Lee welcomes new ambassadors SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - A group of newly appointed ambassadors to South Korea presented their credentials to President Lee Jae Myung on Monday. Among them were Philippe Lapointe of Canada, Mikkel Hemniti Winther of Denmark, Tanel Sepp of Estonia, Hugo Astuto of the European Union, Bartosz Wiśniewski of Poland, Wong Kai Jun of Singapore and Nadine Olivieri Lozano of Switzerland. Earlier this month, Lee received credentials from the ambassadors of Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Spain. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 13:51:43

ASEAN students receive scholarships from Chung Mong-Koo Foundation SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation of South Korea has awarded scholarships to 13 students from across Southeast Asia, the latest recipients in a program that has supported hundreds of young scholars since its creation in 2012. At a ceremony held Sept. 27 in central Seoul, the foundation announced that the new recipients — from Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines — will begin graduate and undergraduate studies in 2026 at some of South Korea’s most prestigious universities, including Seoul National University, Korea University and KAIST. The scholarships, covering full tuition and living expenses, reflect Hyundai Motor Group honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo’s philosophy of investing in talent. Each student receives not only tuition but also an annual study grant of 14.4 million won (about $10,500), along with settlement and graduation stipends. Additional funds are available for research and academic conferences. Since 2011, the foundation has provided financial support to more than 240 international students from eight ASEAN countries, in addition to Korean students, with total funding reaching 140 billion won. On average, each recipient receives about 57 million won over the course of their studies. Beyond financial aid, the program fosters networking and academic growth through summer camps, seminars and collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Social Development. Graduates become part of the Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship Fellows community, maintaining ties across borders. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 11:15:20

K-Tattoo: next in Korea's art pipeline after lifting of 33-year ban SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - A white butterfly flutters off a branch laden with plum, violet, and pink-white blossoms. It looks like a page from a traditional Korean painting, bold yet meticulous brushwork symbolizing resilience and renewal — except here, the canvas is not silk or paper, but skin. To 27-year-old tattooist Seolhee, skin is a "walking gallery." She left a career designing hanbok — traditional Korean dresses — to pursue tattooing, considered an illegal path in Korea until last week. Plum blossoms have become her signature motif, attracting clients from abroad through social media. "I love the meaning behind plum blossoms and the idea of painting life itself," she said. "When drawing branches, men tend to use bold, strong lines, while women express them more delicately — and I find that very special." "I design each piece to match the placement, size, and colors they want, so the tattoo feels harmonious with their body," she explained. "Above all, I hope people see it as a work of art." Seolhee is part of a rising generation of Korean tattooists who work freely, unbothered by the old stigma of illegality that haunted their predecessors. Earlier pioneers expressed fury, frustration, and rebellion in underground studios, their art linked with outcasts, rappers, and dissenters. By contrast, today's generation has gained international recognition for subtlety, delicacy, and playfulness. "Foreign artists are fascinated by how delicate our designs are – tiny dogs, plum blossoms, calligraphy-inspired lines," Seolhee noted. Her brightly lit studio in central Seoul's Yongsan district reflects how far the industry has come. And now, after decades in the shadows, tattooing has finally emerged into the full open. Last week, South Korea's parliament passed the Tattooist Act, formally legalizing the profession for the first time in 33 years. Since 1992, only licensed medical doctors had been allowed to perform tattooing. Thousands of artists were forced underground, even as tattoos and semi-permanent makeup surged in popularity. The Ministry of Health and Welfare estimated in 2021 that some 350,000 tattooists were active, mostly offering eyebrow, lip, and hairline enhancements. Surveys suggest that nearly a third of South Korean adults — about 13 million people — have tattoos or semi-permanent procedures. Yet the penalties were severe: up to five years in prison or fines of 50 million won ($35,000). Many artists went abroad or built reputations online, ironically raising the global profile of "K-tattoo" aesthetics — delicate brush-inspired lines, watercolor effects, and traditional motifs like blossoms, cranes, or calligraphy strokes. "Korean tattooists are eagerly sought out by international fans," said Seolhee, who blends East Asian painting traditions with pop-cultural references. "Tattoos last for life, so I want them to carry dreams and hope. I use the gumiho — the nine-tailed fox from our folktales — as a recurring motif. It’s a mischievous, mysterious creature, and I hope my work can help share its unique story with a wider audience,” she added. "Simply saying, 'I'm a Korean tattooist,' already carries weight abroad." For veterans of the scene, legalization comes after decades of frustration. "Many of us have struggled under decades of restrictions, facing penalties just for practicing our craft," said Song Kang-seob, president of the Korea Tattoo Association. "Now, we hope this change allows the industry to grow without the shadow of illegality." Korean tattooists have been winning international awards for years, he noted. With legal recognition at last, the industry stands ready to blossom alongside the global popularity of K-pop, K-drama, and K-beauty. "The ban lift came too late — but better late than never," Song said. 2025-09-29 11:13:13

