French singer-songwriters to connect with K-pop at weeklong event in Seoul SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - A weeklong event blending French music with K-pop kicked off at the French Embassy in Seoul on Monday. Under the theme of "Bridging Cultures, Shaping Futures," the event called "Atelier K-Pop" brought together music experts from France to explore ways to collaborate with K-pop industry professionals and singer-songwriters from both countries. Jointly organized by the Cultural Department of the French Embassy in South Korea and the French National Center for Music (CNM), the event was supported by France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Institut Français. Seoul-based Leeway Music & Media also to part in collaboration with JYP Publishing and Amplified Corporation. Included among the speakers are Sim Eun-jee, CEO of JYP Publishing, Chung Hyo-won, CEO of Amplified Corporation, and Leslie Dubest, CEO of Un Plan Simple. In particular, four emerging French songwriters — Jean-Noël, Poppy Fusée, Robin, and Ugo — will participate in a special session later in the week at JYP Publishing Studios, where they will collaborate on songwriting and see how it goes. "I've only been in Korea for two days, but everything already feels amazing," said Fusée. "I've been spending a lot of time just walking around, and everything looks so stylish. People dress really well and are incredibly polite and it's such a different atmosphere compared to France. I find it really inspiring." Fusée also shared her expectations about the event. "My goal is to be a little less rigid. My music tends to follow a more classical structure, so I'm excited to learn new, more modern ways of creating here in Korea." "I feel like every K-pop song tells a story. It always has a clear concept or idea behind it," she added. "Whenever I listen to K-pop, it feels like I'm going on a journey. Through this experience, I hope to feel that even more and come away with a fresh perspective." 2025-03-24 17:18:47

Reinstated PM vows to devote himself to state affairs SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Duck-soo returned to his post as acting president on Monday, about three months after being suspended. His return came after the Constitutional Court dismissed his impeachment earlier in the day over several accusations related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. In a televised address from the government complex in Seoul, Han expressed his gratitude for the court's ruling and said he would "pour all my wisdom and energy" in protecting the national interest, pledging to devote himself to managing state affairs in accordance with constitutional law. Han also said that all his decisions would prioritize the interests of South Korea's industries and future generations in the face of global geopolitical and economic challenges. Addressing the growing ideological and political divisions, he pointed out, "tells us that a society polarized by extremes leads only to unhappiness," stressing the need for change. He then vowed, "I will lead this change." Han also called for bipartisan cooperation, urging lawmakers to set aside their differences. "Let's overcome this crisis together and help the country make another leap forward," he said. With Han's return, a backlog of diplomatic issues that had been delayed is expected to gain some momentum. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who had temporarily taken over, is back in his role. 2025-03-24 17:05:31

North Korea holds world's third-largest stash of bitcoins SEOUL, March 19 (AJP) - North Korea is estimated to hold the third-largest amount of bitcoin in the world, following a series of covert cyberattacks targeting cryptocurrencies, a recent analysis reveals. A hacker group called Lazarus, which is thought to be linked with the North Korean regime, currently holds approximately 13,562 bitcoins valued at US$1.14 billion, according to cryptocurrency exchange Binance and blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence. That puts North Korea behind only the U.S., which holds 198,109 bitcoins, and the U.K., with 61,245. The North's bitcoin reserves exceed those of El Salvador (6,118), which adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, and Bhutan (10,635), known for mining cryptocurrency using hydropower. The surge in North Korea's crypto holdings appears to be linked to a massive cyberattack last month. Bybit, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, was hacked on Feb. 21, with digital assets worth $1.46 billion stolen. The heist, believed to have been orchestrated by Lazarus, marks one of the largest crypto thefts to date. Lazarus has been blamed as the culprit in several major hacks including the theft of $600 million worth of cryptocurrency from the Ronin Network in 2022 and a $300 million theft from Japan's crypto exchange DMM Bitcoin the following year. Radio Free Asia reported last week that North Korea converted most of its stolen Ethereum into bitcoin, but it appears to have been unable to cash out the assets so far. South Korea, the U.S., and Japan have stepped up efforts in recent years to track and block cryptocurrency flows linked to North Korea, which is suspected of funneling illicit digital assets into its nuclear weapons and missile programs. 2025-03-19 16:22:57

