[[K-Film]] Bong Joon-ho's early short available for screening next week SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's early short film is set for release at local theaters in Seoul next week, multi-screen chain Megabox said on Tuesday. "Incoherence" was chosen to launch the chain's monthly project showcasing renowned filmmakers' early works and short films by up-and-coming directors. The 30-minute short, made by Bong in 1994 as his graduation project for a film institute, is an omnibus with humorous satire of hypocritical elites. Despite having only a limited release at several Megabox theaters starting Aug. 27, the film is expected to attract his avid fans and film buffs eager to trace the early works of Bong, who has directed many acclaimed films including "Parasite," which won multiple Oscars in 2020. 2025-08-19 14:29:27

Lee's approval rating falls to lowest since taking office SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has slid further to the lowest since he took office in early June. According to a survey of over 2,000 voters conducted by pollster Realmeter last week and released on Monday, some 51.1 percent of respondents said Lee was doing well in his job while 44.5 percent said he wasn't. His approval rating fell 5.4 percentage points from the previous week and 12.2 points compared with two weeks earlier, when it stood at 63.3 percent. Realmeter speculated that the decline was largely due to his pardons of several controversial political figures including former Justice Minister and ex-leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party Cho Kuk, who was serving a prison term for corruption and document forgery related to his children's university admissions, and Yoon Mi-hyang, the former head of a charity for wartime sex slavery victims, who was handed a three-year suspended sentence last year for embezzling donations, among others. Amid public criticism over their wrongdoings and irregularities, the two remain unremorseful, claiming their cases were politically motivated by the previous administration. In a separate survey of about 1,000 voters conducted during the same week, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) earned 39.9 percent support, falling below 40 percent for the first time in about seven months, as Lee's approval rating tumbled. But the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) rose 6.4 percentage points to 36.7 percent, narrowing the gap with the DP. Meanwhile, a commemorative stamp marking the 100th day of Lee's inauguration will be issued next month. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, a strip of the stamps will be available for purchase at Korea Post on Sept. 11, with prices ranging from 430 won to 27,000 won (about US$0.22 to $19.50). . 2025-08-18 16:35:38

Annual joint military exercise with US kicks off SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea's annual joint military exercise with the U.S. began on Monday, involving some 18,000 South Korean troops and a similar number of U.S. personnel. Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the exercise runs until Aug. 28 and includes computer-simulated drills as well as field training to strengthen the two allies' combined defense posture against North Korean threats and other security challenges. Although the overall scale of the exercise remains unchanged from previous years, this year's exercise, the first since President Lee Jae-myung took office in early June, has been scaled down, with about 20 of the 40 planned field training exercises being postponed until September due to a scorching heat wave. Some speculate the scaled-down exercise may also be part of the Lee administration's recent conciliatory gestures toward North Korea. In his speech marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day last week, Lee reiterated his willingness to engage with the North, although Pyongyang has continued to snub his repeated overtures. North Korea's defense chief strongly denounced the exercise about a week ago, threatening "negative consequences." In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 10, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol called it "provocative moves of clearly showing the stand of military confrontation with the and making another serious challenge to the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region." Along with the exercise, nationwide civil defense drills are also being held this week to ensure preparedness for crises and other emergencies. 2025-08-18 14:28:05

Washington sends congratulatory message to Seoul ahead of Liberation Day SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - The U.S. sent a congratulatory message to South Korea on Wednesday, just days ahead of the country's 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Friday. In a press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the have forged an alliance based on shared values and mutual interests," he said, vowing to "stand with" South Korea which "has flourished as a resilient democracy and valued economic partner." He also expressed his expectations for "collaborating" with President Lee Jae-myung to strengthen the bilateral alliance. Meanwhile, a large-scale event is set to take place in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, marking the country's independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, along with a series of other events in celebration of Lee's inauguration in early June. The event comes about two months after Lee took office with a low-key ceremony on June 4, as he had no time to spare for a full transition period as he was elected through a snap election to replace former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol who was impeached over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year. Former presidents and their widows except Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee were invited to the event, but only former President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook, along with Kwon Yang-sook, the wife of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, are expected to attend. To create a festive mood, a slew of singers and performers is set to take the stage at a pre-event on the lawn of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on Thursday night. 2025-08-14 13:16:25

