Experts urge easing proof standards, turning Pohang's quake legacy into a cultural asset SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Legal and academic experts called for fairer compensation standards and stronger accountability in the long-running case over the 2017 Pohang earthquake, saying South Korea must rebuild public trust while preventing similar disasters. The discussion took place on October 23 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, where the "Pohang Earthquake Damage Policy Seminar" gathered lawyers, professors, and local representatives. Panelists included Shin Eun-joo, professor of law at Handong Global University; Kim Eun-joo, Pohang City Council member; attorneys Gong Dae-ho and Kim Bu-jo; and Ha Dong-ho, professor at Konkuk University and president of the Korean Society of Earthquake Engineering. The 2017 quake, measuring magnitude 5.4, struck the city’s northwestern area, followed by a 4.6 aftershock in early 2018. It left about 2,000 people displaced and caused an estimated 84.57 billion won, or roughly 58.8 million dollars, in property losses. In 2018, residents filed a damages suit against the government, claiming the quake had been induced by geothermal energy testing. The first trial partly acknowledged the state’s responsibility, but the appeals court overturned the decision, citing a lack of scientific proof. Attorney Gong Dae-ho criticized the strict standard of proof applied to the case. "In environmental or medical lawsuits, courts often ease the burden of proof because causation is difficult to establish," he said. "Even with expert reports and findings from the Board of Audit and Inspection, the court dismissed the state’s responsibility for lack of evidence. When the state leads a project, the standard should be more flexible to reflect the imbalance between the parties." He warned that the judiciary must avoid treating such cases as technical disputes. "The Supreme Court’s decision will set a precedent for how government responsibility is judged in future disasters," he said. "The court should approach this issue with the public’s perspective in mind." Attorney Kim Bu-jo said the appellate court narrowly interpreted public officials’ duty of care, allowing the state to evade accountability. "The ruling said there was no clear violation of duty, even though proper oversight could have prevented the damage," he said. "Applying such rigid proof standards in cases between citizens and the government goes against the spirit of justice and erodes public confidence." Professor Shin Eun-joo said the court applied criminal-level standards to a civil case. "Civil cases require a lower threshold of proof," she said. "Judges should not mechanically apply the law but assess whether it makes sense in context. Sometimes, fairness requires easing the evidentiary burden." Beyond the courtroom, experts also raised concerns over South Korea’s limited technical capacity for disaster prevention. Professor Ha Dong-ho noted that the country still lacks enough field engineers specializing in seismic design. "There’s a serious shortage of engineers with practical experience in earthquake-resistant technology," he said. "Most of the training is available only at the graduate level. The government and private sector need to support these professionals rather than relying on them without fair compensation." The discussion also turned to how the city might transform its painful experience into a learning and tourism resource. Council member Kim Eun-joo said countries such as New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan have turned post-quake recovery into educational and cultural opportunities. "New Zealand operates earthquake museums and safety experience centers that turn painful memories into assets for the community," she said. Kim said Pohang is collecting residents’ stories, photos, and records to build a public archive. "The city is making efforts to ensure that the earthquake is remembered and that its lessons continue to shape Pohang’s future," she said. 2025-10-24 17:16:42

Pohang earthquake victims call for justice and stronger prevention measures SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - The National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, was filled with citizens on Thursday morning as a forum titled "Pohang, Asking Again: Accountability and Prevention of Recurrence" took place on October 23. Residents of Pohang, victims’ groups, and experts in law and geology gathered to discuss the long-running damages lawsuit stemming from the 2017 Pohang earthquake, which is now under review by the Supreme Court. Many described the moment as "the real beginning." The event was co-hosted by Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Mi-ae, the city of Pohang, and Aju News Corporation, with support from North Gyeongsang Province and the provincial assembly. Speakers included attorney Gong Bong-hak, who represents the joint lawsuit filed by Pohang earthquake victims, and Kim Kwang-hee, professor of geological and environmental sciences at Pusan National University. They reviewed the legal and scientific aspects of the case, while citizens called for a clear acknowledgment of the earthquake’s cause and the state’s accountability. Kang Chang-ho, head of the Pohang 11.15 Earthquake Citizens’ Countermeasure Committee, said many residents still struggle with trauma and financial hardship eight years after the quake. He criticized what he called the government’s passive administrative response during the lengthy legal process. Lee Kang-bok, a resident of Heungha-eup in Pohang’s Buk-gu district, said, "We still live in a house with cracked walls. Even if it takes time, we need a proper ruling this time." Another resident, Jang Du-dae from Haksan-dong, said, "If the earthquake was caused by human activity, then the government should take responsibility. It’s time for agencies to stop passing the blame to one another." During the panel discussion, experts focused on how to prevent similar incidents. They suggested mandatory geological surveys before starting geothermal or renewable energy projects and proposed a government-led risk assessment system. Professor Kim said drilling in earthquake-prone areas without prior investigation should never happen again and that the state’s oversight must be stronger even during pilot projects. Attorney Gong added that victims were not seeking large compensation but rather acknowledgment and responsibility from the government. Participants said the discussion gave them a rare opportunity to speak directly to lawmakers and officials. Many expressed hope that the issue will move beyond debate and lead to concrete policy action. 2025-10-24 16:16:49

