[[K-Tech]] Vegan meat gains global momentum. In Korea, it's a harder sell. SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - On a narrow street in Itaewon, the Seoul neighborhood known for its antique shops and international dining, a brown-hued restaurant hums with chatter in several languages. The tables are crowded with steaming bowls of shrimp fried rice, jjajangmyeon noodles slicked with black bean sauce, and glossy platters of deep-fried beef — or at least that is how it looks. The restaurant, ALT.a, is entirely vegan. The shrimp, beef and pork are not from animals at all but from soybeans, lima beans and other plants, carefully engineered to mimic the texture, chew and flavor of meat. ALT.a, whose dishes have won recognition from the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand, is one of several experiments in South Korea’s growing but still fragile market for alternative proteins. With the world’s population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, and global protein demand projected to nearly double, scientists and food companies are racing to find replacements for livestock meat that are both palatable and sustainable. The industry’s bets fall into three categories: plant-based meat, cultured meat grown from animal cells, and edible insects. Plant-based protein, for now, remains the most advanced — and in many ways the most practical — option. South Korea is no stranger to plant-based proteins. Tofu, believed to have been introduced to the Korean Peninsula nearly 2,000 years ago, is as essential to local cuisine as bread and butter are in the West. Most instant noodles here already contain textured soy chunks that resemble meat, fooling many consumers into thinking they are eating beef. The domestic market for vegan meat reached about 22.7 billion won, or $17 million, in 2020 and was projected to climb nearly 30 billion won by the end of this year, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation. Food giants like CJ CheilJedang have rolled out entire product lines of meat-free hamburger steaks, tteokgalbi (short rib patties) and rice balls. The company says its proprietary fermentation techniques remove the “bean smell” that has long plagued mock meats, while binding proteins more tightly to simulate the bounce and juiciness of animal flesh. Promise and Struggles Despite this, South Korea’s plant-based sector is struggling. Companies complain of high costs, weak consumer demand and overreliance on imported ingredients. “With the exception of a few export products, we’ve scaled back most of our alternative meat operations to business-to-business sales,” Yoo Jin-sun, a manager at ALTist, the parent company of ALT.a., told AJP. Zikooin Company, another producer, described the domestic market as sluggish. Government researchers echo that assessment. “Almost all the firms approaching us lament the harsh conditions,” said Kim Min-young, a researcher at the National Institute of Crop and Food Science. “Most of the soy protein used here is imported, often genetically modified or low quality. Simply put, the plant meat doesn’t taste good enough.” According to Kim Gi-chang, a researcher of food technology from the Rural Development Administration, the administration plans to intervene by promoting premium, non-GMO, locally sourced proteins and expanding research into hybrid meats — combining cultured animal cells with plant-based protein — as well as insect-based ingredients for medical use. Officials are even weighing whether to introduce plant-based meals in school cafeterias. “If implemented, students could enjoy tasty and healthy plant-based options while learning that synthetic meat is nothing to fear,” Kim Min-young from the said. For now, though, South Korea’s vegan restaurants remain a niche curiosity rather than a mainstream option. On a recent evening in Itaewon, ALT.a’s diners seemed less concerned about the market dynamics than about the flavor of the dishes in front of them. The “shrimp” fried rice glistened in the light. The jjajang sauce was sticky and rich. The “beef” was crispy at the edges and tender inside. If the future of food was on the table, it was indistinguishable from the present. 2025-08-19 10:52:15

