South Korean, Japanese leaders stress closer cooperation amid turbulent times SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation amid a rapidly shifting international environment as the two met for talks in Japan on Tuesday. During their summit in Nara, Takaichi's hometown and Japan's ancient capital during the early imperial era, the two leaders stressed the strategic importance of bilateral relations and agreed to pursue a forward-looking relationship. Expressing delight at hosting the new year's first summit in her hometown as part of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries, Takaichi said Japan and South Korea should strengthen their relationship by "doing their part" while working together for regional stability. She added that last year's 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the neighboring countries showed the resilience of their relationship, and expressed hope to strengthen it further to "begin another 60 years." "Holding the summit in Japan's historic city of Nara is especially meaningful, as the area has long served as a hub of cultural exchange," Lee replied. "At a time when cooperation is more important than ever to navigate a turbulent international order, it is even more meaningful." At a joint press conference after the summit, Lee said the two countries agreed to "closely cooperate for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" and maintain joint efforts on North Korean issues. Lee also stressed that the three Northeast Asian countries - South Korea, China, and Japan - should "find common ground and communicate and cooperate as much as possible," in what appeared to be a reference to rising tensions between China and Japan following Takaichi's comments late last year, shortly after taking office, suggesting that Japan might intervene in a Taiwan contingency. South Korea and Japan also agreed to hold working-level meetings to identify the victims of an undersea coal mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which collapsed in a catastrophic flooding disaster in 1942, killing 183 people, including 136 forced Korean laborers, whose remains were never recovered after the mine's tunnel was sealed. Lee described the progress as a "small but meaningful step forward" on historical issues. On Wednesday, Lee is scheduled to meet with South Korean expatriates before returning home. 2026-01-13 16:31:16

Trump's Taiwan chip 'big deal' reshapes foundry race, puts Korea in strategic bind SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - After extracting concessions from Japan and South Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump is now pressing another semiconductor powerhouse — Taiwan — using trade leverage to pull advanced chip manufacturing onto U.S. soil. Under an emerging deal, Washington plans to cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent from 20 percent in exchange for a major expansion of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, according to a report by The New York Times. TSMC would commit to building at least five additional semiconductor facilities in the United States. The arrangement reflects Trump’s broader strategy of tying trade relief to domestic investment, particularly in industries deemed critical to national security. U.S. officials have indicated that companies expanding production in America could be exempted from potential national-security tariffs imposed under Section 232 of U.S. trade law. For TSMC, the deal would significantly accelerate its transformation of Arizona into a mega-cluster for advanced chips. The Taiwanese chipmaker is already operating one plant in the state and is completing a second scheduled to open in 2028, with more fabs planned for the late 2020s. The new commitment would lift TSMC’s total U.S. investment to an estimated $165 billion, covering advanced manufacturing, packaging facilities and research centers. Samsung Electronics, TSMC’s closest rival in contract chipmaking, has a smaller but expanding U.S. presence. The Korean tech giant operates two fabs in Austin, Texas, and is preparing to begin production at a new foundry in Taylor, Texas, where it has shifted its focus to next-generation two-nanometer technology. The Taylor site is designed to accommodate multiple fabs, though only one is currently nearing completion. The widening gap in U.S. capacity between the world’s two largest foundries comes at a sensitive moment for South Korea. The country’s semiconductor exports hit a record $173.4 billion last year, with shipments to the United States accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total amid surging demand for AI-server memory. Industry watchers say the Trump-TSMC deal could pull Korea’s chipmakers in opposing directions. On one hand, rising geopolitical and tariff risks surrounding Taiwan may prompt major U.S. customers to diversify supply chains, potentially benefiting Samsung’s foundry business as an alternative production base. On the other, TSMC’s push to build a fully integrated “all-in-U.S.” ecosystem — spanning manufacturing, advanced packaging and R&D — is expected to further lock in American customers, raising barriers for rivals seeking new contracts. The policy shift is also likely to intensify competition for investment dollars. If the U.S. manufacturing race accelerates, Korean chipmakers may need to significantly increase North American capital spending beyond current plans, adding pressure to cash flow at a time when the industry is already investing heavily in advanced packaging and high-bandwidth memory for artificial-intelligence systems. For now, officials in Seoul are closely watching how Washington formalizes the deal — particularly the scope of tariff exemptions under Section 232 and how U.S. authorities define a qualifying “facility.” Those details could determine whether Trump’s Taiwan chip “big deal” becomes a catalyst for broader supply-chain diversification — or a turning point that further entrenches TSMC’s dominance on American soil, forcing Korea’s chip champions to rethink their long-term strategy. Kim Yang-paeng, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, said it was difficult to draw a direct line between Washington’s demands on Taiwan and their impact on South Korea, but warned of growing pressure on the global semiconductor ecosystem. “The fact that the U.S. is asking Taiwan to build more fabs does not necessarily mean the same demands will automatically apply to South Korea,” Kim said. “Korea already has broader industrial cooperation with the United States in areas such as shipbuilding and automobiles, which puts it in a different position from Taiwan.” Still, he cautioned that a rapid expansion of TSMC’s U.S. manufacturing capacity could exacerbate oversupply risks and accelerate the shift of global semiconductor production toward America. “If the U.S. increasingly becomes the center of chip manufacturing,” Kim said, “the room for Korea to expand its foundry business over the long term could narrow.” 2026-01-13 16:30:03

