Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • About 1 in 4 NK defectors show chromosomal anomalies; no proven radiation link
    About 1 in 4 NK defectors show chromosomal anomalies; no proven radiation link SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Roughly one in four North Korean defectors who lived near the country’s main nuclear test site has shown signs of chromosomal abnormalities potentially consistent with radiation exposure, the Unification Ministry said Monday, while stressing that no causal link has been established. The findings are based on 2024 tests conducted by the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center under the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences. The study examined 35 defectors from eight cities and counties surrounding the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea carried out all six of its nuclear tests. Of those tested, 12 individuals — about 34 percent — showed chromosomal changes in a “stable chromosome aberration test,” a biological dosimetry method used to estimate cumulative lifetime radiation exposure. All 12 recorded levels above the minimum detection threshold of 0.25 gray. By contrast, an “unstable chromosome aberration test,” which detects more recent exposure within the past three to six months, found no values above the detection limit in any subject, suggesting that any potential exposure occurred earlier. Officials cautioned that the results do not establish a direct connection to nuclear testing. Chromosomal abnormalities may arise from other sources, including medical radiation such as CT scans or exposure to harmful chemicals, including smoking. North Korea conducted nuclear tests at Punggye-ri between 2006 and 2017, releasing radioactive isotopes such as iodine-131, cesium-137, strontium-90 and plutonium-239, which can enter the body through contaminated air, water or food and potentially cause genetic damage. Despite the findings, none of the 12 individuals identified with possible abnormalities has been diagnosed with cancers typically associated with radiation exposure, according to the ministry. The latest results build on earlier screenings. In 2023, 15 out of 59 defectors showed similar signs, bringing the three-year total to 44 out of 174 individuals — about 25 percent of those tested who had lived near Punggye-ri since North Korea’s first nuclear test in October 2006. The ministry said establishing a definitive link would require environmental sampling of soil and water near the test site — currently impossible without cooperation from Pyongyang. Comparative analysis with the general South Korean population could also help clarify any correlation. About 800 defectors in South Korea are believed to have originated from the eight regions surrounding the test site. The Unification Ministry said it will continue testing, aiming to examine 50 additional individuals this year, though the program has slowed, with only 94 people tested over the past two years and no new results publicly released since 2024. 2026-03-23 17:53:03
  • Vietnam emerges as new frontier for Korean movies
    Vietnam emerges as new frontier for Korean movies SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - With The King’s Warden the latest South Korean movie set for release in Vietnam, the Southeast Asian country is emerging as a strategic growth market for Korean cinema. The film, which drew over 14 million viewers at home, is set in Yeongwol county in Korea’s Gangwon province, and depicts the relationship between a young dethroned king and a village chief. It is set to open on April 10 across more than 200 screens, including CGV, Lotte Cinema, and major local chains, according to CJ HK Entertainment, the Vietnamese unit of CJ ENM, Vietnam’s film market has been expanding rapidly in recent years, since returning in 2022 to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency. Korean companies, particularly CJ ENM’s Vietnamese unit, have played a major role in this growth. Since entering the market in 2014, CJ HK has participated in the production, investment and distribution of more than 20 movies. It led the production of Mai (2024) and Nha Ba Nu (2023), which ranked first and second in Vietnam’s all-time box office, and in 2025 placed The Ancestral Home among the country’s top 10 hits, ranking seventh overall. Industry observers say the relationship is evolving beyond content exports to co-production, with Korean firms shifting from external suppliers to local partners. Released in Vietnam on Aug. 1 last year, Leaving Mom was a co-invested project between Korean and Vietnamese production companies. Directed and written by a Korean filmmaker, the film was shot in both countries with a joint cast and crew. It surpassed its break-even point within three days with 840,000 admissions and went on to top the box office for 15 consecutive days, exceeding 2 million viewers. According to distributor Showbox, Exhuma drew more than 2.23 million viewers in Vietnam within 17 days of its release in March 2024, surpassing previous records. It also posted the highest opening-day and opening-weekend revenues for a Korean film in the market. Vietnam has emerged as a key partner for Korean film collaboration, offering a more open production environment compared with China and Japan. CJ CGV and Lotte Entertainment together hold about 54 percent of the multiplex market, providing strong distribution infrastructure for Korean content. At the same time, Vietnam’s domestic film industry share of box office revenue rose from 29 percent in 2019 to about 70 percent in 2025. Total box office revenue reached a record 5.59 trillion dong ($312 million) in 2025, up 24 percent from 2024 and more than 35 percent from 2019, with annual ticket sales exceeding 70 million. This contrasts with South Korea’s film market, which remains in a prolonged slowdown. Theater admissions fell 32.5% year-on-year to about 42.5 million in the first half of 2025, while revenue dropped 33.2%. Film production has also declined significantly, and the expansion of streaming platforms continues to weigh on both theatrical and secondary markets. 2026-03-23 17:52:55
