South Korea's industry minister defends nuclear expansion amid policy rift SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The battle over South Korea’s nuclear future flared again Tuesday, as Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan insisted that two new reactors and one small modular reactor must be built, challenging President Lee Jae Myung’s push to emphasize renewable energy. Kim Jung-kwan, minister of trade, industry and energy, told reporters that two new reactors and one small modular reactor (SMR) must be built as planned, despite skepticism from President Lee and other senior officials. “My position is clear,” Kim said. “Even if a public deliberation process is carried out, we must move forward with two new reactors and one SMR.” The projects, part of the government's basic power supply plan, call for adding 2.8 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity and deploying a Korean-designed SMR by 2037–2038. Kim stressed that nuclear power remains essential for keeping electricity prices stable and ensuring reliable supply. His remarks highlight a policy split within the Lee administration. President Lee and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan have recently voiced doubts about the feasibility of building new reactors, instead emphasizing renewable energy expansion. At a news conference marking his 100th day in office last week, Lee questioned whether nuclear power could be a realistic solution, noting, “Even if we start building now, it may take more than 10 years to finish — is that really a solution?” The disagreement reflects South Korea’s decades-long debate over nuclear power. The country, which generates roughly one-quarter of its electricity from nuclear energy, has alternated between expansion and phaseout policies depending on the political leadership. Former President Moon Jae-in pledged to reduce reliance on nuclear after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, citing safety concerns. But his successor, Yoon Suk Yeol, reversed course, reviving stalled projects and promoting exports of Korean reactor technology. Now, with President Lee pledging aggressive climate action and renewable energy growth, the fate of new nuclear projects has again become uncertain. Supporters argue that nuclear power is indispensable for meeting surging electricity demand while cutting carbon emissions. Critics counter that high costs, lengthy construction timelines and safety risks make nuclear an unreliable option compared to renewables. Kim, the industry minister, suggested that time will ultimately favor the nuclear side of the debate. “The power supply plan is not about immediate issues but about preparing for demand after 2035,” he said. “Right now, additional reactors and an SMR may not be urgent, but given future electricity demand and the need for a balanced energy mix, I believe construction will eventually go forward.” 2025-09-17 13:18:00

Moonies leader appears for questioning over bribery allegations SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Han Hak-ja, leader of the powerful Unification Church, better known as the Moonies, appeared for questioning on Wednesday over allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, the widow of the church's founder Moon Sun-myung, is suspected of bribing Kim with a luxury bag and jewelry. She is also suspected of colluding with an ex-cult follower in 2022 to give 100 million won (US$72,400) to Kweon Seong-dong, the former leader of the main opposition People Power Party, in return for his help in gaining favors for the church. Han's side has denied her involvement in the alleged bribery, claiming that the follower acted on his own. When asked why she had not complied with earlier summonses, Han merely replied, "I'm not well after surgery." Meanwhile, Kim has been held in a remand prison in southern Seoul since mid-August, while Kweon was also detained earlier in the day after a court issued a warrant for his arrest on bribery charges. 2025-09-17 11:27:12

KAIST develops AI to predict dangerous crowd surges more accurately SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has developed an artificial intelligence system that can predict when and where dangerous crowd crushes may occur, raising hopes for preventing disasters such as the Itaewon tragedy that occurred in 2022. The research, announced on September 17, was led by Professor Lee Jae-gil of KAIST's School of Computing. The study also involved contributions from Professor Yoon Soo-sik of Korea University and Professor Song Hwan-joon of KAIST's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Doctoral students Nam Young-eun and Na Ji-hye of KAIST were among the lead authors. The team presented their findings in August at KDD 2025, one of the world’s top conferences in artificial intelligence and data science. Professor Lee's team sought to create an AI that could catch the early signs of such crowd disasters. Existing methods often focus only on one factor, such as how many people are currently in a space or how they are moving between areas. The new model combines both. The researchers introduced a technique called bi-modal learning, which analyzes node data (how many people are in a given location) and edge data (how people are moving between locations) at the same time. To improve accuracy, they added three-dimensional contrastive learning, which allows the AI to capture both spatial relationships and how those relationships shift over time. This approach makes it possible to spot situations that single-factor models might miss. For example, if one alley is not yet overcrowded but nearby areas are steadily sending more people into it, the AI can flag the location as high-risk before it becomes critical. To test their system, the researchers built six real-world datasets. These included subway ridership in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, traffic flow in New York, and COVID-19 case records from South Korea and New York. Across all tests, their model outperformed 16 leading prediction methods. In some cases, it achieved a maximum of 76.1 percent greater accuracy, measured by mean squared error, a standard benchmark for predictive reliability. "This research shows the importance of developing technology that can have a real social impact," said Professor Lee. "We hope it will contribute to managing large crowds at festivals and events, reducing urban traffic congestion, and even slowing the spread of infectious diseases." The study was presented at the ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD 2025). 2025-09-17 11:22:30

