INTERVIEW: Seoul-based music agency connects K-pop with global market through creative works SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Amid the rising global popularity of K-pop, AMPLIFIED, an agency that helps artists and songwriters connect with music labels while managing their copyrights and other related matters, is expanding its reach. With a small but skilled team of around 20 international specialists with a keen ear for potential chart-toppers and global hits, it boasts its expertise in the music industry. Among them is London-based renowned team LDN Noise, which collaborated with the agency to produce girl group NMIXX's track "Love Me Like This." "Tons of songs are lined up for release, and in fact, it feels like we hear thousands of new tracks every week," said the agency's CEO Chung Hyo-won. "But what really matters is which song actually gets chosen for release. We do our best to ensure that the best songs stand out from the pack." When asked what led him into the fast-paced, competitive music business, Chung recalled, "I've loved music since I was young. My passion for it naturally brought me into the music industry, where I was first introduced to 'music publishing' — a specialized field that manages and promotes the works of artists and songwriters." Before founding his own company, he worked for Sony and SM Entertainment, where he was part of the team that helped discover songs like rapper Psy's megahit "Gangnam Style" and girl group TWICE's "Dance the Night Away." AMPLIFIED continues to expand into new markets. As part of these efforts, it recently took part in an event hosted with the French Embassy in Seoul, where up-and-coming French songwriters had a rare opportunity to collaborate with K-pop specialists to create new songs. A slew of music experts from both countries came together for meaningful discussions on new models of international collaboration that could broaden the scope of K-pop. "For a long time, there have been many collaborations between producers from countries like the U.S. and the U.K.," Chung said. "But there haven't been as many projects involving other countries including parts of Europe. We’re working to connect with a more diverse range of music fans and listeners around the world." More specifically, he hinted at his ambition to reach the farthest corners of the world. "I would like to work with songwriters from Latin American or African countries in the future," he said. 2025-04-10 10:26:27

Presidential race heats up as key candidates declare bids SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - Political heavyweights and key figures are rushing into the upcoming presidential race to fill the power vacuum left by the ouster of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The snap election, scheduled for June 3, follows the Constitutional Court of Korea's unanimous decision last week to impeach Yoon over his botched martial law debacle late last year. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), resigned from his post on Wednesday to run in the election. "I am grateful to have been able to serve as the party leader for three years," he said during a party meeting. He added that he would begin a "new chapter" in his life, hinting at his presidential bid. Lee, considered a strong contender for the election, is expected to throw his hat into the ring soon. Former Employment and Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo also declared his candidacy for president the same day. Having stepped down from his post the previous day, the former labor activist-turned-politician joined an increasingly heated race to select a candidate for the ruling People Power Party, which has no clear favorite despite a flurry of hopefuls including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and former party leader Han Dong-hoon. Kim, who gained sudden popularity during Yoon's impeachment trial among hardline conservatives, claimed he is the only candidate who can defeat Lee. Meanwhile, the former IT tycoon and perpetual also-ran Ahn Cheol-soo announced yet another presidential bid earlier in the week, while Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok also declared their candidacies. 2025-04-09 17:57:39

US may seek renegotiation of USFK upkeep deal SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - There are growing speculations that the U.S. may seek to renegotiate its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea for the upkeep of maintaining U.S. troops here. Shortly after his first telephone conversation with Acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform that the two had discussed "payment for the big-time Military Protection provides to South Korea," among other issues. South Korea "began these Military payments during my first term, Billions of Dollars, but Sleepy Joe Biden, for reasons unknown, terminated the deal. That was a shocker to all! In any event, we have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries," he added, hinting at the possibility of a drastic hike in Seoul's share for the upkeep of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). The phone call was Trump's first conversation with his South Korean counterpart since taking office earlier this year, as Seoul had been sidelined in global diplomacy amid the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle. In October last year, after multiple rounds of talks, Seoul and Washington reached an agreement for an 8.3 percent increase, with Seoul shouldering 1.52 trillion won (US$1.14 billion), which will take effect from 2026 and remain in place until 2030, with annual adjustments based on consumer price inflation. However, the deal could be scrapped, as Trump is expected to demand a renegotiation. Trump, during his presidential campaign last year, called South Korea a "money machine" and had said that Seoul should contribute $10 billion annually for the upkeep of U.S. forces. Many pundits believe that Trump may want to leverage a range of issues with U.S. allies and other countries through his sweeping tariff policy, under the banner of what he calls his "one-stop shopping" approach. A recent media report also indicated that an internal memorandum circulating among Pentagon officials included a plan to "pressure allies to increase their defense expenditures." 2025-04-09 15:24:39

