INTERVIEW: Young N. Korean defectors seek to break stigma inside and outside SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Portraying North Korean life in a truer light—rather than through stigmatized or patronizing lenses—and linking the reclusive state with the outside world through flash drives is the core mission of young defectors, according to a human rights activist. "While media coverage has shifted from rumor-driven reports to more fact-based accounts, portrayals still tend to be oversimplified," said Seongmin Lee, who heads the Korea desk and programs at the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, in an interview with AJP. "The country is often shown as a place where everyone moves in lockstep under central orders, ignoring regional and class differences. Human rights stories are usually reduced to 'government as perpetrator, citizens as victims.'" Lee argues that defectors, who combine lived experience with active networks inside the country, can provide nuance missing from mainstream narratives. "There are about 34,000 defectors in South Korea, but their voices are rarely heard in the international arena, especially in English," said Lee, who fled the North in 2009, later studied political science at Columbia University, and went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration. Now a U.S. citizen, he divides his time between New York and Seoul. One of the projects Lee oversees is "Flash Drives for Freedom," launched in 2016. The program smuggles donated USB sticks into North Korea, packed with films, TV dramas, e-books, and other content to give ordinary citizens a glimpse of the outside world. "North Koreans cannot use the internet, make international calls, or travel abroad, so USBs remain a vital tool. We have sent about 140,000 so far," Lee said. The drives were once carried by balloons along with leaflets, but since Seoul banned the practice to ease ties with Pyongyang, activists now move them through China or third countries. Lee emphasized that the project operates independently of South Korea’s shifting political stance. Lee also leads NK Insider, an English-language online magazine launched in January 2024 that focuses on analysis and opinion. More than half of its roughly 300 published articles are written by defectors themselves, drawing around 20,000 subscribers in 97 countries. Daily traffic runs in the hundreds to thousands, and the site has endured frequent hacking attempts. "That shows we are being effective," Lee said. Much of NK Insider’s reporting relies on information from North Korea’s border provinces—North Pyongan, Ryanggang, and North Hamgyong—or from North Korean workers in Chinese cities. While pandemic-era border closures restricted access, Lee says conditions have since eased. The ultimate goal, he stressed, is to ensure that defectors’ voices are not sidelined: "We will continue to provide diverse and in-depth content centered on the experiences of people who actually lived in North Korea." 2025-10-02 15:38:03

TRAVEL: Walking through the independence history of Malaysia, diverse ethnicities working as one KUALA LUMPUR, October 02 (AJP) - On Aug. 31, 1957, Malaysia peacefully liberated itself from British colonization. Its first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, raised his fists and declared the full independence of the nation. Today, the once British site for colonial officers stands as Independence Square, also known as Merdeka Square. While not particularly large, the square has the highest flagpole in all of Malaysia, with the country's flag standing upright surrounded by its 14 state flags. In the distance, one can easily spot Merdeka 118, the second tallest building and structure in the world. Its distinctive spire resembles Tunku Abdul Rahman's outstretched hand celebrating independence. Standing inside the square is the Royal Selangor Club, once a luxurious parlor for British officers to enjoy their afternoons. Now, club membership is awarded to only a handful of prestigious Malaysian giants and tycoons, while the exterior of the building still retains its red and white appearance. Next to the clubhouse stands St. Mary's Cathedral, one of the few centers for Anglican believers in a nation dominated by Muslims. Around the corner stands the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad Building, once a symbol of British colonial administration. The building is now undergoing renovation to preserve its history—a painful yet significant part of Malaysia's past. From an aerial view, the building is shaped like the letter 'F,' standing for 'Federal.' Walking downtown, one can spot the Central Market Kuala Lumpur, once a so-called 'wet market' selling fish and vegetables in 1888, refurbished in the 1980s as a local shopping center for tourists and Malaysians alike. Gift shops selling souvenirs occupy the first floor, while the second floor has various traditional Batik clothing stores and food stalls. On the second floor is a small history museum portraying the nation's history. During British colonial rule, the Malaysian population consisted mainly of three ethnic groups: the Malays for general farming, Chinese for tin mining, and Indians for rubber harvesting. The Chinese and Indians all preserve their heritage throughout parts of the city. The Chinese have their Sin Sze Si Ya Temple to honor their former 'Kapitan China,' including Yap Ah Loy, the last yet most prominent figure of Chinese leadership in colonial Malaysia. As for the Indians, just a few blocks away stands the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur. The outer pillars and decorations all depict different gods of the Hindu religion, serving as a local haven for Indians to find comfort. 2025-10-02 15:30:52

