Tour for reunification wraps up in Seoul ahead of major campaign on Liberation Day in August SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A nationwide tour promoting reunification between the two Koreas, organized by a civil coalition, wrapped up with a final rally in Seoul on Friday after spanning 13 cities and provinces. The Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival Organizing Committee held an event at the Kim Koo Museum & Library in Yongsan, bringing together civil representatives from across South Korea. The event served as the finale to a series of rallies that began on May 12 in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, building momentum for the organization's broader "Korean Dream Ten Million Campaign," scheduled for mid-August to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day on Aug. 15. Led by former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan as chairman, along with co-chairs former National Assembly Vice Speaker Chung Woo-taek and former Democratic Party floor leader Lee Jong-geol, the committee has been mobilizing public support for reunification between South and North Korea since 2022. The campaign promotes a vision called "Korean Dream," which envisions a unified Korea contributing to world peace by achieving reunification as a path to national advancement rather than merely a political objective. "Over the past 80 years since the end of Japanese colonial rule, through your dedication and sacrifice, we have overcome the ruins of war and achieved both industrialization and democratization," said the chairman. "Now is the time to transcend barriers of ideology, generation, region, and class to achieve genuine national unity and sustainable co-prosperity," he added. 2025-05-30 17:42:36

Former UN chief calls for global solidarity at forum in Astana SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged international cooperation and regional unity at the Astana International Forum (AIF), which is underway in Kazakhstan. Ban, who now serves as chair of the Green Growth Global Institute and chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, highlighted the importance of global dialogue at the two-day forum in the Kazakh capital. "As the former UN Secretary-General who helped realize the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, I would like to emphasize my strong support, particularly for its contributions to green growth, climate resilience, and sustainable development," Ban said. He praised the forum's theme, "Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future," describing it as a reflection of "the kind of leadership we need today - one that is collaborative, forward-looking, and rooted in shared responsibility." Ban particularly welcomed Kazakhstan and its Central Asian neighbors' adoption of such vision, stressing that severe challenges like climate change, environmental degradation, and economic transitions cannot be tackled by any single nation. "No matter how powerful, no matter how resourceful one may be, these threats transcend geographical boundaries, political ideologies, and any artificial lines humans may draw. These serious challenges require a unified regional response," Ban emphasized. Addressing global conflicts, Ban pointed out a troubling deterioration caused by insufficient leadership commitment to human rights. "I look around the world today and fear we're in a worse situation." Drawing from his experience at the UN, he emphasized the critical need for unity. "When we are united, we can overcome all challenges. Connecting minds is unity and solidarity. There is not a single country in this world, however powerful, that can do it alone." Ban called for a partnership involving government leaders, businesses, and civil society, stressing that global challenges require collective efforts. Later in the day, Ban attended a session focused on regional connectivity and development, co-hosted by the AIF and the Boao Forum for Asia. The session discussed infrastructure gaps, digital transformation, trade facilitation, and clean energy development as strategies for economic integration in Central Asia. Expressing concerns about current global economic tensions, he described the escalating trade war initiated by the U.S. as one "unprecedented in scale and severity since the Great Depression," affecting global trade and stability. "The majority of countries and leaders are still firmly behind multilateralism, free trade, globalization, and an open world economy. That's a good sign, but that's not enough," Ban said, emphasizing the need for Asian countries to strengthen their connectivity and consolidate regional supply chains. "This is exactly what Asia can bring," he added. Ban also underlined the AIF's role, concluding, "I'm very pleased to see so many brilliant people gathered here in Astana today to build consensus, trust, confidence, and our shared future. I look forward to benefiting from your vision and wisdom, and I wish this dialogue great success." 2025-05-30 16:25:39

New report reveals massive arms transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - North Korea has supplied Russia with large quantities of munitions and missile-related equipment, according to a report released Thursday by a multinational team that monitors UN Security Council sanctions on the renegade country. In its inaugural report, the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) said, "Since and raise awareness of ongoing attempts to violate and evade UN sanctions." 2025-05-30 15:59:16