Independence hall of Korea chief calls for national unity in liberation day address SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - On August 15 at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, director Kim Hyung-seok read a Liberation Day statement calling for "national unity" and an end to "history wars." The full text follows. --- Fellow citizens. Distinguished guests present here. Today, on the 80th anniversary of Liberation, we have gathered at the Independence Hall of Korea to once again honor the emotion of the day when this land regained its national sovereignty. Our Independence Hall preserves a Taegeukgi that President Kim Gu of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea entrusted in 1941 to Father Mius, who was traveling from China to the United States. Rendered into contemporary language, its content is as follows. "Father Mius, I ask this of you. You are helping us wholeheartedly to bring us blessings, so wherever you travel this time, please deliver this message to any of our Korean compatriots you meet. If we are to escape the sorrow of a lost nation, if we are to enjoy freedom and happiness, let us devote all our energy, manpower, and resources to the Korean Liberation Army, defeat the evil forces of the world, our enemy Japan, and complete the independence of our homeland." March 16, 1941. From Chongqing, Kim Gu. Here we are reminded once more of the meaning of Liberation Day. Behind the independence movement of Kim Gu, whom we proudly honor, stood unnamed supporters at home and abroad who sustained the activities of the Korean Liberation Army, as well as global friends such as Father Mius of Belgium. In this sense, the liberation of the Republic of Korea is an event of world history. On August 15, 1945, our forebears welcomed liberation. It was the day when, after 36 years under Japanese colonial rule, they overcame harsh oppression and suffering and won independence with an indomitable spirit of struggle. The nationalist historian and independence activist Jeong In-bo, who fought to protect the "spirit of the nation" during the colonial period, sang of the joy of liberation as follows. "Let us touch the soil again, even the sea dances. Elders and friends who yearned to see this day, what shall we say. This day bears the trace of forty years of hot blood, let us guard it forever, let us guard it forever." The Republic of Korea, for which Jeong In-bo cried out "let us guard it forever," has built a nation that draws the world's attention, an economic power and a cultural powerhouse, through the Miracle on the Han River and democratization. Yet behind this proud history lurks a grave social problem, that of a Republic of conflict. In his inaugural address, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized "national unity" and declared that "national unity is the president's responsibility." Thus, as we mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation, it goes without saying that the foremost task our society must resolve is national unity. It is also true that historical issues contribute to our divisions, including differing understandings of "liberation." Viewed from a world-historical perspective, Korea's "liberation" was a gift gained through the victory of the Allied Powers in World War II. From this vantage point, Ham Seok-heon's "Korean History Seen Through Will," a must-read among intellectuals in the post-liberation era, explains that "liberation is rice cake given by heaven." This interpretation differs from the national-historical view that "we won liberation through victory in the anti-Japanese independence war." Our people proclaimed themselves a "self-reliant, independent nation" through the March First Movement that drew the world's attention, and from that turning point our independence movement unfolded in diverse ways at home and abroad. The Provisional Government established in Shanghai, China, pursued diplomatic efforts for independence while carrying out armed resistance against Japan, thereby arousing international opinion. On April 29, 1932, the 24-year-old youth Yoon Bong-gil threw a bomb at the ceremony for the Japanese Emperor's Birthday and victory commemoration held at Hongkou Park in Shanghai, shocking the international community. In the will he left to his two sons just before the deed, he wrote, "Do not grieve that you have no father, study hard and become inventors like Edison." Just as Yoon Bong-gil sacrificed his own life for the independence of the homeland while hoping his two sons would become scientists, there is diversity on the other side of history. Liberation is not the "end of the past," it is the "responsibility to open the future." We are the people of the Republic of Korea who share five thousand years of history. There can be diverse interpretations in understanding history, but those differences must not become tools of partisan strife that divide the people. It is time to end the history wars. On that foundation, we must achieve national unity and move toward unification, the true completion of liberation. This is the mission we must affirm as we mark 80 years since liberation. August 15, 2025 Kim Hyung-seok, Director, Independence Hall of Korea 2025-08-19 10:44:03

Zombie-themed comedy tops summer box office with 4.5 million viewers SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - Actor Jo Jung-suk's latest film has attracted over 4.5 million moviegoers as of Monday, less than three weeks after its release late last month, becoming this year's first South Korean film to achieve the milestone. According to the Korean Film Council, "My Daughter is a Zombie" drew about 762,000 moviegoers over the long holiday weekend marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day which began last Friday, dominating the box office here for three consecutive weeks since it hit local theaters on July 30. Adapted from a popular web-based cartoon by Lee Yun-chang, the horror comedy revolves around a man who tries to protect his daughter infected with an unknown zombie virus by training her to survive. Despite an overall downturn of the film industry which struggles with falling audience numbers, the comedy's success appears fueled by family outings, with many viewers bringing their kids during the summer vacation season. Meanwhile, racing drama "F1" starring former Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt, has surpassed 4 million viewers in its cumulative attendance, ranking a solid second at the box office as it continues to draw viewers since its release in late June, buoyed by strong word-of-mouth, becoming the early '90s star's highest-grossing film ever. 2025-08-18 17:17:39

Lee's approval rating falls to lowest since taking office SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has slid further to the lowest since he took office in early June. According to a survey of over 2,000 voters conducted by pollster Realmeter last week and released on Monday, some 51.1 percent of respondents said Lee was doing well in his job while 44.5 percent said he wasn't. His approval rating fell 5.4 percentage points from the previous week and 12.2 points compared with two weeks earlier, when it stood at 63.3 percent. Realmeter speculated that the decline was largely due to his pardons of several controversial political figures including former Justice Minister and ex-leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party Cho Kuk, who was serving a prison term for corruption and document forgery related to his children's university admissions, and Yoon Mi-hyang, the former head of a charity for wartime sex slavery victims, who was handed a three-year suspended sentence last year for embezzling donations, among others. Amid public criticism over their wrongdoings and irregularities, the two remain unremorseful, claiming their cases were politically motivated by the previous administration. In a separate survey of about 1,000 voters conducted during the same week, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) earned 39.9 percent support, falling below 40 percent for the first time in about seven months, as Lee's approval rating tumbled. But the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) rose 6.4 percentage points to 36.7 percent, narrowing the gap with the DP. Meanwhile, a commemorative stamp marking the 100th day of Lee's inauguration will be issued next month. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, a strip of the stamps will be available for purchase at Korea Post on Sept. 11, with prices ranging from 430 won to 27,000 won (about US$0.22 to $19.50). . 2025-08-18 16:35:38

