AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Hong Seungwan
  • South Korea Expresses Regret Over U.S. Generals Comments on China
    South Korea Expresses Regret Over U.S. General's Comments on China U.S. Forces Korea Commander Jay B. Brunson recently sparked controversy by likening South Korea to a "dagger" from China's perspective, prompting the South Korean government to convey its regret to the United States.According to Yonhap News on May 30, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak, along with officials from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, communicated the government's stance on Brunson's remarks through various diplomatic and security channels. The government is expected to have expressed concern and regret over the comments while requesting restraint.A Blue House official stated to Yonhap, "We cannot confirm the specific details of discussions through diplomatic and security channels between South Korea and the U.S.," but added, "We are aware of Brunson's recent series of public statements, and communication on various issues has been ongoing between the two countries."On May 22, Brunson appeared on a podcast hosted by the U.S. Army War College, stating, "When they (China) look from the eastern coast of China, what they see is South Korea, which is at the center of Asia, and serves as a kind of shield, along with Japan, as they aspire to expand beyond the South China Sea."He also described South Korea's geographical position last May as resembling an island or a fixed aircraft carrier between Japan and mainland China.In response, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea criticized Brunson's characterization of South Korea and the U.S. military presence there as a "forward base" aimed at China. The embassy also expressed discontent through some South Korean media, stating, "Your remarks have clearly crossed the line."Democratic Party spokesperson Boo Seung-chan also commented on Brunson's remarks, expressing regret for infringing on South Korea's strategic status and creating diplomatic tension. He emphasized that South Korea's foreign and security strategy should be determined solely by its sovereign citizens.Boo also criticized the Chinese government's response, stating, "The manner in which the Chinese government criticized the U.S. through the South Korean media is also inappropriate," adding that while they are aware of the remarks directed at them, the approach of involving South Korean public opinion is far from the diplomatic restraint expected from neighboring countries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 14:42:00
  • US Forces Korea Commander Clarifies Dagger Comment
    US Forces Korea Commander Clarifies 'Dagger' Comment Javier Brunson, the commander of US Forces Korea, clarified his recent comment that "Korea is a dagger pointed at China," stating that he intended to explain the operational environment the US faces. According to Yonhap News on May 30, Brunson made this clarification during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore when asked whether his "dagger" remark represented the official stance of the Trump administration or had Pentagon approval. The question arose during a Q&A session following a public speech by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, where a Chinese professor in the audience directed the question to Hegseth, who then passed it to Brunson. Brunson explained, "What I wanted to convey to the students at the War College was the need to change our perspective and consider our position. It is important for students to understand and respect viewpoints beyond our own." He used a map with the Korean Peninsula oriented upwards to illustrate his point, saying, "Changing the perspective of the map allows us to consider how other countries in the region view us." He added, "While we must be strong and maintain military capabilities in South Korea, we also need to understand that such perspectives from other countries still exist." Brunson also recalled a statement from a Prussian military philosopher who referred to Korea as a "dagger aimed at Japan," referencing the words of Prussian Army Major Jakob Meckel, who described the Korean Peninsula as a "dagger aimed at the heart of Japan" in 1885. He emphasized that his comments were not intended to be hostile toward China, advocating instead for a nuanced view of US-China relations that encourages dialogue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 13:57:00
  • White House: Trump Will Only Make Agreements Beneficial to the U.S.