KAIST tops student survey as applications continue to climb SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - KAIST has been ranked the top university in South Korea among respondents in their 10s to 50s, according to the 2025 INUE–Korea Economic Daily University Survey, reflecting the school's growing reputation for innovation and creative education. The university said Wednesday that 6,991 students applied for early admission to its undergraduate program for the 2026 academic year, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier. The competition rate rose from 7.98 to 1 to 8.47 to 1, marking a fourth consecutive year of increase. Compared with 2023, the number of applicants has nearly doubled. The survey also showed a clear generational divide in perceptions of higher education. While younger respondents favored KAIST as the country's best university, those in their 60s and above ranked Seoul National University highest. Despite a shrinking student population and a decline in interest in science and engineering fields, KAIST said its steady rise in applicants demonstrates continued trust in its education model and global competitiveness. Graduate programs have seen similar growth, with applications increasing by an average of 9.5 percent annually over the past four years. International applicants surged 193 percent during the same period, a trend KAIST attributes to its strong research infrastructure and global faculty. Undergraduate retention has also improved. The number of students leaving before graduation fell from 126 in the 2022 academic year to 96 in 2024, while withdrawals to enter medical or dental schools dropped from 58 to 44. "Through systems like the no-major program and the PNR grading policy, we've expanded students' freedom in choosing careers and supported the growth of creative talent," said Kim Yong-hyun, Director of Admissions. President Lee Kwang-hyung added, "The steady rise in students choosing KAIST shows that our education and research are recognized globally. Younger generations now see KAIST as the university leading future innovation." 2025-10-22 19:47:28

Türkiye and Korea mark 75 years since Turkish Brigade's arrival SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - A ceremony was held at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul on October 22 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Turkish Brigade's arrival during the Korean War. The event, organized by the Turkish Embassy in the Republic of Korea, commemorated the landing of Turkish troops in Busan on October 17, 1950, as part of the United Nations Command. Around 21,000 Turkish soldiers served in Korea between 1950 and 1953, with nearly 900 killed and missing, while 244 were taken prisoner. A total of 462 Turkish soldiers remain buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Col. Nesimi Kaplan, Türkiye's Defense and Army Attaché, delivered a speech titled "Turkish Brigade's Role in the Korean War," recalling key battles fought by the brigade, including Kunu-ri, Yongin, the Iron Triangle near Chorwon, and the Vegas front near Incheon. "The Turkish Brigade fought fiercely in almost all important battle grounds starting with the first battles with the Chinese troops in a small hamlet named Kunuri," he said. He described how Turkish troops came under attack at Kunu-ri in November 1950 while advancing north. "Fighting for three days and three nights, they managed to break the overwhelming enemy encirclement, delayed the Chinese advance, and allowed an organized retreat for allied troops, albeit suffering high casualties reaching nearly 15 percent of all its troops," Kaplan said. He also shared the story of Pilot First Lieutenant Ali Muzaffer Erdönmez, one of two Turkish Air Force officers dispatched to Korea. "He completed 24 successful sorties but was shot down and martyred on April 21, 1951, when his aircraft crashed as a result of enemy fire while performing a bombing mission in North Korean airspace," Kaplan said. "First Lieutenant Muzaffer Erdönmez is the only air force personnel among our martyrs in Korea." Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer emphasized that Türkiye's involvement in the Korean War helped forge a lasting partnership between the two countries. "In 1950, when the Korean Peninsula was engulfed in war, Türkiye was among the first nations to respond to the United Nations' call," he said. "Our young soldiers crossed the sea not for conquest, but to defend freedom and human dignity." Recalling the Battle of Kumyangjang-ri, the ambassador said, "In that battle, the Turkish Brigade showed extraordinary courage and dedication under siege. Their steadfast defense changed the course of the war and remains a symbol of brotherhood and resolve." Tamer added that the sacrifice of Turkish soldiers became the foundation of today's bilateral ties. "On behalf of the Republic of Türkiye, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of Korea for preserving the memory of our fallen soldiers with sincerity and respect," he said. "May their souls rest in eternal peace, and may the brotherhood between Türkiye and Korea continue to grow stronger for generations to come." The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence in honor of the fallen soldiers and floral tributes at the memorial. 2025-10-22 19:38:05

