S. Korean researchers capture electricity-switching moment in next-gen memory materials SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Kyungpook National University have developed a technique to observe the real-time electrical switching process within nano-devices. By rapidly melting and freezing tellurium at cryogenic temperatures, the team successfully created and stabilized amorphous tellurium, a material essential for high-speed, low-power memory. This research provides a foundational understanding of how and when electrical switching occurs, offering a new blueprint for designing efficient semiconductor materials. As artificial intelligence applications expand, computers require faster and more energy-efficient memory. The performance of these semiconductors depends on the switching principle, the mechanism by which memory materials turn electricity on and off. Tellurium has gained attention as a candidate for next-generation memory due to its ability to transition between high and low resistance states. However, tellurium is highly sensitive to heat, making it difficult to maintain its amorphous state—a disordered atomic structure similar to glass—under normal operating conditions. The research team, led by Professor Seo Jun-gi of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Professor Lee Tae-hoon of Kyungpook National University (KNU), addressed this instability by lowering the surrounding temperature to cryogenic levels. In this environment, they applied electrical current to momentarily melt tellurium and then cooled it rapidly to lock it into an amorphous state. This method allowed the researchers to compare the electrical flow of disordered amorphous tellurium with that of regularly arranged crystalline tellurium within the same device. Through this comparative analysis, the team identified that microscopic defects within the amorphous tellurium play a critical role in electrical conduction. The study revealed that switching occurs in two distinct stages: first, current increases sharply along these defects when a specific voltage is reached, and second, heat accumulates until the material melts. Previously, it was believed that the sudden increase in current was caused primarily by the melting process itself, but this research clarifies the specific roles of defects and thermal energy. The researchers also successfully demonstrated a self-oscillation phenomenon, where voltage repeatedly rises and falls while maintaining the amorphous state without excessive current. This finding indicates that stable electrical switching can be achieved using only tellurium, a single-element material, without the need for complex chemical compositions. Professor Seo Jun-gi stated that this is the first study to implement amorphous tellurium in an actual device environment and clarify the switching principle. He noted that the research sets a new standard for the study of next-generation memory and switching materials. Heo Nam-uk, a student in the integrated master's and doctoral program at KAIST, served as the lead author. The study was published online in Nature Communications on January 13. (Paper information) Journal: Nature Communications Title: On-device cryogenic quenching enables robust amorphous tellurium for threshold switching DOI: https://bit.ly/4knBqqs 2026-02-08 12:00:00

Pyongyang highlights military role in national development on army anniversary SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - North Korea has marked the 78th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces on February 8, with state media calling for the military to guarantee national prosperity ahead of a major political gathering. The Workers' Party of Korea is scheduled to hold its ninth congress in Pyongyang later this month. The event, held every five years, is the highest decision-making body of the state and is expected to outline new development goals while reinforcing the country’s security posture. An editorial in the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party, stated that the Korean People's Army must maintain its political and military power to match the status of the state. The publication urged the military to provide a strong defense for the party and people as they move toward what it described as a new stage of socialist development. "The struggle of our party and people to raise the phase of national prosperity to a new high level must be firmly guaranteed by powerful arms," the editorial said. It added that the military has successfully suppressed challenges and threats from hostile forces to ensure the safety and rights of the people. The state also emphasized the military's involvement in domestic economic projects, particularly the Regional Development 20x10 Policy. This initiative involves the military in the construction of local factories across the country. North Korea has newly organized 20 units known as the 124th Regiments, with each regiment assigned to a specific construction site. The editorial called on the personnel of the 124th Regiments to act as the vanguard of the new year's struggle and to fulfill their duties in expanding the regional revolution. February 8 commemorates the date in 1948 when the Korean People's Army held its official founding ceremony in Pyongyang. North Korea recognized this date as its Army Day until 1977, after which it moved the anniversary to April 25 to mark the 1932 formation of anti-Japanese guerrillas by Kim Il-sung. The country returned to observing the February 8 anniversary in 2018. 2026-02-08 10:06:33

