Police probe overseas IP addresses in SK Telecom cyber attack SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - South Korean authorities have identified foreign internet addresses linked to the recent cyberattack on SK Telecom and are coordinating with at least three countries as part of an expanding international investigation, police said on Monday. During a press briefing, Park Hyun-soo, acting chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said that cybercrime teams are analyzing server log records tied to malicious code discovered in the breach. “We have found overseas IP addresses during the analysis and are conducting international cooperative investigations,” Park said. Police did not disclose the countries involved but confirmed they are working in conjunction with the National Intelligence Service. The scope of the collaboration suggests a broader effort to trace the source of the hack, which has raised alarms over potential foreign interference in the country's critical communications infrastructure. When asked whether the foreign IP addresses indicated that the cooperating nations had served as conduits for the attackers, officials declined to elaborate. “We are in the process of verification and cannot say that anything has been definitively established,” Park said. Speculation has circulated that China or North Korea may be connected to the breach. However, investigators emphasized that no conclusions have been reached. Authorities continue to examine the origin of the attack, including whether it bears hallmarks of state-sponsored activity. The breach, discovered in April, targeted South Korea’s largest telecommunications provider and is believed to have compromised the personal data of a significant portion of SK Telecom’s user base. 2025-06-02 15:52:27

UAE in talks with TSMC to build advanced chip plant SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - The United Arab Emirates is in preliminary discussions with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to build a cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication facility as Gulf nations accelerate efforts to position themselves at the forefront of the global artificial intelligence race. TSMC has reportedly held multiple meetings in recent months with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, and representatives of MGX Fund Management, a UAE-based investment firm backing the proposal, Bloomberg reported. The talks come amid a surge of high-level U.S. interest in the region's emerging technology ecosystem. A recent tour of the Middle East led by former President Donald J. Trump included several of Silicon Valley’s most prominent figures, among them Elon Musk of Tesla, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Lisa Su of AMD. Their presence has helped spark a wave of AI- and data center-related investment announcements across the Gulf. The proposed chip foundry, if realized, would mark a milestone for the UAE and the broader region. It would also represent a significant expansion for TSMC beyond its traditional bases in Asia and recent projects in the United States and Japan. However, the project faces steep challenges — including limited local access to water, a critical resource for chip fabrication, and a shortage of specialized technical talent. Still, the vision is part of a broader, region-wide effort to reduce economic dependence on hydrocarbons by investing in advanced technologies. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have launched sweeping initiatives — Vision 2030 and the National AI Strategy 2031, respectively — aimed at cultivating domestic AI capabilities and attracting global tech leaders. In parallel with the TSMC talks, the UAE is pressing ahead with the Stargate UAE initiative, a joint venture with OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, and SoftBank to construct a 5-gigawatt AI data center in Abu Dhabi. When complete, the facility is expected to consume roughly as much electricity as three million average American homes. Saudi Arabia, for its part, has tasked the sovereign wealth fund–backed startup Humain with acquiring 18,000 of Nvidia’s cutting-edge Blackwell chips and forming a $10 billion strategic partnership with AMD. These moves underscore the region’s intent to leapfrog into the upper ranks of AI infrastructure development. 2025-06-02 14:33:19

Arsonist sparks fire on Seoul subway, forcing 400 passengers to flee through tunnel SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - A man ignited a fire on a Seoul subway train during Saturday morning rush hour, forcing about 400 passengers to evacuate through underground tunnels as smoke filled the carriages. The blaze erupted at 8:43 a.m. on Line 5 between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations when a man in his 60s used a torch-style lighter to set clothing ablaze after boarding with a container of oil, witnesses said. Twenty-one passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and ankle injuries sustained during the chaotic evacuation. No fatalities were reported. Train operators and passengers wielded fire extinguishers to contain the flames before firefighters fully extinguished the blaze at 10:24 a.m. Emergency responders deployed 230 personnel, including 166 firefighters and 60 police officers, along with 68 pieces of firefighting equipment. Police arrested the suspected arsonist near Yeouinaru station at 9:45 a.m. Service between Yeouido and Aeogae stations was suspended until 10:06 a.m., with trains bypassing Mapo and Yeouinaru stations during the emergency response. Investigators are examining the scene and questioning the suspect to determine the motive behind the arson attack. 2025-05-31 16:10:14

