S. Korea sets AI transformation as centerpiece of new economic plan SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - South Korea's government and ruling Democratic Party on Wednesday announced plans to push for an "AI transformation" across industry, government, and daily life, while easing heavy penalties on companies and opening public data to the private sector. The announcement followed a policy meeting at the National Assembly attended by the ruling Democratic Party (DP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Officials said the strategy rests on four pillars: "technology-led growth," "inclusive growth," "fair growth," and "sustainable growth." To support advanced industries, the government will designate key projects and provide assistance packages that include financing, tax incentives, manpower, and regulatory support. The DP also said it will prepare legislation to expand access to public data and help implement government initiatives. Han Jeong-ae, the party’s policy chief, said after the meeting that the government and the ruling party will move to revise corporate governance laws and adjust regulations that do not meet global standards. "There were opinions within the party, including from the special committee on the KOSPI 5000 initiative, that revisions are needed regarding excessive penalties such as breach of trust charges," she said. The DP plans to launch a task force to pursue these reforms together with the government. Officials also said the scope of the stewardship code will be expanded to strengthen corporate governance by requiring institutional investors to act more responsibly when managing assets. The AI-centered growth plan traces back to a campaign pledge by President Lee Jae-myung ahead of the June 3 snap election. During his campaign, Lee promised to create a 100 trillion won fund, with contributions from both the public and private sectors, to make South Korea one of the world’s top three AI powers. He also vowed to ramp up investment in advanced industries ranging from biotechnology and healthcare to aerospace and defense. 2025-08-20 15:27:17

[[K-Pop]] BTS' brother band CORTIS releases music video for debut track "What You Want" SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - CORTIS, the new boy band under BigHit Music, has released the music video for its debut title track "What You Want." The video was posted at midnight on August 20 on the HYBE Labels YouTube channel. It serves as the title track of the group’s debut album "Color Outside the Lines," which is scheduled for official release on September 8. CORTIS, consisting of members Martin, James, Juhun, Sunghyun, and Gunho, took part in directing the video themselves, further highlighting their involvement in the creative process. The group officially debuted on August 18 with the digital release of "What You Want." By the morning of August 20, the track had entered the iTunes Top Songs chart in 15 countries and regions, including Thailand, Indonesia, and the Netherlands. 2025-08-20 14:34:19

[[K-Pop]] YOUNG POSSE's "Freestyle" video tops 10 million views in about three days SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - YOUNG POSSE's music video for "Freestyle" crossed 10 million views on Tuesday, roughly three days after it premiered. The track fronts the group's fourth EP "Growing Pain pt.1 : FREE", released on August 14. "Freestyle" is a punk hip hop track with hints of jazz and metal. The lyrics say they will ignore outside noise and make the music they want. All five members helped write them. The video keeps that idea front and center. It switches between a car wash and a party. Playful CG adds a light, fun touch. The five perform with confidence and attitude. The group dance is loose and lively, and it hits hard with the beat. On streaming charts, "Freestyle" entered at No. 7 on South Korea's YouTube Music Daily Top Songs chart shortly after release. YOUNG POSSE, made up of Jeong Sunhye, Wi Yeonjeong, Jiana, Doeun, and Han Jieun, will continue promotions on music shows and radio, alongside web content "YOUNG POSSE Is On The Move" and the weekly self-fandom project "YOUNG POSSE And Kids" on the ENA K-POP YouTube channel every Saturday at 8 p.m. 2025-08-19 11:23:12

