SK On expands into US energy storage market with $1.4 billion battery deal SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - Battery maker SK On said Thursday it had secured a major foothold in the North American energy storage market by signing a large supply contract with Colorado-based Flatiron Energy. The deal covers one gigawatt-hour of containerized storage systems using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for a project in Massachusetts, beginning next year. SK On also gained “preferred supplier” status for Flatiron’s broader portfolio of U.S. projects, totaling 6.2 gigawatt-hours through 2030. In all, the partnership could reach 7.2 gigawatt-hours, with an estimated value of up to 2 trillion won, or $1.44 billion. Flatiron, founded in 2021, develops and operates large-scale energy storage systems across North America, overseeing the process from site acquisition to construction and operation. To meet demand, SK On plans to begin mass production of storage-specific LFP batteries in the second half of 2026. Part of its SK Battery America plant in Georgia, originally designed for electric vehicle batteries, will be converted to produce the systems. Executives said the pivot would help the company weather a slowdown in electric vehicle sales by broadening its product portfolio. The global market for stationary energy storage has been expanding rapidly, driven by renewable power generation and grid stabilization needs. “This contract is highly significant in that SK On has simultaneously expanded both its battery chemistry and business portfolio,” said Choi Dae-jin, head of the company’s ESS division. “Going forward, we will continue to secure additional customers based on our advanced battery technology and local production capabilities.” Industry analysts estimate that energy storage contracts average about 300 billion won, or $215 million, per gigawatt-hour, making the Flatiron deal one of SK On’s largest outside the electric vehicle sector. 2025-09-04 16:38:48

[[K-Pop]] Late-bloomer Day6 to drop new album ahead of 10th anniversary SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - K-pop rock band Day6 will release its fourth full-length album on Friday, just ahead of its 10th anniversary, its agency said Thursday. The new album, "The Decade," is set to drop on Friday, nearly six years after their last full-length release, and will feature the band's first-ever double title tracks, "Dream Bus" and "Inside Out." Consisting of 10 tracks, the album celebrates their past decade and explores stories of life and love. Starting in mid-August, the band unveiled a trailer and track previews on their social media channels, and recently released a sampler video offering snippets of all tracks. To mark their anniversary, the band is staging various fan events, including a world tour, pop-up events, and visual posters showcasing their discography. They also plan to release a documentary reflecting on their decade-long journey, along with in-house content featuring four members. Formed under major music agency JYP Entertainment, the band debuted on Sept. 7, 2015, with the mini-album "The Day" and its title track "Congratulations." Originally a six-member band, Day6 now performs as a quartet consisting of Sung-jin, Young K, Won-pil, and Do-woon. Often described as a late bloomer, the band did not immediately gain the spotlight after their debut. But while members were away for mandatory military service, their older songs, particularly "You Were Beautiful" (2017) and "Time of Our Life" (2019), belatedly climbed back onto the charts in 2023, gaining them new listeners. This milestone made them the first K-pop band to perform at Gocheok Sky Dome, one of the country's largest indoor concert venues, and just last month, they successfully held a tour concert at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province before an even larger audience. They have carved out a unique role in the K-pop industry by playing their own instruments on stage and actively participating in songwriting and composing. Known for emotional lyrics and strong melodies, Day6 continues to blur the line between idol group and rock band, earning a reputation as one of the most distinctive acts in the K-pop scene. 2025-09-04 16:38:25

