Journalist
AJP
innis@ajupress.com
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ASIA INSIGHT: Lee to meet Japanese PM in Andong where history meets diplomacy SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - Diplomacy, at its best, has a sense of place. When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province next week for a summit with President Lee Jae Myung, it will be more than just another date on the diplomatic calendar. It will be one of those rare moments where history, culture, and politics come together in a way that goes beyond routine diplomatic ritual. Takaichi's upcoming visit to the southern historic city of Andong, which is also Lee's hometown, would be a reciprocal gesture after Lee visited Takaichi’s hometown of Nara in Japan earlier this year. That kind of symmetry matters in diplomacy. It signals not just courtesy but mutual respect, a reminder that good neighborly relations are built as much on gestures as on treaties. The two leaders first met last fall on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, where they committed to shuttle diplomacy between the neighboring countries. Lee then traveled to Nara in January, and during the meeting, proposed that the next summit be held in Andong. Known as the spiritual and cultural capital of South Korea, Andong breathes history as home to Hahoe Village, one of the country’s most remarkable living repositories of Joseon-era heritage, as well as Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth II visited Hahoe Village, where she was honored with a birthday feast, watched a traditional mask dance performance, and drew global attention to the provincial town that, at the time, many outsiders had never heard of. The effect was electric. Tourist arrivals to the village surged past one million that year, and the ripple effects lasted for two decades. That is the power of a single high-profile visit to the right place. Since then, however, visitor numbers have fallen sharply to around 500,000, hit by the coronavirus pandemic and shifting tourism trends. Andong, for all its magnificence, has struggled to recapture that global spotlight. This summit could change that. Lee and Takaichi are expected to discuss various topics including bilateral cooperation, particularly in sectors such as energy and critical mineral supply chains, amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. But the setting will do its own quiet work. Foreign leaders do not often venture 190 kilometers away from Seoul into inland areas. When they do, the world takes notice - and so do travel editors, tourism boards, and curious travelers around the world. A business forum is also being planned in Andong to coincide with the summit, suggesting that both countries understand this is about more than a mere photo-op. It would also be a boost for a city that deserves a closer look as part of balanced regional development. The shuttle diplomacy pattern between the two neighboring countries - Gyeongju, Nara, now Andong - is noteworthy. These are not capital cities. They are places rich in history, where layers of heritage give meetings a weight and texture that no glass-and-steel conference center ever could. Nara, with its ancient temples and roaming deer, and Andong, with its Confucian academies and traditional mask dances, share more in common than their leaders perhaps realize. For Andong, the opportunity is enormous but only if it is seized. The Queen's visit about three decades ago did not promote itself. It took deliberate effort to turn that royal visit into a tourism boom. The same formula could work again here. Some cities wait for history to find them, and Andong is ready when it does. 2026-05-14 16:00:06 -
North Korea makes first appearance at Russia's military parade amid deepening ties SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - North Korea took part in a parade as part of Russia's World War II victory celebrations, state media reported on Sunday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean troops marched in the parade at Moscow's Red Square the previous day marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, during which Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "gratitude." Russian media earlier reported that North Korea participated in the annual parade for the first time, with its leader sending a "message of greeting" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. KCNA carried detailed coverage of the parade along with a slew of photos, highlighting the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Meanwhile, this year's parade was the most scaled down in years amid Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine. Putin, however, suggested the war may soon be resolved, saying, "I think that the matter is coming to an end," while urging continued support from his allies. North Korea has reportedly dispatched around 15,000 combat troops along with military weapons to Russia to support Moscow's war in Ukraine since the two countries signed a mutual defense pact during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024. Thousands of North Korean soldiers, most of them deployed to Kursk, a southwestern Russian region bordering Ukraine, are believed to have been killed or wounded during the prolonged war. 2026-05-10 14:03:06 -
More South Koreans borrow to invest in stocks amid KOSPI's historic rally SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - South Koreans are increasingly borrowing money again to invest in stocks amid a frenzy fueled by a recent record-breaking rally in the Korean stock market. According to financial data released on Sunday, outstanding balances on interest-bearing overdrafts at the country's five major banks - KB Kookmin, Hana, NH NongHyup, Shinhan and Woori - stood at 40.50 trillion Korean won (US$29 billion) as of last week. The amount surged by 715.2 billion won in less than a week from the end of April, marking the fastest increase and the highest level since 2023, when individual investors rushed to take advantage of ultra-low interest rates to buy stocks and cryptocurrency. The surge came amid renewed expectations for the long-depressed South Korean bourse, as the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), which had fallen below 2,500 points in January last year shortly after disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched, short-lived martial law debacle, has since fully recovered and continued its historic rally, closing at 7,498 points last Friday after briefly surpassing the psychologically important, unprecedented level of 7,500 in intraday trading. The benchmark KOSPI's record bull run into uncharted territory, driven by an artificial intelligence (AI)-fueled chip supercycle, appears to be prompting more investors to take out loans and pour their money into stocks in search of higher returns. Even those who had shunned the stock market for years are returning, though some still hesitate, fearing they may have already missed the peak. Cash parked in bank accounts has also been on the decline, with liquid balances at the five major banks dropping by 501.3 billion won to 696.51 trillion won over the same period, a sign that more people are pulling their money out to invest in stocks rather than leaving it in banks. "Stock investment is likely the main factor, but some of the borrowed money may also be used for housing costs, as tighter loan regulations have made it harder for households to secure funds through other means," said one banking staffer. 2026-05-10 11:51:06 -
Trump says Washington 'closing in on a deal' with Iran to end months of conflict SEOUL, May 7 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised hopes that the U.S. is "closing in on a deal" with Iran to end the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. In a phone interview with PBS News, Trump said, "I think it's got a very good chance of ending," suggesting that the deal could be reached before his trip to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week. But he left some doubt, saying, "I felt that way before with them, so we'll see what happens." He then warned that the U.S. would resume bombing Iran if no deal is reached. "If it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them." "But it's getting very close. If they agree, it's over, and if they don't agree, we bomb," he added. When asked whether Iran would export its highly enriched uranium, possibly to the U.S. as part of the deal, Trump replied, "No, not perhaps. It goes to the United States." He also confirmed that Iran would agree not to operate its underground nuclear facilities. His comments came several hours after American news website Axios reported that Washington and Tehran are working on a "one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU)" that would "declare an end to the war in the region and the start of a 30-day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the strait, limit Iran's nuclear program and lift U.S. sanctions." Later in the day, during a press availability at the White House, Trump again said, "We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal up there," adding that Iran "badly" wants to make a deal. He also reiterated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, saying it had "agreed to that among other things." But amid a war of words, it remains to be seen whether any deal will be reached to end the prolonged conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli joint airstrikes against Iran in late February. Tehran says it is still reviewing the proposal, dismissing Trump's claims as a pressure tactic to push for a deal. 2026-05-07 09:33:26 -
Google DeepMind chief meets South Korean business leaders to expand AI cooperation SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) - Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind, held a series of meetings in Seoul on Tuesday with the heads of major South Korean conglomerates including Hyundai Motor and LG Group, according to industry sources. Hassabis reportedly met with Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Eui-sun earlier in the day and later met with LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo to discuss cooperation aimed at expanding partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI)-related areas. Hassabis, who arrived in Seoul the previous day, met with President Lee Jae Myung at Cheong Wa Dae. He also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Science and ICT to expand cooperation including plans to open Google DeepMind's first AI center in the country later this year for joint research and collaboration with local researchers and startups. His visit this week came for the first time in about a decade since his trip in 2016 for the best-of-five match between the U.K.-based lab's AI program AlphaGo and baduk or go champion Lee Se-dol. Managing a single win in the five-match series, Lee conceded victory to a then two-year-old AI system, contrary to hopes among many that he would decisively prove the superiority of 3,000 years of human ingenuity over a mere machine. Hassabis is set to meet the world champion again at a forum in the capital scheduled for Wednesday. 2026-04-28 16:11:51 -
Fresh uncertainty arises as Trump extends ceasefire with Iran indefinitely SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely until Tehran submits a "unified proposal" to end the conflict in the Middle East, reversing a statement he made only hours earlier that there would be no extension. "We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on his own platform Truth Social. "I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other," he added. The extension came at the last minute, as the two-week ceasefire was set to expire on Wednesday, just ahead of a planned trip by Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad, Pakistan, for another round of talks that was put on hold after Iranian negotiators said they would not attend. Uncertainty now further surrounds whether and when a new round of talks between Washington and Tehran will resume, though Trump who may want to quickly pull out of the conflict while saving face, remained optimistic that Washington would "end up with a great deal" with Iran. "I think they have no choice. We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way. But these leaders are much more rational," he said. 2026-04-22 09:40:45 -
