fuel prices, weak demand
    UPDATE: Korea's inflation cools to 2% in January on soft fuel prices, weak demand *Updated with additional information SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s inflation eased back to the central bank’s target level in January, as softer fuel prices and subdued domestic demand outweighed lingering pressures from a weak currency. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.0 percent in January from a year earlier, slowing from 2.3 percent in December and 2.4 percent in both October and November. The moderation partly reflected seasonal factors. The Lunar New Year holiday falls in February this year, unlike last year when it came in January and pushed up food prices due to family gatherings and ceremonial demand. Energy prices also helped contain inflation despite the won’s prolonged weakness against the U.S. dollar. Gasoline and diesel prices fell 2.4 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, easing pressure on utility costs during the winter peak season. The data suggest that sluggish domestic demand has so far offset inflationary pass-through effects from currency depreciation and global price volatility. The exchange rate remained a key inflationary factor, though pressures softened slightly. The won averaged 1,458.19 per dollar in January, strengthening modestly from 1,467.35 in December. The stabilization was supported by government intervention in the foreign exchange market and a broader softening of the U.S. dollar through January, allowing the won to recover part of its recent losses. The easing helped reduce energy import costs. Dubai crude oil traded in a narrow range of $58 to $62 per barrel in January, broadly unchanged from December. Fuel prices, however, reversed the sharp increases seen late last year, when gasoline and diesel surged 5.7 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively. Reflecting the fuel decline, transportation costs fell 0.9 percent month-on-month. Month-on-month price movements underscore restrained consumption behavior amid still-elevated price levels. Food and beverages rose 0.6 percent from December, household goods increased 0.5 percent, and recreation and culture climbed 0.6 percent. Prices for “miscellaneous goods and services” rose 2.8 percent on the month and 5.0 percent year-on-year, largely due to annual price adjustments at the start of the year. Insurance service fees surged 15.3 percent from a year earlier, the steepest increase among all CPI items. Household goods and domestic services also rose 2.9 percent year-on-year, outpacing most other categories. A breakdown by item type confirms the subdued demand trend. Dining-out prices rose just 0.3 percent, while non-dining personal services increased 1.0 percent. In contrast, price growth for agricultural and industrial products either slowed or shifted toward contraction. Prices of agricultural, livestock and fishery products rose 0.7 percent year-on-year, easing from 1.0 percent in December. Overall goods inflation narrowed sharply from 0.4 percent to 0.1 percent. Notably, manufactured goods prices fell 0.1 percent month-on-month, helped by the won’s relative stabilization. The Ministry of Economy and Finance assessed in a press release that inflation remained relatively stable in January but warned of potential upward pressure during the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February. “Given lingering uncertainties such as international oil price volatility and winter weather conditions, the government plans to devote all its resources to stabilizing perceived inflation for the public,” the ministry said. 2026-02-03 08:29:52
  • From BTS to kimchi, Korea publishes first English Encyclopedia on Hallyu
    From BTS to kimchi, Korea publishes first English Encyclopedia on Hallyu SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) -South Korea has released the world’s first English-language encyclopedia devoted entirely to Hallyu, offering global readers a systematic and in-depth guide to Korean popular culture and everyday life, the National Folk Museum of Korea said Monday. The Encyclopedia of Hallyu is the English edition of a Korean-language reference work first published in 2024. Compiled to help international audiences better understand the cultural context behind the global rise of Korean culture, the volume brings together 347 key entries spanning K-content, lifestyle and traditional culture. The encyclopedia features 347 entries that trace the evolution and breadth of Hallyu, from globally influential K-pop artists such as BTS, BLACKPINK and BoA to landmark works including Squid Game and Parasite. Beyond pop culture exports, it also documents everyday Korean life — spanning food, fashion, housing, leisure and social practices — to help readers understand how contemporary Korean culture is formed and experienced. More than 600 photographs are included to aid understanding, and 129 Korean and international scholars participated in the project to ensure academic rigor. To improve accessibility, each entry is presented in English alongside its Korean name. Rather than translating terms into approximate English equivalents, the editors adopted Romanized Korean spellings — such as gimbap, tteokbokki and ramyeon — to preserve original meanings. Brief