South Korean professor loses lawsuit over research fund embezzlement disciplinary action SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - A South Korean national university professor who embezzled about 80 million won (US$57,952) in research funds by falsely claiming equipment purchases has lost his administrative lawsuit challenging his disciplinary punishment. The Chuncheon District Court ruled against the professor in his lawsuit seeking to overturn a three-month suspension imposed by the national university he resides, the court announced on Saturday. According to the indictment, the professor fraudulently claimed research material expenses 31 times between June 2018 and January 2021, pocketing about 80 million won intended for consumable research supplies. He also embezzled 1 million won over 36 instances by billing for meals for researchers who never attended actual research meetings. The university initially imposed dismissal and demanded 240 million won in additional disciplinary fines - triple the embezzled amount. After the professor appealed to the Appeal Commission for Educators, his punishment was reduced to a three-month suspension with standard disciplinary fines, considering his suspended sentence in criminal court. However, the professor argued he merely followed established practices of acquiring expensive equipment through credit arrangements and later paying through government project material costs. He claimed the funds questioned were used for actual equipment purchases that benefited his research. "The misconduct's content, duration, frequency and amount show the violations were not minor, warranting demotion or higher punishment," the court said. "However, considering the plaintiff's diligent work performance and research achievements, and that the embezzlement wasn't solely for personal gain, a suspension was deemed appropriate." The court emphasized that professors must maintain strong moral standards and integrity, stating the public interest in ensuring fair research fund management outweighed the defendant's personal disadvantages. 2025-05-31 14:20:46

China expands surveillance network in Korean waters with three new buoys SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - China has quietly installed three additional observation buoys in disputed West Sea waters near South Korea, raising fresh concerns about Beijing's growing maritime surveillance capabilities in the region. The South Korean Navy reported on Saturday its discovery of large buoys near the 123-degree east longitude line, west of Ieodo reef. The installations sit in international waters within China's exclusive economic zone, directly adjacent to South Korea's maritime boundaries. Since 2018, China has deployed 10 observation buoys measuring about 3 meters wide and 6 meters tall throughout the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) under the stated purpose of marine observation. The latest additions bring the total count to 13 buoys, with one positioned inside the disputed fishing zone shared by both nations. While Beijing claims the buoys serve meteorological and oceanographic purposes, South Korean defense analysts fear the equipment could monitor South Korean naval vessels and submarines, potentially compromising Seoul's maritime security operations in its own backyard waters. China has systematically expanded its presence in the contested zone, installing large-scale aquaculture facilities described as deep-sea fishing operations. This month, Beijing declared parts of the area off-limits to navigation while announcing planned military exercises. "We are closely monitoring China's unauthorized installation of structures within the PMZ and will work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to protect our maritime sovereignty," a Ministry of National Defense official said. 2025-05-31 10:34:31

