Journalist
Lee Hugh
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TRAVEL: Gyeongju's historic sites draw visitors amid autumn foliage GYEONGJU, November 14 (AJP) - South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju used to be the most popular field trip destination for students. Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla that thrived for over 1,000 years, the city, home to numerous national treasures, still attracts hordes of visitors and tourists. Among its many landmarks, the most iconic are Bulguksa temple and Cheomseongdae observatory. The temple, one of the country's most famous tourist attractions, is especially crowded at this time of year, as vibrant late-autumn foliage creates a stunning backdrop to its centuries-old structures, stone pagodas, and pavilions. Following the city's successful hosting of this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, several photo spots have seen a surge in tourists. This includes the temple's iconic two-part stone stairway, with Cheongungyo forming the lower section and Baekungyo the upper, featuring a gracefully curved, rainbow-shaped arch at its base. Bulguksa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the country's most famous Buddhist temples, dating back to the ancient period of Silla, and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. Other must-see masterpieces are stone pagodas Dabotap and Seokgatap, standing in front of the main hall. Dabotap exudes intricate, ornate elegance with sophisticated craftsmanship, while Seokgatap, simpler in form, is admired for its clean symmetry and refined minimalism. They are considered among the finest examples of stone pagodas. Another must-see is Cheomseongdae in the nearly area, a stone tower that served as an astronomical observatory for the ancient kingdom. Recognized as the world's oldest surviving structure of its kind, it is also one of the few that has been preserved in its original form in South Korea. 2025-11-14 10:44:43 -
Foreign investors extend buying spree in Korean stocks but retreat from bonds SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Foreign investors extended their months-long buying streak in South Korean equities in October, even as they pulled back from the country’s bond market, according to data released Friday by the Financial Supervisory Service. Overseas investors purchased a net 4.2 trillion won ($3.1 billion) in Korean stocks last month, marking the sixth straight month of net inflows. The bulk of the buying was concentrated in the benchmark KOSPI market. By the end of October, foreign investors held 1,250 trillion won in Korean equities — about 30.1 percent of total market capitalization. European investors led the charge, adding a net 4.5 trillion won in equities. Asia-based investors followed with net purchases of 100 billion won. Investors from the Middle East, however, were net sellers, offloading about 600 billion won. By country, Britain and Ireland emerged as the most active buyers, with net purchases of 2.4 trillion won and 1.3 trillion won, respectively. U.S. investors sold a net 1 trillion won, while Kuwait shed 600 billion won. The upbeat sentiment in stocks contrasted with foreign activity in South Korea’s bond market. Although investors bought 3.8 trillion won in bonds in October, redemptions totaled 4 trillion won, resulting in a net withdrawal of 178 billion won. Foreign holdings of Korean bonds stood at 307 trillion won at month’s end, or 11.2 percent of all outstanding bonds. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-14 10:15:33 -
Samsung, Hanwha chiefs to visit UAE next week for AI, defense collaboration SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan are among a group of prominent South Korean executives traveling to the United Arab Emirates next week, industry sources said on Friday. The two leaders are expected to attend the Korea-UAE Business Round Table on Nov. 19, an event organized by the Korea Economic Association and KOTRA. The gathering follows last month’s APEC meeting in Gyeongju, where South Korean officials and business chiefs underscored the need for stronger international cooperation amid global geopolitical volatility. Industry officials said roughly 15 top executives will join the delegation. Lee, who has shown growing interest in investments and partnerships in the Gulf region, is expected to raise discussions on artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies. Kim, whose conglomerate has emerged as a major player in aerospace and defense, is likely to focus on expanding defense exports — an area where the UAE has become one of South Korea’s most important customers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-14 10:01:59 -
