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

State institute KAIST partners with Naver to develop app for autistic children SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - South Korea's leading science and technology institute, KAIST, has joined hands with Naver Cloud AI Lab to develop a smartphone application designed to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) communicate more effectively with their parents. KAIST announced on Sunday that the newly developed app, called “AAcess Talk,” was created through a collaboration between its research team and the artificial intelligence lab under Naver, the country’s largest web portal operator. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Some individuals with ASD experience difficulty in verbal communication, and a small number show signs of minimally verbal autism (MVA), making it difficult for them to express their thoughts through speech. Children with ASD often rely on illustrated word cards to communicate with their parents. However, these cards often fall short of conveying the child’s emotions or real-time interests, limiting the depth of interaction. To address this issue, the KAIST team developed an AI-based system that operates on tablet PCs and suggests appropriate communication cards in real time. The app allows children to initiate and end conversations and even ask their parents for opinions, offering a more dynamic and personalized form of interaction. “Creating an environment where children can express their own voices is the most important thing,” said Professor Hong Hwa-jung, who led the KAIST research team. “We will continue to develop UX-based technologies and practical tools to support social minorities.” The research was recently honored with a Best Paper Award at the ACM CHI 2025, a leading conference on human-computer interaction held in Yokohama, Japan. 2025-05-18 15:29:33

Lee Jae-myung builds commanding lead as Kim Moon-soo trails, Lee Jun-seok stays in single digits SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - One week into South Korea’s snap presidential election, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung is beginning to break away from the pack, a survey showed Saturday. Lee’s campaign, steady and cautious, is gaining traction even in regions once considered hostile ground. People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo remains stalled in second place, while Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok stays in the single digits, aiming to position himself as a third option. A poll released by Gallup Korea on May 17 shows Lee Jae-myung with 51 percent support nationwide, marking the first time he’s crossed the halfway mark. He holds strong numbers in the capital region, 50 percent in Seoul and 55 percent in Gyeonggi and Incheon, and is making surprising inroads in conservative strongholds, polling at 34 percent in Daegu City and North Gyeongsang Province and 41 percent in Busan City, Ulsan City, and South Gyeongsang Province. He also holds a solid majority among centrists, with 52 percent support. Lee reportedly told aides to “keep their heads down” and stay humble, trying to keep his posture low even as his numbers climb. Within his camp, there’s growing awareness of a potential backlash or late conservative surge, particularly among so-called “shy” conservative voters. Kim Moon-soo, who emerged as the PPP’s nominee after a drawn-out internal battle, is struggling to build momentum. He sits at 29 percent support, with 48 percent in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province and 39 percent in South Geyongsang Province including Busan and Ulsan, numbers far below what the party had expected. His backing among conservatives (58 percent) also trails the 84 percent support Lee enjoys among progressives. Kim’s early campaign has been marred by a string of challenges, including the delayed departure of former President Yoon Suk Yeol from the party and unease over the presence of hardline figures in his camp. While some in the PPP believe Yoon’s exit will help consolidate their fractured base, others argue it came too late to change the dynamic. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, polling at 8 percent, is pressing his case as the only real alternative to both Lee and Kim. He’s hoping to attract conservatives disenchanted with the PPP and moderates wary of Lee Jae-myung’s return to power. But with the election drawing closer, many voters are expected to return to the familiar camps of the two main parties. Calls for a conservative unification have largely lost steam. Kim’s early plan to build a broad right-wing coalition collapsed when talks with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo broke down. Now, with Lee Jae-myung pulling ahead, there appears to be little incentive left to pursue an alliance with Lee Jun-seok. Lee is expected to sharpen his attacks on Kim, framing him as a "far-right insurrection candidate" for refusing to cut ties with Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee Jun-seok also criticized Kim, saying, "Any candidate with shared responsibility must step down with Yoon." With just over two weeks to go, the race is entering a critical phase. Lee Jae-myung is focused on protecting his lead without overreaching. Kim Moon-soo is under pressure to find momentum. And Lee Jun-seok, despite low numbers, is holding his position in hopes of a late break. The Korea Gallup poll cited in this article was conducted from May 13 to 15 among 1,004 respondents aged 18 or older. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level and a response rate of 16.4 percent. For full details, refer to the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. 2025-05-18 13:45:19