Acting President's appointment of Constitutional Court justices stirs controversy SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s main opposition party vowed Tuesday to seek legal action to block acting President Han Duck-soo’s appointment of two Constitutional Court justices. Earlier on Tuesday, Han announced that he would nominate Lee Wan-kyu, the current minister of government legislation, and Ham Sang-hun, a judge on the Seoul High Court, to fill the upcoming vacancies, with two sitting justices, Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son, scheduled to retire on April 18. The Democratic Party (DP) called it an “unconstitutional abuse of power," arguing that Han lacks the authority to make such nominations. The party said it is completely unacceptable to nominate Lee Wan-kyu, saying he has already been reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on charges of insurrection. DP leader Lee Jae-myung echoed the concerns, accusing Han of overstepping his mandate as acting head of state. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik joined the chorus of criticism, calling on Han to withdraw the nominations. Woo also announced that the legislature would not proceed with confirmation hearings for the two candidates. The controversy adds to an already tense political atmosphere following the Constitutional Court's decision to oust Yoon Suk Yeol from office on April 4. Critics argue that Han’s authority is limited and does not extend to judicial appointments. In a separate statement, the minor Rebuilding Korea Party called for a renewed impeachment motion against Han, urging the National Assembly to “use every legal means” to halt what it characterized as reckless overreach by the acting president. 2025-04-08 17:18:46

South Koreans to vote June 3 to choose next president SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3, the government announced Tuesday, less than a week after the Constitutional Court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his martial law declaration late last year. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president, confirmed the date during a Cabinet meeting, declaring the election day a temporary public holiday. Candidate registration is scheduled for mid-May, with an official 20-day campaign period to follow. Public officials who wish to run must resign from their posts by early May, in accordance with South Korean election law. Several high-profile figures from across the political spectrum have already signaled their intention to enter the race, including Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and former People Power Party head Han Dong-hoon. A number of prominent local officials — among them Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon — are also expected to join the contest. This will be South Korea’s second presidential snap election triggered by impeachment, following the 2017 vote that came after President Park Geun-hye’s removal from office amid a corruption scandal. 2025-04-08 13:54:46

Wildfire erupts again in Southern Korea, weeks after major blaze SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - A wildfire broke out Monday in a forested area of Hadong, southern Korea, reigniting concerns in a region that was heavily affected by a major blaze just weeks ago. According to the Korea Forest Service, the fire began around 12:05 p.m. on a mountain, in Hadong some 285 kilometers (177 miles) south of Seoul. The wildfire erupted about 3 kilometers from the site of a large blaze that scorched nearby hillsides late last month. A total of 11 helicopters and 105 personnel were mobilized to the site. Residents in surrounding villages were advised to evacuate to designated shelters. Among the affected was a man in his 70s who sustained burns to both hands while attempting to extinguish the fire on his own. Authorities suspect that a brush cutter may have sparked the blaze. The emergency headquarters will launch a full investigation, once the fire is under control. Fueled by strong winds and dry climates, the southern parts of South Korea were engulfed in flames in late March. More than 48,675 hectares of land were burned to the ground, leaving 31 dead and 45 injured. According to the emergency headquarters, the March wildfire also displaced more than three thousand people who had to flee from their homes empty-handed. Also on Sunday a helicopter fighting a wildfire in Daegu in southern Korea crashed and the pilot was killed. Recent deaths among frontline responders deployed to fight wildfires have sparked growing calls for stronger safety measures. 2025-04-07 16:14:10

[[UPDATE]] Presidential election date to be decided through cabinet meeting SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - The South Korean Prime Minister’s Office announced Monday that the schedule for the early presidential election has not yet been decided and will be confirmed and announced through a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The announcement came three days after Constitutional Court justices unanimously decided to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Apr. 4, about three months after Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The law requires an early presidential election to be held within 60 days of the impeachment ruling. On Monday morning, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing a government official, that the date of the early election has been decided as Jun. 3 and that the plan will be confirmed and announced at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The Prime Minister’s Office said, “The date for the early presidential election has not yet been decided,” adding: “The date will be confirmed and announced through the cabinet meeting.” 2025-04-07 12:14:03

