U.S. dietary guidelines recommend kimchi, overhaul federal nutrition advice SEOUL, January 10 (AJP) - The United States government on Friday released updated 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that, for the first time, include fermented foods such as kimchi as part of recommended diets and mark a significant shift in federal nutrition policy. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins jointly unveiled the guidelines at a White House briefing in Washington, saying the recommendations will guide federal nutrition standards over the next five years, including school meals, military food programs and assistance schemes such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The new guidelines emphasize eating whole, minimally processed foods and increasing intake of protein, healthy fats, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. They move away from diets centered on ultra-processed foods and added sugars, which are strongly discouraged, and raise the recommended daily protein intake from 0.8 grams to 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. A notable addition in the guidelines is the inclusion of fermented foods — including kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and miso — under recommendations for supporting gut health alongside vegetables and high-fiber foods. The document cites the importance of diverse microbiome health in its dietary guidance. The guidelines also ease past negative assessments of animal-based foods such as red meat, eggs and seafood, and allow consumption of whole-fat dairy products and animal fats, while continuing to caution against dairy products with added sugars. Kennedy described the overhaul as a “return to real food” and part of the government’s broader effort to address chronic disease, which officials say is driven in large part by highly processed diets. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. The 2025–2030 edition reflects what federal officials described as the most significant reset of national nutrition policy in decades. 2026-01-10 16:27:49

North Korea warns South Korea over alleged drone incursions SEOUL, January 10 (AJP) - North Korea on Saturday accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace last year and earlier this month and warned that Seoul would “pay the price” for what it called repeated violations of its sovereignty. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for the North’s military general staff said a South Korean drone was detected on Sunday flying northward over the border area near Ganghwa Island before being shot down and forced to crash near Kaesong. The spokesperson also claimed that another drone launched from Paju in Gyeonggi Province on Sept. 27 last year crossed into North Korean airspace over Hwanghae Province and was brought down through electronic warfare. North Korea said the downed drones carried surveillance equipment and video footage of areas inside the country. South Korea’s defense ministry rejected the claims, saying its military did not operate drones on the dates cited by Pyongyang. “Our military did not conduct any drone operations on the days North Korea claims,” the ministry said on Saturday, adding that the drones shown by North Korea were not models operated by South Korea’s armed forces. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek said the allegations were “completely untrue” and suggested that the two Koreas could conduct a joint investigation if necessary. The presidential office said it convened a National Security Council working-level meeting to assess the situation, adding that President Lee Jae-myung had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. North Korea said drone activities by South Korea near the border had continued even after a change of government in Seoul, calling the South its “most hostile enemy” and warning that further actions would not be tolerated. 2026-01-10 14:37:59

Made-in-India drive and cooperation with South Korea-India * AJP is pleased to share New Year's greetings from foreign envoys based in South Korea: India In the Year of Red Horse, which signifies freedom, speed and energy, I am confident that the year will bring more momentum to the India-ROK partnership and chart an even more ambitious course for our cooperation in the year ahead. In 2026, India will work even more resolutely for the vision of "Viksit Bharat" (“Developed India”) by 2047. We will focus on inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Manufacturing in a range of sectors from shipbuilding to semiconductors, emerging technologies from green energy to AI, and securing global supply chains will create even more opportunities for bilateral cooperation with the ROK (South Korea.) May the India-RoK “Special Strategic Partnership” continue to herald peace in the world and bring prosperity and progress to our peoples. I hope AJU Press will remain an important partner for the Embassy during our journey. May the spirit of the Red Horse inspire us all to pursue our goals with boundless energy. I wish everyone a very happy, prosperous and a healthy new year! *The author is the Indian Ambassador to South Korea 2026-01-10 12:16:13

