School violence cases hit record high in South Korea SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Bullying and violence in South Korean schools have worsened despite tougher discipline and prevention efforts, with reported cases now affecting 5 percent of elementary school students, a government survey showed. Of the 3.26 million students from fourth grade through high school, 2.5 percent said they experienced school violence this year, up 0.4 percentage points from last year, according to the Education Ministry. The figure has steadily risen from 1.1 percent in 2021 to 1.7 percent in 2022, 1.9 percent in 2023, and 2.1 percent in 2025. The problem is most acute in elementary schools, where 5 percent reported violence — the highest since the survey began in 2013 — compared with 2.1 percent in middle schools and 0.7 percent in high schools. “My child woke up at night for several days,” said Park, the father of a 9-year-old boy assaulted by peers. “Teachers need more authority to intervene early and impose meaningful consequences,” he said, requesting anonymity. Despite years of anti-bullying campaigns and zero-tolerance policies, the rise of cyberbullying has made oversight harder. Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University, said online harassment has “explosively increased” as students weaponize social media and videos to intimidate classmates. “The nature of school violence has changed — whereas physical abuse was more common before, online bullying is now much more prevalent,” she said. Education officials are reviewing prevention strategies as they struggle to tackle violence in one of the world’s most academically demanding school systems. 2025-09-17 18:31:42

POSCO has eyes on HMM despite industry backlash and synergy doubts SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s POSCO Group remains committed to pursuing the country’s sea flag carrier HMM, despite fierce competition for the asset and vocal protests from the maritime industry. POSCO has been reviewing the option of going after state-owned stake in HMM in hopes to cut logistics costs and strengthen resilience against global supply chain disruptions. HMM, formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine, absorbed assets and the Asia–U.S. East Coast route of Hanjin Shipping after the latter collapsed. It is 36.02 percent owned by the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and 35.6 percent by the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC). Their combined stake will shrink slightly above 30 percent once a 2.2 trillion won stock buyback wraps up this month. The government plans to relaunch a competitive auction afterward, after a 2023 attempt to sell KDB’s 7 trillion won stake to Harim Group collapsed. POSCO Holdings said it is assessing whether the deal can deliver sustainable growth and strategic synergies. Other potential bidders include Harim Group, along with former owners HD Hyundai and Hanjin Group. Valued at about 23–24 trillion won, HMM has staged a recovery thanks to improving trade conditions. "Few can now afford HMM in the privatization process," said one company official, welcoming POSCO’s entry into the race. POSCO already has a lot on its plate. Its steel business is under strain from Chinese dumping, sluggish domestic demand, and higher U.S. tariffs, while its battery materials division has been hit by an electric vehicle slowdown. The group argues that acquiring HMM could save it around 3 trillion won annually in logistics costs for importing coal, iron ore, and battery ingredients, while providing a hedge against supply chain risks. HMM itself reported an “earnings shock” in the second quarter, with operating profit plunging 64 percent year-on-year to 233.2 billion won. Its rivals are guardedly watching POSCO's bid. The Korea Shipowners' Association warned on Sept. 11 that HMM could be reduced to "a subsidiary for POSCO’s in-house cargo transport" instead of competing as a global carrier. "HMM, which the government and industry have painstakingly revived through the five-year shipping reconstruction plan, could again be at risk if the steel industry falters," the association said. Maritime experts echoed caution. "HMM's main vessels are container ships, fleets that must operate even with little cargo. Shipping follows cyclical swings, and it is doubtful whether shareholders of a private industrial group like POSCO will accept the sector's volatility," said Jang Woon-jae, professor of maritime transportation science at Mokpo National University. At the same time, he noted that HMM’s growing pivot toward bulk shipping, which specializes in iron ore and coal, does align strategically with POSCO's raw material needs. Should the deal go through, analysts say the onus will be on POSCO to craft a credible blueprint that reassures the market and addresses concerns over industrial dominance. 2025-09-17 17:16:59

