Teen South Korean baseball player signs with Texas Rangers SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - Teen baseball player Kim Seong-jun has signed with the Texas Rangers in Major League Baseball in the U.S. Announcing their deal with Kim as an international free agent, the Rangers said on Sunday, "Kim, a shortstop and right-handed pitcher, is in his final year at Gwangju Jeil High School in South Korea and will graduate in January 2026, at which point he will join the organization." "We're so excited about , a world-class talent and also a world-class person," said Hamilton Wise, a senior recruiter for the Rangers. "We've been so impressed with him defensively at shortstop and in the batter's box, but also on the pitcher's mound. We have full intent as an organization to develop him as a two-way player." Wise added, "He has the character and mental makeup to impact the game in this organization positively for many years to come." Kim is the fifth player from the school in southwestern South Korea to reach the MLB, joining a notable list of alumni including pitcher Kim Byung-hyun, slugger Choi Hee-seop, pitcher Seo Jae-weong, and shortstop Kang Jung-ho. However, the teen prospect is the first to join an MLB team without prior experience in the country's professional league. Admitting the challenges ahead, Kim said through his interpreter with the Rangers, "It's gonna be hard, not easy. But I will do my best. I'm not going to regret anything at all. I will do my best." He then added, "If I can improve better and earlier, I can be the best player in the big leagues. That's why I decided to sign" with the Rangers. Standing six feet tall, the shortstop, also capable of throwing a powerful fastball, has already built an impressive amateur career, earning several awards here and setting his sights high to achieve success, comparable to Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani. According to local media, Kim's deal is reportedly worth US$1.2 million. 2025-05-19 15:39:54

Samsung OLED TVs receive Nvidia G-SYNC Compatible certification SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said its 2025 OLED television lineup has received Nvidia’s "G-SYNC Compatible" certification, a move the company says reinforces its position in the high-end gaming display market. The certification, which ensures smoother gameplay by synchronizing the TV’s refresh rate with a connected graphics card’s frame rate, is the latest in a series of gaming-focused upgrades. The announcement follows Samsung’s earlier achievement as the first TV maker to earn AMD’s "FreeSync Premium Pro" certification, further establishing its OLED displays as competitive gaming platforms. The G-SYNC technology is designed to minimize common visual disruptions such as screen tearing and stuttering, particularly when TVs are used with high-performance PCs or gaming consoles. The feature is aimed at enhancing the visual stability of fast-paced gaming environments. Samsung’s 2025 OLED TVs include a range of features targeting gaming enthusiasts. These include AI Auto Game Mode, which automatically adjusts visual and audio settings for different genres; Motion Xcelerator with refresh rates up to 165Hz; and a Game Bar interface for real-time adjustments. The televisions also support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and house Samsung’s Gaming Hub, a platform offering cloud and console gaming content. While the new OLED lineup emphasizes gaming, Samsung is also promoting broader entertainment and lifestyle features. These include AI-driven image processing that tailors audio and picture quality based on the type of content being viewed, and Glare-Free technology, which reduces reflections for improved viewing in various lighting conditions. Smart home integration is another area of focus. With SmartThings support built in, the TVs can serve as a control center for connected appliances and devices throughout the home. 2025-05-19 15:25:04

South Korea downplays market fallout from US credit downgrade SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance convened an emergency meeting on Monday to evaluate the potential ripple effects of Moody’s downgrade of the United States’ sovereign credit rating, concluding that the impact on domestic markets would likely remain limited. The meeting, held via conference call and chaired by Vice Finance Minister Yoon In-dae, came two days after Moody’s Investors Service lowered the U.S. long-term issuer rating to Aa1 from Aaa. The outlook was simultaneously revised from negative to stable. Moody’s said the downgrade reflects “the increase over more than a decade in government debt and interest payment ratios to levels that are significantly higher than similarly rated sovereigns.” However, the agency emphasized that the United States “retains exceptional credit strengths such as size, resilience and dynamism and the continued role of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency.” South Korean officials characterized the move as a delayed realignment with other major ratings firms. Fitch Ratings cut the U.S. rating in August 2023, and S&P Global Ratings downgraded the country in 2011. In Washington, the White House dismissed the downgrade, attributing it to fiscal mismanagement under the previous administration. “If Moody’s had any credibility, they would not have stayed silent as the fiscal disaster of the past four years unfolded,” said spokesperson Kush Desai. While Seoul’s response was measured, officials acknowledged that the downgrade could exacerbate short-term volatility, especially amid ongoing uncertainties tied to U.S. trade policy. The Ministry of Finance pledged to maintain close oversight of global and domestic markets through its regular meeting on macroeconomic and financial issues, known as F4. 2025-05-19 15:20:23