  • Lee Young-ae, Yoo Ji-tae to Reunite in New Drama 25 Years After One Fine Spring Day
    Lee Young-ae, Yoo Ji-tae to Reunite in New Drama 25 Years After 'One Fine Spring Day' Actors Lee Young-ae and Yoo Ji-tae will reunite in a drama series for the first time in 25 years since the film ‘One Fine Spring Day.’ Production company IWill Media said on the 23rd that it has cast Lee and Yoo as the leads of its new drama ‘Jaei’s Youngin.’ The two previously starred in ‘One Fine Spring Day,’ released in 2001, a film long regarded as one of South Korea’s signature romance movies. ‘Jaei’s Youngin’ is a mystery melodrama about two people left alone in the world. After they fall in love, a tangled past and hidden truths come to light. Lee will play Joo Youngin, an art teacher and painter who has lost her son. Yoo will play Shin Jaei, the head of an architecture firm who lives with dissociative amnesia. The series will be directed by Oh Gi-hwan, who previously worked with Lee on the film ‘Gift.’ The script is by Cho Eun-jung, whose credits include ‘Hotel King’ and ‘Feast of the Gods.’ Expectations are building over whether Lee, who chose her next project about five months after the well-reviewed drama ‘Eunsu’s Good Day,’ and Yoo, who recently became a “10 million actor” with the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King,’ will deliver strong on-screen chemistry again. 2026-03-23 17:48:17
  • Korea joins Puppy Day with adoption push
    Korea joins Puppy Day with adoption push SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - From social media feeds filled with wagging tails to corporate campaigns backing animal welfare, South Korea joined the global celebration of National Puppy Day on Sunday, highlighting a growing culture of pet companionship — and responsibility. Established in 2006 by U.S. pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige, the day has evolved into an international campaign promoting the protection of abandoned dogs and encouraging adoption. Pet owners around the world took part online using the hashtag #NationalPuppyDay. In Korea, companies joined the movement with a mix of donations and awareness campaigns. Pet food maker Royal Canin said it donated 10 tons of tailored food for abandoned animals to shelters nationwide. Fashion brand Hazzys launched an “Adopt, Don’t Shop” campaign to promote adoption over purchasing pets. Convenience store chain CU added a lighter touch, introducing a “custom beer” service that prints customers’ pet photos on cans — blending pet culture with everyday consumption. The surge in participation reflects a broader shift. South Korea is now home to an estimated 15 million pet owners, as animals increasingly take on the role of family members. With that growth, however, comes rising concern over abandonment and ethical ownership. National Puppy Day is gaining traction not just as a celebration, but as a reminder — that behind every viral puppy photo is a longer-term commitment, and for many animals, a second chance still depends on it. 2026-03-23 17:43:01
  • KPGA Says Busan Assault Suspect Was Expelled in 2015, Not a Current Member
    KPGA Says Busan Assault Suspect Was Expelled in 2015, Not a Current Member KPGA said on the 23rd that the man accused in a recent sexual assault and beating case involving a golf lesson student in Busan is not affiliated with the association. The association said it has confirmed the suspect is a 60-year-old man identified only by the surname Kim, who was expelled in January 2015 and is not a current KPGA member. JTBC's "Case Chief" reported in February that a man working as an instructor at a golf practice range in Busan repeatedly sexually assaulted a female student and, after she resisted, assaulted her indiscriminately at a restaurant. The program also aired CCTV footage showing the attack. The Busan District Court sentenced the assailant to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. After the broadcast, speculation spread online while the suspect's identity remained unclear. Based on a phrase used in the report, a man identified only by the surname Shin, who had competed on the KPGA Tour, was wrongly named as the assailant. JTBC later said comments identifying Shin as the attacker were "clearly false." Shin also strongly denied any connection. Even so, KPGA members in the Busan and South Gyeongsang region said they suffered tangible fallout, including students avoiding lessons. As the damage from unverified claims grew, Shin Hee-taek, chair of the KPGA disciplinary committee, and regional members moved to determine the suspect's identity. The KPGA office said it made repeated calls with the victim and local members, conducted a full review of eight members in the Busan and South Gyeongsang region born in 1966, and sought legal advice. It ultimately identified