OPINION: South Korea needs AI strategy that matches its demographic crisis South Korea is confronting a demographic reckoning unlike anything in its modern history. The country’s fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.75 in 2024 — the lowest in the world — and its working-age population has been shrinking since 2020. By next year, older adults will make up more than 20 percent of the population, a figure expected to reach 34.4 percent by 2040. These shifts threaten to upend the foundations of the nation’s economic growth, strain its welfare budget and hollow out regions already struggling to remain viable. At the same time, a revolution in artificial intelligence and robotics is sweeping through factories, hospitals, logistics centers and even white-collar workplaces. Machines are increasingly capable not only of performing routine physical labor but also of taking on cognitive tasks once thought resistant to automation. That convergence — a shrinking workforce and a rapidly expanding AI tool kit — presents South Korea with a stark choice: shape these forces into a coherent national strategy, or be overtaken by them. For too long, population policy has been synonymous with efforts to raise the birthrate. But no realistic scenario suggests that births alone can reverse the demographic decline. What South Korea needs instead is an integrated plan that pairs technological innovation with regional and industrial policy — a strategy for functioning, and even thriving, with fewer people. In the short term, that means deploying robots in the places that need them most: rural counties losing young adults, industrial towns struggling to fill shifts, and communities where aging residents outnumber the working-age population. In the long term, AI and robotics must be embedded into broader plans for industrial restructuring and regional revitalization. Some of this transformation is already underway. Care robots can help older adults live independently. Collaborative robots — or “cobots” — can amplify productivity in factories and farms. Domestic and childcare robots can ease the burdens that make family life more difficult, improving quality of life even if they do not raise birthrates. AI tools can extend the reach of doctors and nurses in underserved regions, narrowing healthcare gaps that widen as populations shrink. But technology alone is not enough. The government must identify which jobs are most suitable for automation, and where robotization can address the most acute labor shortages. That requires careful evaluation by industry and job type, followed by targeted investment in AI robotics and support for research and development. Building regional clusters for robot production and maintenance would not only create new industrial hubs but also anchor local economies facing population loss. Legal and institutional frameworks will need to evolve as well. As human-robot collaboration becomes commonplace, labor laws, safety standards and liability rules must keep pace. Social safety nets will have to be strengthened to soften the impact on workers displaced by automation and to provide pathways for retraining. If South Korea approaches this moment with vision, the rise of AI robotics can be more than a defensive measure. It can become the catalyst for redesigning the nation’s labor system — one that integrates technology, employment, education and ethics into a model of sustainable growth. Government investment in AI should therefore extend beyond headline-grabbing research projects and focus on robots that fill critical gaps in caregiving, domestic work, agriculture and logistics. Coordinated funding for deployment and training, in partnership with local governments, industry and universities, can position South Korea not only to cope with demographic decline but also to lead in the global robotics economy. About the author -Ph.D. in Economics, Sungkyunkwan University -Professor, Soonchunhyang University -Former President, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs -Former President, Korea Economic Research Association -Former President, Korea Fiscal Policy Association * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-14 09:51:38 -
PHOTOS: Korean traditional dance's modern resurgence SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Korean traditional dance is finding fresh resonance with the public, as a new generation of young choreographers reimagines age-old movements for the era of social media and digital platforms. Their works, which recast the breath, rhythm and restraint of classical Korean dance in contemporary form, have been circulating widely online, drawing viewers who might never have encountered the tradition onstage. That momentum has also spilled onto television. On the cable network Mnet’s competition series “Stage Fighter,” dancers have won over audiences with performances that fuse the emotional power of Korean dance with a sleek, modern visual language. What once risked being preserved only as restoration is now emerging as a creative vocabulary of its own — one that suggests a different kind of future for Korean performing arts. The idea that “tradition does not stay in the past” has become something of a guiding principle. Recent productions have captivated audiences by translating centuries-old gestures into the idiom of today. So did the 2025 Korea Traditional Dance Festival, held Oct. 30–31 at the National Theater of Korea, which drew notable attention amid the broader revival. Classic forms such as Taepyeongmu, long associated with the poise and dignity of royal court culture; Ganggangsullae, a communal circle dance that celebrates collective joy; and Bokkaechum, a refined fan dance that highlights beauty through the subtlest movements of the fingertips, were all reimagined onstage. Having moved beyond an era in which traditional dance was confined to court ritual or folk heritage, the form is now widening its reach. By merging choreography with music technologies, cinematic lighting and video art, Korean traditional dance is stepping decisively into the realm of contemporary performance. 2025-11-14 09:40:56 -
