Journalist

Kim Hee-su
  • North Korea to offer AI-related courses at universities
    North Korea to offer AI-related courses at universities SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - North Korea is expected to embrace new technologies with universities likely to offer courses related to artificial intelligence (AI). The move was part of an educational reform discussed at a recent two-day Workers' Party gathering which was held late last month and attended by leader Kim Jong-un, the state-run Rodong Sinmun reported on Wednesday. The daily further explained that universities have reorganized their study programs by consolidating departments and faculties to foster innovation through AI-related courses and programs to "nurture future talent." Notorious for its formidable hacking professionals and groups with advanced cybercrime expertise, the country, apparently awakened to the explosive growth of AI, appears determined to keep up with the latest trends and use them in operations or activities for the sake of the regime's survival. But it remains to be seen how extensively the reclusive country, where even internet access is heavily restricted or blocked, will adopt the fastest-evolving technology, especially given that AI could expose North Koreans to information about South Korea as well as the outside world, making them become disillusioned with what they've been told about their own country. 2025-07-09 14:58:49
  • Teaser video for BLACKPINKs new single builds excitement ahead of release this week
    Teaser video for BLACKPINK's new single builds excitement ahead of release this week SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK unveiled a teaser video for their upcoming single on Tuesday, just days ahead of its release later this week. The music video for "Jump," which is set for release on Friday, was created by multiple Grammy-winning American director Dave Meyers, according to their agency YG Entertainment. The quartet already showcased the song during their two-day concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last weekend, where the four members reunited for the first time in nearly two years after their respective solo careers, receiving enthusiastic cheers from some 80,000 fans who gathered amid sweltering temperatures. With the start of their concerts, they will embark on a world tour, visiting around 16 cities around the world and promoting their new catchy song with addictive rhythms, which would help beat the summer heat. 2025-07-08 17:29:20
  • Seouls top security adviser in Washington to arrange summit between two countries
    Seoul's top security adviser in Washington to arrange summit between two countries SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, who is visiting Washington, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday to arrange a summit between the leaders of the two countries. Wi told Rubio that Seoul hopes to hold a summit between President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump "at the earliest possible," the presidential office here said on Tuesday. He also stressed the importance of close cooperation between the two countries to strengthen the bilateral alliance, adding that the summit is necessary to reach mutually beneficial outcomes on various pending issues including tariff-related dialogues. Their talks coincided with Trump's announcement of steep tariffs on some 14 countries including Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, and South Korea. According to his letters sent to each country, South Korea is set to face a 25 percent tariff taking effect on Aug. 1, which could "perhaps" be adjusted "depending on our relationship with your country," allowing Seoul about three more weeks from an initial July 8 deadline to reach a deal. Earlier last month, Lee and Trump missed a couple of occasions to sit down for talks on the sidelines of international gatherings such as the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada and the NATO summit in the Hague, the Netherlands. If the two are unable to set a date before the end of August, their first meeting may be delayed until September when the high-level session of the U.N. General Assembly takes place in New York or until the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for the country's southern historic city of Gyeongju at the end of October. Meanwhile, Lee is reportedly considering sending veteran politician Kim Chong-in to Washington as a special envoy to the U.S., along with about a dozen others who are expected to be dispatched to Asian and European countries. The move is apparently aimed at signaling the country's diplomatic restoration with his inauguration last month, after a political turmoil caused by former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year. 2025-07-08 14:29:13
  • South Korea to repatriate six North Koreans rescued at sea
    South Korea to repatriate six North Koreans rescued at sea SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - Six North Koreans who were rescued after drifting into South Korean waters earlier this year are expected to be repatriated to North Korea soon. The Ministry of Unification here said on Monday that it plans to send them back to the North as early as this week, as they have expressed their willingness to return to their country. "They have expressed their strong desire to return to North Korea, so we decided to repatriate them promptly from a humanitarian perspective," said Koo Byung-sam, a spokesperson for the ministry. In March, two North Koreans were rescued by South Korean coast guards after drifting across the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border with South Korea, followed about two months later by four more North Koreans rescued in the East Sea aboard a wooden boat. Despite their wishes to return, their repatriation has been delayed because North Korea has ignored South Korea's repeated requests through the United Nations Command (UNC). The ministry is reportedly considering sending them back using the boats they boarded, after making some repairs. 2025-07-07 17:26:15
  • Soundtrack for K-pop anime reaches No. 3 on Billboard 200 albums chart
    Soundtrack for K-pop anime reaches No. 3 on Billboard 200 albums chart SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - The soundtrack for Netflix's latest animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 3 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart, the American music chat said Sunday. Released on June 20, the album jumped five spots from No. 8 the previous week, becoming "the highest-charting soundtrack to an animated film since 'Encanto' spent nine weeks at No. 1 in 2022." The previous top-performing soundtrack was "Wicked," which reached No. 4 in January following its debut at No. 2 in December last year. The album's impressive chart ascent comes after the success of the K-pop musical fantasy film, which revolves around a fictional girl group called Huntrix, who lead double lives as demon hunters to battle evil spirits disguised as a rival boy band. The album which has 12 tracks also includes hit songs like "Take Down," "Golden," and "Soda Pop" as well as an additional version of "Take Down" sung by girl group TWICE members Jeong-yeon, Ji-hyo, and Chae-young. Directed by Korean Canadian Maggie Kang, who reportedly wanted to create a story rooted in her Korean background and heritage by blending traditional mythology with K-pop, the 100-minute film features several South Korean stars, including Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Yun-jin, and Lee Byung-hun, who lent their voices. 2025-07-07 14:42:30
