TRAVEL: Tracing a thousand years of history at Jikjisa Temple GIMCHEON, August 29 (AJP) - Jikjisa Temple in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, is a thousand-year-old monastery that embodies both spiritual and historical significance. Founded in 418 by the monk Ado, who came from Goguryeo before Buddhism was even recognized as a state religion in Silla, the temple has long stood as a symbol of resilience. During the Japanese invasions of the late 16th century, it was here that Buddhist monk soldiers rallied under the leadership of Venerable Samyeong, who later crossed to Japan after the war to rescue more than 3,000 Korean captives. The temple’s historic weight is matched by the harmony of its architecture and natural surroundings. To reach the main Daeungjeon Hall, visitors pass through a sequence of four gates—Iljumun, Daeyangmun, Geumgangmun, and Cheonwangmun—before arriving at Manseru Pavilion. Beyond lies a sprawling complex of more than 40 buildings, including 14 major halls, each with distinct designs and interiors. Among the highlights is a garden arranged in the shape of the Huayeom Ilseung Beopgye-do, a symbolic Buddhist diagram created by the Silla monk Uisang. The flowerbed maze is meant to guide visitors through the principles of Dharma, symbolizing the rediscovery of one’s inner Buddha-nature. Daeungjeon Hall itself is a striking sight. Though destroyed during the Imjin War, it was rebuilt in 1735 and still carries an aura of antiquity. Behind its Buddha statues rests the “Three Assemblies of Sakyamuni” painting, completed in 1744 during the reign of King Yeongjo. Nearly 300 years old, the painting was elevated to National Treasure status in December 2024, admired for its vivid green tones and its calming presence. The path from Daeungjeon to Birojeon Hall is shaded by maple trees, turning brilliant red in autumn and making it one of Gimcheon’s top 10 scenic spots. Even in summer, the trees provide a cool refuge. In front of Daeungjeon, visitors rub the belly of the Budai statue or the feet of the Avalokitesvara statue near Samyeonggak, where the worn surfaces show countless hands seeking blessings. Birojeon itself, with its floral lattice windows, resembles a hall blooming with carved flowers. Nearby stands Hwangakru Pavilion, where visitors can rest upstairs and look out over the temple grounds framed by forested hills. Crossing a stone bridge toward Geungnakjeon Hall reveals a mountain stream flowing year-round, a picture framed by pines and rocks. At the uppermost corner of the temple sits Cheonbulam Hermitage, where visitors can sit on the Wansimdang veranda and listen to the sound of water mingling with the wind. Nearby, a traditional teahouse offers a place of quiet rest. At the temple entrance lies Jikji Culture Park, dotted with sculptures, stone inscriptions, and a fountain that dances to music. Nearby, Samyeong Park honors the monk-general’s patriotism, its landmark Peace Pagoda modeled after the nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple. At night, the pagoda glows with lights, its reflection shimmering across a wide pond. Close by are the Gimcheon City Museum and the Gimcheon World Ceramic Museum, offering cultural extensions to the temple visit. Around the entrance, traditional Korean restaurants serve set meals of hot stone pot rice with 20 or more side dishes, attracting diners from surrounding cities. Visitors also find unique details across the grounds: a maze-shaped mineral spring, walls of tiled roofs and stonework that show the passage of centuries, and sculpted guardians at the temple gates. 2025-08-29 16:33:48

