Journalist

박세진
Arthur I. Cyr
  • Start-Up Chile CEO promotes collaboration with S. Korean startups at Seoul event
    Start-Up Chile CEO promotes collaboration with S. Korean startups at Seoul event SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Start-Up Chile CEO Javiera Araneda called for deeper cooperation between Chile and South Korea in building a global startup ecosystem on Wednesday during a pitching and networking event held in the southern Seoul district of Gangnam. The event, hosted by the Embassy of Chile in the Republic of Korea at the Global Startup Center, brought together about 60 participants, including startup founders and entrepreneurs from South Korea and other countries. The session was part of Araneda’s four-day visit to South Korea aimed at fostering cross-border innovation partnerships. “Latin America is a huge market. With over 650 million people across 20 countries, it’s a region full of problems looking for solutions, and you are the solution makers,” Araneda said during her keynote presentation. She introduced Start-Up Chile as “the first public acceleration program in the world,” founded by the Chilean government in 2010 to support tech-based startups, both domestic and international. Araneda described the program as “an experiment that really paid off,” citing recognition such as being named the top accelerator in Latin America and ranking in the global top 10 in 2018. “We attract and accelerate startups so they can have high impact. We want to help you get from point A to point B as fast as possible,” she said. Start-Up Chile currently offers three programs -- Build, Ignite, and Growth -- tailored to startups at various stages of development. These include equity-free public grants ranging from 16,000 to 80,000 U.S. dollars, as well as co-working spaces, expert mentorship, and corporate connections. Araneda highlighted Chile’s strategic advantages for South Korean startups looking to expand globally. “Chile is a small but highly connected country. It’s a perfect pilot market and a bridge to the rest of Latin America,” she said. “We have strong government support, great digital infrastructure, and multiple global trade agreements. It’s easy to do business there.” She also pointed out the growing presence of South Korean startups in the program’s portfolio, stating, “Chile is the most represented nationality, of course, but it’s followed directly by Korean startups. So, we are beginning to connect with the South Korean market in earnest.” The CEO also presented Start-Up Chile’s “Female Founder Factor” initiative, which promotes gender equity in tech entrepreneurship. “We want to create role models and success stories. At least 50 percent of selected startups in our Build program must be female-founded,” she said. Participants also heard from Ms. Maricruz Larrea, CEO of Farmtastica, a Chilean smart farming startup currently expanding its business in Asia. Both leaders encouraged Korean founders to apply to Start-Up Chile’s open call, which runs until May 9. “Start-Up Chile is for entrepreneurs who think globally,” Araneda emphasized. “We don’t care where you come from. Only where you’re going.” 2025-04-24 09:51:32
  • North Korean and Russian youth hold friendship gathering in Pyongyang
    North Korean and Russian youth hold friendship gathering in Pyongyang SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - A joint friendship event between young people from North Korea and Russia was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on Sunday, North Korea’s state-controlled media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported Monday. The gathering, designed to strengthen cultural ties and solidarity between the two countries, was attended by Mun Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, North Korean university students in Pyongyang, and a visiting delegation from the United Russia Youth Guards, led by Anton Zemidov, chairman of the group’s Coordinating Council. According to KCNA, Mun Chol praised what he described as the Russian people’s resistance to hostile forces and expressed support for Russia's leadership under President Vladimir Putin. He said that youth from both countries would remain “true comrades and comrades-in-arms,” citing the close relationship between the leaders of North Korea and Russia. Speaking on behalf of the Russian delegation, Zemidov expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown during their visit and conveyed admiration for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, describing him as a strong and dedicated leader. He also thanked North Korea for its support of Russia’s international positions and pledged that Russian youth would stand in solidarity with their North Korean counterparts in opposing Western influence. The event also featured a cultural performance by North Korea’s youth art troupe, including renditions of Russian songs. Participants from both countries joined in group dances and musical performances, wrapping up the event in a festive atmosphere aimed at deepening youth-level ties. 2025-04-21 17:14:02
  • Seoul court permits limited filming of Yoons second insurrection hearing