What lies ahead for impeached Yoon? SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - As the Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his botched martial law debacle late last month, Yoon became the second president to be forced out of office in the country's turbulent modern history, after former disgraced President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Several hours after the court's verdict, which came about four months after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14 over his short-lived Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, Yoon apologized through his legal representatives for failing to meet the public's expectations. "I deeply thank those who supported and encouraged me, despite my shortcomings. It is regrettable that I was unable to live up to your expectations, but it was a great honor to serve the country. I will pray for the country and its people," he was quoted as saying. Following the court's decision, Yoon was immediately stripped of all presidential privileges except for some personal security, which would be at a lower level than that provided to a sitting president. As a result, Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee will still be entitled to security protection for five years after leaving office, with the possibility of an additional five-year extension if deemed necessary at his request. But Yoon is required to vacate the official residence in Hanam-dong, central Seoul, as he will now be treated like any ordinary citizen and is expected to return to his previous home in southern Seoul. Yoon also faces criminal prosecution on charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and other allegations, forcing him to stand trial coming weeks. But his legal representatives blasted the court's decision earlier in the day, calling it "politically-motivated and legally incomprehensible," suggesting a possibly lengthy legal battle ahead which could take several years. Although the court ruled Yoon's extreme measures - such as deploying military personnel to storm government facilities like the National Assembly and the National Election Commission along with the alleged attempt to arrest a handful of lawmakers - unconstitutional, this does not automatically lead to a conviction. Prosecutors should prove those allegations with substantial evidence. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Yoon's die-hard supporters gathered in front of his residence, expressing outrage over his impeachment and demonstrating their unwavering support for him. Born in Seoul in 1960 to a relatively wealthy family, Yoon studied law at the prestigious Seoul National University. He was not an academic high-flyer, passing the country's notoriously difficult bar exam in 1991 on his ninth attempt and becoming a prosecutor at the age of 34. In 2022, Yoon, then a prominent prosecutor, was elected president by a wafer-thin margin, defeating his rival candidate Lee Jae-myung. Although he managed to win the presidential election amid a sudden rise in popularity among voters, often referred to as the "election of the unfavorables," where the two leading candidates slung mud at each other over various scandals, his victory by the slimmest margin of 0.73 percentage points meant he would face significant challenges with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a super-majority in the National Assembly. The political novice, who began his presidency amid a slew of controversies involving his wife along with several diplomatic blunders and clumsiness with blunt remarks has been consistently assailed by the DP, eventually resulting in the early end of his presidency. 2025-04-04 17:34:16

Acting President vows smooth transfer of power after Yoon's impeachment SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday pledged to ensure the stability of the government and a smooth transfer of power after the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Urging the public to respect the court's decision, he said, "I will strictly abide by the rule of law to help ensure the speedy transfer to the incoming administration," and vowed to oversee a "smooth and fair presidential election." He also pledged to prioritize national security saying, "I will ensure there are no disruptions in state affairs and make sure to avoid any diplomatic vacuum," while calling on public officials to fulfill their duties. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party said it "heavily respects the court's decision" and apologized for its failure to fulfil its responsibilities and meet people's expectations. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, welcomed the court's verdict, calling it "a new beginning for restoring people's livelihoods, democracy, and peace." 2025-04-04 13:42:01

Constitutional Court ousts President Yoon Suk Yeol SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. In a 20-minute-long verdict read out live on television, presiding justice Moon Hyung-bae began by explaining the trial's constitutional and procedural legality before delivering the court's decision. Moon said that Yoon's impeachment trial over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law fulfills the legal requirements, dismissing Yoon's claims that the National Assembly had abused its power in pursuing his impeachment. He added that even though martial law was lifted shortly after, it did not invalidate the grounds for impeachment. He also pointed out Yoon "betrayed the public's trust in the president with his abrupt declaration, which constitutes a grave violation of the Constitution." Yoon, who attended most of his hearings since mid-January to defense himself, insisted that the declaration of martial law was a legitimate exercise of presidential power to resolve a deadlock in state affairs, which he claimed was caused by the main opposition Democratic Party's abuse of its parliamentary majority through a spree of impeachment attempts against key officials who opposed the party, along with other politically motivated obstructions. Moon said the president should resolve state affairs through dialogue and other means like political negotiations, rather than resorting to martial law, which can only be declared in cases of national emergency such as war. He added that Yoon's extreme measures including the deployment of military personnel to storm government facilities such as the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, along with the alleged attempt to arrest a handful of lawmakers "violated his duty to protect the lives of the people" as well as the "principles of democratic values and the rule of law." With Friday's ruling, which came about four months after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14, Yoon was immediately stripped of his post, becoming the second president to be forced out of office, after disgraced former President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. He is required to vacate the official residence, as he will be treated like any ordinary citizen. Voters must now go to the polls within 60 days to elect a new president, while Yoon faces criminal prosecution on charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and other allegations. Under the law, an acting president must set a date for the snap election at least 50 days in advance, making early June the most likely option given the short timeframe for parties to select their candidates. 2025-04-04 12:08:56