India's ambassador joins lantern lighting in Seoul to mark Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - India’s Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar and his spouse participated in a lantern lighting ceremony at Dongguk University in Seoul on Apr. 9 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Buddha. The event, organized by Dongguk University with the participation of the Embassy of India in the Republic of Korea, was attended by over 500 people and featured the lighting of 16,000 lanterns. “This celebration holds profound meaning for both India and Korea,” Ambassador Kumar said during an opening speech session. “In India, there is deep reverence for the teachings and philosophy of Lord Buddha. As the land of his enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana, India is home to some of the most sacred sites in Buddhism, visited by thousands of South Korean pilgrims every year.” Held on the university’s campus, the ceremony symbolized the spiritual and cultural ties between India and South Korea, brought to life by the sea of lanterns representing compassion and wisdom. The ambassador noted the unique civilizational journey of Buddhism across Asia, not by conquest, but through monks, scholars, and seekers. “Lord Buddha’s core teachings, the Middle Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path, offer timeless guidance in today’s turbulent world,” he said. “They speak to inner peace amidst anxiety, non-violence in times of conflict, and mindful living in an age of distraction.” The ambassador also reflected on the deep-rooted Buddhist connections between the two countries, citing architectural influence from India in early Silla temples, and the historic journey of Korean monk Hyecho, who traveled to India in the 8th century and wrote one of the earliest foreign travelogues of the country. During his visit to South Korea, Ambassador Kumar said he had the opportunity to visit several temples and praised the country’s rich Buddhist history. He added that India is prioritizing restoration and development of major pilgrimage sites and working with partner countries like South Korea to preserve manuscripts, promote academic research, and expand spiritual tourism. He also highlighted the Indian government’s recent decision to designate Pali, a language used by Buddha, as a classical language. Citing recent examples of India-South Korea Buddhist exchanges, Kumar mentioned the 2021 donation of a statue of Buddha to Tongdosa Temple, which was founded by monks who had traveled to India. The temple was built near Mount Yeongchuk, whose shape resembles the Rajgir mountain range where Buddha preached the Dhamma. In 2023, more than 100 senior monks from South Korea’s Jogye Order undertook a 1,200-kilometer pilgrimage across India’s sacred Buddhist sites to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. “I was privileged to meet them in Lucknow, where the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh hosted them,” he said. Reflecting on the ceremony itself, Ambassador Kumar said, “I am deeply moved by the 16,000 lanterns lit today, each symbolizing a prayer, a hope, and a commitment to compassion.” Quoting Buddha, he added, “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single flame, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” 2025-04-14 16:07:05

Indonesia attracts S. Korean beauty industry to Bali expo SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - The Embassy of Indonesia in South Korea hosted a briefing session on Monday to promote the upcoming "Bali Wellness and Beauty Expo 2025," inviting around 50 South Korean business operators from the beauty, cosmetics, wellness, and travel sectors. The event was held at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul and served as a platform to introduce the inaugural expo and possible collaboration opportunities between the two countries. “This expo aims to strengthen Bali’s position as a leading destination for wellness and beauty tourism, not only in Asia but globally,” said Zelda Wulan Kartika, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Indonesia. “We hope this event will serve as a bridge for collaboration between Indonesian and Korean businesses, and we warmly invite Korean participants to attend the expo and experience the healing traditions and innovation Bali has to offer.” The Bali Wellness and Beauty Expo 2025 is scheduled to take place from June 27 to 29 at the Bali Beach Convention Center in Sanur. Under the theme “Grow Well in Bali: Where Wellness Becomes Beauty,” the event is officially supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Bali Province and will include exhibitions, workshops, networking sessions, talk shows, private demonstrations, and cultural programs. Feri Agustian Soleh, Co-founder and Project Manager at MELALI MICE -- the organizing company behind the expo -- presented detailed information about the event. He emphasized Bali’s infrastructure and cultural assets as key strengths for wellness tourism, noting that Sanur offers a peaceful atmosphere with sunrise views and new resort developments. “Indonesia is a major global exporter of essential oils,” Feri said, highlighting that the country produces over 90 percent of the world’s patchouli oil and large shares of nutmeg, clove, and citronella oils. He encouraged South Korean businesses to recognize Indonesia’s role in supplying raw materials used in many K-beauty products. More than 25 exhibitors have already registered for the event, including members of the Indonesian Aromatherapy and Moringa Associations, according to the event organizer. The venue features 3,750 square meters of exhibition space and can accommodate up to 5,000 visitors. MELALI MICE, based in Bali, has nearly 20 years of experience in tourism and event management. Feri also introduced members of the expo advisory board, including Korean aromatherapy expert Louis Lee. The Indonesian Embassy and organizers said they are looking forward to welcoming more South Korean participants to the event in June and fostering stronger ties between the two countries’ wellness and beauty sectors. 2025-04-14 15:13:31