Calls grow for certified quality checks on exports amid global used car boom SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - With the rapid expansion of secondhand vehicles in the global market, there are mounting calls for South Korea to implement quality-certification measures for its exports. In a report released by the Korea Automotive Technology Institute on Friday, the used car market is expected to continue growing, with South Korea having ample potential for exports. Trade volume for used cars in the global market increased by 88.9 percent over the last decade, rising from 5.4 million units in 2010 to 10.2 million units in 2022, driven by economic growth in emerging markets. The country's largest shipments went to Libya with 121,000 units, followed by Kyrgyzstan with 72,000 units, together accounting for 36.2 percent of total exports. By value, Kyrgyzstan ranked first with $1.49 billion, accounting for more than one third or 31.4 percent of the total revenues. The report cited Japan and China as benchmarking cases for quality control, with Japan's used car market valued at 1 trillion yen in 2023 and China seeing an average annual growth rate of 208 percent since 2019. The report stressed the need to secure certified quality assurance through authorized institutions, which also helps gauge demand in emerging markets. The report also proposed building integrated complexes that handle logistics alongside quality checks to improve efficiency and create synergy. 2025-05-30 14:56:42

PHOTOS: Second day of early voting underway after previous day's record turnout SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - The second day of early voting for next week's presidential election is underway at some 3,568 polling stations nationwide on Friday, following a record turnout of 20.41 percent the previous day. Since it was first introduced on a nationwide basis in 2014, early voting has allowed eligible voters who cannot vote on election day to cast their ballots in advance. Some 44.39 million voters aged 18 and above can cast their ballots at any polling station across the country, regardless of their registered addresses, with a valid ID. Voting hours run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As the June 3 snap election follows the premature ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year, polling stations will remain open for two additional hours until 8 p.m. 2025-05-30 13:55:44

Concert offers chance to explore Latin American music traditions SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A concert in southern Seoul earlier this week offered an opportunity to explore the transatlantic evolution of Baroque music, while also engaging with early Latin American music. Last Wednesday's concert at Banpo Simsan Art Hall, part of a music festival hosted by the Seocho Cultural Foundation, along with Musica Ex Machina, a creative ensemble dedicated to rare early classical music, examined how Baroque music evolved into a distinct hybrid form through exchanges between Spain and Latin America during the colonial era, featuring instruments and works from both regions dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Led by Chilean musician Cristian Gutiérrez, the concert brought together performers from South Korea, Europe, and Latin America. The repertoire reflected a blend of European musical traditions and local influences with selections ranging from Spanish court music to Peruvian Baroque folk styles. Highlights included Pavana del Rey from 16th-century Spain, Canarios by Gaspar Sanz, and Si quieres dar Marica by José Marín. They also performed pieces from Peruvian manuscript Codex Trujillo including the Tonada "El Congo." Producer Yoon Hyeong-jun of Musica Ex Machina emphasized that what defines the ensemble is not just its musical selections, but also its dedication to authentic performance. "Early music doesn't just mean playing old music — it means playing it the old way," he said, explaining the ensemble's use of traditional instruments and historically grounded techniques." Yoon described Baroque music as "the first global cultural movement," shaped by 16th-century voyages that brought Spanish missionaries and sailors into contact with Indigenous and African communities. He stressed that Latin American Baroque was the result of both cultural absorption and transmission. "They didn't just bring culture - they also absorbed it," he said. "This is not just heritage - it's the product of historical fusion." Yoon's path into music was unconventional. Raised in a rural town outside Daejeon, he taught himself classical guitar in middle school and initially enrolled at Korea Maritime & Ocean University, unaware that music could be a formal career. After dropping out of school, he began pursuing music professionally and now leads Musica Ex Machina, one of the country's most innovative ensembles specializing in early music. That unlikely path shaped his deep respect for authenticity, which he sees not just as technique but as a way to "revive forgotten sounds" and make them resonate with today's listeners. While Yoon provided a South Korean perspective on the ensemble's mission, Cristian Gutiérrez offered a complementary view rooted in Latin American Baroque. "Early music doesn't exist in South Korea as a living culture. What we do is reintroduce forgotten sonic languages and explore how they speak today," he said. He explained that Latin American Baroque developed through mutual influence. "It's not just what European culture brought to America - it's also what they took. In the end, it's a mixture that became part of our identity." Expressing his admiration for South Korean musicians, Gutiérrez said, "They sound like South Americans," he said. "They are really, really great professional musicians. I'm so happy and proud to play with them." When asked what music had taught him, he answered, "Perseverance. We live in a time when everything is fast, but music teaches you to work day after day, over years. Only then can you understand what you've mastered." 2025-05-30 13:27:05

