[[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

KAIST and LG Energy Solution develop EV battery capable of charging in 12 minutes and driving 800km SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - A joint team of researchers in South Korea has developed a powerful new battery that can charge in just 12 minutes and allow electric vehicles to drive up to 800 kilometers on a single charge. This new battery's performance also lasts for over 300,000 kilometers and could help solve some of the biggest problems in the EV industry. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said on Thursday that a research team led by Professor Kim Hee-tak from KAIST's Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering worked together with South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution through their joint lab, the Frontier Research Laboratory (FRL). Together, they created a special liquid electrolyte that makes lithium metal batteries work better, charge faster, and last longer. This new kind of battery replaces the graphite used in regular lithium-ion batteries with pure lithium metal. Lithium metal has the potential to hold more energy, but it also has a serious problem. During charging, tiny tree-shaped crystals called dendrites can grow on the battery’s surface. These dendrites can cause the battery to short-circuit, especially during fast charging, making the battery unsafe or unreliable. Until now, it has been very difficult to prevent dendrites from forming. But the KAIST-LG research team found the cause: uneven chemical reactions happening on the surface of the lithium metal. They designed a new liquid electrolyte that fixes this problem by keeping the surface reactions more balanced. This new electrolyte uses negatively charged ions that do not easily stick to lithium ions. Because of this, the battery surface stays smooth and even, which stops dendrites from forming. As a result, the battery can handle fast charging without becoming unstable or dangerous. The researchers tested their battery by charging and discharging it many times at high speed. Even at a high charging rate of 4C (which equals 8.4 milliamps per square centimeter), the battery performed well for more than 350 cycles. It was able to go from 5 percent to 70 percent charge in under 12 minutes. In another test using a high-energy design with 386 watt-hours per kilogram, the battery reached 80 percent charge in just 17 minutes over 180 cycles. "This study is a major step forward," said Professor Kim. "We were able to solve one of the toughest problems in lithium metal batteries by understanding how the surface reacts. With this, we have moved past a key barrier to using lithium metal batteries in electric vehicles." Kim Jae-young, Chief Technology Officer at LG Energy Solution, said, "Our collaboration with KAIST over the last four years through FRL is producing real results. We will continue working together to solve difficult technical challenges and lead the next generation of battery technologies." The research was published on September 3, 2025, in Nature Energy, one of the highest-ranked scientific journals in the world. The first author of the paper is Dr. Kwon Hyuk-jin, a researcher in KAIST’s Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering. This research was carried out at the Frontier Research Laboratory, a joint center created by KAIST and LG Energy Solution in 2021 to focus on next-generation lithium metal battery technologies.` 2025-09-04 15:04:07

Russian envoy underscores Soviet role in Korea's liberation at Seoul exhibition SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - The Russian Embassy in South Korea opened an exhibition in Seoul on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Korean Peninsula. The event, titled "Remembering the Liberation of the Korean Peninsula," is being held at Gallery Kartina and runs through September 26. Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev used his welcome remarks to highlight what he called the decisive role of the Soviet Union in Japan's defeat. "Soviet operations dismantled Japan's defense within Korea and, though the Red Army stopped at the 38th parallel under agreement with the United States, its contribution was decisive," he said. "Soviet casualties in Korea numbered over 1,900." He contrasted the Soviet campaign with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "Unlike the bombings, which had no real military significance and caused countless civilian deaths, the Red Army crushed the largest Japanese group on the continent and destroyed its military-industrial base," he said. "It also shut down Japan's programs for mass destruction weapons, particularly biological weapons, saving millions of lives." Former South Korean Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun also spoke at the opening. "Korea's liberation was primarily the result of the Korean people's long struggle," he said. "But Russian territory was a base for our independence fighters, and the Soviet Union's role has often been minimized while the contribution of the United States has been overstated. I hope this exhibition helps set the record straight." Woo, a former Democratic Party floor leader, described the effort to strengthen ties with Russia as consistent across administrations. "From President Kim Dae-jung through Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in and now Lee Jae Myung, our governments have pursued engagement with Russia and the northern region," he said. He also noted former President Roh Tae-woo's role in opening ties, saying he respected that contribution despite being from another political camp. Calling the modest exhibition space "symbolic," Woo added, "There is a saying that when a small space is filled, blessings come. Seeing so many gathered here makes me feel that South Korea–Russia relations will also be blessed." The event takes place at a time when ties between South Korea and Russia remain strained. Seoul has joined Western sanctions over Russia's 2022 attack on Ukraine, restricting technology exports and financial flows. At the same time, Moscow continues to look eastward for partners, deepening cooperation with North Korea, including a security treaty signed in 2024 and infrastructure projects such as a road bridge across the border. Trade links remain, though they have weakened. Russia was South Korea's tenth-largest export destination before the war in Ukraine, and discussions on a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement have been on the table since 2019. The exhibition features archival photographs, documents, and records illustrating the Soviet Union's wartime campaign in Asia and its role in dismantling Japan's colonial rule on the peninsula. 2025-09-04 13:30:27

