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

Four dead after Navy patrol plane crashes in Pohang shortly after takeoff SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A patrol aircraft with four people aboard crashed on a mountain in the southeastern city of Pohang on Thursday, according to military authorities. "A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft crashed several minutes after taking off from an air base in Pohang for training at around 1:40 p.m. due to unidentified reasons," the Navy said in a statement. The Navy is investigating further details including the exact cause of the crash. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fire and carry out search operations, with all four pilots found dead about a couple of hours later. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, also known as the P-3 Orion is primarily used for naval surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. Since first procuring it in 1995, the Navy is currently operating 16 units. 2025-05-29 15:35:21

US Embassy in Seoul halts new interviews ahead of impending stricter student visa policy SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has reportedly halted the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants. This appears to be related to reports that the U.S. government has instructed its embassies and consular offices overseas to temporarily suspend such procedures as it prepares to mandate social media screening for students planning to study in the U.S. The embassy's website no longer shows available dates for those seeking to schedule interviews for student visas, according to posts on online communities here. The embassy merely said it will proceed with previously scheduled interviews, but new interview appointments are expected to be delayed, although applicants may still apply. The development came after U.S. news outlet Politico reported on Tuesday that the U.S is "weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting," citing an internal cable signed by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. State of Department also announced the following day a "new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship of protected expression" in the U.S. The move follows a recent ban preventing the country's prestigious Harvard University from admitting non-U.S. students, amid a broader crackdown on pro-Palestine and other foreign students that has led to visa revocations and deportations. 2025-05-29 14:48:04

GM Korea to sell local facilities, reigniting withdrawal concerns SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - General Motors plans to sell a number of its service centers and underused production facilities in South Korea in a bid to streamline operations, a move that has reignited concerns about the automaker’s long-term commitment to its Korean unit. This came just hours after GM’s U.S. headquarters unveiled a sweeping $888 million investment in its Tonawanda engine plant in Buffalo, N.Y., marking a renewed focus on internal combustion engine production in the United States — and underscoring a stark contrast in strategic priorities across the Pacific. GM Korea informed employees Wednesday that it would begin the sequential sale of nine company-operated service centers across the country. It also plans to dispose of idle assets and underutilized facilities at its sprawling Bupyeong plant, once a cornerstone of GM’s global manufacturing network. “The sale of these assets is intended to maximize the value of underused property and to rationalize loss-making service center operations,” said Hector Villarreal, president of GM’s Asia Pacific and Korea operations. “This is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our operations.” The Korean divestitures stand in sharp relief to the company’s expanding footprint in the U.S. GM’s latest investment will fund the production of its sixth-generation V-8 engines — destined for use in pickup trucks and SUVs — and is expected to create 870 jobs, including 177 roles that had been at risk due to the company’s prior shift toward electric vehicles, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. GM had initially earmarked $300 million for EV-related production at the same Buffalo-area plant but has since abandoned those plans, signaling a broader pivot back toward gasoline-powered engines amid cooling demand for electric vehicles. Industry analysts say the asymmetry in GM’s global strategy mirrors the company’s track record of exiting less profitable markets. Over the past decade, GM has withdrawn from Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and much of Europe, often shuttering factories or selling operations after profitability waned. In South Korea, the company closed its Gunsan plant in 2019, citing poor performance. More recently, GM sold its stake in Ultium Cells — a battery joint venture with LG Energy Solution — as electric vehicle demand softened. “GM Korea exports more than 90 percent of its output to the U.S., making it essentially a factory that exists for America,” said an industry official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If U.S. tariff policies diminish its cost advantage, it wouldn’t be surprising if GM decided to withdraw sooner rather than later — despite public denials.” 2025-05-29 14:19:01