explanations are also provided to help readers grasp unfamiliar concepts at a glance. Special care was taken to adapt culturally specific expressions for foreign readers. Concepts that are difficult to translate directly, such as jeong (a form of emotional bond), oppa and unni, are explained with cultural context rather than literal definitions. All translations underwent cross-review by native English-speaking editors and Korean specialists to minimize cultural misunderstanding. The encyclopedia is also designed as a companion guide for global fans of Korean content. Entries range from folklore figures like the dokkaebi (goblin) and jeoseung saja (grim reaper) to contemporary cultural markers such as mukbang, idol fandoms and official light sticks, which are explained not merely as merchandise but as symbols of Korea’s participatory fan culture. Both English and Korean tables of contents are provided, and an expanded visual index combining original terms, Romanization, definitions and representative images allows users to browse the book intuitively. The English edition is available online for free download via the National Folk Museum of Korea website and the Korean Folk Encyclopedia portal, and is also sold at the museum’s gift shop for visitors interested in Hallyu and Korean culture. Cultural officials said the publication is intended to go beyond explaining trends, serving instead as a bridge for global readers to understand Korean culture within the broader context of world heritage and shared human values. 2026-02-03 07:53:49
  • Celltrion seeks nod from Europe and Korea for Herceptin biosimilar SC formulation
    Celltrion seeks nod from Europe and Korea for Herceptin biosimilar SC formulation SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) -South Korea's biosimilar giant Celltrion said it has successfully completed the pivotal regulatory clinical trial for Herzuma SC (CT-P6 SC), a subcutaneous formulation of its breast cancer biosimilar trastuzumab, and plans to submit marketing authorization applications in Europe and South Korea within the next three months. In a press release on Monday, the company said the trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating pharmacokinetic equivalence to the reference product’s SC formulation, with comparable safety and immunogenicity. Herzuma SC is expected to reduce administration time to about five minutes, compared with roughly 90 minutes for the intravenous version, including post-infusion monitoring. Following prior consultations with regulators, Celltrion plans to proceed with filings without additional clinical trials. Europe and Korea are currently the company’s largest markets for SC formulation products. Herzuma SC was developed using Celltrion’s in-house hyaluronidase-based SC formulation platform, which temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid in subcutaneous tissue to allow high-concentration, high-dose drugs to be administered safely and at scale. The company said the technology will be applied to future pipeline candidates and novel drug programs. With Herzuma SC, Celltrion said it has established a fully integrated SC value chain spanning development, regulatory approval, manufacturing and commercialization — a structure it says offers a competitive edge over technology out-licensing models by retaining control across the entire lifecycle. The company also plans to expand into formulation-change contract manufacturing services, offering its SC expertise to external clients. The launch would complement Celltrion’s existing portfolio, which includes Remsima SC (sold in the United States as Zymfentra), the world’s first commercialized infliximab SC. According to IQVIA, the global trastuzumab market was valued at about $3.56 billion in 2024. The regulatory milestone comes as Celltrion posts its strongest financial performance on record. The company in late December projected a consolidated fourth-quarter revenue of 1.28 trillion won ($960 million) and operating profit of 472.2 billion won, up 20.7 percent and 140.4 percent year on year, respectively. The implied operating margin was 36.8 percent. On a full-year basis, Celltrion forecasts 2025 revenue of 4.12 trillion won ($3.1 billion), a 15.7 percent increase from a year earlier, while operating profit is projected to surge 136.9 percent to 1.17 trillion won ($880 million) — the first time the company has surpassed 3 trillion won in annual revenue and 800 billion won in operating profit. The company attributed the gains to steady growth in established products and rapid global expansion of newly launched, higher-margin biosimilars. “Following the world’s first commercialization of infliximab SC, we have now secured hyaluronidase-based SC formulation technology and completed global-level SC capabilities,” a Celltrion official said. “We will accelerate global market share expansion and new growth engines, including CDMO services, by internalizing the full SC development cycle from productization to manufacturing and supply.” 2026-02-03 07:32:10
  • OPINION: Canadian PMs voice against Trumps America First doctrine