Large-scale expo in Spain to promote Korean culture and products overseas SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Amid the resurgence of the Korean Wave, fueled by the global popularity of K-pop, a large-scale expo will be held in Spain next week to promote Korean culture and products overseas. The expo comes in celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries will run for three days in Madrid from Sept. 28 to 30, featuring participation from various industries including music, gaming, food, cosmetics, and tourism. It is the second of its kind, after the inaugural expo held in Toronto in August last year. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the expo will also provide business consultations for those interested in making inroads into the South Korean market. Various programs including exhibitions, performances, and interactive events are expected to amuse participants and other visitors during the expo. On the opening day, singer-songwriter Hong Isaac, known for several of his hit drama soundtracks, will perform on stage along with other singers including Ben and Cho Yu-ree. SIU, the creator of the country's largest portal Naver's hit webtoon series "Tower of God," will hold an autograph signing session for European fans. Over 60 South Korean companies including 20 cosmetics retailers will participate and seek new business opportunities in Europe. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 10:48:33

SK On names European sales head SK On, a major player in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market, has created a new European sales division and appointed Thomas Eller as its head. The appointment of Eller, who has nearly two decades of experience at Continental and a history of working with top-tier automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, signals SK On's intent to strengthen its presence in the critical European market. The company's strategy involves creating a "customized cooperation system" to provide more efficient, localized support to its European clients. This new approach aims to streamline communication and enhance responsiveness. SK On currently operates three battery production plants in Hungary, a key manufacturing hub in Europe. The new division's primary goal is to increase orders to improve the utilization and profitability of these facilities. This move mirrors SK On's earlier strategy in North America, where it appointed Rob Schnell as its regional head in February to strengthen sales capabilities and manage relationships with major clients such as Ford, GM, and Stellantis. The appointment of Eller is part of a broader, company-wide initiative to fortify its global sales network and respond more effectively to local market demands. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 10:20:18

POSCO chairman leads South Korea-Australia economic cooperation POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa, acting as the South Korean chair for the South Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Committee, is pushing for expanded cooperation beyond traditional economic ties. This push was the central theme of the 46th joint meeting of the committee, held at FKI Tower in Seoul. The gathering, attended by approximately 200 officials from both nations, including Australia-Korea Business Council chair Martin Ferguson, sought to strengthen ties in industry, innovation, and sustainability. For the first time, AI-based industrial safety and disaster response were highlighted as special topics, reflecting a new direction for the bilateral relationship. In the minerals session, participants highlighted successful joint ventures like POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, which processes Australian lithium ore for secondary battery materials. The meeting also showcased the achievements of the "Australia Core Resources Research Center," POSCO's first overseas resource research institute, underscoring the company's commitment to securing vital mineral supply chains. In a move to enhance disaster preparedness, POSCO announced a new social contribution project in collaboration with the National Disaster Relief Association. The initiative will draw on Australia's advanced disaster response systems, particularly those in New South Wales, to help local Korean communities respond more effectively to natural disasters. This initiative is a practical example of the expanded cooperation Chairman Jang advocated for. Chairman Jang underscored the importance of this broader collaboration, stating, "I hope both countries will expand cooperation beyond economic and industrial investments to include regional coexistence, industrial safety, and disaster response, paving the way for a sustainable future." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 10:14:34