Asian shares end Thursday with modest gains SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Major Asian markets in South Korea, Japan, and China closed modestly higher on Thursday, buoyed by relief over the normalization of U.S. government operations after the longest shutdown in American history. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI added 0.5 percent to close at 4,170.63, while the secondary KOSDAQ advanced 1.3 percent to 918.37. The partial U.S. government shutdown ended late Wednesday after 43 days, as the House passed a temporary spending bill funding operations through January 30. President Donald Trump signed the measure into law, formally restoring federal functions. Early gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix faded by the close. Samsung slipped 0.3 percent to 102,800 won ($70), while SK hynix declined 0.8 percent to 612,000 won. Entertainment agency HYBE, which drew renewed attention after NewJeans returned to its label, jumped 4.5 percent to 304,000 won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4 percent to finish at 51,281.83, supported by gains in automakers. Toyota climbed 0.3 percent to 3,198 yen ($20), Honda rose 1.3 percent to 1,565 yen, and Nissan gained 2.8 percent to 374 yen. Fast Retailing dropped 1.6 percent to 57,020 yen, while SoftBank Group tumbled 3.4 percent to 21,170 yen following reports that the company sold its remaining stake in Nvidia. The New York Times reported that Nvidia’s $100 billion investment in OpenAI — and OpenAI’s large-scale purchases of Nvidia processors — have raised concerns about circular transactions that could inflate bubble risks. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.7 percent to close at 4,029.50. 2025-11-13 17:31:35 -
Korea's poetic way to authenticate test-takers for college entry exam SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Poet Ahn Gyu-rye may not be widely known, but to the half million South Korean youths who sat for Thursday’s once-a-year college entrance exam Suneung, the line “Youth, like waves of springing green” from poem Morning Walk will likely remain etched as a final memory of the day. Suneung is a cruel make-or-break ritual that can shape a student’s entire adult trajectory in Korea, a society long obsessed with a handful of elite universities. It is a day of excruciating tension not only for test-takers but also for their parents, as even a single slip can upend years of effort. To stay composed, Koreans have developed an array of personal and collective rituals. Among them, the so-called handwriting verification phrase stands out as a uniquely Korean Suneung invention—born both to prevent foul play at test sites and to serve as a last-resort safeguard in identifying test-takers. The phrase appears on each of the five typical test sets administered throughout the day, and every test-taker must write it by hand on their answer sheet. The line is chosen with care: it must support the design of handwriting authentication and leave a lasting emotional impression on students facing one of the most consequential tests of their lives. For the 2025 Suneung, the phrase was: “Unfurl your grand dreams upon the boundless world.” It comes from a work by poet Gwak Ui-young, a late-blooming Daegu poet whose 2023 debut collection Launching a Boat at Sunset includes the poem Only One Beautiful Daughter. The tradition dates back to 2006, introduced after widespread cheating scandals in the 2005 exam. The first handwriting phrase quoted one of Korea’s most revered poets, Yun Dong-ju, whose line “May I have no shame when I look up at the sky” from his poem Prologue evokes moral integrity under colonial oppression. The most frequently selected poem has been Nostalgia by Jeong Ji-yong, used three times. Jeong is known for articulating early modern Korean experience in refined, sensory language, noted Professor Cho Kang-sok of Yonsei University’s Department of Korean Language and Literature. The phrases are chosen by exam committees under strict criteria: they must span 12–19 Korean characters, include at least two distinctive consonants such as ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, and feature at least one double consonant, all to ensure clear handwriting authentication. At the same time, they must deliver messages of hope and encouragement—words meant to steady the hand, soothe the mind, and perhaps bring a measure of luck to the young Koreans facing their critical day. 2025-11-13 17:18:21 -
