OPINION: Kazakhstan's constitution at 30: What has been achieved? SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - When people voted in the 1995 national referendum (August 30) to adopt a new Constitution, they laid the cornerstone of modern statehood. More than just a legal charter, the Constitution of Kazakhstan is marked by its humanist focus. Article 1 declares the country a democratic, secular, legal, and social state, in which the highest values are the individual, their life, rights, and freedoms. For a country like Kazakhstan, which gained independence relatively recently, these provisions were far from mere formal declarations. They became a bedrock of domestic policy, legislative development, and state strategy in the years that followed. Experts note that the constitutional recognition of human rights was a decisive step in the transition from an administrative-command system to a modern rule-of-law state. Over nearly three decades, Kazakhstan has demonstrated a readiness to strengthen mechanisms for protecting citizens’ rights in a gradual yet consistent manner: open, institutionally formalized, and backed by international obligations. Human rights have thus acquired not only domestic significance but also become a marker of international legitimacy. Expanding Human Rights Safeguards Perhaps the most significant innovation of the reform that followed a nationwide referendum on June 5, 2022 was granting constitutional status to the Human Rights Commissioner. Ombudsman Artur Lastayev highlighted that with this decision, Kazakhstan has joined developed democracies where the activities of national human rights institutions are regulated by the Constitution and constitutional laws. "This is a sign of democratic maturity. Reforms have made human rights protections more accessible, including the right of citizens to appeal directly to the Constitutional Court," Lastayev explained. The ombudsman’s role has expanded from reviewing complaints to proactive monitoring of detention facilities, legislative initiatives, and legal education. In 2024, nearly 800 visits to prisons, detention centers, and special institutions were carried out, far exceeding previous years. Regional representatives of the ombudsman now operate nationwide. This institutional presence has fueled a surge in public trust, as annual appeals have grown from 1,800 to nearly 7,000 in just a few years. According to Lastayev, this reflects both rising legal awareness and stronger trust in institutions. Legislative proposals from the ombudsman’s office are increasingly shaping national policy. Among the most notable is the new law on combating domestic violence, written in accordance with ombudsman recommendations, which now stands as a landmark in Kazakhstan’s legal landscape. Rule of Law through Constitutional Change The Constitution has proven to be flexible, evolving in response to new challenges. The transformative change came with the referendum in June 2022, when citizens endorsed sweeping reforms aimed at democratization, judicial modernization, and the reinforcement of the principle of law and order. The judiciary was a primary beneficiary. As Chief Justice Aslambek Mergaliyev noted, according to the Constitution, everyone has the right to judicial protection of their rights and freedoms. "Therefore, it is crucial that every citizen is confident in the fairness of the court, where they can truly find both protection and truth. The rule of law in all spheres of life must become the foundation of Kazakhstan's progressive development," he said. Digitization has advanced rapidly. Over 80% of pre-trial investigations are now conducted electronically, and 90% of investigative actions are video-recorded, ensuring transparency. The Ministry of Justice has also broadened legal access through the People’s Lawyer campaign and the expansion of its online Legal Cabinet. Aspirations of the People The Constitution has proven both durable and adaptive. Nearly three decades after its adoption, it remains centered on the principle that the highest value is the individual, their rights, and their dignity. The 2022 reforms in particular cemented the idea that sovereignty belongs to the people, while anchoring the rule of law and human rights protections in the country’s political DNA. As the nation navigates the digital era and a shifting global landscape, its greatest hope lies in the Constitution’s continued role: not only as the foundation of statehood, but also as a reflection of the society’s aspirations. 2025-09-01 09:32:33

New Cold War in offing? Leaders from China, North Korea, Russia to gather for military parade SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to make his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage later this week, with his upcoming trip to Beijing for a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This will mark Kim's first time attending a multilateral gathering, since assuming power in late 2011, as he has previously held only bilateral summits during his visits to China and Russia. Among the attendees for the event scheduled for Sept. 3 at Tiananmen Square was Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other leaders and senior officials from Belarus, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Viet Nam. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Tianjin, northern China, for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Beijing- and Moscow-backed regional security grouping, is also set to attend Wednesday's parade. Kim's decision to attend the massive event, which will boast China's mighty military arsenal with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment, followed by a possible trilateral meeting with Putin and Xi, comes just a week after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to reaffirm their three-way cooperation for regional peace and security. After forging close military ties with Moscow in recent years by sending thousands of troops to support its war in Ukraine, Kim now appears to be trying to mend frayed relations with his country's traditional ally. The three leaders' gathering at Beijing's symbolic venue would signal that the world may be headed for a new Cold War order or Cold War-style confrontation, where China, North Korea and Russia are squaring off against Japan, South Korea and the U.S. Some pundits, however, speculate that Kim's attendance may be a strategic move to gain leverage in future talks with the U.S., amid Trump's repeated overtures to engage Pyongyang. Although a flight from Pyongyang to Beijing would take about an hour, Kim is expected to soon board his private armored train again, which takes around 20 hours, even though he does not seem to have inherited his father's morbid fear of flying. In an apparent sign of his impending trip, a hotel in the Chinese border city of Dandong recently halted bookings for rooms overlooking the train route. 2025-08-31 16:27:18

