Russian envoy signals possibility of restoring ties with South Korea SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Russia sees room for reviving its strained relationship with South Korea, Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev said during a reception in Seoul marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. "Today, despite the many difficulties, Russia and South Korea still have the possibility of restoring practical and mutually beneficial cooperation," Zinoviev told guests at the embassy event on September 12. He added that dialogue and collaboration between the two nations "align with the fundamental interests of both peoples." The event was part of a series of commemorations highlighting the Soviet role in defeating militarist Japan and the liberation of Korea in 1945. Zinoviev recalled that more than 35,000 Soviet soldiers were killed or wounded during the Manchurian campaign against Japan, including over 1,900 who fell on the Korean Peninsula. He described the Soviet Union's rapid defeat of Japan's Kwantung Army as decisive in forcing Tokyo's surrender and ensuring Korea's independence after 35 years of colonial rule. "Our two nations and peoples are deeply connected by the shared struggle for Korea's liberation and independence, and many of our compatriots sacrificed their lives in that process," Zinoviev said. He pointed to cultural and scholarly exchanges as a way of preserving that historical connection, noting that the embassy is supporting a research project with South Korean universities on the Soviet role in World War II. Relations between Russia and South Korea have shifted repeatedly over the past century. In the late 19th century, the Russian Empire was one of the few powers that offered diplomatic recognition to the Joseon court, signing the 1884 Treaty of Friendship and Commerce. Russian diplomats and soldiers also provided shelter to Korean exiles during the Japanese colonial era, and Moscow's early support for independence activists gave Russia a lasting place in Korean historical memory. Formal diplomatic ties were not established until 1990, but the post-Cold War decades brought rapid growth in exchanges. Russia supplied South Korea with technical know-how in missiles and rockets, giving Seoul's struggling space program a crucial boost. By the 2000s, South Korean consumer goods were highly popular in Russia, and trade volumes exceeded 7 billion USD before the pandemic. Energy imports, car exports, and cultural programs further deepened the relationship. The trajectory changed sharply after the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022. South Korea joined Western-led sanctions and added hundreds of product categories to its export restrictions on Russia. While Seoul publicly maintained a stance of not sending weapons to countries at war, leaked U.S. intelligence documents in 2023 revealed that South Korea was replenishing American and Polish ammunition stocks. Moscow regarded these moves as a breach of trust and repeatedly warned that providing arms, even indirectly, crossed a red line. The cooling of ties also spilled into the cultural arena. Performances by Russian artists were canceled in Seoul, sometimes following pressure from Ukraine's diplomatic representatives. Russian officials voiced frustration that culture was being drawn into politics. Trade volumes fell, and South Korean firms such as Hyundai faced difficulties maintaining operations in Russia. The election of President Lee Jae Myung in June has opened a new chapter. Lee has emphasized pragmatism in foreign policy and shown less appetite for confrontation than his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol. Russia's envoy appeared to acknowledge that shift. Without outlining specific measures, Zinoviev stressed the importance of restoring dialogue and protecting areas of cooperation that remain less affected by politics, such as culture, research, and youth exchanges. "There is a genuine interest in Russian culture and a friendly attitude toward Russia within South Korean society," Zinoviev said at the reception. "This is why I believe continued dialogue and cooperation between our two countries serves the fundamental interests of both peoples." 2025-09-13 15:23:26

Venezuelan exhibition in Seoul aims to build cultural bridge with Korea SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Venezuela's Embassy in the Republic of Korea has described the new exhibition "Color Without Limits: Tribute to Carlos Cruz Diez" as a cultural bridge linking Venezuela and South Korea, highlighting how art can strengthen ties between two nations that are geographically distant yet connected by shared values. "This exhibition is an opportunity for cultural exchange between Venezuela and Korea," Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Chargé d'Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul, told AJP on Thursday. "Although our countries are far apart, we share coincidences in the arts, and Korea has always had a refined appreciation for them. Preserving the legacy of three major Venezuelan kinetic artists — Jesús Rafael Soto, Carlos Cruz Diez, and Víctor Salas — is part of that shared commitment." The exhibition opened in Caracas in 2023, traveled to Beijing in 2024, and arrived in Seoul this year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and South Korea. It follows last year's "RGB: The Colors of the Century" at the Seoul Arts Center and continues to celebrate the centenary of maestro Cruz Diez. Carlos Cruz Diez (1923~2019) was one of Venezuela's most influential artists and a global pioneer of kinetic and optical art. His work explored the interaction of light and color, often creating the perception of movement in static pieces. Cruz Diez's legacy is present in museums and public spaces worldwide, and his influence remains central to contemporary visual arts. Alongside honoring Cruz Diez, the exhibition features works by young Venezuelan artists with cognitive conditions such as autism and Down syndrome, who reinterpret the maestro's kinetic style in ways that promote inclusion and diversity. "It raises awareness about how we can give people with special conditions a chance to be included in society and to develop skills for the future," Di Carlo Quero said. She added that the exhibition underscores Venezuela's intent to keep Cruz Diez's legacy alive for younger generations. "With just primary colors, one can create infinite variations," she said. "That message reflects creativity without limits, and it is also a way to connect our two nations." Seoul already hosts two important Venezuelan works — one at Olympic Park and another in Gyeonggi Province — making the capital a meaningful stop for this project. For Venezuelan artists, the exhibition is also an opportunity to highlight the enduring resonance of kinetic art in Korea, a country with a long-standing appreciation for contemporary and abstract art. As the two countries mark six decades of diplomatic ties this year, Venezuelan officials expressed hope that "Color Without Limits" will serve as a lasting bridge between peoples, extending friendship through art, inclusivity, and shared creativity. 2025-09-12 16:43:01