Trump doubles steel tariffs to 50 percent, dealing blow to South Korea and other exporters SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday he would double tariffs on foreign steel imports to 50 percent from the current 25 percent, delivering a blow to overseas producers including South Korea as he unveiled a major investment partnership. Trump made the announcement during a speech at a U.S. Steel plant outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying the measure would "further secure the steel industry." The move comes as part of a broader agreement involving Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel's investment in the American company. "We don’t want America’s future to be built with shoddy steel from Shanghai. We want it built with the strength and the pride of Pittsburgh," said Trump, explaining the tariff increase. The tariff hike represents a doubling of duties first imposed in March under the Trade Expansion Act, which allows restrictions on imports deemed threats to national security. "At 25 percent, they can sort of get over that fence," Trump said. "At 50 percent, they can no longer get over the fence." The announcement coincided with Trump's reversal on Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, which he had previously opposed on national security grounds alongside former President Joe Biden. The Japanese company plans to invest $14 billion in American steel operations over the next 14 months. Trump described the investment as "the largest investment in the history of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and "the biggest investment in American steel history." He said the partnership would create and maintain over 100,000 jobs nationwide, including 100,000 in Pennsylvania specifically. The president assured that the deal would prevent layoffs or outsourcing, adding that U.S. Steel workers would receive $5,000 bonuses. He called the arrangement a "blockbuster agreement" that ensures the historic American company remains domestically owned. South Korea's top steelmakers, POSCO and Hyundai Steel, already posted disappointing first-quarter results following previous U.S. tariff measures of 25 percent, industry experts saying the doubling of the levies to hit the nation strong, as South Korea exports around 13 percent of its total steel produce to the U.S. 2025-05-31 09:47:51

Tour for reunification wraps up in Seoul ahead of major campaign on Liberation Day in August SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A nationwide tour promoting reunification between the two Koreas, organized by a civil coalition, wrapped up with a final rally in Seoul on Friday after spanning 13 cities and provinces. The Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival Organizing Committee held an event at the Kim Koo Museum & Library in Yongsan, bringing together civil representatives from across South Korea. The event served as the finale to a series of rallies that began on May 12 in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, building momentum for the organization's broader "Korean Dream Ten Million Campaign," scheduled for mid-August to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day on Aug. 15. Led by former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan as chairman, along with co-chairs former National Assembly Vice Speaker Chung Woo-taek and former Democratic Party floor leader Lee Jong-geol, the committee has been mobilizing public support for reunification between South and North Korea since 2022. The campaign promotes a vision called "Korean Dream," which envisions a unified Korea contributing to world peace by achieving reunification as a path to national advancement rather than merely a political objective. "Over the past 80 years since the end of Japanese colonial rule, through your dedication and sacrifice, we have overcome the ruins of war and achieved both industrialization and democratization," said the chairman. "Now is the time to transcend barriers of ideology, generation, region, and class to achieve genuine national unity and sustainable co-prosperity," he added. 2025-05-30 17:42:36

SK hynix union demands pay raise after record profits SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - SK hynix's union of technical and administrative workers is pushing for an 8.25 percent wage increase, following its best-ever sales performance last year, according to industry sources on Friday. The union and management held this year's first round of wage negotiations last Wednesday at the company's Icheon campus. The union's proposal includes raising the salary cap, expanding regular wages to cover vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, and guaranteeing an 800 percent performance bonus for employees with improved evaluation scores. The union also demanded more profit-sharing by removing caps on the payments. Since 2021, SK hynix has shared 10 percent of its operating profit with employees based on their individual performance. "If wage hikes were driven by external factors in the past, now we need a reasonable level that employees can accept," the union said, explaining that its proposal reflects both company performance and employees' expectations. Last year, both sides agreed on a 5.7-percent increase in wages, lower than the 8-percent raise the union had initially demanded. The chipmaker, which was recovering from losses exceeding 7 trillion won in 2023, achieved a record operating profit of 23.47 trillion won the following year, driven by strong competitiveness in high-bandwidth memory. Earlier this year, employees received bonuses amounting to 1,500 percent of their salary, along with 30 stock options each. Regarding the union's demand, the company responded that it would "comprehensively" consider various factors including internal and external business conditions, while expressing optimism by saying that it expects "constructive and productive discussions" in upcoming negotiations. 2025-05-30 10:36:43