Woman arrested after breaking into BTS' Jungkook's home in Seoul SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - A woman who broke into K-pop juggernaut BTS' member Jungkook's home was arrested, police said on Sunday. The woman in her 40s, was booked on charges of trespassing in the parking lot of Jungkook's home in Seoul's posh district of Yongsan around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday, according to police. She was spotted by a security guard who found her behavior suspicious and reported her to the police. She reportedly said, "I entered because it was a friend's house." Police are questioning her about her motives. It is not the first time a stranger has attempted to intrude into the K-pop star's home. Earlier in June, a woman in her 30s from China was arrested for a similar incident after she was caught repeatedly trying to open a door lock at Jungkook's residence. She reportedly told police at the time that she came to Seoul to see Jungkook, who had just been discharged from his 18 months of mandatory military service. 2025-08-31 14:24:30

INTERVIEW: Thai envoy speaks about deepening ties on security, economy and culture SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - Thailand and South Korea share a long friendship built on history and sacrifice. Ambassador Tanee Sangrat reminded that the foundation of trust goes back to the Korean War, when Thai troops fought alongside South Koreans. "Thailand is an old friend," he said during an interview with AJP on August 28. "Our cooperation began with sacrifice during the Korean War, and it remains the base for everything we can achieve together." Thailand was the first Asian nation to send troops to fight alongside South Korea and United Nations forces in the Korean War. Following North Korea’s invasion in June 1950, the Thai government under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram quickly pledged support for the UN command. In total, more than 11,000 Thai soldiers rotated through the Korean Peninsula between 1950 and 1953. Over 1,200 were wounded and 136 killed in action. This early sacrifice established Thailand as one of South Korea’s staunchest partners, laying the groundwork for the diplomatic and security ties that endure today. Asked about priorities, the ambassador placed security and defense at the top. "It is vital that Thailand and the people of Korea take full advantage of our close and long-standing relationship and cooperation," he said, stressing, "We must work more closely on cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and on fighting transnational crime such as cyber scam call centers." He also pointed to existing defense industry ties. "Our most advanced ship was built in this country by Hanwha Ocean. Thailand acquired T-50 jet trainers from Korea and they are now in active use. These are concrete examples of what we can do together." On the economic front, he stressed resilience and new growth. "We should reduce risks and strengthen ties through an Economic Partnership Agreement. There are many areas of economic cooperation, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, future mobility, renewable energy, batteries, and semiconductors." For South Korean investors looking at Southeast Asia, he presented Thailand as both a market and a base. "Thailand is at the crossroads of the region. We are the main hub of Southeast Asia. With advanced highways, rail, international ports and deep seaports, we can serve as both a manufacturing base and a consumer market for high-tech industries." He listed concrete incentives. "We provide corporate income tax exemption for up to 13 years and a 50 percent reduction for up to five years. Non-tax incentives include permission to bring in skilled workers and the ability to remit funds abroad in foreign currency," Ambassador Sangrat said. The Eastern Economic Corridor is central to this pitch. "The EEC covers Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong," he said, adding, "We are building a high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. Phase three of Laem Chabang Port is already underway. The EEC has its own office and its own law to support investors." He then outlined five industries that the government prioritizes. First is bio-based industries, drawing on sugarcane and cassava for biotechnology, bioenergy, biochemicals, and biopharmaceuticals. Second is healthcare and medical services, where Thailand is already a global leader in medical tourism. Third is semiconductors and advanced technology. Fourth is digital and creative industries, with our digital economy contributing more than six percent of GDP in 2023. Fifth is electric vehicles. We produced almost 1.5 million vehicles in 2024, and we are transitioning rapidly to EVs." The conversation moved to education. "We are linking key Thai universities with Korean institutions such as KAIST and Seoul National University," he said. The envoy also revealed plans to establish permanent joint research labs and to produce PhD-level talent in AI, semiconductors, batteries, and other sectors over the next five years. "Students will also be encouraged to work on startups of their own," the ambassador said. Culture will also be central. The embassy is preparing a two-day festival in Seoul that kicks off on September 6. "Last year, more than 50,000 people joined us. This year we expect around 6,000," he said. "We will open in the morning and hold a parade in the afternoon led by Buakaw, the Muay Thai champion. The champion will collaborate with a Taekwondo team while the festival will exhibit an Innovation Zone for Thai startups, and offer free Thai massage throughout both days. The Khon masked dance and a Pattaya cultural show will highlight tradition. T-pop (Thai-pop) artists will perform for young audiences, and there will be singing and dancing competitions for Koreans and international friends." On migration issues, he acknowledged concerns. "There are more than 170,000 Thai nationals in Korea. Almost 50,000 are legal workers, but many remain undocumented," he said. "Our strategy is to reduce the number of undocumented workers and increase the number of documented workers." He pointed to cooperation with South Korean authorities. "We are working with the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Service to improve the K-ETA process so that decisions are made before travel. Travelers should not be turned back at the airport after spending so much money to come. We also support the voluntary return program so undocumented workers can go home without penalties." The ambassador closed on a forward-looking note. "Korea is becoming a global power not only in soft power but in many industries and technologies. Thailand has grown as well. We must look more to each other for closer strategic collaboration in defense, AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, green energy, and small modular reactors—for the benefit of our people." 2025-08-31 11:59:45