KAIST uncovers hidden mechanism in next-generation memory technology SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have successfully visualized, for the first time, how tiny particles inside memory devices move and interact when data is written and erased. The discovery could help make future memory chips faster, smaller, and more reliable — a major breakthrough for next-generation computing and artificial intelligence. On September 2, 2025, KAIST announced that two research teams, led by Professor Seungbum Hong and Professor Sang-Hee Ko Park of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, have figured out exactly how electrons and oxygen ions behave inside a new kind of memory called ReRAM. Their study shows that these particles move together in complex ways and that this movement directly affects how memory stores and deletes information. ReRAM stands for Resistive Random Access Memory. It is considered one of the most promising alternatives to current memory technologies because it can store data even when the power is off, has a simple structure, and operates at high speed. Unlike traditional memory chips, ReRAM uses special materials that can change their electrical resistance when a small voltage is applied. This change in resistance is what turns memory "on" and "off." Until now, scientists knew that ReRAM worked because of tiny defects called oxygen vacancies, but they did not fully understand how those defects actually caused the resistance to change. That knowledge gap made it harder to design ReRAM chips that are fast, stable, and energy-efficient. To solve this mystery, the KAIST team built a custom research tool called a “multi-modal scanning probe microscope.” This instrument combines several advanced types of microscopes into one machine. Each type looks at something different: one sees how electric current flows (C-AFM), another tracks the movement of oxygen ions (ESM), and a third detects changes in surface voltage (KPFM). Using this tool, the researchers could watch what was happening inside the memory chip in real time. They tested a thin film made of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a common material used in ReRAM, and applied tiny electrical signals to simulate how memory gets written and erased. What they saw was that electrons need open “paths” to flow through the material, and those paths depend on where the oxygen vacancies are. When more vacancies are bunched together, the paths open up and current flows easily. When the vacancies are spread out, the paths disappear and current is blocked. This directly explained how the memory turns on and off. The researchers also found something new: electrons and oxygen ions don’t just act separately. They interact in complex ways, and their movement is closely linked. This means that both types of particles must be controlled carefully to make ReRAM more stable and efficient. One important discovery was related to how memory can be “erased.” During this process, oxygen ions are pushed into the material, helping the memory stay in the "off" state longer. This insight could be key to making future ReRAM devices more reliable. "This is the first time anyone has been able to directly observe the spatial relationship between oxygen defects, ions, and electrons inside a working memory device," said Professor Hong. "Our approach can be used to study many other materials used in next-generation semiconductors, and could help open up entirely new areas of research." The first author of the paper is PhD candidate Chaewon Gong of KAIST’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The study was published on July 20, 2025, in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, a leading journal published by the American Chemical Society. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. 2025-09-02 15:27:12

OPINION: Kazakhstan's constitution at 30: What has been achieved? SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - When people voted in the 1995 national referendum (August 30) to adopt a new Constitution, they laid the cornerstone of modern statehood. More than just a legal charter, the Constitution of Kazakhstan is marked by its humanist focus. Article 1 declares the country a democratic, secular, legal, and social state, in which the highest values are the individual, their life, rights, and freedoms. For a country like Kazakhstan, which gained independence relatively recently, these provisions were far from mere formal declarations. They became a bedrock of domestic policy, legislative development, and state strategy in the years that followed. Experts note that the constitutional recognition of human rights was a decisive step in the transition from an administrative-command system to a modern rule-of-law state. Over nearly three decades, Kazakhstan has demonstrated a readiness to strengthen mechanisms for protecting citizens’ rights in a gradual yet consistent manner: open, institutionally formalized, and backed by international obligations. Human rights have thus acquired not only domestic significance but also become a marker of international