Studio Meta-K secures Series A investment from Korea Investment Partners to lead future of AI-powered content SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - Studio Meta-K, a South Korean startup specializing in AI-based content IP production, announced on April 10 that it has raised 2 billion won from Korea Investment Partners as part of a 3 billion won Series A funding round. The investment aims to support the company’s efforts to revolutionize content production using proprietary AI and virtual human technologies. Studio Meta-K describes itself as South Korea’s first full-service studio to combine artificial intelligence with original content IP. The company is actively introducing generative AI into the production of dramas, films, commercials, and music videos—enhancing both efficiency and creativity. Its high-quality visuals are often indistinguishable from live-action footage, offering a compelling solution for South Korea’s drama industry, which has been struggling under rising production costs. Recognized for its innovation, Studio Meta-K has been selected for several major support programs, including TIPS by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and NVIDIA’s Inception Program. It is also working on collaborative projects with leading South Korean broadcasters and corporations. “The AI content production capabilities and virtual human technologies of Studio Meta-K are poised to become key drivers of the future content ecosystem, going far beyond today’s market,” said Kim Hee-jin, Senior Team Leader at Korea Investment Partners. “This investment will help accelerate their innovation and global expansion in content production.” The new funding will be used not only for further development of advanced AI technology but also for strengthening the company’s content production infrastructure and building global marketing strategies. Studio Meta-K plans to extend its business beyond AI-driven drama production into advertising, film, music videos, and virtual human content. As the digital content industry continues to evolve rapidly with AI at its core, Korea Investment Partners’ backing is expected to further bolster Studio Meta-K’s creative and technical edge. Industry experts say that AI-assisted drama production offers the potential to reduce costs while delivering high-quality results, making it an increasingly competitive format in the global market. Korea Investment Partners noted that this investment also reflects its broader goal of diversifying its portfolio and deepening engagement with innovative technology startups. Market watchers are now paying attention to whether this partnership will help spark meaningful transformation across South Korea’s content industry. 2025-04-11 15:02:50

Retail sector embraces EHS audits as ESG risk management gains ground SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s retail industry is ramping up efforts to introduce Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) audits, reflecting a broader shift toward ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices and long-term sustainability. Previously concentrated in manufacturing, EHS audits are now being expanded to include non-manufacturing sites such as retail stores, logistics centers, and corporate offices. The trend is gaining momentum as global consumer goods and retail companies seek to strengthen supply chain oversight and enhance brand credibility. Several international firms, including major fashion SPA brands, have recently launched formal EHS audits at their operations in South Korea. These assessments cover a wide range of risk factors, including emergency response systems, workplace safety, first-aid preparedness, chemical handling and storage, and third-party logistics (3PL) management. South Korean consulting firm ELPS has been leading these projects, carrying out multi-day inspections at retail locations, logistics hubs, and head offices in the Seoul metropolitan area. The company has also conducted regular EHS audits for flagship stores operated by global luxury and tech brands, responding to growing demand for ESG-based evaluations across the retail sector. "EHS risks in the retail industry are increasingly tied to brand trust and investment appeal," said Park Joon-soo, director at ELPS, who oversaw the recent audits. "Beyond regulatory pressures like the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, retailers must now address rising expectations from consumers and investors through systematic audits and tailored risk management strategies." In Europe and North America, EHS audit outcomes are already considered key benchmarks for brand valuation, supply chain agreements, and investment decisions. That international standard is prompting South Korean companies to build more sophisticated risk management systems and pursue objective validation of their ESG practices. As ESG management becomes a necessity rather than a choice, thorough EHS audits are emerging as a critical factor in ensuring long-term sustainability for retail and service businesses alike. 2025-04-11 14:34:11