Weverse hits record growth as BTS and BLACKPINK return to global stage SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - The return of K-pop’s most influential acts, BTS and BLACKPINK, has fueled a significant surge in user engagement for Weverse, the global fan community platform. According to the 2025 Weverse Fandom Trend report released on February 6, the platform reached several new milestones in user growth and activity over the past year. The resurgence was most visible following the military discharge of BTS members in June last year. New followers for the group’s community spiked by over 300 percent compared to the previous month, with the total follower count surpassing 30 million in July. Similarly, BLACKPINK became the first girl group on the platform to exceed 10 million followers in January. The group also recorded the highest digital product sales on the platform following the announcement of their latest world tour. Driven by these major names, Weverse reported a monthly active user count of over 12 million. The platform now hosts 178 different artists and recorded 200 million viewers for its live streaming service, Weverse Live, with cumulative views reaching 1 billion. User retention also improved, with the average monthly time spent on the app rising to 263 minutes, up from 237 minutes the previous year. The platform’s growth extends well beyond South Korean acts. KATSEYE, a girl group formed through a joint venture between HYBE and Geffen Records, saw its average Weverse Live viewership grow by 490 percent, with its community surpassing 2 million members. The Japan-based boy group &TEAM also maintained high engagement, conducting 199 live broadcasts over the year. Weverse further noted a significant expansion in Latin America, where sales of digital products surged by more than 700 percent. Weverse, launched in 2019, is the flagship service of Weverse Company, a subsidiary of HYBE. HYBE is the South Korean entertainment giant behind BTS and houses multiple labels including Pledis Entertainment, ADOR, and Source Music. While initially focused on HYBE’s own roster, the platform has evolved into a global ecosystem by integrating artists from rival agencies and international labels. This includes major Western artists such as Ariana Grande and Conan Gray, as well as Japanese acts like YOASOBI and AKB48. The report highlighted that fans are increasingly evolving into "super fans" through active communication tools such as Weverse DM and digital memberships. Large-scale communities with over 3 million members increased from five in 2024 to nine last year, while total merchandise sales through Weverse Shop rose from 20.6 million to 25.2 million items. Weverse stated that the platform has proven to be a space where fans can discover and expand the joy of fandom activities tailored to their own preferences. The company plans to continue focusing on the fandom experience to allow fans to interact more deeply with artists. 2026-02-06 17:13:35

BTS, ENHYPEN, and SEVENTEEN lead Parrot Analytics global demand rankings for 2025 SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - BTS has been named the most popular act in the global entertainment market for 2025, according to a year-end report from Parrot Analytics. The group spearheaded a dominant year for the South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, with labelmates ENHYPEN and SEVENTEEN also securing spots within the top 10. The 2025 annual report, "What Audiences Loved in 2025," ranked BTS at the top of the "Talents of the Year Under 30" category. ENHYPEN took second place, while SEVENTEEN followed at number eight. These rankings are based on "Average Demand," a standardized metric developed by Parrot Analytics to quantify audience attention. Unlike traditional charts that focus solely on sales or streams, this data captures a wide range of engagement signals—including social media activity, search engine queries, and fan research—to measure the total global demand for a specific artist or brand. Parrot Analytics noted that BTS remained a focal point of global interest throughout 2025. Despite a period of limited group activities, the group saw repeated spikes in demand driven by the annual "BTS FESTA" and various solo projects from individual members. The report suggested that the group has reached a level of fame where its brand functions as a permanent piece of cultural infrastructure. ENHYPEN's high ranking was attributed to its successful transition to larger global venues. Following a performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the group launched its "WALK THE LINE" world tour, which consisted of 29 shows across 18 cities. According to data from the tour, the group drew approximately 676,000 attendees, including its encore performances in South Korea. SEVENTEEN also saw significant commercial success, with its fifth studio album, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," peaking at number two on the Billboard 200. The group's tour activities attracted more than 1.26 million fans across 38 performances worldwide. Its 10th-anniversary event, "B-DAY PARTY," saw over 352,000 visitors attend a special exhibition and solo stage at Seoul's Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park. The report concluded that K-pop artists are leading a shift in the global market toward consumption models driven by digital culture and highly active fandoms. Following this period of sustained global demand, BTS is scheduled to return to the stage as a full group on March 21. The comeback performance, titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," will take place at 8 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The event marks the release of the group's new 14-track album, "ARIRANG," which arrives on March 20. According to BigHit Music and reports from Netflix, the concert will be broadcast live to more than 190 countries, marking the first time a live solo concert from South Korea has been streamed globally on the platform. 2026-02-06 16:49:20