South Korea unveils record 728 trillion won budget with big bets on AI, R&D SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s government on Friday signed off on a record 728 trillion won ($524.3 billion) budget for 2026, an 8.1 percent increase over this year and the first major fiscal blueprint of President Lee Jae Myung’s administration. The spending plan marks a sharp break from the austerity policies of Lee’s predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who kept budget growth near 2 to 3 percent. Instead, the new administration is seeking to jolt Asia’s fourth-largest economy with large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, research and development, and social programs. “The administration faced the critical task of breathing life into a sluggish economy and frozen livelihoods immediately upon taking office,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol said Friday. The budget earmarks a record 35.3 trillion won for research and development, a nearly 20 percent jump from this year, while tripling AI spending to 10.1 trillion won. A centerpiece of the plan is a 2.1 trillion won allocation for high-performance graphics processors to build what the Lee administration calls “sovereign AI” — though the number of planned units has been scaled back from 50,000 to 15,000. Defense spending will climb by 5 trillion won to 66.3 trillion won. The funds will support stealth fighter programs and AI-enabled weapons systems, including a 113.2 billion won investment in bomb-detection and disposal robots. Social welfare will also expand substantially. Outlays are set at 269.1 trillion won, up 20 trillion from this year, with increases in basic livelihood allowances for households and targeted support for single-person families. The government also plans to bolster regional higher education, doubling funding for local universities. A pilot of Lee’s “basic society” platform — providing 150,000 won monthly stipends to residents in depopulating rural areas — will begin next year at a cost of 170.3 billion won. The expansionary budget carries a heavy fiscal burden. Tax revenues are projected at 674.2 trillion won, leaving a deficit of about 54 trillion won. National debt will rise to 1,415 trillion won, pushing the debt-to-GDP ratio above 50 percent for the first time. The fiscal deficit will widen to 4 percent of GDP, surpassing the government’s self-imposed 3 percent ceiling. Officials have pledged to stabilize debt in the “high-50 percent range” by 2029. The budget bill will be submitted to the National Assembly on Sept. 3, where it is expected to face heated debate before a final vote in December. 2025-08-29 15:10:40

South Korea's SNT Group to establish US production base in Louisiana SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - South Korea's SNT Group said Friday that it had purchased an 82-acre site in Louisiana for a new manufacturing complex. The facility, covering roughly 330,000 square meters, will be developed in phases and is intended to serve as SNT’s integrated North American production base. The project will be led by SNT Motiv, the group’s automotive components arm, and will also involve SNT Energy, its energy equipment unit. Louisiana was chosen for its logistical advantages, company officials said. The state offers direct access to the Mississippi River, major highway corridors and proximity to auto manufacturing centers in Alabama and Georgia. It is also a hub for liquefied natural gas exports and home to some of the country’s most energy-intensive petrochemical and refining operations. At the plant, SNT Motiv plans to manufacture automotive components, including electric motors, for U.S. customers. SNT Energy will localize production of air coolers for liquefied natural gas projects as well as parts for combined-cycle power plants. “This investment will significantly enhance our production and supply capabilities in North America,” the group said in a press release. “By meeting U.S. standards, we will be able to respond more quickly to local demand and strengthen our position in a rapidly shifting global market.” 2025-08-29 15:01:47

Seoul aide says Kim Jong-un may briefly greet Speaker Woo at Beijing parade SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to acknowledge South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik when the two attend a military parade in Beijing next week, a senior South Korean presidential aide said Thursday. Woo Sang-ho, senior secretary to President Lee Jae-myung, told reporters that Kim would not "snub" Speaker Woo if they come across each other during China's "Victory Day" celebrations on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The two have previously met at the 2018 inter-Korean summit. "Speaker Woo and Kim shared drinks together in 2018, and they know each other well," said the senior secretary during a Democratic Party workshop in Incheon. "Given that Speaker Woo still has family in the North and once joined reunions at Mt. Kumgang, it would be good if the two meet." However, given the strained inter-Korean ties of recent years, Woo dismissed the possibility of a formal sit-down. "North Korea would never accept such a protocol," he said, adding that any encounter would most likely be limited to a brief greeting at a reception. As floor leader of the Democratic Party in 2018, Woo Won-sik attended a welcome banquet in Pyongyang. At the time, Woo publicly shared that his family had been divided across the border, with two sisters living in North Korea. Pyongyang confirmed this week that Kim will also attend the parade, which would mark his first appearance on a multilateral diplomatic stage since assuming power. During the visit, Kim is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time since Xi traveled to Pyongyang in June 2019. With Russian President Vladimir Putin also set to visit Beijing, speculation is mounting over the possibility of a trilateral meeting among Kim, Putin and Xi. Recently, North Korea and Russia have visibly strengthened their ties, holding high-level exchanges and signing defense-related agreements. China, however, has kept a cautious distance, wary of moving too closely with two heavily sanctioned countries. North Korea remains isolated over its nuclear weapons program, and Russia faces global condemnation over the war in Ukraine. For China, deeper alignment risks straining its global image and complicating its broader diplomatic strategy. The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang did not respond to Aju Press inquiries about the possibility of a trilateral meeting. 2025-08-29 14:29:47