Military battles unidentified wildfire in DMZ near Goseong SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - A wildfire has started in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the front-line area of Goseong, Gangwon Province, prompting South Korea's military to engage in a firefighting operation. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Friday, the fire was first detected around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in the DMZ area of Goseong. Two firefighting helicopters from the Korea Forest Service were dispatched to extinguish the blaze at about 6:30 a.m. on Friday. "We have issued a prior announcement to the North via loudspeaker broadcasts before the helicopters were deployed," the JCS said in a statement. "There have been no reported casualties or damage to military facilities on our side, and firefighting efforts south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) are proceeding smoothly." The JCS added that the military is closely monitoring movements from the North and maintaining a heightened state of readiness. 2025-04-11 10:44:46

Jeju 4·3 Archives inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World program SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - The Jeju 4·3 Archives have been officially inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World program, marking global recognition of the historical tragedy and the island’s long journey toward truth, reconciliation, and remembrance. The decision was adopted during the 221st session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, held in Paris on Apr. 10 (local time). The listing, under the title “Revealing Truth: Jeju 4·3 Archives,” acknowledges the historical value, authenticity, and universal importance of the records documenting one of South Korea’s darkest chapters. Submitted by Jeju Province and the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation in November 2023, the archive comprises 14,673 documents including military court trial records, handwritten postcards from prison, firsthand testimonies from survivors and bereaved families, civic society campaigns, and three official government investigation reports. The Jeju Uprising, also known as the Jeju 4·3 Incident, began on Apr. 3, 1948, as protests against separate elections planned in South Korea. It escalated into an armed conflict and a brutal state-led counterinsurgency campaign. Over the course of several years, tens of thousands of civilians were killed, and entire villages were destroyed. Historians estimate that between 14,000 and 30,000 people, about 10 percent of Jeju’s population at the time, lost their lives. Long suppressed under authoritarian rule, the events remained taboo for decades. A government truth commission in the early 2000s led to official acknowledgment, apologies, and compensation. The UNESCO listing is now seen as a milestone in international recognition of efforts to reckon with the past. “The inscription of the Jeju 4·3 Archives is a meaningful moment in which the historical journey of the people of Jeju, who healed the pain and achieved reconciliation, has become a heritage for the world,” Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun said. He vowed to continue collecting and preserving related records, and to use them as educational materials for future generations. UNESCO’s International Advisory Committee described the archives as highlighting “efforts to uncover truth in the face of state violence” and praised the community’s democratic commitment to peace and healing. With this inscription, Jeju Province now holds five UNESCO designations: Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage, Global Geopark, Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Memory of the World. 2025-04-11 09:41:47

Kazakh Kurultai in Seoul brings together diaspora communities across Asia SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - The second Kurultai of Kazakhs in Asia was held in South Korea from Apr. 5 to 6, drawing over 200 participants from ethnic Kazakh communities in Korea, Malaysia, Japan, China, and Mongolia, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea said Wednesday. A Kurultai is a traditional assembly rooted in Turkic and Mongol cultures, historically convened to discuss important political, social, or cultural matters. In the modern context, the Kurultai serves as a platform for uniting the global Kazakh diaspora and preserving cultural heritage while promoting dialogue and cooperation. Organized by the Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul, the Otandastar Foundation, and the Qazaq Nomad Kazakh Association, the event was hosted at the Global Campus of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, the event aimed to reinforce cultural bonds and expand economic collaboration between Kazakhstan and Asian countries. The assembly featured a range of cultural and economic programs. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Nurgali Arystanov noted the expanding partnership between the two nations, citing South Korea as Kazakhstan’s third-largest investor in 2024, with $1.2 billion in investments and 876 Korean-funded companies operating in the country. Ambassador Arystanov also highlighted deepening people-to-people exchanges, including 13 weekly direct flights, 40,180 Korean tourists visiting Kazakhstan in 2024 -- up 12 percent from the previous year -- and 53,224 Kazakhs traveling to South Korea, an 8 percent year-on-year rise. The first day featured a cultural and economic conference, including presentations on traditional Kazakh jewelry and cuisine, and a performance by singer Zhubanysh Zheksenuly. The day also included South Korea’s first Kazakh-language public speaking contest. Seven students from Hankuk University's Department of Central Asian Studies competed, with sophomore Lee Seo-yeon winning first prize -- a round-trip ticket to Kazakhstan and hotel stay. On April 6, the second day of the Kurultai, participants celebrated Nauryz, the Kazakh New Year, with folk music, dance, and displays of traditional attire and cuisine. The event provided a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and affirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening ties with its diaspora communities and regional partners in Asia. 2025-04-10 10:53:05

