India and South Korea come together to mark 11th International Day of Yoga SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - In Seoul on May 22, the Embassy of India and the Korea Yoga Association hosted a joint press conference to announce plans for this year’s 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY 2025), which also marks a decade since the first global celebration of the event in 2015. The main celebration will take place at Gwanghwamun Square, one of South Korea’s most iconic public spaces. About 1,000 participants are expected to gather under this year’s slogan, "Discover Your AURA," and the theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." Organizers estimate that approximately 10 million South Koreans have practiced yoga at least once. Additional yoga programs are scheduled throughout June in Jeju, Busan, and Nami Island. Indian Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar opened the briefing by reflecting on yoga’s long history and its expanding role in modern life. "Yoga is not just a physical exercise, it is a holistic approach to wellbeing," he said. "It encompasses various practices, including asanas or postures, pranayama or breathing techniques, and meditation." He reminded the audience that yoga has been practiced in India for over 3,000 years and gained global recognition when it was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in 2016, following the UN’s adoption of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. "Yoga offers us a sanctuary, a space where we can reconnect with ourselves and find peace," the ambassador said, highlighting its relevance in addressing lifestyle-related diseases and its increasing role in preventive healthcare frameworks. Ambassador Kumar thanked the Korea Yoga Association, local governments, sponsors, and institutions including the India Center at Busan University of Foreign Studies for their collaboration. He also expressed appreciation to Miss Lee Geum-hee, a well-known broadcaster who was appointed as the promotional ambassador for this year’s event, and yoga instructor Moon Jeong-hye, who will lead the main yoga session in Seoul. Lee, who served as the master of ceremonies at last year’s rain-soaked IDY event at COEX, recalled being deeply moved by the determination of the participants. "I will never forget that scene," she said. "So many yoga practitioners stayed until the end, soaking wet but completely focused." That experience, she said, inspired her to accept the role of ambassador for IDY 2025. "I want people to discover yoga like fans discover their favorite idols, so no one misses out," she said. Lee also praised the dedication of the organizers and shared her hope that yoga in Korea can grow beyond a wellness trend. "These days, K-pop, K-drama, and K-food are all making waves around the world. I hope ‘K-Yoga’ can join that list," she said. "We have enough content, enough practitioners, and enough instructors." She added with a smile, "If there's a role I can play, I’ll do my best, starting with improving my English." 2025-05-23 16:46:13

DP's Lee maintains lead as presidential race tightens SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - With South Korea’s presidential election just two weeks away, Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Democratic Party (DP), maintains a clear lead over his rivals despite recent setbacks, a new poll showed on Friday. According to a survey of 1,002 voters conducted earlier this week by pollster Gallup Korea, Lee garnered 45 percent support as the preferred presidential candidate. Kim Moon-soo, the candidate for People Power Party (PPP), followed in second place with 36 percent, narrowing the gap significantly by gaining 7 percentage points from the previous week, while Lee’s support dropped by 6 points. Kim, a former Minister of Employment and Labor, has recently gained traction, especially among conservative voters, amid controversies following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s departure from the PPP and heated exchanges during the first televised debate. Lee, who initially sought to broaden his appeal among moderate and conservative voters, saw declining support from conservatives, down from 22 percent to 18 percent, and a slight drop among moderates, from 52 percent to 49 percent. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the minor Reform Party, reached double-digit support for the first time, securing 10 percent. Lee’s rise was notably strong among young voters in their 20s and 30s. Regionally, Lee Jae-myung maintained strong leads in Seoul, and the densely populated area surrounding it, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon in the northwest. In contrast, Kim dominated traditional conservative strongholds, including Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province in the southeastern part of the country, as well as the southeastern coastal cities of Busan and Ulsan along with South Gyeongsang Province. Both candidates were nearly tied in the central Daejeon-Chungcheong region. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party led party preference ratings with 42 percent support, ahead of the PPP, which stood at 36 percent. The Reform Party achieved its highest-ever support at 6 percent since its establishment. 2025-05-23 16:18:12