[[K-pop]] New boy band AxMxP set for September debut SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - AxMxP, a four-member boy band, will make their debut in September. The group's agency FNC Entertainment said they will release their first album, "AxMxP," on Sept. 10 and hold a debut showcase in Seoul the same day. The band's name reflects their aim of "amplifying music power" and spreading their voices to the world, inspired by the sound equipment amp. On Thursday, an introductory video was unveiled showing electric currents lighting up the band's name. The vocalist starred in a TV drama about a K-pop band earlier this year, while the guitarist appeared in a supporting role. Both also took part in the drama's ending theme song, which attracted attention. Before their debut, AxMxP performed at family concerts hosted by the agency last year and appeared at a music festival in Seoul this spring. The debut marks the company's first new band in 10 years, following the success of boy bands such as F.T. Island, CNBLUE and N.Flying. 2025-08-29 14:13:20

US Senator emphasizes balance between nuclear deterrence and USFK flexibility SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) -A United States senator said Thursday that Washington can uphold its nuclear deterrence commitment to South Korea while keeping U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) flexible enough to respond to wider challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, made the comments at a Capitol press conference as the U.S. considers expanding the operational scope of the 28,500 USFK troops under the concept of "strategic flexibility." The idea not only covers deterring North Korea but also countering China and handling other regional contingencies. "We can guarantee extended deterrence while having strategic flexibility," Kim said. "That means we can support the defense of the Korean Peninsula and still have the ability to respond to contingencies across the Indo-Pacific." His remarks came a day after President Lee Jae Myung told reporters that Seoul was reluctant to accept Washington's push for more flexibility in USFK operations ahead of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim suggested, however, that flexibility is unavoidable given the shifting regional balance, describing the Indo-Pacific as a "very dynamic and potentially dangerous" environment. The senator also underlined that the current force level should remain intact. "I do not believe we should change the force level unless there is a mutual agreement between the two allies. The U.S. must not unilaterally cut troops as happened in past administrations," he said. Kim added that any unilateral moves by Washington would damage the alliance. "If the U.S. were to take unilateral actions without consultation with Seoul, it would send the wrong message to other countries about the status of the U.S.-South Korea alliance," he said. 2025-08-29 14:13:07

Rights advocates criticize South Korea's decision to withhold North Korea report SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - When South Korea's Ministry of Unification said it would go ahead and compile, but not publicly release its annual report on human rights in North Korea, reversing the previous administration's policy, the move drew criticism from rights advocates and policy experts. "Refusing to make information public is generally not a desirable decision in a democracy," said Robert King, former U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights. "Anytime information is withheld for political reasons it is usually counterproductive." The ministry said this year’s report would be compiled but kept under wraps. "We continue to conduct surveys on North Korea's human rights situation, and since we have results in hand, it is natural to keep them as internal records," a ministry official said during a press briefing, adding that "The disclosure of the report has had little effect on improving the human rights situation in North Korea." The decision has not gone down well with rights activists and organizations. It amounted to "dereliction of duty for the sake of appeasement," said Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the U.S.-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. He cautioned that similar gestures in the past produced little change and warned that limiting disclosure could erode international attention on abuses. "This would amount to unconditional surrender to the North," he said. "It is an approach that has been tried many times before, an approach that always resulted in failure." Compiled annually since 2018, the reports rely mainly on testimony from defectors and other evidence. At the time, the administration of then-President Moon Jae-in (2017~2022) withheld them from the public in line with its engagement policy with Pyongyang. That was reversed by Yoon Suk Yeol's administration which published the report in 2023 for the first time. The decision to revert to the earlier approach reflects the policy swings that have long defined Seoul’s dealings with Pyongyang. Typically, administrations adopting a firmer stance on North Korea policy highlighted abuses and pushed for disclosure, while those prioritizing dialogue sought to foster engagement with the North. Since taking office in June, Lee has pursued a conciliatory approach to the North, halting propaganda broadcasts along the border, removing loudspeakers and striking a softer tone in his Liberation Day speech marking the 80th anniversary. However, critics warn that by setting aside human rights, Seoul risks weakening its leverage in future talks with Pyongyang, as it is refraining from raising human rights issues that the regime considers highly sensitive. At the same time, they argue that failing to address abuses could draw international criticism and undermine South Korea’s credibility on human rights. In acknowledging the complexity of the issue, King said it was also important to protect defectors who provide testimony for the reports. The small number of North Koreans arriving in the South makes protecting their confidentiality critical, since testimonies often include details about escape routes and could put family members in the North at risk. "My general inclination is that information should be made public when it can be, but there are certainly valid reasons to protect individuals and those that helped them," King said. For now, the ministry said it will continue documenting abuses and preserving records for legal and historical purposes. Whether keeping the findings confidential will help foster better relations with Pyongyang or merely undermine efforts to improve human rights remains an open question. 2025-08-29 14:02:54