Korean banks accelerate stablecoin preparations ahead of regulatory framework SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea’s four largest banks are moving to enter the stablecoin market, accelerating preparations as the government edges closer to introducing a regulatory framework for digital assets. Stablecoins — digital tokens typically pegged to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar or euro — have drawn global interest for enabling faster, cheaper transactions while promising greater price stability than traditional cryptocurrencies. Industry officials said Monday that the country’s top four banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — are scheduled to meet with Heath Tarbert, president of Circle Internet Group, one of the leading U.S. stablecoin issuers. The meetings are expected to take place during Tarbert’s visit to Seoul next week. The banks have signed nondisclosure agreements preventing them from discussing details. Talks are expected to center on distributing dollar-backed stablecoins in South Korea and exploring partnerships for developing a won-based version, according to people familiar with the matter. The banks’ push into stablecoins comes as the government advances legislation to modernize oversight of digital assets, a priority for President Lee Jae Myung. The Bank of Korea has repeatedly warned of the systemic risks posed by the rapid growth of stablecoins, but financial and technology companies see them as an inevitable step toward faster, lower-cost payments. Fintech firms such as Viva Republica and Naver Pay have signaled interest in issuing stablecoins tied to the won, and LG CNS, a digital solutions provider, is reportedly considering participation as well. Commercial banks are also stepping up their efforts. KB set up a virtual asset response committee in June and recently made its stablecoin task force permanent. Shinhan is testing a won-based stablecoin payment system with programmable features, such as restricting transactions to small businesses. Hana is analyzing regulatory hurdles, infrastructure requirements and use cases in cross-border payments and remittances. 2025-08-18 16:25:41

Taiwan likely to top South Korea, Japan in per capita GDP SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - Taiwan's government raised its 2025 economic growth forecast on Monday, projecting the island will become the first of the original "Four Asian Tigers" to reach a per capita gross domestic product of $40,000. Officials now expect the economy to expand by 4.45 percent next year, a significant jump from the previous estimate of 3.1 percent. The Four Asian Tigers — a term for the high-growth economies of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong — achieved rapid industrialization from the 1960s through the 1990s. Now, Taiwan is poised to surpass regional economic powerhouses like South Korea and Japan in per capita GDP. Taiwan's government reported that the island's GDP surged by 8.01 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period a year ago. That growth rate far outpaced its regional peers: South Korea saw an increase of just 0.5 percent, Singapore's GDP grew by 4.4 percent, and Hong Kong's by 3.1 percent. Officials credited the strong performance to record-breaking exports, which are projected to reach $589.2 billion this year, up 24.04 percent from 2024. This growth is being driven primarily by surging global demand for artificial intelligence-related technology. Taiwan's dominance in the global semiconductor supply chain, led by the TSMC, has made it a key beneficiary of this AI boom. Tsai Yu-tai, the head of the country's statistics directorate, said that despite uncertainties from U.S. tariff policies, the momentum in the AI sector remains strong, prompting companies to continue increasing capital expenditures. By contrast, South Korea, which reached a per capita GDP of $30,000 in 2014, has struggled to move past that benchmark. The country has faced weakened domestic consumption following a martial law crisis last year and export challenges from U.S. tariff pressures. The Korea Development Institute, a state-run think tank, maintained its 2025 growth forecast at a modest 0.8 percent in May, a downgrade from its 1.6 percent projection in February. While the Four Asian Tigers once averaged annual economic growth of more than 7 percent, their paths have diverged in recent decades. Although all four economies had a per capita GDP exceeding $30,000 by 2021, according to the International Monetary Fund's estimates, growth has slowed significantly since the 2000s due to factors like aging populations and shifting global supply chains. 2025-08-18 15:53:49

PHOTOS: Thrills on the water SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - In the heart of Gangwon Province's mountainous terrain, the Naerincheon Stream in Inje stands as a premier destination for thrill-seeking rafters. Widely regarded as a top spot for the sport in South Korea, the waterway is prized for its lengthy and challenging stretches of rapids. During the sweltering summer months, the stream's combination of intense whitewater and picturesque scenery makes it a popular escape for those seeking to combat the oppressive heat. 2025-08-18 15:23:30