Activists urge referral of North Korean leader to international criminal court SEOUL, March 19 (AJP) - Human rights groups called for North Korea to be held accountable for human rights violations and other alleged crimes against humanity at a forum in Geneva earlier this week. Hosted by Seoul-based non-profit organization People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE) and other advocacy groups, the event as part of this year's regular session of the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday shed light on the North Korean regime's heinous and brutal crimes committed in its notorious prison camps. Based on testimonies from defectors and other findings gathered through various sources, including a mock trial of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Seoul last November, they urged the international community to refer him and his key officials to the International Criminal Court (ICC). They also called for coordinated global action to address the issue. Meanwhile, Japan's Kyodo News reported Tuesday that the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) has asked North Korea for information about the whereabouts of three ethnic Koreans. The individuals, originally residents of Japan, abducted in a bizarre campaign by the North in the 1970s and 80s, were believed to have been sent to political prison camps between October 2007 and April 2008 after allegedly attempting to defect. 2025-03-19 15:12:06

Attempted leak of nuclear-related software possible cause behind South Korea's inclusion in 'sensitive country' list SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The recent revelation that South Korea has been classified as a "sensitive country" by the U.S. appears to have been triggered by an attempted leak of nuclear reactor design technology. A semiannual report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) disclosed that an employee at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) was caught attempting to board a flight to South Korea with software related to nuclear reactors, resulting in the termination of his contract. The case, which occurred sometime between October 2023 and March 2024, is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations. The software is protected under U.S. export control regulations, which require prior government approval for the transfer of sensitive information. Initial investigations apparently found that the employee, who was aware of this, had communicated with a foreign government. Although the report did not specify the country, the employee's destination has been linked to South Korea's recent inclusion in the lowest tier of "other designated countries" on the list of sensitive countries. Later in the day, the Foreign Ministry here explained that the U.S. clarified the inclusion, set to be effective from next month, was "not politically motivated, but based on security concerns within the DOE." Once implemented as planned on April 15, it could not only complicate joint research and projects between the two countries, but also restrict South Korea's access to advanced technologies such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology and others. To resolve the issue, Ahn Duk-geun, the minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, will head to Washington later this week to meet with his U.S. counterpart and ask to be removed from the list. Meanwhile, Joseph Yun, chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, dismissed concerns. Speaking at a forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) the same day, he attributed the inclusion to "some mishandling of sensitive information," describing it as "not a big deal." 2025-03-18 17:32:41

Advisory issued as rare spring snow blankets Seoul SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Spring is just around the corner, but a snow advisory was issued as a heavy snowfall blanketed Seoul and other metropolitan areas overnight. It was the latest-ever snow advisory issued for late March in the capital since accurate observations began in 1999. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), an unseasonal cold snap brought about up to 11.9 cm of snow to Seoul as of early Tuesday, 13.8 cm to Uijeongbu, and 12 cm to Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province, disrupting commuters during morning rush hours. Mountainous areas of Gangwon Province and other central regions of the country, which had already seen a lot of snowfall earlier in the week saw additional accumulation overnight. Many motorists encountered traffic congestion across the country, with icy roads causing several minor car accidents, although no serious injuries were reported. The KMA forecast that the rare spring snow is expected to subside by late afternoon in most parts of the country, turning into light sleet showers in some areas. The morning temperature in Seoul fell to 0.4 degrees Celsius, lower than the seasonal average for this time of year. Morning lows in other areas also dipped, with 0.6 degrees in Incheon, 2.6 degrees in Ulsan, 3.5 degrees in Daegu, and 3.9 degrees in Busan. 2025-03-18 11:17:09