  • Aespa to drop collaboration song with PUBG: Battlegrounds
    Aespa to drop collaboration song with PUBG: Battlegrounds SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will release a collaborative song titled “Dark Arts” with the popular online game PUBG: Battlegrounds on July 15, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The song conveys a strong will to achieve victory in a survival battle, featuring intense rhythms and fast-paced guitar sounds. The upcoming release follows aespa’s recent single “Dirty Work,” which dropped last Friday and topped most South Korean music charts. The physical album sold over 910,000 copies within its first six days, according to Hanteo Chart, a South Korean music ranking and album sales tracking site. The song also ranked in five categories on China’s QQ Music and reached No. 1 on Japan’s AWA trending chart. Meanwhile, aespa will embark on their third world tour at the end of August, beginning with a three-day concert in Seoul. 2025-07-03 17:15:36
  • S. Korea enters final phase of minimum wage talks for next year
    S. Korea enters final phase of minimum wage talks for next year SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - South Korea’s Minimum Wage Commission is holding its ninth plenary session at the government complex in Sejong on Thursday to finalize next year’s minimum wage. A final decision could come as early as Thursday night or early Friday morning. The labor side initially demanded a 14.7 percent increase from this year’s hourly wage of 10,030 won ($7.38), proposing 11,500 won. However, it revised its demand down to 11,260 won two days ago during the previous session of negotiation. The business side, which had called for a freeze, raised its offer to 10,110 won. While the gap between the two sides has narrowed from 1,470 won to 1,150 won, no agreement has been reached yet. Labor representatives argue that a significant increase is necessary to ensure a basic standard of living. “With such a low rate of minimum wage increase, it’s hard to guarantee the livelihoods of workers or stimulate domestic consumption,” said Ryu Ki-seop, secretary general of the Federation of South Korean Trade Unions, during the previous session. In contrast, the business side insists that the current minimum wage is already too high and could burden small business owners. “The minimum wage directly affects not only the labor market but the entire economy. It must be decided very carefully,” said Ryu Gi-jeong, executive director of the South Korea Enterprises Federation. “Next year’s minimum wage should be based on what those who already struggle to meet current standards can afford,” he added. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement, public interest commissioners, composed of labor experts and academics, are expected to present a mediation proposal with suggested upper and lower limits. The commission must submit its proposal to the Ministry of Employment and Labor by mid-July. A minister should fix the minimum wage by August 5. 2025-07-03 11:20:22
  • Reunited BTS members gear up for new album ahead of return next spring
    Reunited BTS members gear up for new album ahead of return next spring SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BTS will resume group activities next spring with the release of a new album, as all seven members recently reunited after completing their mandatory military service. During a live-streamed event on their platform on Tuesday, the first since their reunion last month, they shared their upcoming plans with fans. "We'll soon start working on the album," said leader RM. "We plan to release it by spring, definitely before summer." He added, "We'll then embark on a world tour to promote the album." The album, expected to be produced in the U.S., will be the band's first release since "Proof," which came out in June 2022. Since their debut in June 2013, BTS have topped the Billboard 200 albums chart six times and achieved six No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 singles chart. 2025-07-02 16:47:54
  • FBI on hunt for disguised North Korean IT workers in crypto theft scheme
    FBI on hunt for disguised North Korean IT workers in crypto theft scheme SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - U.S. federal investigators have been searching for four North Koreans allegedly involved in an IT scheme to steal cryptocurrency from blockchain firms and launder the illicit proceeds of their thefts. According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), they were placed on a wanted list on Tuesday with a reward of up to US$5 million for information leading to their capture. "Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju, and Chang Nam Il are wanted for their alleged involvement with a scheme to steal virtual currency from two companies, valued at over $900,000 at the time of the theft, and to launder the proceeds of those thefts in 2022," it said, adding that they "speak English and Korean and have ties to the United Arab Emirates and Laos." The U.S. Department of Justice also indicted them the previous day, accusing them of using "fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims' trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars." Such schemes "target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime's illicit programs, including its weapons programs," it added. North Korea-linked hackers are believed to have stolen more than $1.34 billion in cryptocurrency through dozens of separate scams last year alone, according to a report by U.S.-based blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. 2025-07-02 14:25:57
  • Prosecution chief steps down citing concerns over prosecutorial reform
    Prosecution chief steps down citing concerns over prosecutorial reform SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - Prosecutor-General Shim Woo-jung tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing concerns over prosecutorial reform, one of the major priorities expected to be pursued by the new administration. In a brief written statement, Shim said the reform, which would involve a major overhaul of the prosecution, should be implemented through thorough discussions among scholars, experts, and other professionals, as it is directly related to the "fundamental rights of all citizens." Shim, who served about nine months of his two-year term, also warned, "If implemented with a set deadline along with a fixed conclusion, that could lead to many unexpected side effects." He then added that he felt it was the right time to leave his post, citing "various circumstances." His resignation comes shortly after President Lee Jae-myung named his close aide and five-term lawmaker Jung Sung-ho as the new justice minister earlier in the week, who is expected to spearhead the reform. Amid long-held criticism over the prosecution exercising excessive powers, the Lee administration has vowed to implement sweeping prosecutorial reform by separating investigations from indictments. Shim will officially step down at a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. 2025-07-01 17:32:26