Annual report highlights media censorship despite 'no significant changes' in South Korea's human rights situation SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - The U.S. raised concerns over media censorship, restrictions on freedom of expression, and worker's rights in South Korea in its annual human rights report released on Tuesday. Despite "no significant changes in the human rights situation" in the country, the State Department enumerated several cases, that occurred last year, including "credible reports of restrictions on freedom of expression" and some violations of workers' rights and discriminations. "Media outlets and unions expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of the press and expression and questioned the impartiality of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), a quasigovernmental media watchdog whose nine commissioners were political appointees," the report pointed out. Taking the case of the yearlong strikes by doctors protesting the government's medical reform plan to increase medical school admissions and the penalties they face, it also wrote, "The law provides most workers the right to form and join independent unions, conduct strikes within strict limits, and bargain collectively, though certain limitations apply." With the country seeing an increasing influx of foreign workers, the report said, "In general, the government effectively enforced laws on wages and acceptable working conditions in most sectors, but migrants faced discriminatory laws." 2025-08-13 14:30:54

IVF without spousal consent sparks legal debate over parental rights SEOUL, August 8 (AJP) - When South Korean actress Lee Si-young revealed last month that she was pregnant with her second child, using a frozen embryo created with her ex-husband and implanted after their divorce, it sparked a heated debate over the legal and ethical implications of in vitro fertilization (IVF). While the law has not apparently been violated in a technical sense, experts say, the ethical furor suggests that it is ambiguous and that some kind of amendment may be necessary. South Korea's bioethics and safety law has a "withdrawal of consent" clause that allows either party to revoke their prior consent clearly to the medical institution, said Um Kyong Chon, a lawyer at Law Firm Family. "The implantation likely would not have proceeded if the ex-husband had formally expressed his objection," he said. Lee's pregnancy does not violate the law, Um said, but it may raise legal responsibilities for her ex-husband once a child is born. Kim Jae-yeon, president of the Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, also emphasized the complicated legal consequences that could arise after the child's birth. "An embryo represents potential life, and both parties should have equal responsibility in how it is used," he said. "If a child is born through implanting after the couple has separated, it could lead to complex legal issues involving parental duties and inheritance." There is no precedent that allows us to judge this issue, Kim said. However, parental responsibilities regarding embryos may persist even if the marriage is legally dissolved, he said. "If one party proceeds with implantation without the other's consent, it could create unwanted legal ties, along with accompanying obligations such as child support," he added. He also said one party may even seek civil damages for emotional distress or losses stemming from a birth that had not been consented to. Similar legal uncertainties have surfaced in the U.S. The Michigan Supreme Court earlier this year declined to hear a case involving a divorced couple in their 40s who disagreed over the use of a frozen embryo created during their marriage. Sarah Markiewicz wanted to implant the remaining embryo, but David Markiewicz opposed it. The court decided not to judge the case, as it raises "significant policy questions" that are "most appropriately resolved" by lawmakers, regarding how the law should treat embryos. Meanwhile, nearly 800,000 embryos were newly created through IVF in South Korea last year, an 83.2 percent increase from 2019, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Over 380,000 frozen embryos were being stored nationwide, while more than 530,000 were discarded due to expiration, medical unsuitability, or at the request of the legal consent holder. Calls are growing for clearer regulations regarding the use and disposition of frozen embryos. But still, there is no clear social consensus on the legal status of embryos, whether they are considered life or disposable medical material. 2025-08-08 20:57:05

[[K-Pop]] Former VCHA members form new girl band, set to release single later this month SEOUL, August 8 (AJP) - K-pop girl band GIRLSET, formerly of VCHA, will release an album later this month, their agency JYP Entertainment said on Friday. Their single, slated for release on Aug. 29, was created by American songwriter Theron Thomas, who previously worked on K-pop juggernaut BTS' member Jungkook's "Seven" and girl group BLACKPINK member Rosé's viral hit song "APT." The quartet consists of Camila, Kendall, Lexi, and Savanna, who newly teamed up after two members left the former six-member group VCHA. VCHA made their debut in Sept. 2023 after being recruited through "America 2 Korea (A2K)," a reality audition show as part of a joint project between JYP and U.S. label Republic Records to create an American version of a K-pop girl group. 2025-08-08 17:32:20

