Japanese PM says she hopes to visit South Korea again in reply to Lee SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi thanked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for his congratulatory message following her party's landslide victory in a snap election over the weekend. In a reply to Lee's message on X, formerly Twitter, late Monday night, Takaichi wrote, "I sincerely thank for his warm congratulations." She said Japan and South Korea as neighboring countries must cooperate as partners on various challenges facing the international community. "As affirmed during Lee's visit to Nara last month, we share a common understanding of the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship." Takaichi then said the two countries should develop their relationship "in a forward-looking and stable manner," and added she looks forward to visiting South Korea again as part of shuttle diplomacy. Meanwhile, the island country's first female prime minister had called the election just four months after becoming party leader in a bid to further consolidate her power. In last Sunday's election, the ruling LDP-led coalition secured 316 of the Diet's 465 seats, up 128 from its previous 198, surpassing the two-thirds threshold of 310 needed to propose constitutional amendments. This is the first time since its founding in 1955 that the LDP has broken its own record for the most seats in Japan's House of Representatives. 2026-02-10 11:23:36

Ukraine War in 5th Year: Trump's long-delayed '24-Hour' promise *Editor’s Note: As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its fifth year, AJP reviews how the war began, how it has evolved, and where it is heading — and asks the most urgent question of all: will it end? This first installment examines the toll on Ukraine, Russia, and the world. SEOUL, Feb. — (AJP)-“I will end that war within 24 hours.” Since his campaign days, US President Donald Trump repeatedly portrayed himself as a “peacemaker,” confidently claiming he could bring the Russia-Ukraine war to a swift end. Emphasizing his personal ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump insisted that his unique relationships would allow him to broker peace where others had failed. While the international community remained skeptical of the “24-hour” timetable, some observers expressed cautious hope that a strongman-style leader like Trump might succeed in forcing a settlement. Shortly after taking office in January last year, Trump appointed a special envoy and began preliminary efforts toward a ceasefire, raising expectations of rapid progress. More than a year later, however, the war remains unresolved. Stalled Diplomacy Despite mobilizing sanctions, pressure tactics, and diplomatic persuasion — particularly toward Russia, which has shown limited enthusiasm for a ceasefire — Trump has struggled to produce results. Critics argue that he has been drawn into Putin’s delaying tactics and “false hopes,” rather than shaping the process himself. Meanwhile, the conflict, which Russia initially described as a “special military operation” that would end within weeks, is approaching its fourth anniversary — longer than the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. Limited Gains Trump’s mediation has not been entirely fruitless. Under U.S. auspices, Russia and Ukraine returned to the negotiating table, achieving temporary local ceasefires and limited prisoner exchanges. Zelensky also signaled flexibility on Ukraine’s long-held demand to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization, briefly raising hopes for momentum. Yet fundamental disagreements remain. Russia continues to demand permanent control over occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk, while insisting that Western forces be barred from the country. Ukraine, for its part, refuses to compromise on sovereignty. Kyiv also fears that without firm Western security guarantees, any pause in fighting would allow Moscow to regroup and attack again. A Military and Political Deadlock Russia has steadily expanded its control in occupied areas, signaling its intent to force Ukraine into submission through military pressure. At the same time, Western support — particularly from Europe and the United States — continues to sustain Ukraine’s defense. Russia itself has suffered heavy material and human losses. As a result, neither side appears capable of imposing a decisive outcome. “None of the conditions for ending the war have been met,” said Ruth Deyermond, a professor at King’s College London, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Neither side is in a position to secure a decisive victory, and while both face pressure, neither looks close to collapse,” she said. Economic Pressure Builds Some analysts believe economic factors could eventually accelerate negotiations. Russia’s economy, heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, has been hit by sanctions and weak prices. According to a report by The Washington Post, Russian officials have warned Putin that financial stress could intensify by summer. Oleg Ignatov, a Russia expert at the International Crisis Group, said both sides may prefer to seek the best possible terms now rather than prolong the war for years. “Under growing internal and external pressure, Russia and Ukraine are likely to explore ways to end the war on favorable terms,” he said. Missed Deadlines Trump’s credibility as a mediator has been weakened by repeated deadline failures. During his 2023 campaign, he vowed to end the war “within 24 hours.” After taking office, he extended the timeframe to six months, then two weeks, then 50 days, and later just 10 to 12 days. Each deadline passed without a breakthrough. Zelensky recently revealed that Trump is now targeting a summer resolution, but many Ukrainians view the pledge with skepticism. Recent US-led peace talks ended without agreement, while Russian strikes on major Ukrainian cities have continued. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the attacks showed that “Putin’s place is not at the table of peace, but at the dock of a tribunal.” Despite renewed diplomatic efforts and plans for further negotiations, analysts say a swift end remains unlikely without a major shift in military or political conditions. Trump’s central campaign narrative — that personal relationships and political will could quickly resolve the conflict — has collided with the realities of geopolitics. For now, slogans and timetables have proved no match for one of Europe’s most entrenched wars. 2026-02-10 07:33:08

OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Japan Tuesday for a two-day summit, a week after a state visit to China. His rapid back-and-forth diplomacy reflects intensifying friction between China and Japan, which has escalated since November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested possible armed intervention “in a Taiwan contingency.” As the dispute grows, both countries are courting Seoul. During Lee’s China trip, Beijing rolled out a high-profile welcome, and state media repeatedly highlighted South Korea-China cooperation. Japan, too, has appeared eager to avoid provoking Seoul. Ahead of Lee’s China visit, the Nikkei published a column urging Takaichi not to stir tensions with South Korea over Dokdo. Both sides have also leaned on history and symbolism. China emphasized the shared anti-Japanese struggle in the colonial era. Japan chose Nara Prefecture — Takaichi’s home region and a historic hub of exchanges between Baekje and Japan — as the venue for a summit, appealing to sentiment as well as strategy. The key for South Korea, however, is strict pragmatism. China and Japan can shift quickly, and both hold leverage that could hit South Korean industry. China has already used rare earths — a card that helped it withstand U.S. tariff pressure — and Japan, a leader in materials and components, has its own tools, including photoresist, a key semiconductor material. South Korea has previously faced difficulties when such pressure was applied. China’s export controls on dual-use items are aimed at Japan, but South Korea could be caught in the fallout because of tightly linked supply chains: Chinese raw materials → Japanese processed materials → South Korean finished products. During Lee’s visit, China announced dual-use export controls targeting Japan and signaled possible sanctions even on third countries involved. Japan also poses risks. The Takaichi government’s rightward shift and security buildup could raise tensions in Northeast Asia and increase the likelihood that Tokyo will press South Korea for “security participation.” If Seoul loses its footing amid the courtship, it risks becoming not a mediator in China-Japan tensions but a proxy battleground bearing the costs of their rivalry — on top of already being squeezed by U.S.-China competition. The international order under the second Trump administration is driven less by ideology than by national interest and practical gain. On Tuesday as Lee heads to Japan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China for the first time in eight years. The two countries, which clashed in recent years over issues including human rights and Huawei, are now exploring cooperation in response to the Trump administration’s “America First” approach. South Korea’s interests in managing China and Japan are clear. With China, it should restore an economic partnership while continuing “de-risking” to reduce supply-chain dependence. With Japan, it should strengthen security and supply-chain coordination while holding firm principles on historical and territorial issues. That requires focusing on practical cooperation in future industries such as semiconductors, AI and energy — taking neighbors’ outstretched hands while coolly watching where their hidden blades may point. *The author is the deputy head of international economy team at Aju Business Daily 2026-01-13 07:56:10

OPINION: Rising drunk-driving incidents spark calls for tougher laws in South Korea SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Recent incidents involving drunk driving in South Korea have drawn international attention, particularly after a Japanese tourist died in a crash. This tragedy, along with a similar incident involving a Canadian a week earlier, has highlighted the country's lenient penalties for drunk driving. Despite the 2018 law allowing life sentences for fatal drunk driving cases, actual sentences range from two to eight years, much lower than Japan's 20-year sentences. South Korea, with less than half Japan's population, reports six times more drunk driving accidents, with a recidivism rate over 40 percent. Criticism also targets the lack of penalties for passengers and alcohol providers. Another growing concern is accidents involving elderly drivers. A recent crash in Bucheon caused by an elderly driver killed four people. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older rose 36.4 percent from 2020 to last year, with their accident rate increasing from 14.8 percent to 21.6 percent. This issue is not unique to South Korea; Japan reported a record 17 percent of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers in 2022. While aging affects cognitive and motor skills, the effectiveness of driving aptitude tests is questioned. Additionally, lenient sentences for traffic offenses remain problematic, as seen in a case where an elderly driver received a maximum five-year sentence for a fatal wrong-way crash. From 2020 to last year, South Korea recorded 71,279 drunk driving accidents, resulting in 1,004 deaths. Elderly drivers caused 3,678 fatalities, the highest among all age groups. These issues have become serious social problems, creating widespread anxiety about road safety. As South Korea advances globally with its culture and industry, it must also modernize its traffic laws to address these challenges effectively. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI. 2025-11-24 08:41:16

K-pop sensation NewJeans signal full-group comeback by returning to ADOR under HYBE SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - NewJeans, the breakout K-pop act that shot to global fame upon debut in 2022 but became embroiled in a bitter dispute with its agency last year, is poised for a full-group comeback after members began signaling their return to ADOR, a move that lifts a major litigation burden for the parent manager HYBE ahead of the long-anticipated comeback of K-pop superstar BTS. On Wednesday, members Haerin and Hyein announced that they would return to ADOR, saying they had decided to respect the recent court ruling and rejoin the agency after “thoughtful consideration with their families and discussions with ADOR,” according to a statement posted on X. The remaining members — Minji, Hanni, and Danielle — told a local media outlet that they also intended to return. “One member is currently in Antarctica, which delayed communication, and we have not yet received a response from ADOR, so we are announcing this separately. We look forward to continuing to perform with sincerity,” they said. ADOR responded that it was “verifying the intentions of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle regarding their return.” If all five members rejoin, it would mark 348 days since the group abruptly cut ties with ADOR by unilaterally terminating their contracts on Nov. 29 last year, following a highly publicized fallout involving former ADOR chief and group mentor Min Hee-jin. Last month, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, saying the exclusive contracts signed in 2022 remain valid, effectively barring the members from pursuing independent activities or signing with other labels. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-13 07:42:24