    White House: Trump Will Only Make Agreements Beneficial to the U.S. On May 29, the White House stated that President Donald Trump will only engage in negotiations with Iran that are beneficial to the United States and meet his red lines.According to Yonhap News on May 30, a White House official responded to questions about the results of a meeting regarding Iran negotiations held in the Situation Room with Trump's senior security team. The official emphasized, "Iran must never possess nuclear weapons." The meeting reportedly lasted about two hours before concluding.Just before the meeting began, President Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social, "I will be having a meeting in the Situation Room to make a final decision." However, after the meeting, Trump did not disclose specific outcomes. The New York Times reported that Trump postponed a final decision on Iran's proposal.Meanwhile, on Truth Social, Trump outlined his top conditions, which include a ban on Iran's nuclear weapons development, the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, the immediate removal of underwater mines by Iran, and the U.S.-led excavation and removal of highly enriched uranium buried at Iranian nuclear facilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 10:36:00
  • President Lee Jae-myung Encourages Voter Participation Ahead of Local Elections
    President Lee Jae-myung Encourages Voter Participation Ahead of Local Elections President Lee Jae-myung urged citizens to participate in voting on the second day of early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections on May 30. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) titled "Let’s Make Sure to Vote," President Lee stated, "Voting is the lifeline of democracy," adding that "abstaining from voting is akin to giving up the future of oneself and one’s family." He further emphasized, "Not voting is not neutrality; it is siding with those who harm my life and community." Earlier, on the first day of early voting, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited a polling station in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul to cast their votes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 09:42:00
  • Sunday Weather: Highs of 33 Degrees Expected Across South Korea
    Sunday Weather: Highs of 33 Degrees Expected Across South Korea On Sunday, May 31, South Korea will experience mostly clear skies with daytime highs reaching 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit). According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on May 30, morning lows on the 31st are expected to range from 13 to 22 degrees Celsius (55.4 to 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with daytime highs forecasted between 27 and 33 degrees Celsius (80.6 to 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Major cities will see temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, including Seoul at 30 degrees, Gangneung at 33 degrees, Daejeon at 31 degrees, Daegu at 32 degrees, and Changwon at 31 degrees. On June 1, rain is expected to begin in Jeju Island from the morning, with anticipated precipitation ranging from 10 to 60 millimeters (0.4 to 2.4 inches), and mountainous areas could receive over 80 millimeters (3.1 inches) of rain. Strong winds, with gusts reaching around 55 kilometers per hour (34 miles per hour), are forecasted for the mountainous regions of Gangwon and the east coast. Winds may intensify to around 70 kilometers per hour (43.5 miles per hour) in the mountains, prompting caution regarding facility management and safety incidents. Fine dust levels are expected to be at 'good' to 'moderate' levels nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 09:27:00
  • Gyeongui Line Train Services Resume After Four Days of Disruption
    Gyeongui Line Train Services Resume After Four Days of Disruption Train services on the Gyeongui Line resumed on May 30, four days after disruptions caused by the collapse of the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul. The KTX-Eum service on the Gangneung and Jungang lines also returned to normal operations, with a full restoration expected by May 31. According to Yonhap News, Korail reported that KTX train No. 405 departed from Haengsin Station in Goyang at 6 a.m. on May 30. This marked the first train to operate since the Seosomun Overpass collapse on May 26. The train passed through the affected area around 6:18 a.m. and arrived at Seoul Station shortly after. The first Gyeongui Line commuter train, which travels from Munsan through Paju, Ilsan, and Haengsin to Seoul Station, also departed on time at 5:37 a.m. Korail added that the entire metropolitan area rail service is operating normally. Previously, railway authorities completed the demolition of the Seosomun Overpass and proceeded with the removal and installation of overhead lines, cables, and signal equipment. They also conducted overnight repairs and safety inspections to check for track damage and the condition of the rail lines. Korail anticipates that all train services will gradually return to normal by May 31. KTX trains, which had been making temporary stops at all stations, will resume their regular schedules starting May 30. However, Korail urged passengers to check train schedules and conditions through the Korail Talk app, website, or customer service center before traveling. There will be no penalties for refunds on adjusted tickets, and tickets purchased with credit cards will be automatically refunded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 08:39:00