With creator power, Leferi opens flagship K-beauty pop-up store SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - Leferi, a global beauty retail company known for its management of online beauty creators, inaugurated its largest retail space to date on Thursday with the opening of “Select Store – THE BEAUTY UNIVERSE” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The store, spanning 300 square meters within the XYZ Seoul complex, marks a strategic expansion for the company. For the first time, Leferi is featuring a trio of top-tier beauty influencers — LeoJ (1.41 million subscribers), Soyoon (753,000), and Arang (483,000) — as co-curators. Described by the company as its most ambitious retail endeavor, the pop-up store will run through June 1. It draws on the popularity of past creator-led pop-ups, including installations with LeoJ in Seongsu and Minsco at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido. But this latest effort takes a more collective approach, branding the trio as a “Beauty Avengers” team. The space showcases 63 products from 29 beauty labels across skincare, makeup, hair care, and wellness. Items are grouped under three thematic categories: “Legacy” (established favorites), “Newness” (recent launches), and “Rediscovery” (revived selections). Featured brands include household names such as Laneige, AHC, Dewytree, and Goodal, as well as emerging players like Narca and Notts. Beyond retail, the initiative incorporates a series of interactive experiences, including meet-and-greets with creators and guided tours designed to enhance brand storytelling. The event has drawn a mix of industry professionals, including domestic and international distributors, investors, and global buyers, underscoring its broader commercial ambition. Founded in 2013, Leferi oversees a network of roughly 800 creators and has trained or produced more than 1,500 to date. As part of its international expansion, the company plans to open a 500-square-meter store in Tokyo’s Omotesando district this October, directly across from the influential Japanese beauty retailer @cosme Tokyo. The new location is expected to serve as a launchpad for Korean beauty brands entering the Japanese market. 2025-05-23 15:59:35

British Embassy in Seoul celebrates King Charles III's birthday SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - The British Embassy in Seoul hosted a special reception on Thursday evening to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III, marking Britain’s most significant diplomatic event of the year. The King’s Birthday celebration, organized annually by British embassies and high commissions worldwide, was held with the support of numerous British and South Korean companies and organizations, including Dulwich College. This year’s event was themed “The Best of British,” offering guests a chance to experience British culture, cuisine, beverages, and music. The evening also featured K-pop artists moderating and performing, including performances of the national anthems of both nations. “The relationship between the UK and Korea is growing deeply and ambitiously,” British Ambassador to Seoul Colin Crooks said. “Based on the Downing Street Accord, which underpins our cooperation, our two countries have strengthened ties in trade, investment, defense, security, climate, science, technology, and energy.” Crooks expressed confidence in future cooperation, adding, “The upcoming FTA negotiations over the next 12 months are expected to further enhance our trade and investment relations. The visit of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will further reinforce our joint efforts for regional and global security.” He also highlighted cultural cooperation, noting, “the appointment of British architect Thomas Heatherwick as General Director of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism reflects both countries’ strong soft power.” 2025-05-23 15:19:35