Apple's slimmest iPhone ever set for release next month, with tariffs casting uncertainty over sales in South Korea SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - Apple will release a new series of iPhones and other devices next month, including the thinnest iPhone ever, with South Korea among the first batch of launch countries for the second consecutive year. According to industry sources, the tech giant is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series including a super-slim "Air" model at its headquarters in Cupertino, California on Sept. 9. Apple, which for years had placed South Korea in the second or later phases of its global rollouts, now includes the country among its first-tier major markets alongside Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, and India, in an apparent bid to diversify its market presence amid slowing sales in China. Preorders will be available shortly after the release, with sales beginning about a week later in South Korea. But it remains to be seen whether even loyal iPhone customers here will be swayed by the latest models, which are expected to carry higher price tags due to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures. Market watchers already expressed concern that the new iPhone's second-half sales may not match those of its predecessors. U.S. investment bank Jefferies recently warned that iPhone sales "may be the toughest ever." But it added that Apple "still has a chance to recover lost ground in the second half of this year," as the new models' artificial intelligence (AI) features could "drive replacement demand" and outperform market expectations. 2025-08-31 10:42:42

Pyongyang honors fallen soldiers ahead of Kim's Beijing trip SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a large-scale memorial event for soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine, just days before his expected attendance at a military parade in Beijing next week. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the memorial event was held on Friday in Pyongyang to honor troops dispatched overseas. The event came about a week after the unveiling of "the memorial wall" at the ruling party’s headquarters, which displayed photos of more than 100 fallen soldiers. The first memorial event held last week honored about 100 soldiers and this time more than 200 additional names were mentioned. At Friday's event, Kim handed portraits of the dead wrapped in the national flag to bereaved families and said "I once again express my regret about having failed to save the precious lives of our officers and soldiers who fell in the battlegrounds on a foreign land," said Kim. He pledged that he "will take full responsibility for them and train them admirably as staunch and courageous fighters like their fathers." Kim also shared plans to designate a new district in Pyongyang and "will lay the remains of the martyrs" and "erect a monument" there. The repeated memorial events are widely seen as an attempt to ease unrest among soldiers and its people due to the rising number of casualties. However, there is significant speculation that these gestures are intended to highlight North Korea’s sacrifices in the war. As Kim is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing next Wednesday, these moves may aim to secure economic or political rewards from Moscow. The parade that Kim and Putin are going to attend is China’s "Victory Day" parade, which commemorates the end of World War II, following Japan's formal surrender. Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Service reported in April that North Korea’s casualties in the war have reached about 4,700, including 600 deaths. 2025-08-30 17:36:09

UN OHCHR Seoul Office calls for attention to the victims of North Korean abductions SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The UN Human Rights Office in Seoul called for attention to the suffering of victims of enforced disappearances and abductions by North Korea and their families. The office urged attention to the issue to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance, which was observed on Saturday. The day aims to raise awareness of people who have gone missing against their will, highlight the suffering of their families, and call for action to stop such crimes. "Today we stand in solidarity with the victims of this most heinous crime," said James Heenan, the office's representative. "Just as families can never forget their disappeared loved ones, we must never forget their plight nor give up seeking truth and accountability," he added. The office highlighted a 2023 report titled "These wounds do not heal." The report described long-running cases of people who went missing because of actions by the North. These included the detention of its own citizens, the abduction of South Koreans during and after the Korean War, the failure to return prisoners of war, and the kidnapping of Japanese and other foreign nationals, especially women. The report urged North Korea to investigate all cases fairly, find out what happened to the missing, return the remains of those who passed away, and release people detained for political reasons. It further urged Pyongyang to provide effective reparations to victims and their families. "The office underscores the urgent need to uphold the rights of all victims including their families. With many of them now of advanced age, a resolution of this issue is imperative," it added. 2025-08-30 16:07:26

