Korean War veteran and former congressman Charles Rangel dies on Memorial Day SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran and former U.S. congressman, died at a hospital in New York on Monday, as the country observed Memorial Day. He was 94. Born in Harlem, Manhattan in 1930, Rangel was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1971. The 23-term lawmaker went on to serve in Congress for 46 years until his retirement in January 2017. During his time in Congress, the late Democrat, who consistently worked to support Washington's key Asian ally, played a key role in strengthening bilateral ties between South Korea and the U.S. while introducing a series of bills and resolutions related to South Korea. Rangel promoted peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, advocated for the reunions of separated families between the two Koreas, and supported Korean War veterans. In recognition of his efforts, he received several awards and honors from South Korea including one in 2007 and another in 2021. 2025-05-27 15:05:26

India urges stronger global cooperation on terrorism during Seoul visit SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - A group of Indian lawmakers and former diplomats held a press conference in Seoul on Monday to deliver a clear message -- terrorism, especially cross-border attacks, must not be tolerated. Speaking to Korean officials, researchers, and journalists, the delegation emphasized that India’s approach is now defined by what they called a policy of “zero tolerance.” The delegation’s visit comes in the wake of the Apr. 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali citizen. India has blamed militants trained in Pakistan for the attack and responded with what it described as a series of measured, precise strikes on terrorist facilities, an operation now referred to as Operation Sindoor. At the press conference in Seoul, Indian Ambassador Amit Kumar said the delegation was there “to amplify the Indian government's messaging on its new policy of zero tolerance to combat terrorism in all its manifestations.” Before the press event, the group consisting of both ruling and opposition party members met with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun, and several key lawmakers at the National Assembly. Brij Lal, a member of the Indian Parliament and part of the ruling party, said the Pahalgam attack was a calculated assault on religious lines. “India waited for two weeks, verified the facts, and then launched precision strikes against nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan. No civilians were harmed,” he said. He also pointed to South Korea’s strategic importance, both as a commercial partner and a UN Security Council member. When asked whether India saw a path forward through dialogue, Aparajita Sarangi, another MP in the delegation, made her position clear. “No dialogue with Pakistan unless there is cogent, clear evidence that Pakistan has given up terrorism,” she said, adding those responsible must be brought to justice. “Every time we reached out, we were betrayed,” she added. “This is not about symmetry. India is not sponsoring terrorism. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi.” Mohan Kumar, India’s former ambassador to France, echoed that frustration. Citing past terror attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai bombings, he said India had repeatedly attempted talks, only to be met with violence. “Our humility is not our weakness. We waited 14 days for Pakistan to act. When they didn’t, we responded with precision and restraint,” he said. “We are a peace-loving nation, but we will defend our people.” The delegation also met with lawmakers such as Yun Ho-jung, who chairs the Korea–India Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Sung Il-jong, chair of the National Defence Committee. Both expressed support for India’s position. Sung described terrorism as “a crime against humanity.” In meetings with think tank representatives, the delegation explained what they called India’s “New Normal” in dealing with terrorism -- quick, targeted responses, and no separation between attackers and the governments that support them. The visit to Seoul is part of a broader international tour that includes stops in Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Other Indian delegations have traveled to Europe and the Middle East. According to the group, the goal is not just to share India’s position, but to build wider consensus that terrorism cannot be treated as a regional issue. It is a global one. 2025-05-27 14:26:03

