US, South Korea, Japan hold trilateral secretariat meeting in Washington SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - The United States, South Korea, and Japan have convened a Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat Managing Board meeting in Washington, D.C. on Monday (local time), the U.S. Department of State announced. The Department of State said in a statement that the meeting was led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kevin Kim, South Korean Deputy Director-General for North American Affairs Yi Won-woo, and Japanese Deputy Director-General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Okochi Akihiro. The Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat was officially launched in November last year to support systematic trilateral cooperation among the three countries. Through the meeting, the board members reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to advancing trilateral cooperation and discussed progress on existing initiatives, the Department of State said. The meeting highlighted the importance of institutionalizing collaboration across economic, security, and people-to-people domains. Participants reviewed recent developments and discussed next steps to improve coordination, enhance information sharing, and strengthen joint responses to regional and global challenges. The Managing Board also reiterated support for the Secretariat’s role in implementing trilateral outcomes and maintaining momentum on priority efforts. 2025-05-20 14:45:26

BTS' Jin releases remixes from his latest mini album SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Jin, the eldest member of K-pop juggernaut BTS, released a new compilation album on Tuesday. According to his agency BitHit Music, the album contains eight tracks including six remixed versions of "Don't Say You Love Me," the title song from his second mini album "Echo," released last week, about six months after his debut solo album "Happy" late last year. Along with the instrumental version of the song, the remixes vary in style from retro pop vibes to futuristic beats. "Don't Say You Love Me" explores the complex emotions of love, which may bring heartache alongside solace, with each version offering a distinct interpretation of these feelings. Meanwhile, Jin will appear on NBC's late-night talk show "The Tonight Show" hosted by Jimmy Fallon to promote the album on Thursday, where he is expected to perform live, thrilling fans around the world and further solidifying his solo career. 2025-05-20 14:15:38

Won-based digital currency becomes hot topic in presidential race SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Stablecoins have become an unexpected battleground in South Korea’s presidential election, as major candidates debate the merits and risks of introducing a won-based digital currency. While proponents frame the move as a way to bolster national financial sovereignty, critics warn of regulatory gaps and potential misuse. The opposition Democratic Party (DP), led by presidential contender Lee Jae-myung, has proposed the issuance of a stablecoin backed by the South Korean won. The party argues that such a step would counterbalance the increasing dominance of the U.S. dollar in global digital asset markets and advance South Korea’s position in the fast-evolving financial technology landscape. Stablecoins — digital assets pegged to traditional fiat currencies like the dollar or euro — have drawn attention worldwide for their promise of faster, cheaper transactions. Their growing use as payment methods, however, has also raised red flags among regulators due to the risk of illicit activity and insufficient oversight. During a nationally televised debate on May 18, Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok pressed Lee Jae-myung for details on the Democratic Party’s proposal. “I’m curious about what mechanisms the DP will establish to prevent the illegal circulation of won-based stablecoins,” Lee Jun-seok said. “How much will be set aside as reserves?” Lee Jae-myung replied that the proposed system would rely on a “one-to-one reserve system” to ensure stability, but stopped short of addressing concerns over criminal misuse or the framework for financial compliance. Those concerns are not unfounded. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, stablecoins accounted for roughly 63 percent of all illicit crypto transactions globally in 2024. The Financial Action Task Force has since called for the application of international anti-money laundering standards to digital assets, including stablecoins. Adding to the scrutiny, experts gathered on May 19 for a panel discussion hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries, where they urged lawmakers to proceed with caution. “Korea should expedite second-phase legislation in line with global trends,” said Kim Hyo-bong, an attorney at Bae, Kim & Lee. Kim noted that the United States is advancing its comprehensive digital asset regulation — the so-called GENIUS Act — while the European Union has already enacted its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Lee Seung-seok, a researcher at the Korea Economic Research Institute, warned that premature adoption of stablecoins — particularly those tied to foreign currencies — could have unintended macroeconomic effects. “If dollar-based stablecoins become widely accepted in Korea, they could trigger structural changes in the won-dollar exchange rate,” he said. “This could lead to increased demand for foreign currency and decreased use of the won, potentially causing exchange rates to spike.” 2025-05-20 14:10:12