Brazil underscores closer ties with S. Korea at Independence Day event in Seoul SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - At a reception marking the 203rd anniversary of Brazil's Independence Day, Ambassador Márcia Donner Abreu stressed that the occasion was designed not only to commemorate Brazil's history but also to reaffirm the expanding cooperation between Brazil and South Korea in trade, investment, culture, and responses to global challenges. "Brazil and Korea are partner countries not just by history but by shared values and hopes," Ambassador Abreu said during the national day reception held in central Seoul on Wednesday. She underscored the need to broaden the relationship in "economic diversification, scientific and technological cooperation, and resilient infrastructure development," while highlighting opportunities in "clean energy, food security, digital innovation, and climate action." She also pointed to the significance of the June summit between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and President Lee Jae Myung as proof of strengthened ties. "Despite being geographically far apart, the two countries are consistently linked by friendship and shared commitments to democracy, prosperity, inclusivity, sustainability, and peace," she said. Abreu added a personal note, reminding the audience that this would be her last Independence Day reception in Seoul and expressing gratitude to the South Korean government, private sector, and civil society for supporting the embassy's work in deepening bilateral ties. Song In-chang, the G20 Sherpa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed the ambassador's call for stronger cooperation. Representing the South Korean government, he congratulated Brazil on its independence and praised the country as a global leader that has grown into one of the world's largest democracies and a top-twelve economy. He emphasized that the two nations' partnership has moved beyond traditional areas. "Korean companies are investing in Brazil's semiconductor, hydrogen, and space sectors, working closely with local firms and institutions to contribute to Brazil's economic and technological advancement," Song said. He highlighted concrete examples of cooperation, including the successful test launch in March 2023 of South Korea's first private space rocket, Hanbit TLV, at Brazil's Alcântara space center, with a full launch scheduled for October. "Brazil's Air Force and Korea's private sector achieved a successful collaboration," he noted. Song also cited aerospace cooperation, mentioning that Korean aerospace firms will supply parts to Brazilian company Embraer for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Looking ahead, he said the two countries are intent on deepening cooperation in renewable energy, AI, climate change response and broader trade and investment. Song recalled the June summit between the two presidents at the G7 summit in Canada, the first such meeting in a decade, which provided momentum for renewed bilateral dialogue. He also pointed to the August vice-ministerial talks in Seoul and the newly signed working holiday program that will allow more young people to study and work in each country. On cultural ties, Song noted that K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean food are enjoying popularity in Brazil and that São Paulo state recently designated October 9 as Hangeul Day. "Korea and Brazil are friends and partners who share not only commerce and technology, but ideals," he said. The reception gathered some 200 diplomats, officials, business leaders, and cultural representatives from Brazil, South Korea, and other countries such as the United States, Peru, Chile, Iran, and Russia. Both speakers highlighted that as Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém this November, and as South Korea seeks to expand its global role in technology and climate action, the two countries see each other as strategic partners in shaping solutions to common challenges. 2025-09-11 19:54:44

