UN adopts Tajikistan-led resolution on AI for sustainable development in Central Asia SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - A resolution calling for stronger regional cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) to support sustainable development in Central Asia was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly last week. The resolution, led by Tajikistan, came as a rare move of unified support for a regional approach to AI governance, laying the groundwork for the ethical, inclusive, and practical use of AI technologies while highlighting Central Asia's growing role in global tech policy. Initiated by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in September last year, the resolution's adoption reflects broad support for Tajikistan's efforts to align emerging technologies with regional development goals. As part of its objectives, the resolution includes building a regional AI center in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to serve as a hub for education, research, and cross-border collaboration, with aims to support startups, connect institutions, and expand access to shared digital infrastructure. Tajikistan's Ambassador to Seoul Salohiddin Kirom welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying it reflects his country's active participation in global AI dialogue. "The resolution shows Tajikistan's growing role in global discussions on AI and reflects the importance of President Rahmon's constructive leadership," he said. With detailed action plans for implementation yet to be seen, the resolution is drawing attention as a potential model for other regions seeking to balance innovation and governance, especially amid evolving technological landscapes. 2025-07-29 15:45:20

Yoon refuses to appear for questioning in probe involving ex-first lady SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear for questioning in a probe involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, independent prosecutors said on Tuesday. Yoon, who has been detained at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province since last month over charges related to his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year, was asked to appear for questioning on alleged election-related meddling but failed to show up, prompting prosecutors to summon him again on Wednesday. Prosecutors are now considering options to force him to attend questioning if he continues to stall. Yoon and his wife have been accused of interfering candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections, with Kim also facing a slew of other allegations including bribery and involvement in a stock manipulation scheme. In a separate probe involving a suspicious change of plans favoring Kim's family in a real estate project in Yeonpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Kim's brother was also questioned the previous day. 2025-07-29 14:12:16

INTERVIEW: UN OHCHR Seoul Office Chief calls for "sustainable approach" to North Korean human rights SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - South Korea needs to develop a consistent stance on human rights in North Korea instead of one that changes every time there is a new government, according to a top UN official. "There needs to be a sustainable approach to DPRK human rights," said James Heenan, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, using the official name of North Korea. "One that doesn’t change drastically every time there’s a new administration." This is particularly necessary as in some areas the plight of North Koreans is deteriorating. "In some areas, such as movement restrictions and the use of the death penalty, things have clearly gotten worse," he said. James Heenan is the representative of the UN Human Rights office in Seoul. AJP Han Jun-gu Heenan made the comments in an interview ahead of a new report on the human rights situation in North Korea set to be released in September. The upcoming report, to be presented at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, marks a decade since the 2014 Commission of Inquiry (COI), which exposed rights violations in North Korea. The COI, which was a rare full-scale investigation into a non-conflict country, concluded that "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations had been committed in North Korea. The report cited arbitrary detention, torture, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and movement. In response, the Human Rights Council set up the OHCHR field office in Seoul in 2015, tasked with monitoring the situation in North Korea and collecting evidence for future accountability. As the office’s second representative, Heenan has been overseeing preparations for the 10-year follow-up report. James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu "The Council asked for a report covering ten years of human rights in the DPRK," he said. "That’s a real challenge. But it allows us, for the first time in a while, to look at long-term trends." "We’ve documented some small improvements, but also serious setbacks," he said. "Freedom of expression is more restricted now. It’s harder to express your views or access outside information, like Korean dramas, for instance." In some areas, he said, "things have worsened." Still, he stressed the UN’s purpose is not just to document abuses. "Our goal is to improve things. We don’t just produce reports or criticize. We look for patterns that help us find opportunities for change." But getting the world’s attention remains difficult, he said, particularly now as there are so many crises in the world. Another factor is that the Korean issue has lasted so long. "It’s been going on for over 75 years. There’s very little visual evidence—no images or videos like you see from other crises. And people tend to respond more to what they can see." Still, Heenan believes this moment offers a critical opportunity. "In our reporting, we try to highlight the voices of victims," he said. "That’s one of the few ways to get people to care—both outside the Peninsula, and frankly, here in the Republic of Korea. Because I still find there’s a lack of interest in this country." The new Lee Jae-Myung administration is currently reviewing whether to continue publishing the Ministry of Unification’s annual report on North Korean human rights. Since the enactment of the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2016, the ministry has been mandated to publish an annual report. While the 2017-22 Moon Jae-in administration kept it confidential, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration made it public. "Whether making reports public is useful, that question applies to all reports, including ours," Heenan said. "If there’s no legal requirement, it’s up to the government to decide whether or not to release them." "Transparency is something we at the UN generally support," he said. "So yes, in general, public information is more useful. Public reporting has value. Private reporting can also be useful, especially when you're trying to engage quietly before going public. Many organizations do that, sharing concerns with a party before media coverage. So both public and private reports have value." James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu On domestic engagement, Heenan called for a shift in perspective. "In many places, people say human rights are political because they deal with the power relationship between the individual and the state," he said. "But here in the Republic of Korea, DPRK human rights are particularly politicized. No other two countries are this intertwined. It’s one peninsula." The UN office regularly consults with North Korean escapees. "We ask them what they want in terms of accountability, support, and future prospects," Heenan said. "And many tell us they don’t want to get involved in this work because it’s too politicized. Once they speak out, people assume they’ve chosen a side." "That’s really concerning," he said. "Human rights should not be politicized like that. But people in positions of responsibility here need to find a way." 2025-07-28 17:29:50