LG Electronics targets emerging markets in global HVAC push SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - LG Electronics is intensifying its push into emerging markets, aiming to capture a growing share of the global heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market. This week, the technology company hosted its “LG HVAC Leaders’ Summit 2025,” a four-day gathering of industry consultants from across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The summit, held in South Korea, brought together specialists from countries including India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia — all considered key to LG’s expansion strategy in what it refers to as the Global South. The company also welcomed new participants from Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, regions where demand for industrial and commercial cooling systems is rising rapidly amid economic growth and urbanization. Through a series of seminars and site visits, LG showcased its latest air conditioning technologies, including its commercial system air conditioners, chillers, and thermal management solutions for data centers. The company positioned the summit as an opportunity to deepen ties with key customers — HVAC consultants who play an influential role in designing building systems and selecting suppliers. “Our goal is to create business opportunities through differentiated technology and strong execution,” said Lee Jae-sung, vice president and head of LG’s Energy Solutions Business Division. “By communicating closely with HVAC consultants in major markets, we aim to solidify our leadership in the global B2B air conditioning sector.” LG highlighted recent projects as evidence of its capabilities. Among them was a major installation at a logistics facility in Singapore’s Tuas region, where the company’s high-efficiency “Multi V i” system earned the highest certification rating under Singapore’s Green Mark program. LG noted it was the only supplier to meet the client’s stringent performance requirements. 2025-05-20 14:03:11

Lee targets key swing regions as Kim highlights welfare issues in Seoul campaign push SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - With just two weeks left until South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo are stepping up their campaigns in the capital region on Tuesday, each appealing to core and swing voters with contrasting schedules. The election was called after former president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office for abuse of power. On Dec. 3 last year, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from “North Korean communist forces” and “anti-state elements.” The Constitutional Court ruled on Apr. 4 that the action violated the Constitution, prompting an early vote to select his successor. Lee will begin the day by holding virtual meetings with South Koreans living overseas to encourage participation in absentee voting, which opened this week. The former human rights lawyer is scheduled to visit Seoul’s satellite cities -- Uijeongbu, Goyang, Gimpo, and Paju -- in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, regions considered crucial in shaping the outcome of the race. On Wednesday, he will continue his capital-area tour with a visit to the western port city of Incheon. Lee’s itinerary underscores his campaign’s focus on the Seoul metropolitan area, which accounts for nearly half of the national electorate. His team views the greater capital region as the decisive battleground and is ramping up direct voter engagement in the final stretch. Former labor minister Kim Moon-soo is delivering a different message, one centered on social welfare and cultural policy. On Tuesday morning, Kim will meet with representatives from the Korean Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations in Yangcheon District, where he plans to pledge stronger support for the arts and sign a policy agreement with local artists. Later in the day, Kim is scheduled to visit Namboo Market in Seoul’s Gangseo District to meet merchants and check grocery prices. He will then head to Yeongdeungpo District, where he plans to visit a densely packed shantytown to hear directly from residents living in vulnerable housing conditions. His campaign says he will use the visit to highlight the need for stronger protections and better living standards for the urban poor. 2025-05-20 11:11:20

