TRAVEL: Putrajaya – where modern Malaysia's administrative heart beats KUALA LUMPUR, September 30 (AJP) - Rising from what were once rubber and oil palm plantations, Putrajaya stands as a testament to Malaysia's ambitious modernization. The 4,931-hectare garden city, transformed from former plantations, became Malaysia's federal administrative capital after officially established in 1999. Now just 26 years young, the city prepares to host ASEAN meetings throughout 2025 under Malaysia's chairmanship. Named after Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Putrajaya derives from Sanskrit – "putra" meaning "son" and "jaya" meaning "victory." The Prime Minister's office moved here in 1999, and today all governmental organizations except the Defense and Public Amenities ministries operate from this meticulously planned district. From atop the hill, Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister's office complex, watches over ministerial buildings that stand just a sidewalk apart. Below Perdana Putra lies Dataran Putra (Putra Square), a 300-meter circular plaza featuring concentric star patterns. The national flag flies from a towering flagpole, surrounded by flags of all 14 Malaysian states. The square's 11 segments form pointed stars symbolizing the original states at independence, while the central fountain represents unity. Distinguished by its magnificent rose-tinted granite dome, Putra Mosque glows pink in the Malaysian sun and accommodates 15,000 worshippers. Its design draws from famous Islamic architecture – the basement wall echoes Casablanca's King Hassan Mosque, while the minaret recalls Baghdad's Sheikh Omar Mosque. Non-Muslim visitors must follow a separate entrance route, with women required to wear provided red robes that completely cover their clothing. Across the governmental landscape stands the revolutionary Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, known as the "Iron Mosque." Built with 6,000 tons of reinforced steel comprising 70 percent of its structure, it accommodates 24,000 worshippers in an area twice that of Putra Mosque. Breaking from tradition, it features no minaret but employs cutting-edge Gas District Cooling technology and natural ventilation through steel lattice screens, eliminating the need for fans or air conditioning. 2025-09-30 13:50:36

[[South Korea-Japan Ties]] K-wave sweeps Osaka Expo and Koreatown Editor’s Note: Aju Business Daily is publishing a special series to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan. The series reflects on the renewed relationship between the two neighbors. SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Visitors queued for hours to enter the Korean Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, featuring K-pop stars and entertainment, as it has turned into one of the hottest draws during the world fair running from April to October. "There is no official ranking, but the Korean section stands only next to Japan, the United Stets, France, and Italy in popularity," said Park Young-hwan, director of the Korean Pavilion, noting daily visitors, largely families and young people, have surged from 10,000 to 15,000 amid fever around the KPop Demon Hunters to top 2 million so far this month. The expo closes on Oct. 13. Korean dishes were the first to be sold out at the Expo food court. The renewed K-wave is visible beyond the fairgrounds, from the Tsuruhashi Station to Shin-Okubo, the Koreatown in Shinjuku's Ikuno ward. Fans of Korean culture and food fill the neighborhood packed with Korean stores and eateries including well-known Korean franchise names like Nene Chicken and Jaws Tteobokki. Within a 500-meter radius of Shin-Okubo Station, visitors can find a variety of Korean cultural products. Popular items include tteokbokki, chicken, kimbap, and kimchi pork belly, alongside trendier treats like yogurt ice cream and spicy hot dogs. The 'Jongno' hot dog shop and 'Gwangjang Market' restaurant, known for raw beef and octopus dishes, often demand long waiting. Most visitors are women in their 20s to 40s, drawn by K-pop and sweets. "Trying Korean style is a fad for my age, said Airi, 25, giggling with her friend Sukimo, 23. Local merchants say customers have grown more sophisticated, able to distinguish between different brands of seaweed and rice cakes and less needing shop assistance. According to the Shinjuku Korean Merchants Association, Korean-run shops in Shin-Okubo more than tripled from 396 in 2017 to 1,485 this year. The surge in consumer traffic has sent property values soaring, with commercial properties now fetching 850 to 880 million yen per 3.3 square meters, two to three times higher than in 2020. An S Real Estate representative, who has been in doing business in the town for 20 years, said landlords have become selective about tenants with soaring demand for ground-floor retail spaces. Commercial properties yield annual returns of 6.5% to 9%. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 11:02:03