Lee puts AI at the heart of South Korea's economic future in 100-day address SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung marked his 100th day in office on Thursday with a press conference that put artificial intelligence (AI) at the core of his economic agenda. He stressed that embedding AI into everyday life could open a path for South Korea to become more competitive globally. "Education policy is not about changing the admissions system," Lee said when asked about competition in schools. He pointed to excessive competition as the root problem and argued that AI can create more opportunities and drive growth. "The real issue is how to create more opportunities, how to achieve more growth, and how to distribute those opportunities more fairly. We should implement AI-related education across the board. Let's build our people's ability to adapt to and use AI," he said. "Let's start it seriously from the lower grades, just like learning addition and subtraction, because AI will become part of daily life." Lee's emphasis on AI echoes one of his central campaign pledges: accelerating South Korea's AI capabilities as a driver of growth and productivity. During the June 4 snap election, he vowed that the country would become a "top-three AI powerhouse" by expanding research, industrial applications, and public-sector use of the technology. His administration has presented AI as a tool to modernize traditional industries, address education inequality, and secure South Korea's place in the global economy. On the economy, Lee underscored the same promise in concrete terms. "The South Korean economy will be massively reorganized around high-tech industries, including AI. Traditional manufacturing will be converted to AI, energy will shift to renewables, and we will build up cultural industries in a major way," he said, adding that providing such direction is enough to keep the country from faltering. The president also turned to the fallout from a U.S. immigration raid at Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution's battery plant construction site in Georgia, where more than 300 South Koreans were detained. In what U.S. officials described as the largest single-site immigration enforcement action ever conducted, federal agents arrested about 475 people at the Hyundai-LG Energy Solution plant, most of them South Korean nationals. Investigators said many workers had entered the U.S. on short-term visas or through the visa waiver program, which does not allow employment. Construction at the $4 billion facility has been suspended, fueling diplomatic tensions and raising doubts among South Korean investors about the risks of expanding in the U.S. "As of today, our latest information is that at 3 p.m., they will leave the detention facility, with the flight scheduled to take off at about 1 a.m. tomorrow and arrive in Seoul tomorrow afternoon," Lee said. "There are 316 South Koreans, 306 men and 10 women, along with 14 foreigners, moving by the chartered flight. One of the detainees chose to remain in the U.S. because of a family situation." Lee added that Seoul had objected to U.S. authorities' initial plan to transport the workers in handcuffs and pressed for their release without restraints. "Frankly, it is embarrassing," he said. "Companies must be wondering whether investing directly in the U.S. is worth it. If this situation continues, it will inevitably affect future investment decisions." On security and inter-Korean relations, Lee emphasized the need to reduce tensions despite North Korea's cool stance. "From North Korea's perspective, it would be foolish to expect them to suddenly change their stance just because our government stopped loudspeaker broadcasts and took a few conciliatory steps," he said. "But for us, easing military tensions along the border is in our interest. It is not for them, but for us." Rejecting ideological labels, Lee described his approach as pragmatic. "It is not because Lee Jae Myung is pro-North Korea. It is because this is about South Korea," he said. "North Korea's nuclear and missile issues are directly tied to the U.S. The armistice was signed by the U.S., not us. So, of course, U.S.-North Korea relations are critical. But when that relationship improves, it also helps inter-Korean relations." Lee added that he would continue to act as a go-between for Washington and Pyongyang. "Right now, the person who can have the strongest influence is President Donald Trump," he said. "If he plays the role of peacemaker, I will do my best as the pacemaker." The press conference followed Lee's intense diplomatic schedule, which included summits with the G7, Japan, and the United States. He is set to attend the U.N. General Assembly and APEC later this year. Reflecting on his first months in office, Lee said, "The past 100 days were about recovery and normalization. From today until the last day of my term, I will dedicate myself to building a country where the people are the true owners, and where South Korea can grow and leap forward." 2025-09-11 13:19:06