South Korea belatedly scrambles to avoid fallout from inclusion on US 'sensitive country' list SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - Last week's abrupt revelation of South Korea being classified as a "sensitive country" has sent shockwaves through political circles and government agencies here, with key diplomatic figures and senior officials scrambling to assess its implications and potential fallout. Such a classification by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which could restrict cooperation in advanced technologies, may reflect a shift in U.S. policy toward South Korea, one of its closest allies in Asia. This development could have far-reaching ramifications not only for bilateral relations but also for regional security. Regarding this, Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Monday called for efforts to strengthen South Korea's alliance with Washington and instructed government ministries to "clarify our stance to the U.S. and ensure that there are no disruptions in current cooperation, particularly in science and energy." To resolve the issue, Ahn Duk-geun, the minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, will head to Washington later this week to meet with his U.S. counterpart and request reconsideration. When it was belatedly revealed, many initially thought it was a measure taken shortly after Donald Trump took office. However, it was later confirmed that the country was added to the list in early January during the final days of the Joe Biden administration. If implemented as planned next month, it could negatively affect the bilateral alliance across various areas, not limited to technological sectors, weakening the strategic partnership between the two countries that has been built over many years. In particular, with North Korea's nuclear capabilities becoming even stronger to the point where U.S. President Donald Trump recently referred to it as a "nuclear power," possible limited collaborative responses between the U.S. and South Korea could send a wrong signal to North Korea, raising security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. Despite the DOE's explanation that South Korea is included in the lowest tier of "other designated country" in the list of sensitive countries, there is criticism of the government's failure to proactively assess and address the situation in a timely manner, as it was completely in the dark for a couple of months. The list includes countries like China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia, which are deemed to pose risks to U.S. national security, nuclear nonproliferation, and economic interests. Specific reasons for South Korea's inclusion remain unclear, baffling many pundits, as it is the only country on the list among its allies. A DOE spokesman tried to pacify Seoul's concerns, saying "Currently there are no new restrictions on bilateral science and technology cooperation with the ." He added, "Inclusion does not necessarily indicate an adversarial relationship with the United States; many designated countries are those we regularly cooperate with on a variety of energy, science, technology, counterterrorism, and nonproliferation issues." But it is widely speculated that the inclusion could not only complicate bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology, but also restrict South Korea's access to cutting-edge technologies, potentially hampering its technological advancement. South Korea is currently engaged in a wide range of energy-related joint research and other projects with the U.S., but once effective on April 15, these would require prior approval from the DOE. There is a growing call for the South Korean government to work closely with the U.S. to prevent the list from taking effect, as the inclusion reflects a level of concern and distrust from the U.S. regarding security issues and the potential transfer of sensitive technological information. But a bumpy road lies ahead as the country faces political uncertainty amid a leadership vacuum following President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched Dec. 3 martial law debacle and his subsequent impeachment trial, with the final verdict still pending. While some suspect that the U.S. recent move may be linked to calls for Seoul to pursue its own nuclear armament amid North Korea's continuous nuclear threats, the country still does not know exactly what led to its inclusion on the list, while the U.S. may be reassessing its stance on national security and technology sharing with its allies. 2025-03-17 17:33:36

North Korea vows to expand nuclear arsenal 'both in quality and quantity' SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - North Korea on Monday vowed to further expand its nuclear arsenal "both in quality and quantity," dismissing a global call to abandon its nuclear weapons program. "The nuclear armed forces will exist forever as a powerful means of justice which defends the sovereignty of the state, territorial integrity and fundamental interests, prevents a war" on the Korean Peninsula. 2025-03-17 14:38:16

US defense secretary to skip Seoul visit amid political turmoil SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will skip South Korea during his first official tour of the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth plans to visit Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines later this month to discuss military cooperation and regional security concerns, according to Pentagon officials on Friday. A potential stop in Seoul was considered but later excluded, reportedly due to political uncertainty here in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle in December last year. His upcoming trip would be significant as it marks the first Asia-Pacific tour by a senior official since President Donald Trump began his second non-consecutive term in January this year. It is widely speculated that Washington is taking a cautious approach by skipping Seoul, as Yoon remains suspended amid his pending impeachment trial, while Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun is also suspended and facing a criminal trial over the Dec. 3 debacle. The next occasion for high-level bilateral defense discussions appears to be the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum, scheduled for late May in Singapore. 2025-03-15 18:01:52

Nationwide demonstrations sweep across South Korea as Yoon's impeachment ruling nears SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - Mass protests both for and against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment swept across South Korea on Saturday, just days before the Constitutional Court delivers its final ruling on his botched martial law declaration last December. The largest anti-impeachment rally took place near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul in the afternoon, organized by a conservative supporters' group. Protesters waved national flags and chanted slogans opposing the impeachment. At the same time, pro-impeachment demonstrations erupted nationwide, with some of the largest gatherings in Gwangju. A coalition of 180 civic groups staged a rally condemning Yoon and calling for his immediate removal from office. Organizers also arranged transportation for supporters traveling to Seoul to join a larger demonstration. Similar rallies were held in major cities, including Daegu, Ulsan, Daejeon, and Chuncheon, with various organizations leading both pro- and anti-impeachment protests. According to police reports, an estimated 110,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide. Security was heightened at key protest sites, with police deployed to prevent potential clashes. 2025-03-15 15:32:25