Lee Jae-myung bets big on artificial intelligence to revive economy Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series examining the economic campaign promises of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, is wagering his economic revival plan on a massive national investment in artificial intelligence, vowing to elevate the country into the ranks of the world’s top AI powers with a bold 100 trillion won ($70.6 billion) initiative. “I will position Korea as one of the world’s top three AI powers,” Lee declared in a Facebook post on April 14, framing AI as the centerpiece of his campaign for economic leadership. The former Gyeonggi Province governor unveiled his plan at Pangyo Techno Valley, the nation’s equivalent of Silicon Valley, outlining a vision to transform South Korea into a global economic powerhouse. At the heart of this vision is a commitment to scale the country’s AI capabilities to match or exceed those of leading nations and to increase the government’s AI-related budget to globally competitive levels. “If all citizens use the so-called ‘Korean ChatGPT,’ we can rapidly accumulate vast datasets,” Lee said. “This will lead to productivity innovation, the creation of new industries, and a strengthened national competitiveness.” The pledge comes amid growing concern that South Korea is falling behind in the global AI race. According to Stanford University’s “AI Index Report 2025,” private investment in AI in South Korea fell to $1.33 billion last year from $1.39 billion the year before, dropping its global ranking from ninth to 11th. By comparison, the United States led with $110 billion, followed by China with $9.3 billion. Industry experts have underscored the urgency of building a domestic AI ecosystem. “The utmost priority is not just supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, but fostering a strong internal market,” said Lee Kyung-il, chief executive of Saltlux, an AI company based in Seoul. “We need South Koreans using the best AI technologies and receiving high-quality training to stimulate market competition.” Lee’s “AI for All” initiative, which proposes free access to advanced AI tools for every citizen, reflects his broader “basic society” philosophy. But critics argue that the plan lacks specificity, particularly in defining the AI models to be supported. With existing tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini already offering free versions, analysts question whether his proposal is truly groundbreaking. Still, the campaign’s ambitions are formidable. Lee has promised to acquire more than 50,000 high-performance GPUs and to establish a national AI data integration cluster. He also pledged regulatory exemptions to support emerging AI-driven industries. But experts warn that simply amassing hardware is not enough. “Becoming a global AI leader requires more than processors,” said one professor affiliated with an AI research institute. “We need significant investment in research and development, high-quality datasets, advanced model designs, and the engineering capability to make full use of the hardware.” Beyond technical capacity, energy consumption may present the most immediate obstacle. The NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPU, a common workhorse in AI data centers, consumes up to 400 watts. With 50,000 units, consumption could reach 20 megawatts — equivalent to a small or mid-sized thermal power plant. Factoring in infrastructure like cooling systems, power usage could soar to 30 megawatts. Over the course of a month, that translates to 21,600 megawatt-hours — roughly equal to the monthly electricity use of more than 80,000 South Korean households, based on data from the Korea Electric Power Corporation. The International Energy Agency estimates that global electricity demand from data centers will more than double by 2030, reaching 945 terawatt-hours — surpassing the current annual electricity usage of Japan. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy projects that domestic AI data centers will require about 8.2 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2025, increasing to 30 TWh by 2038. These projections present a challenge for the Democratic Party, which has historically opposed nuclear energy. Meanwhile, global tech giants including Amazon, Google and Microsoft are moving to adopt small modular reactors to meet surging energy needs. Compounding the difficulty, South Korea’s power grid is already under strain. The high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project intended to transmit electricity from the East Coast to the metropolitan region is now nearly seven years behind schedule due to opposition from local governments. With transmission bottlenecks already limiting power flow from regions to the Seoul capital area, some coal-fired power plants in the Yeongdong region reportedly operated at just 20 to 30 percent capacity last year. To address these constraints, Lee has proposed the construction of a “West Coast Energy Highway” by 2030, intended to deliver 20 gigawatts of offshore wind power from the southwest coast through a subsea transmission grid. A broader plan envisions a U-shaped energy corridor connecting the Honam and Yeongnam regions to eastern offshore wind farms by 2040. But energy experts remain skeptical. “To advance the plan as promised, massive resources must be secured, and we need the technical ability to lay submarine cables across the west coast,” said Yoo Seung-hoon, a professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. “There are still no detailed financial or technical plans for implementation and commercialization.” Yoo added that similar pledges by rival candidates also suffer from a lack of specificity, particularly given South Korea’s challenges with community opposition to large-scale infrastructure projects. Even as the government allocates substantial venture capital for AI development, some in academia warn the approach may be misdirected. “Many of our brightest minds still leave the country to work abroad,” said Choi Jae-sik, a professor at the KAIST Graduate School of AI. “We may be lacking the systems necessary to reward their efforts here. Culture matters, and we need solutions that people can relate to.” Despite the hurdles, Lee has continued to cast his vision in existential terms. “An overwhelming and complex crisis looms before us,” he said in a May 12 speech launching his campaign. “To overcome the trade crisis driven by the United States and the fierce global AI competition, the nation must unite. Every citizen must be part of the solution.” 2025-05-20 11:04:52