Firefighters bring major blaze at Gwangju Kumho Tire plant under control SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - A large fire at Kumho Tire’s Gwangju plant is nearing containment, prompting fire authorities to consider scaling back the emergency response level as of Sunday. The National Fire Agency said that as of the morning of May 18, the blaze was about 80 percent contained. A total of 462 firefighters and 168 pieces of equipment have been deployed in an ongoing effort to fully extinguish the flames. The fire broke out around 7:11 a.m. Saturday in the mixing area of Plant 2, located in the western section of the facility. The Gwangju plant is divided into two sections: Plant 1 to the south and Plant 2 to the west. The mixing process, where raw rubber is combined with chemical agents at the start of tire production, is believed to have been the ignition point. Investigators suspect sparks from an industrial oven used to preheat the rubber set off the fire. Due to the scale of the incident and the release of toxic smoke, the fire agency had initially issued a national firefighting mobilization order. However, with containment efforts progressing, officials are now weighing whether to lower the response level. Kumho Tire has halted all production at the plant while damage assessment and recovery are underway. Nearby residents were affected by the smoke and dust, prompting evacuations. A total of 183 people from 98 households across four adjacent apartment complexes have taken shelter at a temporary evacuation center set up at Gwangju Women’s University gymnasium. Firefighters bring major blaze at Gwangju Kumho Tire plant under control A large fire at Kumho Tire’s Gwangju plant is nearing containment, prompting fire authorities to consider scaling back the emergency response level as of Sunday. The National Fire Agency said that as of the morning of May 18, the blaze was about 80 percent contained. A total of 462 firefighters and 168 pieces of equipment have been deployed in an ongoing effort to fully extinguish the flames. The fire broke out around 7:11 a.m. Saturday in the mixing area of Plant 2, located in the western section of the facility. The Gwangju plant is divided into two sections: Plant 1 to the south and Plant 2 to the west. The mixing process, where raw rubber is combined with chemical agents at the start of tire production, is believed to have been the ignition point. Investigators suspect sparks from an industrial oven used to preheat the rubber set off the fire. Due to the scale of the incident and the release of toxic smoke, the fire agency had initially issued a national firefighting mobilization order. However, with containment efforts progressing, officials are now weighing whether to lower the response level. Kumho Tire has halted all production at the plant while damage assessment and recovery are underway. Nearby residents were affected by the smoke and dust, prompting evacuations. A total of 183 people from 98 households across four adjacent apartment complexes have taken shelter at a temporary evacuation center set up at Gwangju Women’s University gymnasium. Firefighters bring major blaze at Gwangju Kumho Tire plant under control A large fire at Kumho Tire’s Gwangju plant is nearing containment, prompting fire authorities to consider scaling back the emergency response level as of Sunday. The National Fire Agency said that as of the morning of May 18, the blaze was about 80 percent contained. A total of 462 firefighters and 168 pieces of equipment have been deployed in an ongoing effort to fully extinguish the flames. The fire broke out around 7:11 a.m. Saturday in the mixing area of Plant 2, located in the western section of the facility. The Gwangju plant is divided into two sections: Plant 1 to the south and Plant 2 to the west. The mixing process, where raw rubber is combined with chemical agents at the start of tire production, is believed to have been the ignition point. Investigators suspect sparks from an industrial oven used to preheat the rubber set off the fire. Due to the scale of the incident and the release of toxic smoke, the fire agency had initially issued a national firefighting mobilization order. However, with containment efforts progressing, officials are now weighing whether to lower the response level. Kumho Tire has halted all production at the plant while damage assessment and recovery are underway. Nearby residents were affected by the smoke and dust, prompting evacuations. A total of 183 people from 98 households across four adjacent apartment complexes have taken shelter at a temporary evacuation center set up at Gwangju Women’s University gymnasium. Firefighters bring major blaze at Gwangju Kumho Tire plant under control A large fire at Kumho Tire’s Gwangju plant is nearing containment, prompting fire authorities to consider scaling back the emergency response level as of Sunday. The National Fire Agency said that as of the morning of May 18, the blaze was about 80 percent contained. A total of 462 firefighters and 168 pieces of equipment have been deployed in an ongoing effort to fully extinguish the flames. The fire broke out around 7:11 a.m. Saturday in the mixing area of Plant 2, located in the western section of the facility. The Gwangju plant is divided into two sections: Plant 1 to the south and Plant 2 to the west. The mixing process, where raw rubber is combined with chemical agents at the start of tire production, is believed to have been the ignition point. Investigators suspect sparks from an industrial oven used to preheat the rubber set off the fire. Due to the scale of the incident and the release of toxic smoke, the fire agency had initially issued a national firefighting mobilization order. However, with containment efforts progressing, officials are now weighing whether to lower the response level. Kumho Tire has halted all production at the plant while damage assessment and recovery are underway. Nearby residents were affected by the smoke and dust, prompting evacuations. A total of 183 people from 98 households across four adjacent apartment complexes have taken shelter at a temporary evacuation center set up at Gwangju Women’s University gymnasium. 2025-05-18 10:27:57

