US Senate passes resolution commemorating Korean War anniversary SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The U.S. on Thursday adopted a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, reaffirming its alliance with South Korea. According to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, the Senate unanimously passed the resolution coinciding with the anniversary, which recognizes "important lessons from the war, particularly the imperative of maintaining military readiness in defense of the United States and its allies." The resolution "honors the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the United Armed Forces and allies who fought to depend" of South Korea and defines the country as a "vital treaty ally and linchpin of peace, security, trade, and democratic values for Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region." Sullivan, who co-proposed the resolution along with Senators Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, urged that the Korean War be remembered as a "noble war" rather than a "forgotten war," stressing the importance of honoring "the brave Americans who fought, died, and sacrificed to keep another country free," referring to South Korea as one of its "strongest allies today." The two Koreas technically remain at war since the hostilities of the 1950 war ended with an armistice three years later. 2025-06-27 14:20:23

Hanwha Aerospace secures full-supply engine contract for KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace announced on Jun. 26 that it has signed an additional contract worth 623.2 billion won ($458 million) with South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply engines for South Korea’s next-generation KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jet. This latest deal follows a 556.2 billion won agreement signed in June last year, bringing the total value of engine supply contracts for the first mass-production batch to approximately 1.1794 trillion won. Under the full-supply agreement, Hanwha will deliver more than 80 engines by December 2028. The contract also includes comprehensive logistics support such as maintenance parts, engine service manuals, and on-site technical assistance for the Republic of Korea Air Force. The F414 engine, known for its high thrust and compact design, incorporates advanced lightweight and heat-resistant materials that ensure stable performance in extreme operating environments. These technical specifications reflect the engine's critical role in modern air combat, where maximum power-to-weight efficiency and high reliability are essential. Fighter jet engines are widely regarded as the pinnacle of propulsion engineering, as they must be compact and lightweight, deliver high thrust, and maintain long-term durability and reliability even under extreme thermal stress. Hanwha Aerospace brings decades of experience to the KF-21 program. Since beginning production of engines for the F-4 Phantom in 1979, the company has manufactured over 10,000 aircraft engines—including models for the KF-5, KF-16, F-15K, and T-50—and developed 11 types of engines in-house. To support this latest project and future initiatives, Hanwha Aerospace completed a 16,529-square-meter smart aerospace engine facility in April 2025. The new plant integrates IT-based quality control and logistics systems, and was designed not only for F414 production but also to support the future development of South Korea’s indigenous next-generation fighter jet engines. A company official said, “As Korea’s sole aerospace engine manufacturer, we are committed to delivering the KF-21 engines on schedule and advancing domestic engine technology to support national defense self-reliance.” 2025-06-27 13:48:36

IFA chief expects Samsung and LG appliance subscription services to spread across Europe SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - Home appliance subscription services offered by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics represent a win-win solution for both consumers and companies that will likely expand to European markets including Germany, according to the head of the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA), a major consumer electronics show, on Thursday. Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA, told reporters at a press briefing in Seoul's COEX that subscription models reduce upfront costs for consumers while generating higher lifetime revenue for manufacturers through extended customer relationships. Home appliance subscription services allow customers access to the latest appliances for manageable monthly fees, making the services particularly popular among single-person households and younger demographics. LG Electronics pioneered the South Korean market with its subscription service, driven by trends such as the increasing number of single-person and dual-income households. The company's annual subscription revenue, excluding care services, reached 1.67 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in 2024, representing a 73.7 percent increase from 2023. Currently, Europe's appliance subscription market remains in early development stages compared to South Korea's mature ecosystem. German-based Grover dominates the European market, offering home appliances starting from €24.90 ($29.1) per month across Germany, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands, with monthly rental costs typically representing 3 to 4 percent of an item's total purchase price. However, Grover's model differs significantly from Samsung and LG's approaches, focusing primarily on electronics and tech products rather than comprehensive home appliance ecosystems. While Grover emphasizes device circulation and environmental benefits through refurbishment, Samsung and LG's services integrate artificial intelligence, personalized maintenance, and seamless connectivity within broader smart home platforms. Industry observers expect South Korean companies to differentiate themselves in European markets through superior AI integration, predictive maintenance capabilities, and comprehensive after-sales service networks that leverage their manufacturing expertise and global service infrastructure. Samsung Electronics joined the subscription market in late 2024 with its AI Subscription Club service, adding competitive pressure to the growing segment. Lindner noted that the subscription model benefits the industry's overall growth and expressed confidence that European markets would adopt similar services in the near future, citing the mutual advantages for both manufacturers and consumers throughout the appliance lifecycle. The IFA executive also highlighted smart home technology as a promising sector where South Korean companies maintain technological leadership. He emphasized that smart home solutions were popular at last year's IFA exhibition and predicted continued strong interest, with this year's event focusing on home automation and connectivity solutions. The executive noted that South Korea's advanced position in smart home technology would likely feature prominently at the upcoming exhibition. IFA 2025 will take place Sept. 5 to 9 in Berlin under the theme "Imagine Tomorrow," with participation from global semiconductor companies including Nvidia and Qualcomm. The exhibition, considered one of the world's three major electronics and IT trade shows alongside CES in Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will emphasize artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and sustainability as major trends. Lindner described the event as becoming more youth-oriented and future-focused, with particular emphasis on autonomous AI solutions. 2025-06-27 11:14:07