Annual joint military exercise with US kicks off SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea's annual joint military exercise with the U.S. began on Monday, involving some 18,000 South Korean troops and a similar number of U.S. personnel. Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the exercise runs until Aug. 28 and includes computer-simulated drills as well as field training to strengthen the two allies' combined defense posture against North Korean threats and other security challenges. Although the overall scale of the exercise remains unchanged from previous years, this year's exercise, the first since President Lee Jae-myung took office in early June, has been scaled down, with about 20 of the 40 planned field training exercises being postponed until September due to a scorching heat wave. Some speculate the scaled-down exercise may also be part of the Lee administration's recent conciliatory gestures toward North Korea. In his speech marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day last week, Lee reiterated his willingness to engage with the North, although Pyongyang has continued to snub his repeated overtures. North Korea's defense chief strongly denounced the exercise about a week ago, threatening "negative consequences." In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 10, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol called it "provocative moves of clearly showing the stand of military confrontation with the and making another serious challenge to the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region." Along with the exercise, nationwide civil defense drills are also being held this week to ensure preparedness for crises and other emergencies. 2025-08-18 14:28:05

Joint research team uncovers RNA quality control mechanism that slows aging SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Yonsei University, and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) has identified a key protein that regulates the pace of aging by maintaining the quality of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The discovery points to a potential new strategy for treating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. The researchers found that a ribosome quality-control protein called PELOTA plays a central role in removing faulty messenger RNAs (mRNAs). While the link between aging and the quality of DNA and proteins has been studied extensively, the role of RNA quality control remained largely unknown. The team demonstrated for the first time that ribosome-based mRNA surveillance directly influences lifespan. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model for aging research, the researchers showed that overexpressing PELOTA extended lifespan. Without PELOTA, the animals aged faster. The study revealed that ribosome quality control, mediated by PELOTA, is essential for eliminating abnormal mRNAs that can disrupt cellular balance. The study also revealed how PELOTA connects with major cellular pathways. When PELOTA was deficient, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway became abnormally active, and autophagy, the cell's self-cleaning and recycling process, was suppressed, accelerating aging. By contrast, activating PELOTA helped inhibit mTOR, promote autophagy, and preserve cellular homeostasis. Importantly, the findings were not limited to worms. The team observed similar mechanisms in mice and human cells, suggesting that PELOTA function is evolutionarily conserved. The loss of PELOTA activity was linked to muscle aging and Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies, pointing to potential therapeutic applications. "This study provides strong molecular evidence that RNA quality control is a central part of the aging regulatory network," said Lee Seung-jae of KAIST's Department of Biological Sciences, who led the work. "Our results show that removing abnormal RNAs is critical for maintaining cellular balance and delaying aging." The collaboration was co-led by Seo Jin-su of Yonsei University and Lee Kwang-pyo of KRIBB. The paper, titled Pelota-mediated ribosome-associated quality control counteracts aging and age-associated pathologies across species, was published on August 4 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Doctoral researchers Lee Jong-seon and Kim Eun-ji of KAIST, Lee Bo-ra of KRIBB, and Lee Hye-in of Yonsei University were credited as co-first authors. The project was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea's Leader Research Program. 2025-08-18 13:51:15

Idle South Korean youth cost economy billions, study finds SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea’s growing population of “discouraged youth” — those neither working nor looking for work — imposed an estimated economic burden of 53.4 trillion won, or about $38.4 billion, between 2019 and 2023, according to a study released Monday. The research, commissioned by the Federation of Korean Industries and conducted by Lee Mi-suk, an economics professor at Changwon National University, found that the annual cost of lost productivity rose steadily from 8.9 trillion won in 2019 to 11.5 trillion won in 2023. The study measured the gap by estimating potential wages that these idle young people could have earned, using the income levels of comparable employed peers. The analysis suggested that discouraged youth would likely have earned about 80 percent of what working counterparts made, with average monthly potential wages rising from 1.55 million won in 2019 to 1.8 million won last year. The number of young people classified as NEET — shorthand for “not in employment, education or training” — climbed from 432,000 in 2019 to 481,000 in 2023. That increase came even as South Korea’s youth population shrank, from 9.66 million to 8.79 million over the same period. By last year, NEETs accounted for 5.5 percent of South Koreans ages 15 to 29, up from 4.5 percent in 2019. They made up nearly 1 percent of the overall population. A growing share of them hold university degrees. Their numbers rose from 159,000 in 2019 to 184,000 in 2023, accounting for 38.3 percent of all discouraged youth. “High-income potential youth falling into idle states are driving significant economic costs,” the report said, noting that while expected wages for NEETs lag those of their working peers, the losses remain substantial. 2025-08-18 13:40:46