OPINION: Tajikistan promotes global awareness of the crucial importance of glaciers. SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - The International Conference on Glacier Preservation is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31 in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation. The aim of this international conference is to raise global awareness about the crucial importance of glaciers and to prevent their accelerated melting. It seeks to promote international cooperation and joint actions, scientific innovation, and coordinated political strategies to address glacier melt and its widespread consequences. Participants at the Dushanbe High-Level Conference are expected to discuss critical issues concerning glacier protection and the strengthening of international collaboration for effective measures to safeguard the planet's glaciers. These discussions will take place within thematic sessions, forums, and various side and cultural events. The Dushanbe High-Level Conference represents a significant step towards bolstering international cooperation in the field of glacier protection. I would like to underline that Tajikistan, under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, has been a proactive advocate for the global water and climate agenda since the beginning of the 21st century. Numerous initiatives put forth by Tajikistan have consistently garnered support from the international community. The United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers serves as a clear testament to this. The latest initiative by the Leader of the Nation holds particular historical significance and is considered unique, as the United Nations General Assembly adopted four proposals from Tajikistan in a single resolution: “2025 -- International Year of Glaciers,” “March 21 -- World Glacier Day,” the establishment of a special trust fund for glacier preservation, and the hosting of a high-level international conference on glacier preservation in Dushanbe in 2025. To implement this resolution, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan approved a resolution "On the implementation of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on the 'International Year of Glaciers'" which established an Organizing Committee and a specific action plan. Furthermore, to continue advancing the glacier preservation agenda, another United Nations resolution, initiated by Tajikistan and France, was adopted in August 2024, declaring 2025~2034 as the “Decade of Action for Glaciology.” Additionally, the “Group of friends of Glaciers” was established under the United Nations at the initiative of Tajikistan and Argentina. Glaciers, holding approximately 75 percent of the world's freshwater resources, are rapidly shrinking due to climate change, necessitating urgent and collective action from the international community to address this critical global issue. The melting of even the largest glaciers, such as the Vanjyakh glacier, which spans over 75 kilometers, starkly illustrates this trend. Long-term observations reveal a significant retreat; in just the past 70 to 80 years, the Vanjyakh glacier has shrunk by more than 1 kilometer, reducing its area to 44 square kilometers. The glaciers of Tajikistan are not merely magnificent natural monuments but also vital sources of freshwater for the region, playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystems and climate of Central Asia. In today's world, environmental protection stands as a paramount concern, serving as the fundamental basis for the future of humanity. Consequently, environmental problems and the issue of melting glaciers, a key source of drinking water, have become a top priority for the global community. Global experience has demonstrated that addressing existing environmental challenges effectively requires collaborative efforts, as no single nation can achieve environmental sustainability in isolation. Therefore, proactive and joint initiatives involving all countries in the region and across the globe are essential to prevent further environmental degradation. Leveraging this occasion, I extend an invitation to all relevant institutions to participate in the International Conference on Glacier Preservation, thereby contributing to global initiatives addressing the climate agenda. 2025-05-19 18:05:56

South Korean expats to begin voting for new president this week SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - Overseas voting for the June 3 presidential election is set to begin on Tuesday at some 223 polling stations in 118 countries around the world, election watchdog National Election Commission (NEC) said on Monday. Some 258,254 overseas South Koreans will be eligible to vote over a six-day period that runs until next Monday, at around 182 embassies and consulates abroad, along with some 41 newly added polling stations set up for military units dispatched to Lebanon and Uganda. Polling stations were also set up for the first time in Cuba, Estonia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg, where diplomatic missions have been recently established. The first overseas ballots will be cast at South Korean consular offices in New Zealand and Fiji, while the final polling station to close will be in Hawaii. The number of overseas voters registered for the upcoming election rose 14.2 percent compared to 226,152 in the previous 2022 presidential election. By country, the U.S. has the largest number of voters with 51,885, followed by Japan with 38,600 and China with 25,154. Voters can cast their ballots between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., though they are advised to check the exact dates and times, which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. They should also be mindful not to vote for Koo Ju-wa of the minor far-right Liberty Unification Party, who withdrew from the presidential race over the weekend after the ballots were already printed out. Any votes cast for him will be deemed invalid. Their ballot papers will be delivered to the NEC in diplomatic pouches and sent by registered mail to the relevant constituencies across the country, where they will be counted on the election day along with the other votes here. Meanwhile, early voting will take place over two days next Thursday and Friday at any polling station, regardless of voters' registered addresses. 2025-05-19 17:28:27