RIIZE member Shotaro to miss Macau concert amid worsening China-Japan friction SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Shotaro, a Japanese member of the K-pop boy group RIIZE, will not participate in the group's upcoming world tour performance in Macau, organizers announced Friday. The sudden withdrawal comes just one day before the scheduled event, as diplomatic and trade tensions between Beijing and Tokyo continue to impact the entertainment industry. In a statement posted to social media, the Macau concert production team confirmed that Shotaro would be absent from the RIIZING LOUD world tour stops on February 7 and 8. "All staff members made thorough preparations in advance so that every member could attend, but due to unavoidable and unexpected circumstances, Shotaro will not be able to participate," the organizer stated. "We once again sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the change in the lineup." While the production team did not provide a specific reason for the absence, industry observers attribute the move to the volatile geopolitical climate. All other members of RIIZE departed from South Korea's Incheon International Airport for Macau early on Friday, leaving Shotaro as the only member excluded from the trip. The situation mirrors a growing trend in the Chinese-speaking region, where K-pop events featuring Japanese performers have faced abrupt cancellations or lineup changes. In December 2025, girl band LE SSERAFIM canceled a fan signing event in Shanghai, with many pointing to the presence of Japanese members Sakura and Kazuha as the cause. Similar exclusions occurred with boy band Close Your Eyes, which held a Hangzhou fan meeting without Japanese member Kenshin. These incidents follow a historical pattern of Beijing using cultural access as diplomatic leverage, similar to the 2016 "Hallyu ban" following the deployment of the THAAD missile system in South Korea. The current friction, dubbed by some as a "No-Japan" cultural order, was largely triggered in November 2025 by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae regarding Taiwan's security. Beijing viewed the remarks as a provocation, leading to retaliatory measures including trade restrictions and unofficial curbs on Japanese cultural exports. 2026-02-06 16:25:21

Blockchain expert says adoption in banking is shifting toward financial infrastructure SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Global financial institutions are increasingly viewing stablecoins and tokenized deposits as essential infrastructure rather than speculative assets, according to Xin Yan, co-founder and chief executive officer of Sign, a blockchain technology company. This shift is driven by the demand for programmable money that can function natively on-chain. Unlike traditional fiat currency, which relies on fragmented legacy systems, on-chain assets allow for direct settlement, payments, and collateralization without the need for manual intervention. Earlier concerns regarding the technical resilience of blockchain networks have largely subsided. The infrastructure supporting stablecoins has been tested through multiple market cycles and real-world applications. The primary challenges remaining are legal and regulatory, as many jurisdictions have yet to establish frameworks that recognize digital representations of sovereign currency. Xin Yan expects 2026 to bring significant regulatory clarification, moving the industry from debating the existence of these assets to integrating them into the formal monetary system. To scale these systems, financial institutions must bridge the gap between asset settlement speed and compliance verification. While blockchain transactions occur in seconds, identity and compliance checks often still rely on manual processes. The immediate priority for governments and institutions is the transition of identity and entity proofs into digital, verifiable credentials. This digitization allows records to be accessed and verified on-chain instantly, matching the speed of the underlying assets. The long-term role of these technologies is the comprehensive digitization of the global financial system. Whether through stablecoins, tokenized deposits, or central bank digital currencies, the objective is to remove friction from capital movement. Xin Yan notes that successful implementation will likely be invisible to the general public. Instead of focusing on the underlying blockchain technology, users will experience faster business operations and instant money movement. This efficiency is intended to increase the turnover of capital and improve the fluidity of global trade. Trust remains a central factor in the adoption of on-chain systems. For large banks, enterprise blockchain networks offer a more transparent and easier-to-track environment than legacy ledgers. These systems allow for layered data access, ensuring that information is shared only with authorized parties. By moving information flow onto a blockchain, banks can reduce maintenance costs and eliminate the need for large teams to reconcile different ledgers. The automated and transparent nature of these records also makes fraudulent activity more difficult to execute, potentially strengthening the existing trust advantage held by traditional financial institutions. 2026-02-06 14:59:11