SK hynix union demands pay raise after record profits SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - SK hynix's union of technical and administrative workers is pushing for an 8.25 percent wage increase, following its best-ever sales performance last year, according to industry sources on Friday. The union and management held this year's first round of wage negotiations last Wednesday at the company's Icheon campus. The union's proposal includes raising the salary cap, expanding regular wages to cover vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, and guaranteeing an 800 percent performance bonus for employees with improved evaluation scores. The union also demanded more profit-sharing by removing caps on the payments. Since 2021, SK hynix has shared 10 percent of its operating profit with employees based on their individual performance. "If wage hikes were driven by external factors in the past, now we need a reasonable level that employees can accept," the union said, explaining that its proposal reflects both company performance and employees' expectations. Last year, both sides agreed on a 5.7-percent increase in wages, lower than the 8-percent raise the union had initially demanded. The chipmaker, which was recovering from losses exceeding 7 trillion won in 2023, achieved a record operating profit of 23.47 trillion won the following year, driven by strong competitiveness in high-bandwidth memory. Earlier this year, employees received bonuses amounting to 1,500 percent of their salary, along with 30 stock options each. Regarding the union's demand, the company responded that it would "comprehensively" consider various factors including internal and external business conditions, while expressing optimism by saying that it expects "constructive and productive discussions" in upcoming negotiations. 2025-05-30 10:36:43

Int'l forum to tackle global challenges kicks off in Astana SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A two-day international forum putting the spotlight on multilateral cooperation to tackle various global challenges and other issues is being held in Kazakhstan this week. The Astana International Forum (AIF) kicked off on Thursday in the Kazakh capital, bringing together over 1,000 participants including heads of state, business executives, renowned academics, and representatives from more than 70 countries. During the forum, over 100 ministerial officials along with high-ranking diplomats will share their insights through special lectures and discussions as part of the forum until Friday, covering key topics including foreign policy, international security, and climate change. In his opening remarks, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation between countries amid growing global polarization, which is fueling conflicts and tensions worldwide. "At a time of increasing global uncertainties, what matters most is how we respond," Tokayev said, stressing the AIF's important role as a platform founded on mutual respect. Tokayev further explained that his country has played a role in fostering global cooperation. "We are entering a new era of global cooperation, where trust among people, knowledge sharing, and civic collaboration will shape international relations," he said. "Kazakhstan is ready to serve as a connector of ideas, a builder of consensus, and a trusted partner across regions and cultures." Rwandan President Paul Kagame praised the AIF as an essential platform for global cooperation. "The forum has become a vital platform not only for dialogue but also for practical cooperation in a fragmented world," Kagame said, thanking Kazakhstan for initiating the forum. North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova also shared similar views, stressing the need for collective action. "Major crises we face today stem from fundamental changes in global governance," she pointed out. Raising concerns about the current rift in global cooperation, she emphasized that no country can address a wide range of global challenges alone. "Small and medium-sized nations, free from hegemonic ambitions, would provide moral guidance and innovative leadership to revitalize multilateralism. We can achieve this by building bridges between countries," she said. Formerly known as the Astana Economic Forum, which primarily focused on economic issues from 2008 to 2019, the annual gathering has evolved into a platform for discussing critical global issues, underscoring Kazakhstan's role as a strategic hub linking Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe. 2025-05-29 18:08:09