[[UPDATE]] Lee Jae-myung confirms presidential run, pledging to lead a 'real Korea' with K-Initiative vision SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, former leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, officially declared his candidacy for president on Thursday, becoming the first prominent figure to launch a bid following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a video message, Lee vowed to build a “real Korea” that leads the world under a new K-Initiative vision focused on economic growth, life-centered values, and diplomacy based on national interest. The announcement came just six days after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled to remove Yoon from office, marking the second presidential impeachment in South Korea’s history after Park Geun-hye in 2017. The early presidential election is scheduled for Jun. 3. Lee’s declaration was made in an 11-minute, 37-second documentary-style video filmed in the aftermath of Yoon’s impeachment. “I am running for president to create a real Korea,” Lee said in the video. He outlined three key objectives of his campaign -- economic growth, prioritizing life and safety, and diplomacy centered on national interests. By highlighting economic growth as his foremost priority, Lee appeared to position himself toward moderate voters. He emphasized his practical policy approach -- coined as "Meoksanism" and "Jalsanism" -- which combines speedy implementation and pragmatism, signaling his readiness to govern. Lee previously ran for president in 2017 and 2022. His candidacy comes after a period of political resurgence. On Apr. 4, the Constitutional Court ruled to remove President Yoon for abuse of power and unconstitutional use of military force related to the martial law incident of Dec. 2024. The impeachment trial concluded that Yoon violated core democratic principles by deploying troops to block the National Assembly and ordering restrictions on civil liberties. Despite facing multiple legal risks in the past, including allegations of false statements and corruption, Lee recently cleared a major hurdle when an appeals court acquitted him on election law violation charges. In 2024, he survived a near-fatal stabbing attack during a public appearance, which triggered a wave of sympathy and renewed support. He now enters the race as the frontrunner, with recent March polling by Flower Research showing him with 46.3 percent support -- more than four times that of the next most popular candidate, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), who polled at 9.7 percent. In the same survey, Lee led in all age groups except those aged 70 and older, and in every region, including conservative strongholds like Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. Among moderates, Lee secured 47.2 percent support, while progressive respondents backed him by 79.2 percent. Conservative support was fragmented among PPP candidates, with Kim Moon-soo at 20.9 percent, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon at 11.5 percent, and former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon at 9.0 percent. The poll was conducted on March 28–29 with a sample of 1,001 adults, and a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. 2025-04-10 09:48:32

INTERVIEW: Peruvian envoy highlights APEC collaboration, green cooperation and cultural ties with Korea SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Paul Duclos, Ambassador of Peru to South Korea, praised the evolving partnership between the two nations, describing it as “an excellent relationship that has adapted itself over time to changing bilateral and global interests.” In an interview held on Apr. 8, the ambassador reflected on over six decades of diplomatic ties, emphasized multilateral collaboration through Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and detailed strategic areas for future cooperation. “We’re now in the 62nd year of diplomatic relations,” Duclos said. “Some of the milestones include our 2011 Free Trade Agreement and the 2012 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which expanded our collaboration into areas like defense, digital transformation, and environmental issues.” Last year, Peru held the APEC chairmanship and passed it on to South Korea. Duclos noted that Peru had successfully restored consensus-based decision-making within APEC during its tenure. “We could approve up to 20 deliverables, including the Machu Picchu Declaration and the Isma Statement on free trade and investment in the region,” he said, adding: “We also introduced APEC for the Citizen, making sure citizens benefited from expert visits through community events and educational outreach.” He confirmed that Peru has been closely coordinating with South Korea’s APEC team to share this experience. “Our senior official continued to work with the Korean side during the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in February. Both teams are passing on positive and good practices.” Duclos stressed the growing opportunities in trade and investment, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and technology. “Peru offers a very important free trade agreement network -- almost 90 to 95 percent of our trade is covered under FTAs, including with Korea,” he said. He pointed to SK Innovation’s gas production in Camisea and Hyundai’s involvement in the new airport in Cusco as examples of active South Korean investment. In the green sector, hydrogen was highlighted as a new frontier for collaboration. “We’ve been talking with Korean investors on how to jointly work on hydrogen. During our APEC presidency, we made it a deliverable to improve the use of hydrogen in the region,” Duclos said. On critical minerals, the ambassador noted progress following former President Yoon’s visit to Peru during the APEC Leaders’ Summit in 2024. “Peru was officially mentioned as a stable and strategic supplier of critical minerals like zinc and copper,” he said. “This will become another pillar in our cooperation.” The ambassador also pointed to growing cultural exchanges as a bridge between the two countries. “Last year, we were the invited country at the Andong Mask Festival. We brought a K-pop-style artist who sings in Quechua, our native language. It was his first time in Korea, and he performed both in Seoul and Andong,” he recalled. He also highlighted the debut of a K-pop-style girl group trained in Korea, now enjoying success in Peru. Peru is expanding cultural outreach across South Korean cities. “We’re organizing photo and art exhibitions not only in Seoul but also in Busan, Daejeon, Gangwon, and Gyeongju,” he said, mentioning photographer Roberto Huarcaya’s installation currently displayed at the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul. “It’s a monumental exhibit using photosensitive paper and light. Truly one-of-a-kind.” Education is also rising on the bilateral agenda, with about 150 Peruvian students in South Korea, many in engineering and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. “We see each student as an ambassador,” he said. “We support them with cultural materials and help them organize events to introduce Peru to Korean communities.” South Korean universities have also traveled to Peru to promote study programs, and the Sejong Institute recently opened a branch at Universidad de San Marcos. Looking ahead, Duclos sees digital transformation as a crucial area of cooperation. “Since 2021, Korea has supported Peru through a digital governance cooperation center. We are glad that during Korea’s APEC presidency, digital issues are among the top priorities,” he said. Duclos also emphasized mutual values and a resilient partnership. “We both prioritize multilateralism and free trade. This APEC back-to-back leadership allows us to align our voices on global challenges,” he said. “This is a resilient relationship that’s only going to grow.” 2025-04-09 17:37:45