S. Korean National Assembly Speaker meets N. Korean and Russian leaders in Beijing SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik had two rare encounters in Beijing on Wednesday, a brief greeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a short conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. One ended with little more than a nod, the other touched upon inter-Korean relations. According to Woo's office, the encounter with Kim took place in a waiting room ahead of China's "Victory Day" military parade at Tiananmen Square. Woo greeted Kim by saying, "It's been seven years since we last met ," to which Kim simply replied, "Yes." No further conversation followed, and Woo was seated far from Kim during the parade. Both Woo and Kim were in Beijing to attend the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was the first direct contact between a senior South Korean official and Kim since President Lee Jae Myung took office. The two had previously met during the 2018 inter-Korean summit. As floor leader of the Democratic Party in 2018, Woo attended a welcome banquet in Pyongyang. At the time, he publicly shared that his family had been divided across the border, with two sisters living in North Korea. Woo also met Putin at a reception following the parade. Woo's office said he asked Putin to pay attention to the 130 South Korean companies operating in Russia. Putin, in return, expressed interest in inter-Korean affairs and even asked Woo what message he should deliver to Kim at a North Korea-Russia summit, which took place later that day. The Kremlin, however, said the two leaders "may have exchanged a handshake and brief greeting," though there was "no separate meeting." Experts said Woo's exchanges with Putin highlight shifting dynamics in Seoul's foreign policy and Moscow's renewed ambitions. Lee Sin-uck, a research professor at Wonkwang University, said ties between South Korea and Russia had cooled under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, but the Lee administration is now seeking a more pragmatic course in diplomacy. Lee interpreted Putin's comments as part of Moscow's bid to reassert influence on the Korean Peninsula. He said Russia had been sidelined from key issues such as North Korea's nuclear program after the collapse of the Soviet Union. "With the war in Ukraine, Russia has forged what it calls a 'blood alliance' with Pyongyang and is now openly positioning itself as an international mediator," he said. Inter-Korean relations have been stalled since the 2019 Hanoi summit. North Korea has cut all official communication channels and labeled the South a "hostile state." By contrast, since taking office in June, Lee has pursued a conciliatory stance, ending propaganda broadcasts at the border, removing loudspeakers, and striking a softer tone in his speech marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day. 2025-09-04 16:31:45

French bestseller 'Empire of the Ants' to be released as webtoon SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - French novelist Bernard Werber’s 1991 bestseller "Empire of the Ants" will be released as a full-color webtoon in Korea and France in November. Weber is one of the most popular foreign novelists among South Korean book lovers. First published in 1991, Empire of the Ants explores human and ant societies through science fiction, focusing on survival, evolution and social order. Translated into Korean in 1993, the novel became a bestseller and established Werber as one of France’s leading authors. The adaptation will be created by webtoon artist Kim Yong-hoe, known for "Dr. Fine’s Daily Life" and "Why Did You Come to Goblin Hill?," and will be produced in vertical scroll format with support from the Korea Creative Content Agency. "I am delighted that my story will reach a new generation of readers in webtoon," Werber said, noting its appeal more than three decades after publication. Kenaz, a global webtoon company, said the project aims to capture “the scientific imagination of the original work and the dynamic world of ants” in a vivid, full-color style. 2025-09-04 16:26:17

Korea's top business lobby ties economic recovery to green growth SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s most powerful business lobby urged the government Thursday to pair consumer stimulus with an ambitious green transition as the country struggles with sluggish growth and rising climate pressures. The Federation of Korean Industries, which represents the country’s largest conglomerates, presented a seven-point “renewal” strategy that it said could both spur household consumption and advance the nation’s carbon neutrality goals. The initiative borrows from China’s trade-in policies, which encourage consumers to replace outdated goods with cash rebates for newer, more efficient products. The plan underscores growing pressure on policymakers to find ways of jump-starting Asia’s fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by weak consumer spending, global trade frictions and the costs of a low-carbon transition. The proposals cover a wide range of sectors: transforming homes into high-efficiency “smart” dwellings, accelerating the shift to green mobility, overhauling aging infrastructure, upgrading artificial intelligence systems, and expanding cultural and residential development. Much of the plan hinges on large-scale replacement of old vehicles and appliances. The federation called for scrappage subsidies to retire internal combustion cars and broadened incentives for electric and hydrogen vehicles, including tax breaks and direct subsidies. It also urged the government to extend programs that support energy-efficient appliances and expand eligibility for consumers. On the industrial front, the group recommended greater support for “smart green” industrial complexes and new carbon-reduction incentives to speed companies’ environmental transitions. For housing, it pushed for easing regulations on reconstruction projects and loosening floor-area restrictions to make green remodeling more attractive to private developers. “The seven tasks proposed by FKI serve as a roadmap to inject vitality into the stagnant economy and secure future growth engines,” said Lee Sang-ho, head of the federation’s economic and industrial research department. “The government needs to actively consider this as a means to improve Korea’s economic fundamentals by enhancing productivity across all sectors.” 2025-09-04 16:15:41

