Hit anime 'K-pop Demon Hunters' drives surge in resale of related items up global traffic SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters is fueling a rush in South Korea’s secondhand market. Action figures, badges, and other show-themed goods are moving quickly on resale platforms as fans look for items tied to the animation's tiger and magpie characters. Released in June, the animation follows a K-pop idol group that secretly fights demons in Seoul. It blended mythology, music, and action and built major buzz. It became the first South Korea–themed Netflix title to pass 300 million cumulative views, and its soundtrack song "Golden" held the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for seven straight weeks. According to industry data provided by secondhand trading platform Bunjang, listings tagged with "magpie and tiger" on the popular ecommerce platform rose 357 percent between June 20 and September 29 compared with the previous three months, while total transaction value increased 164 percent. Items using the tiger-and-magpie motif, which draws on traditional folk art, have been especially active. During the same period, transactions using the keyword "National Museum of Korea" increased by one thousand percent, and total sales rose by 573 percent. The museum's magpie-and-tiger badges and related items have sold out at times, sending buyers to secondhand channels. Beyond the domestic rush for show-linked goods, Bunjang's cross-border activity has also climbed. Bunjang's data shows its overseas service, Bunjang Global, topped two million monthly active users by mid-September and is on track to exceed 2.2 million by month’s end, about five times higher than the 430,000 users recorded a year earlier. In the first half of the year, total transaction value rose 333 percent from a year earlier, while the number of transactions increased 345 percent. Much of the recent demand comes from overseas buyers seeking K-pop photo cards, limited-edition collectibles, and handmade items with traditional patterns seen in K-pop Demon Hunters. 2025-10-06 13:07:14

Kazakh traditional fashion show celebrates Central Asia–Korea friendship SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - A traditional fashion show featuring Central Asian designs was recently held in Seoul on September 30 to mark the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Day, offering a colorful display of the region's heritage and creativity, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea said. The event, organized by the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Association, brought together diplomats, artists, and business representatives. In his welcoming remarks, Kazakh Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov noted the continued growth of cultural ties between Central Asia and South Korea and outlined parts of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's recent State-of-the-Nation Address. The ambassador emphasized Kazakhstan's plans to create a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and to expand advanced technologies in the creative industry. He also highlighted the upcoming presentation of the Alatau City project in South Korea, describing it as a key initiative for smart city development, green innovation, and tourism. Association President Lee Ok Ryun said the diverse traditions and music of Central Asian countries have found a strong resonance with South Korean audiences and help promote better understanding between the regions. The fashion segment featured Kazakhstan's "Tarbiya" brand, which presented a collection of traditional costumes infused with modern elements. The designs drew warm responses from the audience and reflected the growing interest in Central Asia's rich cultural identity. 2025-10-06 12:38:40

Seoul and Washington edge closer on currency safeguard amid protracted tariff talks SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Monday that Seoul and Washington have reached a "considerable level of understanding" on concerns over possible turbulence in South Korea's foreign exchange market caused by the ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport after returning from New York, Kim said both sides were "narrowing their differences" on how to minimize the deal's impact on the won-dollar exchange rate. "I believe there was a shared recognition of how sensitive our foreign exchange market could be in this deal," he said. According to the presidential office, Kim held a follow-up meeting on October 4 (local time) in New York with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The trip was arranged quietly and known to only a handful of senior aides. Kim played down speculation that it had been a secret mission, saying, "It just happened to take place during the holiday, and I had the time. I only met Secretary Lutnick." The minister's visit marks the latest in a series of negotiations aimed at finalizing the July framework agreement under which Washington would lower reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent, while Seoul would commit to a 350 billion dollar (about 493 trillion won) investment package in the U.S. The two sides have yet to sign a memorandum of understanding, with disputes lingering over the investment's structure, profit-sharing arrangements, and South Korea's demand for a currency swap with the U.S. Federal Reserve to safeguard the won. Seoul has argued that without such a safety net, a large-scale dollar outflow could shake its financial markets. "There were discussions on the swap," Kim said. "It's not that progress was made, but both sides acknowledged how significant and sensitive this issue is for our market." Asked whether the swap could take the form of an unlimited facility, Kim said, "I don't know whether it will be unlimited, but there was a shared understanding that the deal itself poses a serious challenge for our currency market." He also said the two sides did not discuss specific investment targets or President Donald Trump's previous description of South Korea's contribution as an "upfront payment." "There were no such talks," he said. A recent survey by broadcaster SBS and polling firm Ipsos found that 88 percent of respondents viewed the U.S. investment demand as excessive, while 55 percent said the government was handling the negotiations properly. Financial markets have remained cautious amid the uncertainty. The KOSPI fell 2.45 percent last week to close at 3,386.03, slipping below the 3,400 mark for the first time in nine trading sessions. President Lee Jae Myung has warned that withdrawing the full investment amount without a swap arrangement could trigger a crisis similar to the 1997 Asian financial meltdown. Kim said follow-up meetings would likely take place "in the near future," possibly before President Trump's visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju later this month, where he is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump is scheduled to attend the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28, hold a bilateral meeting with Japan's incoming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is expected to take office in mid-October, and then travel to South Korea around October 29 for the APEC meeting. Seoul aims to narrow differences ahead of the summit, though officials say the government will not compromise key principles in pursuit of a deal. 2025-10-06 08:49:50