    Seoul court permits limited filming of Yoon's second insurrection hearing SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court at 10:00 a.m. Monday, for the second hearing in his trial on charges of leading an insurrection, marking the first time the public has seen him seated in the defendant’s chair. Photographs and video footage of Yoon in court were released following the hearing, after the Seoul Central District Court approved limited media coverage. The court cited “the high level of national interest” in the case, despite Yoon’s opposition to the filming. Media were allowed to record from designated areas prior to the start of proceedings, though live broadcasting remains prohibited. The case centers on the so-called “December 3 Martial Law” incident, in which Yoon declared a military-backed emergency decree. On Dec. 3, 2024, he cited threats from “North Korean communist forces” and “anti-state elements” as justification for the order. The decree was enforced with the deployment of 1,580 troops, 107 military vehicles, 12 Black Hawk helicopters, and more than 9,000 rounds of live ammunition. Despite the show of force, 190 lawmakers entered the National Assembly and unanimously voted to lift martial law just hours later. Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14 and officially removed from office on Apr. 4, 2025. He now faces trial for insurrection and abuse of power in what has become one of the most significant legal cases in South Korea’s modern history. As during his first appearance, Yoon avoided the main courthouse entrance. The Seoul High Court authorized him to use the underground parking lot, and he was escorted from his residence in Seocho District, located a short distance from the court. 2025-04-21 09:43:09
  • India, S. Korea celebrate culinary traditions with joint cooking event
    India, S. Korea celebrate culinary traditions with joint cooking event SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - The Embassy of India in Seoul and the Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI) co-hosted a cooking demonstration session on Thursday, highlighting the shared cultural values of India and South Korea through food. Held at the KFPI headquarters in Seoul, the event featured dishes from both countries, with Indian Chef Neeraj Bisht preparing Chole Bhature, a popular Indian chickpea curry and fluffy bread menu, and Korean Chef Oh Seung-ahn presenting Gang Doenjang, fermented bean paste simmered with chopped vegetables, with Vegetable Rice Wrap. In his opening remarks, Indian Ambassador Amit Kumar emphasized the deeper meaning of culinary exchange. “Food is much more than sustenance. It connects cultures, tells stories, and fosters unity,” he said. “Today, we bring together the vibrant flavors of India and Korea, with our esteemed chefs each presenting a signature dish, offering a glimpse into our rich culinary traditions.” Ambassador Kumar encouraged attendees to engage with both cuisines beyond the event. “As our chefs guide us through their craft, we invite you to savor the aromas, observe the techniques, and appreciate the cultural significance of these dishes,” he said. “I hope this demonstration will inspire you to explore the beauty of Indian and Korean cuisines in your own kitchens.” Participants included members of the diplomatic community and international organizations such as the Seoul International Women’s Association. The event is part of ongoing collaboration between the Indian Embassy and KFPI, following similar joint programs in 2023. 2025-04-18 17:08:16
  • Han Duck-soo sees split public opinion amid rising support for Lee Jae-myung
    Han Duck-soo sees split public opinion amid rising support for Lee Jae-myung SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo is facing divided public opinion over his job performance, according to a new Gallup Korea poll released Friday. The survey found that 41 percent of respondents believe Han is doing well in his role, while 50 percent said he is not. Nine percent reserved judgment. Han received strong backing from supporters of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), with 88 percent offering a positive evaluation. In contrast, 90 percent of Democratic Party (DP) supporters viewed his performance negatively. Among politically unaffiliated respondents, 37 percent rated his performance favorably, while 32 percent were critical and 31 percent withheld opinion. The survey also measured public preference for future political leadership. Lee Jae-myung, a presidential contender from the DP, received 38 percent support, his highest rating to date. Lee maintained a comfortable lead over other figures, with former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo, former labor minister Kim Moon-soo, and Acting President Han each polling at 7 percent. Former justice minister Han Dong-hoon followed with 6 percent, and Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok received 2 percent. About 26 percent of respondents did not name a preferred figure. Gallup noted that Lee’s popularity has steadily increased since mid-December, when his ratings began exceeding the 30 percent range. Among DP supporters, 82 percent backed Lee. Ideologically, Lee dominated among progressives with 74 percent support and led among centrists at 40 percent. Support among conservatives was more fragmented. Han Duck-soo led with 17 percent, followed by Hong at 15 percent and Kim at 14 percent. Lee also topped regional rankings. He received 66 percent support in Gwangju and the Jeolla region, 32 percent in Seoul, and 27 percent in the Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang area. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, he was tied with Hong at 19 percent. The poll was conducted by Gallup Korea from Apr. 15 to 17 among 1,000 adults nationwide. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Full details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission’s website. 2025-04-18 14:35:44
  • Lee Jae-myung outlines regional pledges ahead of first televised debate