South Korea finds lifeline in Southeast Asia as US tariffs weigh on exports SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports to Southeast Asia surged in August, offsetting declines in shipments to the United States as Washington’s trade barriers increasingly disrupt bilateral flows. Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations rose 12 percent from a year earlier to a record $10.89 billion, the trade ministry said Thursday. It was the third consecutive month of growth to the bloc, which has become an increasingly vital market for Korean manufacturers. For the second month in a row, exports to ASEAN outpaced those to the United States, a shift last seen in late 2023. U.S.-bound shipments tumbled 12 percent, the sharpest fall this year, while exports to China slipped 2.9 percent. Semiconductors led the rebound in Southeast Asia, with sales up 47 percent to $2.7 billion, fueled by investments in artificial intelligence and data centers. Shipments of vessels soared nearly 360 percent, while oil products rose 16 percent and petrochemicals 13 percent, though pricing pressure from Chinese competitors tempered gains. South Korean conglomerates are also deepening their footprint in the region. Hyundai Motor and steelmaker POSCO are building new factories and export hubs in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, underscoring ASEAN’s growing role in Korea’s global supply chain strategy. Economists say the region could soon eclipse both the United States and China as South Korea’s most dynamic export market, driven by its young demographics, expanding middle class and rapid digital transformation. Still, risks loom. Chinese imports to five major ASEAN economies grew 6 percent between 2021 and 2024, compared with just 0.1 percent for Korean goods, according to a recent trade agency report. And much of Korea’s export strength remains tied to semiconductors, many of which are shipped to Vietnam for packaging and testing before being re-exported to the United States — a structure that leaves Korean trade exposed to geopolitical tensions. 2025-09-04 16:08:37

KAIST and LG Energy Solution develop EV battery capable of charging in 12 minutes and driving 800km SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - A joint team of researchers in South Korea has developed a powerful new battery that can charge in just 12 minutes and allow electric vehicles to drive up to 800 kilometers on a single charge. This new battery's performance also lasts for over 300,000 kilometers and could help solve some of the biggest problems in the EV industry. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said on Thursday that a research team led by Professor Kim Hee-tak from KAIST's Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering worked together with South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution through their joint lab, the Frontier Research Laboratory (FRL). Together, they created a special liquid electrolyte that makes lithium metal batteries work better, charge faster, and last longer. This new kind of battery replaces the graphite used in regular lithium-ion batteries with pure lithium metal. Lithium metal has the potential to hold more energy, but it also has a serious problem. During charging, tiny tree-shaped crystals called dendrites can grow on the battery’s surface. These dendrites can cause the battery to short-circuit, especially during fast charging, making the battery unsafe or unreliable. Until now, it has been very difficult to prevent dendrites from forming. But the KAIST-LG research team found the cause: uneven chemical reactions happening on the surface of the lithium metal. They designed a new liquid electrolyte that fixes this problem by keeping the surface reactions more balanced. This new electrolyte uses negatively charged ions that do not easily stick to lithium ions. Because of this, the battery surface stays smooth and even, which stops dendrites from forming. As a result, the battery can handle fast charging without becoming unstable or dangerous. The researchers tested their battery by charging and discharging it many times at high speed. Even at a high charging rate of 4C (which equals 8.4 milliamps per square centimeter), the battery performed well for more than 350 cycles. It was able to go from 5 percent to 70 percent charge in under 12 minutes. In another test using a high-energy design with 386 watt-hours per kilogram, the battery reached 80 percent charge in just 17 minutes over 180 cycles. "This study is a major step forward," said Professor Kim. "We were able to solve one of the toughest problems in lithium metal batteries by understanding how the surface reacts. With this, we have moved past a key barrier to using lithium metal batteries in electric vehicles." Kim Jae-young, Chief Technology Officer at LG Energy Solution, said, "Our collaboration with KAIST over the last four years through FRL is producing real results. We will continue working together to solve difficult technical challenges and lead the next generation of battery technologies." The research was published on September 3, 2025, in Nature Energy, one of the highest-ranked scientific journals in the world. The first author of the paper is Dr. Kwon Hyuk-jin, a researcher in KAIST’s Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering. This research was carried out at the Frontier Research Laboratory, a joint center created by KAIST and LG Energy Solution in 2021 to focus on next-generation lithium metal battery technologies.` 2025-09-04 15:04:07

Trump calls Beijing parade 'impressive,' mentions Kim and Putin SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was "very surprised" that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not highlight America’s role in World War II during a speech at a military parade in Beijing. "I watched the speech last night. President Xi is a friend of mine," Trump told reporters at the White House as he met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. "I thought that the United States should have been mentioned last night during that speech, because we helped China very, very much." China staged the parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, with Xi flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Before a crowd of more than 50,000, Xi thanked "the foreign governments and international friends who supported and assisted the Chinese people," according to an official account, but he did not specifically mention the U.S. Trump also praised the event. "I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. I thought it was very, very impressive," he said. "But I understood the reason they were doing it, and they were hoping I was watching, and I was watching." On Truth Social the previous day, Trump had asked whether Xi would note the "massive amount of support and blood" given by the U.S. during the conflict. "Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory," he wrote. "I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!" The president emphasized his ties with the three leaders in Beijing. "My relationship with all of them is very good," he said. "We’re going to find out how good it is over the next week or two." In another post, Trump wrote to Xi, "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America." 2025-09-04 14:32:20

