Peru and S. Korea mark International Potato Day in Pyeongchang SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - The Peruvian Embassy in Seoul and the Highland Agriculture Research Institute (HARI), operated by the Rural Development Administration, joined hands to celebrate the first International Potato Day on May 30 at HARI's headquarters in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The Peruvian Embassy said in a statement on Jun. 13 that the event, marking a United Nations-recognized day established in 2023, brought together diplomats, scientists, and researchers from both countries to share knowledge and deepen cooperation on potato research and food security. HARI, home to nearly 100 researchers, develops highland crop technologies, including hydroponic systems and disease-resistant potato varieties. During the visit, participants toured the facility and learned about its mission to support sustainable agriculture. A tasting session followed, featuring classic Peruvian potato dishes such as "papa a la huancaína," "causa," and "empanadas," offering guests a glimpse into Peru's culinary traditions. "This celebration allowed Peru and Korea to strengthen ties regarding potato research, explore possibilities for scientific and academic exchange, and promote the benefits of potato consumption," said Peruvian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Paul Duclos. "We are committed to continuing to promote this valuable product as a bridge of understanding and cooperation between our nations." Peru, known as the birthplace of the potato, is home to more than 4,000 varieties and ancient preservation methods like chuño and tocosh. Its agricultural legacy continues through institutions like the International Potato Center (CIP), headquartered in Lima. The CIP supports research in over 20 countries, focusing on nutrition, sustainable business, and climate resilience. 2025-06-16 16:04:59

Chinese diplomat joins Seoul palace walk, highlights cultural connection SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - Fang Kun, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, said he believes walking tours like the one held Saturday offer a meaningful way to appreciate Korea's heritage and deepen ties between the peoples of China and South Korea. "I think this walking event gives everyone a chance to enjoy the beauty of Korea's historic palaces," Fang said during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Seoul Royal Palaces International Walk on Jun. 14. "Events like this help strengthen mutual understanding between our two countries. I hope everyone enjoys today, and I definitely want to join the next one." The annual event, co-hosted by Aju News Corporation and AJP, drew around 1,500 participants, including some 700 foreign nationals. The 6.3-kilometer (3.9-mile) route began at the Uijeongbuji Historic Site Square and passed through central Seoul landmarks including Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the front of the former presidential office's Chun Chu Gate, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace. The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Kwak Young-kil, Chairman of Aju News Corporation, Lim Kwu-jin, President of Aju Business Daily, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, National Assembly member Kwak Sang-eon, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairman Choi Ho-jung, council member Yoon Jong-bok, and Seoul Tourism Organization CEO Gil Ki-yeon. Fang was joined by other members of the diplomatic corps, including Arman Narbayev, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kazakhstan, and Naman Upadhyaya, First Secretary at the Embassy of India. Speaking to AJP after the ceremony, Fang said, "This is really the perfect season for walking in Seoul. On a day like today, with clear skies and fresh air, this event offers a great opportunity to experience the architecture and history of Korea's palaces, right in the middle of the city." He noted that a large portion of the foreign attendees were Chinese nationals living in South Korea. "From what I understand, about half of the foreign participants are Chinese residents here," he said. "Through cultural events like this, people can naturally experience Korean culture, and that helps broaden mutual understanding between our countries." Fang added, "Human exchange between Korea and China plays a key role in strengthening our relationship. I hope events like this continue to bring our people together more often." 2025-06-15 17:44:15