First lady skips official engagements due to ear-related illness SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - First Lady Kim Hea Kyung is not accompanying President Lee Jae-myung to his summit with outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Busan on Tuesday. In a press briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, presidential physician Park Sang-min said that Kim "suffered sudden dizziness last night" and was diagnosed with otolithiasis, an inner ear condition that causes vertigo. "She got much better but still experiences dizziness, so she will rest for a few days," Park said. He added that vertigo often requires maintaining a stable lifestyle and avoiding sudden head movements even after treatment, meaning that she will skip official events for a while. Kim was initially scheduled to meet Yoshiko Ishiba, the wife of the Japanese leader, for a spousal event as part of the summit. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 10:41:17

INTERVIEW: S. Korea invests in rural resilience as climate extremes worsen SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korean farmers are feeling the intensifying pressures of climate change, from searing heat to destructive rains. Few know this better than Kim In-jung, the newly appointed head of the Korea Rural Community Corporation, who says the task before him is nothing less than safeguarding the nation’s food supply. “We are all experiencing the effects of climate change,” Kim said in an interview on Sept. 22. “This summer, the national average temperature was 27.7 degrees Celsius, the highest on record. Some areas faced extreme rainfall, while others endured drought. Our urgent task is to ensure farmers can work safely and efficiently.” The country has endured both ends of the climate spectrum in recent months. From Aug. 30 to Sept. 22, a severe drought led to the first-ever national disaster declaration in Gangneung, a coastal city on the east. Just weeks earlier, torrential rains inundated parts of the central Chungcheong region, causing extensive damage. Such swings, Kim warned, are likely to become more common. Since taking office in May, he has focused on preparing for extreme weather — inspecting reservoirs, reinforcing safety systems and expanding water storage. Reservoir upgrades and the wider use of groundwater dams, which are less vulnerable to weather shifts, are central to his plans. Five such dams now supply 120,000 tons of water daily, and the corporation hopes to expand that network to 39 sites. But South Korea’s challenges go beyond water. Food self-sufficiency remains stubbornly low: while overall agricultural self-sufficiency stood at 49 percent in 2023, the country produces little of its own wheat and corn. Kim argues that building a stronger production base for non-rice crops, along with better irrigation and drainage systems, is essential for food sovereignty. The aging farm population adds urgency. More than half of South Korea’s farm operators are now over 70. To attract younger farmers, the corporation is developing programs to provide land, greenhouse rentals and housing, easing barriers to entry for a new generation. Kim said safety is another pressing concern. A majority of the country’s reservoirs are rated in poor condition, yet only about 50 are repaired each year. Ahead of this summer’s heavy rains, the corporation preemptively lowered reservoir levels to create space for 1.2 billion tons of water and cleared thousands of kilometers of drainage channels. A joint emergency response system operated more than 3,400 reservoirs and 1,000 pumping stations. Kim, a nearly 30-year veteran of agricultural and rural development policy, also wants to modernize the corporation itself — from management culture to workplace safety. Initiatives now include mandatory two-person teams, smart monitoring devices and worker-led risk assessments. “We must create a workplace free of industrial accidents,” he said. Longer term, the corporation is turning to rural revitalization. Under the Rural Restructuring Act, enacted last year, it is backing projects to reimagine rural areas with investments in renewable energy and community development. For Kim, the mission is clear: adapting to climate change, strengthening food security and keeping farmers safe. “We cannot stop the weather from changing,” he said. “But we can prepare for it, and we can protect those who put food on our tables.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 10:37:22

HD Hyundai Heavy begins overhaul of US Navy ship in Ulsan The U.S. Navy's Alan Shepard supply vessel/ HD Hyundai Heavy Industries SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has begun maintenance work on the U.S. Navy’s supply vessel USNS Alan Shepard, a contract that underscores the growing role of South Korean shipyards in servicing American military assets in Asia. The 41,000-ton vessel, part of the Navy’s 7th Fleet, has arrived at Yeompo Pier near Ulsan for a scheduled overhaul, the company said Monday. The ship, which measures 210 meters in length and 32 meters in width, will undergo safety equipment checks, tank servicing and other inspections, with work expected to be completed by the end of the year. The deal was secured in August and is among the most recent in a series of maintenance, repair and overhaul — known as MRO — projects that HD Hyundai has taken on for the U.S. Navy. Since 2022, the company has also operated a logistics support center in the Philippines, handling similar contracts for vessels delivered there. The shipbuilder is positioning itself more aggressively in the defense sector as it prepares for a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. The consolidation would allow HD Hyundai to expand its capacity for international naval projects by combining Ulsan’s heavy industrial expertise with Mipo’s facilities and docks. “We are committed to delivering successful MRO services to ensure the satisfaction of our client, the U.S. Navy, leveraging our advanced technology and expertise,” said Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai’s special ship division. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 10:20:01