Samsung gains ground in Japan's iPhone-dominated market SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - Samsung, after years of lagging behind, is starting to carve out a bigger foothold in Japan, where Apple has long towered over the smartphone market. Samsung's Galaxy S25 series — introduced earlier this year with a slate of artificial intelligence features — has helped lift its fortunes in Japan. Samsung’s shipments surged 60 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to new data from Counterpoint Research released Friday. For Samsung, the gains represent a rare advance in a market where Apple’s dominance has been virtually unshakable. The question now is whether Japan’s consumers — long loyal to the iPhone — are ready to make more space for a rival. That second-quarter growth vaulted Samsung to third place in shipment-based market share at 10 percent, trailing Apple at 49 percent and Google at 11 percent. The company rose from fifth place a year ago, while Sharp, Japan’s top domestic player, slipped to fourth as its shipments fell 28 percent and its market share dropped to 6 percent. Samsung, which held just 6 percent of the market last year, is now on track to hit double digits for the full year, analysts say. The rise reflects growing consumer appetite in Japan for AI-equipped phones, boosting demand not only for the premium Galaxy S25 but also for Samsung’s more affordable Galaxy A line. The momentum has also been visible in the rollout of Samsung’s foldable devices. Its new Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, launched in Japan on Aug. 1, took the top two sales spots at NTT Docomo’s online store in their debut week. 2025-08-29 14:02:33

Business sentiment in South Korea remains pessimistic for 42nd month SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s corporate outlook sank further into pessimism for the 42nd straight month, weighed down by U.S. trade measures that have struck at the heart of its semiconductor and steel industries, the nation’s largest business group said Friday. A survey of the country’s 600 biggest companies by the Federation of Korean Industries showed the Business Survey Index for September at 93.2, below the 100 threshold that separates optimism from pessimism. The gauge has not crossed into positive territory since April 2022. Manufacturers reported particularly bleak sentiment, at 92.6, while non-manufacturing firms fared only slightly better at 93.8. The sharpest drop came in electronics and communications equipment, which includes semiconductors. That sector plunged 16.4 points to 94.7, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap 100 percent tariffs on chips — a warning that rattled an industry central to South Korea’s economy. Metals and metal processing remained mired in the 80s for a third straight month, as Washington’s 50 percent duties on steel, aluminum and copper products went into effect in August. “External trade risks and the prolonged slump in construction, which is depressing demand for cement and other raw materials, are the main forces behind the sustained weakness,” the federation said in its report. 2025-08-29 10:44:50

Ulsan breaks ground on AI data center with SK Telecom, Amazon SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - The industrial city of Ulsan is positioning itself as a national hub for artificial intelligence, breaking ground Friday on a large-scale AI data center in partnership with SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services. The ceremony, held at the Mipo National Industrial Complex, was attended by Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom, SK Telecom’s chief executive, Yoo Young-sang, officials from SK and AWS, lawmakers, and representatives from academia and local industries. The project follows a June investment agreement between SK Telecom and AWS, the world’s largest cloud services provider, to build a 103-megawatt facility in the coastal city. Unlike traditional data centers, the facility is designed to support large-scale AI training and analysis, industry-specific cloud applications, and high-speed data processing. Officials described it as a step toward embedding AI into Ulsan’s major industries, which include shipbuilding, petrochemicals, and automotive manufacturing. “Starting construction on one of the world’s biggest AI data centers isn’t just about infrastructure,” Mayor Kim said in remarks at the event. “It’s the first step toward bringing AI into Ulsan’s key industries and speeding up innovation.” 2025-08-29 09:51:54