S. Korea and Egypt sign declaration to launch economic partnership talks SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - South Korea and Egypt have officially launched a push for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to establish the North African nation as a bridge for South Korean goods entering Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo signed a joint declaration with his Egyptian counterpart, Hassan El Khatib, in Cairo on Sunday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the agreement formalizes the intent to negotiate a deal that goes beyond simple tariff reduction to include broader economic cooperation. The two nations have been laying the groundwork since 2022, following a memorandum of understanding and a joint feasibility study. The decision to move toward a formal deal was reached during a summit last November. A key focus of Yeo's visit was the potential for South Korean firms to gain preferential access to the U.S. market. During a meeting with Gamal El-Dein, chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Yeo highlighted the advantages of the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) agreement. Under this arrangement, goods produced in specific Egyptian zones with a required amount of Israeli input can be exported to the United States duty-free. "By leveraging the QIZ agreement, the Suez Canal Economic Zone can serve as a new production base for South Korean companies to export to the United States under preferential conditions," Yeo said. To facilitate this, Yeo proposed a regular consultative channel between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Suez authority. He also inspected the Sokhna Industrial Zone and Sokhna Port—the largest of the special zone's industrial hubs—to check logistics and infrastructure. Yeo later met with representatives of South Korean companies operating in Egypt to discuss regulatory hurdles and financial support. "We intend to proceed with speed from the start of CEPA negotiations to their final conclusion," Yeo said. The ministry stated it would publish an investment guidebook based on the visit to assist firms entering the market. 2026-01-18 17:43:47

South Korea begins deployment of 'monster' Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - South Korea has begun deploying the Hyunmoo-5, a high-power ballistic missile capable of penetrating deep underground bunkers, to operational units, military sources said Sunday. The weapon, dubbed the "monster missile" for its massive eight-ton warhead, is a centerpiece of Seoul's strategy to neutralize the North Korean leadership in the event of a conflict. According to sources, the rollout to field units began late last year and is scheduled for completion within the term of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The Hyunmoo-5 serves as the core asset for the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan. This strategy forms one pillar of the nation's "three-axis" defense system, which also includes the "Kill Chain" preemptive strike platform and the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. While the Hyunmoo-5 is now entering service, military authorities are already advancing classified programs for next-generation surface-to-surface missiles. Often referred to unofficially as "Hyunmoo-6" or "Hyunmoo-7," these future systems aim to extend range and enhance warhead penetration capabilities beyond the current arsenal. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, speaking in an interview last October, outlined the strategic logic behind massing such heavy conventional firepower. "We will improve performance in areas such as destructive power and accuracy for high-power missiles like the Hyunmoo-5 and next-generation models," Ahn said. "By securing a sufficient quantity necessary for an overwhelming response, we will realize a 'balance of terror' commensurate with North Korea's nuclear threat." Ahn noted that the sheer kinetic energy of these weapons allows them to serve as a conventional deterrent against nuclear arms. "Missile experts judge that if approximately 15 to 20 high-power missiles impact a target, they exert destructive power exceeding that of a nuclear weapon," Ahn said. "The Hyunmoo-5 is capable of achieving a balance of terror comparable to nuclear weapons." The military reportedly plans to stockpile hundreds of these high-yield missiles to solidify its retaliatory capabilities against Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal. 2026-01-18 17:17:36