[[South Korea-Japan Ties]] Korea, Japan explore power link as AI drives electricity demand Editor’s Note: Aju Business Daily is publishing a special series to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan. The series reflects on the renewed relationship between the two neighbors. SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - As artificial intelligence drives a surge in global electricity demand, South Korea and Japan are positioning themselves as unlikely but pragmatic partners in rethinking the future of power infrastructure. Park Tae-geun, chief executive of LS Electric Japan, said the two countries’ complementary strengths could help overcome some of the most pressing challenges in energy efficiency. Japan brings more than a century of expertise in alternating current (AC) technology, while South Korea has emerged as a leader in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. “AC technology is still dominated by the United States, Europe and Japan,” Park said in an interview in Tokyo. “But South Korea’s HVDC is highly competitive. Together, we can chart a path forward.” The stakes are rising quickly. The International Energy Agency projects that electricity consumption by data centers will double by 2030, a surge driven by the computing power needed for artificial intelligence. Direct current (DC) distribution systems — more than 10 percent more efficient than conventional AC — are increasingly seen as essential for powering next-generation data centers. South Korea has already notched key milestones, including the creation of international standards for medium-voltage DC and the localization of HVDC transformer technology. Japan, with its longstanding grid know-how, offers a foundation for scaling the systems across Asia. The collaboration is already taking shape. LS Electric is working with Kyudenko, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power, to supply HVDC transformers for a 470-megawatt solar project on Ukujima Island. The companies also see opportunities in Japan’s growing market for battery energy storage systems. Perhaps the most ambitious idea is what some executives call a “Korea-Japan Energy Highway” — an undersea grid connection linking Busan to Kyushu via Tsushima Island. Such a project, if realized, could stabilize power prices, accelerate renewable energy adoption and serve as a regional model for cross-border cooperation. CEO Park acknowledged that the plan will require more than corporate initiative. “For this to succeed, political and diplomatic support is indispensable,” he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 10:02:51

[[South Korea-Japan Ties]] Food makers set sights on Japan to conquer global palates Editor's Note: Aju Business Daily is publishing a special series to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan. The series reflects on the renewed relationship between the two neighbors. SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - With South Korean cuisine's growing global appeal, Japan is emerging as the next key market for its further growth. According to a report released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Monday, exports of agricultural products and other food items to Japan reached a record $9.98 billion last year, boosted by shipments of instant noodles surging 31.1 percent to US$1.2 billion. If this upward trend continues, total annual exports to the neighboring island country are expected to surpass $10 billion this year, prompting many market researchers to raise rosy prospects that Japan's processed food technology and distribution networks would accelerate South Korean food's expansion. If this upward trend continues, total annual exports to the neighboring island country are expected to surpass $10 billion this year, with many market analysts predicting that Japan's advanced processed food technology and streamlined distribution networks could further accelerate the growth of South Korean food products. Japan's demand for high-end processed foods, combined with its extensive supermarket and convenience store chains, fits well with South Korean products, which offer diverse variations including small-quantity items that cater to customers' fast-changing tastes, making Japan an ideal market for localization and joint development. Companies are gaining ground in the market. Instant noodle maker Samyang Foods has expanded its customers in Japan through its local subsidiary, having sold over 100 million units of its signature spicy "Buldak" noodle series from January 2020 to June 2025. Another South Korean noodle giant Nongshim has opened a pop-up store in Tokyo's popular Harajuku district and collaborated with Japanese restaurant chain Yakiniku King to offer its "Shin Ramyun" series. Its latest "Shin Ramyun Toowoomba" cup noodles sold one million units in just two weeks after release across all 7-Eleven stores there. Meanwhile, CJ CheilJedang has invested around $100 million in a factory in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, to produce its 'Bibigo' products locally, with dumpling sales rising about 28 percent in the first half of this year. This marks the first instance of a South Korean food company opening a factory in Japan, signaling a major step in local production. The retailer has also set up pop-up stands in around 200 Don Quijote stores, with plans to expand to more than 600 by the end of this year. Japanese convenience stores are adding South Korean products to their shelves, with Lawson offering lunch boxes made with Bibigo hot pepper paste and 7-Eleven hosting events featuring low-sodium, small-packaged South Korean foods. Government-level efforts to promote South Korean food overseas continue, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hosting the 2025 APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Incheon in August to discuss explore export opportunities with Japan and China. In May, South Korea held promotional events at the Osaka Expo to showcase Korean food to participants, including consumers and retailers. Industry experts believe that partnerships with local Japanese companies will accelerate market entry and help tackle highly regulated markets such as North America and Europe in the future. "Japan is a strategically important market that will help us expand into other regions," one exporter said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 09:59:25