Naver's e-commerce gains boost from strategic alliance SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - Naver, a distant second in Korea's e-commerce market, has received a boost through strategic alliances it has struck with premium-grocery platform Kurly and Uber delivery service to stay in the competition versus dominant local player Coupang and fast-rising Chinese entrants. According to Mobile Index, Naver's shopping app, Naver Plus Store, saw its monthly active users (MAU) rise to 3.86 million last month, snapping a two-month decline, timed with its tie-up with Kurly, which handles fresh food platform Market Kurly. This month, Naver launched 'KurlyN Mart' in partnership with Kurly, integrating it with Naver Plus Membership. Members can receive free next-day delivery on fresh food orders over 20,000 won. Weekly active users (WAU) have surged from 2.3 million to 2.81 million in three weeks. Naver's alliances extend to mobility, with Uber's subscription service, Uber One, now part of Naver Plus Membership. Members earn 5-10% credit on Uber rides, aiming to unify shopping and transportation under one membership. To counter overnight "rocket delivery" service of Coupang and low-price strategy of AliExpress, Naver has chosen strategic partnership on premium brands. "We prefer strategic partnerships over handling basic groceries ourselves, which allows us to seek growth efficiently," said Lee Yoon-sook, head of Naver Shopping. Naver recently acquired Kurly shares worth 50-60 billion won. "Membership users are responding well, and with the Chuseok holiday approaching, we expect more users to shop, especially with available overnight delivery," a Naver official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 11:08:43

South Koreans head abroad for Chuseok while foreign tourists pour in SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - As Chuseok, one of the country's largest holidays of the year, is set to begin later this week, many South Koreans are traveling abroad en masse, opting trips over the traditional ritual of visiting their ancestral graves, while rising numbers of foreign tourists here are raising expectations for a boost to the domestic travel industry. According to global online travel platform Trip.com, the number of South Koreans traveling overseas during the weeklong Chuseok holiday has surged by about 80 percent, compared to last year. Notably, 62 percent of flight bookings are for short-haul destinations such as Japan and Southeast Asia. Foreign arrivals in Seoul have also risen sharply. During China's lengthy "Golden Week" period from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8, travelers from Japan, Taiwan, Viet Nam, and China led in bookings to South Korea. The number of visitors from Australia and Indonesia increased by 84 percent and 63 percent, respectively, while Canada recorded a triple-digit increase, indicating South Korea's growing appeal beyond Asia. This trend reflects South Korea's emergence as a global tourist destination, attracting long-haul travelers. In Trip.com's latest rankings of the world's top tourist destinations, Seoul ranked third and Jeju tenth, with Seoul recognized for its K-pop, shopping, and nightlife, and Jeju noted for its natural beauty and leisure activities. Hong Jong-min, Trip.com's country manager, said, "The global popularity of Seoul and Jeju is a testament to South Korea's growing appeal as a destination for travelers worldwide." * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 11:07:22