Russian envoy underscores Soviet role in Korea's liberation at Seoul exhibition SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - The Russian Embassy in South Korea opened an exhibition in Seoul on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Korean Peninsula. The event, titled "Remembering the Liberation of the Korean Peninsula," is being held at Gallery Kartina and runs through September 26. Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev used his welcome remarks to highlight what he called the decisive role of the Soviet Union in Japan's defeat. "Soviet operations dismantled Japan's defense within Korea and, though the Red Army stopped at the 38th parallel under agreement with the United States, its contribution was decisive," he said. "Soviet casualties in Korea numbered over 1,900." He contrasted the Soviet campaign with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "Unlike the bombings, which had no real military significance and caused countless civilian deaths, the Red Army crushed the largest Japanese group on the continent and destroyed its military-industrial base," he said. "It also shut down Japan's programs for mass destruction weapons, particularly biological weapons, saving millions of lives." Former South Korean Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun also spoke at the opening. "Korea's liberation was primarily the result of the Korean people's long struggle," he said. "But Russian territory was a base for our independence fighters, and the Soviet Union's role has often been minimized while the contribution of the United States has been overstated. I hope this exhibition helps set the record straight." Woo, a former Democratic Party floor leader, described the effort to strengthen ties with Russia as consistent across administrations. "From President Kim Dae-jung through Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in and now Lee Jae Myung, our governments have pursued engagement with Russia and the northern region," he said. He also noted former President Roh Tae-woo's role in opening ties, saying he respected that contribution despite being from another political camp. Calling the modest exhibition space "symbolic," Woo added, "There is a saying that when a small space is filled, blessings come. Seeing so many gathered here makes me feel that South Korea–Russia relations will also be blessed." The event takes place at a time when ties between South Korea and Russia remain strained. Seoul has joined Western sanctions over Russia's 2022 attack on Ukraine, restricting technology exports and financial flows. At the same time, Moscow continues to look eastward for partners, deepening cooperation with North Korea, including a security treaty signed in 2024 and infrastructure projects such as a road bridge across the border. Trade links remain, though they have weakened. Russia was South Korea's tenth-largest export destination before the war in Ukraine, and discussions on a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement have been on the table since 2019. The exhibition features archival photographs, documents, and records illustrating the Soviet Union's wartime campaign in Asia and its role in dismantling Japan's colonial rule on the peninsula. 2025-09-04 13:30:27

[[K-Culture]] S. Korean Tony-winning musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' to hit theaters next month SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - South Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending," which swept six awards at this year's Tony Awards in the U.S., is set to be released as a film in theaters next month, its distributor said Wednesday. Kino Films, the film's distributor, said the it will premiere exclusively at the multi-screen chain Megabox nationwide from October 2. Written by South Korean lyricist Hue Park and composed by American composer Will Aronson, the musical debuted in a 300-seat theater in Seoul in 2016 before moving to Broadway last year, where it claimed six Tony Awards, including the top honor of Best Musical. Maybe Happy Ending depicts a story about two robots who fall in love after being thrown away by humans. In a recent media interview, Park recalled how the musical was conceived. After briefly working as a lyricist in South Korea, he went to New York University to study visual arts, where he was introduced to Anderson by a mutual friend. Park said the story was inspired by personal hardships, including a breakup and the death of a close friend. Around that time, he heard Damon Albarn’s song “Everyday Robots” at a Brooklyn café, which compares lonely modern people to robots. The song sparked the idea of writing a love story about robots rediscovering forgotten human values. The film reunites South Korean actors Shin Joo-hyeop and Kang Hye-in, who starred in the 2018 stage production in Seoul, as the lead characters Oliver and Claire. Veteran actor Yoo Jun-sang joins as James, Oliver’s former owner, under the direction of Lee Won-hoe. Meanwhile, the musical is set to embark on a North American tour next June, starting at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore before traveling to more than 30 cities. 2025-09-04 11:32:50