SURVEY: 78% of S. Korean workers fear AI will worsen inequality SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - An overwhelming majority of South Korean office workers are worried that the spread of artificial intelligence will deepen inequality and widen the wealth gap. Gapjil 119, a civic group campaigning against workplace abuse, released the results Sunday of a survey conducted on 1,000 office workers nationwide. The poll, carried out by Global Research last October, highlights a stark level of anxiety regarding the impact of AI on the labor market. According to the findings, 77.9 percent of respondents said they were concerned that AI adoption would lead to greater inequality in the labor market and a polarization of wealth. Nearly half of the workers surveyed, 48.2 percent, believe AI will eventually replace their own jobs. This anxiety was most acute among younger generations. Workers in their 20s were the most pessimistic, with 58.1 percent predicting their roles would be taken over by technology. This figure dropped slightly with age, with 49.1 percent of those in their 30s, 47.3 percent in their 40s, and 43.2 percent in their 50s expressing similar fears. When asked about the timing of this shift, 41.1 percent of respondents predicted it would happen in "more than five years," while 36.3 percent expected the change to come within "three to five years." These concerns appear grounded in reality, as South Korea has recently recorded the world's fastest growth in AI adoption. According to the "Global AI Adoption Report" released by Microsoft earlier this month, the percentage of the South Korean working-age population using generative AI tools jumped to 30.7 percent in late 2025, up from 25.9 percent just six months prior. This 4.8 percentage point increase was the largest recorded among all nations surveyed, propelling South Korea seven spots up the global rankings to 18th place. The report noted that the country has become the second-largest market for paid ChatGPT subscriptions globally, driven by improved Korean language capabilities in newer models and aggressive government-led digital initiatives. Faced with this rapid shift, the survey pointed to a strong demand for government intervention. A significant 83.3 percent of respondents said social safety nets must be strengthened to prepare for the potential fallout. Additionally, 70 percent supported the idea that companies profiting from AI should be taxed to support the public. "It is urgent to predict the negative impact AI and automation technology will have on jobs and to prepare practical protection mechanisms in advance," said Lee Jin-ah, a labor attorney at Gapjil 119. "Discussions on protecting social members must proceed at the same speed and weight as the development of the technology itself." 2026-01-18 13:02:51

KAIST proposes global 'bridge' alliance to break US-China grip on AI SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - A consortium of international researchers has called for a new alliance of mid-sized nations to challenge the overwhelming dominance of the United States and China in artificial intelligence. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) released a policy report Sunday titled "A Blueprint for Multinational Advanced AI Development." The document, co-authored with scholars from the University of Oxford, Canada's Mila institute, and Germany's RWTH Aachen University, argues that countries like South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Canada must pool their resources to secure technological independence. The report paints a stark picture of the current landscape, noting that approximately 90 percent of the world's AI computing capacity is concentrated in the United States and China. The authors warn that this imbalance effectively blocks other nations from developing "frontier" AI models on their own, forcing them into a state of technological dependency on a handful of superpowers and Big Tech firms. To counter this, the researchers propose a "Bridge Power" coalition. The strategy targets nations that have advanced digital infrastructure and research talent but lack the massive capital and energy resources of the two global hegemons. The report specifically identifies South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore as key candidates for this bloc. "In an environment where geopolitical competition is intensifying, solidarity among 'AI Bridge Power' nations is essential to maintain competitiveness and responsible AI development," said Yoshua Bengio, a Turing Award laureate and co-author of the report. The blueprint suggests modeling this cooperation after CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Instead of particle physics, the proposed body would focus on sharing the heavy burden of AI infrastructure. Member nations would pool computing resources, establish protocols for cross-border data training, and create a shared system for research talent to move freely between countries. According to the report, this approach would allow member nations to build high-level AI models that reflect their own languages and cultural values, rather than relying on systems imported from Silicon Valley or Beijing. Park Kyung-ryul, a KAIST professor who led the initiative, said the proposal offers a "realistic alternative path" for nations caught in the crossfire of the current tech war. He noted that such an alliance could help these countries assert leadership in ethical AI governance by presenting a united front on global challenges. The findings were the result of a collaboration between computer scientists, economists, and legal experts from institutions including the Future Society and the Paris Peace Forum. 2026-01-18 12:00:00

