South Korea revives military service exemptions to keep AI talent at home SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - South Korea said Friday it would revive a military service exemption program for specialists in artificial intelligence, part of a broader effort to accelerate what officials are calling a national “AI transition” and to prevent the outflow of top talent abroad. The plan, announced in the government’s new economic growth strategy, comes as countries around the world race to secure expertise in artificial intelligence — a field that is increasingly seen as a determinant of economic strength and national security. Beginning next year, graduate students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in AI will be given priority placement as “special research personnel.” The designation allows certain science and engineering graduates to complete their military service obligations by working in private-sector research institutes or universities rather than in uniform. Officials said they would amend existing regulations, which currently favor researchers in semiconductors, industrial components and other strategic technologies, to include AI. “AI is no longer a sectoral issue. It is the foundation of competitiveness across all industries,” the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a statement. South Korea maintains one of the world’s strictest conscription systems, requiring almost all able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months in the military, depending on the branch. The “special research personnel” program was introduced in the 1970s to help secure expertise in science and technology at a time when South Korea was still an emerging economy. The system has produced some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders, including Kim Jung-ju, the late founder of the gaming giant Nexon, and Kim Taek-jin, the chief executive of NCSoft. But the program has also drawn criticism for being overly generous and unequal. In 2022, the government moved to scale it back, narrowing eligibility and limiting the number of positions. Critics argued that the exemptions allowed privileged students to avoid military service while ordinary conscripts bore the burden. Calls for revival, however, have grown louder in recent years as South Korea has sought to position itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, competing not only with the United States and China but also with smaller, nimble players like Singapore and Israel. Business groups have warned that without new incentives, many of South Korea’s brightest AI minds will choose to study or work overseas, where they face no military obligations. At a parliamentary hearing in February, Park Sung-ho, chairman of the Korea Internet Corporations Association, urged lawmakers to restore the program, saying it was “vital to prevent the country’s most promising AI researchers from leaving.” He added that the policy could help attract foreign talent as well, if South Korea signaled that it was willing to create favorable conditions for innovation. AI has become a particularly urgent priority in Seoul, where policymakers see the technology as critical to boosting productivity in a rapidly aging society and to strengthening defense capabilities against North Korea. The government has pledged billions of dollars in investments to develop domestic AI chips, build large-scale language models and expand AI education at universities. 2025-08-22 16:43:23

PHOTOS: One Dance, a modern reinterpretation of Joseon royal ritual dance (5) SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A media showcase for One Dance, a contemporary Korean dance performance, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The performance reimagines Ilmu, the ritual dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jongmyo Jeryeak refers to the music, song, and dance performed during ancestral rites at Jongmyo, a royal shrine honoring the spirit tablets of kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, the dance segment is called Ilmu, meaning “line dance,” as dancers move in coordinated rows. On stage, up to 49 performers present a powerful group choreography, allowing audiences to experience Korea’s cultural richness through synchronized visuals and sound. The performance runs for 70 minutes. 2025-08-22 15:54:26

PHOTOS: One Dance, a modern reinterpretation of Joseon royal ritual dance (4) SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A media showcase for One Dance, a contemporary Korean dance performance, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The performance reimagines Ilmu, the ritual dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jongmyo Jeryeak refers to the music, song, and dance performed during ancestral rites at Jongmyo, a royal shrine honoring the spirit tablets of kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, the dance segment is called Ilmu, meaning “line dance,” as dancers move in coordinated rows. On stage, up to 49 performers present a powerful group choreography, allowing audiences to experience Korea’s cultural richness through synchronized visuals and sound. The performance runs for 70 minutes. 2025-08-22 15:46:38