Presidential candidates to clash again in televised debate later this week SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - With just two weeks or so left until next month's presidential election, four presidential hopefuls are set to clash once again in another televised debate later this week. During their first televised debate hosted by election watchdog National Election Commission last Sunday, Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), Lee Jun-seok of the minor centrist Reform Party, and Kwon Young-kook of the minor progressive Democratic Labor Party debated a wide range of topics with a focus on economic issues. Discussions included responses to the U.S.' sweeping tariff policy, the extension of the retirement age amid an aging population, a reduction in the workweek, the development of nuclear energy and other natural resources, and the fostering of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced industries. But they clashed on most issues and criticized each other over differing views, rather than presenting policies with future vision and clear objectives. They are scheduled to meet again this Friday to discuss social policies before wrapping up their series of debates slated for next Tuesday, which will focus on political issues. Meanwhile, two independent candidates – former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and businessman-turned politician Song Jin-ho – are scheduled to hold their own separate debate on Monday night. The June 3 snap election comes after the Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling early last month to impeach disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. 2025-05-19 14:22:17

PHOTOS: Coming-of-Age Day SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - May 19 is South Korea's Coming-of-Age Day, observed annually on the third Monday of May. Under the nation's civil code, individuals attain adulthood at the age of 19. Historically, the transition to adulthood was marked by traditional ceremonies. For young men, this involved styling their hair in a topknot and donning a gat, a traditional Korean hat. Young women would put their hair up in a chignon and adorn it with a binyeo, an ornamental hairpin. Contemporary observances often see families offering congratulations and small tokens to their newly adult children. Among peers, it is common to exchange desired items as gifts. 2025-05-19 14:04:23

Tech industry turns gaze to Taiwan as Computex 2025 opens SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - The global technology and semiconductor sectors are converging on Taiwan this week as Computex 2025, Asia’s largest information technology trade show, opens Tuesday with heightened anticipation surrounding a keynote address by Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang. The four-day event, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taipei Computer Association, will be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. Roughly 1,400 companies from 29 countries are expected to participate, filling more than 4,800 booths. Founded in 1981 as a showcase for Taiwanese computer manufacturers, Computex has evolved into a global stage where tech giants unveil cutting-edge developments — increasingly in artificial intelligence. The transformation reflects Taiwan’s emergence as a global semiconductor hub, home to critical players like TSMC, and a national strategy aimed at establishing leadership in AI technologies. Industry analysts say the surge in AI applications and the growing dominance of firms such as Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC have made Computex a must-attend event for the global tech elite. Visitors have already begun arriving for pre-event forums ahead of the official opening, with the spotlight firmly on Huang. His keynote is expected to outline Nvidia’s evolving AI roadmap, and may include announcements of next-generation chips or platform technologies. Qualcomm Chief Executive Cristiano Amon and Supermicro CEO Charles Liang will also deliver keynote addresses during the week. Nvidia is set to hold a global press conference on Wednesday, where Huang may respond to questions on regulatory approvals for Samsung Electronics’ high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips and the implications of U.S. trade policy shifts. South Korea’s SK hynix will return for a second year with its own booth, and Samsung Display will make its debut at the show. Organizers expect attendance to exceed 80,000, mirroring last year’s turnout. 2025-05-19 11:22:42

Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo offer different visions for constitutional reform SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - With South Korea heading to the polls on Jun. 3 for a snap presidential election, constitutional reform has emerged as a key dividing line between the two leading candidates, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party. Both agree the Constitution needs to change, but their proposals reflect fundamentally different priorities and political philosophies. The snap election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law on Dec. 3 last year. Yoon cited threats from “North Korean communist forces” and “anti-state elements” to justify his actions, including the deployment of troops to block the National Assembly and restrictions on civil liberties. The Constitutional Court ruled on Apr. 4 that Yoon had abused his power and violated the Constitution, ending his presidency and setting the stage for the upcoming vote. Through a social media post on May 18, Lee Jae-myung said that he supports a four-year presidency, paired with reforms aimed at reinforcing democratic checks and balances. He stressed that any amendment would not apply to the sitting president. “Under our Constitution, amendments do not apply to the president in office at the time of the revision,” he said. Under current law, South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term. Civic groups have long pushed for a two-term system, arguing that one term is too short to carry out long-term policy agendas. But Lee maintains that the focus should not be on extending presidential power. “Now is not the time to debate term limits,” he said during a press event on Sunday. “What we need are clear safeguards that make it impossible for a president to abuse power like Yoon Suk Yeol did, whether through martial law or violating civil rights.” Lee also expressed regret over missing the opportunity to advance reform during the current election cycle, pointing to delays in revising the national referendum law. “We missed the moment,” he said. “But now is the time for each candidate to clearly present their constitutional reform plans so the next president can act quickly to begin discussions and prepare the groundwork for the ‘Seventh Republic.’” Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister and the PPP nominee, is calling for more radical change. In a written statement released the same day, Kim proposed shortening the next president’s term to three years to synchronize presidential and parliamentary elections. “To make bold political reform possible, I propose reducing the term of the president elected in this race to three years,” he said. Kim supports moving to a four-year two-term presidency as well, but his plan goes further. He is calling for the abolition of presidential immunity, the elimination of legal protections for lawmakers, and the introduction of a public recall system for National Assembly members. He also emphasized the need for politically neutral appointments to the judiciary. While Kim welcomed Lee’s overall support for reform, he voiced skepticism about Lee’s intentions. “He must clarify whether the phrase ‘two-term presidency’ includes the possibility of long-term rule,” Kim said. “And given his past flip-flopping on constitutional reform, it’s time to put it in writing. I propose we sign a formal agreement on the reforms immediately.” 2025-05-19 11:18:28