Saltlux unveils new AI agent platform at annual forum SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) -South Korean artificial intelligence company Saltlux introduced its latest suite of AI technologies on Thursday, showcasing ambitions to gain a stronger foothold in the intensifying global AI race. At its 20th annual AI conference, held at GS Tower in Seoul, the company unveiled LUXIA 3, a next-generation AI model comprising three core components: LUXIA3 LLM for language generation and understanding, LUXIA3 Deep for advanced reasoning and decision-making, and LUXIA3 VLM for processing unstructured data. The system, according to company executives, represents a significant step toward autonomous AI capabilities beyond conventional chatbot functions. The centerpiece of the presentation was the official rollout of Goober, Saltlux’s AI agent platform. First previewed in 2024, the platform has since been refined with a faster interface and an expanded feature set, including automated podcast creation and customized content delivery through services like “Weekly Goober” and “Daily Goober,” which push updates to users via email and text. Saltlux highlighted Goober’s “deep research” function, which integrates reasoning and real-time data aggregation to generate analytical reports. The platform is capable of producing documents exceeding 20 pages by synthesizing insights from over 100 high-quality sources, including proprietary research and institutional databases. “AI agents will revolutionize not only how we interact with machines, but how value is created across entire industries,” said Lee Kyung-il, Saltlux’s chief executive, during the keynote address. He warned that automation was already reshaping labor markets, noting that more than 300,000 software developers had been laid off in the United States over the past 18 months due to advances in AI. The conference also featured demonstrations from Diquest, a Saltlux subsidiary, which presented applications of AI agents in content production, customer service, and even emotional communication. In the afternoon, industry partners including Samjong KPMG, translation company DeepL, and AI chipmaker Rebellions shared real-world case studies of Saltlux’s technology in use. Saltlux said full coverage of the event would be made available for streaming on its official YouTube channel. 2025-05-29 17:26:43

PHOTOS: Hidden treasures of Mount Daedeok highlands SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - On a May morning, under an overcast sky, I began an ascent toward Bunburyeong Peak on Mount Daedeok in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. The air at Dumundongjae, my starting point, felt sharply cold, reminiscent of late autumn. Layering a windbreaker over my rain gear provided a necessary warmth. As the trail commenced, bright yellow wild celandine emerged, blanketing the ground. While the trees above were still tentatively unfurling lime-green shoots, the undergrowth below was already a vibrant tapestry of various plants. The wild celandine, in particular, dominated the landscape, transforming stretches of the mountain into a brilliant yellow expanse. Its rain-kissed petals glowed against the dim, drizzly light, their individual delicacy overshadowed by the sheer abundance that created what could only be described as a celestial garden. The yellow fields soon gave way to swathes of small white flowers. These small blooms, like their yellow counterparts, formed dense clusters, their collective whiteness strikingly evident. The route through Mt. Taebaek National Park, spanning Dumundongjae, Geumdaebong, Bunburyeong Peak and concluding at the Geomnyongso parking area, is a moderate four-and-a-half-hour walk. Designated a conservation area, access is managed through a reservation system, limiting daily visitors to 500 to preserve its delicate environment. Despite reaching altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters, the trail offers a gentle experience. Beginning at Dumundongjae, at 1,268 meters (approximately 4,160 feet), the entire path descends gradually, with an overall elevation change of only about 100 meters. Though setting out on a rainy day might seem unappealing, the experience of a wet mountain trail, short of a downpour, often surpasses a clear day. The mist and crisp air impart a profound sense of exhilaration. As a photographer, opportunities to capture such atmospheric scenes are rare. While moisture on the lens or fogging presents an inconvenience, the stunning vistas invariably compensate for the minor discomforts. After a walk amidst the wildflowers, I paused at a quiet clearing to enjoy a pre-ordered, three-tiered lunchbox, picked up from the visitor center, which proved satisfyingly substantial. The trail was characterized by numerous tall trees. Beneath their imposing canopies, the wildflowers, enveloped in mist, provided compelling subjects for photography. Near the conclusion of the descent, a cold spring named Geomnyongso emerges. This cold spring, where approximately 2,000 tons of groundwater surge daily through limestone bedrock, maintains a consistent temperature of about 9 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The water from the spring forms a series of cascade-like waterfalls, dropping about 20 meters. Below, centuries of continuous flow have deeply eroded the bedrock, creating channels that appear to writhe like a dragon. From this point, the water flows into the Han River, traveling more than 500 kilometers before finally emptying into the West Sea near Incheon. 2025-05-29 16:19:01