Samsung Heavy signs partnership with Indian shipyard Namgoong Geum-seong of Samsung Heavy Industries, right, and Vipin Kumar Saxena of India's Swan Shipyard pose after signing an MOU on Sept. 29. Courtesy of Samsung Heavy Industries SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries said Monday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, an Indian shipyard, in a move to expand its global footprint in shipbuilding and marine projects. The agreement positions Samsung Heavy to collaborate with Swan on ship design, procurement and production management. The Indian company operates the nation’s largest dry dock, capable of building very large crude carriers and offshore facilities. For Samsung Heavy, the partnership offers a production foothold in India. The company said it intends to scale up its operations there gradually. “This collaboration combines technology and market opportunities, creating a win-win model for both companies,” Namgoong Geum-seong, head of Samsung’s production support division, said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 10:33:14

Gov't services remain crippled as recovery drags on SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - A nationwide network outage caused by a fire at a state-run data center has entered its fourth day, with recovery efforts still below 5 percent. As of Monday, key services, including Government24, remain offline, and full recovery is expected to take at least two weeks. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, only 30 of nearly 650 affected systems have been restored, with a recovery rate of just 4.6 percent, following the fire at the National Computing and Information Agency in Daejeon, which hosts servers for most government agencies and facilities nationwide. Efforts are underway to restart approximately 500 systems in unaffected areas of the agency, while 96 systems directly damaged by the fire are expected to face prolonged delays in restoration. A ministry official said, "Relocating and reinstalling these servers at another data center in Daegu is more efficient, and the process is expected to take about two weeks." Meanwhile, the slow recovery is causing major disruptions, forcing citizens to visit local district offices or make phone calls to book or access various administrative services. Yoon Ho-jung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "We will do our best to minimize public inconvenience by transparently sharing recovery progress and other relevant information." * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 10:25:14

OpenAI appoints former Google Korea head as first South Korea chief SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - OpenAI has named Kim Kyung-hoon, a former head of Google Korea, as its first chief executive in South Korea, the company announced Monday. Kim, who has more than two decades of experience in global technology and consulting, will lead OpenAI’s strategic partnerships and oversee the expansion of its artificial intelligence ecosystem in the country. The appointment comes amid surging demand for the company’s products in South Korea. Weekly active users of ChatGPT have risen more than fourfold from a year ago, according to OpenAI. Kim served as president of Google Korea from 2021 until recently, steering the growth of the company’s advertising business while supporting local AI and digital development through startup and developer initiatives. He previously led Google’s marketing solutions team in Korea and managed strategy and operations for the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on mobile and search advertising. He holds a computer engineering degree from Seoul National University and an MBA from Duke University. He also serves on the board of AMCHAM Korea, where he has contributed to policy discussions on information technology, cybersecurity and digital content. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 09:52:59

