KAIST combines AI and light-based brain control to fight Parkinson's disease SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has announced a new way to detect and treat Parkinson's disease earlier, using artificial intelligence and light to study and control brain signals. The work was led by Professor Heo Won-do of KAIST's Department of Biological Sciences. Professor Kim Dae-soo of KAIST’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Director Lee Chang-joon of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) also took part in the project. Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. It causes symptoms such as shaking, stiff muscles, slow movement, and trouble with balance. Famous figures like Mohammad Ali and Michael J. Fox have lived with it for years. Doctors often cannot detect it early because the first changes in the brain are too small for regular tests to catch. Current drugs that target brain signals also have limited success. The KAIST-led team tried something different. They studied mice engineered to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms. Using several cameras and artificial intelligence, they tracked more than 340 types of body movement, such as walking patterns, hand and foot motions, and tremors. The AI system turned this complex information into one score, called the "Parkinson’s behavior index." This score revealed early signs of Parkinson’s disease just two weeks after symptoms began. It was more accurate than older motor function tests. The most telling clues were uneven movement between left and right limbs, shorter walking steps, posture changes, and chest tremors. To prove that the index was specific to Parkinson’s and not just general motor problems, the team tested it on mice with ALS, another disease that affects movement. Those mice did not show the same score, confirming that the new system really points to Parkinson's-specific changes. For treatment, the researchers turned to a technique called optogenetics, which uses light to control the activity of brain cells. Their method, called optoRET, shone light on certain brain cells linked to dopamine, the chemical heavily affected by Parkinson’s disease. In the mouse experiments, this treatment improved walking, made limb movements smoother, and reduced tremors. The best results came when the light was used every other day. "This study is the first in the world to bring AI-based behavior analysis and optogenetics together in one framework for Parkinson’s," said Professor Heo. "It provides a foundation for new therapies that can be customized for each patient." The findings were published on August 21 in Nature Communications. KAIST researcher Hyun Bo-bae was the first author. She is now continuing related research at McLean Hospital, part of Harvard Medical School, with support from South Korea’s Korea Health Industry Development Institute. The project was supported by KAIST’s Global Singularity Research Program, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea, IBS, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 2025-09-22 15:07:39

Seoul seeks to document abuses amid claims of US detention mistreatment SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has begun surveying more than 300 of its citizens who were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia, after some former detainees alleged they were subjected to mistreatment while in custody. The survey, distributed this week to 316 South Koreans who have since returned home, asks respondents to describe the circumstances of their arrest and their experiences during detention. It will remain open for a week, and participants may also request follow-up interviews, officials said Monday. The initiative comes after detainees claimed they were denied access to legal counsel, held in poor conditions and subjected to verbal abuse while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Several of those detained had reportedly overstayed their visas or violated immigration rules, according to U.S. officials, though rights groups in South Korea have criticized the scale of the enforcement operation. The South Korean government said it plans to use the results to identify systemic issues and, if warranted, raise concerns with Washington. “We are committed to ensuring that the rights of our citizens are protected, even when they are overseas,” a ministry official said. The episode underscores the often fraught nature of U.S. immigration enforcement, which has drawn international scrutiny in recent years. Georgia, home to one of the largest immigration detention complexes in the United States, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging unsafe and inhumane conditions. A 2020 whistle-blower complaint, for example, accused a facility in Irwin County of performing unnecessary medical procedures on female detainees, sparking investigations by the U.S. Congress. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-22 14:36:57

Multinational interest revives Korea's dream of becoming gas producer SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A beleaguered deep-sea gas development campaign in the East Sea has been revived after BP plc. and a few unspecified foreign names submitted offers to tap reserves off the east coast of South Korea. State-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) published on Sunday that several multinational energy firms filed letters of intent by the deadline on Sunday, resuscitating the campaign shunned by local companies due to association with former disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol. BP did not respond to requests for comment. KNOC declined to disclose the names of the bidders. ExxonMobil, also seen as a potential candidate, could not be reached. A preferred bidder will be selected in October. The renewed interest comes after the much-hyped "Blue Whale" structure off Yeongil Bay in Pohang disappointed earlier this year. Analysis by Core Laboratories found gas saturation levels of just 6.3 percent in February, far below the 70 percent threshold for viable commercial recovery. The discovery was originally trumpeted by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in June 2024, who claimed the reserves could be worth up to $29 billion. His successor, President Lee Jae-myung, denounced the project as a "scam," citing its lack of economic feasibility. But foreign interest has breathed new life into the project. KNOC relaunched its tender after relinquishing rights to exploration Blocks 6-1 and 8, extending the bidding deadline from June to September to attract more suitors. "Foreign big names like BP wouldn't have joined out of charity — they must have conducted their own research," said Jun Hyung-gu, geology professor at Kyungpook National University. The winning bidder could take up to a 49 percent stake in the venture, as debt-burdened KNOC seeks foreign capital and expertise to push ahead with Phase 2 exploration. Energy experts say BP's global experience in fast-tracking deep-sea oil and gas projects into production could prove critical in assessing whether hydrocarbons bypassed the Blue Whale structure and accumulated elsewhere in the basin. "KNOC must approach resource development with a long-term perspective, beyond political cycles," Jun added. Still, skepticism remains. "Foreign firms with long exploration histories will certainly add value, but the odds of striking commercially viable gas remain slim. It's premature to predict drilling outcomes," said Kim Do-hyun, analyst at Kiwoom Securities. 2025-09-22 13:46:52