SK Telecom breach exposes nearly 27 million subscriber records SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - Nearly all customers of SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest wireless carrier, may have been affected by a major cybersecurity breach that exposed nearly 10 gigabytes of sensitive subscriber identification data, the government said on Monday. A joint investigation by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) found that the breach compromised more than 26.95 million subscriber identification numbers — a figure that exceeds the company’s reported 25 million customers. The data breach, which was discovered last month, is believed to have gone undetected for nearly three years. Investigators determined that malicious code was first implanted on June 15, 2022, allowing attackers persistent access to SK Telecom’s internal systems through 23 compromised servers. Officials said 25 types of malware were deployed in the attack, 24 of which exploited the Berkeley Packet Filter — a tool used to monitor network traffic that made the intrusions especially difficult to detect. “The extracted database may include test data or temporary identifiers used by SK Telecom,” said Lee Dong-geun, head of the Korea Internet Security Center at KISA. He added that additional analysis is required to determine how many legitimate customer accounts were affected. Initial findings from April 29 had pointed to five infected servers, but a broader investigation later revealed that 18 more systems had been compromised, significantly expanding the scope of the breach. The revelation has raised national security concerns, with some experts arguing that the scale of the incident warrants government-level intervention beyond corporate responsibility. Despite the scope of the intrusion, investigators said the stolen data could not be used to clone smartphones or gain physical access to mobile networks. However, SK Telecom has been directed to implement additional safeguards for potentially affected users. The National Intelligence Service has launched security audits across central government agencies, local governments, and public institutions in response to the breach. As of Monday, no further intrusions had been detected in either public or private networks. 2025-05-19 16:52:56

Poultry imports from Brazil suspended over bird flu concerns SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - South Korea has suspended imports of poultry from Brazil following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the South American nation. The suspension, which took effect for shipments departing Brazil on or after May 16, includes hatching eggs, table eggs, day-old chicks, poultry meat and related products, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Monday. For shipments made after May 1 but before the ban's effective date, authorities will conduct avian influenza tests before granting entry. As of Sunday, 844 tons of Brazilian chicken across 37 shipments are awaiting inspection at South Korean ports. Government officials played down immediate concerns, saying the incubation period for HPAI is unlikely to affect those shipments. “The short-term impact on domestic chicken supply and prices is expected to be limited,” the ministry said in a statement. Ministry officials noted that suppliers generally keep a two-to-three-month inventory, which is expected to buffer against immediate price increases. Still, the ministry held an emergency meeting with importers and poultry processors on Sunday to explore alternative supply sources and assess global market conditions. The United States, Thailand, and China are being considered as possible substitutes for Brazilian chicken. Officials also said they are reviewing the potential use of tariff quotas to stabilize prices and maintain supply. “Discussions about implementing tariff quotas will only take place if supply disruptions and price increases persist beyond a certain threshold,” a ministry spokesperson said. The government does not expect the ban to affect major franchise chicken restaurants, which primarily rely on domestically sourced poultry. The suspension is more likely to impact institutional food services and some retail segments that depend on imported poultry for processed items such as wings, drumsticks and skewers. The market remains watchful. During the 2017 “rotten chicken” scandal involving Brazil, domestic chicken prices rose 8 to 10 percent within a month. “We will closely monitor market conditions in cooperation with industry stakeholders to avoid excessive reactions,” the ministry said, adding that increased domestic production could be encouraged if necessary. 2025-05-19 16:20:42