Concerns grow in Seoul as Washington signals push to raise defense spending from Asian allies SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - Speculation has been growing that the U.S. could pressure South Korea and other Asian countries to shoulder a greater share of security costs, after NATO allies agreed earlier this week in the Hague, the Netherlands, to spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. Amid these developments, a White House spokesperson was quick to say on Thursday that if European allies can increase their defense spending, Asian allies can do the same. "If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do it, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well," Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing. "But as for our specific relations in those discussions, I'll let the president speak on those," she added. Her remarks came after Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said last week that its European allies are setting a "global standard" for alliances, which is to spend 5 percent of their GDP on defense and that should apply to Asia as well. At their two-day gathering, NATO allies agreed to raise their defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. Of this spending, at least 3.5 percent will be allocated "to resource core defense requirements," while the remainder will cover related expenses such as critical infrastructure, networks, and civil preparedness. According to the Defense Ministry here, South Korea's defense budget for this year stands at around 61.2 trillion won (US$44.6 billion), or about 2.32 percent of its GDP. 2025-06-27 10:25:18

S. Korea starts dismantling of Kori-1 nuclear reactor after final green light SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - South Korea has begun dismantling its first commercial nuclear reactor, Kori-1, following final approval from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission on Thursday. The project, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), is expected to span 12 years, ending with full site restoration by 2037. Kori-1, located in Gijang County, Busan some 320 kilometers (198 miles) southeast of Seoul, was a 595-megawatt pressurized water reactor built by Westinghouse. It began commercial operations in 1978 and was permanently shut down in June 2017 after nearly four decades of service. KHNP submitted its final decommissioning plan in 2021, which received regulatory approval this week. Ahead of physical dismantling, KHNP began chemical decontamination work in 2023 to reduce radiation levels in key systems such as the reactor coolant and residual heat removal systems. The dismantling process will begin next month with the removal of equipment from the turbine hall, desalination facilities, and outdoor tanks. Spent nuclear fuel is scheduled to be removed by 2031, with final decontamination and site cleanup completed six years later. KHNP has allocated about one trillion won, or about $736 million, for the entire project. The budget includes 808.8 billion won for dismantling work and 262.5 billion won for waste disposal, all funded through its decommissioning reserve. Several challenges remain. One of the biggest is managing radioactive waste. KHNP expects to generate about 14,500 drums of low- and intermediate-level waste, raising concerns over whether the existing disposal facility in Gyeongju can handle the load, especially as other reactors are also nearing retirement. The spent fuel currently stored in the reactor’s wet pool will also need to be transferred to dry storage. KHNP plans to build a storage facility onsite by 2030, but it must first secure local consent by 2028. Public opposition is expected. The future use of the Kori-1 site remains undecided. Given its proximity to the operating Kori 2, 3, and 4 reactors, full environmental restoration for public or agricultural use appears unlikely. Regulators are considering a restricted industrial zone suitable for facilities such as factories. South Korea currently holds 96 key technologies related to decommissioning, developed by KHNP and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Government-backed research and development is also underway to expand capabilities, including technologies for dismantling heavy water reactors like those at the Wolsong plant. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 214 nuclear reactors around the world have been permanently shut down, with 588 expected to close by 2050. So far, only four countries, the United States, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland, have completed full commercial reactor decommissioning. 2025-06-27 10:22:34