    OPINION: Canadian PM's voice against Trump's 'America First' doctrine Recently, one of the most closely watched figures on the international stage has been Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In a speech at the World Economic Forum late last month, Carney sharply criticized what he called the United States’ predatory “America First” policy, saying it has “cracked the world order,” drawing a standing ovation. Arguing that the rules-based international order long led by the United States is breaking down, Carney called for a coalition of middle powers grounded in “value-based realism.” Whatever its feasibility, the message is likely to resonate in South Korea, another middle power facing similar geopolitical uncertainty. Carney’s point was straightforward: With the Trump administration pressing allies in trade and security in a blunt, one-sided way, countries like Canada can no longer rely on the old order and must prepare for U.S. unpredictability. Rather than being pulled along by bilateral talks with a hegemon, middle powers should cooperate. “In a world of great-power competition, countries caught in between have a choice — compete with each other for favor, or combine to create a third path with influence,” Carney said. “Middle powers must act together. If we are not at the table, we are on the menu,” he warned. Carney’s unusually forceful tone toward Canada’s closest ally reflects the past year. Since returning to the White House a year ago, President Donald Trump has treated U.S. partners harshly — at times brutally — in the name of maximizing national interest. He has derided Canada as a weak neighbor and said it should become the 51st U.S. state. Trump has accused allies of exploiting the United States on trade and security, and has openly dismissed the multilateral trading system that has bound countries together for decades. He imposed large tariffs not only on rivals but also on allies such as Canada. Trump’s latest provocation is his demand to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory. Like most European countries, Canada opposes what it sees as Trump’s imperial thinking. Carney lamented that “great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, and supply chains as exploitable vulnerabilities.” Carney’s speech drew broad praise. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman contrasted “Courageous Carney” with “Demented Donald.” Middle powers such as Sweden and Mexico publicly backed Carney’s call for a middle-power coalition. As expected, Trump attacked the speech, arguing Canada was ungrateful to the United States, which buys nearly 70% of Canadian exports. South Korea’s government, too, has remained silent. It depends heavily on the United States for both security and trade, and with key trade and tariff negotiations underway, it has little room to criticize Washington publicly. Since taking office in June, President Lee Jae Myung has been anxious to avoid provoking Trump. Carney’s idea of building a middle-power coalition against great-power pressure may sound fair and persuasive, but it would be difficult to execute. Such solidarity could quickly be seen as anti-American or anti-Chinese, and participants could be pulled deeper into great-power rivalry. For countries like South Korea, it could invite U.S. suspicion or Chinese retaliation, harming trade or security interests. Middle powers may be easy to define by economic size or population, but their political, economic, social and cultural structures vary widely, making consistent collective action hard. Still, Carney’s speech offers ideas South Korea could weigh. Under the banner of “value-based realism,” Canada aims to build different coalitions issue by issue based on shared values and interests. It also includes a plan to link the Trans-Pacific Partnership with the European Union, potentially creating a new trade bloc of 1.5 billion people. In short, Canada is seeking deeper global engagement through geographic diversification. South Korea has pursued geographic diversification for years with limited results, constrained by its geopolitical vulnerability amid surrounding great powers. But the picture could change if it strengthens cooperation with like-minded middle powers such as Canada, Japan and Australia. A coalition of market-based democracies committed to multilateralism could add weight, especially if it also links with European and Nordic middle powers. Carney’s proposal to connect the TPP — renamed the CPTPP after the United States withdrew — with the EU carries particular implications for South Korea. South Korea is seeking to join the CPTPP, led by Japan and Australia. If it were to join a CPTPP closely linked to the EU as Carney envisions, it could open new opportunities and serve as a safeguard in a dangerous era of great-power competition. In that sense, South Korea’s delegation at Davos may not have applauded openly in front of U.S. representatives, but it likely welcomed the message quietly. *The author is a professor of the Graduate School of Global Service at Sookmyung Women's University. About the author: ▷Ph.D. in journalism and communication, Yonsei University ▷AP correspondent ▷Newsweek Korea bureau chief ▷President, Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-03 07:21:53
  • Barefoot, in spite of the cold