Over 1,500 join palace walk event in Seoul to promote cultural exchange SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - With his son’s hand in his, Lee Bong-soo walked quietly through the grounds of Seoul’s royal palaces, taking in the scenes he had long wanted to share outside the pages of a textbook. "I always wanted to take my son to a palace, but the opportunity never really came up," said Lee, a resident of Goyang. "My workplace and home are far apart, which made it even harder. Palaces are full of historic sites and interesting things to see. My son has read a lot about them, but never had the chance to see them in real life. I wanted to give him that opportunity." Lee was among the roughly 1,500 participants, about 700 of them foreign nationals, who joined the 2025 Seoul Royal Palaces International Walk on Jun. 14. The event, co-hosted by Aju News Corporation and AJP, began at 8:40 a.m. with an opening ceremony and followed a 6.3-kilometer route through the heart of the capital. Starting from the Uijeongbu Site of State Council Historic Plaza, participants walked past Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the rear gate of the former presidential compound, then continued through Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung palaces. By 9 a.m., the plaza near Gwanghwamun had filled with eager walkers. A slight morning overcast gradually gave way to blue skies, lightening the mood as the crowd set off. The opening ceremony welcomed key figures including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Aju News Corporation Chairman Kwak Young-kil, Aju Business Daily CEO Lim Kwu-jin, National Assembly member Kwak Sang-eon, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chair Choi Ho-jeong, council member Yoon Jong-bok, and Seoul Tourism Organization CEO Gil Ki-yeon. Diplomatic guests included Fang Kun, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, Arman Narbayev, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kazakhstan, and Naman Upadhyaya, First Secretary at the Embassy of India, underscoring the event's international character. "This kind of walking event is really good for health," Mayor Oh said in his welcoming remarks. "Seoul will continue doing its best to create an environment where citizens can enjoy walking, exercise, and cycling." He added in English, "This is the best time for foreign tourists to visit Seoul. I hope you have a great experience here." First Secretary Upadhyay emphasized the unique blend of history, culture, and health. "I hope everyone can walk through and experience Korea's heritage," he said. "As we walk the same paths once walked by the kings of Joseon, may we feel the richness of this cultural legacy." Representing the Kazakhstan Embassy, Diplomatic Officer Dautov Bauyrzhan delivered a speech in fluent Korean, calling the event "a beautiful symbol of cultural connection" between Korea and Kazakhstan. Deputy Chief Fang Kun noted: "I believe today's walk offers a great opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Korea's historic palaces. This event will also help foster better understanding and feelings between the Chinese and Korean people. I hope everyone enjoys today and I would love to join again next time." The walk began at the Uijeongbu Site of State Council Historic Plaza, once home to Korea’s top governing body during the Joseon Dynasty. The site was excavated starting in 2016 and restored and reopened to the public in 2024 as a cultural heritage park. The route's first landmark was Gyeongbokgung Palace. In early summer, its grounds were shaded by vibrant green trees that paired elegantly with the palace's ornate, painted architecture. Lee Eun-hye, visiting from Mexico, shared her reason for joining: "I've lived in Seoul for a while, but I realized I’d never actually walked through the palaces like this. It feels great to enjoy it together with people from all over the world." Lim Hyun-joo, head of Korean Studies at the Autonomous University of Nayarit in Mexico, joined while on a study visit to South Korea. "It was lucky that this event fit my schedule. I plan to show the certificate to my students and tell them all about Korea’s palaces. It’s been a meaningful way to gather experiences I can share back home." Among the international participants was Frank, a French national. "I've never had the chance to visit any palaces before, but this event made it possible. A friend who works at Seoul City Hall recommended it. Everything was just perfect. Especially walking alongside people from so many countries." Najifa, a French exchange student, said: "I'd been to Gyeongbokgung before, but this was my first time visiting the other palaces. It was a great opportunity for foreigners like me. I can confidently say the palaces are the best places I’ve seen in Korea." Throughout the course, walkers, many wearing blue caps, could be seen stopping to take photos. At the rear gate of the former presidential office, many paused for commemorative snapshots. Others admired the tranquil beauty of Changdeokgung Palace and the charm of Changgyeonggung Palace, sharing laughs and conversations with family, friends, and fellow walkers. Among them was Oh Seung-bok, 63, who registered on-site after arriving in Gwanghwamun with friends for a casual morning walk. "I don’t often get to visit the palaces even though I live in Seoul, so I’m happy to have had this chance," she said. "It took us about three and a half hours to walk the course at a relaxed pace. Gyeongbokgung was beautiful, but I found Changgyeonggung especially lovely. If it’s held again next year, I’ll definitely join." At the end of the walk, returning to the starting point, Lee Bong-soo reflected on the day. "I’m glad my son had the chance to see the palaces in person and walk with people from different backgrounds. If there’s another event like this, we’ll definitely join again." 2025-06-15 16:11:41

S. Korea and Viet Nam agree to expand cooperation in rail and nuclear energy SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Vietnamese President Lương Cường on Thursday, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation. The 25-minute call, which began at 9:30 a.m., opened with President Cường congratulating Lee and expressing hope for meaningful progress during his term. "I hope President Lee achieves many accomplishments during his presidency," Cường said, according to South Korea's presidential Office spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Lee responded by highlighting the remarkable progress the two countries have made since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992. "I look forward to working closely with President Cường to further develop our comprehensive strategic partnership," he said. The two leaders agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in key areas, including high-speed rail and nuclear power. Lee also asked the Vietnamese government to support South Korean companies operating in the country, and Cường responded positively. President Cường extended an invitation for Lee to visit Viet Nam, and Lee welcomed the offer, expressing hope to hold in-depth discussions on advancing bilateral ties. He also proposed further high-level exchanges through opportunities such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. 2025-06-12 15:43:59