Kim as the suspect and said he had been expelled for long-term nonpayment of dues. "Members in the Busan and South Gyeongsang region and association staff communicated closely to identify the perpetrator," Shin said. "Kim is currently in no way connected to the association." KPGA said it is checking indications that Kim continued giving golf lessons after his expulsion and is also reviewing whether he impersonated KPGA membership. Depending on the findings, the association said it is considering legal action over defamation and obstruction of business and will cooperate if investigative authorities request assistance. Kim Jin-hyeong, a KPGA Tour director, said the core of the case was not misconduct by an active professional but a personal crime by someone who had been expelled. He said the association shares the victim's pain and the distress felt by Shin and other members in the Busan area. He said KPGA maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sex crimes and will consider strong legal steps if needed, while working to build systems to prevent recurrence so the public can trust KPGA members. The association said it also views impersonating KPGA membership, including by expelled individuals, as a serious matter that undermines order and will respond actively after confirming facts if similar cases arise.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-23 17:36:00
  • President Lee vows self-reliant defense amid Middle East tensions
    President Lee vows self-reliant defense amid Middle East tensions SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that self-reliant defense is the core of South Korea’s integrated defense strategy, citing increasingly complex and fluid global security conditions. “Self-reliant defense is the most important core of integrated defense,” Lee said while presiding over the 59th Central Integrated Defense Council at the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. The council, held annually, brings together senior officials across various national defense sectors to assess the country’s integrated defense posture and discuss ways to strengthen it. This marked the first such meeting since Lee took office. Lee stressed that ensuring public safety, maintaining everyday stability and safeguarding national continuity are the fundamental responsibilities of the government. “The most critical aspect of national security is ultimately our integrated defense capability, and at its core lies national defense,” he said. He emphasized that defense must remain a sovereign responsibility. “It is something we must never entrust to others, a core responsibility we must ultimately bear ourselves,” Lee said. “We must be able to protect ourselves under any circumstances without relying on external assistance.” Lee highlighted South Korea’s defense capabilities, noting that the country’s annual defense spending is about 1.4 times North Korea’s gross domestic product and that it ranks fifth globally in military strength. “With an economy among the top 10 globally and a defense industry envied worldwide, we have sufficient capacity to defend ourselves without external support,” he said. He called on officials to strengthen preparedness and maintain confidence, urging them to build systems capable of ensuring national defense under any conditions. Lee also underscored the importance of coordination among civilian, military, police and emergency response sectors. Regarding global tensions, including the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, Lee described the international situation as “highly complex and fluid.” He warned that threats now extend beyond conventional military risks to include cyberattacks, terrorism, climate-related crises and disasters. “In such an environment, all elements of defense must respond in a unified and coordinated manner in times of emergency,” he said. 2026-03-23 17:24:32
  • Frenzied retail stock buying triggers Seoul warning on forced liquidation
    Frenzied retail stock buying triggers Seoul warning on forced liquidation SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Leveraged stock buying by retail investors remained feverish on Monday despite 6-percent rout on escalating Gulf war fears, prompting the financial regulator to warn on forced liquidations. The Financial Supervisory Service issued a set of guidelines on Monday aimed at preventing disputes in margin trading, saying recent sharp swings in the domestic stock market had heightened the risk of forced sell-offs for investors using credit financing. “When the domestic stock market has recently shown sharp volatility, the risk of forced liquidation for investors using credit financing has increased, and related disputes and complaints are being steadily filed,” the regulator said. The FSS noted that investors are often swept up in fear of missing out during rallies. As share prices rise, it becomes harder to enter the market with cash alone, pushing some investors to rely on margin loans. When prices then fall sharply, mandatory liquidations are triggered if the collateral ratio drops below 140 percent. Outstanding margin balances surged 21.5 percent in just over two months, rising from 27.4 trillion won ($18.13 billion) at the start of the year to 33.3 trillion won as of March 20. Saying many disputes stem from investor misunderstanding or oversight, the FSS issued several reminders. For complaints that investors did not receive advance notice before forced liquidation, the regulator advised