Google's new smart glasses boast extensive AI capabilities SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Google has re-entered the smart glasses market with a new prototype of XR-enabled smart glasses, unveiled at the Google I/O 2025 conference on May 20. The device aims to blend cutting-edge artificial intelligence with mainstream wearability and a fashion-forward design, showcasing a significant leap in functionality compared to previous attempts. The prototype features an embedded transparent display on the right lens, integrated with a camera, microphone, and speaker system. This configuration allows for seamless interaction with Google’s latest multimodal AI model, Gemini 2.5. A simple press-and-hold gesture on the frame activates Gemini, enabling the glasses to process the surrounding environment in real time. The device is designed to recognize objects, translate conversations, provide navigation guidance, and even recall past activities, such as a user's preferred coffee order or the artist and style of a painting. Visuals captured by the glasses are previewed directly on the lens, while audio feedback is delivered through frame-integrated speakers engineered to minimize sound spillover, enhancing user privacy in public settings. The system, though still in prototype phase, demonstrates a sophisticated integration of real-time vision and conversational AI, acting as a proactive everyday companion. Gemini can assist with shopping by identifying products, offer contextual overlays, and transcribe spoken dialogue as it occurs. The XR glasses are currently equipped to support a comprehensive suite of intelligent functions, including live translation, in-lens navigation, object and product recognition and photo and video capture. They also enable visual search, memory recall for places and tasks, in-lens notifications, voice command interaction, conversation transcription, and context-aware assistance, all powered by Gemini AI. 2025-05-27 14:00:25

Samsung-Google partnership revives interest in smart glasses SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Google’s announcement of a smart glasses collaboration with Samsung Electronics at its annual developer conference has injected new life into the extended reality (XR) market, following a period of waning consumer and investor enthusiasm. The partnership marks a significant push by two of tech’s most influential players to regain momentum in the XR sector, a broad category that encompasses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other technologies blending the physical and digital worlds. According to a report released Tuesday by the research arm of KPMG Samjong Accounting, global XR patent filings have surged from just 738 in 2013 to 14,958 in 2023. The growth suggests sustained innovation in the field, even as hype around the so-called metaverse — a term popularized during the pandemic — has cooled. Microsoft holds a commanding lead in XR intellectual property, with 8,393 patents to its name, positioning it as the front-runner in AR and VR technology development. LG Electronics follows with 5,681 filings, with a focus on device portability and user experience. Intel, Meta, and Samsung round out the top five. Despite Microsoft’s patent dominance, Meta currently leads the XR hardware market, claiming 60.5 percent of global device sales as of the second quarter of last year, according to industry data. Sony and Apple trail with 10.4 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. The competitive landscape is expected to shift in the second half of 2025, when Samsung is slated to launch its own XR headset, code-named Project Moohan. The device, developed in collaboration with Google, is poised to leverage Google’s Gemini AI model for advanced contextual understanding and will support Android-based applications through Google Play — potentially giving it an edge in the evolving XR ecosystem. Chinese tech firms are also stepping up their efforts. This year, Rokid debuted AI-powered smart glasses incorporating Alibaba’s large language model, while TCL Technology introduced ultra-lightweight smart glasses equipped with ChatGPT-based features. 2025-05-27 10:47:36

Busan offers free pet insurance to encourage dog adoptions SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - The southern port city of Busan is offering a year of free pet insurance to people who adopt abandoned dogs, hoping the move will ease concerns over veterinary costs and boost adoption rates. The program, announced Monday, applies to anyone who has adopted a stray dog in Busan since Jan. 1. To qualify, the dog must be adopted through one of the city’s six animal protection centers or two adoption agencies and registered with an RFID chip. The insurance covers 70 percent of treatment costs for injuries or illness, whether surgery, hospitalization, or outpatient care, up to 10 million won ($7,323) per year. It also includes up to 10 million won in liability coverage for damages caused by the dog to others or their pets. “A lot of people are hesitant to adopt abandoned dogs as they’re worried the animals may have undiagnosed illnesses,” Busan’s animal welfare bureau official Kwon Na-yeon said. “That’s why we’re offering insurance for the first year, to encourage more people to open up to these animals.” Pet ownership in South Korea has steadily risen. A government survey found that 28.6 percent of households had pets in 2022, up from 17.4 percent in 2010. But the cost of care remains a major concern. Unlike human healthcare, veterinary services aren’t standardized, and fees often vary depending on the animal’s size and species. The pet industry itself is booming. According to a report by KPMG Korea’s Issue Monitor, the market reached $6.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to more than double to $15.2 billion by 2032. “Interest in adopting abandoned dogs still exists, but adoption rates have stagnated these days,” Kwon added. “We hope this support will provide that final push for those who are still undecided.” 2025-05-26 17:07:26