Hwang You-min wins Lotte Championship and entry to LPGA Tour SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - Hwang You-min became the sixth South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour this year, capturing her maiden title at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii on Saturday. The 22-year-old clinched victory at the Hoakalei Country Club in Oahu with a final-round 5-under 67, finishing at 17-under 271 overall. The win immediately secures her LPGA Tour membership, though she has the option to defer it until the start of the 2026 season. Hwang earned a winner’s purse of $450,000. She joined the tournament through a sponsor’s invitation from Lotte, her main backer. Having joined the KLPGA Tour in 2023 and already won twice, Hwang had planned to enter the LPGA qualifying series later this year. However, a barrage of birdies in the final round broke her tie for second with compatriot Kim Hyo-joo and accelerated her plans for the LPGA stage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-05 14:43:29

South Korea sees surge in online drug trafficking cases, most found on X SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - The number of online drug trafficking cases referred to police by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has risen to its highest level in five years, with most illegal activity detected on X, formerly known as Twitter. According to data released by Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Mi-hwa on October 5, the MFDS reported 85 cases of online narcotics trafficking to investigative agencies between January and August this year. That figure marks a sharp rise from zero cases in 2023 and nearly doubles the total number of 45 cases reported over the past five years combined. The ministry said it referred posts involving the sale or promotion of narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis, and controlled drugs. While officials detected nearly 50,000 illegal narcotics posts last year, none were sent to police at the time, drawing criticism from the National Assembly. This year, the MFDS said it has worked more closely with law enforcement to address the issue. "There was criticism that no cases were referred last year, so this year we have made active efforts to work closely with investigative agencies," an MFDS official explained. From January to August, the ministry detected 31,894 online posts related to narcotics trafficking, slightly fewer than last year, but the number of referrals has increased sharply. Social media accounted for 22.3 percent of those detections, or 7,103 posts. Among them, 85.8 percent—more than 6,000 posts—were found on X. Facebook had 28 cases, YouTube had two, and Instagram had none. The data means nearly nine out of ten illegal narcotics posts appeared on X, which is owned by Elon Musk. Lawmakers say the platform’s anonymity and loose content oversight have turned it into the primary channel for drug promotion and transactions in South Korea. "Recently, the promotion and distribution of narcotics through social media have become alarmingly easy, posing a serious threat to public safety," Seo said. "The government must expand its monitoring workforce and budget to systematically block illegal online drug distribution." Officials and experts have warned that online drug trafficking has expanded rapidly in South Korea, moving from private messaging apps to public social networks. Authorities say the trend has blurred the line between domestic and international operations, pushing regulators and police to strengthen cooperation in line with broader anti-narcotics efforts involving the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 2025-10-05 14:24:50