legitimacy. Expanding Human Rights Safeguards Perhaps the most significant innovation of the reform that followed a nationwide referendum on June 5, 2022 was granting constitutional status to the Human Rights Commissioner. Ombudsman Artur Lastayev highlighted that with this decision, Kazakhstan has joined developed democracies where the activities of national human rights institutions are regulated by the Constitution and constitutional laws. "This is a sign of democratic maturity. Reforms have made human rights protections more accessible, including the right of citizens to appeal directly to the Constitutional Court," Lastayev explained. The ombudsman’s role has expanded from reviewing complaints to proactive monitoring of detention facilities, legislative initiatives, and legal education. In 2024, nearly 800 visits to prisons, detention centers, and special institutions were carried out, far exceeding previous years. Regional representatives of the ombudsman now operate nationwide. This institutional presence has fueled a surge in public trust, as annual appeals have grown from 1,800 to nearly 7,000 in just a few years. According to Lastayev, this reflects both rising legal awareness and stronger trust in institutions. Legislative proposals from the ombudsman’s office are increasingly shaping national policy. Among the most notable is the new law on combating domestic violence, written in accordance with ombudsman recommendations, which now stands as a landmark in Kazakhstan’s legal landscape. Rule of Law through Constitutional Change The Constitution has proven to be flexible, evolving in response to new challenges. The transformative change came with the referendum in June 2022, when citizens endorsed sweeping reforms aimed at democratization, judicial modernization, and the reinforcement of the principle of law and order. The judiciary was a primary beneficiary. As Chief Justice Aslambek Mergaliyev noted, according to the Constitution, everyone has the right to judicial protection of their rights and freedoms. "Therefore, it is crucial that every citizen is confident in the fairness of the court, where they can truly find both protection and truth. The rule of law in all spheres of life must become the foundation of Kazakhstan's progressive development," he said. Digitization has advanced rapidly. Over 80% of pre-trial investigations are now conducted electronically, and 90% of investigative actions are video-recorded, ensuring transparency. The Ministry of Justice has also broadened legal access through the People’s Lawyer campaign and the expansion of its online Legal Cabinet. Aspirations of the People The Constitution has proven both durable and adaptive. Nearly three decades after its adoption, it remains centered on the principle that the highest value is the individual, their rights, and their dignity. The 2022 reforms in particular cemented the idea that sovereignty belongs to the people, while anchoring the rule of law and human rights protections in the country’s political DNA. As the nation navigates the digital era and a shifting global landscape, its greatest hope lies in the Constitution’s continued role: not only as the foundation of statehood, but also as a reflection of the society’s aspirations. 2025-09-01 09:32:33

INTERVIEW: Thai envoy speaks about deepening ties on security, economy and culture SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - Thailand and South Korea share a long friendship built on history and sacrifice. Ambassador Tanee Sangrat reminded that the foundation of trust goes back to the Korean War, when Thai troops fought alongside South Koreans. "Thailand is an old friend," he said during an interview with AJP on August 28. "Our cooperation began with sacrifice during the Korean War, and it remains the base for everything we can achieve together." Thailand was the first Asian nation to send troops to fight alongside South Korea and United Nations forces in the Korean War. Following North Korea’s invasion in June 1950, the Thai government under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram quickly pledged support for the UN command. In total, more than 11,000 Thai soldiers rotated through the Korean Peninsula between 1950 and 1953. Over 1,200 were wounded and 136 killed in action. This early sacrifice established Thailand as one of South Korea’s staunchest partners, laying the groundwork for the diplomatic and security ties that endure today. Asked about priorities, the ambassador placed security and defense at the top. "It is vital that Thailand and the people of Korea take full advantage of our close and long-standing relationship and cooperation," he said, stressing, "We must work more closely on cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and on fighting transnational crime such as cyber scam call centers." He also pointed to existing defense industry ties. "Our most advanced ship was built in this country by Hanwha Ocean. Thailand acquired T-50 jet trainers from Korea and they are now in active use. These are concrete examples of what we can do together." On the economic front, he stressed resilience and new growth. "We should reduce risks and strengthen ties through an Economic Partnership Agreement. There are many areas of economic cooperation, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, future mobility, renewable energy, batteries, and semiconductors." For South Korean investors looking at Southeast Asia, he presented Thailand as both a market and a base. "Thailand is at the crossroads of the region. We are the main hub of Southeast Asia. With advanced highways, rail, international ports and deep seaports, we can serve as both a manufacturing base and a consumer market for high-tech industries." He listed concrete incentives. "We provide corporate income tax exemption for up to 13 years and a 50 percent reduction for up to five years. Non-tax incentives include permission to bring in skilled workers