How Seoul blends K-pop, tech and diplomacy at APEC SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - This year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit arrives at a tense moment of tariff wars between allies and rivals, but host South Korea is showcasing a deft blend of diplomacy, technology and cultural soft power. The two-day leaders’ summit, beginning Oct. 31, will cover supply chain security, digital trade rules and climate cooperation. Alongside the traditional agenda, Seoul is infusing the stage with high technology and K-pop, highlighting both its economic strengths and cultural appeal. The official slogan of this year’s APEC is “Connect, Innovate, Prosper.” South Korea intends to spotlight trade liberalization, digital economy governance and climate action. The political centerpiece will be the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping—closely watched for any mention of shared interests, including North Korea. Cultural diplomacy features prominently. G-Dragon, the K-pop icon, has been named envoy for the summit. The APEC Music Festa on Oct. 10 at Gyeongju Civic Stadium will feature groups such as Billlie, NCT WISH, Yena, ONF, ONEUS and WEi. Beyond K-pop, programs will showcase Korea’s heritage: the Seorabeol Pungnyu traditional performance series at historic sites, a Nam June Paik exhibition at the Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art, Scent of Korea in Silla at the Solgeo Art Museum, and the Future Heritage Craft Exhibition. Culture also earned a new spot on the APEC agenda. In August, Gyeongju hosted the first High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries, marking the bloc’s first formal recognition of culture as a subject of economic cooperation. Technology is the other showpiece. The Future-Tech Forum (Oct. 27-30) will convene discussions on artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, digital transformation and retail innovation. The K-Tech Showcase will highlight advances from Korean startups, as well as Samsung, Hyundai, SK and international partners. At the APEC CEO Summit, global executives including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are slated to attend. Still, questions remain about substance. Some critics warn that the event risks becoming more spectacle than policy. Koo Min-gyo, professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration, said APEC has historically had limited impact and questioned the choice of Gyeongju as venue. “Hosting an international event should be about setting the agenda and making the country’s voice heard on the international stage,” he said. “In this case, it was driven purely by domestic politics.” 2025-10-02 15:28:53

Hyundai Motor Group reports record US sales in Q3, driven by EVs, hybrids SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group reported its best-ever third-quarter sales in the U.S. market, Thursday, signaling resilience despite trade tensions and the looming expiration of key electric vehicle tax credits. The surge was largely attributed to burgeoning demand for its environmentally friendly vehicles. The combined U.S. sales for Hyundai and its affiliate Kia reached 480,175 units in the third quarter, a substantial 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This performance outpaced most major rivals in the U.S., with only Toyota reporting a higher year-over-year sales increase. The engine of the sales growth was the group's accelerated push into the electric vehicle segment. In the quarter, sales of eco-friendly models — including both electric vehicles and hybrids — soared by 54.5 percent to 135,547 units. Sales of battery-electric vehicles alone climbed 54.4 percent to 45,488 units for the quarter, while hybrid sales also saw a robust gain of 54.6 percent. The momentum was particularly visible in September, where electric vehicle sales nearly doubled year-over-year, driven by models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. For the month of September, the group’s total sales reached 136,510 units, a 12.8 percent increase from a year earlier. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-02 15:21:17