South Korea's second ESS tender nears as Samsung SDI leads and rivals press safety pitch SEOUL, January 10 (AJP) - With just three days left until the proposal deadline, South Korea’s major battery makers are stepping up efforts to win contracts in the second round of the country’s centralized energy storage system (ESS) tender, highlighting safety and technology as key selling points. Industry sources said on Friday that LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On will all submit bids for the tender, with proposals due by Jan. 12 and final selections expected in February. The second ESS project totals 540 megawatts — 500 MW on the mainland and 40 MW on Jeju — with total costs estimated at about 1 trillion won. The facilities are scheduled for completion by December 2027. In the first round, Samsung SDI secured 76 percent of the total volume, while LG Energy Solution took the remainder. SK On failed to win any contracts. Industry officials attributed the outcome in part to Samsung SDI’s strong score in industrial contributions, including domestic production. Fire safety has emerged as a decisive factor in the second tender. The weighting for price evaluation has been lowered to 50 percent from 60 percent, while non-price criteria now account for 50 percent, up from 40 percent. Within that category, points allocated to fire safety were raised to 11 from six. The change is seen as favoring Samsung SDI, which has long emphasized battery safety. The company is promoting its ESS fire-prevention technology and domestic manufacturing base. Its nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) prismatic batteries produced at its Ulsan plant are structurally durable and designed to limit the spread of fires, giving them an edge in safety assessments. Samsung SDI has also highlighted its integrated ESS solution, the Samsung Battery Box (SBB), which recently won a Korea Technology Award for advances in fire safety and cost-reduction technology. The SBB integrates batteries and safety systems into a single 20-foot container. LG Energy Solution, meanwhile, is pitching the safety of its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are known for strong heat resistance and for releasing little oxygen — a key factor in reducing fire and explosion risks. The company said it is the only South Korean battery maker with a large-scale LFP mass-production system and is ramping up domestic output at its Ochang Energy Plant in North Chungcheong Province, a move expected to bolster its score for industrial contribution. SK On, which failed to secure contracts in the first tender, is under pressure to gain ground this time. The company is moving to establish an LFP production line for ESS use, planning to convert part of its electric-vehicle ternary battery facility in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, to serve the ESS market. Han Se-kyung, a professor of electrical engineering at Kyungpook National University, said the second centralized ESS tender is likely to split volumes among established players rather than allow one company to dominate. “As the weight for price evaluation falls and non-price criteria rise, safety will become a more important factor,” Han said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-10 11:02:45

UPDATE: Five killed in multi-vehicle crash on Seohae–Yeongdeok Expressway in South Korea * Updated with additional information SEOUL, January 10 (AJP) - Five people were killed on Saturday morning after a multi-vehicle collision on the Seohae–Yeongdeok Expressway in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province, police said. The crashes occurred near the Namsangju interchange in Sangju, involving around 20 vehicles. Police confirmed that four people riding a Sonata sedan were killed, while a truck driver also died in a separate crash near the same area. Traffic has been suspended in both directions near the crash site as authorities carry out recovery operations. Fire officials said they are checking for any additional casualties. Police said slippery road conditions, possibly caused by black ice, may have contributed to the accidents, which appeared to occur almost simultaneously along the stretch of highway. The Sangju city government issued emergency text alerts urging drivers to slow down, maintain safe distances and take extra caution on icy roads, especially on uphill sections and shaded areas. Police said traffic toward Cheongju remains blocked and advised motorists to use national roads as detours. 2026-01-10 10:03:42