North Korea 'embraces nascent mobile payment services' SEOUL, August 8 (AJP) - North Korea appears to have embraced nascent mobile payment and digital wallet services. More and more North Koreans are making payments using mobile phones, with cash transactions "becoming increasingly rare," the Choson Sinbo, a mouthpiece for Pyongyang in Japan, reported on Thursday. According to the daily published by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan or Chongryon, residents in Pyongyang are now able to use their mobile devices to pay at restaurants, stores, and on public transportation, and can also preload money to settle phone bills and other expenses. In a similar development, an online-only bank like South Korea's Kakao Bank and K-Bank, was reportedly launched in October last year. These new trends come after the isolated country seems no longer able to control the widespread use of smartphones, while the outside world is rapidly changing in the era of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. However, some suggest that the rise of mobile payments in lieu of cash may actually help the regime tighten its control, given that online transactions are easily traceable. 2025-08-08 14:42:47

[[K-Culture]] Hanbok Expo weaves tradition into four seasons SEOUL, August 7 (AJP) - The vibrant energy of South Korea's four seasons came to life through hanbok, the country's traditional clothing. The 2025 Hanbok Expo, a four-day expo launched on Thursday at COEX in southern Seoul, featured a fashion show that highlighted the elegance of the country's traditional attire through seasonal fabrics. Professor Shim Yeon-ok of the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, who directed the fashion show, said that the fashion show was designed to restore the seasonal beauty embedded in South Korea's traditional fabrics. The fashion show followed the natural cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with each section highlighting distinct fabrics, colors, and textures associated with the season. Models walked one by one along a white runway, each wearing hanbok designed to reflect the character of the season. The Spring section featured translucent fabrics like myeongju (silk tabby), saengmyeongju (raw silk tabby), hangra (ribbed gauze), guksa, and sukgosa (patterned simple gauze). With pastel tones and light-permeable materials, the designs conveyed the freshness of spring, embodying youthful beginnings, anticipation, and excitement. While maintaining the traditional structure of hanbok, the collection used harmonious color schemes and thoughtful fabric combinations to enhance the season's refreshing ambiance. The Summer section showcased hanbok with enhanced breathability and lightness through traditional fabrics such as mosi (ramie), sambe (hemp), eunjosa (plain gauze), saenggosa, and other munsa (patterned simple gauze), all known for their cooling properties. The garments were mostly created in light, single-layer formats, ideal for hot weather. The collection captured the freedom and vitality of summer, offering both comfort and layered beauty. The Autumn section of the fashion show embodied abundance and tranquility, using luxurious silks like jinjusa, sukgosa, jamisa, and gapsa in deep hues such as indigo and burgundy. Reflecting the spirit of Chuseok, the country's Thanksgiving, the collection included children’s hanbok worn for festive occasions. Colorful saekdong jeogori (striped jackets), kkachi durumagi (magpie overcoats), and richly patterned textiles expressed the richness of the season. Reconstructed garments based on historical artifacts were presented in subdued tones to enhance the calm and elegant mood of autumn. The Winter section captured the deep, serene spirit of the cold season, presenting garments that embodied both warmth and dignity. Traditional winter fabrics such as neung (twill), dan (satin), yangdan (two-colored damask on satin), and jikgeum (weaves with supplementary golden wefts) were dyed in rich seasonal tones. Additional warmth was provided through fur linings and quilted garments filled with cotton. The finale of the fashion show featured reenactments of historical garments, including a reproduction of a Joseon-era general's bangmyeongpo and a jeogori (short jacket) excavated in Yongin's Yeongdeok-dong, Gyeonggi Province, worn by actors Jung Il-woo and Kwon Yu-ri, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Among the visitors was Lee Seo-hyun, a woman in her twenties who traveled from Sokcho, Gangwon Province, dressed in hanbok. "I also came last year," she said. "Since then, I've continued attending hanbok-related events and even bought my first daily hanbok from a brand called Daraewon here." Ina from Germany, who was browsing booths at the event with her baby and a friend, said, "I like to wear modern hanbok. I'd love to stay and look around longer." Beyond the runway, the exhibition featured booths showcasing workwear, lifestyle hanbok, and accessories, modern interpretations that all draw from the enduring legacy of traditional hanbok. 2025-08-07 19:28:50

South Korea to allow visa-free entry for Chinese tourists starting next month SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - Chinese tour groups will be able to enter South Korea without visas as early as late next month. As part of efforts to boost the tourism industry, the visa-waiver program, which follows China's similar move in November last year, was decided during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the government complex in Seoul on Wednesday. The program, which allows short-term visa-free entry for Chinese travelers, is set to take effect on Sept. 29 and will run through June next year. "Once implemented, we expect the program to attract more tourists and help boost domestic consumption," said a government official. South Korea will also ease and expand its current fast-track entry program, which expedites immigration procedures at airports, to include more foreigners and businesspeople attending large-scale international conferences and other events. 2025-08-06 16:38:31