Kazakhstan unveils draft of new constitution for nationwide referendum SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan has released details regarding a new draft constitution that proposes a comprehensive transformation of the nation's political and legal framework. Initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the reform moves beyond simple amendments to establish a new governance model that will be finalized through a nationwide referendum. The push for a new constitution follows a proposal made by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his Address to the Nation on September 8, 2025. A 130-member Constitutional Commission, including legal experts, civil society representatives, and government officials, reviewed more than 2,000 public proposals submitted via digital platforms. Because the revisions affected 77 articles—roughly 84 percent of the existing document—the commission elected to draft an entirely new text to reflect the country's evolving political landscape. At the core of the proposed changes is a fundamental restructuring of the legislative and executive branches. The draft establishes a unicameral parliament, known as the Kurultai, consisting of 145 deputies elected through a proportional representation system for five-year terms. This system is intended to strengthen the institutional development and accountability of political parties. Additionally, the reform introduces the position of vice president, who will represent the president in dealings with various domestic and international organizations. Legal protections for citizens are significantly expanded under the new draft. It enshrines the Miranda rule and the presumption of innocence into the constitution while prohibiting the retroactive application of laws that impose new burdens on citizens. The document also introduces specific protections for the legal profession and intellectual property. In the digital sphere, the constitution for the first time addresses the protection of citizens' rights within the digital environment, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing human capital and innovation. Social and values-based provisions are also clarified in the 95-article text. The draft reinforces the secular nature of the state by clearly separating religion from government and public education. It defines marriage as a voluntary and equal union between a man and a woman, a move framed as a measure to protect traditional values and strengthen the legal protection of women's rights. The preamble now identifies human rights and freedoms as the highest priority of the state, serving as the guiding principle for all subsequent articles. The drafting process involved open broadcasts of commission meetings to maintain public transparency. While the new text marks a significant departure from the previous governance structure, the draft acknowledges the role of the existing constitution in the history and state-building of Kazakhstan. Public consultation remains open through the e-Otinish and eGov digital platforms. The Constitutional Commission is continuing its work to refine the draft before the document is put to a final vote by the citizens of Kazakhstan. 2026-02-06 14:27:11

KAIST researchers uncover secret of anticancer compound production in native Korean shrub SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have identified the core process by which the native Korean plant Flueggea suffruticosa, commonly known as leaf flower or gwangdaessari, produces securinine, a compound known for its anticancer properties. The discovery, made after 70 years of scientific uncertainty, provides a foundation for the stable production of anticancer substances using synthetic biology. KAIST announced on January 30 that a joint research team led by Professor Kim Sang-kyu from the Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Han Sun-kyu from the Department of Chemistry has mapped the biosynthetic pathway of securinine-type alkaloids. These substances were first discovered in the leaf flower in 1956, and while more than 130 related compounds have since been reported, the mechanism of their formation within the plant remained unknown. The leaf flower is a shrub commonly found in the mountains and fields of the Korean Peninsula. Its leaves and roots have long been used as traditional medicine in Northeast Asia. Among the alkaloids it produces, securinine has demonstrated efficacy in killing tumor cells and assisting in nerve regeneration by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Alkaloids like securinine, morphine, and caffeine are highly complex molecules, making the identification of their biosynthetic pathways—the step-by-step process involving various enzymes—extremely difficult. To solve this, the KAIST team combined chemical synthesis expertise with single-cell transcriptomics. The researchers analyzed the genome of plants collected from the KAIST Ecological Forest in Seongnam. By using single-cell analysis on leaf tissues where securinine production is most active, they tracked which genes were expressed in specific cells. Simultaneously, the chemistry team synthesized virosine B, a predicted precursor, to observe how it transforms within the leaf flower. The study revealed that a specific group of enzymes called sulfotransferases plays a critical role in reshaping the molecular skeleton of the precursor into securinine. Previously, sulfotransferases were primarily thought to assist in making substances more soluble or easier to break down. This research marks the first documented case where these enzymes actively remodel an alkaloid scaffold. The researchers also found that the genes responsible for this process are concentrated in the vascular bundle cells of the leaf flower. This specialized cellular environment coordinates the production of amino acids and necessary co-factors to facilitate the synthesis of these high-value compounds. "This research identifies the molecular formation of high-value natural products found in native Korean plants," Professors Kim Sang-kyu and Han Sun-kyu said. "It establishes a basis for the stable production of anticancer substances using microbes or cells, which can lead to various medical applications." The study, featuring co-first authors Dr. Jeong Seong-jun, Dr. Kang Kyu-min, and doctoral student Kim Tae-in, was published in the journal Nature Communications on January 23. (Paper information) Journal: Nature Communications (IF 15.7) Title: Chemically guided single-cell transcriptomics reveals sulfotransferase-mediated scaffold remodeling in securinine biosynthesis DOI: https://bit.ly/4azf4iz 2026-02-06 11:17:01

