TRAVEL: Pohang, perfect place to catch New Year's first sunrise along with winter delicacy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korea's southeastern port city of Pohang is known as an industrial hub, but it also boasts scenic spots that attracts attract hordes of visitors at this time of year to witness the country's earliest and most stunning sunrises. About a 40-minute journey from the industrial city's KTX bullet train station takes visitors to Homigot at the easternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. Famous for its iconic hand-shaped sculpture, the site draws large crowds on New Year's Day, eager to catch the year's first sunrise. The port city is also known for "gwamegi," a winter delicacy made from saury or herring that is semi-dried in the area's cold sea breeze, giving it a chewy texture and rich flavor. Every winter open-air markets near the small town of Guryongpo bustle with vendors selling stacks of this seasonal specialty, a culinary tradition handed down through generations. Some are neatly packaged for sale, while others hang in bundles tied with straw, catching the eyes of visitors. For locals, this signals the changing of seasons, while for food lovers, it marks the arrival of a winter delicacy, making gwamegi more than just food, but living cultural heritage. Gwamegi dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, when fishermen in Guryongpo began preserving the fish by hanging them to dry on wooden racks called "deokjang." As time passed, saury gradually replaced herring as the preferred fish. The area's frigid coastal winds during the winter help remove fishy odors while intensifying the flavor. this traditional process has become a vital winter industry that supports the local economy. With local catches dwindling, most gwamegi now comes from offshore sources. The frozen saury or herring is thawed, cleaned, split lengthwise, and hung on outdoor racks, where the sun and sea breeze dry it over several days to create the perfect gwamegi. Dried saury turns a deep black, while herring develops a golden hue. Gwamegi is often enjoyed wrapped in fresh vegetables and paired with other seafood, offering a savory flavor. With over 150 manufacturers producing more than 2,000 tons annually, Guryongpo now accounts for over 80 percent of the country's gwamegi supply. Another local favorite is "moriguksu," a hearty noodle soup made with seasonal fish and vegetables like bean sprouts, traditionally eaten by fishermen returning from the sea. Seasonal seafood such as snow crab or pufferfish adds freshness and depth to this comforting dish. A visit to Pohang in the final month of the year, enjoying local delicacies and watching the sunrise at Homigot, would leave a lasting memory, making it the perfect blend of natural beauty and culinary heritage. 2025-12-16 14:10:08

KAIST develops stretchable liquid-metal ink for invisible cloaking technology SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a stretchable liquid-metal ink that allows electromagnetic cloaking properties to change as the material is stretched, a breakthrough that could expand the practical use of invisible cloaking technology in robotics, wearables, and defense applications. The research was announced on December 16 by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The study was led by Professor Kim Hyung-soo of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Park Sang-hoo of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering. The concept behind cloaking technology is to make an object undetectable to radar or sensors by controlling how electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, interact with its surface. While cloaking has long been studied in theory and in rigid materials, applying it to moving or flexible objects has remained difficult because conventional metals conduct electricity well but break easily when stretched. The KAIST team addressed this limitation by developing a liquid metal composite ink, known as LMCP, that maintains electrical conductivity even when stretched up to 12 times its original length. The ink also showed high durability, remaining stable in open air for nearly a year without significant corrosion or performance loss. Unlike solid metals, the ink behaves like rubber while retaining metallic conductivity. This is possible because liquid metal particles inside the ink naturally form a network-like structure as the material dries, creating a self-connected conductive pathway. When printed in repeating microscopic patterns, the structure functions as a type of metamaterial, an engineered material designed to manipulate electromagnetic waves in specific ways. Using this ink, the researchers demonstrated the world's first stretchable electromagnetic metamaterial absorber whose radar absorption properties change depending on how much it is stretched. Simply pulling the material like a rubber band altered the frequency range of electromagnetic waves it could absorb, showing that cloaking performance could be actively tuned through physical deformation. The fabrication process is also relatively simple. The ink can be printed or brushed onto a surface and dried without the need for high-temperature processing, lasers, or complex manufacturing equipment. It also avoids common problems seen in liquid-based materials, such as cracking or uneven drying, allowing for smooth and uniform metal patterns. According to the researchers, the technology could be applied to robot skins that move and deform, body-worn electronic devices, and next-generation stealth systems that require adaptability rather than fixed shapes. By allowing cloaking performance to respond dynamically to movement, the material opens possibilities that were previously difficult to achieve with rigid designs. Professor Kim said the research shows that advanced electromagnetic functions can be realized through simple printing processes without complex machinery. He added that the technology could serve as a foundation for future applications ranging from wearable electronics to radar stealth systems. The findings were published in the October 2025 issue of the international journal Small, published by Wiley, and were selected as a cover article. The study was supported by a mid-career research grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea and the KAIST UP Program. The research team included first author Dr. Pyeon Jeong-su, co-author Lee Hyunseung, and Professor Choi Won-ho, with Professors Kim Hyungsoo and Park Sang-hoo serving as corresponding authors. 2025-12-16 14:06:05