    Lee Jae-myung outlines regional pledges ahead of first televised debate SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential contender from the Democratic Party (DP), pledged Friday to relocate the ocean ministry to the southern port city of Busan to strengthen South Korea’s maritime competitiveness. Through a social media post, Lee said he would move the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan to make the city “the undisputed center of South Korea’s maritime leadership” and to ensure “field-oriented policymaking.” He also vowed to relocate public institutions related to shipping and logistics, establish a specialized maritime court, and provide customized financial support for regional industries, startups, and manufacturers in the southeastern part of the country. For the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, Lee promised to create an industrial belt focused on battery production and build a cluster for next-generation auto parts. He also pledged to promote a bio industry belt in the region and turn it into a national hub for biotech and vaccine development. Later in the evening, Lee is scheduled to join fellow candidates Kim Kyung-soo, former South Gyeongsang Governor, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon in the DP’s first televised presidential primary debate. The 80-minute broadcast will feature a broad policy discussion on domestic politics, the economy, foreign affairs, and national security. It will offer candidates an early opportunity to contrast their visions ahead of the June 3 election. Lee enters the race as the clear frontrunner. According to a National Barometer Survey released Thursday, Lee received 45 percent support in hypothetical three-way matchups against rival conservatives, including former labor minister Kim Moon-soo, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and former justice minister Han Dong-hoon. In terms of overall presidential suitability, Lee led with 39 percent, far ahead of other contenders, each polling in the single digits. 2025-04-18 10:29:37
  • Lee Jae-myung leads in three-way race with 45 percent support
    Lee Jae-myung leads in three-way race with 45 percent support SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a presidential contender from the Democratic Party (DP), is currently leading by a wide margin in hypothetical three-way matchups for South Korea’s next June 3 presidential election, according to a new poll released Thursday. The National Barometer Survey (NBS) shows that Lee received 45 percent support in all three matchups tested. In a virtual race against former labor minister Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP) and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, Lee recorded 45 percent support, while Kim trailed with 22 percent and Lee Jun-seok followed with 9 percent. In another scenario, where former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo was the conservative candidate, Lee maintained 45 percent, while Hong received 24 percent and Lee Jun-seok 7 percent. In a third matchup against former justice minister Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok, Lee again led with 45 percent, with Han at 17 percent and Lee Jun-seok at 8 percent. When asked more broadly about presidential suitability, Lee remained the top choice with 39 percent support. He was followed by Hong Joon-pyo and Kim Moon-soo at 8 percent each, Han Dong-hoon at 6 percent, and both lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo and Lee Jun-seok at 3 percent. Among DP supporters and the Rebuilding Korea Party, Lee’s support was overwhelming, standing at 83 percent and 73 percent respectively. Within the PPP base, preferences were more divided. Hong Joon-pyo garnered 23 percent support, followed by Kim Moon-soo at 21 percent and Han Dong-hoon at 18 percent. The survey also reflected a growing public desire for a change in government. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they believe a new party should take power in the next presidential election, up six percentage points from the previous week. Only 33 percent said they wanted the current ruling party to stay in office, down four points. According to the NBS, the percentage of respondents calling for a change in government is now at its highest level since the beginning of the year. The survey was conducted jointly by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research from April 14 to 16, with responses from 1,001 South Korean adults aged 18 and over. 2025-04-17 16:03:06
  • Pyongyang condemns US and S. Koreas joint aerial exercise involving supersonic bomber
    Pyongyang condemns US and S. Korea's joint aerial exercise involving supersonic bomber SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - North Korea’s defense ministry has condemned Wednesday the United States and South Korea for rolling out a joint aerial drill involving B1-B supersonic heavy bombers on the previous day. “The U.S. reckless bluffing military demonstration is a futile act of increasing the security threat to its mainland only,” Pyongyang’s state-controlled Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a press statement released by North Korea’s defense ministry. According to South Korea’s military, the exercise aimed to enhance the regular visibility of U.S. extended deterrence, with participation from South Korea’s F-35A and F-16 fighter jets, as well as U.S. F-16s. North Korea expressed strong discomfort over the presence of the B-1b bomber flying in South Korea’s airspace. The B-1B Lancer is a