Much robotics hoopla at CES 2026 — too many bodies, too few brains SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - At CES 2026, robots flew men off their feet with perfectly timed jabs, flipped through synchronized somersaults and danced with algorithmic confidence. Behind the curtain, those same robots swung wildly into empty air — punches landing nowhere, movements jittery, as if they'd had one cocktail too many before the bout. A human operator stood nearby, joystick hidden behind his back, fingers doing the real work. Welcome to CES 2026, where physical AI was meant to unveil the next technological revolution — and instead delivered a high-budget remake of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. The Consumer Electronics Show has long outgrown its “consumer electronics” label. This year's theme, Innovators Show Up, put physical AI — the fusion of artificial intelligence and robotics — center stage. Nvidia's Jensen Huang, fresh off receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor, loomed over the event, his chips beating inside nearly every robot on display. And there were robots everywhere: humanoids boxing in rings, quadrupeds weaving through crowds with pamphlets strapped to their backs like mechanical huskies, machines serving drinks, greeting visitors, folding clothes. The Las Vegas Convention Center had become a metallic zoo. Strip away the spectacle, and the illusion thinned fast. Strings attached Chasing humanoid makers across the floor — mostly Chinese firms dominating this year's robotics scene — one question kept recurring: Are the processors yours? At AgiBot, confidence came first. “All in-house,” a representative said. Then the pause. “Well… Nvidia runs the main operations.” The same answer echoed at Unix AI, Galaxea Dynamics and Galbot. Chinese bodies, Western brains. That dependency, however, is only half the problem. The bigger gap is autonomy. Shenzhen-based Engine AI was refreshingly blunt. It came to CES looking for partners to supply the brains. The bodies, it said, were ready — capable of boxing, lifting, sorting. Someone just still had to pull the strings. Those Unitree robots throwing punches in the ring? Each was piloted in real time by a human. The Pinocchios of CES 2026 have yet to cut their strings. Grace of a granny, nerves of an alcoholic Some humanoids looked impressive on spec sheets. In person, less so. LG Electronics' CLOiD, sleek and futuristic in videos, shuffled across the floor like a grandmother approaching her walker, hands trembling, frame shuddering. The company described it as “robotic breathing.” In the low light of Central Hall, it felt more like an uncanny-valley horror prop. Galbot's G1 warehouse robot was busily moving plastic bins — until it slipped on one and toppled over. Wheels spun. Arms stayed limp. It seemed oddly content with its unscheduled break. Company staff rushed over mid-interview. Moments earlier, they'd explained how their robots were already “fully employed” in Chinese warehouses. Elsewhere, robots nudged into walls, froze mid-task, or stared blankly into space. The gulf between demo reels and floor reality was wide enough to park a Cybertruck. The missing middle This CES felt different in another way: the giants were mostly gone. Once-dominant mega booths had shrunk or vanished. Hisense and LG were exceptions. Zeroth Robotics, a Chinese startup founded just last year, commanded a striking footprint with a lineup of domestic robots — from a Wall-E-inspired cleaner to a tabletop companion. Samsung staged its presence elsewhere. Sony appeared only via its Honda joint venture. The show felt less like a global tech summit and more like a startup bazaar — AI cotton-candy machines, prototype gadgets, concepts destined never to scale. The question CES couldn't answer Large language models already run quietly through daily life. ChatGPT drafts emails. Claude summarizes meetings. Gemini answers questions — sometimes inventing facts with alarming confidence. The scripted chatbots of five years ago now feel prehistoric. Physical AI promises the next leap: giving those digital minds bodies. CES 2026 showed how far we still are. The robots that could talk stood stiff as mannequins. Realbotix's celebrity-faced androids boasted Gemini-powered dialogue — and barely moved. The robots that moved couldn't think. The ones that tried both ended up on the floor. A decade ago, synthetic fingers with individual motion were headline news. Progress since then has been real. But the final bridge — from programmed motion to autonomous judgment — remains unbuilt. CES 2026 asked a question it couldn't answer: Is the world ready for physical AI? Investment is flowing. Hardware is improving. But judging from the clankers in Las Vegas, we still have time before humanoids demand rights — or even manage to deliver a drink without spilling it. Elon Musk says his humanoid robots will outperform the world's best surgeons within three years. I wouldn't bet on it. *The author is AJP tech reporter who covered CES 2026 in Las Vegas. 2026-01-13 16:07:27