OPINION: South Korea's illusion of peace At the recent United Nations General Assembly, President Lee Jae Myung unveiled his "END Initiative," a plan aimed at ending the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula through exchange, normalization, and denuclearization. While presented as a flexible, multi-pronged approach, the initiative raises a critical, uncomfortable question: Does South Korea still suffer from the fatal illusion that North Korea can be coaxed away from its nuclear arsenal? The reality is that Lee’s plan, despite its new acronym, risks repeating the strategic mistakes of the past two decades. Critics are right to fear that the core nuclear issue might be diluted or neglected in the pursuit of improved inter-Korean ties. Pyongyang’s commitment to its nuclear program has proven stronger than any diplomatic or economic inducement. The demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office in 2020 and Kim Jong-un’s recent declaration of the South as a hostile entity underscore his regime’s unwavering, nuclear-first focus. Historically, South Korea has often been its own worst enemy in this dynamic, exhibiting an eagerness to provide aid and seek sanctions relief that effectively subsidized Pyongyang’s defiance. This passive, almost supplicatory approach — illustrated by the historical anecdote of North Korean journalists jokingly seeking more inter-Korean cooperation funds — created a strategic vulnerability. It fostered a dangerous mindset, even among some in the South, that North Korea's nuclear weapons might eventually benefit a unified Korea. This ideological leniency undoubtedly contributed to the current situation where a nuclear-armed North Korea is an immutable reality. The failure of past policies is stark. The 2018 Singapore and 2019 Hanoi summits handed Kim Jong-un international legitimacy without requiring any significant concessions, validating the utility of his nuclear weapons. Even during the Clinton administration, when the U.S. weighed a surgical strike on North Korea's nuclear facilities, South Korean opposition was enough to stop it. We are now living with the consequences of that hesitancy and the long-term failure of the goal to achieve denuclearization through engagement alone. It is now difficult, if not impossible, to imagine a "nuclear-free North Korea." The regime’s economic failures have only cemented its reliance on nuclear capabilities as the ultimate guarantor of its survival. South Korea must abandon the pretense that simple exchange and normalization will somehow undo a nuclear state. The strategic conversation must pivot from denuclearization to deterrence. The time has come for a serious, public reassessment of South Korea’s nuclear strategy. This requires moving beyond wishful thinking and embracing a tough-minded realism. Options now being discussed, such as reintroducing U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, ensuring a constant presence of armed U.S. nuclear submarines in Korean waters, or even enhancing South Korea’s own nuclear capabilities to match regional rivals, must be put on the table. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s recent comments about potentially easing restrictions on uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing may signal a necessary shift in attitude. The END Initiative offers a nostalgic echo of failed peace plans. To ensure the true end of the Cold War — and not merely the end of South Korean diplomatic leverage — President Lee must acknowledge the nuclear reality and prioritize a credible, powerful strategy of deterrence. Only then can any meaningful form of exchange and normalization proceed from a position of strength, rather than hope. About the author -Ph.D. in Political Science from Korea University -Former Political Editor, Editorial Chief at Dong-A Ilbo -Former President of the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency * This column, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 09:43:48

INTERVIEW: Stronger South Korea-Japan cooperation needed to navigate U.S.-China rivalry and foster future industries SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - "Japan is a 'nation of accumulation,' known for its craftsmanship built over time. In contrast, South Korea is a 'nation of flow,' quickly adapting and integrating changes. By combining these strengths, South Korea and Japan can create a new balance against the U.S. and China," said Professor Guk Joong-ho of Yokohama City University. In an interview with Aju Business Daily earlier this month, Guk highlighted the need for South Korea and Japan to strengthen cooperation amid the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, as the WTO's free trade system is no longer effective. He emphasized the importance of securing leadership in future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and energy through bilateral collaboration. Guk, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Hitotsubashi University, has been teaching at Yokohama City University since 1999 and is a visiting professor at Keio University. He has over 30 years of experience studying South Korea-Japan relations. He suggested that South Korean exporters could fill gaps in Japanese industries, such as traditional liquor, where Japan excels in quality but lacks marketing and digital skills. By leveraging South Korea's digital expertise, both countries could benefit. Looking ahead to the years following U.S. President Donald Trump's presidency, which ends in 2029, Guk advised South Korea to prepare for a multipolar world by engaging with international groups such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, and the Global South. He also stressed the importance of fostering talent exchange to strengthen advanced industries. "In Japan, there is a culture in which talented individuals who studied at universities do not hesitate to return to their hometowns after graduation to contribute to local communities," he said, proposing the establishment of a talent exchange program that "matches individuals interested in the culture and economy of both countries and provides adaptation training, which could be an effective approach." Guk added generational differences in perceptions of South Korea, with younger Japanese showing more favorable attitudes toward Korean culture. But he warned of the growing influence of right-wing politics in Japan, which could impact bilateral relations. Guk concluded that patience and understanding of Japan's cautious approach are crucial for successful cooperation. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 09:32:21