South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers hold first phone call, discuss APEC and regional issues SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, marking his second call with a foreign counterpart since taking office July 21. In their phone call, which lasted about 30 minutes, the two foreign ministers discussed ways to improve bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on key regional and international issues, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. "Minister Cho and Minister Wang exchanged views on advancing Korea-China relations," a Foreign Ministry official said. The two sides also agreed to expand high-level exchanges and continue dialogue on mutual concerns. Cho invited Wang to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for late October in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, and proposed working-level coordination to ensure the success of the event. Cho also expressed concern over North Korea’s recent rejection of dialogue with the South and urged China to play a "constructive role" in encouraging Pyongyang to refrain from provocations and return to the path of denuclearization. Traditionally, South Korea’s top diplomats hold their first call with the United States Secretary of State after taking office. However, Cho prioritized calls with regional neighbors, Tokyo and Beijing. Cho is expected to depart for Washington on Thursday for an in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio. The two are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including security cooperation and support for ongoing negotiations related to bilateral tariffs. 2025-07-28 15:01:53

North Korea shuts the door on dialogue, brushes off Lee Jae-myung's outreach SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - North Korea has flatly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's recent gestures of reconciliation, accusing Seoul of political insincerity and declaring there is "no issue to be discussed" between the two sides. The statement, released Monday by Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, underscores Pyongyang's decision to sever what little remained of inter-Korean communication. To understand the bluntness of the response, the situation should be viewed through the eyes of Pyongyang. For decades, North Korea's posture toward the South has remained largely consistent, anchored in the Juche ideology and the unbroken rule of the Kim family. Meanwhile, South Korea has changed course repeatedly as power shifted back and forth between liberal and conservative presidents. From Pyongyang's point of view, these swings, from engagement to hostility and back again, have made the South an unreliable and ideologically confused counterpart. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which preceded Lee, made no attempt to engage with the North. According to findings from a recent government probe, Yoon allegedly authorized drones to be flown toward Pyongyang in what is now being interpreted as a calculated provocation. Against that backdrop, Lee's sudden shift, talks of peace, resumed humanitarian gestures, and even murmurs of a possible invitation to the upcoming APEC summit, may appear hypocritical to the North. Kim Yo-jong made that sentiment clear in her statement. Referring to the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts and the halt of anti-North leaflets, she wrote, "It is not the work worthy of appreciation." She added that these were not acts of goodwill but mere reversals of mistakes Seoul had "voluntarily invited." She also mocked South Korea's new Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, for his remarks about opening a "time of reconciliation and cooperation," calling it a "daydream." His suggestion that someone from the North might be invited to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju was met with scorn. Kim dismissed the idea that the character of inter-Korean relations could be reset with "a few sentimental words" and declared that "there can be no change in our state's understanding of the enemy." "The true nature of the ROK politician who is surely enslaved to the departed spirit of unification by absorption can not be changed," she said, adding that the Ministry of Unification "must be dissolved." Although Lee Jae-myung came into office pledging to rebuild ties with Pyongyang, the North's position could not be clearer. They are not listening. "No matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the ROK," Kim stated. Her final message left little room for ambiguity. The relationship between the two Koreas, she said, has "irreversibly gone beyond the time zone of the concept of homogeneous." 2025-07-28 14:33:19