Korea unsure about a currency swap tied to trade deal with US-security adviser SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korea is not "optimistic" about securing a currency swap agreement as a safeguard for the pledged $350 billion investment to the United States, according to Seoul's top security official, who nevertheless expected a trade deal to lower tariffs for Korean exports to eventually come through. "Our government has suggested a currency swap line, but it will not be easy, given precedent in how the U.S. has handled such arrangements," National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told local reporters Monday. Wi emphasized that a currency swap alone cannot not resolve all issues as "sufficient conditions" must be met for a deal to be finalized. He was referring to the stalemated negotiations between Seoul and Washington over the Korean proposed $350 billion investment in return for the lowering of tariffs on Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent. U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Seoul to provide the funds "up front", which Seoul resists in fear of stoking a financial crisis as such bulky outlay amounts to 80 percent of the country's foreign exchange reserve. The U.S. dollar has been hovering above 1,400 won amid the concerns. South Korea last drew a temporary currency swap lines with the U.S. during the 2008 global financial crisis and 2020 pandemic. The former career diplomat however said he was "not that pessimistic" about an eventual deal, expressing hope for a momentum during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in South Korea. On defense matters, Wi said Seoul and Washington have "reached equilibrium" on security package that includes Korea's increase in defense spending and revisions to a nuclear pact. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 09:14:53

OPINION: Robo-taxis promise change. But do they deliver progress? Innovation has become one of the most abused words in our collective vocabulary. Every new app, gadget or piece of software is branded as revolutionary, as if the mere act of introducing technology were synonymous with progress. Robo-taxis, for instance, are being touted as the future of urban mobility. But let’s be clear: simply rolling out driverless cars is not innovation. Real innovation does not mean discarding the old for the shiny and new. It means expanding access, making products and services available to people who previously lacked them. If robo-taxis do nothing more than replace existing cabs — while displacing drivers who depend on that livelihood — we haven’t advanced at all. We’ve shifted costs onto workers and society without adding benefits. History offers cautionary examples. In India, well-meaning efforts to install public toilets fell flat when cultural norms and incentives to use them were ignored. The infrastructure existed, but the intended impact never materialized. Technology without adoption is not progress; it is waste. What works instead is a pull strategy — meeting genuine needs that bring people in, rather than pushing change onto a reluctant market. Successful innovations often start imperfectly, but they evolve in response to demand. Think of the early days of mobile banking in Africa, which grew not because someone declared it the future, but because it solved an urgent problem: providing financial access where traditional banks had failed. The lesson for robo-taxis — and for any new technology — is simple. Ask not whether it can be built, but whether it can solve real transportation challenges. Can it lower costs for underserved riders? Can it connect communities where traditional taxis don’t go? Can it reduce congestion or expand access for the elderly and disabled? Only then will it deserve the mantle of innovation. Progress is not about replacing the familiar with the novel. It is about expanding opportunity. If we forget that, our so-called innovations will amount to little more than expensive experiments — while the real work of solving society’s problems remains undone. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 08:39:57

Lee travels to Busan for talks with outgoing Japanese PM SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is holding talks with outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Busan on Tuesday. The two leaders will discuss expanding cooperation in areas such as declining population and regional development as well as advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and hydrogen energy. Although not on the official agenda, South Korea's stalled tariff negotiations with the U.S. are also likely to be discussed, given that Japan has already concluded its own talks with Washington. Tuesday's meeting marks their third, after they first met at the G7 summit in Canada in mid-June, followed by another meeting in Tokyo late last month. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-30 08:34:36