US adds South Korea in bottom category of sensitive countries list SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - The U.S. government officially confirmed Friday that it added South Korea to its “Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL)” in early January. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday that South Korea was placed in the lowest category on the list, labeled as an “Other Designated Country,” during the final days of the Biden administration. The list includes countries subject to additional oversight due to concerns related to nuclear nonproliferation, national security, and counterterrorism. Other countries on the list include North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia. Despite the move, the DOE said the designation does not currently impose any new restrictions on cooperation. “Currently, there are no new restrictions on bilateral science and technology cooperation with the ROK,” the department said in a statement. “The Energy Department looks forward to collaborating with the ROK to advance our mutual interests.” However, there is speculation that the policy, set to take effect April 15, could complicate nuclear, energy, and advanced technology cooperation between the two allies. The U.S. government has not disclosed why South Korea was added to the list. However, it is suggested that it may be linked to recent domestic discussions in South Korea around the possibility of developing its own nuclear capabilities, following remarks made last year by President Yoon Suk Yeol. 2025-03-15 11:19:59

LE SSERAFIM return with new album SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - K-pop girl band LE SSERAFIM released their new album on Friday. Their fifth mini-album "HOT" consists of five songs with the theme of love, with the title track delivering a message about diving into what you love without holding back. The quintet held a showcase for fans the previous day, kicking off their promotional activities for the album. They will also embark on their first world tour in April, with stops in Japan and Taiwan. 2025-03-14 18:32:10

Over half of South Koreans trust Constitutional Court, poll shows SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Over half of South Koreans trust the Constitutional Court of Korea, a recent poll suggest. The survey results released on Friday could provide some insight amid an intense split over President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last year, as the final verdict in his impeachment trial looms. Pollster Gallup Korea surveyed about 1,001 adults nationwide early this week and found that 53 percent of respondents expressed belief in the Constitutional Court, while 38 percent opposed it. The rest were undecided or refused to answer. When asked about their trust levels in several government agencies, the court was the most trusted, followed by police agencies and other courts. Prosecutors, however, were the least trusted, with only 26 percent expressing confidence. But their views appeared to be influenced by their political disposition. Among those calling for Yoon's ouster from office, some 76 percent said they trust the court, compared to just 21 percent among his supporters. Nearly 60 percent of respondents believed Yoon should be ousted, while 37 percent disagreed. This view was particularly pronounced among those in their 40s. Those in their 70s were the age group with the widest divide in opinions, with 62 percent opposed and 31 percent in favor. Among supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party, 98 percent backed impeachment, while those loyal to the ruling People Power Party were against it. The survey was conducted through interviews using randomly selected mobile numbers, with a response rate of a mere 13.4 percent. Meanwhile, tensions have continued to escalate in central Seoul ahead of the court's impending ruling, with another large-scale rallies from both supporters and opponents scheduled over the weekend. 2025-03-14 17:18:32

Trump signals willingness to reengage with North Korea SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his intention to reengage with North Korea, referring to its leader as a "nuclear power" once again. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said, "I have a great relationship with Kim Jong-un and we'll see what happens, but certainly, he's a nuclear power." Kim "has a lot of nuclear weapons, by the way, a lot, and others do also. You have India, you have Pakistan, you have others that have them, and we get them involved," he added. This is not the first time Trump has described North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, with a similar comment made shortly after taking office for his non-consecutive second term in January. Recalling his first meeting with Kim in Singapore in 2018 and another photo-op in Hanoi the following year, he also bragged, as usual, claiming, "If I wasn't elected, if Hillary got in, you would have had a nuclear war with North Korea." He went on to say that the success of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang here was one of key achievements during his first term. "The meeting caused the Olympics, which was South Korea, to become a tremendous success," he said. "Nobody was buying tickets for the Olympics because they didn't want to be nuked, and I met and not only did the Olympics become successful, but North Korea participated in the Olympics." However, the Pyeongchang Olympics took place in February 2018, several months before the Singapore summit between the two countries. Despite Washington reaffirming its stance on the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula, Trump's unclear and often incorrect comments, including repeatedly referring to North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, raise concerns as he may try to reinitiate a rapprochement with Pyongyang. 2025-03-14 14:30:34