Iranian Embassy in Seoul showcases culture through music, history and dialogue SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul hosted a cultural event on September 9, presenting Iran's history, arts, and traditions to South Korean guests through presentations, music, and dialogue. Dr. Fatemeh Yousefi opened by placing Iran geographically and historically at the crossroads of Asia. She said, "Iran has more than seven thousand years of history and civilization," pointing to UNESCO-listed sites such as Persepolis and Pasargadae. Her presentation highlighted notable heritage landmarks such as the citadel of Arg-e Bam, Persepolis and the tomb of Cyrus the Great. She also introduced Iran's natural diversity from the Caspian Hyrcanian forests to Mount Damavand and the Lut Desert. She described intangible traditions like Nowruz and Yalda, and spoke of sports, art, and cultural heritage numbering "29 world cultural heritage sites and 26 intangible heritage elements." Music was an important part of the program. A santur master performed on the hammered dulcimer, followed by a setar performance on the traditional Persian string instrument. A Persian calligrapher was also on hand to compose custom inscriptions for attendees. Hamideh Amini, Third Secretary for Public Diplomacy, offered a defining message. "Culture is the strongest way to connect us to our origins and to one another," she said. She explained that the event was named "A Window to Iran" to provide a glimpse of the country's cultural depth. "It is impossible to present all of Iran's heritage in one hour, but even showing a small piece of the vast ocean has meaning," she said. During a question-and-answer session, she was asked how South Koreans and Iranians might become closer at the grassroots level. "In Iran, people know Korea well and have a positive image, but here in Korea, Iranian culture is less familiar. With more effort through cultural exchange, that can change," she said. When pressed to name one specific field, she identified cinema. "Iran has many internationally recognized directors, and cooperation in cinema would be a very good way to bring our peoples closer." The program also highlighted the long history of Korea-Iran relations. UNESCO notes that Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Silla, was a hub of the Silk Roads, with Persian goods arriving via coastal and overland routes as early as the seventh century. Archeological artifacts such as a Silla-era dagger and sheath believed to originate from Persia confirm these long-standing exchanges. In modern times, South Korea and Iran have maintained diplomatic and economic ties since relations were established in 1962. Despite sanctions and regional tensions, trade continues. According to the Tehran Times, South Korean exports to Iran reached about 56 million dollars in the first four months of 2025, including copper concentrate and petrochemicals. 2025-09-10 14:23:27

KAIST uses quantum computing to design porous materials like LEGO blocks SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has become the first in the world to apply quantum computing to the design of multivariate porous materials (MTVs), opening the door to new catalysts, membranes, and energy storage materials. MTVs are materials made of molecular building blocks that can be combined in different ways, much like LEGO pieces, to create tailor-made structures. They have potential uses in gas capture, selective chemical reactions, and next-generation batteries. The problem is that the number of possible combinations grows so fast that conventional computers cannot handle all the calculations. To solve this, a team led by Kim Ji-han of KAIST's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering used a quantum computer to map out millions of possible structures. By turning the building blocks and connection points into qubits, the basic units of quantum computing, the system could quickly sort through countless possibilities at once. It is like laying out millions of LEGO houses and instantly picking the most stable design. The researchers tested their framework on four known MTV structures and confirmed that the quantum model produced the correct results. They also ran the same calculations on an IBM quantum computer, proving that the method works on real hardware. Going forward, the team plans to combine the method with machine learning to not only design structures but also predict how easy they are to synthesize, how well they absorb gases, and how they perform in energy applications. "This study is the first to use quantum computing to break through the bottleneck in designing complex multicomponent porous materials," said Kim. "The results could lead to custom-designed materials for carbon capture, selective catalysts, and advanced electrolytes, and the method can be expanded to even more complex systems in the future." Doctoral candidates Kang Shin-young and Kim Young-hoon were credited as co-first authors. The findings were published online on Aug. 22 in ACS Central Science, the journal of the American Chemical Society, under the title "Quantum Computing Based Design of Multivariate Porous Materials." The research was supported by South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT through its Mid-Career Researcher Program and Convergence Materials Program. 2025-09-09 10:41:53

[[K-Pop]] BTS' Brother band CORTIS drops teaser for 'FaSHioN' ahead of debut album release SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - CORTIS, the new boy band from BigHit Music and the label's third act following BTS and TXT, unveiled a teaser video for their follow-up track "FaSHioN" on Sunday, one day before the official release of their debut album. The clip, released September 7 on HYBE Labels' YouTube channel, features dramatic scenes set against New Zealand's snow-covered mountains, a junkyard, and city streets, punctuated by a car-crash effect designed to heighten anticipation for the full video. CORTIS, made up of Martin, James, Juhun, Sunghyun, and Gunho, will release the full "FaSHioN" music video today at 6 p.m., alongside the album "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES." Later in the evening, the group will hold its first release party at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium, with all tracks performed live. The event will also be livestreamed through the Weverse platform. The debut album contains six tracks, including the title song "What You Want," the rallying anthem "GO!," "FaSHioN," summer-inspired "JoyRide," and "Lullaby," a ballad about leaning on each other in uncertain times. An additional track, "What You Want (feat. Teezo Touchdown)," will be available exclusively on streaming platforms. The five members, all teenagers, took part in writing lyrics, track-making, and choreography. Every member is credited on the album, which the group says was the result of working through about 300 demos over the past two years. They also directed and contributed ideas to each of the music videos, positioning themselves as a "young creator crew" within HYBE’s BigHit Music label. 2025-09-08 15:54:46