Luxury hotels and retailers target 'rite rush' as S, Koreans outsource ancestral duties SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches next month, luxury hotels and major retailers in South Korea are aggressively targeting a niche but rapidly growing market: the "to-go" ancestral rite table. The hospitality industry is capitalizing on a significant cultural shift where families are increasingly willing to pay a premium to outsource the labor-intensive cooking required for the holiday, turning a domestic duty into an affordable service. The ritual, known as "Charye," is a traditional Confucian memorial service held on the morning of the Lunar New Year. Families gather to set a table laden with specific offerings—including meats, fruits, vegetables, and rice cakes—to honor deceased ancestors and seek their blessing for the household's health and prosperity. While deeply rooted in Korean culture, the practice requires days of meticulous cooking and preparation, a responsibility that has traditionally fallen heavily on the women of the household. Recognizing the growing fatigue with these demands, major establishments, including JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, and The Plaza, have rolled out "Charye To-Go" packages for the upcoming holiday. According to industry reports released Sunday, these sets range in price from approximately 200,000 won ($135) to 600,000 won and offer complete rite tables featuring dozens of required dishes such as "jeon" (pan-fried delicacies), "galbijjim" (braised short ribs), and dried fish, all prepared by professional chefs. The trend has evolved beyond simple convenience to include "star power" marketing. This year, the influence of the hit Netflix cooking competition "Culinary Class Wars" has reached the ritual table, with Mayfield Hotel Seoul launching a premium "Sechan" set overseen by head chef Lee Keum-hee, a contestant from the show's second season. Retailers noted that while sales of these packages dipped slightly after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand has stabilized and is now driven by a loyal customer base seeking to balance tradition with modern lifestyles. This commercialization of the rite is a direct response to the growing economic and social burden of the tradition. Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation indicates that South Korean families must spend an average of 380,000 won at supermarkets to prepare a single Charye table, a cost that continues to rise annually due to inflation. This combination of labor intensity and rising food prices has soured public sentiment toward the ritual, leading many to seek alternatives or abandon the practice altogether. A survey conducted by Sungkyunkwan, the country's oldest Confucian institute, revealed that approximately 56 percent of South Koreans plan to stop holding memorial rites entirely. Respondents cited the "burden of food preparation" and the belief that the practice is "outdated" as primary reasons for opting out. For those unwilling to completely abandon their heritage, the hotel-made rite table has emerged as a compromise, allowing families to maintain the ceremonial form without the kitchen stress. 2026-01-18 10:38:48

Filipino domestic workers in Korea struggle with low pay, study finds SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - Many Filipino domestic workers in South Korea who came under a government pilot program have faced low wages and undervalued care work, according to a new academic study. In a paper published Saturday in the journal of the Korean Association for Immigration Policy and Administration, Lee Mi-ae, a professor at Jeju National University’s Research Institute for the Tamla Culture, examined the experiences of Filipino domestic and care workers employed under a pilot project run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The program brought 100 Filipino housekeepers to Korea to provide child care and household support for dual-income, single-parent and multi-child families. Lee and her research team conducted surveys and in-depth interviews between April and May last year with 21 Filipino workers in their 20s and 30s, along with two interpreters. During the first six months of the program, participants earned an average monthly wage of 1.92 million won ($1,301) before taxes. After deductions for housing, insurance and communication costs, their take-home pay fell to about 1.18 million won, or roughly 51 percent of South Korea’s average monthly wage in 2024, which stood at 3.74 million won. Their hourly wage was set at 9,860 won, 27 to 35 percent lower than that of domestic childcare providers and household workers, whose pay ranges from 13,590 won to 15,000 won per hour. Even under a standard 30-hour workweek, monthly deductions of 470,000 to 520,000 won for items such as housing left many workers with less than 1 million won in net pay. Several respondents also reported being asked to perform tasks beyond their original scope of work. In addition to child care, they said they were expected to clean the house, wash dishes, care for pets and provide English lessons. Lee attributed these problems to the exclusion of migrant domestic and care workers from the policymaking process, saying discussions focused mainly on users’ needs and employers’ interests. “Workers’ experiences and voices must be reflected at every stage of policymaking,” she wrote, calling for stronger labor protections. She also stressed that migrant domestic workers should be allowed to change workplaces without automatically losing their residence status and that their fundamental labor rights be protected. Lee further urged policymakers to move beyond a narrow focus on low wages and re-evaluate the social value of child care and household labor. 2026-01-17 17:49:02