IFEZ draws $553.5 million in FDI in Q3, reaching 92.3% of annual goal SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) announced that foreign direct investment (FDI) declarations in the third quarter of 2025 reached $553.5 million, achieving 92.3 percent of its yearly target. Following $494.7 million in the first half, an additional $58.8 million was reported in the third quarter, pushing total declarations close to the full-year goal. IFEZ reported strong results in its key strategic sectors, particularly bio and semiconductor industries. Major investments declared earlier in the year included Sartorius Korea Operations ($250 million), Lotte Biologics ($28.7 million), TOK Advanced Materials ($24.6 million), renewable energy firm Orsted ($119.6 million), and retail developer Costco Cheongna ($61.4 million). In the third quarter, Starfield Cheongna joined with a $52.5 million declaration. Actual FDI inflows reached $391.2 million—112 percent of the annual goal of $350 million and more than 2.8 times the previous year's figure. Since its establishment, IFEZ has accumulated a total of $16.72 billion in declared FDI. Despite global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and political instability at home and abroad, IFEZ attributed the steady growth to its active investor relations efforts and the continuous expansion of infrastructure supporting foreign residents and businesses. Maintaining its annual targets of $600 million in FDI declarations and $350 million in inflows, IFEZ has set out the "2025 Comprehensive Investment Promotion Plan," focusing on three main pillars: the medical and bio industry, advanced and strategic industries such as semiconductors, and tourism, leisure, and cultural content. Commissioner Yun Won-sok said he expects IFEZ to surpass $600 million in FDI declarations for the second consecutive year. "Large-scale investment projects in bio and semiconductor sectors are progressing, and we are seeing tangible results from the K-Con Land initiative led by the U.S.-based Kessler Group, aimed at building an Asian version of Hollywood," he said. 2025-10-21 10:36:59

KAIST develops light-based process that boosts hydrogen catalyst efficiency sixfold SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - A research team at KAIST has developed a light-powered process that can produce high-performance hydrogen catalysts using only a fraction of the usual energy. The technique uses an ultra-short flash of light to generate extreme heat, enabling the rapid creation of advanced materials for clean energy applications. The study, led by Professor Il-Doo Kim, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor Seongyool Choi, School of Electrical Engineering, introduced a platform called "direct-contact photothermal annealing." By flashing light for just 0.02 seconds, the system reaches 3,000 degrees Celsius—enough to transform nanodiamond particles into carbon nano-onions, a highly conductive and stable material suited for hydrogen production. The new approach consumes about one ten-millionth of the energy required by conventional heating while making the process hundreds of times faster. During the reaction, metal atoms such as platinum, cobalt, and nickel bond individually to the surface of the carbon nano-onions, creating a highly efficient single-atom catalyst. The platinum-based version showed up to six times higher hydrogen production efficiency using much smaller amounts of metal. Professor Kim said the method marks the first demonstration of a direct-contact photothermal process capable of reaching such high temperatures in milliseconds. "By cutting energy use more than a thousandfold, this integrated process could speed up the commercialization of clean hydrogen and other catalyst technologies," he said. The research was carried out by KAIST doctoral candidate Jeon Kyung-do, Dr. Shin Ha-min (now at ETH Zurich), and Dr. Cha Jun-hoe (now at SK hynix), under the supervision of Professors Kim and Choi. The findings were published as a supplementary cover article in the September issue of ACS Nano, published by the American Chemical Society. 2025-10-20 15:55:12