    Barefoot, in spite of the cold SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -In the depth of winter, Anyang has offered residents an unexpected refuge: a barefoot walking path inside a working greenhouse. Opened last month inside a former flower nursery, the 160-meter trail lets visitors shed their shoes and feel the ground underfoot while outside temperatures dip below freezing. Inside, the greenhouse holds steady at around 10 degrees Celsius, creating a mild, earthy contrast to the cold beyond the glass. The path is equipped with practical touches — foot-washing stations, shoe storage and rest areas — underscoring its appeal as both a wellness experiment and a seasonal curiosity. The barefoot greenhouse is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 25, inviting winter walkers to slow down, reconnect with their senses and briefly forget the chill outside. 2026-02-02 17:56:48
  • The president has not been joking — and Korea is now part of the global sugar tax debate
    The president has not been joking — and Korea is now part of the global sugar tax debate SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -The president has not been joking. What first sounded like a provocative aside has evolved into a serious public health proposition, as President Lee Jae Myung pushes South Korea into a widening global debate over whether taxation should be used to curb excessive sugar consumption and its long-term health costs. South Koreans are hardly restrained when it comes to dessert. The recent craze for dujjonku — a sugar-drenched, crunchy cookie inspired by Dubai chocolate — has underscored the country’s growing sweet tooth. But that enthusiasm is now being questioned from an unexpected quarter: health policy. Over the weekend, Lee returned to the idea of a so-called “sugar levy” via social media, pointing to international precedent and rising concern over diet-related disease. On Monday, he shared a report by the World Health Organization titled “The War Against Sweet Addiction — WHO’s Official Sugar Tax Recommendation,” framing the issue as one requiring open, evidence-based national debate. “Proposals such as a sugar charge require open, fact-based national debate precisely because they are complex, easily misunderstood and touch many interests,” Lee wrote. He stressed that excessive sugar intake is a key driver of obesity and metabolic disease, while emphasizing that what is under discussion is not a conventional tax hike. “A health burden fee could be imposed on products where excessive sugar consumption harms health, with the funds directed toward prevention and treatment to reduce pressure on public health insurance,” he said. Lee also drew a distinction between general taxation and earmarked levies designed to serve specific social purposes. “The key is purpose,” he wrote. “A tax without usage restrictions is not the same as a levy dedicated to improving national health outcomes.” The remarks immediately triggered debate among lawmakers and industry groups. Food and beverage companies warned that a sugar charge could raise prices or disproportionately affect lower-income households, while public health advocates said the discussion was long overdue. A broader global shift Korea’s emerging debate mirrors a broader shift underway across Europe, where governments are increasingly turning to fiscal tools to reshape dietary behavior. In January, Slovakia approved a fiscal consolidation package that included a targeted value-added tax increase on sugary and salty foods. Under the plan, which takes effect this year, products such as chocolate, ice cream, confectionery and crisps will be taxed at 23 percent, compared with a standard rate of 19 percent. Slovak authorities said the measure was intended to promote responsible consumption while strengthening public finances. In the United Kingdom, the Labour government has announced plans to expand its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to include milk-based beverages such as bottled milkshakes, sweetened coffee drinks and plant-based dairy alternatives from January 2028. The move closes a long-standing exemption that health officials now argue weakened the policy’s effectiveness. A new “lactose allowance” will exempt naturally occurring milk sugars, ensuring that only added sugars are taxed. Since its introduction in 2018, the UK levy has become one of the most closely watched public health policies in Europe. Officials say it has driven widespread reformulation, with more than 90 percent of soft drinks now containing less sugar than the taxable threshold. Between 2015 and 2022, total sugar sold in soft drinks fell by nearly half. Policy experiments across Europe Across the European Union, nutrition-related taxes have moved from experimental to mainstream. Hungary operates a Public Health Product Tax on sugary drinks, confectionery and salty snacks, generating dedicated revenue for healthcare. France expanded its soft drink tax to include both sugary and artificially sweetened beverages. Portugal applies a tiered tax based on sugar content, while Ireland mirrors the UK approach through its Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax. Even Denmark, which repealed its short-lived “fat tax” more than a decade ago, continues to revisit measures aimed specifically at excess sugar intake. These policies, while controversial at inception, are now widely regarded as standard tools of modern public health governance. The