Trump pushes arms sales, energy exports to Seoul SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump pressed South Korea on defense spending, energy imports and industrial cooperation during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on Monday, underscoring his emphasis on weapons sales and American energy exports. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office, cast South Korea as a reliable buyer of U.S. military hardware and suggested that expanding defense sales would be a central focus of the partnership. “They understand that we make the best military equipment in the world, and South Korea is a big buyer of military equipment,” Trump told reporters, pointing to flagship systems such as the B-2 stealth bomber, aerial refueling tankers and advanced fighter jets. Energy was another pillar of Trump’s remarks, as he highlighted what he described as a “reciprocal dependency” between the two allies. “We have more oil and gas and coal than any other nation in the world, by far, and we’re going to use it,” he said. “And that’s the thing that South Korea, I think most wants from us.” He singled out Alaska’s oil and natural gas reserves as key to expanding exports to Asia. 2025-08-26 10:17:27

Lee, Trump will strengthen shipbuilding cooperation under 'MASGA' initiative SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump and on Monday (local time) pledged to expand cooperation in shipbuilding, with Trump endorsing a sweeping South Korean proposal aimed at reviving America’s long-declining industry. At their first summit meeting at the White House, Trump voiced support for what Seoul has branded the “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative, or MASGA — a $150 billion plan advanced by South Korea during trade negotiations in July. The proposal calls for direct U.S. purchases of Korean-built vessels and expanded South Korean investment to rebuild America’s shipyard capacity. “We’re going to be buying ships from South Korea. We’re also going to have them make ships here with our people, using our people, and we’re going to go back into the shipbuilding business again,” Trump said. “We love their ships.” While calling the project promising, Trump cautioned that results would take time. “Shipbuilding is a tough one to start,” he said. “You know, it takes a while.” The plan underscores how far the U.S. has fallen behind in an industry it once dominated. Economists point to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act, as a key factor in the sector’s decline, entrenching monopolies and driving up costs. China, by contrast, has rapidly expanded its capacity, surpassing the United States in fleet size last year with 234 vessels to America’s 219, according to defense data. Some Republican lawmakers have pushed to roll back parts of the Jones Act, and analysts say Trump could seek executive measures to ease restrictions. But the scope of potential changes remains unclear. On the sidelines of the summit, South Korea’s HD Hyundai moved quickly to position itself as the project’s anchor partner, signing a memorandum of understanding on U.S. maritime investment. The company said it would help strengthen American shipbuilding, marine logistics and advanced maritime technology as part of the MASGA initiative. 2025-08-26 10:10:46

[[K-Pop]] Multinational units of K-pop girl group BlingOne meet fans in Seoul SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BlingOne, which has no South Korean members at all, held a fan event in Seoul on Monday as its Chinese and Peruvian unit members came together. Formed through the World K-Pop Center's global audition project "Click the Star," which aims to discover and nurture aspiring K-pop stars from 32 countries across the world, BlingOne began their journey with three Peruvian members in June last year and six Chinese members in February this year, while their Indonesia and South Korea units are expected to debut soon. The Chinese unit has since undergone some changes in its member lineup. "The group's name means 'to bling the world as one,'" said Yu Dong-ming of the center. "This is especially meaningful as it marks the first time since their debut that the Peruvian and Chinese members have come together." In his opening remarks at the event, Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea Paul Duclos welcomed the multinational group's members, expressing his expectation for their "excellent performance" here. Highlighting K-pop's power to connect different countries, he added, "Their talent, abilities, and passion for music also serve as a symbol of friendship and unity." The girls also expressed their excitement. "I've always missed my fans, and I'm overwhelmed to be here in such a special place," said Chinese member Chloe. Reflecting on the days she dreamed of making her debut, Peruvian member Mia said, "Being able to meet fans and connect with them at this up-close and personal event is truly a great gift." Cristina, 23, a Peruvian fan who attended the event with her sister, said, "I married a South Korean man and currently live here, but I became a fan of BlingOne after seeing their performance in Peru while visiting my family." Meanwhile, BlingOne will perform at a music festival this weekend in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, along with various singers and performers including Ailee, Chungha, Rain, Triple S, and Xiumin of EXO. 2025-08-26 10:09:39