Pyongyang unveils new weapons, warns Seoul and Washington at military exhibition SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country will continue to strengthen its military capabilities to counter what he called growing threats from the United States and South Korea, as he opened a major military hardware exhibition in Pyongyang showcasing new missile systems, including what appears to be a hypersonic variant of the KN-23. The exhibition, titled "Defence Development-2025," opened in the North Korean capital on October 4 to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. In a speech carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 5, Kim said the event offered a visual display of the country's "general level attained by our defence capabilities," describing its nuclear deterrent as the "backbone" of national security. "This exhibition features the recent results of the important projects that we have pressed on with in order to put the structure of the DPRK’s military capabilities, with its nuclear deterrent as the backbone, on an increasingly modern, advanced footing," Kim said. He thanked scientists and technicians in the munitions industry, saying their work "constitutes the highest praise for our Party’s 80-year-long history." Kim said North Korea’s defense sector had reached a level "much higher than the founder generation of the Juche-oriented defense industry hoped to reach," and warned that the country could not afford to ease its pace of weapons development. "The moment we feel complacency leads to the beginning of our advance getting sluggish," he said. "The U.S.–ROK nuclear alliance is making rapid progress... and the United States is taking measures for expanding the stockpile of its military assets in and around the ROK, posing a real and serious threat to the security of our country and others in the region." He accused Washington of upgrading its reconnaissance and strike capabilities to make "preemptive strikes" easier and said Pyongyang had "assigned special assets to the major targets of our concern" in proportion to the U.S. buildup in South Korea. "They themselves should have to judge whether the territory of the ROK would be a safe place in any case," Kim warned. Photos released by KCNA showed new missile systems on display, including one labeled "Hwasong-11 Ma." Analysts in Seoul identified it as a new version of the KN-23, a short-range ballistic missile often referred to as the North Korean version of Russia’s Iskander. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Hwasong-11 Ma appears to carry a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead, a design that would allow the missile to fly at speeds above Mach 5 while maneuvering at low altitude to evade interception. The KN-23 has been among North Korea’s most frequently tested missiles, with versions launched from road vehicles, railcars, and even submarines. It is estimated to have a range exceeding 800 kilometers (around 500 miles), allowing it to strike targets anywhere in South Korea. During his speech, Kim also suggested that new strategic goals would soon be announced for North Korea’s defense industry. "Our powerful assets for national defence capability will develop more rapidly without a moment of delay," he said. "Everyone will soon know the new goals to be set forth for the defence technology sector and the aspect of its development at the next stage." KCNA said the exhibition featured "ultra-modern weapon systems developed into the pivotal military hardware of our armed forces," describing the venue as "full of the latest defence assets, an ensemble of the Juche-oriented defence sci-tech strength." Senior officials, military commanders, and defense scientists attended the opening ceremony, where Kim reviewed a guard of honor before touring the exhibition hall. 2025-10-05 11:59:14

Government restores 132 systems after Daejeon data center fire, mobile ID service back online SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - Ten days after a massive fire crippled South Korea's main government data network, 132 of the 647 affected information systems have been restored, including 22 top-priority platforms, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on October 5, 2025. As of 6 a.m. Sunday, the overall recovery rate stood at 20.4 percent, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous day. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said that the partial restoration of OnMail, the official email system for government employees, and the mobile government ID app will help improve work efficiency across public offices. The fire broke out on September 26, 2025, at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) in Daejeon, which houses South Korea's central data and cloud infrastructure. The blaze began in a fifth-floor server room containing lithium-ion batteries and burned for nearly 22 hours before it was extinguished. The incident paralyzed 647 administrative and information systems, including key public services such as the National Veterans Affairs system, the Government Legislation Information Center, and the national complaint portal. The G-Drive, a shared storage system used by civil servants, was also completely destroyed. Officials confirmed that the system had no backup, making recovery impossible. More than 500 personnel from public agencies and private firms have been deployed for recovery efforts. However, the pace has been slow as damaged systems must be rebuilt or relocated to a government–private cloud center in Daegu. The fire has also reignited debate about the safety of energy storage systems (ESS), which are often used in large facilities like data centers to stabilize the power supply. Lawmakers have called for stronger oversight and more comprehensive safety management to prevent similar incidents. 2025-10-05 11:29:30