Kazakhstan bids Korean companies onboard in its digital, crypto drive SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Kazakhstan is envisioning Alatau Smart City as a regional capital of innovation and digital finance and sees South Korea as an ideal partner for the goal, said the country's deputy prime minister. "The government's goal is to position Alatau as an innovation center," Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said in Seoul this week. He led a high-level delegation for a two-day forum aimed at drawing Korean participation and investment in the country's ambitious initiative. "We welcome all innovations coming from Korea," he said, adding that U.S. and Chinese capital are already committed to the ventures. "The city's industry and infrastructure will be filled with innovation from the very beginning. It will be developed as a smart city built on intelligent systems and digital technologies applied across all sectors," he said. He also described Alatau as a "crypto city," where blockchain and digital finance will be part of daily life. "There will be crypto mortgages, crypto exchanges, and stablecoins in circulation," he said. "This kind of system does not exist yet in Kazakhstan or anywhere else in Central Asia, so we will test it within a regulatory sandbox." Bozumbayev said Kazakhstan plans to introduce AI-driven mobility, drone logistics, and other smart infrastructure as part of the city's growth, and hydrogen energy is one of the most promising fields for collaboration. "We hope that Doosan's innovative technologies will also be implemented in Alatau, particularly in the field of blue and green hydrogen," he said. "Together with Korean partners, we can build the infrastructure for hydrogen production, transport, and storage, and eventually develop hydrogen-powered engines for vehicles and trains." Alatau will operate under a special legal framework that allows faster approval and certification for new technologies. "If national laws do not perfectly fit the city's innovative projects, the city will be able to create its own local regulations to support them," he said. "We plan to make Alatau the first city in the world to combine all of these elements into one system." The project, which consists of four districts — Gate, Golden, Growing, and Green — will bring together finance, education, industry, and leisure in a single ecosystem. The Kazakh government is seeking participation from South Korean construction and engineering firms such as Samsung C&T, Hyundai E&C, and Daewoo E&C during the city's initial development phase. Bozumbayev said nurturing human talent is central to the project. "Around half a million people are born in Kazakhstan every year. In 18 years, that's half a million new workers joining the labor market," he said. "We are a young nation, and we need to train more specialists in technical fields." Talks are underway with Korean institutes to establish a campus in Alatau focused on AI, robotics, and mobility systems. The project also includes plans for a Korean medical cluster and a K-content complex called K-Park. "We are already seen as a regional leader, and many neighboring countries are learning from our experience," Bozumbayev said. "What succeeds in Alatau will later be expanded to other cities across Kazakhstan and beyond." 2025-10-16 15:56:30

KAIST develops AI that learns across hospitals and banks without sharing private data SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - KAIST researchers have created a new kind of artificial intelligence that can learn from multiple institutions, like hospitals and banks, without ever sharing personal information. The technology is based on "federated learning," a method where different organizations train a shared AI model using their own data locally instead of sending it all to one place. The team led by Professor Park Chan-young from KAIST's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering found a way to fix a major weakness in existing federated learning systems. Normally, when each institution adjusts the shared AI model to fit its own environment, the AI becomes too specialized and loses its ability to handle new situations. This problem, called "local overfitting," makes the AI less useful outside of one organization's data. For example, if several banks develop a shared AI for loan evaluations and one bank fine-tunes it using only large corporate customer data, the AI might work well for those clients but perform poorly when reviewing small business or personal loans. To solve this, Professor Park's team used a method called "synthetic data." Instead of using actual personal data, they created artificial datasets that imitate key patterns found in the real data but do not contain any private information. This allows each organization to fine-tune the AI for its own use while keeping privacy intact and maintaining the AI's ability to generalize across different data sources. Tests showed that this method worked well not only for secure fields like healthcare and finance but also for fast-changing areas such as social media and online shopping. The AI kept its performance stable even when new institutions joined or when the data environment changed quickly. Professor Park said the research offers a new approach for developing AI that protects privacy without giving up performance. He said it could help fields like medical diagnostics and financial fraud detection, where sharing sensitive data has always been difficult. The study was led by graduate student Kim Sung-won, with Professor Park as the corresponding author. Their paper, titled "Subgraph Federated Learning for Local Generalization," was presented at the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) 2025 in Singapore, one of the world's leading AI conferences. It was selected as an oral presentation, an honor given to only about 1.8 percent of papers submitted. 2025-10-15 15:54:11