Re-living Korea's past and enjoying today dictate foreign visits to Korea SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - "Gat," the black wide-brimmed hat once essential for Korean men stepping into public, may become this year's hottest Halloween costume in Western societies. The iconic headgear – spotlighted in Saja Boys' "Your Idol" stage performance that won global fans and in Netflix's blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters" – is now a must-try at Everland, Korea's largest theme park in Yongin, just south of Seoul. "I've watched the film twice," said Austin, 48, who visited Korea with his family of fellow fans. "My younger daughter has watched it too many times to count. My older daughter has seen it four times. It was number one in New Zealand for several days." The "KPop Demon Hunters" zone, created in collaboration with Netflix, drew more than 10,000 visitors in its first week. Children and adults alike dress up as Huntrix or Saja Boys, pose for photos, and dance to soundtrack hits such as "Golden" and "Soda Pop" in a concert-like atmosphere. Themed goods fly off the shelves, with the "gat" topping the list as a Halloween souvenir. Signature snacks from the film – Saja Boys' soda pop ade, Huntrix's golden glow ade, or Derpy the tiger's berry world – add to the fun. The Huntrix Set at the snack bar has become the runaway favorite. Beyond fantasy, "KPop Demon Hunters" has introduced foreign fans to authentic Korean rituals. One of the film's most moving scenes unfolds in a public bathhouse, a space where Koreans traditionally relax, chat, and spend intimate time with family or friends. Visitors eager for the "real" experience often try "sesin," a vigorous body scrubbing and massage service featured in the movie. Another must-stop is a traditional medicine clinic. In the film, Huntrix leader Rumi seeks treatment there after losing her voice during rehearsal. Tourists also line up to try acupuncture or shop for herbal remedies. "I like all Eastern medicine. I think it’s quite interesting," said Jacob Raffly, a 33-year-old American visiting Seoul K-Medi Center with his wife Raina. "I'm half-Korean, so we thought it would be nice to see this side of Korea," Raina added. The cultural pull doesn't end there. The National Museum of Korea in Yongsan – once seen as austere – is now bustling with foreign families and friends, rediscovering ancient relics through the film’s fusion of history and modern storytelling. "I was never into K-pop, but I’ve been fascinated by the culture," said Evan Stauv from France. The museum has seen visitors surge 77.5 percent to 4.33 million as of August, on track to hit 5 million this year. Foreign visitors alone reached nearly 150,000, with July and August numbers spiking after the film's release. Sales at the museum store climbed 34 percent to 11.5 billion won ($8.2 million) and are expected to surpass 20 billion won for the first time. The shopping and food mecca of Myeong-dong remains a perennial favorite for those wanting a taste of today’s Korea. "K-pop was part of the reason," said Lila Destras from France, "but personally I wanted to discover the country as a whole." For many, visiting Korea has shifted from sightseeing to living the culture – stepping into its past while embracing its modern pulse. 2025-10-02 15:07:54

G-Dragon, Park Ji-sung, and other Korean superstars pitch APEC 2025 SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - The APEC 2025 organizing committee released a special promotional video ahead of the summit. K-pop star G-Dragon stars as the ambassador, with cameo appearances by director Park Chan-wook, soccer player Park Ji-sung, IVE's Jang Won-young, chef Ahn Sung-jae, and DJ Peggy Gou. Directed by award-winning Shin Woo-seok, the video begins with APEC members gathering at a fusion Korean restaurant, symbolizing Korea's cultural heritage. President Lee Jae-myung briefly appears as an aircraft marshaller, symbolizing South Korea's orderly return to the international community, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The video was produced with minimal expenses, and all participants volunteered without compensation to support the national event, the ministry added. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-02 15:06:25