INTERVIEW: Georgian envoy hails South Korea trade deal as milestone for deeper ties SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - Georgian Ambassador to South Korea Tarash Papaskua sees the new Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Georgia and South Korea as a turning point in bilateral relations. In an interview with Aju Press on May 19, he described the agreement as a "new generation agreement" and praised the speed and spirit of cooperation behind its conclusion. "The negotiations on this agreement were concluded in just seven months, from start to finish," he said. "That’s quite fast, and it was only possible thanks to the true spirit of partnership and a fast-track approach from both sides." He expressed gratitude to South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, calling the negotiation process "very focused, mobilized and determined." Described as "FTA+," the EPA eliminates tariffs on nearly all goods while expanding cooperation in renewable energy, e-commerce, environmental sustainability, digital economy, and intellectual property rights. "Essentially, the agreement will provide for a comprehensive institutional framework," the ambassador said. "Almost 95 percent of the goods will be tariff-free." With legal procedures and translations now underway, the agreement is expected to open new markets for Georgian products in South Korea, such as Kvevri (amber) wines, mineral water, fruits, nuts, and industrial goods. "It shows and demonstrates the willingness of governments to cooperate and to address issues, to facilitate and promote joint ventures," he added. Georgia is undergoing a long-term economic transition. Once heavily reliant on traditional manufacturing, the country is now shifting toward services, tourism, and information technology. Ambassador Papaskua said this transformation has accelerated since the early 2000s, when the country began comprehensive reforms to modernize institutions, reduce corruption, and create a more open business climate. As Georgia prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on May 26, the ambassador reflected on the country’s difficult journey to statehood. "On 31 March 1991, 99.08 percent of the population provided an unequivocal, positive answer to the question of restoring independence based on the 1918 declaration," he said. "Today we continue to still face this challenge of territorial integrity," he noted, referring to Russia’s occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. "But Georgia has managed to transform into a modern democratic state," Papaskua said, adding: "I would like to express deep gratitude to the Republic of Korea, as well as all our friends and partners for their continued support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders." With 46 free trade agreements in place, including with the European Union and China, Georgia is positioning itself as a strategic hub between Europe and Asia. "Georgia is at the heart of a dynamic transit and logistics juncture that bridges Europe and Asia," he said, highlighting the country’s access to a 2.3 billion consumer market. Infrastructure is key to this ambition. Projects include a deep-sea port, a new airport, and a 1,195-kilometer (742 miles) submarine cable under the Black Sea to transmit both renewable energy and data to Europe. "The feasibility studies have been completed," he said, adding that South Korean companies have already been consulted. Energy cooperation is one of the most promising areas. "If I really would have to choose the most promising sector, that would definitely be energy, especially renewable energy," he said. He also pointed to logistics and advanced technologies as natural fits for South Korean companies. "Georgia has been very open, but we understand that it takes time, in a global environment where you have so much turbulence." While current trade and investment figures remain limited, Ambassador Papaskua stressed that the potential is far greater. "Current figures, either in trade or investments, are far from the real potential of both economies and this is something that we need to work on." Tourism is one area where momentum is building. The number of South Korean visitors to Georgia nearly tripled in 2024, and charter flights operated by Hanjin Travel and Korean Air will increase to eight this year. "We are seeing a positive trajectory," he said. Georgia will also participate in the Seoul International Travel Fair in June to further promote itself to South Korean travelers. The embassy is actively promoting the country’s tourism and culture through events in South Korea. "These events aim to showcase Georgia’s rich culture, history, and unique offerings, strengthening the people-to-people connections between our two nations." Interest in academic and cultural exchanges is also rising. "South Korea is becoming increasingly popular among young Georgians. They actively learn Korean language and culture, and many are already studying at South Korean universities." Georgian students have received scholarships from the Woojung and Elim Foundations, and several university-level MoUs are being developed. The embassy is working to establish a Sejong Institute in Tbilisi and hopes to eventually host a formal South Korean Cultural Center. "Even though our countries are far apart, our cultures share many similarities," he said. From Oct. 22 to 23, Georgia will host the 5th International Tbilisi Silk Road Forum under the theme "Invest in Connectivity – Grow in Stability." The event is expected to draw over 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries. "Naturally, we hope to see strong participation from such an economic powerhouse as South Korea," Ambassador Papaskua said. Another sign of growing ties came in November 2024, when South Korea elevated the status of its embassy in Tbilisi. "This is a significant milestone that underscores the strengthening of diplomatic relations between our two countries," he said. "We look forward to deepening political dialogue and economic cooperation, facilitating cultural exchanges and thereby further solidifying our bilateral ties." Ambassador Papaskua said that his goal is to raise cooperation to a "qualitatively new level." He listed tourism, education, innovation, and cultural exchange as top priorities. "I believe that relations between Georgia and the Republic of Korea will continue to grow stronger," he said. "Both parties are motivated to deepen this value-based partnership in the coming years." 2025-05-23 15:16:49