KAIST develops new database technology that could make AI agents much smarter SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has developed a new database system that brings together two types of databases, relational and graph, into a single, more powerful platform, the prestigious institute said Monday. The technology, called "Chimera," is expected to help create AI agents that can think more like humans by understanding not just simple facts but also complex connections between them. Relational databases are the traditional way companies have stored data, like rows and columns in a spreadsheet. Graph databases work differently: they store data as nodes and links, making them especially good at showing relationships, such as who is friends with whom, or how a buyer, product, and seller are connected. Until now, companies often had to manage these two systems separately, which created high costs, delays, and errors when combining results. Chimera solves this by completely integrating the two systems. It can process both relational and graph queries at the same time, without the usual slowdown or memory issues. This means AI programs can answer more complicated questions, such as "Who are the friends of this person's friends, and where do they work?" much faster and more accurately. In international benchmark tests, Chimera was at least four times faster, and in some cases up to 280 times faster, than existing systems. It also avoids the memory shortages and outdated data problems that earlier solutions often faced. "Data is getting more connected and complex, so the need for technology that combines graph and relational databases is growing," said Kim Min-soo, professor at KAIST's School of Computing. "Chimera addresses this need directly, and we expect it to be widely used in AI, finance, and e-commerce." The system was presented on September 1 at the VLDB international conference, one of the world's leading events for database research. It is already being applied to "AkasicDB," a new platform being released by GraphAI, a startup founded by Professor Kim. AkasicDB is designed to power next-generation AI assistants that can search and reason in real time. The study's first author was doctoral candidate Lee Geon-ho, with Jeong-ho Park of GraphAI as the second author. The project was supported by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) and the National Research Foundation of Korea. 2025-09-08 15:40:07

[[K-Pop]] aespa to drop sixth mini album "Rich Man" today SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - aespa will return Friday with their sixth mini album "Rich Man," scheduled for release at 1 p.m. KST (0400 GMT) across global music platforms. The record features six tracks in a range of styles, including hip hop, R&B, and pop. The title track "Rich Man" is described as a dance song driven by rough electric guitar riffs and an addictive topline, paired with shifting band sounds meant to highlight the group’s vocals and energy. Choreography for the track has been previewed as a mix of simple hand movements that are easy for fans to copy, along with more intense sequences later in the performance that showcase each member’s individuality. The music video presents aespa’s interpretation of a "Rich Man" as someone who follows their own rhythm even in the most difficult moments. According to SM Entertainment, the visuals will incorporate imagery such as car chases and rugby matches to create a dynamic and bold look. SM added that the album revolves around the slogan "I am enough as I am. I am a 'Rich Man'," with lyrics intended to deliver messages of self-confidence and self-love. Other tracks on the mini album include "Drift," with a whistled hook, "Bubble," comparing false appearances to bubbles, "Count On Me," in a hazy R&B style, "Angel #48," marked by upbeat track sounds, and "To The Girls," a mid-tempo pop cut. 2025-09-05 09:41:11

[[K-Pop]] K-pop tops Billboard's main charts for first time in five years SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - K-pop song has reclaimed the top spots on both of Billboard's main song charts, the Hot 100 singles ranking and the Billboard 200 albums chart, for the first time in about five years. The last time the feat was achieved was in December 2020 by BTS. According to the latest Billboard update on September 4, the original soundtrack of Netflix's animated film K-pop Demon Hunters held the No. 1 position on the Hot 100 with the track "Golden," marking its second consecutive week at the top. On the Billboard 200, Stray Kids' fourth full-length album KARMA entered at No. 1. The group has now debuted seven consecutive albums at the top of the chart since ODDINARY in 2022, the first act in Billboard history to do so. The last time a K-pop act topped both charts simultaneously was in 2020, when BTS led the Hot 100 with "Life Goes On" and the Billboard 200 with the accompanying album BE. The K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack also placed eight tracks on this week's Hot 100, highlighting the film's global momentum. In addition to "Golden," which has now spent three weeks at No. 1, the fictional boy band Saja Boys charted with "Your Idol" at No. 4 and "Soda Pop" at No. 5, while the girl group Huntrix entered with "How It's Done" at No. 9 and "What It Sounds Like" at No. 19. Other K-pop acts also made strong showings. Rosé and pop star Bruno Mars' duet "Apartment" debuted at No. 43, Twice's "Strategy" ranked No. 51, Stray Kids' "Ceremony" came in at No. 52, and Blackpink's "Run" landed at No. 78. 2025-09-04 17:01:08