[[K-Pop]] Time magazine praises Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' as a breakout global hit SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Netflix's animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters has earned high praise from Time magazine, which recently featured the film in an article titled "How KPop Demon Hunters Conquered the World." The magazine described the title as a "breakout phenomenon" that has transcended cultural boundaries, winning both critical and popular acclaim. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film blends supernatural adventure with the vivid aesthetics of Korean pop culture. According to Time, the production stands out for its richly layered storytelling and visually distinct design. "As people who work in animation and storytelling, we're trained to layer things on and create something as entertaining as possible," Kang told the magazine. Since its release, the film has topped global streaming charts. Netflix's own platform, Tudum, reports that the movie has been viewed over 210 million times. Time also noted the film's soundtrack has become a sensation in its own right. Three original songs from the film have reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100. One of them, "Golden," is currently the most streamed song in the United States. The article highlights that this is the first time a film has achieved such musical success since Waiting to Exhale in 1995. Kang emphasized that the movie's emotional resonance comes from its deep cultural grounding. "Everything was seen through this Korean lens," she said. From the way sidewalks in Seoul are drawn to how napkins are wrapped around chopsticks, the team paid close attention to everyday Korean details. Even the film's demons are inspired by jeoseung saja, the grim-reaper-like figures from traditional Korean folklore. "This is dark, but I'm not going to be afraid of it," Kang said, recalling how her niece's love for Maleficent revealed how children can engage with layered, even frightening, stories. Kang also credited K-pop for shaping the film's scale and spectacle. "K-pop brought spectacle and scale, all the pizzazz that is kind of needed to sell it," she said. Time praised the film's ability to marry cultural authenticity with broad global appeal, underscoring its unique position as a creative and commercial success on the world stage. 2025-08-22 15:40:29

PHOTOS: One Dance, a modern reinterpretation of Joseon royal ritual dance (3) SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A media showcase for One Dance, a contemporary Korean dance performance, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The performance reimagines Ilmu, the ritual dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jongmyo Jeryeak refers to the music, song, and dance performed during ancestral rites at Jongmyo, a royal shrine honoring the spirit tablets of kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, the dance segment is called Ilmu, meaning “line dance,” as dancers move in coordinated rows. On stage, up to 49 performers present a powerful group choreography, allowing audiences to experience Korea’s cultural richness through synchronized visuals and sound. The performance runs for 70 minutes. 2025-08-22 15:38:33

PHOTOS: One Dance, a modern reinterpretation of Joseon royal ritual dance (2) SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A media showcase for One Dance, a contemporary Korean dance performance, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul.The performance reimagines Ilmu, the ritual dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jongmyo Jeryeak refers to the music, song, and dance performed during ancestral rites at Jongmyo, a royal shrine honoring the spirit tablets of kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, the dance segment is called Ilmu, meaning “line dance,” as dancers move in coordinated rows. On stage, up to 49 performers present a powerful group choreography, allowing audiences to experience Korea’s cultural richness through synchronized visuals and sound. The performance runs for 70 minutes. 2025-08-22 15:18:33

Soaring arms prices, spurred by tariffs, complicate helicopter deal for South Korea SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s military is moving to acquire a new fleet of heavy-lift helicopters for its special operations forces, but rising costs for American defense systems, exacerbated by tariffs, are emerging as a major challenge. According to defense industry sources, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) initiated a foreign military purchase program on June 25. The project aims to procure new large transport helicopters for both the Army and Air Force. Companies have been invited to submit bids by the end of August, after which a proposal review and performance evaluation will be conducted. A final selection is expected by the close of the year. The program, which runs from 2026 to 2033, has a total budget of $2.355 billion, or about 3.29 trillion won. The Defense Project Promotion Committee approved the basic acquisition strategy in April 2024. While South Korea has developed the Surion utility helicopter domestically, it lacks the necessary engine and rotor blade technologies for a heavy-lift platform. Domestic development was deemed too time-consuming, prompting the military to opt for a foreign acquisition. However, the significant increase in prices for U.S. defense systems has raised alarm. The F-35 fighter jet provides a stark example. The aircraft sources components from more than 1,900 suppliers across about a dozen countries. Denmark alone supplies more than 80 parts, many of which are now subject to tariffs. Industry analysts warn that the cumulative effect of component-level tariffs and disruptions in the global supply chain has created unpredictable price volatility. If the final costs for the new helicopters exceed initial estimates, South Korea may be forced to scale back its planned procurement quantity. Two American manufacturers are seen as the leading contenders for the contract: Boeing, with its CH-47F, and Lockheed Martin, with the CH-53K. Boeing is expected to offer the CH-47F Block II, an upgraded variant currently being fielded by the U.S. Army. The helicopter boasts extended range and increased lift capacity. Germany has already committed to purchasing 60 units, and Poland is also considering the model. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom already operate earlier versions of the CH-47F. Lockheed Martin is likely to propose the CH-53K, which is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps. Israel signed a deal in 2022 for 12 of the aircraft in a contract valued at $2.4 billion, or about 3.3 trillion won, with deliveries pending. In 2023, the U.S. Navy awarded a contract for 35 additional helicopters for the Marines, part of a broader plan to acquire about 200 of the aircraft. 2025-08-22 15:10:50