Sentencing request for Yoon on insurrection charge put off to Jan. 13 SEOUL January 10 (AJP) -South Korea’s special prosecutor is expected to make a sentencing request for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of leading an insurrection tied to his brief imposition of martial law in 2024, after a lower court on Friday postponed the final hearing following more than 15 hours of defense arguments that stretched to midnight. The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25, presided over by Judge Ji Gui-yeon, announced it would hold an additional session on Jan. 13 to hear the prosecution’s final statement and sentencing request, as well as Yoon’s closing defense. Friday’s session, initially scheduled as the trial’s final hearing, overran significantly as defense teams continued reviewing documentary evidence and delivering closing arguments. Lawyers for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who spoke first, spent the bulk of the day examining case materials, delaying subsequent proceedings. Kim’s defense argued that troops dispatched to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission did not commit insurrection or riot, saying soldiers neither restrained civilians nor exercised control, and followed “minimum unarmed and nonviolent principles.” The deployment, they said, was a routine security mission under a joint defense plan. On allegations of intimidation, the defense said service pistols were kept unloaded, with magazines detached and ammunition stored separately under a double-lock system, calling the situation “far from” any use of force. They also argued that accompanying personnel inside election facilities was meant to protect operations, not to conduct surveillance or interrogation. As proceedings dragged on, the court repeatedly raised concerns over fairness and feasibility. Judge Ji said it was “realistically difficult” to conclude arguments in a single day given the volume of materials, stressing the need to protect defendants’ rights while ensuring procedural efficiency. With midnight approaching, the court decided to end the session after all defendants except Yoon completed their arguments, postponing Yoon’s final statement and the prosecution’s sentencing request to Jan. 13. Yoon’s legal team objected to delivering key arguments late at night, citing the expanded scope of the case after recent amendments to the indictment. The special prosecutor’s team, led by Cho Eun-suk, said it had prepared to conclude proceedings Friday but agreed to the delay, citing physical limits after the prolonged hearing. Prosecutors have accused Yoon of masterminding an insurrection and could seek the death penalty or life imprisonment under South Korean law if he is found guilty. South Korea, however, has followed an unofficial moratorium for nearly three decades and has not carried out an execution since 1997. During hearings, prosecutors alleged that Yoon and then Defense Minister Kim began devising a plan as early as October 2023 to suspend the National Assembly and seize legislative authority. They further alleged that Yoon sought to label political opponents — including then opposition leader Lee Jae Myung — as “anti-state forces” and detain them. Prosecutors also claim the former president and Kim attempted to manufacture a pretext for declaring martial law by escalating tensions with North Korea through a covert drone operation, an allegation denied by the defense. Although the attempted imposition of martial law lasted only about six hours before collapsing, the move shocked Asia’s fourth-largest economy and elsewhere in the world as Korea posed as a key U.S. security ally long regarded as one of the region’s most resilient democracies. At the Jan. 13 hearing, the court plans to hear Yoon’s final defense, followed by the prosecution’s sentencing request, final statements from the defendants and the formal close of arguments. A verdict is widely expected in early February. 2026-01-10 08:44:42

Lee attends 100th anniversary of Provisional Government building in Shanghai SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung visited the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Memorial Hall in Shanghai on January 7 (local time) to attend the "100th Anniversary Ceremony of the Government Building Establishment." Before the ceremony began, the president observed a moment of silence and laid flowers at the bust of Kim Gu. He then toured Kim Gu's office and listened to explanations about the anti-Japanese resistance movement. In the guestbook, he wrote, "We, the people of the Republic of Korea, will surely protect this place where the Republic of Korea began." This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government building in Shanghai and the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence leader Kim Gu. 2026-01-09 17:42:58

'Charity thermometer' in Gwanghwamun nears fundraising goal SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - An installation dubbed the "charity thermometer" in downtown Gwanghwamun reached 98.5 degrees Celsius on Friday, about a month after its launch as part of the annual campaign by the Community Chest of Korea to help those in need. With a goal to collect 450 billion Korean won (around US$306 million), its temperature rises by one degree for every 1 percent of the fundraising target. The fundraising campaign will run until the end of the month, with organizers urging continued public participation to help push the thermometer past the 100-degree milestone. 2026-01-09 17:42:35

