Yoon refuses to appear for questioning in probe involving ex-first lady SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear for questioning in a probe involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, independent prosecutors said on Tuesday. Yoon, who has been detained at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province since last month over charges related to his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year, was asked to appear for questioning on alleged election-related meddling but failed to show up, prompting prosecutors to summon him again on Wednesday. Prosecutors are now considering options to force him to attend questioning if he continues to stall. Yoon and his wife have been accused of interfering candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections, with Kim also facing a slew of other allegations including bribery and involvement in a stock manipulation scheme. In a separate probe involving a suspicious change of plans favoring Kim's family in a real estate project in Yeonpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Kim's brother was also questioned the previous day. 2025-07-29 14:12:16

[[K-tech]] S. Korea to acquire 13,000 advanced GPUs for AI infrastructure SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has announced that it will procure 13,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) using approximately 1.46 trillion won (about $1.05 billion) from a supplementary budget. The move is part of the country's broader strategy to rapidly expand domestic AI computing infrastructure. Tech giants Naver Cloud, NHN Cloud, and Kakao have been selected as the final operating partners. This initiative aims to ensure timely support for the academic, industrial, and research sectors amid growing demand for high-performance computing. Following the May budget allocation, the ministry conducted a rigorous month-long process that included public bidding, proposal evaluations, and on-site inspections before finalizing the three operators. The GPU procurement will focus on NVIDIA’s newest models, with 10,080 units of the Blackwell architecture-based B200 and 3,056 units of the Hopper architecture-based H200. Of these, more than 10,000 units, specifically 8,160 B200s and 2,296 H200s, will be deployed directly by the government to large-scale clusters to support domestic AI demands. The B200, based on NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell architecture, offers up to 2.25 times the performance of the H200 in FP8 (8-bit floating point) and Tensor Core operations, making it one of the most powerful AI chips currently available. NHN Cloud will handle the largest share, deploying 7,656 B200 units, all equipped with water-cooling systems to boost thermal efficiency. From this, 6,120 government-owned GPUs will be configured into clusters of 510 nodes (4,080 GPUs) and 255 nodes (2,040 GPUs). NHN expects to begin beta services within the year. Naver Cloud will be responsible for managing 3,056 H200 units, centered around the current-generation Hopper architecture. Of the government’s 2,296 allocated units, 2,040 will be deployed in 255-node clusters and 256 in 32-node clusters. The company aims to make these resources fully available for academic and research use by the end of the year. Kakao will deploy 2,424 B200 units, focusing on operational efficiency. The government’s 2,040 units will be arranged into a single 255-node cluster, with partial beta services also planned for launch this year. To ensure equitable and efficient usage, the ministry will establish a centralized GPU access system. Through this system, universities and research institutions can apply for GPU access online. Resource allocation will be based on proposal reviews, and idle resources will be redistributed to pending applicants in real time, maximizing nationwide utilization. Formal agreements with operators and GPU procurement are expected to begin in August. The full-scale service launch is targeted for later this year, with the infrastructure supporting major national initiatives such as sovereign AI foundation model development. "This advanced GPU acquisition will become the cornerstone of Korea’s AI innovation," said Minister Bae Kyung-hoon. "It marks the first step in building a national AI superhighway that enables our country to leap ahead as a global AI leader." 2025-07-29 10:12:52