British Embassy unveils new project to shed light on forgotten Korean War battle SEOUL, July 25 (AJP) - A project digitizing traces from one of the key battles of the Korean War in the early 1950s and rediscovering its memories was unveiled at an event hosted by the British Embassy in Seoul on Friday. Dubbed "Stand in the Bootprints of Heroes," the project was jointly initiated by the British Korean War Memorial Committee (BKWMC), a Seoul-based nonprofit organization of British expatriates, and the city of Paju - a northern border town with the North near the demilitarized zone where the Battle of the Imjin River took place in April 1951. As part of the project, about a dozen QR-coded signs were installed along the former battlefield, each linked to short videos explaining key moments of the battle. Separately, about 19 video clips are also available online, narrated in English with Korean subtitles, accompanied by old photos, maps, and paintings. The battle during the war (1950 - 1953) was a crucial engagement in which British and other United Nations forces fought against Chinese forces. With more than 1,000 British casualties, it was the U.K.'s bloodiest land battle since World War II. Beyond its scale, the battle is remembered as a turning point that delayed the Chinese advance and gave UN forces critical time to regroup. It also became a symbol of international solidarity in a conflict often referred to as "the forgotten war." British Ambassador to Seoul Colin Crooks stressed the importance of preserving the legacy of British soldiers who made the long journey to a distant Asian country to provide assistance. "As the number of living war veterans declines, preserving their legacy becomes ever more urgent. That's why we're proud of this project," he said. Highlighting the grassroots support behind the project, Crooks added, "This wasn't initiated by government-level agencies or embassies, but by those who want to keep these stories alive in an accessible, engaging, and lasting way." Andrew Salmon, the committee's co-chair and narrator of the video clips, hailed the project as a meaningful effort to shed light on a battle that remains little known. "Unlike many great and tragic last stands, the battle hasn't been well memorialized in the arts," he said. "I hope Paju residents will watch the videos and learn about the powerful events that unfolded on their quiet hillsides and roadside junctions, even next to bus stops. And I especially hope we inspire British and Korean creators," he added. The committee installed commemorative plaques in both English and Korean last year at Gloster Hill Memorial Park, a memorial in Paju dedicated to the British Gloster Battalion, and plans to come up with additional projects to raise awareness of Britain's role in the war. 2025-07-25 14:51:03

Prosecutors raid former PM's residence in martial law probe SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors on Thursday raided the residence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as part of their investigation into disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. Searches were conducted at Han's private home and his former official residence as prime minister in central Seoul. The raid came just about three weeks after Han was questioned for about 14 hours earlier this month. Prosecutors allege that Han conspired with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to prepare documents related to Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which eventually led to Yoon's ouster from office in April this year. Han, mindful of possible controversy, has also been accused of destroying the documents. But he reportedly denied all allegations, claiming that he only learned of Yoon's plan to declare martial law when a late-night cabinet meeting was convened that day, despite CCTV footage and other evidence suggesting otherwise. 2025-07-24 15:36:19

Gender equality and family minister nominee resigns amid growing criticism SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Kang Sun-woo, a ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, decided to step down on Wednesday amid mounting criticism, with one controversy following another. In a message posted on Facebook, Kang said, "I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt because of me," expressing regret to the ruling Democratic Party for having caused a "heavy burden." She also wrote that she feels deeply sorry for President Lee Jae-myung, who "believed in me and gave me the opportunity" to serve the post. Assailed during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly last week, Kang has been under fire over a slew of allegations including workplace abuse and mistreatment of subordinates such as forcing her former assistant to run personal errands and do household chores including disposing of waste. She initially denied all the allegations, only for them to turn out to be true. Despite growing public criticism, Lee appeared determined to proceed with the appointment of his close aide, but strong protests from over 90 civil organizations and legislative workers eventually led Kang to resign. 2025-07-23 17:37:04

Korean named guest language for next year's arts festival in France SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Organizers of one of France's largest arts festivals, held every summer in Avignon, have chosen Korean as the official guest language for next year's event. Held every July in the southern French city since 1947, the Avignon Festival presents a broad spectrum of arts including music, dance, and literature, along with various performances, discussions, and other programs, highlighting a particular language as a bridge connecting different cultures. Korean will take the baton from this year's guest language Arabic to serve as next year's, following English in 2023 and Spanish in 2024. The Korean Arts Management Service (KAMS), a government agency dedicated to promoting the country's performing arts, on Monday hailed it, saying, "This is the first time an Asian language has been selected as the guest language," adding that the decision reflects the growing global recognition of Korean arts and culture. Several Korean works have also been included in next year's official lineup for the first time in nearly 28 years. Meanwhile, this year's festival, which began earlier this month, wraps up this weekend. 2025-07-23 16:14:46

North Korea lures foreign tourists with huge discounts for next year's marathon event SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - North Korea appears to be eager to earn hard currency, as it has already started offering deals for its annual marathon event for next spring. According to ads on Tuesday by Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specializing in travel to the isolated country, early-bird discounts of 50 percent are available until Sept. 1 for those who sign up for the Pyongyang International Marathon, which is scheduled for April next year. Without detailed itineraries and other arrangements for the event, the tour agency said plans are subject to change without notice according to the North's tourism policy. Fees for next year's event have yet to be decided either, with this year's ranging from US$70 to $150 depending on the length of courses. Since the new progressive administration took office here last month, there is speculation that South Korea could send participants to next year's event as part of efforts to ease tensions with the North. First held in 1981 to commemorate the birthday of regime founder Kim Il-sung, the marathon resumed this year for the first time since 2019, after a years-long hiatus due to coronavirus pandemic, drawing participants from 46 countries. 2025-07-22 17:03:44