South Korea's Wemade brings new Mir game to China with localized features SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korean game developer Wemade has officially launched "Mir M," the latest title based on its long-running Mir franchise, in China. The game is available on Android, Apple’s iOS and PC platforms in China, the company said. Mir M is a modern reinterpretation of the world of “The Legend of Mir 2,” Wemade’s flagship title that gained widespread popularity in China in the early 2000s. The new release carries over hallmark elements of the original game, including signature items, eight-direction grid-based combat and a quarter-view perspective, designed to deliver a familiar Mir intellectual-property experience for Chinese players. At the same time, Wemade said it rebuilt core systems — such as combat mechanics and equipment progression — to reflect current market standards and the preferences of Chinese users. The game also introduces a user-participation operating model known as “Mir Partners,” under which selected players and creators can take part in community-building, promotion and content production. Participants will receive incentives and other benefits tied to their level of contribution, the company said. Wemade said the China launch is aimed at preserving the identity of the Mir franchise while offering a differentiated massively multiplayer online role-playing experience tailored to local demand. 2026-01-13 15:48:22

Nearly 40% of South Koreans see public sector as corrupt, survey shows SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - About four in 10 South Koreans consider most public institutions to be corrupt, a recent survey reveals. The state-run Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission surveyed about 1,400 adults, 700 businesspeople, 630 experts, 400 foreigners and 1,400 civil servants last year and released its results on Tuesday. The two-round, large-scale survey conducted in June and October last year found that roughly 39.1 percent of respondents saw the public sector as corrupt, up 3.6 percentage points from a similar survey the previous year. Out of about a dozen administrative areas, most respondents rated justice and prosecution as the most corrupt, while experts pointed to construction and housing as the worst. Most respondents said that South Korean society is corrupt, but opinions differed by group. Experts and civil servants named political parties, businesspeople the mass media, and foreigners religious organizations. About half of South Koreans or 50.3 percent also cited unfairness in South Korean society, much higher than other respondents in different groups. Compared with the previous year, more respondents said corruption and social unfairness had improved or would improve further, with many citing the government's anti-corruption policies as effective. 2026-01-13 15:41:27

Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU EU Commission President von der Leyen highlighted EU priorities in her State of the Union Address: making Europe strong and secure, boosting our competitive edge, fostering the green and digital transition. As the international scenario becomes ever more erratic, we shall strengthen international partnerships with like-minded democracies, like Korea. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now into its fourth year. It constitutes a blatant breach of international law. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and independence. We need more pressure and a full and effective implementation of sanctions for Russia to come to the negotiating table. The international community must come together to uphold respect for core universal values. Against this backdrop, continued support for Ukraine remains central. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. And North Korea’s continuing military support for Russia’s illegal war has shown clearly that the security of Europe and of the Indo-Pacific are interconnected. The EU is committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Ensuring the sovereignty and lasting security of Ukraine shall be an integral part of a peace agreement. In today’s turbulent times, the EU will focus on its ability to compete. We will strengthen our technological sovereignty and support investment in key technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. The EU will foster its economic security by reducing strategic dependencies, securing supply chains and by deepening partnerships with like-minded countries such as Korea. The green and digital transition shall proceed hand in hand. The EU is staying the course on its path to climate neutrality by 2050. But the triple challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution demand a global endeavour. The EU will continue to build its global partnership to achieve the Paris climate targets. With the passing of time, the EU-Korea strategic partnership has developed across the board, gaining in strength and depth, including through a Security and Defence Partnership. The EU-RoK Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2011, the first of its kind in Asia. It has been complemented by a Digital and Green Partnership, covering the most innovative sectors of our economies. Korea is the first Asian partner to have joined as full associate member “Horizon”, the EU flagship research programme. Korean students also benefit from Erasmus plus, spending time in European academia as many European students also study in Korea. Together with Korea, a trusted partner and friend, the EU will continue to advance cooperation across all areas of our strategic partnership. Our shared values will guide our actions in the year ahead as we work to build a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world. *The author is the EU Ambassador to South Korea. 2026-01-13 15:26:04

Frozen commute in Seoul amid bus strike SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -Buses across Seoul ground to a halt at 4 a.m. on Jan. 13 after labor and management failed to reach an agreement on wages and collective bargaining, triggering an indefinite strike and plunging the morning commute into chaos. With bus services fully suspended from the first scheduled departures, commuters crowded subway platforms, huddled at deserted bus stops and waited for hours for taxis that never came. Many learned of the strike only after stepping into the cold. A heavy snowfall the day before, followed by biting temperatures, worsened conditions. Some commuters abandoned long waits and walked part of the way to work, their breath hanging in the air as traffic slowed and sidewalks iced over. Negotiations between the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, under the Korean Automobile Workers Federation, and the Seoul Bus Transport Association broke down around 1:30 a.m. Seoul operates 7,382 city buses across 394 routes run by 64 companies — all of them idled. The Seoul Metropolitan Government activated emergency transport measures, increasing subway frequency, expanding community bus services and urging taxi drivers to stay on the road. But with talks still deadlocked, uncertainty lingers — and for many commuters, the day began not with a ride, but with a long, cold wait. 2026-01-13 15:05:05