Korea's nominee to head media regulator approves of Australia-like SNS ban for minors SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -South Korea’s nominee to head the new government authority responsible for policy and oversight of legacy and online contents providers said Tuesday the regulator would consider Australia-style protections for minors on social media and take action against illegal practices by Coupang and other platform operators following fact-finding investigations. Kim Jong-cheol, a constitutional law professor at Yonsei University, made the remarks during his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, outlining his priorities as the inaugural chair of the Korea Media Communications Commission (KMCC). Kim was nominated in early December to lead the KMCC, which was launched in October as part of a sweeping overhaul of South Korea’s media governance framework. The new commission replaces the Korea Communications Commission and absorbs select oversight functions from the Ministry of Science and ICT, including supervision of online platforms, subscription-based services and emerging digital media. Protecting young users would be a central focus of the commission’s work, Kim said, stressing the need to ensure a safe digital environment within a fair communications order. He said the KMCC would look into the Australia-style measures aimed at limiting harmful social media exposure for minors. In his opening statement, Kim said he would transform the KMCC into a “national communications commission” that promotes both safe and free communication, as the broadcasting, media and telecommunications industries face growing pressure from global competition, artificial intelligence and rising consumer harm. Kim pledged a zero-tolerance stance toward illegal online content with serious social consequences, including disinformation, drug-related material and sexual exploitation content, while emphasizing the importance of raising transparency across internet services so users can better understand how platforms operate. Addressing platform regulation, Kim said the commission is conducting fact-finding investigations into Coupang and other platform operators over subscription cancellation practices that lawmakers have criticized as excessively complicated compared with sign-up processes. “Businesses are free to operate,” Kim said, “but when withdrawal procedures are overly complex, it becomes a matter of user protection.” He added that the KMCC would take action within the limits of the law if illegal conduct is confirmed. Lawmakers also raised concerns over in-app payment systems, noting that South Korea has lagged behind the United States in imposing penalties on dominant platform operators. Kim attributed the delay to the prolonged formation of the commission and said corrective measures would be pursued once the KMCC is fully staffed. On industry policy, Kim said outdated and unnecessary regulations would be actively revised, underscoring the need to balance regulation with promotion to stimulate innovation in the broadcasting and media sector. He also pledged to expand the use of AI and digital technologies across the media value chain and to support overseas expansion by Korean content companies. Kim highlighted the sector’s low AI adoption, estimating utilization at around 10 percent, compared with roughly 30 percent across the broader industrial ecosystem, and said targeted investment would be necessary for South Korea to strengthen its position as a global AI leader. Despite the global spread of K-content and the Korean Wave, Kim said government support for the broadcasting and media sector has been insufficient, pointing to recent budget cuts as a missed opportunity. He also pledged to review the public broadcasting system, expand infrastructure to enhance universal access to media, strengthen dispute-resolution mechanisms in the media and communications sector, and respond firmly to unfair practices by digital platform operators. “As a constitutional scholar,” Kim said, “I will stabilize the KMCC as quickly as possible and resolve the many pending issues step by step, listening carefully to commissioners and communicating with an open mind.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 13:57:57

Korea's construction sector posts sharpest downturn in decades amid weak domestic demand SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korea’s construction industry recorded its sharpest revenue decline since 1999 last year, as weak domestic demand weighed heavily on the sector, official data showed on Tuesday. According to the 2025 Construction Industry Survey released by the National Data Agency, industry revenue fell 3.8 percent from a year earlier to 487.7 trillion won. It marked the largest annual contraction in more than two decades. The downturn was most pronounced in the domestic market, where revenue slid 5.6 percent to 439.3 trillion won. In contrast, overseas construction revenue rose 17.1 percent to 48.4 trillion won, offering limited relief to the overall industry. Construction costs and value added also posted their steepest declines since 1999. Total construction costs fell 2.6 percent to 477.7 trillion won, while value added dropped 5.2 percent to 143.2 trillion won. Employment in the sector continued to shrink, with the number of construction workers down 2.8 percent to 1.76 million. Employment in general construction fell 3.9 percent to 1.129 million, while specialized construction employment declined 1 percent to 629,000. Despite the contraction, the number of registered construction companies increased 1.4 percent from a year earlier to 89,101. “The impact of the construction market downturn is becoming increasingly evident, with key indicators pointing to a very difficult situation since last year,” the National Data Agency said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 13:42:42