Independence hall of Korea chief calls for national unity in liberation day address SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - On August 15 at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, director Kim Hyung-seok read a Liberation Day statement calling for "national unity" and an end to "history wars." The full text follows. --- Fellow citizens. Distinguished guests present here. Today, on the 80th anniversary of Liberation, we have gathered at the Independence Hall of Korea to once again honor the emotion of the day when this land regained its national sovereignty. Our Independence Hall preserves a Taegeukgi that President Kim Gu of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea entrusted in 1941 to Father Mius, who was traveling from China to the United States. Rendered into contemporary language, its content is as follows. "Father Mius, I ask this of you. You are helping us wholeheartedly to bring us blessings, so wherever you travel this time, please deliver this message to any of our Korean compatriots you meet. If we are to escape the sorrow of a lost nation, if we are to enjoy freedom and happiness, let us devote all our energy, manpower, and resources to the Korean Liberation Army, defeat the evil forces of the world, our enemy Japan, and complete the independence of our homeland." March 16, 1941. From Chongqing, Kim Gu. Here we are reminded once more of the meaning of Liberation Day. Behind the independence movement of Kim Gu, whom we proudly honor, stood unnamed supporters at home and abroad who sustained the activities of the Korean Liberation Army, as well as global friends such as Father Mius of Belgium. In this sense, the liberation of the Republic of Korea is an event of world history. On August 15, 1945, our forebears welcomed liberation. It was the day when, after 36 years under Japanese colonial rule, they overcame harsh oppression and suffering and won independence with an indomitable spirit of struggle. The nationalist historian and independence activist Jeong In-bo, who fought to protect the "spirit of the nation" during the colonial period, sang of the joy of liberation as follows. "Let us touch the soil again, even the sea dances. Elders and friends who yearned to see this day, what shall we say. This day bears the trace of forty years of hot blood, let us guard it forever, let us guard it forever." The Republic of Korea, for which Jeong In-bo cried out "let us guard it forever," has built a nation that draws the world's attention, an economic power and a cultural powerhouse, through the Miracle on the Han River and democratization. Yet behind this proud history lurks a grave social problem, that of a Republic of conflict. In his inaugural address, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized "national unity" and declared that "national unity is the president's responsibility." Thus, as we mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation, it goes without saying that the foremost task our society must resolve is national unity. It is also true that historical issues contribute to our divisions, including differing understandings of "liberation." Viewed from a world-historical perspective, Korea's "liberation" was a gift gained through the victory of the Allied Powers in World War II. From this vantage point, Ham Seok-heon's "Korean History Seen Through Will," a must-read among intellectuals in the post-liberation era, explains that "liberation is rice cake given by heaven." This interpretation differs from the national-historical view that "we won liberation through victory in the anti-Japanese independence war." Our people proclaimed themselves a "self-reliant, independent nation" through the March First Movement that drew the world's attention, and from that turning point our independence movement unfolded in diverse ways at home and abroad. The Provisional Government established in Shanghai, China, pursued diplomatic efforts for independence while carrying out armed resistance against Japan, thereby arousing international opinion. On April 29, 1932, the 24-year-old youth Yoon Bong-gil threw a bomb at the ceremony for the Japanese Emperor's Birthday and victory commemoration held at Hongkou Park in Shanghai, shocking the international community. In the will he left to his two sons just before the deed, he wrote, "Do not grieve that you have no father, study hard and become inventors like Edison." Just as Yoon Bong-gil sacrificed his own life for the independence of the homeland while hoping his two sons would become scientists, there is diversity on the other side of history. Liberation is not the "end of the past," it is the "responsibility to open the future." We are the people of the Republic of Korea who share five thousand years of history. There can be diverse interpretations in understanding history, but those differences must not become tools of partisan strife that divide the people. It is time to end the history wars. On that foundation, we must achieve national unity and move toward unification, the true completion of liberation. This is the mission we must affirm as we mark 80 years since liberation. August 15, 2025 Kim Hyung-seok, Director, Independence Hall of Korea 2025-08-19 10:44:03

Joint research team uncovers RNA quality control mechanism that slows aging SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Yonsei University, and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) has identified a key protein that regulates the pace of aging by maintaining the quality of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The discovery points to a potential new strategy for treating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. The researchers found that a ribosome quality-control protein called PELOTA plays a central role in removing faulty messenger RNAs (mRNAs). While the link between aging and the quality of DNA and proteins has been studied extensively, the role of RNA quality control remained largely unknown. The team demonstrated for the first time that ribosome-based mRNA surveillance directly influences lifespan. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model for aging research, the researchers showed that overexpressing PELOTA extended lifespan. Without PELOTA, the animals aged faster. The study revealed that ribosome quality control, mediated by PELOTA, is essential for eliminating abnormal mRNAs that can disrupt cellular balance. The study also revealed how PELOTA connects with major cellular pathways. When PELOTA was deficient, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway became abnormally active, and autophagy, the cell's self-cleaning and recycling process, was suppressed, accelerating aging. By contrast, activating PELOTA helped inhibit mTOR, promote autophagy, and preserve cellular homeostasis. Importantly, the findings were not limited to worms. The team observed similar mechanisms in mice and human cells, suggesting that PELOTA function is evolutionarily conserved. The loss of PELOTA activity was linked to muscle aging and Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies, pointing to potential therapeutic applications. "This study provides strong molecular evidence that RNA quality control is a central part of the aging regulatory network," said Lee Seung-jae of KAIST's Department of Biological Sciences, who led the work. "Our results show that removing abnormal RNAs is critical for maintaining cellular balance and delaying aging." The collaboration was co-led by Seo Jin-su of Yonsei University and Lee Kwang-pyo of KRIBB. The paper, titled Pelota-mediated ribosome-associated quality control counteracts aging and age-associated pathologies across species, was published on August 4 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Doctoral researchers Lee Jong-seon and Kim Eun-ji of KAIST, Lee Bo-ra of KRIBB, and Lee Hye-in of Yonsei University were credited as co-first authors. The project was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea's Leader Research Program. 2025-08-18 13:51:15