DeeprRoute.ai CEO touts AI-native driving system as industry game-changer SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - Maxwell Zhou, CEO of Chinese autonomous driving company DeeprRoute.ai, has showcased the company’s end-to-end AI-powered technology during his keynote speech at the Seoul Mobility Show held at KINTEX northwest of Seoul on Tuesday, saying the firm’s Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model has ushered in a new era of scalability, transparency, and human-level decision-making in smart driving systems. “This is not just a technological shift,” Zhou said during his keynote speech during the Seoul Mobility Show's forum session, adding: “This is a revolution for robotics and mobility.” Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Shenzhen, DeeprRoute.ai has quickly emerged as a key player in the smart mobility space in China, backed by more than $500 million in funding from investors including Alibaba Group and Great Wall Motor. Zhou noted that DeeprRoute.ai has already deployed its system across more than 40,000 vehicles and is on track to integrate the technology into over 10 new vehicle models this year. At the heart of DeeprRoute’s innovation is the VLA model, which Zhou described as a “generalized AI system” capable of understanding long-term driving contexts and delivering step-by-step, transparent decision-making. The system fuses visual inputs, textual prompts, and navigation data into one cohesive behavioral output, guiding vehicles not only with precision but also with an explanation of why each decision was made. “In traditional systems, decisions are made silently,” Zhou said. “But with our VLA model, the car tells you why it slows down, why it yields to pedestrians, or why it chooses a particular lane. It’s like having a thinking co-pilot.” This transparency, according to Zhou, is key to gaining customer trust -- a challenge that has long plagued autonomous driving developers. During a follow-up interview, he emphasized that “our cars drive like humans, fast and safe, giving customers the confidence to trust and adopt the product.” Zhou also downplayed the industry’s ongoing debate between LiDAR and camera-based perception systems, stating that hardware choices are secondary to the architecture of the AI model itself. “The most important part is not whether you use LiDAR or cameras, but the intelligence of your AI system,” Zhou told AJP. “LiDAR might give you better perception in some rare cases, but for behavioral-level decisions, it brings no significant advantage. What matters is the quality of your architecture.” Zhou highlighted that many competitors are still struggling to build their first end-to-end system, while DeeprRoute.ai has already moved into its second generation. “There’s at least a one-year gap between our technology and the rest,” he said. “The problem we’re solving is completely different.” In addition to China, DeeprRoute.ai has begun testing its vehicles in Germany and is preparing for wider global deployment. The company’s ultimate goal, Zhou said, is to build artificial general intelligence (AGI) for robots—technology that can operate not only cars but any moving object. “Smart driving should not be a premium feature,” he said. “It should be scalable, affordable, and available to all vehicle classes, from luxury to economy models.” Zhou ended his keynote with a vision for the future: a world where AI-native systems continually evolve through real-world data and deliver smarter, safer mobility with every mile. "We are not just building technology—we are building trust, intelligence, and productivity for the next generation of mobility,” Zhou emphasized. 2025-04-08 16:24:07