Multi-award-winning Korean pianist hospitalized after distressing message SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -Multi-award-winning South Korean pianist Lim Dong-hyek is recuperating after being taken to a hospital Monday after police responded to concerns over a handwritten message he posted on social media that appeared to signal emotional distress. Seoul’s Seocho Police received a report at around 8:30 a.m. and located Lim in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. He was transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition, with no immediate threat to his life. Earlier that morning, at 7:34 a.m., Lim shared a handwritten letter detailing his long-term struggle with severe depression, saying he has taken antidepressants daily since 2015. “Antidepressants are not inherently bad,” he wrote, “but my illness itself has caused me prolonged pain.” In the post, Lim also addressed allegations raised by his former wife, identified only by her surname Cha, who accused him of sending obscene messages during divorce proceedings. Lim denied the claims, stating that he was neither involved in such actions nor engaged in divorce litigation. He concluded the message by taking responsibility for his conduct, expressing gratitude to supporters, and wishing them happiness and good fortune. Lim, one of South Korea’s most internationally recognized pianists, rose to prominence at a young age through a series of major competition successes. In 1996, he gained global attention after winning second prize at the Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow, where he was the youngest participant and finished just behind his older brother, Lim Dong-min, who tied for first. He went on to place fifth at the Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy in 2000, and won second prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan the same year. In 2001, Lim became the youngest winner of the Premier Grand Prix at the Marguerite Long–Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris, also receiving five special awards. Lim later shared third prize with his brother at the 2005 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, where no second prize was awarded, and placed fourth at the 2007 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, another edition in which no first prize was given. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 13:24:46

Korea, Qatar broaden green energy ties, coinciding with National Day   SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Green energy projects, led by large-scale solar power, dominated senior-level discussions in Seoul this week as Korea and Qatar reconfirmed a broadening of bilateral energy cooperation beyond liquefied natural gas, long the backbone of their relationship. At a reception held Monday ahead of Qatar's National Day on Dec. 18, Khalid bin Ebrahim Al-Hamar, Qatar's ambassador to Korea, highlighted a flagship renewable project involving Korean companies: a 2,000-megawatt solar power plant being developed in the Dukhan area west of Doha. "The QatarEnergy project to build a solar power station in Dukhan, with a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts, is the largest solar power plant implemented by Korean companies in the region," Al-Hamar said, describing it as a milestone in the evolution of bilateral energy ties. The project underscores how cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond hydrocarbons and construction into renewables, low-carbon manufacturing and advanced digital infrastructure. Al-Hamar said relations had matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership spanning health care, education, youth exchanges, agriculture, smart networks, investment, culture and sports. Renewable energy has become a central pillar of Qatar's broader economic diversification drive. Samsung C&T Corp. said in September it had secured a 1.46 trillion won ($993 million) contract from QatarEnergy to build the Dukhan solar facility, which will cover roughly 27 square kilometres — about nine times the size of Seoul’s Yeouido district — and deploy around 2.74 million solar panels. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the project is expected to be the largest solar power plant ever built by a Korean construction company. At the same time, Korean firms continue to expand their footprint in Qatar's conventional power sector. Doosan Enerbility announced on Monday that it had signed a 130 billion won contract to supply key equipment for a 2,400-megawatt gas combined-cycle power plant, known as "Facility E," to be built southeast of Doha. Under the agreement with Samsung C&T, Doosan will deliver steam turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment by 2029. The deal follows a 290 billion won combined cycle power plant, PP12 (Power Plant 12), secured by Doosan earlier this year, highlighting how renewable and thermal power projects are advancing in parallel as Qatar balances energy security with decarbonization goals. Kwon Oh-eul, Korea's Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said Qatar remained a critical energy supplier for Korea, contributing to the country's energy security, while Korean companies have played a key role in Qatar's urban development, plant construction and shipbuilding. He noted that the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership at a 2023 summit, expanding cooperation to defense, artificial intelligence and health care. 2025-12-16 13:16:00