Tajik State Pedagogical University deepens partnership with Jeonbuk National University SEOUL, May 17 (AJP) - A meeting to strengthen educational cooperation between a Tajik university and a university in southwestern South Korea took place last week. The event was attended by representatives from both institutions, including Rector of the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni and President of Jeonbuk National University Yang O-Bong. The representatives expressed their commitment to expanding academic exchanges, including student and faculty programs, joint conferences, and guest lectures. They also considered opportunities for establishing joint programs, such as dual-degree offerings. Several Tajik students are already participating in exchange programs at Jeonbuk National University, and the two institutions agreed to significantly increase these exchanges in the coming years. Plans were also made to establish a Korean Language Learning Center at the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after S. Ayni, to enhance language education and cultural understanding. Tajik Ambassador to Seoul Salohiddin Kirom emphasized the importance of these exchanges and expressed hope for deeper cooperation. "I believe educational exchanges with Jeonbuk National University will boost interest among Tajik students in learning Korean and continuing their education in Korea." 2025-05-17 17:39:04

Tajikistan and S.Korea expand partnership in geoscience cooperation SEOUL, May 17 (AJP) - An agreement to strengthen geological cooperation between Tajikistan and South Korea was signed in Seoul during the International Forum on Important Minerals (INFOCM 2025) last week. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Tajikistan’s Main Department of Geology and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. The two countries agreed to collaborate on geological mapping, exploration of strategic minerals, and assessment of geological hazards. Tajik Ambassador to Seoul Salohiddin Kirom said, "INFOCM 2025 was an important opportunity for international cooperation. This agreement marks a meaningful step in strengthening our partnership in mineral resources." The partnership aims to advance scientific research and improve the expertise of geoscience specialists from both countries. 2025-05-17 16:42:39

Massive blaze at tire factory in Gwangju might last one week SEOUL, May 17 (AJP) - A fire broke out at a tire manufacturing factory in a southwestern city on Saturday morning and could take a week to fully extinguish. The blaze began at a facility mixing raw rubber and chemicals at the Kumho Tire plant in Gwangju. Early investigations suggest an unknown spark ignited nearby flammable materials, quickly spreading the fire to adjacent buildings. About 400 employees immediately evacuated, but a worker in his 20s sustained a leg fracture and was briefly trapped inside before being rescued. Two firefighters were also injured. Due to concerns about further structural collapse, firefighters withdrew temporarily, shifting their strategy to aerial water drops using helicopters. Officials noted large amounts of flammable substances, including around 20 tons of raw rubber, could prolong firefighting efforts for several days. Firefighters are using foam spraying systems and helicopters to draw water from nearby rivers. However, low water pressure and limited supply have complicated firefighting efforts, prompting local residents to limit their water use. The company has suspended all operations at the Gwangju plant until the fire is fully under control. 2025-05-17 14:23:17

Former S. Korean President Yoon exits ruling party PPP SEOUL, May 17 (AJP) - Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said his resignation from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Saturday, a decision that comes just weeks before the upcoming snap presidential election. Yoon joined the PPP in July 2021, becoming its presidential nominee and securing the presidency under the party's banner. Despite his impeachment over his botched martial law debacle last year, he remained with the party until Saturday’s decision. In a statement shared on social media, Yoon explained that his decision to leave the PPP aims to provide a more favorable environment for the party’s current presidential nominee, Kim Moon-soo. Yoon said this would enable Kim to "compete more effectively against" opponents. “I am stepping away from the party, but my dedication to the PPP and the country remains the same,” Yoon emphasized. Yoon’s resignation seemingly follows growing internal pressure from PPP members who publicly urged him to step down. Party insiders expressed concern that Yoon’s continued presence was hampering efforts to expand voter support beyond conservative voters and appeal to moderate voters. It is widely believed that Yoon's decision to exit the party is strategically aimed at boosting Kim’s campaign, given his stagnant support around 30 percent. Kim significantly trails Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and Lee Jun-seok of the centrist New Reform Party. Yoon called on PPP supporters to rally around Kim, underscoring the critical importance of voter unity and turnout to ensure the party’s success in the presidential election. 2025-05-17 13:52:17

Pyongyang criticizes US counterterrorism non-cooperation listing SEOUL, May 17 (AJP) -North Korea criticized the United States on Saturday for a "political provocation" after being re-designated as an "uncooperative state in combating terrorism," warning this would escalate "irreconcilable hostility" between the two countries. North Korea's state-run news media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that North Korea's Foreign Ministry described the annual designation as a "unilateral and malicious designating campaign." KCNA added that the anti-terrorism measures promoted by the U.S. serve as an excuse to interfere in other countries' internal affairs and overthrow their social systems, making those designated states targets of "hostile policy and military threat," actions it labeled as "the most heinous state-sponsored terrorism." Pyongyang emphasized, "no one has asked the U.S. to lead international anti-terrorist efforts, nor has anyone invested it with such power." Citing international laws adopted by the UN General Assembly, North Korea argued that U.S. actions amounted to "the most serious political violence as well as state-level terrorism." North Korea vowed to take "effective and proper measures" against attempts to "impair and violate the dignity, sovereign rights and security interests" of the country. On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department listed North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela as countries not fully cooperating with U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, restricting defense-related exports. North Korea has remained on this list continuously since 1997 and was separately re-designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in November 2017. 2025-05-17 10:06:56