Korean traditional medicine to broaden footprint in Middle East SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Korean traditional medicine has gained a new foothold in the global healthcare market, with the United Arab Emirates becoming the first country in the Middle East to formally recognize it as a distinct medicine. In April, the UAE introduced licensing requirements for Korean medicine practitioners as a part of efforts to realign its healthcare system with emphasis on expanding the role of traditional medicine, or the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Unlike most countries, Abu Dhabi specifies CAM by country rather than grouping it under broad labels such as Asian or Eastern medicine. In June, its Department of Health incorporated the name, definition, and scope of Korean medicine into official regulations, making it the third country after China and India. According to global research firm Grand View Research, the UAE's CAM market was valued at $2.78 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4 percent through 2030. Traditional practices such as Hijama (cupping), herbal remedies, and Ayurveda have long been part of the Muslim cultural heritage. The government has been eager to incorporate traditional therapies in the modern healthcare system. "The UAE is trying to expand its traditional medicine industry and the recognition of Korean medicine is part of the effort. The people there are already familiar with cupping therapy similar to Koreans," observed a researcher of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development (NIKOM). Rising modern-day stress has also spurred demand for traditional calming therapies. According to a report in March by U.K.-based BioMed Central (BMC), the UAE records about 24,000 mental health cases annually, with depression and anxiety the most common. Growing "medication fatigue" among patients dependent on long-term pharmaceuticals has driven many toward holistic approaches. Yoga, herbal nutrition, meditation, and mindfulness are popular among millennials and Gen Z, who are more receptive to non-invasive, wellness-oriented solutions. Moreover, the people of the UAE have long been accustomed to Korean traditional medicine and culture through immensely popular epic dramas such as "Jewel in the Palace." The UAE's recognition validates the credibility in Korean medicine, said Jeong Young-hoon, director of Korean Medicine Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. "This institutionalization marks a critical turning point for the Korean medicine industry and professionals seeking to expand into the Middle East. We will continue to actively support the global spread of traditional medicine through cooperation with the UAE and beyond," he noted. 2025-09-17 17:16:01

Georgia raid may foil Korean investment and ties: US senator SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Despite the stream of damage-control statements from Washington, the recent massive immigration raid at a South Korean battery plant in Georgia has rattled economic cooperation and investment prospects with Seoul, argued a U.S. Democratic senator. Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing Maryland, said in an e-mail interview with AJP on Tuesday that the Georgia raid threatened "our strong relationship with South Korea and the prospect of future investments" in U.S. domestic manufacturing. The lawmaker added that Trump's immigration policy "clearly isn't focused on 'the worst of the worst,' or any sort of targeted approach" that America could support. The raid exposed “broken immigration system and the need for sane, fair immigration policies that keep our communities safe and support economic opportunity." "Trump has done nothing to achieve those goals,” he added. The surprise crackdown on the Georgia facility under construction by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution led to arrests and a weeklong detention of 475 workers, mostly hired by the top Korean battery maker. The incident has unsettled Korean businesses that have poured billions of dollars into U.S. projects spanning from batteries and semiconductors to shipbuilding and automobiles. Some are reviewing potential risks and alternative sites such as Mexico or Canada. The operation of the Georgia EV battery plant is expected to be delayed to 2026 instead of 2025 due to a hiccup in the construction process. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, in the press conference marking his 100th day in office, mused that the incident could have "a significant impact on future direct investment in the U.S. under the current circumstances, our companies may be very reluctant to expand their investments in America," he said. Seoul has taken a cautious stance in signing a trade deal with Washington, even as the U.S. warned that the tariff rate on Korean imports could be spiked to 25 percent instead of 15 percent in the aftermath of the Georgia raid. It was the largest single-site workplace raid in U.S. history conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Following government-led negotiations between Seoul and Washington, the 317 South Koreans were released after a week in detention. One individual chose to remain in the U.S. for family reasons, while the rest returned home last Friday on a chartered flight. Those who returned have alleged human rights violations during their detention. A detainee’s diary described how they were denied Miranda rights and due process. Some were reportedly carrying business visas, which allow temporary stays for training or equipment setup, raising questions about whether the arrests were justified. South Korea's presidential office said Monday the government, together with the companies employing the detainees, is conducting a closer review of whether the rights of its citizens were violated. Trump appeared to indirectly address the controversy raid on Sunday on social media platform Truth Social, writing he did not want to "frighten off or disincentivize investment into America by outside countries or companies." He added that foreign firms bringing complex projects to the U.S. should be able to bring in experts temporarily "to teach and train our people" before returning home. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also expressed "deep regret" over the detentions and pledged steps to prevent a repeat. He emphasized that those released would face no penalties when reentering the U.S. Based on the allegations of mistreatment, some returnees are now considering taking legal action against U.S. immigration authorities for what they called unlawful detention procedures and excessive force. According to Han Jeong-ae, a lawmaker with South Korea's Democratic Party, of the 317 nationals detained, 170 had entered on ESTA travel waivers, 146 on B-1 or B-2 visas, and one held an employment authorization document (EAD). 2025-09-17 16:23:50