BTS reunites this June after nearly two years of service SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - K-pop wonder BTS is on track for a full-group return this June, as the last of the members complete their military service. RM and V are set to be discharged on Jun. 10, followed by Jungkook and Jimin a day later. Suga wraps up his service on Jun. 21. Jin and J-Hope, who finished earlier, are already preparing for the group's long-awaited reunion. The group has been on hiatus since late 2022, when Jin became the first to enlist under South Korea’s mandatory military service law. Over the past two years, no other act has quite filled the void BTS left behind, and fans have been counting the days. Even while serving, members stayed active through pre-recorded content and solo releases. Jungkook’s “3D” and “Standing Next to You,” along with Jimin’s “Like Crazy” and “Who,” were among the most-played songs of 2025, according to the U.S. BMI Pop Awards. “Who” became the longest-charting K-pop solo track in Billboard Hot 100 history, holding on for 33 weeks. RM’s music videos, released before enlistment, also rippled across the world's music scene, winning four honors at the UK’s Shark Music Video Awards, including Best Music Video. However, not all attention was positive. In August, Suga was cited for riding an electric scooter under the influence, drawing criticism at the time. But the group pressed on, and momentum has steadily returned. Jin and J-Hope, the first to reenter the spotlight, have kept busy. Jin is preparing for a solo comeback with “Don’t Say You Love Me,” the lead track from his second mini album Echo, filmed in Singapore. J-Hope launched a solo world tour earlier this year and became the second male K-pop soloist — after Psy — to appear on the cover of Billboard magazine. BTS last performed together in June 2022 with the release of Proof, followed by a concert in Busan that October in support of the city’s World Expo bid. Since then, fans have been waiting. A specific comeback date hasn’t been announced. “No decision has been finalized,” BigHit Music told AJP. But the countdown has begun — and the excitement is already in motion. 2025-05-26 16:31:07

Yoon Suk Yeol appears in court for fifth insurrection trial amid investigation into deleted phone records SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to the Seoul Central District Court on Monday for the fifth hearing in his trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. It was his third time entering through the main public entrance. As in previous appearances, he passed reporters in silence, offering no comment on the Dec. 3 martial law declaration or whether he intended to address the public ahead of the Jun. 3 presidential election. The May 26 hearing is the final session scheduled before voters go to the polls. The next hearing is set for Jun. 9. The case is being heard at the Seoul Central District Court. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the Army’s Special Warfare Command, is expected to take the stand, with testimony focused on military deployments and the command structure in place the night martial law was imposed. Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into the deletion of encrypted phone records linked to Yoon, former National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Hong Jang-won, and former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik. According to investigators, the records were wiped remotely on Dec. 6, three days after the martial law order. The deletion came to light during a forensic review of logs voluntarily submitted by the Presidential Security Service. In total, 19 devices, including Yoon’s own phone, are now under examination. The police said that the deletions were carried out by the security service, but it remains unclear who gave the order. 2025-05-26 16:07:07