Farewell to CES 2026 LAS VEGAS, January 09 (AJP) - The world’s largest consumer electronics and information technology trade show, CES 2026, wrapped up four-day run in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday. The annual event brought together global companies and visitors, showcasing next-generation technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, autonomous driving and healthcare solutions. Across exhibition halls, demonstrations highlighted practical applications and commercialization potential of emerging technologies. As it heads toward its close, CES 2026 has served as a platform to gauge global technology trends and the direction of the industry, with exhibitions held across major venues throughout Las Vegas. 2026-01-09 17:41:14

Team Korea heads to Canada to vie for $45bn submarine race SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - A high-profile “Team Korea” delegation is set to travel to Ottawa later this month to compete in one of the world’s largest defense procurements — Canada’s plan to build 12 next-generation submarines in a project valued at more than $40 billion. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and Trade Minister Kim Jeong-gwan are expected to join the delegation, alongside senior executives from South Korea’s defense industry and Hyundai Motor. The deal, estimated at up to 60 trillion won ($41 billion), extends beyond naval platforms to encompass Canada’s electric-vehicle ecosystem. According to industry sources, Ottawa is seeking highly tailored proposals from bidders. In Korea’s case, that could include commitments to establish automotive manufacturing facilities on Canadian soil. The presidential office and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy declined to confirm details of the trip. Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is reported to have set specific requirements for the two shortlisted contenders: Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, which is partnering with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. According to CBC News, a 40-page federal evaluation document released in November places half of the total score on long-term sustainment — how bidders will maintain and support a fleet of 12 diesel-electric submarines over their lifecycle. Technical capability accounts for 20 percent, financial capacity 15 percent, and the remaining 15 percent is allocated to “economic benefits” for Canada. Officials at the newly established Defence Investment Agency have stressed that the contract must deliver maximum domestic economic impact while strengthening Canada’s defense industry. Korea’s defense exporters have steadily built credentials across Europe and Asia, and a breakthrough in Canada could represent the next major milestone. “This project is not simply about submarines,” said a senior Korean trade official. “It is about building a long-term partnership that spans automotive investment, energy cooperation and infrastructure.” Lessons from Poland The stakes are particularly high following last year’s setback in Poland. The Korean consortium, branded “Korea One Team,” lost Warsaw’s Orka submarine program to Sweden’s Saab. Poland opted for a smaller 2,000-ton vessel suited to the shallow Baltic Sea, rather than the Koreans’ proposed 3,600-ton fleet. South Korea had even offered to donate a decommissioned Jang Bogo-class submarine as a goodwill gesture, but the bid ultimately fell short. The loss underscored how geopolitical alignment and operational fit can outweigh price competitiveness or industrial offsets in European defense tenders. Carney’s overtures — and Canada’s demands In October 2025, Carney visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, touring its massive dry docks. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who accompanied the visit, later recalled Carney saying he was “dealing not just with a company called Hanwha, but with the Republic of Korea.” Since then, Ottawa has reportedly presented Seoul with an 18-point industrial cooperation proposal, centered on attracting Korean investment into Canada’s struggling automotive sector. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly highlighted that Germany’s Volkswagen offered to build an EV battery plant as part of Berlin’s bid — a move widely seen as setting a benchmark for foreign contenders. Canadian officials have also floated cooperation in critical minerals, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen, areas that align closely with both countries’ decarbonization strategies. Strategic calculus For Canada, linking submarine procurement to auto and energy investment serves a dual purpose: rebuilding a manufacturing base weakened by U.S. trade frictions and securing political backing for one of the largest military purchases in the country’s history. For Korea, the challenge lies in balancing industrial concessions with technological credibility. Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III-class submarines rank among the most advanced diesel-electric boats in service, but Canada’s emphasis on “sovereignty and local sustainment” favors bidders willing to localize production and create domestic jobs. The Korean consortium is required to submit its final proposal by March, with contract awards expected later this year. A win would mark the largest single defense export deal in South Korean history — and potentially the moment its shipbuilders secure a lasting foothold in the Western naval market. 2026-01-09 17:32:31