French songwriters to add unique flavor to K-pop through collaboration event in Seoul SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - Four emerging French songwriters will team up with South Korean music professionals in Seoul later this month for a new songwriting camp dedicated to K-pop. The weeklong program, titled Atelier K-POP, will run from March 24 to 29. It marks the first edition of the project jointly launched by the cultural department of the Embassy of France in the Republic Korea and the French National Center for Music (CNM), with support from France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Institut Français. The camp is co-organized by Seoul-based Leeway Music & Media, in collaboration with K-pop powerhouse JYP Publishing and Amplified Corporation. The participating French songwriters — Jean-Noël, Poppy Fusée, Robin, and Ugo — were selected through a nationwide application process last year. The event will open with a conference at the French Embassy in central Seoul on March 24, where music experts from both countries will gather to explore the K-pop industry and new models for international collaboration. From March 25 to 27, the four artists will join songwriting sessions at JYP Publishing’s studio, working alongside Korean industry professionals to co-create songs for local labels and artists. On March 28, they will showcase their demo tracks during a listening session attended by K-pop producers and insiders. The program will wrap up on March 29 with site visits to local music companies. There, participants will explore a range of musical genres, from K-pop to hip-hop and rap. “The Cultural Service of the French Embassy in South Korea is delighted to welcome four rising talents from the French music scene to take part in the Atelier K-Pop. This unique songwriting camp reflects our commitment to strengthening collaborations between our two industries, which, while complementary, remain largely distant," said Pierre Morcos, Counselor for Culture, Science and Education, Embassy of France to the Republic of Korea. "The selected French talents will have the opportunity to step behind the scenes of global hit-making while bringing their own musical aesthetic to K-pop, now being an undeniable force on the international stage. We can’t wait to hear the tracks they create!" he added. 2025-03-13 17:02:08

South Korea to see dementia patients surpass 1 million amid aging crisis SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - The number of dementia patients in South Korea will surpass one million, the health ministry reported Thursday, raising awareness of the need to prepare a comprehensive elderly care system to ease financial and manpower burdens on younger generations. South Korea is one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, with about 20 percent of its population aged 65 and older. Coupled with the country's total fertility rate of 0.75 and an average life expectancy of about 89 years, the aging phenomenon is accelerating. According to the dementia epidemiological and status survey results released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, an estimated 970,000 people in South Korea currently suffer from dementia. The number is expected to exceed one million in 2025 and may double to two million by 2044 if current trends continue. The report also found that dementia affects 9.25 percent of people aged 65 and older, with about 30 percent showing signs of mild cognitive impairment — a condition that often precedes dementia. Beyond dementia patients, their families bear the greatest collateral impact. Nearly half of caregivers reported feeling overwhelmed, spending an average of 18 hours per week providing care. The annual cost per patient is estimated at up to 31 million won ($23,000), with the majority of expenses going toward daily care. In response, the government has pledged to improve early diagnosis and expand in-home care services. It also plans to increase support for family caregivers through programs such as long-term care subsidies and respite leave. However, ongoing challenges—including a shortage of care workers, overdependence on private facilities, and low public awareness about dementia—persist. Meanwhile, Nordic countries like Sweden are widely regarded as models for elderly care, combining public-sector programs with digital technology. Swedish Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje highlighted initiatives such as “social alarms,” GPS-enabled wearable devices that allow seniors to call for help, during her visit to Seoul last September. “Dementia is one of the most pressing issues in elderly care,” Tenje said. “We must combine prevention, technology, and strong public systems to support aging societies.” 2025-03-13 13:58:19