Nami Island hosts "Peru Week" showcasing Peruvian art, music, and traditions SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Nami Island in Gangwon Province turned into a lively cultural hub last month as it hosted "Peru Week," a weeklong event celebrating the art, heritage, and traditions of the South American country. Organized in partnership with the Embassy of Peru in South Korea, the program ran from September 20 to 28 and attracted thousands of visitors, both Korean and international. Held during the island's peak autumn season, when an average of 12,000 visitors arrive each day and nearly 20,000 on weekends, the festival offered a mix of performances, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences. Guests were invited to explore Peru's cultural and natural diversity through dance shows, music, art displays, and interactive workshops designed for all ages. During the opening ceremony, Paul Duclos, the Ambassador of Peru to South Korea, joined the CEO of Nami Island Arts & Education to welcome guests. "We are delighted to see the beauty and diversity of Peru shared with Korean and international audiences in such a meaningful setting," the ambassador said. The ceremony was followed by lively performances from the Peruvian Cultural Association C.I.D.A.N. "Mi Perú" and the music ensemble "Peru Latin," filling the island with the rhythms of traditional Peruvian sounds. Peruvian flags and banners decorated the island's main entrances, walkways, and ferry docks throughout the week, creating a colorful display of friendship between Peru and South Korea. Visitors took part in family-friendly activities such as painting tote bags with Peruvian motifs, coloring traditional patterns, and playing simple versions of classic Peruvian games. Local Korean groups also joined in, performing Latin-inspired music to add to the festive mood. One of the highlights was the exhibition "Treasures of Peru: The Amazon Rainforest," held at Paz Gallery. The show featured vivid images of Peru's Amazonian landscapes, wildlife, and communities, including "Portraits of My Blood," a photography series by David Díaz portraying the Shipibo-Konibo people of the Amazon region. The HEI School Nami Island, part of the Helsinki International Schools network, also held a special educational session on September 27. Students learned about Peru's geography, culture, and biodiversity through interactive activities, baking alfajores, and decorating Ayacucho retablos, dolls, and bags with designs inspired by Machu Picchu, Pucará bulls, and alpacas. The event wrapped up with live performances by Peruvian musician Ángel Puma, who played traditional melodies that drew crowds across the island and offered visitors a memorable glimpse of Peru's cultural identity. 2025-10-15 12:07:36

Kathakali performance opens 11th Sarang Festival in Seoul SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - The 11th edition of Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea opened on Tuesday evening with a dazzling Kathakali performance at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul. Around 300 people from South Korea, India, and other countries filled the hall, their attention drawn to the vibrant rhythms and colorful movement unfolding on stage. The air was alive with music as the deep beat of drums, the clash of cymbals, and the resonant chanting of singers created a soundscape that carried the audience into another world. Dancers, dressed in ornate costumes with intricate face paint and towering headpieces, moved with precision and grace. Each gesture and expression told part of an age-old story, weaving emotion and mythology into a single flow. The performance was led by the renowned artist Sreenathan Sreenatha Mandiram and his troupe, invited by the Embassy of India in Seoul to mark the start of this year's Sarang Festival. In his opening remarks, Chargé d'Affaires Shri Nishi Kant Singh described Sarang as "a celebration of mankind's love for life and a reflection of the diversity that the world represents." He also spoke about the enduring cultural ties between India and South Korea, tracing back to the legend of Queen Heo Hwang-ok of Ayodhya and the historical Buddhist exchanges that followed. Kathakali, which emerged in the southern Indian state of Kerala in the 17th century, is one of India's most distinctive classical dance traditions. The art form combines dance, drama, music, and mime, using elaborate gestures and facial expressions instead of spoken dialogue. The stories are usually drawn from the Hindu epics—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—and are performed through stylized movements accompanied by live percussion and song. Following the Seoul performance, the troupe will continue its tour with shows in Kunsan, Nami Island, Busan, and Miryang, as well as workshops for local dance students. The Sarang Festival, organized annually by the Embassy of India in collaboration with Korean partners, will feature a range of cultural events across South Korea throughout the season. 2025-10-15 10:10:20