Danielle surfaces — a reconciliatory gesture or prelude to counterattack? SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Danielle, a former member of NewJeans, made her first public appearance since being expelled and sued by her agency, offering little beyond emotional allegiance to her group and fans — and careful restraint. In a nine-minute livestream titled “Dear Bunnies,” Danielle addressed the group’s fan base in a teary but measured message, avoiding direct accusations or legal arguments despite the escalating dispute with ADOR. “I fought until the end to stay with the members,” she said, her voice breaking. “NewJeans will always remain in my heart.” She framed the current turmoil not as closure but as transition, calling it “not the end, but a beginning,” and emphasized her enduring bond with both the group and its fandom. “When I think of Bunnies, the first thing that comes to mind is their eyes,” Danielle said. “The moments we faced each other on stage — the feeling that our hearts stayed connected even when the music stopped — those memories quietly support me even now.” Notably absent were any references to ADOR, its parent HYBE, or responsibility for the contract dispute. Instead, Danielle kept her remarks personal and forward-looking, saying that “many things are still in the process of being sorted out,” while underscoring that her emotional ties to NewJeans remain intact. “I can say this with certainty: NewJeans is still in my heart,” she said. “Even if we stand in different places, we remain one in the same spirit.” Her restrained appearance came after ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle and her associates, including her mother, seeking contractual penalties and damages reportedly exceeding 430 billion won. Former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin is also named in the case. ADOR has said it terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract after determining she could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an artist under the label, characterizing the split as leaving little room for reconciliation. The group’s future without Danielle remains unresolved. A formal comeback has yet to be announced, as member Minji has not agreed to renew her contract with ADOR. A HYBE official said the company is “not yet in a position to comment on NewJeans’ future activities” because discussions are ongoing, adding that it is “respecting Minji’s position and waiting for her response,” while confirming that Danielle is no longer in an artist–agency relationship following the contract termination. Danielle closed the broadcast without outlining concrete plans, saying she hoped to continue sharing “music, silence or small moments” with fans in a sincere way. Reactions among fans were divided following the livestream. Some welcomed Danielle’s reassurance and her continued outreach to fans, while others expressed uncertainty and concern over the limited information shared regarding her legal situation. As ADOR presses ahead with legal action and uncertainty clouds NewJeans’ lineup, attention is shifting to Danielle’s next move — and whether her carefully calibrated message signals an attempt at reconciliation, or the opening phase of a broader legal and strategic counteroffensive. 2026-01-13 14:52:09

Binggrae to merge Haitai, tightening grip on South Korea's ice cream market SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Binggrae said Tuesday it will merge its wholly owned subsidiary, Haitai Ice Cream, into the parent company, a move aimed at improving efficiency and sharpening competitiveness in South Korea’s ice cream market. Binggrae's board has approved the merger plan, under which Binggrae will absorb Haitai Ice Cream, which it has owned outright since 2020. Binggrae plans to hold a final board vote on Feb. 12 and complete the merger on April 1. Since acquiring Haitai Ice Cream in October 2020, Binggrae has pursued joint marketing and operational integration, including shared logistics centers and sales offices. The company said Haitai returned to profitability within two years of the acquisition and has continued to post sales growth. Biggrae said the merger will allow the two firms to respond more nimbly to shifting market conditions by consolidating overlapping organizations, unifying work processes and optimizing infrastructure to improve profitability. Binggrae also plans to expand sales through overseas markets and e-commerce channels. Its ice cream portfolio includes Melona, Together and Bungeo Samanco, while Haitai Ice Cream’s brands include Bravo Cone, Nugaba, Ssangssangba and Babambar. According to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., Binggrae and Haitai Ice Cream together held a 41.7 percent share of South Korea’s ice cream market in 2024. 2026-01-13 14:47:13

Samsung courts Gen Z with expanded Galaxy creator program SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has launched “Galaxy Crew 2026,” an expanded creator program designed to generate social-media content based on everyday use of its Galaxy devices. The company said Tuesday it held a launch event on Jan. 9, marking the start of roughly a year of planned activities. The program comprises 70 creators spanning 11 categories, including fitness, fashion, gaming, travel, photography, beauty, entertainment and video production. Participants will produce videos, images and other content showcasing how Galaxy smartphones and related devices fit into daily routines, with a focus on practical tips and usage scenarios. Samsung said the group will emphasize content aimed at audiences in their teens and 20s, highlighting features tied to Galaxy’s artificial-intelligence capabilities. Samsung will support the creators by providing access to the latest Galaxy mobile devices, invitations to product launches, opportunities to attend performances and exhibitions, and collaborations on the company’s social-media channels. Members will also receive training intended to deepen their understanding of Galaxy products and AI features. The Galaxy Crew initiative began as a pilot program, with about 20 participants in 2024 and roughly 60 in 2025. Samsung said it formalized and expanded the program this year to broaden communication with Galaxy users and more clearly convey its brand identity. “Galaxy Crew reflects stories told by fans in their own voice and sensibility,” said Jang So-yeon, a vice president of Samsung Electronics. She said the company plans to continue working with a diverse range of creators to expand the Galaxy brand experience with content that resonates with younger audiences. 2026-01-13 14:30:49