Journalist
Pei Guangjiang, Wang Di, People's Daily
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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US begins major combat operations against Iran after Israeli strikes on Tehran SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - United States President Donald Trump announced the start of "major combat operations" against Iran in an eight-minute video posted to Truth Social at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday (local time). The move marks a massive military escalation in the Middle East, ending an eight-month period of relative calm following the 12-Day War last June. "The United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests," President Trump said in the video speech. He accused the Iranian government of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program and developing long-range missiles. "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We are going to annihilate their navy," he added. The U.S. offensive follows a series of "preventive strikes" launched by the Israeli Ministry of Defense against Tehran. Iranian state television reported explosions and thick smoke rising from the capital's city center, with international media reporting blasts near the office of the 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. It remains unconfirmed if Khamenei was present, as he has not appeared in public for several days. Following the strikes, Israel ordered a nationwide closure of schools and businesses. President Trump stated the operations also aim to neutralize regional proxies and protect allies. "We are going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world, and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs—or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called—to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people including many Americans," he said. He further emphasized that the mission would "ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon." This escalation follows the deployment of the largest assembly of American military assets in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The buildup includes two aircraft carrier strike groups, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford, and over 100 fighter jets including F-35s and F-22s. The shift to open combat follows the collapse of diplomatic efforts. Washington had engaged in three rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations with Tehran through intermediaries in Switzerland and Oman, but the talks failed to reach a breakthrough. During the final round in Geneva on February 26, U.S. negotiators reportedly demanded the full dismantling of nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The current hostilities follow the 12-Day War of June 2025, which caused significant damage to Iranian nuclear infrastructure and military leadership before a ceasefire was reached on June 24. President Trump characterized the new offensive as a necessary response to renewed Iranian provocations. The Pentagon has not yet released specific details regarding the initial targets of the American strikes. Iranian officials have previously warned that any military action by the United States would be met with a decisive response. 2026-02-28 17:14:50 -
BTS Comeback D-21: BTS to play one-hour comeback set at Gwanghwamun Plaza SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - BTS will headline a 60-minute performance at Gwanghwamun Plaza next month, featuring a setlist that balances new material with the group's global hits. The free concert, titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG," is scheduled for Mar. 21 and marks the first time the group will perform tracks from its fifth studio album in nearly four years. HYBE, the agency for BTS, confirmed Saturday that it is finalizing a program to showcase songs from the new album, Arirang, alongside established fan favorites. Agency officials said the one-hour duration was chosen to balance the scale of the production with the logistical demands of a major urban center. The decision aims to prioritize public safety and minimize disruption in the heart of the capital. "The performance time is a matter decided by the company, and we have decided to operate for an appropriate performance time that can be conducted safely and smoothly," HYBE said. The agency added that the Gwanghwamun event is a "performance in a special environment conducted in an outdoor public place, unlike a general concert hall," and that the duration was determined after considering stage operations, visitor safety, and site control plans. The Seoul Metropolitan Government noted that the composition and timing of the performance remain under the sole discretion of HYBE. Demand for the event has already proven historic. The 13,000 reserved seats were claimed instantly when ticketing opened on February 23, with online queues peaking at 100,000 people. Police estimates suggest the actual crowd on the day of the event could reach 260,000 people, potentially filling the corridor from the plaza down to Sungnyemun. To accommodate the expected turnout, organizers are exploring the installation of large screens in the vicinity of Seoul Plaza. The event will also necessitate the closure of Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is set to serve as a backdrop for the global broadcast on Netflix. 2026-02-28 15:00:30 -