President vows to end stock manipulation, warns 'one-strike-out' under new rules SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has declared a crackdown on illegal stock trading, pledging to restore trust in South Korea's capital markets through stronger oversight and strict penalties. During a meeting held at the Korea Exchange on Wednesday, the president warned that illegal profits in the market would not be tolerated under his administration. "If you try to play games in the South Korean stock market, you will lose everything," Lee said, adding: "If someone breaks the law and makes money, Lee urged improvements to surveillance systems to detect new forms of market abuse and called for more staff to accelerate investigations. He also proposed freezing suspicious accounts and introducing a "one-strike-out" rule to deal decisively with major offenders. Since Lee’s inauguration last week, the KOSPI has surged 5.81 percent, reflecting investor optimism. Lee cited this momentum as a reason to act boldly: "To build a vibrant capital market, we must ensure it’s fair and transparent." He also laid out a broader vision to revitalize the market, describing it as a key driver of economic growth. "If we make the stock market a viable alternative to real estate investment, it will help people earn income and support businesses." In a Facebook post later that evening, Lee reiterated his determination: "We will no longer allow anyone to profit through illegal means. If they do, they will be made to repay much more and face real consequences." Lee also floated the idea of encouraging dividend payouts through tax incentives, saying he would explore ways to reward firms with fair shareholder practices without hurting public finances. 2025-06-12 14:07:41

OpenAI's top strategist returns to Seoul as Lee ramps up 100 tln won AI push SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Just a week after President Lee Jae-myung took office, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is back in Seoul. His second visit in less than three weeks signals more than a passing interest -- OpenAI is clearly watching Korea’s AI ambitions with growing seriousness. Kwon is expected to spend Jun. 12 meeting with South Korean corporate partners, continuing the momentum from his late-May visit, when he announced OpenAI’s formal entry into the Korean market. That trip marked the start of a deeper push into Asia-Pacific, with South Korea chosen as the first stop. Now, the return visit comes against the backdrop of a new government eager to lead in AI. President Lee has made no secret of where he’s headed. His administration is pledging a massive 100 trillion won ($72.9 billion) to develop South Korea into one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses. On Jun. 6, just two days after taking office, Lee reorganized the presidential office to include senior positions focused on AI and economic growth, signaling a policy shift that puts advanced technology at the core of his national strategy. Kwon, for his part, was quick to offer congratulations. On Jun. 4, the day Lee was inaugurated, he posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), voicing strong support for the new administration’s AI vision. While Kwon won’t meet with government officials during this visit, because Lee’s AI policy chief has yet to be appointed, he is expected to sit down with a number of major South Korean firms. "OpenAI views Korea as an important partner," an OpenAI official said, adding that the potential for collaboration with South Korean businesses is high. That collaboration is already taking shape. In February, OpenAI signed a strategic partnership with South Korea’s web service giant Kakao to co-develop AI products, with the first results expected later this year. It has also inked deals with major game publisher Krafton and mobile carrier SK Telecom and announced plans with the Korea Development Bank to support data center development and startup investment. The company recently began recruiting for six new roles in its Seoul office. 2025-06-11 15:12:37

Lee confirms presidential watch plan, puts tradition back on track SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday addressed recent speculation that he might do away with the time-honored tradition of presidential watches, saying a new edition will be made with an emphasis on value and purpose. “After listening to various suggestions, I decided a meaningful and practical gift would be most appropriate," Lee wrote on Facebook. "I’ve instructed that a cost-effective presidential watch be produced.” The announcement came after reports surfaced that Lee had cast doubt on the need for presidential watches during a recent dinner with ruling party leaders. When asked if there would be a “Lee Jae-myung watch,” he reportedly replied, “Is that really necessary?” That offhand comment led some to believe he planned to skip the tradition altogether. Since the days of President Park Chung-hee, South Korean presidents have handed out wristwatches or pocket watches bearing their name or signature. These gifts, often given on special occasions, have become coveted items among collectors, with prices ranging from about 25,000 won (18.2 dollars) to over 550,000 won. Lee explained that after his remark was reported, many people reached out to express disappointment, emphasizing that the presidential watch is among the most symbolic and cost-efficient gifts available. "Given its role as a symbol of the Republic of Korea, we’ll prepare it with care so it can be something people take pride in," he said. "I think it’s something worth looking forward to." Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung also addressed the rumors on Tuesday, saying, "It’s not true that President Lee decided against producing the watches. He asked for popular gift items, including watches, to be identified, and they’re being prepared for production." 2025-06-11 12:41:42