South Korea moves to rein in early private tutoring for toddlers SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - A set of tightened rules will be implemented for kindergartens, nurseries, and private crammers to curb excessive courses for infants and preschoolers, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday. According to the ministry, crammers would be barred from offering rote-style intensive classes for children under 36 months as early as the second half of next year, while lesson times for preschoolers would also be capped. The move comes amid growing criticism that the boom in early private tutoring, driven by South Korean parents' obsessive zeal to give their kids a head start, is actually hindering their cognitive development. Under its proposal, crammers would be prohibited from giving toddlers solely teacher-led instruction, often involving repetitive drills that require them to memorize rather than understand. For preschoolers aged three and older, similar classes would be limited to a maximum of three hours per day and 15 hours per week. Play-based classes that include practical activities and hands-on experiences will be allowed. As it may be difficult to clearly distinguish one class from another based on their format, the ministry said it will come up with detailed guidelines later. Separately, revisions to relevant laws banning level tests for infants are also being pursued, aiming to prevent crammers from conducting written or oral exams to assess children's levels for class placement or admission screenings. The ministry will also step up monitoring of illegal practices, offering rewards of up to 2 million won to those who report violations. "The early years of a child's life are crucial for building a strong foundation for their future. We will focus on protecting children's development and supporting their healthy growth," said Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin, adding that public education will be strengthened by expanding a wider range of after-school programs to reduce parents' reliance on private tutoring. 2026-04-01 16:52:41 -
Another goalless defeat in friendly dims South Korea's World Cup hopes SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - With the FIFA World Cup just three months away, South Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat to Austria in a friendly match held in Vienna on Tuesday, raising concerns ahead of the quadrennial global extravaganza. It was its second straight goalless defeat after a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast in London last Saturday. Despite having 11 shooting attempts, well ahead of Austria's five, South Korea with a full lineup of star players like Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, and Lee Jae-sung of Bundesliga club Mainz 05 was unable to find the net, failing to convert its chances into a goal. The only goal came from Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer in the 48th minute. Meanwhile, this year's World Cup, which kicks off in June, will be the first to feature 48 teams and three host countries - Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Already grouped with Mexico and South Africa after last December's draw, South Korea will face the Czech Republic in its opening group-stage match, as the European side secured the final spot in the group by defeating Denmark in a playoff the same day. With two defeats in its last two friendlies just ahead of the football tournament, slated for June 11 to July 19, South Korea has been struggling to find form, leaving its hopes of advancing beyond the round of 32 in doubt. 2026-04-01 09:35:30 -
Trump ramps up pressure on 'non-responsive' allies to reopen Strait of Hormuz SEOUL, March 19 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed shifting responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe to other countries, instead of relying on allies he described as "non-responsive." "I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so called 'Strait?'" Trump wrote on his own social media platform Truth Social. "That would get some of our non-responsive 'Allies' in gear, and fast!!!" The proposal came just a day after Trump said the U.S. no longer needs support from NATO member countries as well as Australia, Japan, and South Korea amid growing frustration with allies who have been slow to respond to his calls for help. It appears to be an apparent attempt to pressure allies, as many Asian and European countries including China, Japan, and South Korea heavily rely on oil passing through the strait, while the U.S. imports just a small fraction from the region. The critical chokepoint, which handles roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, has remained largely closed shortly after U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran late last month. 2026-03-19 09:13:05 -
French president to visit Seoul for summit next month SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Seoul next month, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said Macron will arrive in Seoul on April 2 for a summit with President Lee Jae Myung. The visit will mark his first trip to South Korea since his inauguration in 2017 as the youngest president in French history and also the first by a French president in about 11 years. After a formal welcoming ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a summit the next day, followed by a state luncheon and other events. Their talks are expected to cover a broad range of areas including cooperation in trade and investment, as well as in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, space, and nuclear energy. Global issues including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that began with U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran, are also expected to be on the agenda. As South Korea's third-largest trading partner in Europe, France also draws more than 800,000 South Korean tourists each year. Kang said Macron's visit, which coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, would serve as an "important milestone" in building bilateral trust, and expressed hope that it would strengthen joint efforts toward sustainable global growth. Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will also make a state visit to South Korea later this month. Subianto is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on March 31 and hold a summit with Lee the following day. It will be their second meeting since last November, when the two met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. 2026-03-13 11:21:43