Kim Jong-un signals openness to US talks while rejecting S. Korea as partner SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - In a speech delivered at the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang on Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he could meet with the United States if Washington abandoned its insistence on denuclearization, while ruling out dialogue or unification with South Korea, "I still personally have good memories of President Trump," Kim said, according to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 22. "If the United States casts off its obsession with denuclearization and seeks genuine peaceful coexistence on the basis of reality, then there is no reason why we cannot face them." Kim paired that conditional outreach with a strong rejection of any negotiations on giving up nuclear arms. "The world already knows what happens after a country is disarmed and stripped of its nuclear deterrent. We will never lay down our weapons," he said, warning that North Korea's deterrence has a "second mission" of nuclear retaliation if its "first mission" of preventing war fails. While signaling a potential path to U.S. dialogue, Kim dismissed South Korea altogether. He called the South a "U.S.-dependent colony" and declared that "reunification is unnecessary." He said, "We will never think of unifying with a country that entrusts its politics and defense to foreign powers." He also criticized President Lee Jae Myung's three-step denuclearization proposal as a "copy of predecessors' failed ideas," and indicated plans to codify in law that North and South Korea are "two different states." Seoul responded with caution. Unification Ministry Spokesperson Koo Byung-sam stressed that South Korea has no intention of seeking an aggressive approach toward the North. "The government respects the North's system and will not pursue any form of absorption unification, nor does it intend to engage in hostile acts," Koo told reporters on Monday. He added that the administration would focus on easing tensions and rebuilding trust "with a long-term perspective," while supporting dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang aimed at stabilizing peace. Koo declined to speculate on whether Kim's remarks could open the door to talks with the U.S. on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, where President Donald Trump is expected to visit South Korea. "We will not make early predictions," he said. 2025-09-22 13:39:04

Defense chiefs of South Korea, Saudi Arabia hold talks in Riyadh SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea and Saudi Arabia pledged to strengthen their defense partnership during high-level talks in Riyadh, the South Korean defense ministry said Monday. South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek described his talks with Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s National Guard minister, on Saturday as “a meaningful first step” in expanding military collaboration. The trip marked his first visit to the Middle East since assuming the post. Ahn underscored South Korea’s role as a strategic partner in the kingdom’s Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping modernization plan that includes diversifying defense suppliers and investing heavily in military technology. He highlighted South Korea’s growing profile as an arms exporter, the ministry said. Prince Abdullah welcomed the minister’s visit and voiced hope that the two nations could broaden cooperation through joint projects, personnel exchanges and expanded military education programs. Both sides agreed to meet again soon to assess progress and discuss regional security issues. South Korea has steadily expanded its presence in the Middle East defense market, most notably with major arms deals in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-22 13:31:30

Hanwha honors US Korean War veterans with industrial tour, tribute SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Three major South Korean defense companies joined the government last week in honoring American veterans of the Korean War. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, hosted 85 veterans and family members from Sept. 18 to 20 as part of the ministry’s long-running “Revisit Korea Program.” Established in 1975, the initiative invites U.S. veterans back to the peninsula they once defended, offering a blend of remembrance and reflection on South Korea’s dramatic transformation. The visitors included Lois R. Guin, 98, a former Navy nurse who served aboard the hospital ship USS Haven, and Robert M. Martinez, 94, a former Army soldier. Their itinerary featured a tour of Hanwha’s sprawling defense facilities in South Gyeongsang Province, including live demonstrations of the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, as well as a stop at the group’s shipyard in Geoje, a hub of naval construction. The ministry also conferred the “Korea-U.S. Alliance Family Award” on five families with multi-generational ties to the alliance. Honorees included the late Raymond Virgil Daly, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, and his son James E. Daly, who served in South Korea in the 1980s. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-22 10:33:42