INTERVIEW: UN OHCHR Seoul Office Chief calls for "sustainable approach" to North Korean human rights SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - South Korea needs to develop a consistent stance on human rights in North Korea instead of one that changes every time there is a new government, according to a top UN official. "There needs to be a sustainable approach to DPRK human rights," said James Heenan, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, using the official name of North Korea. "One that doesn’t change drastically every time there’s a new administration." This is particularly necessary as in some areas the plight of North Koreans is deteriorating. "In some areas, such as movement restrictions and the use of the death penalty, things have clearly gotten worse," he said. James Heenan is the representative of the UN Human Rights office in Seoul. AJP Han Jun-gu Heenan made the comments in an interview ahead of a new report on the human rights situation in North Korea set to be released in September. The upcoming report, to be presented at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, marks a decade since the 2014 Commission of Inquiry (COI), which exposed rights violations in North Korea. The COI, which was a rare full-scale investigation into a non-conflict country, concluded that "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations had been committed in North Korea. The report cited arbitrary detention, torture, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and movement. In response, the Human Rights Council set up the OHCHR field office in Seoul in 2015, tasked with monitoring the situation in North Korea and collecting evidence for future accountability. As the office’s second representative, Heenan has been overseeing preparations for the 10-year follow-up report. James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu "The Council asked for a report covering ten years of human rights in the DPRK," he said. "That’s a real challenge. But it allows us, for the first time in a while, to look at long-term trends." "We’ve documented some small improvements, but also serious setbacks," he said. "Freedom of expression is more restricted now. It’s harder to express your views or access outside information, like Korean dramas, for instance." In some areas, he said, "things have worsened." Still, he stressed the UN’s purpose is not just to document abuses. "Our goal is to improve things. We don’t just produce reports or criticize. We look for patterns that help us find opportunities for change." But getting the world’s attention remains difficult, he said, particularly now as there are so many crises in the world. Another factor is that the Korean issue has lasted so long. "It’s been going on for over 75 years. There’s very little visual evidence—no images or videos like you see from other crises. And people tend to respond more to what they can see." Still, Heenan believes this moment offers a critical opportunity. "In our reporting, we try to highlight the voices of victims," he said. "That’s one of the few ways to get people to care—both outside the Peninsula, and frankly, here in the Republic of Korea. Because I still find there’s a lack of interest in this country." The new Lee Jae-Myung administration is currently reviewing whether to continue publishing the Ministry of Unification’s annual report on North Korean human rights. Since the enactment of the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2016, the ministry has been mandated to publish an annual report. While the 2017-22 Moon Jae-in administration kept it confidential, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration made it public. "Whether making reports public is useful, that question applies to all reports, including ours," Heenan said. "If there’s no legal requirement, it’s up to the government to decide whether or not to release them." "Transparency is something we at the UN generally support," he said. "So yes, in general, public information is more useful. Public reporting has value. Private reporting can also be useful, especially when you're trying to engage quietly before going public. Many organizations do that, sharing concerns with a party before media coverage. So both public and private reports have value." James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu On domestic engagement, Heenan called for a shift in perspective. "In many places, people say human rights are political because they deal with the power relationship between the individual and the state," he said. "But here in the Republic of Korea, DPRK human rights are particularly politicized. No other two countries are this intertwined. It’s one peninsula." The UN office regularly consults with North Korean escapees. "We ask them what they want in terms of accountability, support, and future prospects," Heenan said. "And many tell us they don’t want to get involved in this work because it’s too politicized. Once they speak out, people assume they’ve chosen a side." "That’s really concerning," he said. "Human rights should not be politicized like that. But people in positions of responsibility here need to find a way." 2025-07-28 17:29:50

Veterans minister reaffirms strength of US-South Korea alliance on armistice anniversary SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul emphasized the strength of the United States-South Korea alliance during a visit to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, marking the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War armistice. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Kwon met with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins ahead of a ceremony commemorating the anniversary. During the meeting, Kwon expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by American soldiers during the Korean War, who risked their lives to defend the "freedom and peace" of South Korea. He also thanked the U.S. for being the first to deploy the largest number of troops during the war. Kwon invited Collins to visit South Korea later this fall. In response, Collins recognized the importance of honoring the sacrifices and dedication of Korean War veterans and thanked Kwon for the invitation. Kwon is visiting Washington for four days to deliver a speech on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the anniversary, who pledged to further strengthen the "blood-forged" South Korea-U.S. alliance with future generations. The armistice agreement, signed on July 27, 1953, by the UN Command, North Korea, and China, brought a ceasefire to the 1950–53 Korean War and established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is still in effect today. 2025-07-28 17:06:50

[[K-pop]] Red Velvet's Joy to return with solo mini album in August SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Joy of Red Velvet is gearing up for a solo comeback with a new mini album set for release on August 18, her agency SM Entertainment said Monday. Titled "From JOY, with Love," the album will feature six tracks, including the title song "Love Splash!" It marks her first solo release in over three years since her 2021 special album "Hello," which consisted of remade tracks. "Hello" topped iTunes charts in 26 regions worldwide and reached No. 1 on domestic platforms Genie and Bugs with its title track. SM Entertainment said the new album will deliver a variety of love stories through Joy's distinct sensibility. "Joy will bring a refreshing wave of music to this summer with songs that express different shades of love in her own unique style," the agency said. Pre-orders for "From JOY, with Love" began Monday. The album will be released on major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. on August 18. 2025-07-28 15:57:12