[[K-Pop]] BLACKPINK gears up for November album release amid global tour success SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop girl band BLACKPINK is set to release a new album in November, according to YG Entertainment's chief producer Yang Hyun-suk. The announcement came through a video posted Monday on the company's official YouTube channel, where Yang provided updates on several YG artists, including TREASURE and BABYMONSTER. "The BLACKPINK members and their producer have been working very hard to prepare (for a new album)," Yang said, adding: "We hope to have an album out in November. We will do our best to make that happen." The comeback follows the release of BLACKPINK's latest single "JUMP," which dropped on July 11. The song is currently ranked No. 11 on Spotify's weekly global chart. It previously debuted at No. 1 and logged over 44 million streams in its first week, marking the strongest opening for any song on the platform this year. The group is also in the middle of its "Deadline" world tour, which began on July 5 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. The stadium-only tour has since moved through major cities in North America and Europe, including Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and London. Additional stops are scheduled into early next year, with fans in Asia, Oceania, and Latin America still awaiting their turn. Alongside BLACKPINK's news, Yang shared a major update on TREASURE, a 10-member boy band. describing the group’s upcoming release as a new beginning. "They recently celebrated their 5th anniversary. Member So Jung-hwan appeared on 'Treasure Box' when he was 14 years old, and now all the members have become adults. They have finally entered their 20s," he said. TREASURE's new album, scheduled for release on September 1, will feature four retro-inspired tracks. Yang called it the start of “Act 2,” signaling a shift from their teen-focused image to a more mature and polished identity as a boy group. BABYMONSTER, comprised of seven members from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, is also gearing up for a comeback. Initially slated for October 1, the mini-album will now be released on October 10 due to delays related to the Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Holiday. The title track will be "We Go Up," and the album will include four new songs. According to YG's chief producer, BABYMONSTER recently completed filming their first original content series, "BABYMONSTER HOUSE," which will begin airing in September. 2025-08-18 10:38:46

KAIST develops AI that designs optimal cancer-targeting drugs without prior molecular data SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - KAIST scientists have unveiled an artificial intelligence model that can automatically design potential drug molecules precisely tailored to disease-causing proteins, even when no prior information about suitable molecules is available. The breakthrough could speed up drug discovery and cut costs, especially for hard-to-treat cancers. Traditionally, drug development starts by identifying a target protein, such as a cancer cell receptor, then screening vast libraries of molecules to find one that binds effectively to block its harmful activity. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and has a low success rate. The new KAIST system, called "BInD" (Bond and Interaction-Generating Diffusion model), skips the trial-and-error search by generating both the molecular structure and the way it interacts with the target protein in a single step. The team, led by Kim Woo-youn of KAIST's Department of Chemistry, designed BInD to create molecules that satisfy multiple drug design requirements at once, such as stability, physical properties, and structural realism. Most existing AI models generate molecules separately and then evaluate how they might bind to proteins. BInD instead considers the protein–molecule binding process from the start, boosting the chances of producing effective and stable candidates. The AI uses a "diffusion model", the same approach that underpinned the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the AlphaFold3 system for protein–drug structure prediction. Unlike AlphaFold3, which predicts atomic positions directly, BInD integrates knowledge-based chemical guidelines, such as bond lengths and distances between atoms, to ensure its generated molecules follow real-world chemical laws. The researchers also developed an optimization strategy that reuses strong binding patterns found in earlier AI-generated results, enabling the system to improve output without additional training. Using this method, the team successfully designed molecules that selectively target mutant forms of EGFR, a protein linked to certain cancers. This work builds on the group's previous AI models, which required pre-defined information on how molecules should bind to proteins. BInD removes that dependency, learning the key binding factors on its own. "This AI can understand and learn the essential elements for binding to a target protein, enabling it to design optimal drug candidates without prior molecular information," said Kim. "It has the potential to transform drug discovery by making it faster, more precise, and more reliable." The findings, co-authored by doctoral candidates Lee Joong-won and Jeong Won-ho as first authors, were published on Jul. 11 in the journal Advanced Science under the title "BInD: Bond and Interaction-Generating Diffusion Model for Multi-Objective Structure-Based Drug Design." 2025-08-10 12:05:00