Kim Jong-un's wife surfaces for first time in about 18 months SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's wife appeared at an event for the grand opening of a coastal tourist zone, state media reported on Thursday. According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim attended a ceremony on Tuesday marking the completion of the Wonsan and Kalma tourist zone in Kangwon Province, one of his pet projects, as he apparently aims to boost the country's tourism industry as a source of hard currency for his regime. Kim was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and his daughter Ju-ae. It was Ri's first public appearance in about a year and a half, since a New Year's Day event in January 2024. Ri had disappeared from a public radar in recent months, while Ju-ae has been appearing frequently along with his father instead, prompting speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. Photos released by KCNA showed Ri keeping a slight distance behind Kim and Ju-ae, who stood next to him. Notably, Ri was seen carrying a handbag believed to be from the Italian luxury brand Gucci, reportedly worth around 3 million won ($2,150). The hereditary Kim family is known to have a propensity for luxury goods, having previously been seen with high-end jewelry and other items despite UN Security Council sanctions banning the export of such products. Meanwhile, also present at the event were Kim's sister, Yo-jong along with Russian Ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora and other embassy officials. 2025-06-26 17:09:14

PHOTOS: Centuries-old stele earns National Treasure status SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - A remarkable stele from the ancient Silla Dynasty, which chronicles the construction of an embankment and a pond designed to mitigate natural disasters, was designated a National Treasure on June 20. The ancient stone in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, stands beside a reservoir known as Cheongmot, a body of water that has been in continuous use since its creation during the Silla period, more than a millennium ago. Carved on both sides of a single, irregularly shaped stone, the stele details the initial establishment of the reservoir in 536. An adjacent stele, erected in 1688, records the re-erection of the original Silla artifact after it had been buried for centuries. These steles offer a rare glimpse into the civil engineering prowess and state governance of the Silla era, particularly in how the kingdom managed to overcome the challenges posed by natural calamities through sophisticated water management projects. 2025-06-26 16:32:23

Top security adviser attends NATO summit on behalf of Lee SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with a slew of heads of state and government officials on the sidelines of the NATO summit which kicked off in the Hague, the Netherlands early this week. Wi, who is attending the two-day summit on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, held a series of talks with key figures and participants including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio. According to the presidential office here on Thursday, Wi delivered a personal letter from Lee during a meeting with Rutte, seeking understanding for the president's absence due to a backlog of domestic affairs since taking office early this month. But Wi pledged Seoul's commitment to addressing "complex global challenges" through cooperation with the European political and military alliance, "which shares the values of democracy and peace." Wi also discussed "various pending issues" with Rubio and agreed to hold a summit between the leaders of the two allies "as early as possible." Meanwhile, NATO allies agreed to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP by 2035. Of the expenditures, at least 3.5 percent will be allocated "to resource core defense requirements," while the remainder will cover related spending including critical infrastructure, networks, and civil preparedness. According to a joint declaration released the previous day, the participants at the gathering agreed to boost defense spending, as they feed the need to be "united in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism." With the latest agreement among NATO allies, Washington is even more likely to seek renegotiation of its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea to hike the upkeep of maintaining some 28,500 U.S. troops here. 2025-06-26 16:21:25