and the ability to remit funds abroad in foreign currency," Ambassador Sangrat said. The Eastern Economic Corridor is central to this pitch. "The EEC covers Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong," he said, adding, "We are building a high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. Phase three of Laem Chabang Port is already underway. The EEC has its own office and its own law to support investors." He then outlined five industries that the government prioritizes. First is bio-based industries, drawing on sugarcane and cassava for biotechnology, bioenergy, biochemicals, and biopharmaceuticals. Second is healthcare and medical services, where Thailand is already a global leader in medical tourism. Third is semiconductors and advanced technology. Fourth is digital and creative industries, with our digital economy contributing more than six percent of GDP in 2023. Fifth is electric vehicles. We produced almost 1.5 million vehicles in 2024, and we are transitioning rapidly to EVs." The conversation moved to education. "We are linking key Thai universities with Korean institutions such as KAIST and Seoul National University," he said. The envoy also revealed plans to establish permanent joint research labs and to produce PhD-level talent in AI, semiconductors, batteries, and other sectors over the next five years. "Students will also be encouraged to work on startups of their own," the ambassador said. Culture will also be central. The embassy is preparing a two-day festival in Seoul that kicks off on September 6. "Last year, more than 50,000 people joined us. This year we expect around 6,000," he said. "We will open in the morning and hold a parade in the afternoon led by Buakaw, the Muay Thai champion. The champion will collaborate with a Taekwondo team while the festival will exhibit an Innovation Zone for Thai startups, and offer free Thai massage throughout both days. The Khon masked dance and a Pattaya cultural show will highlight tradition. T-pop (Thai-pop) artists will perform for young audiences, and there will be singing and dancing competitions for Koreans and international friends." On migration issues, he acknowledged concerns. "There are more than 170,000 Thai nationals in Korea. Almost 50,000 are legal workers, but many remain undocumented," he said. "Our strategy is to reduce the number of undocumented workers and increase the number of documented workers." He pointed to cooperation with South Korean authorities. "We are working with the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Service to improve the K-ETA process so that decisions are made before travel. Travelers should not be turned back at the airport after spending so much money to come. We also support the voluntary return program so undocumented workers can go home without penalties." The ambassador closed on a forward-looking note. "Korea is becoming a global power not only in soft power but in many industries and technologies. Thailand has grown as well. We must look more to each other for closer strategic collaboration in defense, AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, green energy, and small modular reactors—for the benefit of our people." 2025-08-31 11:59:45

[[K-Pop]] Rapper PSY under police investigation over alleged proxy receipt of prescription drugs SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - South Korean rapper PSY, well known for his global hit song "Gangnam Style," is under police investigation on suspicion of violating medical laws by allegedly receiving prescription-only psychotropic drugs through a proxy, authorities confirmed Thursday. According to the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul, the 47-year-old K-pop star and a university hospital professor are being investigated following a complaint that accused them of breaching medical regulations. Police are also looking into whether PSY's manager collected the medication on his behalf. Investigators suspect that since 2022, PSY has obtained prescriptions for Xanax and Stilnox, both classified as psychotropic drugs for treating anxiety and sleep disorders, from a Seoul university hospital without in-person consultations and had them picked up by his manager. The police recently raided the hospital to secure related medical records. Under South Korean law, such drugs must be prescribed after face-to-face consultations, and patients are required to collect them in person. Proxy receipt is only permitted in limited cases, such as by a family member or caregiver. Temporary rules during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed phone prescriptions and proxy collection beginning in February 2020, but those measures were rolled back in November 2021. In a statement released through his agency, Pnation, PSY admitted fault in allowing a third party to collect prescription sleeping pills on his behalf. "The proxy collection of prescription sleeping pills was clearly a mistake and negligence. We are sorry," the statement said. The gaency added that PSY has long suffered from chronic sleep disorders and has taken sleeping pills only under medical supervision at prescribed dosages. "There was no proxy prescription," the agency stressed. "However, there were cases where sleeping pills were collected by a third party, and the police are currently investigating. We sincerely apologize once again for causing concern." 2025-08-28 13:36:24