PHOTOS: One Dance, a modern reinterpretation of Joseon royal ritual dance (1) SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A media showcase for "One Dance", a contemporary Korean dance performance, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The performance reimagines Ilmu, the ritual dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jongmyo Jeryeak refers to the music, song, and dance performed during ancestral rites at Jongmyo, a royal shrine honoring the spirit tablets of kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, the dance segment is called Ilmu, meaning “line dance,” as dancers move in coordinated rows. On stage, up to 49 performers present a powerful group choreography, allowing audiences to experience Korea’s cultural richness through synchronized visuals and sound. The performance runs for 70 minutes. 2025-08-22 15:05:09

South Korea pushes for consolidation in ailing petrochemical sector SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Faced with a deep-seated crisis in its petrochemical industry, the South Korean government has set a firm deadline for a major restructuring, a move that is expected to accelerate the vertical integration of refiners and chemical producers. The government's push for consolidation comes as the sector grapples with years of overexpansion and intense market pressures. Industry experts say the sector's current woes are not only the result of global oversupply, particularly from China, and weak demand but also of domestic firms' own aggressive capacity expansions. Many companies continued to build new facilities even as profit margins shrank, creating a glut that now threatens the industry's long-term viability. South Korea currently operates 10 naphtha crackers (NCCs) — four each in Yeosu and Daesan and two in Ulsan — which are central to producing key chemicals like ethylene and propylene. With an annual ethylene capacity of about 13 million tons, South Korea ranks fourth globally, trailing only China, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia. This capacity is projected to increase to nearly 14.7 million tons once the S-Oil Shaheen project is completed in late 2026, further exacerbating the oversupply issue. To combat the crisis, the government has requested a voluntary industry agreement to reduce domestic NCC output by 2.7 to 3.7 million tons, an amount equivalent to up to 25 percent of total capacity. This targeted reduction aims to align production with actual local demand. Vertical integration has emerged as the most viable path forward. By merging with refiners, which produce naphtha, chemical manufacturers can significantly lower their production costs while strategically shedding excess capacity. Discussions are underway for several major deals, including one in Daesan, where Lotte Chemical may transfer its NCC facilities to HD Hyundai Chemical in exchange for cash or other assets from its affiliate, HD Hyundai Oilbank. At the Yeosu complex, the largest industrial site in South Korea, a large-scale restructuring involving key players like GS Caltex, LG Chem, and Lotte Chemical is now considered almost unavoidable, especially given the government's ambitious reduction targets. 2025-08-22 15:02:46

Pro-North Korean newspaper in Japan touts 'Made-in-Pyongyang' smartphones SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - A report in the Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper based in Japan, claims that North Korea's Jindallae Mobile Phone Factory is capable of producing hundreds of thousands of smartphones annually. The factory, located in Pyongyang's Mangyongdae district, was reportedly established in March 2018 and has a total floor area of 6,087 square meters. The report, published Aug. 20, highlights the facility’s output of dozens of types of smart and feature phones, beginning with the domestically designed Jindallae 3 model. North Korean officials described the factory’s precision and productivity as being "very high level," with claims of maintaining Class 10 dust-free conditions for the assembly of LCD touchscreens. The production lines are said to be integrated, covering everything from LCD manufacturing and mainboard assembly to packaging and quality inspection. The factory's production capacity, according to the North Korean e-commerce site Manmulsang, is in the hundreds of thousands of units per year. Despite Pyongyang’s assertions, experts are skeptical about the country's claims of independent smartphone design and production. A 2024 report by Martin Williams of the Crimson Center think tank, published in 38 North, suggested that all smartphones sold in North Korea are manufactured by Chinese companies under original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreements. The report details how Chinese firms handle the basic design and production based on North Korean specifications. The finished products are then branded with North Korean names, suggesting that the country’s domestic production claims are likely exaggerated. North Korea, the report concludes, appears to function more as an assembly and rebranding operation than a full-scale independent manufacturer. 2025-08-22 14:55:13