[[K-Pop]] BTS' new brother band CORTIS to debut on August 18 SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - BigHit Music has revealed Thursday the name of its highly anticipated third boy group, CORTIS. This marks the agency’s first new boy group in six years, following the debut of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT). BTS' label launched official social media accounts for the new group and introduced the name CORTIS. The name is formed from selectively chosen letters in the phrase "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES," which reflects the group’s philosophy of thinking freely and creatively beyond set boundaries. CORTIS consists of five teenage members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Sunghyun, and Gunho. According to BigHit Music, all members are part of a young creators' crew that emphasizes originality and self-expression. Rather than following traditional roles, the group works collectively to create their music, choreography, and videos. Before their official debut, the members already showcased their creative abilities through collaborations with BigHit's senior artists. Martin was credited as a composer on TXT’s recent track "Beautiful Strangers." He and James also contributed to the songs "Deja Vu" and "Miracle." James further demonstrated his range by helping to choreograph "Deja Vu." These early contributions have drawn attention to CORTIS as a group of multi-talented artists. Their collaborative spirit and emphasis on originality are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the K-pop scene. CORTIS will officially debut on August 18. 2025-08-07 10:30:19

[[K-Pop]] ILLIT makes sitcom debut as college freshmen in new YouTube series SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - K-pop girl group ILLIT is taking on a new challenge, stepping into the world of sitcom acting for the first time since their debut. On the night of August 6, the group released the second teaser for their new self-produced content series titled "The Genre is ILLIT, Introduction to Youth Studies" through their official YouTube channel. The upcoming series "The Genre is ILLIT" follows the comedic campus life of five freshmen at the fictional ILLIT University. Each member takes on a unique character as they navigate college life, form friendships, and learn to work as a team, all while showcasing the awkward, endearing charm of youth. Despite the teaser’s short length, it offers a vivid glimpse into each member’s role. Yuna plays an exuberant and cheerful theater major bursting with enthusiasm. Minju transforms into a competitive physical education major. Moka takes on the role of a top-ranking law student, highlighting her studious persona. Wonhee portrays a quirky, free-spirited art student. Iroha rounds out the group as an early childhood education major who may lack bite but never holds back her thoughts. In one scene, the five characters gather for a group project, only for tensions to rise as Yuna and Minju both vie for the lead in the presentation. Moka steps in to mediate, but the teaser ends on a cliffhanger as the group's dynamics take a dramatic turn, heightening anticipation for the full episode. Episode one of "The Genre is ILLIT" will premiere on August 11 at 8 p.m. on the group's official YouTube channel. 2025-08-07 09:39:14

KAIST develops robotic sheet that folds, grips, and walks on its own SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - A KAIST research team has developed a new kind of robotic material that can fold itself in real time, changing its shape and function instantly without the need for reconstruction. The innovation combines physical artificial intelligence with real-time programmability and could lead to a new class of autonomous robots capable of adapting to their surroundings. KAIST announced Wednesday that Professors Kim Jeong and Park In-kyu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed what they call a "field-programmable robotic folding sheet." Unlike traditional foldable structures that require pre-designed hinges and fixed directions, this new material allows users to change folding patterns and shapes through simple software commands. The team expects it to have applications in autonomous robotics, space exploration, and emergency response. Folding structures have long been used in robotics due to their intuitive and efficient ability to alter shape. However, conventional mechanisms are limited by their fixed designs, which require a new structure each time the task or environment changes. The KAIST team addressed this limitation by developing a system that lets users reprogram fold positions and directions in real time, using a single, reusable material. The robotic sheet is made from a thin, flexible polymer embedded with a fine network of metallic resistors. These resistors serve dual functions as both heaters and temperature sensors. This allows the sheet to monitor and control its folding state without the need for external hardware. By integrating software powered by genetic algorithms and deep neural networks, users can input the desired fold locations, directions, and intensity. The sheet then responds autonomously by heating and cooling itself to generate the exact programmed shape. Feedback from the built-in sensors ensures the process is continuously adjusted for accuracy. The researchers also applied a closed-loop temperature control system, which improves real-time folding precision and compensates for changes in the environment. They reported that the system resolves one of the key limitations of heat-based folding technology, which is slow reaction time. This kind of programmable shape-shifting allows a single sheet to take on multiple robotic roles without physical redesign. The team demonstrated an adaptive robotic gripper that can modify its grip depending on the shape of the object it holds. In another demonstration, the same sheet was laid flat on a surface and reprogrammed to walk or crawl, imitating biological motion. These results suggest potential for real-time environment-adaptive robots. "This research takes us one step closer to what we call 'morphological intelligence,' where the robot’s shape becomes part of its intelligence," said Professor Kim. "We plan to improve the material’s load-bearing capacity, develop faster cooling, and create integrated electrode designs without wiring. Our long-term goal is to develop this into a next-generation physical AI platform that can be applied to disaster response, personalized medical devices, and space exploration." The study was led by Dr. Park Hyun-kyu, now at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and Professor Jung Yong-rok, now at Kyungpook National University. They served as co-first authors of the paper, which was published in the August 2025 online edition of Nature Communications. The research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT. 2025-08-06 17:44:37