KAIST and Princeton University launch Net-Zero Korea project SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - South Korea's prestigious research institute, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), and Princeton University have launched a joint initiative called Net-Zero Korea, aimed at helping South Korea accelerate its transition to carbon neutrality. The project was announced on August 27 at the World Climate Industry Expo in Busan. It will be led by Professor Jeon Hae-won at KAIST's Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainable Development, in partnership with Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. Funded through seed money from Google, the collaboration will run for three years. The goal is to create a detailed roadmap that can guide South Korea's climate and energy policies. The research builds on Princeton's "Net-Zero America" study, published in 2021, which outlined practical pathways for the United States to reach net-zero emissions. By combining Princeton's methods with KAIST's modeling expertise, the project will adapt the framework to South Korea's industrial and economic conditions. Net-Zero Korea will use energy system modeling, a tool that simulates how energy supply and demand might change under different policies. These models can show the costs, benefits, and side effects of shifting away from fossil fuels toward clean energy. KAIST will add its experience with integrated assessment models, which link energy choices to broader issues such as land use, trade, health, and economic growth. The project will also produce highly detailed visualizations of how South Korea's energy and industrial systems could evolve. The analysis will cover land use changes, capital investment needs, job creation, and the health effects of air pollution. A key feature of the work is the development of an open-source optimization model that incorporates international trade. For a country like South Korea, where exports and imports drive the economy, trade has a direct impact on how realistic different climate policies may be. Professor Wei Peng of Princeton said, "By combining KAIST's world-class expertise in integrated assessment modeling with Princeton’s macro-energy modeling, we can develop tools that will be useful not just for South Korea but also for other trade-dependent economies around the world." Antonia Gawel, Director of Partnerships at Google, said, "We are delighted to support this important project between KAIST and Princeton University. It also aligns with Google's own goal of achieving net-zero emissions across our supply chain by 2030." Professor Jeon Hae-won of KAIST noted, "Through this collaboration with Princeton University, which has led pioneering net-zero research, we hope to provide a strong scientific foundation for South Korea’s carbon neutrality and sustainable energy future." KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung added, "It is meaningful that KAIST, as South Korea's leading research institution, is partnering with Princeton University to create a science-based policy support system for climate crisis response. This cooperation will contribute not only to South Korea’s net-zero transition but also to the global effort to address climate change." 2025-08-27 14:11:03

Seoul brushes off Trump's call for ownership of Pyeongtaek base land SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - President Donald Trump startled Seoul Tuesday by suggesting the United States should own the land currently occupied by Camp Humphreys, the massive United States military base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, that serves as the largest overseas American installation. During his summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on August 25, Trump said, "Maybe one of the things I'd like to do is ask them to give us ownership of the land while we have the big fort. You know we spent a lot of money building a fort, and there was a contribution made by South Korea. But I would like to see if we could get rid of the lease and get ownership of the land where we have a massive military base." The remarks were the first time a U.S. president has publicly raised the idea of securing land title to a base site in South Korea. Camp Humphreys, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, is the headquarters for U.S. Forces Korea and the most visible symbol of the alliance. National Security Director Wi Sung-rak stressed that bases are "granted, not transferred." He underlined that when the land is no longer needed, it must be returned under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek told lawmakers on August 26 that any talk of a handover was "impossible in the real world," calling Trump’s language a mischaracterization of the arrangement. "We are only allowing temporary use, and the land must be returned," Ahn said. The American presence dates back to September 1945, when U.S. forces landed in Incheon after Japan's surrender. Around 70,000 troops were deployed south of the 38th parallel before most pulled out in 1948. The Korean War in 1950 brought them back, and they have remained ever since under the 1953 Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. For decades, the centerpiece was Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, which housed U.S. Forces Korea headquarters from the 1950s. Its location in the heart of the capital fueled debate over sovereignty and city planning, eventually leading to a 2004 relocation deal. Camp Humphreys opened as the new headquarters in 2018, sprawling across more than 14 million square meters. It now anchors U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific and is often described as the largest American overseas base. In total, South Korea provides 62 facilities for U.S. use, including Osan Air Base, Camp Casey, and Kunsan Air Base. Under SOFA, South Korea retains ownership of the land and grants it to the U.S. free of charge. Facilities must be returned when no longer required. The U.S. bears operating costs, but Seoul contributes through the Special Measures Agreement, which covers local labor, construction, and support services. That contribution is estimated at about 1.5 trillion won a year. At the end of World War II, U.S. troop numbers in South Korea peaked at about 70,000. Today, roughly 28,500 are stationed across the peninsula, giving South Korea the third-largest American military presence after Germany and Japan. 2025-08-27 13:28:22