Breakfast habits change in South Korea as more young adults skip morning meals SEOUL, October 05 (AJP) - Breakfast is falling out of favor in South Korea, especially among young adults, according to new government data showing a steady rise in people skipping their morning meal. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Sunday in its 2024 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey released on October 5, 2025, that 35.3 percent of Koreans aged one and older did not eat breakfast regularly last year. That means more than one in three people are now going without breakfast. The rate has been climbing every year for the past decade, up from 26.2 percent in 2015 to 35.3 percent in 2024, a rise of 9.1 percentage points. Skipping breakfast is most common among people in their 20s. The survey found 62.1 percent of South Koreans in that age group skip breakfast, and among women, the figure rises to 67.5 percent — roughly two out of three. The rate drops with age: 46.8 percent in their 30s, 39.1 percent in their 40s, 35.5 percent in their teens, and 25.3 percent in their 50s. Only 4.9 percent of those aged 70 and older said they skip breakfast. For comparison, U.S. data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that about 15.6 percent of American adults skipped breakfast between 2015 and 2018. Among children and teenagers aged 2 to 19, roughly 17 percent went without breakfast between 2017 and early 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Medical researchers have warned that skipping breakfast may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic problems. A study by Samsung Medical Center found that people who skipped breakfast had higher risks of heart and metabolic diseases than those who ate three regular meals a day. The research also showed that breakfast skippers had higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and blood pressure than people who did not skip meals. 2025-10-05 10:48:51

PHOTOS: Parade marks National Foundation Day SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - On Oct. 3, Kukhakwon members held a commemorative parade from Anguk-dong Rotary to Jonggak in Seoul’s Jongno District, followed by a ceremony to mark National Foundation Day. The holiday, known as “the day the sky opened,” commemorates the founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean state established by Dangun Wanggeom, and celebrates the beginning of Korean history. 2025-10-03 17:12:07

President Lee urges humanitarian progress on divided families SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung said on October 3 that communication among divided families must move forward and pledged to ask North Korea to treat the matter on humanitarian grounds. Lee invited eight displaced people to the Peace Observatory in Ganghwa, Incheon, on the first day of the Chuseok holiday. He told them decades of separation between relatives were the result of political failures and vowed to work toward improving inter-Korean relations. "Earlier, I saw geese flying freely in a line across the river. Animals can move back and forth without restriction, but people draw lines and point guns at each other if they cross," Lee said. "It is heartbreaking that this has been our reality for so many decades." He noted that tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang have now cut off nearly all contact. "There was a time when families could be reunited and exchange messages, but now even that is gone. I feel remorse that this situation is due to shortcomings in politics, including my own," he said. Lee said he hoped hostility would ease so families could at least learn whether relatives are still alive. "Time is not unlimited. I will do everything possible to improve relations so that the day when families can hear news from their loved ones and meet again comes sooner," he added. During the meeting, participants shared personal requests. One said, "If I have the chance, I want to visit my hometown." Another asked, "I hope the president can help us find out whether our relatives are alive." Others pleaded for even the ability to exchange letters. Lee responded that humanitarian concerns should not be blocked by political or military confrontation. "Even if we compete or clash in other areas, confirming whether divided families are alive and allowing at least the exchange of letters is the responsibility of politics on both sides," he said. He added that relations between Seoul and Pyongyang are "completely cut off and in very poor condition" and remarked that he would ask the North to consider the issue from a humanitarian perspective. The issue of divided families has remained one of the most enduring humanitarian wounds on the Korean Peninsula. Since the 1953 armistice formalized the division, many families have never learned the fate of relatives across the border. More than 70 years later, most of those separated by the war are elderly or have died, and opportunities for reunions grow more limited. According to a government survey, as of 2024, around 134,160 people had registered with the Unification Ministry as separated family members for possible reunions. But only about 37,806 of them remain alive, and more than 66 percent are aged 80 or older. In 2021, the Unification Ministry reported that among 47,004 applicants still alive, the majority were aged 80 or older. Advocates warn the clock is running out. Many registered separated family members have passed away without seeing or hearing from their loved ones in the North. The cessation of exchanges—both official and private—has left many families in limbo. 2025-10-03 15:11:27