Asian markets weaken early Tuesday as AI jitters and rate decisions loom SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Asian equities opened Tuesday broadly lower, tracking subdued U.S. market sentiment as lingering concerns over AI valuations and looming interest-rate decisions by European and Japanese central banks weighed on risk appetite. In Seoul, the KOSPI fell 1.5 percent to 4,028 as of 10:30 a.m., extending losses for a second straight session after dropping 1.8 percent on Monday. Institutional investors were net sellers of 223 billion won ($151 million), while foreign investors sold 150 billion won, doubling down on bets that the market’s recent rally is losing momentum. Retail investors, however, continued to buy—net purchasing 386 billion won—as they positioned for a potential year-end “Santa rally,” mirroring the previous day’s flow. The Korean won traded at 1,471.3 per dollar as of 10 a.m., up 0.5 won from the prior session. The modest appreciation was attributed to foreign selling in local equities and the extension of the foreign-exchange swap arrangement between the central bank and the National Pension Service. Large caps mixed as investors rotate to defensives Market heavyweights showed divergent moves. SK hynix slid 1.3 percent to 545,000 won, breaking below the 550,000-won threshold, while Samsung Electronics was flat at 104,500 won, suggesting a rotation toward relatively defensive blue-chip names amid rising uncertainty. Hyundai Motor fell 2 percent to 287,500 won, extending Monday’s losses, as reports suggesting its autonomous-driving technology lags rivals such as Tesla, BYD and GM by as much as five years continued to pressure sentiment. Hyundai Engineering & Construction plunged 5.35 percent to 69,300 won for a second consecutive day, amid concerns that its energy and AI campus project with Fermi America may collapse. The Hyundai conglomerate is also expected to announce a sweeping C-suite reshuffle this week. Hyundai Mobis, the de facto holding company of Hyundai Motor Group, dropped 1.5 percent to 359,000 won, tracking the weak performance of its affiliates. Korea Zinc erased the previous session’s gains, plunging 11.6 percent to 1.4 million won. While the company confirmed plans to build a 2 trillion won smelter in the United States, investor sentiment cooled after it emerged that the U.S. government’s direct equity contribution would amount to only about 2 percent of total project costs. Biotech shares bucked the broader weakness for a second day. Samsung Biologics rose 1.1 percent to 1.79 million won, extending gains after its affiliate Samsung EpiHolding surged a day earlier. KOSDAQ underperforms, robots retreat The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell more sharply, down 1.7 percent to 923. Foreign investors sold 246.3 billion won, while institutions offloaded 63.6 billion won. Retail investors stepped in with net purchases of 340 billion won. Robot-related stocks led declines. Rainbow Robotics dropped 3.9 percent to 459,000 won, while Robotis slid 5 percent to 295,000 won. Biotech names also struggled to maintain momentum. Alteogen, which recently decided to transfer its listing to the KOSPI, fell 2 percent to 425,000 won, while ABL Bio, after surging Monday, slipped 1.9 percent to 192,000 won. Japan, Taiwan, China follow regional downtrend Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.95 percent to 49,695 as of 10 a.m., with semiconductor-related stocks again under pressure. Ibiden declined 1.9 percent to 11,600 yen ($74.8), and Kioxia Holdings dropped 2.75 percent to 8,945 yen. Advantest was flat at 19,470 yen, as some investors saw signs of a near-term bottom. Toyota edged down 0.2 percent to 3,344 yen, with losses moderating as investors gravitated toward stable blue-chip names—echoing patterns seen in Seoul. Taiwan’s TAIEX fell 0.6 percent to 27,691. TSMC slipped 1 percent to 1,435 Taiwan dollars ($45.7), while MediaTek rose 1.8 percent to 1,445 Taiwan dollars, supported by stronger demand from China and favorable reviews of its new Dimensity 9500 chipset. Mainland Chinese markets were subdued. The Shanghai Composite dipped 0.4 percent to 3,850, while the Shenzhen Component fell 0.3 percent to 13,072. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.7 percent to 25,450, a milder drop than Monday despite its closer correlation with U.S. markets. 2025-12-16 11:20:36

Hanwha completes acquisition of Indonesia's Ciptadana Asset Management SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Hanwha Investment & Securities said on Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of Ciptadana Asset Management in Indonesia, strengthening its foothold in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing capital markets. Ciptadana Asset Management is part of Indonesia’s sixth-largest conglomerate, Lippo Group, and has more than 30 years of experience in the country’s financial sector. Hanwha agreed in 2023 to acquire an 80 percent stake in both Ciptadana Securities and Ciptadana Asset Management. After completing the takeover of Ciptadana Securities in October last year, the South Korean firm received final approval from Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority for the asset management acquisition. The transaction was finalized recently, giving Hanwha a dual-track presence in Indonesia across securities brokerage and asset management, Hanwha said. Hanwha plans to deepen its strategic partnership with Lippo Group and introduce digital asset management solutions tailored to local market conditions and customer needs. “Ciptadana Securities and Ciptadana Asset Management will play a key role in developing Indonesia’s digital financial ecosystem,” Jang Byung-ho, chief executive officer of Hanwha Investment & Securities, said in a press release. “We will continue to support their growth with the aim of becoming a leader in the ASEAN financial market.” * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 11:11:38