WHO formally recommends sugar taxation as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce obesity and diabetes, alongside education, food labeling reforms and improved access to healthier diets. Korea’s health context South Korea’s public health indicators remain among the strongest in the OECD, but experts warn that dietary shifts toward processed foods and sugar-heavy beverages are eroding that advantage — particularly among younger adults. According to the Korean Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Fact Sheet 2024, an estimated 308,000 people aged 19 to 39 in South Korea are living with diabetes, accounting for 2.2 percent of the country’s total diabetic population. While the proportion may appear small, health authorities caution that early-onset diabetes significantly increases lifetime risks of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and other complications. More striking is the scale of metabolic risk among young men. The same report found that 37 percent of men in their 30s are in a prediabetic state, meaning their blood sugar levels are already elevated enough to place them at high risk of progressing to full diabetes without intervention. Public health experts say the figures reflect broader lifestyle and dietary changes, including higher consumption of sugary snacks, sweetened beverages and ready-to-drink products, combined with sedentary work patterns and long hours. Marc Diederich, a professor at Seoul National University’s Department of Pharmacy, said the scientific case for preventive action is well established. “Excess added sugar, particularly from sweetened beverages, contributes to obesity, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation,” he told AJP. “These conditions not only undermine metabolic health but also increase cancer risk indirectly through physiological stress and immune dysfunction.” Children and young adults, he added, are especially vulnerable. “High sugar intake is linked to dental disease, unhealthy weight gain and early metabolic abnormalities,” Diederich said. “Fiscal tools can help shift consumption patterns, but they must be paired with education.” He also pointed to Korea’s traditional diet as a preventive asset worth protecting. “Meals centered on grains, vegetables, fermented foods and soups have long supported good health,” he said. “Preserving that food culture should be part of any long-term prevention strategy.” 2026-02-02 17:22:34
  • Winters last stand, caught on a wave
    Winter's last stand, caught on a wave SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -With just two days left until Ipchun, the traditional marker of spring, winter is refusing a quiet exit. Along the coast, biting winds rake the shoreline and whip the sea into whitecaps, turning the water steel-blue and restless. The cold sharpens everything — the air, the waves, the resolve of those who come to watch and those who come to dive in. Some stand bundled at the water’s edge, hands in pockets, eyes fixed on the surf as it crashes and retreats. Others choose immersion over observation, paddling out into the frigid sea to catch winter’s final, defiant waves. Black wetsuits cut through the foam; boards rise and fall against the swell. It is a familiar seasonal ritual: winter showing its teeth just before loosening its grip. In the roar of the surf and the sting of cold spray, spring feels close — but not close enough to stop the sea from having the last word. 입춘을 이틀 앞두고 겨울 추위가 이어지는 가운데, 강한 바람에 해안의 파도가 높게 일었다. 시민들은 해변에 머물며 파도를 지켜보거나 바다에 뛰어들어 서핑을 즐기는 등 겨울 바다를 즐기고 있다. 2026-02-02 17:20:25
  • From aisle to android: robots go on sale at E-mart in Korea
    From aisle to android: robots go on sale at E-mart in Korea SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -Shopping carts aren’t the only things rolling through E-mart anymore. South Korea’s largest retailer has become the first in the country to sell humanoid robots as off-the-shelf products, signaling a moment when robots move from showroom curiosities to items consumers can actually take home. At Electromart Yeongdeungpo in western Seoul, E-mart has opened a robot demonstration zone showcasing 14 different robot models, all available for purchase. The star attraction is a humanoid robot priced at 31 million won(about 21,300 dollars), designed to mimic human movement with striking precision. It can walk, sit, stand, turn from side to side, and move its arms and legs independently — less science fiction prop than early-stage household companion. Nearby, a smaller but livelier quadruped robot, priced at 4.76 million won(about 3,280 dollars), draws crowds with its repertoire of tricks. The robot can jump, stretch, sit, and even offer a mechanical handshake. Equipped with environmental sensors, it recognizes obstacles, navigates its surroundings and responds to voice commands, blurring the line between gadget and pet. By placing robots on the retail floor — complete with price tags — E-mart is testing how ready Korean consumers are to accept machines not just as tools or toys, but as everyday products. What was once confined to labs and tech expos has arrived under fluorescent lights, waiting quietly for its first owner to swipe a card. In Yeongdeungpo, the future isn’t behind glass. It’s on sale. 2026-02-02 17:18:29