South Korea prepares response to Mexico's tariff hike plan The South Korean government is taking steps to address Mexico's planned tariff hikes, a move that threatens to disrupt supply chains and raise costs for major South Korean companies. The tariffs, which are part of Mexico's new legislative initiative, are expected to target 1,463 product classifications, a significant increase from previous measures. Affected items include auto parts, steel, home appliances, and textiles — all sectors where South Korean firms have a major presence. South Korean firms, including Kia Motors, have heavily invested in Mexico, using it as an export hub to the United States under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) trade pact. These companies often import raw materials and components from South Korea for assembly in Mexico, making them vulnerable to new import duties. A Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official said, "We will work closely with industry and local embassies to minimize impacts on our companies through thorough monitoring." In the past, South Korean companies have used Mexico's tariff reduction programs, such as PROSEC (Program for Sectoral Promotion) and IMMEX (Manufacturing, Maquila, and Export Service Industry), to mitigate the effects of tariffs. However, the details of Mexico's new tariff plans are still unclear, raising concerns about whether these existing programs will be sufficient to absorb the economic impact. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that the tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries and are not aimed at any specific country. Despite this, South Korea is among the countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico that could be significantly affected. The new measures are currently under review by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies and, if approved, could take effect as early as Jan. 1 next year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 10:06:20

FM heads to Beijing to discuss Xi's possible visit to South Korea next month SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun headed to Beijing on Wednesday, making his first trip to China since assuming his post. Cho is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi later in the day. Their discussions are expected to focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to South Korea late next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the historic city of Gyeongju. Although Beijing has yet to confirm, Xi is highly likely to attend the multilateral gathering slated for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. In an editorial published the previous day, China's state-run English daily Global Times said Cho's visit "reflects Seoul's proactive will to improve and develop relations with Beijing," and urged South Korea to work together to "confront" recent U.S. tariff pressures under U.S. President Donald Trump-led "unilateralism and protectionism." During Cho's two-day visit, North Korea-related issues are also expected to be on the agenda for the first bilateral foreign ministers' meeting. Amid concerns over China's stance on its traditional ally following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's meeting with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing earlier this month during China's "Victory Day" military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Cho is likely to call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, stressing the need for China to play a "constructive role" in the process. 2025-09-17 10:00:32

Hyundai Motor joins international hydrogen energy conference in Japan Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that it participated in the 7th Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Osaka, Japan, on Sept. 15. The Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting, initiated in 2018, gathers officials from major countries and international organizations to discuss hydrogen energy promotion and global cooperation. This year, it was held alongside the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted by Japan and Brazil, in connection with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Under the theme of "Creating Demand," the meetings included ministers and vice ministers from 25 member countries, including South Korea, Japan, the EU, the UK, and Brazil, as well as representatives from international organizations like the Asian Development Bank, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Energy Forum. Hyundai shared insights on raising awareness of global hydrogen initiatives, promoting low-carbon industry transitions through international cooperation, and building a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. Ken Ramirez, Hyundai's VP of Energy & Hydrogen, stated, "Hydrogen is at a pivotal point as a key pillar of global energy transition. Continuous policy support and effective implementation are essential to realize its potential." He added, "To make hydrogen a competitive solution, we must link financial support with industry development and build infrastructure, investment, and policy frameworks together." Ramirez also highlighted hydrogen cooperation between South Korea and Japan, noting, "The Korea-Japan Hydrogen Dialogue in March reaffirmed our commitment to hydrogen collaboration, promising joint efforts to standardize and institutionalize the hydrogen ecosystem, accelerating its development." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 09:57:28

SK Innovation targets global market with battery recycling tech SK Innovation is set to enter the global battery recycling market with its proprietary Battery Metal Recycling (BMR) technology. The company announced on Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. engineering firm KBR at the Fastmarkets Conference in Portugal. Under the agreement, KBR will combine its crystallization technology with SK Innovation's BMR technology for global sales, generating royalty revenue for SK Innovation. KBR, with about 34,000 employees and operations in over 80 countries, provides advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including energy and infrastructure. Since 2017, SK Innovation has developed its battery recycling technology by integrating its expertise from the refining and petrochemical sectors. In 2021, the company established a facility capable of recovering lithium hydroxide from batteries equivalent to 800 electric vehicles annually, securing over 100 patents globally. Phil Seok Kim, head of SK Innovation's Environmental Science and Technology Institute, stated, "Our innovative lithium recovery technology meets EU battery regulations and has proven battery performance." Gautam Krishnaiya, KBR's CTO, praised the economic advantages of SK Innovation's technology over traditional methods, highlighting the synergy with KBR's crystallization technology. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 09:52:00