French film fest to showcase unreleased flicks this spring SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The annual French film festival is set to return this spring here, offering opportunities to indulge in French films and cultural events. Organized by the French Embassy in Seoul in partnership with ARTNINE and the Busan Cinema Center, the festival under the name of French Cinema Week is supported by TV5MONDE, KBDF, Moët & Chandon, Alliance Française de Busan, and Hulotte. It will be held in Seoul and Busan from April 4 to 13. This year's program will feature 10 unreleased French films, including "The Successor" (Le Successeur), "Suspended Time" (Hors du temps), "The Quiet Son" (Jouer avec le feu), "Three Friends" (Trois Amies), "Souleymane's Story" (L'Histoire de Souleymane), and "Dahomey." The lineup spans various genres such as drama, romance, comedy, animation, and documentary, offering a glimpse into the diversity of contemporary French cinema. These selected films have been showcased at major international festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and Toronto, as well as at domestic film festivals in Bucheon, Busan and Jeonju. Launched in 2021, the festival has become a beloved annual event among fans of French culture in South Korea. It has consistently attracted visitors through high-quality cinema and meaningful cultural exchanges. Singer-turned-actress Krystal Jung has been chosen for this year's festival. Making her debut in 2009 as a member of the K-pop girl group f(x), she has since branched out into acting, appearing in TV dramas and films. 2025-03-12 16:50:23

Canadian Embassy hosts seminar on North Korean human rights SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - A seminar to shed light on North Korean human rights was held in central Seoul on Wednesday. The event, hosted by the Embassy of Canada in Seoul, brought together a wide range of attendees including those supported by the funds provided by the embassy. Non-profit organization People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE) shared the outcome of its research into the working conditions of North Korean IT workers, both in the isolated country and overseas. While they have often been blamed for cyberattacks to raise hard currency for their regime, PSCORE highlighted the need to focus on the human rights abuses they endure. Another organization supporting North Korean defectors offered insights into the dire situation of women's rights in North Korea's repressive society. It pointed out the stark reality they face in their daily lives, which contrasts with what is stipulated in the law. Canadian Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney stressed the importance of continuous efforts to improve human rights in North Korea. "It is essential that we continue to raise awareness about the human rights situation in North Korea, hold the regime accountable, promote access to information for North Koreans, and provide a safe space for victims and escapees to speak up and engage meaningfully in these efforts," she said, adding the matter as one of "key components of cooperation" between South Korea and Canada. Vice Minister of Unification Kim Soo-kyung who also attend the seminar said, "I hope today's event helps solidify cooperation and promotes international efforts to address North Korean human rights issues." 2025-03-12 16:09:00

Launch of South Korea-US joint space telescope scrubbed minutes before liftoff SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - The launch of a space telescope co-developed by South Korea and the U.S. was postponed once again on Monday. According to the Korea Aerospace Administration (KAA), the planned launch of SPHEREx from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California was called off about 40 minutes before its liftoff at noon due to bad weather. Unless unexpected changes get in the way, another attempt is set to take place at noon the following day, weather permitting. But it looks uncertain as NASA forecasts the rescheduled launch has a "60 percent chance of favorable weather with thick clouds persisting." Initially scheduled for launch in February, SPHEREx, to be carried by a Falcon 9 rocket from U.S.-based commercial space firm SpaceX, was unable to lift off due to repeated technical glitches with the rocket, causing several delays. SPHEREx is a medium-sized telescope developed as part of a joint project between South Korea's Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Smaller than NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, its mission is to create a three-dimensional map of space in infrared to explore potential signs of life. 2025-03-11 16:43:20

US condemns North Korea's missile launch, reaffirms alliance with South Korea SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - The U.S. on Monday strongly condemned North Korea as the renegade country fired several ballistic missiles earlier in the day. "The United States condemns these actions and calls on and Japan remain ironclad." Later in the day, the White House also reaffirmed its alliance with South Korea, saying "The U.S. is committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff here, North Korea fired several ballistic missiles from Hwanghae Province toward the West Sea. They were believed to be ballistic missiles, with an estimated range of under 300 kilometers. But North Korean state media remained mum about the launch until Tuesday, unlike its usual coverage the following day, which often includes exaggerated claims. Instead, it continued to condemn the joint exercise once again. 2025-03-11 15:21:35