BTS Comeback D-21: Gyeongbokgung Palace to close for BTS comeback at Gwanghwamun SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - Gyeongbokgung Palace will deviate from its standard operating schedule and close its gates on a Saturday next month to accommodate a massive live performance by BTS at the adjacent Gwanghwamun Plaza. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center at the National Heritage Administration announced on February 28 that the landmark will be shuttered on March 21. While the palace typically remains open on weekends and takes its weekly break on Tuesdays, officials cited safety and logistical requirements for the high-profile event. BTS is set to release its fifth studio album, Arirang, on March 20, followed by a televised comeback concert the next evening. The performance, which will be streamed globally on Netflix, is expected to utilize the historic architecture of the palace as a primary backdrop. According to Cultural Heritage Committee minutes, the group's agency plans an opening sequence featuring the members walking through the three arched gates of Gwanghwamun toward a stage installed at the northern end of the plaza. Authorities are bracing for record crowds, with police estimates suggesting up to 260,000 people could descend on the area. Tickets for the performance sold out within minutes of their release on February 23. The scale of the event has prompted a near-total shutdown of cultural activities in the immediate vicinity. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History will close for the day, while the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts has already canceled or rescheduled several planned musicals, plays, and ballet productions. The National Palace Museum of Korea, located within the palace grounds, is also reviewing a potential closure. National Heritage Administration officials recently met with representatives at the agency for BTS to finalize crowd control and preservation measures for the historic site. 2026-02-28 12:12:23 -
Number of single-person households exceed 30% in S. Korea as traditional family structures decline SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - South Korea's residential landscape has undergone a radical atomization over the last 40 years, with the number of households nearly tripling even as population growth stalled. A report released Saturday by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs reveals that the traditional multi-generational family has been largely replaced by individuals living alone and elderly couples. According to the report, "Trends and Implications of Household Structure Changes Due to Demographic Shifts," South Korea recorded approximately 22.73 million households in 2023. This is a 2.8-fold increase from the 8 million recorded in 1980, far outstripping the 1.4-fold increase in the general population over the same period. This divergence highlights a transition where, despite a shrinking working-age population, the total number of households continues to climb as families fracture into smaller, independent units. The most profound shift is the ascension of the "solo" household. In 1980, people living alone accounted for a mere 4.8 percent of all households. By 2023, that figure surged to 35.47 percent, meaning more than one in three homes is now occupied by a single person. Conversely, the extended family model—once the societal standard—has collapsed, falling to just 11.89 percent of households by 2020. Increasing life expectancy and shifting social norms have also cemented "couple-only" residences as a permanent demographic fixture. While once considered a brief transition before childbirth, these households now frequently consist of aging couples living independently for decades after their children have moved out. The population living in such arrangements skyrocketed from 570,000 in 1980 to 6.36 million in 2020. The report identifies the aging baby boomer generation as the primary engine behind this fragmentation. This trend is further accelerated by an increasing preference for autonomy among young adults in their 20s and rising instances of divorce or widowhood among older women, many of whom choose to maintain separate homes rather than reintegrating into larger family units. This move toward an atomized society has weakened the traditional family safety net, which historically provided a buffer against unemployment, illness, and poverty. The report warns that current housing and welfare systems remain rigidly designed around the nuclear family model of a couple and their children, leaving a policy gap for the growing number of small, isolated households. "South Korea's household changes follow the trends of developed nations, but the speed is unprecedentedly steep," said Woo Hae-bong, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. "As the fragmentation of households may create new social risks, strategic responses through institutional and policy interventions are necessary beyond simply observing demographic changes." 2026-02-28 10:23:45 -
Trump calls for rehearing on tariff ruling as South Korean firms seek massive refunds SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) questioned whether the Supreme Court could revisit its decision to strike down his administration's tariff authority, a move that comes as South Korean exporters and other global firms prepare to seek billions of dollars in refunds. Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with the February 20 ruling, which invalidated reciprocal tariffs he had imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). He argued the decision would allow countries and companies that have "ripped off" the United States for years to receive an "undeserved windfall" through duty refunds. "Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible?" Trump wrote, publicly signaling a desire to challenge the 6-3 decision that found the executive branch had exceeded its legal authority. The ruling has sparked immediate interest in South Korea, where industries are assessing the potential for reclaiming duties paid since 2025. According to reports from the South Korean news agency Yonhap and major business outlets, an estimated 6,000 South Korean companies out of 24,000 exporters to the United States could be eligible for refunds. Many of these firms operated under "Delivered Duty Paid" (DDP) terms, meaning the South Korean exporters, rather than the U.S. importers, bore the direct cost of the tariffs. Global media outlets, including Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, estimate the total pool of potential refunds to be between 133.5 billion dollars and 175 billion dollars. For South Korean firms, the ruling effectively targets the 15 percent reciprocal tariff previously applied to their goods under the IEEPA. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has begun coordinating with local industries to monitor the situation. While the decision increases market uncertainty, the ministry noted that it would provide information regarding refund procedures as they become available. Major South Korean exporters, including Hyundai Motor, Kia, Samsung Electronics, and LG, are expected to review their past tariff payments to determine their eligibility for recovery. Legal experts suggest that a rehearing in the Supreme Court is unlikely under current judicial rules. A petition for a rehearing must be filed within 25 days of a judgment and requires the support of a majority of the justices, including at least one who originally voted with the majority to strike down the tariffs. The Trump administration has already moved to implement replacement measures. These include a 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which the president has signaled could be raised to 15 percent in the coming months. 2026-02-28 09:28:47 -
KAIST launches deep tech scale-up valley to drive physical AI implementation SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea announced on February 27 that it held a performance report meeting for the Deep Tech Scale-up Valley project at its main campus in Daejeon. During the event, the university unveiled its implementation strategy for Physical AI, focusing on moving robot technology out of the laboratory and into actual industrial settings. The Deep Tech Scale-up Valley is a joint initiative between South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT, Daejeon Metropolitan City, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The university has secured 13.65 billion won in funding for a three-year and six-month period starting in 2025. Led by Professor Kim Jung, the project aims to build a robotics innovation ecosystem by commercializing deep tech developed at the institute. A Robot Alliance has been formed to support this goal, including KAIST Holdings, Daejeon Techno Park, the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Angel Robotics, and YuRobotix. The project operates on a three-pillar system: technology commercialization, deep tech R&D, and commercial scale-up. In its first year, the initiative achieved 23 billion won in technology transfers and investment attraction through Physical AI lectures, startup pitching events, and networking sessions. Physical AI refers to technology that combines robotics with artificial intelligence, allowing machines to perceive, judge, and act autonomously in the real world. While government R&D and corporate investments are increasing, KAIST noted that practical business models remain limited. The report meeting redefined Physical AI as a challenge of industrial structure rather than just a competition of algorithms, emphasizing that commercialization requires the organic integration of research, factories, and the investment ecosystem. Researchers highlighted that applying Physical AI to industry requires meaningful data generated from actual worksites rather than just virtual environments. This involves collaborating with skilled professionals in manufacturing to accumulate data that reflects human physical senses and judgment. Professor Kong Kyoung-chul of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST emphasized the need for a concrete platform. For AI trained in a virtual environment to function properly in the real world, the accuracy of virtual technology must improve, and physical variables in reality must be managed predictably, Professor Kong Kyoung-chul said. Professor Myung Hyun of the School of Electrical Engineering at KAIST noted that research into Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINN) is currently active. The completion of Physical AI is possible when hardware researchers who understand physical systems and AI researchers who implement learning structures work together, Professor Myung Hyun said. He added that AI must understand physical laws rather than just processing large volumes of data. KAIST plans to establish a value chain connecting researchers, industrial experts, and corporations to solve actual industrial problems. We must move beyond competing over data volume and consider how to execute AI in the actual physical world, said Professor Kim Jung, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST. Based on our specific strategies, we will support startups and companies to succeed in commercializing Physical AI. The Deep Tech Scale-up Valley project will proceed with building Physical AI platforms, discovering and investing in startups, establishing testbeds, and expanding cooperation networks with global robotics companies. 2026-02-27 11:07:43 -