PHOTOS: President Lee's first summit with Trump SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first summit on Aug. 25 (local time) at the White House, discussing a range of issues including North Korea and bilateral economic cooperation. During the meeting, President Lee requested that Trump visit South Korea during the APEC summit in Gyeongju and meet with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. In response, Trump indicated he would be willing to meet with Kim this year, if a meeting could be arranged. The two leaders also agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, with a particular focus on the shipbuilding industry. 2025-08-26 10:01:00

Hearing scheduled later this week to decide former PM's arrest SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is scheduled to face a hearing later this week that will determine his arrest over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched martial law debacle last year. The Seoul Central District Court said on Monday that the hearing is set for Wednesday, following independent prosecutors' request for Han's arrest as part of their investigation into the debacle, after several rounds of questioning and raids on his home and former official residence in central Seoul. Prosecutors allege that Han conspired with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to prepare documents related to Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which eventually led to Yoon's ouster from office in April this year. They are seeking Han's arrest on charges of dereliction of duty, perjury, and document falsification, citing the risk he may destroy evidence. Han, who initially denied all allegations, claiming he only learned of Yoon's plan to declare martial law during a late-night cabinet meeting that day, recently admitted he was aware of it, after CCTV footage and other evidence came to light. If the court issues a warrant, he would become the first prime minister to be arrested in the country's modern history. 2025-08-25 17:30:17

Beijing urges Seoul to pursue 'strategic autonomy' to improve bilateral ties SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - South Korea needs "strategic autonomy" to achieve "steady, sustained progress" in its relations with Beijing, a state-run Chinese newspaper said Monday. In an op-ed by Global Times, a sister newspaper of the official People's Daily, the English-language daily said, "Only with strategical autonomy could South Korea earn the genuine respect of the international community, including China, and be able to navigate a complex, changing international landscape while playing a more active and constructive role." It pointed out that bilateral relations between the two countries "had reached a low point not seen since the establishment of diplomatic ties," blaming Seoul's "misperceptions" of Beijing under the previous administration for a "severe erosion of political mutual trust" between the two countries. But it also expressed optimism that the Lee administration could bring a "new opportunity for improvement and development," describing the two countries as "inseparable neighbors." The op-ed came as South Korean special envoys, led by former National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug, visited Beijing over the weekend, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They began their four-day trip by meeting Beijing's Foreign Ministry chief Wang Yi and delivering Lee's letter to President Xi Jinping, inviting him to the upcoming APEC summit, which is scheduled to be held in the historic southern city of Gyeongju this fall. 2025-08-25 16:51:38

[[K-Tech]] Samsung-Johns Hopkins team honored for breakthrough in cooling technology SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Sunday that a joint project with Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory has been recognized among the world’s top 100 innovations at this year’s R&D 100 Awards, an annual competition that highlights advances in science and engineering. The joint research centers on “next-generation Peltier cooling technology,” a method that uses electricity rather than chemical refrigerants to regulate temperature. The team, comprising Samsung Research’s Life Solution group and Johns Hopkins scientists, developed what it described as the world’s first high-performance thin-film Peltier semiconductor device, demonstrating its use in a prototype refrigerator. By introducing a thin-film semiconductor deposition process, the researchers increased cooling efficiency by roughly 75 percent compared with conventional systems, while reducing both size and weight, according to R&D World Magazine, which organizes the awards. The findings were published in May in the journal Nature Communications. Peltier cooling works by applying an electric current to a semiconductor, which causes one side of the device to heat and the other to cool. Because the process avoids the use of chemical refrigerants, it is seen as an environmentally friendlier alternative to vapor compression technology, the dominant method in refrigerators and air conditioners today. The thin-film approach, Samsung said, could enable more precise and rapid temperature control across a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics and medical devices to automotive systems and data centers. 2025-08-25 15:59:22