  • Samyang Group Acquires Japanese Flavor Company for 390 Billion Won
    Samyang Group Acquires Japanese Flavor Company for 390 Billion Won Samyang Group is expanding its global specialty business by acquiring a Japanese flavor company.On May 29, Samyang Group announced that its food subsidiary, Samyang Foods, will acquire 100% of the shares of Soda Aromatic, a Japanese flavor and fragrance company, through its Japanese subsidiary.The acquisition involves the complete stake held by Toray and Mitsui & Co., with a total purchase price of approximately 41 billion yen (about 390 billion won). The two companies plan to complete administrative procedures and business adjustments related to the acquisition by the end of June or early July.Soda Aromatic, headquartered in Tokyo, is recognized as one of Japan's top five flavor companies. It specializes in flavorings that enhance food taste and aroma, as well as fragrance ingredients used in perfumes and cosmetics, including key aroma chemicals like lactones. The company operates seven production facilities across five Asian countries: Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, supplying products to over 1,000 clients.With this acquisition, Samyang Foods aims to transition from a business model focused on basic materials like sugar, flour, and starch to high-value sectors such as flavors and fragrances. Samyang Group plans to reduce the time and risks associated with establishing overseas operations while securing a foundation for expanding into Asian markets like Japan and China, as well as entering advanced markets in North America and Europe.Jung Ji-seok, acting head of Samyang Foods' food group, stated, "We will organically combine the technological capabilities and business strengths of both companies to propose differentiated solutions to our customers as a comprehensive food solutions provider. We will also actively seek additional investments and growth opportunities to expand our global specialty business."Meanwhile, Kim Yoon, chairman of Samyang Group, emphasized during a New Year event in January the need to accelerate the expansion of high-value specialty business portfolios, including semiconductors, personal care, and eco-friendly materials, as a key management policy for the group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 17:21:00
  • CJ Olive Young Launches First U.S. Store in Pasadena, California
    CJ Olive Young Launches First U.S. Store in Pasadena, California CJ Olive Young is making its entry into the U.S. market by opening its first offline store in Pasadena, California, targeting the world's largest beauty market. The company aims to expand its reach to local consumers by launching an experiential store featuring K-beauty products alongside a dedicated online store.According to industry sources, the Pasadena store, which opened on May 29, is a single-story building with a total area of 803 square meters (approximately 243 pyeong). It features over 5,000 products from around 400 brands, with more than 80% of the items sourced from domestic brands.The store layout reflects local consumers' skincare routines and concerns, with products organized by issues such as whitening, moisturizing, and blemish care. Additionally, the store will update its displays every two weeks to align with changing K-beauty trends.To enhance the shopping experience, Olive Young has introduced a self-diagnosis service using skin scanning devices. Customers can assess their skin condition and receive personalized consultations based on the results, aiming to boost brand awareness and conversion rates. The decision to open a store in the U.S. is backed by consumer data from its global mall and the growth of K-beauty. More than half of the sales from Olive Young's global mall come from the U.S. Additionally, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported a 40% increase in cosmetic exports to the U.S. in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. K-beauty products have also increased to 28 in Amazon's Top 100 Beauty list.In preparation for the Pasadena store opening, Olive Young invested in training local staff. In March, employees from the Pasadena store traveled to Korea to learn about store operations and customer service techniques.Alongside the offline store launch, Olive Young is also opening a dedicated online store for the U.S. market. This strategy is designed to encourage customers to experience products in-store and then reorder online. The shipping time for the new online store has been reduced to 3-5 days, compared to the previous 5-7 days for the global mall. The threshold for free shipping has also been lowered from $60 to $35.To facilitate this, Olive Young established a 3,600 square meter (approximately 1,100 pyeong) logistics center in Bloomington, California, in March. This center will handle deliveries for the U.S. online store. Olive Young plans to introduce a pickup service for online orders at its stores in the future.The company will also implement a U.S.-specific membership program. Starting in July, Olive Young will launch the 'OY Members' program, offering discounts and bonus points during the first seven days of each month.Olive Young plans to open another store in Los Angeles within the first half of the year, with a goal of expanding to five stores in the U.S. within a year. Initially, the focus will be on the West Coast, particularly in Los Angeles and California, before expanding to the Midwest and major East Coast markets, including New York.Kwon Ga-eun, head of Olive Young's U.S. operations, stated, "We will strive to help local consumers, who may be unfamiliar with K-beauty, discover and incorporate authentic K-beauty into their daily lives through our online and offline stores." 2026-05-29 16:48:00
