President Lee invites Kazakhstan's Tokayev for official visit to Seoul SEOUL, July 25 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke by phone on Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ties across trade, culture, and development. According to a statement released by the Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul, the two leaders discussed a broad range of cooperation areas, including ongoing and potential joint projects in energy, the automotive industry, education, and medicine. "During the phone conversation, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Korea confirmed their desire to further strengthen multifaceted relations between the two countries," the embassy said. "They thoroughly exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral cooperation." Lee invited Tokayev to make an official visit to South Korea. Tokayev accepted and also confirmed his participation in the C5+K Summit, which will take place in Seoul in 2026. Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Kazakhstan were established in January 1992, shortly after Kazakhstan gained independence in December 1991. A key link between the two countries is the ethnic Korean community in Kazakhstan, known as Koryo-saram, which numbers more than 120,000. High-level visits have continued to support the relationship. Tokayev visited South Korea in August 2021, while former President Yoon Suk Yeol traveled to Astana in June 2024. Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, visited South Korea five times between 1995 and 2016. Trade and investment form a central part of the partnership. Bilateral trade reached around USD 6 billion in 2023, with Kazakhstan exporting approximately USD 3.8 billion in goods to South Korea and importing USD 2.2 billion. In 2024, the total trade volume stood at USD 3.1 billion. Key exports from Kazakhstan include crude oil, metals, and steel. South Korea mainly exports automobiles, electronics, and machinery. South Korea ranks as Kazakhstan's fifth-largest investor and fourth-largest trading partner. Korean investment in Kazakhstan has reached close to USD 9.6 billion since the mid-2000s. Cultural exchange remains strong. The Korean Theatre of Kazakhstan in Almaty, founded in 1932, is the oldest Korean-language theater troupe in the world and remains active. Gangnam University in South Korea has offered Kazakh language and culture programs since 2006. Tourism has grown steadily. In 2023, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 125 percent. Flight connectivity also expanded in 2024, with weekly flights between Seoul and Almaty increasing from 10 to 42. Air Astana launched direct flights between Astana and Seoul. 2025-07-25 09:23:00

South Korea lags in government support for waste battery recycling SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - South Korea risks falling behind in the rapidly expanding global waste battery recycling industry due to insufficient government support, the Korea Enterprises Federation warned Thursday, urging bold policy and financial intervention to secure the nation's competitiveness in a critical sector. According to a new report by the business lobby group, the global market for recycling end-of-life batteries is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 17 percent, ballooning from $10.8 billion in 2023 to $208.9 billion by 2040. The key driver behind this growth is the anticipated surge in retired mobility batteries — used primarily in electric vehicles — which are expected to rise from 170,000 units in 2023 to more than 42 million by 2040. Recycling waste batteries, the federation said, could significantly reduce production costs for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, while also lowering supply chain risks by decreasing dependence on imports from a small number of countries, including China, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But while countries such as the United States, Japan, and those in the European Union have ramped up public funding for battery recycling, South Korea’s level of support remains “woefully inadequate,” the federation said. The U.S. government, for example, has earmarked $3.1 billion for commercializing battery manufacturing and recycling facilities as well as supporting research into critical mineral reuse. The European Union has pledged up to 960 million euros for battery recycling initiatives, and Japan has invested more than 120 billion yen since 2020 in recycling and circular economy projects led by major corporations. By comparison, South Korea’s Korea Environment Corporation has allocated just 1.5 billion won ($1 million) to support electric vehicle battery collection infrastructure, offering companies a maximum of 100 million won per year — a fraction of the funding seen in peer economies. The report called for a comprehensive overhaul of South Korea’s waste battery strategy, outlining three priority areas: expanding public procurement incentives, creating a dedicated customs classification for waste batteries, and strengthening the nation’s post-use battery management systems. “The global battery ecosystem is undergoing rapid transformation,” said Lee Sang-ho, head of the federation’s economic and industrial division. “Without more aggressive institutional and financial support, Korea risks losing its edge in one of the most strategically important industries of the future.” 2025-07-24 17:12:30