LocknLock sets up subsidiary in India SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - LocknLock, the South Korean lifestyle products maker best known for its food storage containers and tumblers, said Monday it has established a subsidiary in India, part of its broader effort to deepen its reach in emerging markets. The Mumbai-based unit will focus on developing products tailored to Indian consumers, including a localized version of the company’s Metro tumbler line, which is marketed on its use of safe materials and minimalist design. LocknLock presented its product lineup at the HGH India trade show in Mumbai last month, the country’s largest home and lifestyle business-to-business exhibition. “India represents tremendous growth potential, driven by its large and youthful consumer base,” said Jeoung Jae-won, head of LocknLock India. Jeong added that the company would pair product innovation with expanded distribution through both online and offline channels to establish itself as a premium lifestyle brand in the market. Founded in 1978, LocknLock operates subsidiaries in seven countries, including China, Vietnam and the United States. The company said it intends to strengthen its presence in Europe and Latin America while broadening its product lineup in key existing markets. 2025-08-25 15:53:04

Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 9 defies slump in global EV sales SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s latest electric sport utility vehicle, the Ioniq 9, has sold nearly 15,000 units worldwide in the six months since its debut, the company said Monday. The large SUV, a centerpiece of Hyundai Motor Group’s collaboration with battery maker SK On, recorded 14,391 sales across domestic and international markets through July, the company said. The vehicle was first released in South Korea in February. The performance stands out against the backdrop of what analysts have dubbed the “EV chasm,” a slowdown in consumer appetite that has forced many automakers to scale back production and delay investment plans. Hyundai sold 4,789 units in South Korea, 4,745 overseas, and 4,857 through its new Metaplant America factory in Georgia. Exports began in April, and by July, sales abroad had already surpassed domestic deliveries. The model has proved especially popular in the United States, where 2,086 vehicles were sold in just three months despite a broader downturn in EV sales. Hyundai splits production between its plant in Asan, south of Seoul, which builds export models, and its $7.6 billion Georgia complex, which supplies the American market. The localized output allows SK On, Hyundai’s battery partner, to take advantage of federal tax credits tied to the Trump administration’s clean energy laws. SK On operates two battery plants in Georgia and is building a third, a 35-gigawatt-hour joint venture facility with Hyundai. Analysts see the partnership as strategically significant: Hyundai gains a secure supply of batteries, while SK On deepens its foothold in the critical North American market. 2025-08-25 15:19:55

[[K-Tech]] SK hynix begins mass production of next-generation NAND chip with 321 layers SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - SK hynix said Monday it has started mass production of a 321-layer NAND flash memory chip, a development the company described as a world first in quad-level cell, or QLC, technology. NAND flash, a type of non-volatile memory that retains data even without power, is a critical component in solid-state drives and data centers. QLC technology, which stores four bits of information in a single cell, allows for greater density but typically comes with trade-offs in speed and durability. The South Korean chipmaker said its new 2-terabit QLC NAND doubles the capacity of its predecessor while pushing past what it called the “technological limits” of memory stacking — the process of vertically layering cells to pack more data into a smaller footprint. To counter the performance slowdown often associated with higher-density chips, SK hynix said it expanded the number of “planes,” or independent operating groups within the chip, from four to six. The change enables greater parallel processing, boosting data transfer speeds to twice that of its earlier QLC product. Write performance improved by as much as 56 percent, read performance by 18 percent and power efficiency during data writes by more than 23 percent, the company said. The new chip will first be introduced in PC solid-state drives before being applied to smartphones and large-scale data centers. SK hynix also plans to use its proprietary packaging technology, which stacks 32 NAND chips at once, to produce ultra-high-capacity enterprise SSDs for artificial intelligence servers. “With the explosive growth of AI demand and the high-performance requirements of the data center market, we will achieve a greater leap forward as a full-stack AI memory provider,” said Jeong Woo-pyo, executive vice president and head of NAND development at SK hynix. The company said it expects the chip to undergo customer verification before being deployed in AI data centers in the first half of next year. 2025-08-25 14:19:39