[[K-Tech]] Older DDR4 chip prices rebound after Samsung, SK hynix raise contract rates SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Spot prices for older-generation DDR4 memory chips have staged a modest recovery after a lull earlier this month, driven by price hikes from major South Korean suppliers amid continued supply shortages, according to market research firm TrendForce. In its latest report, TrendForce said DDR4 prices climbed across several key models during the week of July 16–22, reversing a brief cooling trend that began in early July. The gains follow upward revisions to fixed contract prices by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, two of the world’s largest memory chipmakers, as constrained supply continues to ripple through the consumer electronics market. “The rebound is primarily driven by supplier-side pricing actions, not a fundamental shift in demand,” TrendForce noted in a July 23 commentary. The firm cited significant hikes in fixed contract rates by both Samsung and SK hynix as contributing to renewed upward momentum in the spot market. 2025-07-28 15:11:09

South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers hold first phone call, discuss APEC and regional issues SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, marking his second call with a foreign counterpart since taking office July 21. In their phone call, which lasted about 30 minutes, the two foreign ministers discussed ways to improve bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on key regional and international issues, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. "Minister Cho and Minister Wang exchanged views on advancing Korea-China relations," a Foreign Ministry official said. The two sides also agreed to expand high-level exchanges and continue dialogue on mutual concerns. Cho invited Wang to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for late October in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, and proposed working-level coordination to ensure the success of the event. Cho also expressed concern over North Korea’s recent rejection of dialogue with the South and urged China to play a "constructive role" in encouraging Pyongyang to refrain from provocations and return to the path of denuclearization. Traditionally, South Korea’s top diplomats hold their first call with the United States Secretary of State after taking office. However, Cho prioritized calls with regional neighbors, Tokyo and Beijing. Cho is expected to depart for Washington on Thursday for an in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio. The two are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including security cooperation and support for ongoing negotiations related to bilateral tariffs. 2025-07-28 15:01:53

North Korea shuts the door on dialogue, brushes off Lee Jae-myung's outreach SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - North Korea has flatly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's recent gestures of reconciliation, accusing Seoul of political insincerity and declaring there is "no issue to be discussed" between the two sides. The statement, released Monday by Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, underscores Pyongyang's decision to sever what little remained of inter-Korean communication. To understand the bluntness of the response, the situation should be viewed through the eyes of Pyongyang. For decades, North Korea's posture toward the South has remained largely consistent, anchored in the Juche ideology and the unbroken rule of the Kim family. Meanwhile, South Korea has changed course repeatedly as power shifted back and forth between liberal and conservative presidents. From Pyongyang's point of view, these swings, from engagement to hostility and back again, have made the South an unreliable and ideologically confused counterpart. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which preceded Lee, made no attempt to engage with the North. According to findings from a recent government probe, Yoon allegedly authorized drones to be flown toward Pyongyang in what is now being interpreted as a calculated provocation. Against that backdrop, Lee's sudden shift, talks of peace, resumed humanitarian gestures, and even murmurs of a possible invitation to the upcoming APEC summit, may appear hypocritical to the North. Kim Yo-jong made that sentiment clear in her statement. Referring to the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts and the halt of anti-North leaflets, she wrote, "It is not the work worthy of appreciation." She added that these were not acts of goodwill but mere reversals of mistakes Seoul had "voluntarily invited." She also mocked South Korea's new Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, for his remarks about opening a "time of reconciliation and cooperation," calling it a "daydream." His suggestion that someone from the North might be invited to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju was met with scorn. Kim dismissed the idea that the character of inter-Korean relations could be reset with "a few sentimental words" and declared that "there can be no change in our state's understanding of the enemy." "The true nature of the ROK politician who is surely enslaved to the departed spirit of unification by absorption can not be changed," she said, adding that the Ministry of Unification "must be dissolved." Although Lee Jae-myung came into office pledging to rebuild ties with Pyongyang, the North's position could not be clearer. They are not listening. "No matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the ROK," Kim stated. Her final message left little room for ambiguity. The relationship between the two Koreas, she said, has "irreversibly gone beyond the time zone of the concept of homogeneous." 2025-07-28 14:33:19