BTS to release fifth full-length album 'Arirang' in March SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - K-pop supergroup BTS will release its fifth full-length album titled "Arirang," drawing its name from Korea's most iconic folk song. According to BigHit Music on Friday, BTS revealed the album title during a live broadcast on fan platform Weverse at midnight, announcing that the album will be released on March 20. Leader RM said during the live stream that the group wanted to incorporate something symbolic of Korea into the album's concept. "We thought it would be meaningful to include something that represents Korea, and the word 'Arirang' came to mind," RM said. "As we're releasing an album after a long time, we felt it could bring together the full range of emotions we've experienced." BTS said the album reflects the group's identity as artists who began their journey in Korea, as well as themes of longing and deep affection rooted in their personal experiences. BigHit Music described "Arirang" as a symbolic title that captures the emotional core the members aim to convey in the new release. "Ahead of their long-awaited comeback, BTS naturally turned their attention to the team’s roots, starting point and inner stories," the agency said. "By exploring universal emotions such as longing and deep love, the album is expected to resonate with listeners around the world." During the live broadcast, the members hinted that the new album would defy expectations. "Each of us has released solo projects, so whatever people expect, it will be different," the group said. "Yet the music still feels distinctly like us." The album marks BTS's first new full-length release in three years and nine months since their 2022 anthology album "Proof." The fifth studio album will feature a total of 14 tracks. Following the album's release, BTS will embark on a new world tour beginning April 9 at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province. The tour will span 34 cities with 79 shows — the largest in K-pop history — and will feature a 360-degree stage designed to enhance audience immersion. 2026-01-17 15:41:48

Kim Jong-un hails North Korean troops deployed to Russia at Pyongyang youth event SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised North Korean troops deployed to Russia, calling their participation something "only young Korean people could do," state media reported Saturday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim made the remarks on Friday while attending a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. "Present here are also young soldiers who have recently defended the dignity and honour of their country in overseas special military operations by displaying the excellence, heroism, self-sacrificing spirit and character peculiar to their fellow people," Kim was quoted as saying. He added that such actions were something only young Korean people could accomplish. Kim also said there were no soldiers in the world who would fight on the battlefield as faithfully as North Korean troops, "expecting no reward or private interest," stressing that the existence of such youth was a source of incomparable pride for the state. He further addressed the significance of marking the youth league's 80th anniversary ahead of the Workers' Party of Korea's upcoming ninth congress. "The 80-year history of struggle of the youth league is being reviewed in the light of socialist ideals, noble patriotism, a passionate sense of justice and a pure spiritual world," Kim said, adding that this had once again elevated the status and prestige of North Korean youth. He went on to say that preparing the next generation and building a future that carries the country's proud past into a glorious present was a historic achievement of the North Korean youth movement that no one else could replace. During the event, Kim awarded the Order of Kim Jong Il, the country's highest state decoration, to the youth league. He personally attached the medal to the league's flag and presented the certificate to its committee chairman. Senior officials, including Choe Ryong-hae, Workers' Party secretaries Ri Il-hwan and Ri Hi-yong, and propaganda chief Ju Chang-il, also attended the ceremony, along with Youth League Chairman Mun Chol. Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, did not appear to be present. The Socialist Patriotic Youth League, North Korea's largest youth organization, was founded in 1946 under the name the North Korean Democratic Youth League. Membership is mandatory for all young people and students aged 14 to 30, with total membership estimated at around five million. 2026-01-17 14:11:51