Korean biotech firms eye share of expanding gene therapy market SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korean biotechnology companies are stepping up efforts to stake a claim in the burgeoning global gene therapy market, which is projected to swell to approximately $366 billion by 2032, according to a new industry report. The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization has released an analysis citing data from the market research firm MarketsandMarkets, projecting the sector will grow at a compound annual rate of 19.4 percent — rising from $72 billion in 2023. Gene therapy, which seeks to modify or replace defective genes to treat disease, has gained momentum as medical research deepens and global investment accelerates. Among the various modalities, gene silencing therapies accounted for the largest share of the market last year, generating roughly $34 billion in revenue, or 47.7 percent of the total. Gene augmentation therapies followed with $21 billion, while cell replacement treatments contributed around $15 billion. The report also highlighted the dominance of the neurological segment, which represented 57.4 percent of the market — equivalent to about $41 billion — driven by increasing incidence of chronic diseases and a growing appetite for advanced therapeutic options. “The diversity of approved and commercialized treatments, along with high therapeutic efficacy for major neurological diseases, has driven growth in this sector,” the report noted. North America retained its position as the global leader, with market revenue of approximately $36 billion, underpinned by robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure, active drug development pipelines, and significant R&D investment. In South Korea, industry leaders are making strategic moves to align with global trends. Samsung Bioepis, a major biosimilar producer, has identified gene therapy as a central pillar of its future growth strategy. ABL Bio, traditionally focused on antibody treatments, is expanding its pipeline to include gene therapy platforms. Meanwhile, RNA-based biotech firm Rznomics recently entered into a high-profile licensing agreement with Eli Lilly. The deal, valued at more than $19 billion, centers on precision RNA therapies aimed at treating hereditary hearing loss — marking one of the most significant cross-border biotech collaborations to date. 2025-05-29 11:40:37

Bank of Korea slashes interest rates as growth outlook dims sharply SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s central bank lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point on Thursday, the latest in a series of moves aimed at propping up a flagging economy that is on track for its weakest performance in years. The Bank of Korea reduced the policy rate to 2.50 percent, its fourth cut in just seven months. The move comes amid mounting evidence of a slowdown, including a 0.2 percent contraction in gross domestic product during the first quarter, and follows a revised 2025 growth forecast of just 0.8 percent — down sharply from an earlier estimate of 1.5 percent. The bank’s downgraded outlook is notably more pessimistic than that of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which projects 1.5 percent growth, and the International Monetary Fund’s estimate of 1.0 percent. The timing of the rate cut — less than a week before a hotly contested presidential election — underscores the urgency of the economic challenges facing policymakers. Weighed down by sluggish domestic consumption and a slowdown in construction investment, the South Korean economy has struggled to regain momentum even as inflation pressures have eased. Adding to the headwinds are deteriorating export conditions, fueled in part by rising trade tensions with the United States. The Bank of Korea’s decision reflects a growing consensus among officials that additional monetary stimulus is needed to bolster confidence among businesses and consumers. "The economic conditions have turned out worse than expected, with various institutions continuously revising down their growth outlook for Korea," said Cho Young-moo, an economist at LG Economic Research Institute. The current easing cycle began last fall, when the BOK delivered back-to-back 0.25 percentage point cuts in October and November — its first consecutive reductions since the 2008 global financial crisis. After holding rates steady in January, the bank cut again in February before pausing in April. A stabilization in the Korean won has also given policymakers more leeway to ease. The currency, which had weakened sharply to nearly 1,490 to the dollar in April amid peak trade war fears, has since recovered to around 1,360. Still, concerns about the side effects of aggressive monetary easing remain. Property prices and household debt have both shown signs of acceleration, with major banks reporting an increase in household lending of 3.4 trillion won (about $2.5 billion) in May alone. The widening interest rate gap between South Korea and the United States — now at 2 percentage points — also raises the risk of capital outflows and renewed currency pressure, potentially undermining the central bank’s policy goals. Cho cautioned that the impact of the latest rate cut may be muted. “Lending conditions remain tight,” he said. “It’s questionable whether households and businesses can significantly increase borrowing just because rates have fallen a bit.” 2025-05-29 11:22:27