INTERVIEW: At Woori's Gangnam center, Kim Jae-sang builds home for super-rich SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - With global stock markets buoyant and demand for tangible assets rising, wealthy investors in South Korea are reassessing where to put their money. For Kim Jae-sang, head of Gangnam Financial Center of Woori Securities, the answers lie in gold — and in Asia’s two largest economies. “Gold has transitioned from a safe haven and inflation hedge to an investment asset,” Kim said in an interview. “And when it comes to equities, China and Japan are increasingly becoming key regions for investment.” Kim, a veteran of South Korea’s private banking sector since 2004, joined Woori Securities in April after leading Shinhan Investment’s Gwanghwamun Financial Center. His move was part of a broader effort by Woori Securities to strengthen its still-nascent retail and wealth management business, building on its successes in investment banking. At the newly relocated and expanded Gangnam Financial Center, which reopened Sept. 16, Kim oversees a team catering to high-net-worth clients. The center currently manages about 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in assets, with a goal of reaching 2 trillion won by year’s end. Asked where he sees the most promising opportunities, Kim pointed to Chinese electric vehicle makers and Japanese equities. “China has companies that are leading the EV transition,” he said. “Japan, despite rate hikes, remains a market where index investing is attractive.” He added that wealthy investors today are more pragmatic, preferring stability and intuitive vehicles such as exchange-traded funds. “What we see now is a growing interest in long-term planning — global equities, alternative investments, AI-driven industries, and intergenerational wealth transfer.” Kim’s strategy at Woori is to harness the client base of Woori Bank, offering tailored solutions that combine global stocks, bonds and alternative assets. In the first half of this year alone, Woori Securities carried out more than 1,000 joint operations with corporate clients, with over 400 at the Gangnam Center. For Kim, the challenge is also personal: to establish Woori Securities as a serious player in retail wealth management. “The potential is there,” he said. “What we’re building now is the foundation.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-02 14:57:18

SK Biopharm's US arm posts record sales of epilepsy drug SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - SK Life Science, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korea’s SK Biopharm, reported record sales of its epilepsy treatment cenobamate in the first half of this year, reaching 170,000 cumulative prescriptions. The company highlighted the achievement during its annual “Plan of Action” meeting in Chicago, as it looks to build momentum in one of the world’s most competitive pharmaceutical markets. More than 130 employees from SK Life Science and SK Biopharm gathered from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 to review performance and outline next steps. Executives said the results marked the strongest sales since Xcopri, as the drug is marketed in the United States, was introduced in 2020. The Chicago meeting, now in its sixth year, also brought in senior staff from the Seoul headquarters to reinforce collaboration between the U.S. unit and its parent company. The event was designed not only to showcase achievements but also to motivate employees ahead of the next growth phase. SK Biopharm, which became the first South Korean drugmaker to build a direct sales operation in the United States, plans to leverage cenobamate’s success to expand its portfolio. “SK Biopharm stands at a crucial turning point to diversify our portfolio and target both current and future markets,” said Lee Dong-hoon, the company’s chief executive. “We expect all divisions to collaborate as one team to create greater synergy.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-02 14:04:06