Seoul logistics pipeline shrinks amid cautious market sentiment SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s logistics market is pulling back. After years of rapid expansion, the Seoul metropolitan area is now seeing a marked slowdown in new warehouse development, as rising costs, limited access to project financing, and a shifting demand landscape prompt developers to reassess their strategies. According to the 2025 Korea Logistics Market Report from Cushman & Wakefield Korea, about 3.92 million square meters of logistics space were completed in the capital region last year, a 33 percent drop from 2023. The number of new projects also fell sharply, from 95 to 51. Even amid the broader slowdown, one trend stood out: a continued shift toward larger-scale facilities. Warehouses over 66,000 square meters made up a growing share of the new supply. These larger properties are favored by major e-commerce and third-party logistics, or 3PL, firms, which now dominate the tenant base. Nearly 40 percent of new approvals in 2024 were in this category, pointing to sustained demand for scaled-up, high-efficiency centers. However, a widening gap between approvals and construction suggests the pipeline is far from secure. As of late 2024, 85 percent of logistics projects that had received permits were still unbuilt. More than 110 of those had remained idle for over two years. The report attributes this stall to a combination of rising development costs and a tightening project financing environment, which have made it increasingly difficult to move forward with new construction. As a result, the market is entering a prolonged supply correction. Region by region, the picture varies. The eastern zone, traditionally anchored by Icheon, saw the steepest drop in new completions, down nearly 70 percent from the previous year. With land growing scarce in core areas like Seoicheon, developers are shifting outward to places such as Yeoju and southern Icheon. The western region, which includes Incheon, Siheung, and Gimpo, was the only area where supply increased, delivering close to 2 million square meters in 2024. Still, with only six new projects approved there last year, future deliveries are expected to decline. In the south, activity remained stable. More than 1.19 million square meters of new space were completed in Anseong and Pyeongtaek, with most of it leased before completion. The central region, including Anyang, saw no new deliveries for the second year in a row. The north added only a modest amount of new space. Speculative development has slowed significantly. Developers are increasingly turning to build-to-suit strategies, especially in the cold storage segment. Many cold-chain facilities built during the pandemic remain vacant, often due to outdated or mismatched designs. The report points to issues such as inefficient dock access, narrow ramps, and freezer-heavy configurations that fail to meet current demand. The average vacancy rate for cold storage centers now stands at nearly 40 percent, reflecting a persistent disconnect between facility design and tenant needs. By contrast, ambient logistics centers recorded a vacancy rate of about 17 percent. These facilities have fared better, especially when built with large floorplates and located near highway interchanges. Properties with strong specifications and proximity to transportation corridors are seeing faster leasing and stronger renewal momentum. With fewer completions expected in 2025, high-quality existing properties are becoming more attractive. "Large-scale, high-spec properties with strong access to transportation networks will see stronger leasing momentum, especially in undersupplied areas like western Gyeonggi," the report says. Cushman & Wakefield characterizes 2025 as a structural turning point for the market. While new supply is set to decline further, demand is becoming more selective, pushing landlords and developers to focus on quality, functionality, and long-term viability. After years of chasing volume, the market is now resetting. For both investors and operators, success this year will depend less on how much space is delivered and more on how well that space performs. 2025-06-26 15:56:02

Shinsegae launches flagship Chicor beauty store in Seoul's Gangnam SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Shinsegae Department Store debuted its revamped beauty concept store Chicor in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district on Thursday, seeking to redefine luxury beauty shopping through high-tech personalization and curated brand offerings. The new flagship is the first in what the company says will be a wider expansion of the Chicor brand, positioning it as a specialized destination for both global luxury and trending Korean beauty products. Touting what Shinsegae describes as the first "hyper-personalized" services in South Korea’s beauty retail sector, the store features an artificial intelligence-powered analysis system that examines customers’ scalp conditions to formulate customized shampoos and serums. “Chicor Gangnam is not just another beauty store — it’s a showcase of what the future of personalized cosmetics looks like,” the company said in a statement. The store also places a spotlight on K-beauty, with a dedicated Makeup Zone that highlights rising Korean brands such as Tirtir, Laka, Dear Dahlia, Hince, and Rom&nd. Each label is housed in its own shop-in-shop setup, creating a boutique-like experience within the larger retail space. The location also features roughly 20 global brands, including Bath & Body Works, NARS, and Hourglass, catering to a wide spectrum of beauty preferences. 2025-06-26 15:50:59