Heat wave warning issued again in Seoul as unbearable heat persists SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - A heat wave warning was issued in Seoul on Thursday, after this summer's brief monsoon season came to an end last week. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the warning was issued around 10 a.m. for the capital as well as surrounding Gyeonggi Province, as scorching heat continues nationwide with daytime highs soaring up to 36 degrees Celsius. The highest-level warning, first issued this season earlier this month before being temporarily eased to an advisory, returned about less than two weeks later. Such a warning is issued when "feels-like" temperatures remain above 35 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days or when severe damage is anticipated due to extreme heat. But the capital is expected to endure even more sweltering temperatures this weekend, with daytime highs soaring up to 38 degrees. The KMA forecasts that unbearably hot and humid weather will persist at least until early next month, with temperatures staying above the seasonal average in most parts of the country. Meanwhile, this summer's unprecedented heat wave is already breaking records. According to the KMA, the average daily temperature for the first 22 days of this month stood at 24.4 degrees, the highest for the period since the country's meteorological observations expanded nationwide in 1973. The average daily highest temperature during the period also set a record at 29.4 degrees. 2025-07-24 16:42:34

[[K-Tech]] Hyundai Motor's earnings drop sharply despite record sales, weighed down by US tariffs SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor reported a double-digit drop in second-quarter operating profit on Thursday, as new U.S. tariffs and intensifying market competition eroded margins. Operating profit fell 15.8 percent from a year earlier to 3.60 trillion won, or about $2.6 billion — the company’s sharpest quarterly decline since the third quarter of 2020. The drop came even as revenue rose 7.3 percent to a record 48.29 trillion won, buoyed by strong sales of hybrid vehicles, solid performance in financial services, and favorable foreign exchange rates. Net income reached 3.25 trillion won, while Hyundai’s operating margin slipped to 7.5 percent, down from 9.5 percent a year ago. The company attributed the earnings decline primarily to the full brunt of recently imposed U.S. automotive tariffs, coupled with rising sales costs and increased use of incentives amid fierce competition in major markets. Global vehicle sales edged up 0.8 percent during the quarter. Overseas deliveries increased 0.7 percent to 877,296 units, while sales in the United States rose 3.3 percent to 262,305 units, as buyers rushed to secure vehicles ahead of anticipated price hikes stemming from the tariffs. Hyundai has so far kept U.S. prices steady despite the duties. Sales of eco-friendly vehicles — a category that includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric models — surged 36.4 percent year-on-year to 262,126 units globally. Electric vehicle sales totaled 78,802 units, while hybrid sales hit 168,703, reflecting growing adoption in Europe and an expanded hybrid lineup. Hyundai warned that trade-related uncertainty, particularly around U.S. tariff policy, remains the most significant risk to its outlook. The automaker also faces additional pressure with federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases in the United States set to expire on October 1, potentially dampening demand in the second half of the year. Still, the company said it would maintain its annual earnings guidance for now. Hyundai added that it is preparing a “systematic response” ahead of the U.S. government’s expected announcement on tariff policy changes on Aug. 1. 2025-07-24 16:39:51