Heat and rain to linger nationwide through weekend SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - South Korea will face more heat and rain this weekend. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said heat alerts were in effect nationwide and rain warnings were issued for Gyeonggi Province north of Seoul, Gangwon Province in the northeast, and parts of the capital. The Seoul Metropolitan Government closed 29 streams across the city on Saturday morning as a precaution against flooding. Rain is forecast to continue in the capital area and inland Gangwon through the afternoon, before spreading to central and southern regions including Jeolla, Gyeongsang, and the southern island of Jeju. Some northern areas could see downpours of about 30 millimeters per hour, the KMA said. Daytime highs are expected to reach 30 to 35 degrees Celsius nationwide, with high humidity making conditions feel hotter. Heat warnings or advisories remain in effect. On Sunday, showers with strong winds, thunder and lightning are expected to affect most parts of the country. Rain will begin in Jeju before dawn, spread to southern regions in the morning, and reach the capital and central areas by night. The unsettled weather is expected to last until Monday. 2025-08-30 13:33:00

South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun wins again over visa denial SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - A Seoul court has once again ruled in favor of South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun, ordering the cancellation of the government's decision to deny him a visa to enter the country. The Seoul Administrative Court on Thursday sided with the 48-year-old singer, also known by his U.S. name Steve Seung-jun Yoo, in his third lawsuit against the South Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles, which had repeatedly rejected his visa applications. Yoo, once a popular singer in South Korea, was banned from entering the country in 2002 after he obtained U.S. citizenship to avoid mandatory military service, just three months after pledging to enlist. He applied for an F-4 overseas Korean visa at the LA consulate in 2015, citing a law allowing those over 38 years old who had renounced South Korean nationality to be eligible. However, the consulate repeatedly denied his requests despite multiple Supreme Court rulings in his favor in 2020 and 2023, citing concerns that his entry could harm national interests. In this third ruling, the consulate argued that granting Yoo a visa could undermine public order, but the court rejected the claim, saying the grounds were insufficient. The court added that the ruling does not mean Yoo's past actions were appropriate, dismissing a separate case he filed against the Ministry of Justice seeking to nullify the ministry's 2002 entry ban. Still, his return to South Korea remains uncertain as the ban remains valid. The consulate may continue to deny his visa unless the ministry lifts the ban. 2025-08-29 16:54:01

Southern port city hosts cruise dating event for 84 young professionals SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - A total of 84 unmarried working people from the southern port city of Ulsan are set to join a "cruise dating" event on Friday. The Ulsan City organized the event, titled "Chilseok, Ulsan Romantic Day," to help young professionals, born between 1986 and 2000, living in the city find new connections and to encourage them to settle down in the city. Held on Chilseok, the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, the festival is rooted in a legend of star-crossed lovers Gyeonwu and Jiknyeo, who are separated by the Milky Way and allowed to reunite only once a year when magpies and crows make a bridge across the Milky Way. In Korea, it has long been considered a day symbolizing romance and longing. The program drew strong interest, attracting 470 applicants. One even changed his or her registered address to Ulsan to participate in the event, officials said. A lottery narrowed the group down to 42 men and 42 women. The program includes speed-dating conversations, meals, a whale-watching cruise, a fireworks show, and a final couple-matching session. "Sogaeting," or blind dates typically arranged by friends or colleagues, has long been a familiar way for young people to meet outside of work or school. However, large-scale dating events hosted by local governments are relatively new to South Korea's dating culture. Ulsan's effort also reflects broader demographic challenges. According to a 2023 report by the Bank of Korea, Ulsan has experienced the fastest population decline in the nation since 2016, largely due to young people leaving to other regions amid limited job opportunities. Data from Statistics Korea show that by 2022, 11 out of 17 major cities and provinces, including Seoul, Busan and Daegu, had also entered population decline. The effort is not unique to Ulsan. Other regional cities have also experimented with creative ways to keep younger residents. Earlier this year, Seoul's Seodaemun hosted a six-hour dating program for singles in their late 20s and 30s, while Busan's Saha also organized similar matchmaking events. 2025-08-29 16:50:53