checking whether the brokerage’s phone number had been blocked. Under the Capital Markets Act, brokerages are required to notify clients before carrying out a margin call sale. In cases where investors argued that more shares were sold than necessary to cover the collateral shortfall, the FSS said they must take into account the so-called haircut, or discount rate. Forced liquidations are typically executed at prices discounted by up to 30 percent from the previous day’s close, and the 140 percent collateral ratio should be calculated on that basis. The watchdog also cautioned against relying on intraday price movements when calculating collateral ratios. Even if the ratio appears stable during trading hours, a forced liquidation can still occur if the requirement is not met at the closing price. It also stressed that investors should not treat forced liquidation itself as the reason they failed to make a profit. If a liquidation involves multiple stocks and an investor wants to protect a particular holding, the investor must request a change in liquidation priority in advance through the brokerage. For example, if the default order is A-B-C, the investor may ask that B and C be sold first to preserve stock A. The FSS added that disputes involving overseas stocks are also common, as many investors underestimate how exchange-rate swings and the higher volatility of individual foreign stocks can quickly erode collateral ratios. It also noted that interest-charging methods on margin loans differ by brokerage, and that prolonged delinquency on unsettled receivables may make future credit trading more difficult While the KOSPI ended Monday 6.5 percent lower, retailers bought a net 7 trillion won, matching the selling by foreign and local institutions. 2026-03-23 17:09:52
  • BTS’ ‘Arirang’ album sparks debate as most key tracks use English lyrics
    BTS’ ‘Arirang’ album sparks debate as most key tracks use English lyrics The name “Arirang” carries unusual weight in Korea — a shorthand for shared sorrow, emotion and centuries of collective memory. So when BTS announced its fifth full-length album would be titled “Arirang,” many listeners expected something overtly traditional. But reactions split after the release, especially because most major tracks — including the title song “SWIM” — are largely in English. For some, an album called “Arirang” with English lyrics felt jarring. The debate raises a broader question: Is what feels strange the English lyrics — or the expectation that the moment “Arirang” is invoked, tradition must appear in a familiar, visible form? The question is not only about taste. Asking “Why English?” touches on where K-pop is headed and what people mean by “Korean.” The discussion also reflects a habit of treating identity as something that must be confirmed through obvious symbols — traditional clothing, a Korean-instrument sample, or Korean-language lyrics — before audiences feel assured something is “Korean.” Culture rarely works that neatly. BTS’ choice on this album is a hip-hop sound closer to the group’s roots. Hip-hop began with local and personal stories, but it has also become a global musical grammar. Within that grammar, English is the most widely shared language. English lyrics, in that sense, can be a delivery method rather than a surrender of identity. That shifts the focus: Before asking why English, it may matter more what the group is carrying in that English. In the article’s view, the title “Arirang” points less to a literal reenactment of tradition than to subtler layers: a structure that repeatedly builds emotion, a chorus that evokes shared feeling, and what the members described in interviews as a “sense that naturally seeps in as Koreans.” Korean identity, the argument goes, does not require a signpost. The piece also warns that the more artists try to display tradition too directly, the more it can become staging rather than inheritance — decoration that grows louder as emotion grows thinner, turning culture into a fixed image. “Arirang” itself, it notes, was never a single fixed song. Lyrics and singing styles varied by region, and the emotions attached to it changed over time. For some it was a song of parting; for others, a song of endurance; for others still, a song of resistance and comfort. Constant variation, the article argues, is part of why it endured. From that perspective, an “Arirang” sung in English is not an exception outside the tradition but another extension of it. A change in language does not automatically erase cultural identity, the piece says; the ongoing process of translation and movement across eras, media and audiences is closer to cultural vitality. Ultimately, the article says the controversy reflects more than discomfort with English lyrics. It suggests many people still define “Korean” too simply — as something that must be in Korean, must look traditional, and must carry instantly recognizable markers. By that standard, it argues, a souvenir shop might appear more “Korean” than a living culture. K-pop, the piece concludes, is produced for a global market and consumed simultaneously by listeners worldwide. In that environment, English is less a preference than a strategy. The key question is not what the strategy erases, but what it newly carries — and whether the urge to recognize “Korean-ness” too easily has become outdated. 2026-03-23 17:09:23
  • Kakao Pay Confirms CEO Shin Won-geun’s Reappointment, Pledges AI Shift and ‘Next Finance’ Push