OpenAI sets up South Korean subsidiary SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - OpenAI said on Monday that it has established a Korean subsidiary and plans to open its first office in Seoul in the coming months. The move is part of the company’s broader international strategy, dubbed “OpenAI for Countries,” which aims to deepen partnerships and infrastructure investments worldwide. Over the past year, OpenAI has opened offices in 11 cities, including London, Dublin, Brussels and Paris. Seoul will join Tokyo and Singapore as one of the company’s key hubs in Asia. “We see Korea’s comprehensive AI ecosystem as one of the most promising in the world — from silicon to software, and from students to seniors,” Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, said in a statement. He emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the development of “truly Korean AI.” Kwon said the new office would help strengthen ties with South Korean policymakers, businesses, developers and researchers. He has met with officials from both the ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party to discuss the country's AI infrastructure agenda. Both parties have identified artificial intelligence as a priority ahead of the June 3 presidential election. South Korea has emerged as a key market for OpenAI. The company said the country ranks second globally in paid ChatGPT subscriptions, trailing only the United States. The number of weekly active users in South Korea has surged more than fourfold in the past year, placing it among the top 10 markets by user volume. South Korean developers using OpenAI’s application programming interface (API) also rank among the top 10 globally. Corporate adoption of the company’s paid services places the country in the top five markets worldwide. OpenAI has already forged partnerships with major South Korean firms, including tech giant Kakao, gaming company Krafton and telecom leader SK Telecom. It has also signed a financial cooperation agreement with the state-run Korea Development Bank. Despite OpenAI’s growing presence in the country, the company offered few details about whether it plans to build local data centers. Kwon said the firm has a “strong interest” in expanding AI infrastructure in South Korea, but declined to provide a timeline or scope for any future construction. 2025-05-26 16:05:36

Amorepacific taps Daiso to launch new men's grooming brand SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest cosmetics maker Amorepacific has rolled out Monday a new cosmetics line for men through Daiso, the popular discount chain, aiming to reach younger male consumers who are just beginning to explore skincare and grooming. The cosmetics maker said in a statement that its new brand, called “Prep by B.READY,” is geared toward men in their 20s and 30s. “The brand targets male customers who are new to styling,” the company said in a statement Monday. The lineup of the new male beauty product brand includes all-in-one skincare products, sunscreen, and basic color cosmetics designed for everyday use. The line is now available at Daiso stores across the country and through the retailer’s online platform. Daiso, known for selling most items between 1,000 ($0.7) and 5,000 won, has more than 1,500 locations nationwide and recorded sales of over 3 trillion won in 2024. Its affordability and wide selection have made it a go-to stop for younger shoppers looking for low-cost beauty products. Men’s cosmetics are no longer a niche in South Korea. According to Euromonitor, the male grooming market reached 1.2 trillion won ($878.9 million) last year, growing at an average rate of about 2.5 percent annually. The broader beauty industry remains strong. Data from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute showed the domestic market was worth 17.7 trillion won (approximately 13 billion dollars) in 2024, with expectations that it will climb to 15 billion dollars by 2028. 2025-05-26 15:17:34

Homeplus lease terminations leave small businesses in limbo SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Homeplus, a South Korean retail chain undergoing court-supervised restructuring, has begun notifying landlords of plans to terminate leases at 17 stores, deepening uncertainty for hundreds of small businesses operating within those locations. The potential closures span major metropolitan areas, including Seoul, Incheon, and Busan, and affect stores in Gayang, Ilsan, Siheung, Jamsil, and other key commercial districts. An estimated 200 to 300 small businesses operate across the affected stores, typically with 10 to 30 vendors per location. Roughly half of those vendors are brand franchisees; the remainder are independent operators, many of whom lack the legal protections afforded to traditional retail tenants. As vendors within large discount chains, they occupy a regulatory gray area, leaving them without access to compensation for key money — a standard practice in South Korean commercial leasing. Homeplus entered corporate rehabilitation proceedings last month, a process that has already led to noticeable declines in customer traffic and revenue. Several vendors report sales drops of 20 to 30 percent since the announcement, and many say they are unsure whether they can continue operating. Communication from Homeplus management has been sporadic, according to affected vendors. Some say they learned of the potential closures through media coverage rather than official notice, further fueling frustration and anxiety. At the center of the crisis are protracted negotiations with landlords — primarily real estate investment trusts — over significant rent reductions and lease transfer terms for sub-tenants. Homeplus is reportedly seeking rent cuts of up to 50 percent. The impasse has already delayed key milestones in the company’s rehabilitation timeline, including required reporting to the court. 2025-05-26 14:48:27