PHOTOS:$1 burger, Korea University honors priceless legacy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Korea University students still stop by their favorite burger shop — even though its friendly owner is no longer there. Instead of ordering food, they leave flowers and handwritten thank-you notes, mourning Lee Young-chul (1968~2025), the beloved owner of Young Chul Burger, who passed away last week at the age of 57. For more than two decades, Lee sold 1,000-won burgers to hungry students near the university’s Anam campus. To many, he was not just a shopkeeper but an uncle-like mentor who quietly fed generations through hard times. Online condolence boards filled quickly, with more than 1,300 messages posted. Alumni — including graduates from the classes of 2005 and 2009 — returned to leave tributes. Around 40 mourners sent funeral wreaths, a rare sight for a small neighborhood eatery. Born in 1968 in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Lee lost his father in elementary school and moved to Seoul to survive on odd jobs — from working at Chinese restaurants to day labor. Crushed by debt, he began selling burgers from a handcart in front of Korea University in 2000. His signature “street burger” — made with a hot-dog bun, grilled meat, cabbage and sauce — quickly gained a reputation for its taste and generosity. Even when ingredient prices rose and profits disappeared, Lee refused to raise the price. Beginning in 2004, he donated 20 million won annually to Korea University for scholarships, contributing more than 100 million won in total. When financial difficulties forced him to close the shop in 2015, students raised 68 million won to help him reopen. Lee died on December 13 after battling lung cancer. “Lee showed great kindness and love to Korea University students for decades,” said Kim Dong-one, president of Korea University, during a visit to the funeral parlor. “He fed students during difficult times with his 1,000-won burgers and gave back through scholarships year after year.” To honor his legacy, Korea University will establish a scholarship in his name and cover his funeral expenses. At the storefront where students once lined up for a warm, affordable meal, silence has replaced the sizzle — but gratitude remains, handwritten and laid gently at the door. 2025-12-16 11:09:47

Samsung Electronics steps up B2B push with HVAC, displays, AI solutions SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is ramping up its push into the business-to-business market, expanding its air conditioning portfolio into industrial applications and broadening its presence in corporate displays and connected building solutions for enterprise clients. According to industry sources, Samsung has reinforced its Air Solution team within the Digital Appliances division as it shifts focus from consumer-oriented air conditioners to industrial, infrastructure and large-scale commercial systems. The move comes as demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is expected to surge with the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers, which require advanced cooling technologies. Global Market Insights forecasts the global HVAC market will grow from $31.06 billion in 2024 to $54.54 billion by 2034. Last month, Samsung acquired FlaktGroup, Germany’s largest HVAC specialist, for 1.5 billion euros ($2.4 billion), securing advanced industrial cooling expertise. FlaktGroup supplies HVAC systems to data centres, hospitals and large commercial facilities across Europe and other regions. Samsung aims to use FlaktGroup’s technologies alongside its own AI-based building control platform to strengthen its offering of customized cooling solutions for data centers and other corporate clients, industry officials said. The company is also reviewing plans to integrate FlaktGroup’s technologies into its domestic manufacturing operations, potentially at its Gwangju plant, a major hub for Samsung’s home appliance production. Beyond HVAC, Samsung is expanding its footprint in the corporate display market, where it has gained traction in specialized segments requiring ultra-high-definition and large-format LED displays. Last month, Samsung supplied around 6,000 televisions and smart signage units to Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Star of the Seas, billed as the world’s largest cruise ship. In 2023, the company installed hotel televisions and its micro LED display product, The Wall, at the Hilton Waikiki in Hawaii, and delivered commercial displays to major hotels including Kempinski in Bali and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Industry analysts note that corporate displays typically command higher margins than consumer products, as they rely on advanced technologies and customised installations, helping offset the slowing growth of the mature consumer electronics market. Samsung’s broader B2B expansion is expected to accelerate as consumer demand stagnates and enterprises increasingly seek integrated solutions combining AI and internet-of-things technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 10:34:12