South Korean leader warns US demands could risk crisis without currency safeguards SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung said he is determined to resolve long-standing tariff and trade frictions with the United States as quickly as possible, framing the issue as central to the viability of South Korea’s massive investment push in the American economy. In an interview with Reuters published Monday, Lee highlighted differences between Seoul and Washington over how to guarantee the commercial feasibility of a planned $350 billion investment package in the United States. He said if South Korea offers $350 billion in cash and invest it in the way the U.S. demands, without a currency swap arrangement, South Korea could face a situation similar to the 1997 financial crisis. The remarks come as the two allies continue to spar over tariffs, subsidies and trade rules linked to semiconductor, battery and electric vehicle supply chains. Washington has pressed Seoul to align with U.S. industrial policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, while South Korean officials have pushed back against measures they say disadvantage Korean automakers and chipmakers in the U.S. market. South Korea has already sought exemptions from certain U.S. tariffs, arguing that the existing framework undermines the economic rationale for its investment commitments. The two governments agreed in principle that joint projects must be commercially viable, but negotiators have struggled to bridge differences over how to codify such guarantees. President Lee said the core task now is to reach a concrete agreement that guarantees commercial rationality. This remains the biggest stumbling block, as proposals raised in working-level talks so far have failed to ensure commercial feasibility, Lee said. He drew comparisons with Japan’s agreements with the United States, emphasizing that Seoul faces a different set of financial constraints, including a smaller foreign reserve buffer. Asked whether talks could extend into 2026, Lee said, “We need to end this unstable situation as quickly as possible.” When pressed on whether South Korea might walk away from negotiations, he demurred: “I believe that at the very least, an alliance bound in blood will be able to maintain a basic level of rationality.” The dispute reflects a broader reordering of global trade, in which U.S. allies in Asia are being asked to deepen economic commitments in return for security guarantees. For Seoul, which has tied its growth strategy to advanced manufacturing exports, the outcome of the tariff negotiations could shape its economic trajectory for decades. 2025-09-22 10:12:53

Korea's tariffs on US exports soar, marking world's fastest growth SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's tariffs on U.S. exports surged to nearly 5 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in the second quarter, marking the fastest growth among the top 10 exporting countries to the U.S. The finding was released in a report Monday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The report highlights a significant financial burden on South Korean exporters, with tariffs growing 46 times compared to the fourth quarter of last year — the highest increase among the top 10 countries. This places South Korea sixth in total tariffs paid to the U.S., following China, Mexico, Japan, Germany, and Vietnam. The steep increase follows the imposition of a 10 percent general tariff and new specific tariffs on key sectors, including automobiles, auto parts, steel, and aluminum, which have traditionally enjoyed low tariffs under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The automotive sector was hit particularly hard, accounting for the largest share of the tariffs at $1.9 billion, or 57.5 percent of the total. This was driven by a 25 percent tariff on finished cars in April and a similar tariff on auto parts in May. In response, the KCCI is urging for government support and legislative action to mitigate the impact. Kang Seok-gu, head of research at the KCCI, emphasized the need for policies to help companies adapt to the new trade environment, suggesting measures such as a reduction of the automotive tariff to 15 percent and a "domestic production promotion tax" for strategic industries. "Assuming exporters bear a quarter of the 15 percent mutual tariff, they face a 3.75 percent burden on U.S. exports," Kang stated. "Government support is crucial to help companies adapt to the new trade environment and stay competitive." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-22 08:19:03

South Korea hit hardest by US tariffs in 2nd quarter SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korea was hit hardest by tariffs on its exports among major U.S. trading partners in the second quarter of this year, an analysis suggests. The Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) said Sunday that tariffs on the country's exports to the U.S. increased by US$3.23 billion during the period between April and June, ranking sixth behind China ($25.93 billion), Mexico ($5.52 billion), Japan ($4.78 billion), Germany ($3.57 billion), and Viet Nam ($3.34 billion). South Korea, however, saw the sharpest increase, with tariffs 47 times higher than in the fourth quarter of last year, just before U.S. President Donald Trump took office, far exceeding Canada (19.5-fold), Mexico (17.8-fold), Japan (8.2-fold), Germany (6.3-fold), and Taiwan (4.8-fold). China, by contrast, saw its tariff burden rise only twofold, as high tariffs had already been imposed on electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors. South Korea had almost zero tariffs on most products under its bilateral free trade agreement with the U.S. until Trump's sweeping tariffs on imported goods were implemented, along with separate duties on key items such as automobiles and steel. In particular, after Washington began imposing 25 percent tariffs on automobiles and related parts this spring, tariffs on these sectors amounted to $1.9 billion, accounting for 57.5 percent of the country's total tariffs. Amid the U.S.-led challenging trade environment that South Korean businesses must adapt to, the government should come up with measures to support and ease their burden while helping them remain competitive," the KCCI said. 2025-09-21 16:26:07

Data breaches affect more KT subscribers than initially reported SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Additional data breaches at mobile telecom provider KT have affected more subscribers in broader areas than initially reported. According to a report submitted Sunday by the country's second-largest mobile carrier to Hwang Jung-ah, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, such cases also occurred in Dongjak and Seocho in southern Seoul and other areas, not just the previously reported locations of Gwangmyeong and Geumcheon in southwestern Seoul and Bupyeong and Incheon in Gyeonggi Province. Cases of fraudulent mobile payments or petty transactions have risen from around 100 when first revealed on Sept. 4 to approximately 764, with estimated damages reaching more than 204 million Korean won (US$173,000). The number of subscribers whose personal information may have been leaked or stolen is now believed to be over 20,000, a nearly four-fold increase from the initial estimate of around 5,561. Experts warn that damages are likely to rise, as KT has so far only counted cases involving breaches of automated response systems (ARS). Meanwhile, the report also revealed that over 7,000 cases of data breaches have been reported by companies over the past six years, raising alarms over cybersecurity amid a recent spate of hacking attacks. The number of these cases stood at around 600 in 2020 and 2021, before jumping to about 1,142 in 2022, and has already surged to 1,649 so far this year. 2025-09-21 14:50:13