Marco Landi says AI will expand cinematic creativity as festival moves to South Korea SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Marco Landi, the former president of Apple and a leading figure in the global artificial intelligence sector, says the technology should be viewed as a tool for augmented imagination rather than a threat to human creativity. Landi, who currently serves as the president of Institut EuropIA and founded the World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), shared his vision for the future of cinema and technology during a recent interview. His remarks come as the festival prepares to expand to South Korea in 2026, marking a significant step in his mission to build a global ecosystem for AI-driven storytelling. With a career spanning leadership roles at Texas Instruments and Apple, Landi has spent decades at the intersection of innovation and culture. He established the House of Artificial Intelligence in 2021 to promote education and inclusion, particularly for women and young creators. He later launched the World AI Cannes Festival to explore how AI transforms specific industries, with cinema emerging as a primary focus. "Film is a powerful lens because it brings together storytelling, emotion, music, image, and culture," Landi said. "Our goal is not a technological revolution that erases tradition, but a thoughtful transition that preserves Europe’s rich cinematic heritage while helping creators embrace new tools." The inaugural WAIFF in 2025 received 1,500 submissions from around the world in just three months. Landi noted that AI is radically lowering the barriers to entry for filmmakers, allowing creators to produce high-quality work with significantly smaller budgets. The decision to bring the festival to South Korea follows a surge of international interest. Landi emphasized that the Seoul edition is designed as a two-way bridge to foster cross-cultural exchange between South Korean creators and international filmmakers. "Every country brings its own cultural perspective, sensibility, and storytelling tradition," Landi said. "By sharing these experiences, we enrich one another. Cinema becomes a space of dialogue rather than competition." Addressing concerns about the ethical implications of AI, Landi stressed the importance of governance and the protection of intellectual property. He said WAIFF is developing an ethical charter to ensure creators are fairly rewarded and their work is respected. "AI is not here to replace creativity," Landi said, citing a conversation with musician Jean-Michel Jarre. "It is a tool that helps imagination move faster, reach further, and materialize ideas more efficiently." Landi's philosophy on technology leadership remains rooted in principles he observed during his time at Apple. He cited the influence of Steve Jobs, noting that technology must be effective enough for people to want to use it and beautiful enough for them to want to own it. As the festival grows, Landi hopes to reach at least 50 countries within three years. He envisions WAIFF as an ecosystem that connects creators, investors, and distributors while fostering sustainable business models for the new film industry. Traditional filmmaking and AI-assisted creation can coexist and enrich one another, Landi said. He noted that the festival aims to reach at least 50 countries within three years as it builds a broader structure dedicated to education and ethics. 2026-02-05 10:48:01

KAIST researchers create faster AI chip to speed up YouTube-style recommendations SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new AI chip called AutoGNN that makes digital recommendation systems significantly faster and more energy-efficient. The technology speeds up the way computers analyze complex connections, such as those used to suggest videos on YouTube or detect credit card fraud. Professor Jung Myoung-soo and his team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) School of Electrical Engineering solved a major technical problem that usually slows down artificial intelligence. Before an AI can make a recommendation, it has to organize a massive pile of messy data—a step called preprocessing. This preparation phase is so slow that it takes up nearly 90 percent of the total processing time, creating a digital bottleneck that even powerful Nvidia chips struggle to clear. The team created a semiconductor that acts like a shape-shifter. Unlike standard chips that have a fixed internal layout, AutoGNN changes its own internal circuitry in real time to match the specific shape of the data it is analyzing. It uses two specialized parts: one to pick out the right data and another to count and organize it instantly. In testing, this new technology was 2.1 times faster than high-end Nvidia graphics chips and 9 times faster than a standard computer processor. It also used 3.3 times less electricity, making it both faster and greener for large data centers. Because the chip adjusts itself automatically, it can handle different types of information without slowing down. This could lead to more accurate real-time results for social media apps, banking security systems, and even the development of new medicines. The research was presented on February 4 at the IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture in Sydney, Australia. (Paper information) Journal: IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA 2026) Title: AutoGNN: End-to-End Hardware-Driven Graph Preprocessing for Enhanced GNN Performance DOI: https://bit.ly/4avvoRj 2026-02-05 09:24:54