  • Aekyung Industry Launches 76 Beauty Products at Olive Youngs First U.S. Store
    Aekyung Industry Launches 76 Beauty Products at Olive Young's First U.S. Store Aekyung Industry's beauty brands AGE20'S and LUNA will debut at Olive Young's first U.S. store, aiming to expand their presence in the American market. On May 29, Aekyung Industry announced that it will showcase 53 products from AGE20'S and 23 products from LUNA at the Olive Young store opening in Pasadena, near Los Angeles, California.The store will feature AGE20'S flagship product, the 'Signature Essence Pact Intense Cover,' which will be available in 20 shades to cater to the diverse skin tones of American consumers. Additionally, mini-sized products exclusive to the U.S. market will also be offered. This essence pact combines makeup and skincare, providing a natural glow and a moisturizing feel, according to the company.The company will also introduce sun care products, including the 'UV Defense Hydro Calming Sunscreen,' which has received over-the-counter certification in the U.S. Aekyung Industry plans to expand its product lineup in the U.S. market by focusing on color cosmetics and sun care.LUNA will feature its 'Long Lasting Tip Concealer' as a key product, available in a total of 20 shades at the local store, emphasizing high coverage and adherence.An Aekyung Industry representative stated, "The U.S. is a key global beauty market with a diverse range of skin tones and makeup needs. We focused on product composition and color diversification that reflect local consumer characteristics."Since its launch in 2013, the AGE20'S Signature Essence Pact Intense Cover has sold over 240 million units as of March this year. To celebrate its entry into Olive Young, Aekyung Industry held a pop-up store near Hongdae Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on May 25. 2026-05-29 14:06:00
  • Paris Baguette Strengthens Southeast Asia Strategy with Indonesia Halal Certification
    Paris Baguette Strengthens Southeast Asia Strategy with Indonesia Halal Certification Paris Baguette announced on May 29 that it has received official halal certification from the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) for all 23 of its stores in Indonesia.The certified locations include stores in Jakarta, Tangerang, Depok, Medan, and Surabaya. Following its halal certification in Singapore, Paris Baguette is expected to accelerate its expansion in the Southeast Asian market.Halal certification indicates compliance with Islamic law regarding the use of ingredients and standards for hygiene, production, and distribution. In the food sector, all processes from ingredient sourcing to manufacturing, storage, and distribution must meet these standards. Since 2019, BPJPH has issued final certifications based on halal determinations from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).The certification covers the entire menu, including bread, pastries, cakes, hot meals, and beverages. Paris Baguette stated that it has met halal standards across its supply chain, production, and store operations throughout Indonesia.Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, with approximately 240 million Muslims, making it a key hub in the global halal market. Securing halal certification for all its stores is seen as a strategy to enhance consumer trust and lay the groundwork for further expansion.Earlier this year, Paris Baguette received official halal certification from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) for all its stores in Singapore. Last year, it completed a halal-certified production center in Johor, Malaysia, covering 12,900 square meters. This marks a step toward establishing a comprehensive halal operational framework in Southeast Asia, from production to distribution and store management.A representative from Paris Baguette stated, "We will continue to strengthen our products and services that reflect local consumers' lifestyles and cultural characteristics, while expanding our global customer base."Since opening its first overseas store in Shanghai, China, in 2004, Paris Baguette has expanded to 730 stores across 15 countries. In September of last year, the company announced a $290 million investment to build a 28,000-square-meter bakery facility in Burleson, Texas, aiming for completion by 2027. This facility will serve as a production hub for the southern United States, Canada, and potentially the Latin American market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 13:10:00