South Korea emerges as new hub in Asian drug trade after first joint bust with US DEA SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - South Korea's first joint drug operation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has exposed a shift that officials had long warned about. The country is no longer just a market for narcotics but is being used as an exporter and transit hub in the regional drug trade. Police in South Gyeonggi Province said Wednesday that they arrested a 35-year-old woman who ran a beauty supply export company in Uiwang and a man in his 20s who helped with shipments. Three others were booked without detention. Investigators said the group exported more than 8 tons of GBL, the chemical used to make the synthetic drug GHB, to the United States and Australia between June 2024 and June 2025. The value was estimated at 159 billion won, or about $113.5 million. The bust marked the first time South Korea has caught a domestic ring sending drug precursors abroad. It also came just months after DEA Asia-Pacific chief John Scott warned in Busan that "international crime organizations are abusing South Korea's infrastructure as a logistics hub to smuggle narcotics worldwide." He said Mexican cartels, facing losses from tighter U.S. border controls, were turning to Asia and the Pacific. Officials say the pattern is clear. In April, Korean authorities discovered two tons of cocaine hidden aboard a Norwegian cargo ship docked in the eastern port city of Gangneung, traced back to routes through Mexico, Ecuador, and Panama. And now, the GBL export case shows Korea not only being used as a transit stop but as a source of supply. "The partnership between our two agencies has become increasingly important as globalized drug trafficking organizations exploit borders, and as Korea faces rising levels of illegal narcotics activity," said Morgan Mathis, the DEA's country director in Korea. South Korea was once known internationally as a "drug-free nation," but that image has eroded. According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, 23,022 people were arrested on narcotics charges in 2024, equal to 44.7 per 100,000 people. The figure is nearly double the level in 2015, when the United Nations determined South Korea no longer met the threshold of a drug-free country. Most offenders are in their 20s and 30s, and the number of teenage offenders has more than tripled in recent years. Experts point to the spread of anonymous social media platforms, cryptocurrency payments, and non-contact distribution methods such as "throw-off" deliveries as drivers of the surge. These systems have made narcotics easier to buy and sell domestically, while also giving traffickers channels to disguise exports. The police said that they are moving to tighten inspections on low-value exports, which were exempt from thorough checks and allowed the smugglers to slip shipments through customs. "It shows we must strengthen random sampling and testing procedures even for smaller exports, in order to eliminate blind spots," the South Gyeonggi police said. 2025-10-02 14:03:58

OpenAI on board, Korea's AI drive and chip stock rally hit the accelerator SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - South Korea has hit the accelerator in the global race for AI supremacy, drawing global capital and top-tier software players while leveraging its world-class chip and hardware infrastructure to establish itself as Asia’s hub for data centers. On Wednesday, the country’s two leading conglomerates—Samsung and SK Group, both home to the world’s biggest memory chipmakers—announced landmark partnerships with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. The alliance spans the full AI ecosystem—from semiconductor production to data center design, operations, and AI service deployment—with the aim of driving next-generation AI infrastructure innovation. SK hynix, the global leader in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) crucial for AI chips, will supply OpenAI with advanced memory solutions and collaborate on its data center in southwestern Korea under an MoU signed with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. SK Telecom, the group’s wireless carrier, will jointly develop an OpenAI-dedicated AI data center in the region—already dubbed the “Korean Stargate.” Samsung Group struck a separate broad-ranging business partnership with OpenAI covering semiconductors, data centers, and cloud services. The joint venture will engage Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDS, Samsung C&T, and Samsung Heavy Industries to build out global AI infrastructure. The landmark deals come on the heels of Korea’s agreement with BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink during President Lee Jae Myung’s U.S. trip last month. Under the pact, the world’s largest asset manager pledged to channel global capital into Korea’s AI and renewable energy initiatives. “AI development must go hand in hand with decarbonization, given the immense power needs of data centers,” Ha Jung-woo, Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning, said in New York. Chairman Fink, he added, committed to actively facilitate capital flows to help establish Korea as Asia’s “AI Capital.” As not to compromise its decarbonization scheme with AI drive, Seoul is building renewable energy “highways” to power the next wave of AI infrastructure—projects requiring heavy government outlays and large-scale private investment. The initiative has already drawn marquee names including Amazon, BlackRock, and OpenAI. The global spotlight on Korea’s AI push sparked a market rally. The benchmark KOSPI surged 3 percent Thursday to break past the 3,500 milestone. Shares of SK hynix soared 11 percent, Samsung Electronics jumped 5 percent, and foreign investors were net buyers of more than 1.7 trillion won ($1.21 billion) “The structural growth trajectory of the AI industry continues to lift the entire value chain,” said Han Ji-young, researcher at Kiwoom Securities. “Micron’s stock surge underscores expectations that explosive AI demand will drive a super cycle across memory sectors including HBM, DRAM, and NAND.” 2025-10-02 13:31:11