South Korea urges 50 citizens in Iran to leave as unrest continues SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - The South Korean government said Friday that around 50 citizens are currently staying in Iran, urging them to leave the country as soon as possible amid continuing unrest. According to a joint meeting held Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas missions to assess safety measures in Iran—where violent crackdowns have followed recent anti-government protests—no casualties involving South Koreans had been reported. The meeting was attended by officials from South Korea’s embassies in Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, Turkmenistan and Türkiye. Iran has been gripped by widespread protests sparked by economic hardship, with authorities carrying out a hardline response using snipers and other security forces. Some estimates suggest that the death toll may range from several thousand to more than 10,000, though the exact scale remains unclear as Iranian authorities have restricted internet access and information flows. Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a said the situation remains highly uncertain due to numerous variables, stressing the need to prioritize citizen safety even at the risk of criticism. "Even if we are criticized for taking excessive precautions, it is preferable to act in a way that minimizes risk," Kim said, echoing remarks previously made by the president. She urged officials to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals. Kim also emphasized that a Level 3 travel advisory—recommending departure—has been issued for all regions of Iran, calling on South Koreans in the country to leave as quickly as possible. She further instructed South Korean missions in three neighboring countries to thoroughly prepare all necessary measures to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of citizens in the event of an emergency. South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Kim Jun-pyo said the embassy is checking the safety of all South Korean nationals in Iran on a daily basis and actively encouraging them to depart. "Departures are continuing," Kim said, adding that the embassy is maintaining constant communication with the local South Korean community and regularly reviewing and updating evacuation plans in case the situation deteriorates further. 2026-01-17 11:50:04

U.S. makes clear Taiwan chip tariff deal will not apply to South Korea SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - Washington has made clear that semiconductor tariffs and related exemptions will be set through country‑by‑country negotiations, meaning the criteria agreed with Taiwan will not be copied and applied automatically to South Korea. An administration official said on Friday that the U.S. would pursue "separate agreements for separate countries" when asked whether the semiconductor tariff waiver terms offered to Taiwan would also be granted to South Korea. This suggests that Washington intends to define specific tariff and exemption conditions bilaterally with each major chip‑exporting partner, rather than adopting a single unified standard. President Donald Trump has argued that semiconductor imports have reached a level that threatens U.S. national security and has instructed his administration to negotiate with relevant countries to address this perceived risk through tariffs. Under this approach, Washington plans to negotiate first with countries that export semiconductors to the U.S. and only then impose tariffs, while offering "tariff offset programs" to companies that invest in strengthening the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. Within this framework, the U.S. announced a trade agreement with Taiwan on Thursday that sets out the tariff waiver rules for Taiwanese semiconductor exports. In return for a commitment by Taiwanese firms to undertake $250 billion of direct investment in the U.S., Washington agreed to cut the reciprocal tariff rate on Taiwanese products from 20 percent to 15 percent, aligning it with the rate applied to South Korea and Japan. Previously, South Korea had agreed to $350 billion in U.S. investment and Japan to $550 billion, in exchange for reductions in their respective reciprocal tariffs. The Trump administration also decided that Taiwanese companies establishing new semiconductor production capacity in the U.S. will receive substantial tariff relief. While a new facility is under construction, imports of up to 2.5 times its production capacity can enter the U.S. market without paying the new semiconductor tariffs. After the facility is completed, imports of up to 1.5 times the new capacity can continue to enter tariff‑free. South Korea finalized its trade negotiations with the U.S. at the end of October last year, ahead of Taiwan, and secured assurances that it would not be placed at a disadvantage compared with countries whose semiconductor trade volumes with the U.S. exceed South Korea's. This implies that South Korea is expected to receive conditions at least equivalent to those applied to Taiwan, one of its key competitors, although how this principle will be implemented remains uncertain and is expected to be clarified through further negotiations with Washington. 2026-01-17 11:11:50