    Kakao Pay Confirms CEO Shin Won-geun’s Reappointment, Pledges AI Shift and ‘Next Finance’ Push Kakao Pay said it confirmed the reappointment of CEO Shin Won-geun at its annual shareholders meeting held on the 23rd. The company said Shin’s new term will focus on expanding its existing businesses while accelerating a shift to artificial intelligence, improving user experience and building out a digital-asset ecosystem as part of its next-generation finance vision. Shin first took office as Kakao Pay’s CEO in March 2022 and had his term extended in March 2024 in recognition of his management performance, the company said. During his tenure, Kakao Pay said it completed its blueprint for a “daily-life finance platform,” grew both scale and fundamentals, and posted its first annual profit on a consolidated basis last year. Building on fintech know-how accumulated over the past four years, Kakao Pay said it will broaden existing business areas and overhaul UX to deliver full-scale “hyper-personalized” services. It also said it will move toward AI-based services and advance its “Next Finance” initiative to respond to a next-generation financial environment built around digital assets. In its core businesses, the company said it will continue to pursue vertical expansion, expand data-related businesses and strengthen platform competitiveness based on traffic. Kakao Pay said it also aims to make its future-finance vision a reality by securing capabilities to offer a completely new financial experience as technology reshapes the industry. It said it will pursue an internal shift to AI services, actively seek AI-centered synergy opportunities within the Kakao group, and prepare for next-generation digital-asset businesses centered on a “super wallet,” including stablecoins, blockchain and tokenized securities (STO). “Agentic AI is triggering the financial industry’s AX (AI transformation) through autonomous payments, embedded finance and hyper-personalization, while on-chain finance such as stablecoins is reshaping global settlement infrastructure,” Shin said. He added that the financial industry is at an inflection point that will determine future winners and losers, and said Kakao Pay will pursue its mission of “creating beneficial finance for users through technology” by combining an early AI shift and its “Next Finance” growth strategy with UX innovation that delivers new financial experiences.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-23 17:03:00
  • Korean pet food firms push into Vietnams booming market
    Korean pet food firms push into Vietnam's booming market SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) — South Korean pet food companies are increasingly targeting Vietnam as a key growth market, capitalizing on the Southeast Asian country’s rapidly expanding pet economy and rising demand for premium pet care. Vietnam has quickly emerged as a strategic destination for Korean exporters. Korean-made pet food already accounts for an estimated 30-40 percent of purchases in some segments, underscoring strong brand recognition and consumer trust. South Korea’s animal feed exports to Vietnam have reached $27.2 million, highlighting the country’s growing importance as an overseas market for Korean firms seeking new revenue streams beyond a maturing domestic industry. The push into Vietnam comes as the country’s pet economy undergoes rapid expansion. Pet population in Vietnam estimated at 31.4 million in 2024 is expected to exceed 33 million this year, according to Euromonitor International. The market itself is projected to grow from around $500 million in 2023 to more than $700 million by 2027, representing an annual growth rate of about 11 percent. This growth is being driven not only by rising pet ownership but also by a shift toward higher-value spending. In cities such as Hanoi, demand for pet services is surging. Dog training centers charge roughly 3 million VND (about $170) per month and report dozens of monthly inquiries, with steady enrollment. Pet hotels and daycare centers are frequently fully booked during peak travel seasons, reflecting a broader willingness among owners to spend on convenience and quality care. Spending is also diversifying beyond basic pet food into services such as grooming, veterinary care and training, areas where Korean companies see opportunities to introduce higher-end products and specialized offerings. For Korean firms, Vietnam’s growth contrasts with more mature conditions at home. Data from the KB Financial Group Research Institute shows that 5.91 million households in Korea — 26.7 percent of the total — owned pets as of 2024, with the overall pet population estimated at 15.5 million. The domestic pet food market is likewise sizable, reaching around 2.2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) in 2025, but growth is gradually stabilizing. While consumer spending continues to rise — with KB Kookmin Card data showing a roughly 30 percent increase in pet-related spending between 2021 and 2024 — companies are increasingly looking abroad to sustain momentum. Major food companies have been expanding their pet food portfolios as part of this outward push. Pulmuone recorded a 35 percent year-on-year increase in pet food sales, with some products posting explosive growth. HY reported a 34.6 percent rise, while Dongwon F&B achieved double-digit growth and expanded exports to more than 10 countries, including Vietnam. Daesang PetLife also posted a 25 percent increase in revenue. 2026-03-23 16:54:33