S. Korea scrambles to avert tariffs as US seals trade deals with Japan, EU SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - With the United States locking in trade agreements with Japan and the European Union, South Korea is making a last-ditch effort to avoid steep tariffs that could further strain its slowing economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol will travel to Washington this week for a face-to-face meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, officials said Monday. The talks will take place on the final day of a temporary tariff grace period, and are widely seen as Seoul’s last opportunity to stave off a potential 25 percent levy on its exports. The urgency of the mission has intensified in recent days. On July 22, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough agreement with Japan that sets a 15 percent tariff rate on Japanese exports to the United States and includes a $550 billion investment pledge from Tokyo. Five days later, a similar deal was reached with the European Union, establishing matching tariff terms and $600 billion in new European investments. South Korea, by contrast, remains on the outside looking in. Talks between Seoul and Washington have dragged on for months, and a previously planned “2+2” trade consultation was abruptly canceled earlier this month. Minister Koo was already en route to the U.S. when he was ordered to turn back at Incheon International Airport. Friday’s meeting is now expected to serve as final coordination before the tariff decision deadline. Korean officials warn that the imposition of mutual 25 percent tariffs would deal a heavy blow to Korea’s key manufacturing exporters, already reeling from U.S. steel and auto tariffs. The finance ministry has flagged a risk of “snowballing economic damage,” with additional levies potentially pushing South Korea’s growth trajectory deeper into stagnation. To break the impasse, Seoul is preparing a fresh set of negotiating offers. These include expanded industrial cooperation in shipbuilding — a sector that Trump has cited as strategically important — as well as a possible revision of South Korea’s “$100 billion” investment plan in the U.S. market. The move comes after Tokyo’s $550 billion commitment raised expectations for other allies to follow suit. Notably, South Korean officials have also confirmed that agricultural products are now on the negotiating table, raising speculation that the government may consider concessions on politically sensitive imports such as rice and beef — long regarded as untouchable due to strong domestic opposition. Trade experts caution that while Seoul faces pressure to align with the U.S. amid shifting global trade alignments, any deal must also protect core domestic industries already weakened by sluggish exports and thinning profit margins. 2025-07-28 14:11:52

Alaska LNG project gains momentum. Should Korea be part of it? SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - As Japan signals its intention to join the U.S.-backed Alaska LNG project, pressure is mounting on South Korea to consider following suit — despite deep concerns about the project’s economic and strategic viability. The massive infrastructure undertaking, long championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, envisions tapping natural gas reserves from Alaska’s North Slope, piping them more than 1,300 kilometers to a planned liquefaction facility in Nikiski, near Anchorage, and exporting the fuel to energy-hungry Asian markets. With a projected cost exceeding $45 billion, it ranks among the most ambitious energy projects in North America. On the surface, participation by South Korea — one of the world’s largest LNG importers — could yield strategic benefits, including long-term energy security and deeper integration into global supply chains. Yet major Korean energy firms remain hesitant, citing serious doubts about the project’s cost-efficiency and long-term competitiveness. “The engineering and logistical challenges of building in the Arctic are formidable,” said one senior industry official, who requested anonymity. “It’s not just about upfront investment — it’s about whether the gas will be affordable when it finally ships.” Indeed, financial viability is a major sticking point. Harsh terrain, remote access, and costly infrastructure have already deterred some of the world’s largest energy players. ExxonMobil, BP, and ConocoPhillips all exited the project in 2016, citing weak profitability. In 2021, China quietly shelved a $43 billion joint development deal it had signed with the state of Alaska four years earlier. Price forecasts further complicate the picture. Analysts estimate the landed cost of Alaska LNG in South Korea could exceed $13 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), far above the current Asian spot price of around $3.15. A return to global supply normalcy — or easing geopolitical tensions — could widen that gap, undermining the project's commercial case. That has kept potential Korean stakeholders like SK Innovation, POSCO International, and GS Caltex on the sidelines. SK Innovation, currently focused on streamlining its core businesses, lacks the financial bandwidth for new LNG ventures. GS Caltex imports only small volumes of LNG for in-house use and is structurally unsuited for megaproject participation. Still, the project has attracted interest from other corners of Korean industry. Shipbuilders and steelmakers are eyeing a potential windfall. Companies such as SeAH Steel and Dongkuk Steel could supply high-specification pipeline components, while Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are positioned to secure orders for icebreaking LNG carriers designed for Arctic navigation. But analysts warn that any move to formally join the project would come with substantial financial and policy risk. “Alaska LNG faces steep uncertainties — from extreme climate conditions to long-term demand trends,” said Shin Hyun-don, a professor of energy resources engineering at Inha University. “If Korea finds participation unavoidable, it would be wiser to approach the project as a buyer of LNG, not a financial stakeholder.” 2025-07-28 13:59:17