South Korea to hold separate memorial service for forced labor victims in Japan SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea will hold a memorial service for victims of forced labor during World War II in Japan next week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. The service is set to be held on Nov. 21 on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, a site of Imperial Japan's mobilization of South Koreans for forced labor, with about a dozen bereaved family members and government officials, including South Korea's ambassador to Tokyo Lee Hyuk. It will be a separate service from the one hosted by Japan in September, in which Tokyo again failed to admit "forced mobilization of laborers," raising questions about the sincerity of Japan's apology for its wartime atrocities. Lee Jae-woong, a ministry spokesperson, said, "While we have faced difficulties in reaching a satisfactory outcome, we will continue discussions with Japan to ensure the memorial is held in accordance with its purpose and nature." Unlike last year, this year's service will be held indoors due to chilly weather to prevent any inconvenience for attendees. 2025-11-13 17:04:04 -
HYBE flies on rosy outlook with NewJeans and BTS pipeline, but NewJeans remain question SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Korea's entertainment giant HYBE gained a boost — 6 percent on Thursday on high expectations for a full-member comeback of their budding and steady stars NewJeans and BTS, after the breakaway girl group hinted they would return home following an epic split last year. The rise was more muted than the near-9 percent after-hours jump late Wednesday as the market grew cautious about whether reconciliation is real, given the deep distrust NewJeans members expressed throughout their legal dispute with parent company HYBE and ADOR. "We are yet to confirm the other members and cannot confidently assure a full return," a HYBE official said Thursday on condition of anonymity. ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary, posted on X on Wednesday that Haerin and Hyein had conveyed their intention to continue activities under the label in accordance with last month's court ruling, which upheld the validity of their exclusive contract through July 31, 2029. Hours later, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle reportedly told a local outlet they too intended to return to ADOR. The company, however, said it had not been formally contacted by the three members, while the members' side claimed ADOR was not responding to their attempts to communicate. The development follows NewJeans' loss in the first trial of their contract lawsuit. The Seoul Central District Court rejected the group's claim that a "breakdown in trust justified terminating the contract," ruling that the evidence fell short of the threshold required under Korean law. Although their law firm, Shin & Kim, initially said it would file an immediate appeal, more than ten days have passed without a filing. The deadline is midnight Thursday. Legal experts expect the second trial to favor ADOR unless new evidence emerges. If the members attempt independent activities without ADOR's approval, they could face heavy financial penalties. Industry estimates place potential liability at up to 600 billion won ($408 million) based on the group's average monthly earnings and remaining contract period. In a separate ruling in May, the court granted ADOR's request for indirect compulsory execution, ordering the members to pay 1 billion won per violation for any unauthorized activity — a penalty that applies regardless of additional damages. It remains unclear whether former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin played any role in the latest developments. NewJeans had previously demanded Min's reinstatement as a key condition for returning to the agency. Min has since launched a new company, OOAK (One Of A Kind), and is engaged in a separate legal clash with HYBE over a put-option agreement, making any renewed partnership unlikely. For HYBE, the clearer upside lies with BTS, who are set to resume group activities next year after completing mandatory military service. The company has signaled that BTS' formal schedule will begin in the spring. "NewJeans' return could contribute an additional 20 to 30 billion won in annual profit from 2027 onward," Meritz Securities said Thursday, raising its target price for HYBE from 370,000 won to 380,000 won. Hana Securities analyst Lee Ki-hoon noted that HYBE reported third-quarter revenue of 727.2 billion won and an operating loss of 42.2 billion won — well below market expectations — weighed down by around 87 billion won in one-off expenses tied to North American restructuring and the launch of new global groups. "HYBE will need to show earnings leverage next year as BTS resumes group activities," he said. HYBE shares have surged more than 50 percent this year, though still trailing the broader KOSPI's gain of over 70 percent. 2025-11-13 16:24:45 -
Two dead, 19 injured after pickup truck crashes into market in Bucheon SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - A pickup truck crashed into an open-air market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday, leaving two dead and 19 injured, police said. According to police, the truck plowed through the market at around 11 a.m., and the driver was arrested at the scene. The man in his 60s was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police believe he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the truck to suddenly speed into stalls and shoppers there. "The driver claims it was sudden unintended acceleration, but it is difficult to verify from the CCTV footage of the moving vehicle," a police officer said, adding that further investigation is required. The two victims killed were both women in their 60s and 70s. 2025-11-13 16:21:51