President Lee invites public to help select top government officials SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has invited Tuesday South Koreans to help select key members of his new administration, opening a one-week nomination period for senior government posts including ministers, vice ministers, and heads of public institutions. The initiative announced on Jun. 10 is part of the president’s broader push to build what he calls a “citizen-led government.” The public can submit recommendations through a dedicated website run by the Ministry of Personnel Management. South Koreans can also make recommendations through Lee’s official social media accounts and email. In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Lee wrote, “True democracy begins when the people become the owners, actively participating and driving change. I now ask you to choose the workers who will truly lead the Republic of Korea.” Lee explained that the campaign will display a shift in how power is exercised, saying it marks a “meaningful first step” towards giving citizens a direct role in shaping national leadership. Recommended candidates will be filed into a database and screened by the presidential office’s personnel vetting team. The process includes both internal and public review. Those deemed suitable will move on to formal appointment procedures. Lee emphasized the importance of uncovering talent from all corners of society. “Please help identify individuals who have quietly devoted themselves to public service and are ready to lead with integrity and competence,” he said. He also pledged transparency and fairness throughout the process, adding that the aim is to select people who live up to the public’s expectations. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung described the program as part of the administration’s core philosophy. “We’re launching the ‘Real Workers Project,’ a system to back the principle of a citizen-led government,” Kang said during a briefing. “The Lee administration will do its utmost to identify individuals who serve the people, through a transparent and fair process.” 2025-06-10 10:22:30

President Lee agrees with Japanese PM to strengthen bilateral ties through phone call SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has agreed Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru through their first-ever phone call that it is important for South Korea and Japan to strengthen bilateral ties and accelerate cooperation. The 25-minute call, held around noon, marks the two leaders’ first official conversation since Lee’s inauguration five days earlier. The Presidential Office’s spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said that Lee thanked Ishiba for his congratulations and emphasized the growing strategic weight of the bilateral relationship. Lee expressed hope that the two countries can “respond to future challenges together and seek a path toward mutual prosperity, based on shared national interests.” The two leaders agreed to build what Kang described as a “more mature and resilient relationship,” grounded in mutual respect, trust, and responsibility. According to the spokesperson, Lee and Ishiba also recognized the significance of this year, which marks 60 years since the normalization of diplomatic relations, and agreed to further expand exchanges between citizens of South Korea and Japan, as well as to strengthen communication between governments. A discussion on regional security also took place during their phone call. Lee and Ishiba acknowledged the progress made under the trilateral cooperation framework with the United States and agreed to continue working together within that structure to address various geopolitical challenges. The conversation ended with both leaders pledging to meet in person and further extend their discussions on bilateral issues and shared interests, Kang said. The call with Ishiba came three days after Lee’s first leader-level phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Jun. 6. 2025-06-09 15:39:12

Court postpones Lee Jae-myung's trial citing presidential immunity SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung will not face trial during his presidency in a key election law case, as a high court in Seoul postponed proceedings indefinitely on Monday, citing constitutional protections for a sitting head of state. The Seoul High Court announced on Jun. 9 that it had canceled a hearing previously set for Jun. 18 in Lee’s ongoing retrial. No new date was set. The court said the decision was made “in accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution.” That clause states that a president may not be prosecuted while in office, except in cases of insurrection or treason. While the Constitution does not clearly state whether this includes ongoing criminal trials, the court’s move suggests it interprets the immunity broadly, applying it not only to new indictments but to active proceedings as well. In South Korean legal terms, the trial now enters what is known as “to be decided later,” a limbo in which no further hearings are scheduled, and the case effectively stalls. Courts often use this designation when a case cannot move forward for legal or procedural reasons. The trial in question involves allegations that Lee violated the Public Official Election Act during the 2022 presidential election. It is one of several high-profile cases he has faced over the past few years. But with the court now invoking constitutional immunity, it is unlikely this particular case will proceed before the end of his term. This marks a turning point for Lee. The legal obstacles that dogged his path to the presidency, including court appearances, pending rulings, and ongoing investigations, have now largely been pushed aside, at least temporarily. Attention is now turning to the other courts where Lee has pending cases. These include trials over allegations tied to urban development scandals in Daejang-dong, Baekhyeon-dong, and Wirye, corporate sponsorships connected to the Seongnam FC football club, unregistered foreign transfers to North Korea by the Ssangbangwool Group, and misuse of a government-issued corporate card. An appeal in a separate witness tampering case is also underway. With the latest court decision, however, none of these cases may move forward while he remains in office. For now, President Lee is free to govern without the immediate weight of courtroom battles hanging over his presidency. 2025-06-09 14:26:41