Trump to visit South Korea next month for APEC summit, US envoy says SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit South Korea next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a U.S. envoy said on Wednesday. At a conference in central Seoul, Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun said Trump will attend the multilateral gathering scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in the historic city of Gyeongju. Stressing the strong alliance between the two countries, Yun expressed expectations for another meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the APEC summit, following their "successful" talks in Washington last month. But uncertainties still remain over whether Trump will make another trip to Seoul, even as pundits here are already speculating that some developments involving North Korea could emerge. Trump has repeatedly boasted of his close relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while the Lee administration has made conciliatory moves to engage with Pyongyang. These could create opportunities for high-level summits or breakthroughs in talks that might reshape inter-Korean relations and broader regional security. 2025-09-17 16:21:47

Ex-foreign minister poised to take up role as new envoy to US SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is soon expected to officially assume her post as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Wednesday that Washington has completed its agrément procedures for her appointment. Kang served as the country's first female foreign minister under former President Moon Jae-in, working with top U.S. officials during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021. She also served as a senior adviser at the United Nations (UN) and also headed New York-based think tank Asia Society, which fosters relations between the U.S. and Asian countries. Kang, who accompanied President Lee Jae-myung to Washington last month for his first summit with Trump, is expected to join him again at the UN General Assembly's annual high-level session in New York next week, where world leaders will gather. 2025-09-17 15:18:31

OPINION: China's high-quality development brings vast opportunities to world SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The "Su Super League," grassroots tournament Jiangsu Football City League, and the Village Super League, also known as Cun Chao, have gone viral, injecting fresh vitality into the integrated development of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports. Labubu toys, elf-like dolls produced by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart, have become global sensations, showcasing the cross-cultural appeal of Chinese designer toys. China's visa-free policies continue to pay dividends, fueling the rise of trends like "China Travel" and "Shop in China." These developments reflect China's accelerating economic innovation, the highlights of high-quality development, reinforcing a sustained and steady growth trajectory. Since the beginning of this year, China's economy has demonstrated stable and steady progress. Major economic indicators have performed well, new quality productive forces have developed steadily, and reform and opening up have continued to deepen, demonstrating remarkable vitality and resilience. Recently, international financial institutions and investment banks, including the International Monetary Fund, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs, have raised their forecasts concerning China's economic growth in 2025. A United Nations report identifies China as one of the few major economies achieving substantially upgraded growth expectations amid global economic adjustments. The report emphasized that China's increasingly prominent role in navigating complex global challenges through its economic strategies. Recent international media analysis highlights an emerging "cool factor" - a dynamic appeal rooted in innovation, cooperation, and youth culture - driving more balanced economic growth in China. This momentum is poised to propel China's next growth cycle, potentially reshaping its global economic identity through open collaboration. This innovative dynamism permeates China's economic landscape. The country continues to harness scientific and technological innovation to develop new quality productive forces, accelerate the cultivation of emerging pillar industries with international competitiveness, and promote the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation, injecting strong impetus into economic development. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, in 2024, the added value of new industries, new business formats, and new business models accounted for 18.01 percent of China's GDP, up 0.43 percentage points from a year earlier. China now hosts the world's largest R&D workforce, leads globally in top-tier science and technology innovation clusters, and counts over 460,000 high-tech enterprises. Breakthroughs in open-source AI models and novel therapeutics continue to emerge, while cutting-edge sectors like intelligent drone manufacturing and smart automotive equipment thrive. In the first half of this year, the added value of China's high-tech manufacturing industry grew by 9.5 percent. Foreign investment in high-tech sectors rose significantly, with notable increases in the actual use of foreign capital in the e-commerce service sector, chemical pharmaceuticals manufacturing sector, and aerospace equipment manufacturing sector. Recently, a delegation from U.S.-China Business Council's board delegation - comprising senior executives from leading American firms - visited China. They noted that China has sent a clear signal of further expanding high-level opening up, which is crucial for foreign companies, including U.S. enterprises, seeking to invest and expand in China. At a time when the rise of unilateralism and protectionism has added significant uncertainty to the global economy, China's policy stability and long-term planning of high-level opening up are particularly valuable. From 24 pro-foreign investment measures to 20 specific measures aimed at stabilizing foreign capital, from "negative lists" to "zero-tariff treatment," China continues to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment. China is also expanding trials to open sectors such as telecommunications, medical services, and education, promoting the opening of biomedicine, while encouraging foreign companies to make equity investments, making itself a favored destination for foreign investment. China remains committed to widening its opening to the global economy. At a time when the world economy faces numerous challenges, China injects greater certainty into the global economy through its stable development and generates new opportunities for various countries by continuously expanding its opening up. As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021~2025) nears conclusion and the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026~2030) approaches, China will respond to an uncertain external environment with strong and effective policies, make good use of development opportunities, potential and advantages, and consolidate and expand the positive momentum of economic recovery and improvement to keep the ship of the Chinese economy sailing ahead. As a country pursuing high-quality development, China will bring broader market opportunities, investment opportunities, and growth opportunities to the world, and pursue common development with various countries. (Pei Guangjiang and Li Yingqi are senior editor and international affairs commentator of the International News Department of People's Daily, respectively.) 2025-09-17 15:16:38