Kookmin University research team has two papers accepted for CVPR 2026 SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - A research team led by Professor Lee Seong-won of the Department of Electronics Engineering at Kookmin University has had two papers accepted for the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition 2026. The IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) is regarded as a premier international academic event in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer vision. Known for its rigorous review process and low acceptance rates, the conference serves as a global stage where leading universities and research institutions share core technological advancements. The research was conducted through a joint collaboration between the team of Professor Lee Seong-won at Kookmin University and the team of Professor Kim Eun-tae at Yonsei University. The two institutions worked together to develop methods that combine theoretical precision with practical scalability. The first paper, titled Rethinking Pose Refinement in 3D Gaussian Splatting under Pose Prior and Geometric Uncertainty, proposes a new optimization framework to address camera pose errors and geometric uncertainties. These issues are central challenges in 3D Gaussian Splatting, a prominent technique for 3D scene reconstruction. By integrating pose priors and geometric uncertainty analysis, the framework enables more stable and precise three-dimensional reconstruction, with potential applications in digital twins, robotics, and immersive content creation. The second paper, titled HypeVPR: Exploring Hyperbolic Space for Perspective to Equirectangular Visual Place Recognition, introduces a method for visual place recognition using hyperbolic space. This approach is designed to overcome representation differences between standard perspective images and equirectangular (omnidirectional) images. The framework maintains robust recognition performance across different camera formats, providing a foundational technology for autonomous driving, drones, and extended reality (XR). CVPR is a conference where computer vision researchers worldwide aspire to present, as it strictly evaluates the originality and completeness of research, Professor Lee Seong-won said. We will continue to strengthen our global competitiveness through research that possesses both theoretical sophistication and practical application. Professor Lee Seong-won added that Kookmin University (KU) intends to focus on creating leading research results and fostering talent in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer vision. 2026-02-27 10:59:32 -
President Lee Jae Myung urges patience in building trust with North Korea SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated Thursday that long-standing hostility between the two Koreas cannot be erased with a single measure, responding to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's speech from a day ago, which characterized Seoul's outreach as a "deception." During a meeting with senior secretaries at the presidential office, President Lee addressed Kim's report at the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party, in which the North Korean leader ruled out further dialogue. President Lee emphasized that trust must be built gradually through persistent effort, eventually leading to a state of mutual understanding and empathy. "Hostile feelings and a mindset of confrontation that have accumulated over a long time cannot be eliminated in an instant through one breakthrough measure," President Lee said. The president's remarks come at a time of deep division within South Korean politics regarding North Korea's policy. While critics have labeled the administration's conciliatory tone as a submissive stance, President Lee argued that the country must move past a history that "rushed toward confrontation and war." He questioned whether previous "insulting or threatening acts" toward the North had effectively protected national interests or state security. President Lee's push for engagement follows a significant deterioration in inter-Korean ties during the previous administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Under the Yoon government, the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement was suspended, and Pyongyang officially designated South Korea as its "primary foe." President Lee, who assumed office in 2025, has attempted to pivot back toward the de-escalation strategies seen during the Moon Jae-in era, though Pyongyang has so far remained unreceptive. President Lee noted that the process of reconciliation would not be immediate, citing a Korean proverb that one cannot be full with the first spoonful of rice. He stressed that the administration would focus on its own efforts to build trust rather than blaming the other side for the current stalemate. The administration remains committed to seeking communication and cooperation to establish what President Lee described as "structural peace and stability" on the Korean Peninsula. President Lee concluded that consistent effort is the only way to overcome the "hostile two-state" doctrine recently codified by the North. 2026-02-26 15:53:46 -
KAI to hold board meeting on new chief amid 'parachuting appointment' controversy SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is scheduled to hold a board of directors meeting on Thursday to discuss the nomination of a former military official to lead South Korea's aerospace and defense powerhouse. The meeting follows a delay the previous day, when the board postponed tabling the appointment of the new chief executive officer after the company union launched protests against what it termed a "parachuting appointment" from the government. Kim, a former head of the unmanned aerial vehicle division at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), was tapped to lead the company. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and served as an officer for 20 years before joining DAPA as a special recruit. During his tenure at the state arms procurement agency, Kim held various roles including head of defense export support and director of planning and coordination. Kim is expected to bridge his experience in unmanned aerial systems at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration with the strategic goals of South Korea's primary aerospace firm. While at the state arms procurement agency, he oversaw the development and management of drone programs, a sector that KAI is actively expanding as part of its future growth portfolio. His background in defense export support is also viewed as a potential asset for the company as it seeks to market the KF-21 fighter jet and other indigenous platforms to international buyers. The KAI union raised concerns over the transparency of the selection process and Kim's professional suitability. Union officials alleged that the internal recommendation committee was bypassed after narrowing the field to two finalists, with Kim suddenly emerging as the nominee. The union also pointed to Kim's previous experience as an advisor to a presidential campaign as evidence of political influence in the selection. "Internal records show that a candidate recommendation committee was in operation," a KAI union official said. "While the process of narrowing down the candidates to two was underway, a nominee suddenly appeared, bypassing them. If the candidate had come through the normal personnel system, we would have no reason to object." The controversy reflects long-standing friction within KAI regarding the appointment of military officials to top executive posts. While the union stated that military experience itself is not a disqualifier, it argued that previous leaders from the armed forces have struggled to integrate with existing corporate culture and focused excessively on hiring other former military personnel. Union representatives also questioned whether Kim's specific expertise in drones was sufficient to lead the country's primary aerospace manufacturer. Structural issues at KAI contribute to the recurring leadership disputes. Although classified as a private company, its largest shareholder is the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea, which holds a 26.41 percent stake. This ownership structure allows for significant government influence over management. Historically, seven out of the eight individuals who have served as KAI president came from military or government backgrounds, with only one internal promotion to the top spot. Industry analysts suggest that government intervention is often viewed as a necessity due to the nature of the defense and aerospace sectors. Projects like the KF-21 fighter jet require decades of research and massive capital investment that may not provide immediate commercial returns. Internal assessments suggest that such national strategic projects would be difficult to sustain under a purely profit-driven private management model without state backing. Despite the current friction, industry observers expect the appointment process to proceed ahead of the annual general shareholders' meeting scheduled for March 26. To meet this timeline, KAI would need to finalize the nomination through Thursday's proceedings or a subsequent provisional board meeting to officially name Kim as a candidate for the internal board of directors. The incoming chief executive will face immediate pressure to validate the appointment through tangible results. Key tasks include the successful deployment of the KF-21 to the South Korean Air Force and securing new international export contracts. Observers noted that achieving these milestones will be essential for the new leadership to overcome political controversy and rebuild trust with the internal workforce. 2026-02-26 15:32:23 -
Kookmin University selected for S. Korea's Seoul BRIDGE project to commercialize strategic technologies SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Kookmin University announced on Thursday that its Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation has been selected for the Seoul BRIDGE project. The initiative is a key component of the Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) framework, a project managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to align university research with regional economic needs. Through this selection, Kookmin University will receive 650 million won annually over the next four years, totaling 2.6 billion won in financial support. the university intends to use these funds to commercialize research in five of South Korea's primary strategic sectors: artificial intelligence, bio-health, fintech, robotics, and creative industries. To address the historical gap between campus research and industrial application, the university is forming an industry-academic cooperation council. This group will include researchers, corporate representatives, and field experts to create a steady collaboration pipeline. The goal is to identify technical hurdles faced by startups and small businesses in Seoul and match them with existing university patents or research through a demand-based Research and Business Development (R&BD) system. The university also plans to establish the Seoul BRIDGE Fund. This fund will capture 30 percent of all technology transfer revenue to be reinvested into the program, creating a self-sustaining cycle for future research and development. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Kookmin University was selected based on its strong track record in startup support and technology income. In the most recent JoongAng Ilbo university rankings—a prominent annual evaluation of higher education in South Korea—the school ranked second in industry-academic cooperation income per science professor and first in revenue per startup. These figures reflect the university's transition into a "company-builder" style accelerator that provides investment and post-management support rather than just simple licensing. "The selection for the Seoul BRIDGE project is a turning point that will allow us to connect our research capabilities directly to Seoul's strategic industries," said Son Jin-sik, the head of the Kookmin University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation and vice president for planning. "We aim to build a deep-tech startup ecosystem in the northeastern district of Seoul, creating a growth model where the university and the local community thrive together." The program will focus on practical technology applications rather than theoretical research throughout the four-year funding period. 2026-02-26 15:08:07