China expands surveillance network in Korean waters with three new buoys SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - China has quietly installed three additional observation buoys in disputed West Sea waters near South Korea, raising fresh concerns about Beijing's growing maritime surveillance capabilities in the region. The South Korean Navy reported on Saturday its discovery of large buoys near the 123-degree east longitude line, west of Ieodo reef. The installations sit in international waters within China's exclusive economic zone, directly adjacent to South Korea's maritime boundaries. Since 2018, China has deployed 10 observation buoys measuring about 3 meters wide and 6 meters tall throughout the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) under the stated purpose of marine observation. The latest additions bring the total count to 13 buoys, with one positioned inside the disputed fishing zone shared by both nations. While Beijing claims the buoys serve meteorological and oceanographic purposes, South Korean defense analysts fear the equipment could monitor South Korean naval vessels and submarines, potentially compromising Seoul's maritime security operations in its own backyard waters. China has systematically expanded its presence in the contested zone, installing large-scale aquaculture facilities described as deep-sea fishing operations. This month, Beijing declared parts of the area off-limits to navigation while announcing planned military exercises. "We are closely monitoring China's unauthorized installation of structures within the PMZ and will work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to protect our maritime sovereignty," a Ministry of National Defense official said. 2025-05-31 10:34:31

Trump doubles steel tariffs to 50 percent, dealing blow to South Korea and other exporters SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday he would double tariffs on foreign steel imports to 50 percent from the current 25 percent, delivering a blow to overseas producers including South Korea as he unveiled a major investment partnership. Trump made the announcement during a speech at a U.S. Steel plant outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying the measure would "further secure the steel industry." The move comes as part of a broader agreement involving Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel's investment in the American company. "We don’t want America’s future to be built with shoddy steel from Shanghai. We want it built with the strength and the pride of Pittsburgh," said Trump, explaining the tariff increase. The tariff hike represents a doubling of duties first imposed in March under the Trade Expansion Act, which allows restrictions on imports deemed threats to national security. "At 25 percent, they can sort of get over that fence," Trump said. "At 50 percent, they can no longer get over the fence." The announcement coincided with Trump's reversal on Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, which he had previously opposed on national security grounds alongside former President Joe Biden. The Japanese company plans to invest $14 billion in American steel operations over the next 14 months. Trump described the investment as "the largest investment in the history of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and "the biggest investment in American steel history." He said the partnership would create and maintain over 100,000 jobs nationwide, including 100,000 in Pennsylvania specifically. The president assured that the deal would prevent layoffs or outsourcing, adding that U.S. Steel workers would receive $5,000 bonuses. He called the arrangement a "blockbuster agreement" that ensures the historic American company remains domestically owned. South Korea's top steelmakers, POSCO and Hyundai Steel, already posted disappointing first-quarter results following previous U.S. tariff measures of 25 percent, industry experts saying the doubling of the levies to hit the nation strong, as South Korea exports around 13 percent of its total steel produce to the U.S. 2025-05-31 09:47:51

High turnout in early voting for presidential election SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - Early voting for next week's presidential election wrapped up with a high voter turnout of 34.74 percent on Friday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The election watchdog said the high turnout came as about 15.42 million out of 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots in advance at around 3,500 polling stations nationwide on Thursday and Friday. Some 8.69 million voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting, reaching a record turnout of 19.58 percent, the highest since it was first introduced on a nationwide basis in 2014. The combined figure for the two days of early voting was the second-highest, about 2.19 percentage points lower than the 36.93 percent recorded in the 2022 presidential election. Turnout was highest in South Jeolla Province at 56.50 percent, followed by North Jeolla Province (53.01 percent), Gwangju (52.12 percent), and the administrative city of Sejong (41.16 percent). The lowest turnout was seen in Daegu at 25.63 percent. In Seoul, turnout stood at 34.28 percent, slightly below the nationwide average of 34.74 percent. In the past, high turnout in early voting was often considered advantageous to the progressives because younger voters tend to cast their ballots early. But that formula no longer seems to apply as most voters may now be motivated by convenience regardless of their political affiliation. But the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) interprets the high turnout as suggesting that many voters saw the ballot as a referendum on the former disgraced president's botched martial law debacle late last year. Some DP lawmakers also insist that the lowest turnout in Daegu, the conservatives' main stronghold, would be another indicator that early voting is advantageous to them. The ruling People Power Party (PPP), however, rejects this claim, arguing that its main supporters, mostly older voters, prefer to vote on the main election day, June 3, as they have doubts about early voting and possible fraud. 2025-05-30 17:54:06

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