HD Hyundai Electric to supply high-voltage transformers to Scottish firm SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Electric, a subsidiary of South Korea’s HD Hyundai specializing in power equipment and energy solutions, announced on Friday that it has secured a contract to supply four ultra-high voltage transformers to SP Energy Networks, a major utility in Scotland. The agreement marks HD Hyundai Electric’s first foray into the Scottish market. Key representatives from both companies attended the signing ceremony, including Cho Seok, vice chairman of HD Hyundai Electric, and Eddie Mulholland, SP Energy Networks’ director of process and technology. Under the contract, HD Hyundai Electric will supply four 400-kilovolt transformers as part of a substation expansion project aimed at bolstering the stability of power supply across Scotland’s central and southern regions. Final delivery is slated for the second half of 2028. The company has seen a surge in European demand, reporting $437.75 million in orders from the continent so far in 2024. That figure reflects an average annual growth rate of approximately 44 percent since 2020, as HD Hyundai Electric seeks to strengthen its presence in what it describes as one of the world’s most demanding and technically advanced energy markets. “Europe is a conservative, high value-added market with high technical barriers, where orders are won based on quality and technological strength,” an HD Hyundai Electric official said in a statement. “We intend to broaden our footprint in Europe through enhanced research and development and deeper engagement with our customer base.” 2025-05-23 15:09:32

Samsung launches sale of Galaxy S25 Edge in South Korea SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics on Friday launched sale of the Galaxy S25 Edge, the latest addition to its flagship smartphone line and the slimmest Galaxy S series device to date. Measuring just 5.8 millimeters thick and weighing 163 grams, the new model is the culmination of Samsung’s effort to marry minimalist design with robust engineering. It features a high-strength titanium frame and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The launch rounds out the Galaxy S25 lineup and follows a weeklong pre-order period from May 14 to 20 that, according to Samsung, drew strong interest from consumers in their teens and 30s. Buyers in those age groups accounted for more than half of pre-orders placed through the company’s official website. Available in Titanium Silver, Jet Black, and Ice Blue, the Galaxy S25 Edge is priced at 1.5 million won (approximately $1,100) for the 256GB model and 1.639 million won for the 512GB version. Titanium Silver proved to be the most popular choice among early adopters. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset — shared across the S25 series — and features an upgraded vapor chamber cooling system for improved thermal performance over its predecessor, the Galaxy S24. The S25 Edge also boasts a 200-megapixel wide-angle main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with macro functionality and auto-focus. For the first time in the series, the front-facing camera supports log video recording, a feature aimed at content creators. Samsung’s new ProVisual Engine, designed to enhance image clarity and render skin tones more naturally, is built into the device. A suite of AI-powered editing tools — including AI Eraser, Audio Eraser, Generative Edit, and Sketch to Image — comes standard, alongside live AI features such as Now Brief for personalized updates and Now Bar, a real-time activity display on the lock screen. Both are compatible with third-party applications. “The Galaxy S25 Edge is the result of condensing our most advanced technologies into a streamlined form without compromising performance or design,” said Roh Tae-moon, acting head of Samsung’s Device eXperience division. To sweeten the launch, Samsung is offering a series of promotional perks, including six months of Google One AI Premium, three months of Willa audiobook access, and digital magazine subscriptions. 2025-05-23 15:01:54