Korean grape exports soar to record high SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s grape exports surged to an all-time high in the first quarter of 2025, nearly doubling from the same period a year earlier, according to customs data released Monday. Export volume reached 1,412 metric tons between January and March, an 89.8 percent increase year-over-year, the Korea Customs Service said. Despite a decline in average prices — from 5,389 won per kilogram in March 2024 to 4,978 won this year — the total value of grape exports climbed to $13.83 million, up 45 percent. That marks the fastest growth rate among South Korean fresh food products generating more than $10 million in export revenue. Taiwan was the largest importer, accounting for 42.1 percent of total shipments, or 594 tons. It was followed by Hong Kong (225 tons), the United States (157 tons), Vietnam (146 tons), and Singapore (114 tons). Officials attribute the increase in demand largely to the popularity of Shine Muscats, a premium grape variety prized for its sweetness, durability, and extended shelf life. “The exceptional quality, sweetness, and superior shelf life of our flagship Shine Muscats have driven increasing demand across overseas markets,” said an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Expanded domestic cultivation has also bolstered supply and improved international price competitiveness, further fueling the export boom, the official said. Agricultural experts expect growth to continue, particularly after Australia eased quarantine restrictions in late April on Shine Muscats — a move that opens a key market previously limited to other South Korean grape varieties such as Campbell Early and Geobong. The updated regulations require only standard protocols: registered export districts, fruit bagging, and cold disinfestation treatment — measures already in place for other varieties. 2025-05-19 11:16:34

K-pop boy band BoyNextDoor's new album hits 1mln sales in five days SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BoyNextDoor’s latest mini album "No Genre" has surpassed one million in sales just five days after its release, setting a new record for the group. According to Hanteo Chart on May 18, the album, which dropped on May 13, recorded a total of 1,074,316 copies sold as of the previous day. The figure marks a sharp rise from their previous release "19.99," which sold 759,156 copies in its first week and became a million-seller about six weeks later. The group’s agency, KOZ Entertainment, expressed confidence that the momentum will continue. "As the group continues to perform on music shows and live stages, we expect album sales to keep increasing," the agency said. No Genre has also made a strong impact overseas. It topped Japan’s Oricon daily album chart for two days in a row and saw both the title track and other songs enter the “rising chart” on China’s largest music streaming platform, QQ Music. BoyNextDoor is currently promoting the title track "I Feel Good" through appearances on various music programs. 2025-05-18 17:46:03

BTS' Jin thanks fans, debuts new solo track at album showcase SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - BTS member Jin expressed heartfelt thanks to fans and premiered songs from his new solo album during an offline event held Saturday in Seoul, his agency Big Hit Music said Sunday. The 32-year-old hosted the event in Seongsu, a trendy neighborhood in eastern Seoul, to celebrate the release of his second solo mini album “Echo.” He performed three tracks, including the title song "Don’t Say You Love Me." "The support from fans has truly stayed with me. It left a lasting impression in my heart. I was genuinely happy," Jin told the crowd. "Because of ARMY, I’m able to be a singer, make music, and stand on stage. I’m just really thankful you're here." He also gave a glimpse of his upcoming solo fan concert tour, set for June 28 and 29 at the auxiliary stadium of Goyang Sports Complex. "I plan to keep it light and fun, without getting too caught up in formalities," he said. The fan meeting event was broadcast live via Weverse and TikTok Live, reaching fans worldwide. Upon release, "Don’t Say You Love Me" recorded 3.62 million streams on Spotify, debuting at No. 9 on the platform’s Daily Top Songs Global chart. It also topped Japan’s Oricon Daily Digital Singles Ranking. 2025-05-18 16:34:24