K-pop themed anime tops over 300 million views on Netflix SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" continues its unstoppable rise, accumulating 300 million views. According to Netflix's ranking website Tudum on Wednesday, the K-pop themed anime has accumulated 314.2 million views since its release on June 20, remaining at the top spot in the platform's all-time movie rankings, which are calculated "based on total views in the first 91 days of release." The 100-minute animation already took the top spot on the American streaming platform two weeks ago and has since widened its lead over the first season of mega-hit series "Squid Game," which has amassed 265.2 million views. It also topped the weekly ranking with 22.6 million views last week, extending its streak in the top 10 of Netflix’s global English-language movies for 13 consecutive weeks. Directed by Korean Canadian Maggie Kang, "KPop Demon Hunters" tells the story of K-pop superstars who are not just "selling out stadiums" but also "using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats." 2025-09-17 14:43:55

Korea's Hanwha Ocean bags $1.4-bln order for LNG carriers from Taiwan SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s three largest shipyards, has bagged an order of 1.93 trillion won ($1.4 billion) from Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine Transport to deliver seven liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled container ships. The shipbuilder disclosed that the contract calls for construction of seven 15,880 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) LNG dual-fuel containers at Hanwha’s Okpo Shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, with deliveries to be completed by the first half of 2029. The deal is the company’s second from Taiwan this year. In March, Hanwha Ocean won an order from Taiwanese shipper Evergreen worth 2.3 trillion won ($1.69 billion) for six 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel eco-friendly ultra-large container ships. The Yang Ming vessels will be powered by LNG dual-fuel engines as standard and feature ammonia-ready specifications that allow future conversion to ammonia dual-fuel propulsion. The ammonia-ready design means the hull structure can accommodate retrofitting from LNG-diesel fuel systems to ammonia propulsion, enabling triple-fuel capability - diesel, LNG, and ammonia. The vessels will incorporate Hanwha Ocean's core technologies, including the world's first LNG fuel tanks capable of withstanding 1.0 bar of pressure (approximately 14.5 psi). By operating at higher pressure than conventional fuel tanks, these systems can store vaporized natural gas longer and safer. "This first contract with Yang Ming validates Hanwha Ocean's differentiated eco-friendly technology and design capabilities,” said Kim Hee-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha Ocean shares were trading at 112,300 won as of Wednesday, up 1.35% from the previous closing of 110,800 won. Hanwha, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, is among Korea’s three dominant shipbuilders, which together command more than half of the global LNG carrier orderbook. 2025-09-17 14:06:15

KAI pins hopes on $7 bn U.S. jet trainer program SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is betting big on winning a $7 billion U.S. Navy contract to replace its aging T-45 trainer jets, leaning on its proven record with advanced trainers already in service worldwide. KAI has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to offer the TF-50N, a naval variant of the single-engine T-50 jet trainer that is in service or on order with seven countries. The U.S. Navy will receive proposals for its Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) in December, aiming to select a preferred design and manufacturing team next year. The project calls for delivery of about 25 aircraft annually, with a minimum fleet of 145. The contract, valued at more than $7 billion, is set to be finalized by January 2027. In a solicitation released in March, the Navy said carrier landing capability would no longer be required, opting instead for virtual practice, simplifying trainer requirements. “The U.S. Navy’s RFI has gone through multiple changes so far,” a KAI official said, noting the challenges bidders face from repeated delays and design revisions. “No specific company currently holds an advantage.” Under the partnership, KAI will lead aircraft manufacturing while Lockheed Martin oversees systems integration. The TF-50N builds on the operational success of the T-50 family, which has been deployed by South Korea and international customers including Indonesia, Iraq, and the Philippines. Competition remains stiff. Boeing, in partnership with Sweden’s Saab, is offering the T-7B after beating the KAI-Lockheed Martin team in 2018 for the U.S. Air Force’s advanced trainer program. Italy’s Leonardo is pitching its M-346N, though it lags behind the KAI-Lockheed consortium in export track record and operational experience. KAI shares climbed to a fresh five-year high of 109,200 won on Wednesday. 2025-09-17 13:43:58