Chinese TV makers accused of misleading UHD advertising SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - A South Korean industry association has lodged a formal complaint with the country’s antitrust regulator, accusing major Chinese television manufacturers of deceptive marketing over the capabilities of their ultra-high-definition (UHD) television sets. The group, UHD Korea, said on Friday that it filed a petition with the Fair Trade Commission against several companies, including Chinese electronics firms TCL and Xiaomi. The complaint alleges that the manufacturers promoted their products as UHD-capable without including the ATSC 3.0 tuners required to receive terrestrial UHD broadcasts in South Korea. The tuners are essential for accessing over-the-air UHD broadcasts, and their absence has led to mounting frustration among consumers who purchased the sets expecting full UHD functionality, according to UHD Korea. The organization said it has received a wave of complaints through its consumer call center. “Terrestrial UHD broadcasting is not merely a technical feature — it is a public good, a universal service,” said Im Jung-gon, secretary general of UHD Korea. “Marketing televisions that cannot access this service as ‘UHD TVs’ undermines consumer rights.” While the Chinese-made televisions do offer panels capable of displaying UHD resolution, UHD Korea argues that resolution alone is insufficient to meet the definition of a UHD TV in South Korea. Broadcast compatibility, it says, is a critical component of the standard. Inquiries from consumers to the manufacturers have reportedly yielded only technical explanations about display specifications, with little clarity on the limitations of broadcast reception. At present, only televisions made by domestic manufacturers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics meet the standards necessary to receive terrestrial UHD signals in South Korea. Televisions from foreign brands, including those purchased directly from overseas, typically do not include the required tuners. UHD Korea is urging both government agencies and retail channels to implement clearer labeling and stricter guidelines to ensure consumers can determine whether a TV supports local UHD broadcasting before making a purchase. 2025-05-23 14:32:36

North Korea admits newly developed destroyer damaged in launch mishap SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) -North Korea admitted that its newly developed warship was accidentally damaged during a launch ceremony earlier this week. According to the official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the accident occurred Wednesday when a 5,000-ton destroyer was being launched at a shipyard in Chongjin, a key industrial city in the northeast. The vessel tilted and eventually overturned after a support mechanism at the stern prematurely released as it entered the water. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who reportedly witnessed the incident, expressed severe displeasure and immediately ordered a thorough investigation. "An investigation group of the destroyer launch accident got down to a full-scale investigation," KCNA reported. "No matter how good the state of the warship is ... those responsible for it can never evade their responsibility for the crime." KCNA added expert opinion, saying, "It will take two or three days to keep the balance of the warship by pumping up the seawater from the flooded chamber and making the bow leave the slipway and 10-odd days to restore the warship's side." However, Beyond Parallel, a project by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented that it is unclear yet whether the vessel received damage and how long it would take to salvage it. The damaged destroyer is reportedly identical to the "Choe Hyon," another multipurpose destroyer launched by North Korea last month. 2025-05-23 13:50:44

Naver chairman meets Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang for AI partnership talks SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - Lee Hae-jin, the founder and chairman of Naver, visited Taiwan to meet with Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, marking Lee’s first public trip abroad since he returned to management in March. Lee was joined by Naver Chief Executive Choi Soo-yeon and other top executives during their visit to Computex 2025, Asia’s largest information technology exhibition. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Nvidia’s cloud partner gathering, the NPC Summit, where the two companies discussed expanding their collaboration on artificial intelligence. The discussions centered on sovereign AI — nationalized, self-reliant artificial intelligence systems — with an emphasis on developing foundational technologies and scaling them across global markets. Kim Yu-won, chief executive of Naver Cloud, also participated in the talks. This meeting builds on a similar dialogue held last June, when Lee, then serving as Naver’s Global Investment Officer, visited Nvidia’s Silicon Valley headquarters with the same executive cohort. Nvidia, the world’s leading producer of AI semiconductors, brings cutting-edge hardware and computing power to the table, while Naver contributes its capabilities in AI model architecture and development. The companies are expected to jointly explore projects across Southeast Asia and the Middle East — regions where governments are increasingly seeking to build independent AI infrastructure. While in Taiwan, the Naver delegation also plans to meet with a range of local companies, including Foxconn, the electronics manufacturer best known for assembling Apple’s iPhone, and e-commerce platform Momo. The talks aim to identify potential AI partnerships and reinforce Naver’s ambitions to expand its footprint beyond South Korea and Japan into emerging Asian markets. Looking ahead, Lee is scheduled to travel to Silicon Valley next month, where he will meet with engineers, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. His itinerary includes discussions on the formation of “Naver Ventures,” a proposed investment arm that would back AI startups globally. The initiative is seen as part of Naver’s broader strategy to sharpen its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI industry. 2025-05-23 11:23:04