U.S. long-range, supersonic heavy bomber capable of carrying the largest conventional payload of guided and unguided munitions in the Air Force inventory. It combines high speed, maneuverability, and low-level penetration capabilities, making it a key asset for global strike missions. “The continuous appearance of B-1B serves as an occasion of highlighting once again the fact that the U.S. and its vassal forces are the only ones that unilaterally escalates the military tension nowadays while inciting the hostile atmosphere of confrontation in the Korean peninsula,” KCNA reported. Pyongyang strongly warned that the U.S. military action poses a serious danger to the sovereignty of North Korea and will “exercise the overwhelming deterrence and continue to make the U.S. recognize that its unannounced deployment of strategic means is a reckless and unnecessary abuse of strength, and get the U.S. realize by itself that the higher the level of provocation against the DPRK is, the greater the level of danger returning to the U.S. will be.” 2025-04-17 14:27:50
  • Lee Jae-myung sparks momentum in DP primary, urges victory for hope and progress
    Lee Jae-myung sparks momentum in DP primary, urges victory for hope and progress SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a Democratic Party (DP) presidential contender, described the upcoming June 3 election as a critical junction in South Korea’s political history, calling it “a turning point between the past and the future.” Speaking at the DP’s fair election pledge ceremony held at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Lee stressed, “We must win, whoever the final candidate is, not for personal gain, but for the future of the country.” He emphasized that the DP must act as a political force that channels the people’s sovereign will and do its best to improve lives. “The Democratic Party must give everything it has for a better country and the lives of its citizens,” he said. Praising fellow candidates Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Kyoung-soo, Lee said, “Both are exceptional individuals in terms of capability and character. I am honored to run alongside them.” The April 16 event marked the official launch of the DP primary race. Meanwhile, Lee’s campaign hit its fundraising goal of 2.94 billion won ($2.05 million) in just one day, demonstrating strong grassroots support. Former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyoung-soo, also running in the primary, called for unity within the party. “It is an honor to compete with Lee Jae-myung and Kim Dong-yeon for a decisive transfer of power,” he said. “The Democratic Party has historically won when united and lost when divided.” He added, “Let this primary be a chance to establish a culture of gracefully accepting the result and committing fully to the final campaign.” Former Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who was assigned number 3 on the ballot, said, “I’m honored to have this opportunity. I will do my best to be selected as a capable economic leader and serve as an economic president.” He added, “I will work toward real change that goes beyond just a power shift—toward transformation through bold unity.” All three candidates are expected to jointly attend a memorial event for the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster. The Sewol ferry tragedy occurred on April 16, 2014, claiming 304 lives, most of them high school students. The incident triggered national grief and led to widespread criticism of the government’s disaster response. It remains a powerful symbol of public demand for safety reform and accountability in South Korea. 2025-04-16 13:48:34
  • Han Duck-soo considers independent presidential bid as parties close primary registration
    Han Duck-soo considers independent presidential bid as parties close primary registration SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo is weighing an independent run for the presidency after deciding not to join the People Power Party’s (PPP) primary race. While he has not confirmed his candidacy, political observers say he is keeping the option open. On Apr.15, both the PPP and the Democratic Party (DP) closed registration for their presidential primaries. The PPP plans to announce its final candidate by May 3, and the DP will select its nominee on April 27. The PPP’s lineup includes nine figures: former labor minister Kim Moon-soo, former justice minister Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo, lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo and Na Kyung-won, North Gyeongsang governor Lee Cheol-woo, Incheon mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja. The PPP will review documents on April 16, hold debates from April 18 to 20, and announce four finalists on April 22 based on public opinion polls. A final candidate will be named after a second vote on April 29 or during a party convention on May 3, if needed. The DP accepted registration for one day. Three candidates signed up: former party leader Lee Jae-myung, former South Gyeongsang governor Kim Kyung-soo, and Gyeonggi governor Kim Dong-yeon. The party will hold regional votes from April 19 to 27, with the winner chosen through a mix of party member votes and a public poll. Han, who has been serving as acting president since Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office on April 4, is drawing attention as a possible independent candidate. Though he did not enter the PPP race, many believe he may step forward later, positioning himself as a moderate alternative in a divided political landscape. 2025-04-15 17:59:05