TRAVEL: General's Tomb and the Gwanggaeto Stele Ji'an, July 24 (AJP) - Located in Ji'an, Jilin Province, China, the General's Tomb is a Goguryeo-era stepped stone pyramid made of large, reddish-beige rectangular blocks stacked to the height of a five-story apartment building. With the exception of some blackened patches on the stone surface, it looked almost like a newly built structure. Only the topmost stones showed signs of slight damage or disalignment, a remarkable testament to the tomb’s endurance over the centuries. Its impressive height gives the illusion of the tomb reaching into the sky, with no trees visible behind it from any angle. Surrounding the tomb were massive rocks lying against it as if supporting the mound with their weight. Positioned in groups of three on each side, they appear to be gripping the tomb's base with giant fingers. These are known as ho-bun-seok, or protective boundary stones. In a mound-style stone tomb like this, the structure's weight is concentrated at the base, creating immense lateral pressure. The ho-bun stones prevent the bottom stones from being pushed outward. The entire tomb is constructed from granite, both inside and out. It is the only known example of a complete chukseokbun (stepped stone tomb) and follows a design style that cannot be found anywhere else in China. While many believe the General’s Tomb is that of King Jangsu of Goguryeo (394–491, reigned 412–491), differing views persist in South Korea and no definitive conclusion has been reached. About 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from the General's Tomb stands the Gwanggaeto Stele, erected in 414 by King Jangsu in honor of his father King Gwanggaeto (374–412, reigned 391–412). Enclosed in a glass pavilion, the massive natural stone pillar stands approximately 6.39 meters tall. The width of its four sides varies from 1.38 to 2.00 meters, and its thickness ranges from 1.35 to 1.46 meters. Carved into its granite surfaces are 1,775 Chinese characters, though about 150 are difficult to decipher. The inscriptions primarily recount Goguryeo's history and the accomplishments of King Gwanggaeto, making the stele a crucial source for historical research. Standing in front of it, one is struck by its towering height and the overwhelming presence of a kingdom that once commanded the Manchurian plains. Roughly 300 meters from the stele lies the Gwanggaeto Tomb. From a distance, it appears to be a natural hill. Covered with thick greenery, the massive mound stands alone in the open plain. But as one approaches, it becomes clear that the formation is man-made. Beneath the earth, scattered stones of all sizes reveal its structure. White clover flowers spread across the fields in front of the tomb like snow. Their delicate bloom between the grasses created a quiet, serene beauty. Rising beyond this tranquil scene, the Gwanggaeto Tomb stands tall even after 1,600 years. Its sheer scale is not apparent from afar, but the people standing atop it appear tiny, like ants. Imagining the number of stones and manpower needed to construct it offers a glimpse into Goguryeo’s national strength and King Gwanggaeto's stature. These three sites offer tangible proof that Goguryeo was once a powerful force in Northeast Asia. Ji'an, where they are located, was home to Gungnae Fortress, Goguryeo’s second capital, and served as the kingdom’s political and cultural hub for around 400 years. Today, they are designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, recognized for their global value but also at the center of complex historical debates between China and South Korea. 2025-07-24 16:37:11

[[K-Tech]] SK hynix posts record earnings on surging AI memory demand SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - SK hynix reported its strongest-ever quarterly results on Thursday, fueled by surging demand for high-performance memory chips used in artificial intelligence applications. The South Korean chipmaker posted second-quarter revenue of 22.23 trillion won (about $16.3 billion), with operating profit reaching 9.21 trillion won ($6.8 billion) and net income rising to 6.99 trillion won ($5.1 billion), eclipsing its previous record set in the final quarter of 2024. The company achieved an operating margin of 41 percent and a net profit margin of 31 percent — among the highest in the global semiconductor industry. SK hynix attributed the stellar performance to robust sales of both DRAM and NAND flash products, driven by rising demand from global technology firms investing heavily in AI infrastructure. In particular, sales of its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) products, including the advanced HBM3E 12-layer chip, played a pivotal role in driving revenue. "Our strong results reflect SK hynix’s leadership in AI memory and our disciplined focus on profitability," the company said in a statement. It noted that NAND flash shipments outpaced expectations across multiple sectors, while DRAM sales surged on the back of growing adoption of HBM solutions. The strong quarter bolstered the company’s financial position. Cash holdings rose by 2.7 trillion won from the previous quarter to 17 trillion won, while net borrowings declined by 4.1 trillion won. The company’s debt ratio stood at 25 percent, with a net debt ratio of just 6 percent. Inventory levels remained stable, aided by steady customer demand and ramped-up manufacturing of finished products. SK hynix expects momentum to continue through the second half of the year, as major customers prepare new product launches and expand AI model deployments. To meet rising demand, the company said it will roughly double HBM output this year compared to 2024 and expand production of AI-specific memory formats such as server LPDDR modules and next-generation GDDR7 chips for GPUs. In a conference call with analysts, executives confirmed that the company plans to increase capital expenditures above earlier projections, with the majority of new investments dedicated to HBM-related equipment. The company has already sold out its 2025 HBM supply and is in final-stage negotiations with key clients — including Nvidia — to secure next year’s orders. SK hynix is currently supplying its HBM3E 12-layer products to Nvidia and other major players and is preparing to begin mass production of its sixth-generation HBM4 chips in the second half of this year. The company also signaled plans to optimize production by using its Chinese facilities for legacy DRAM manufacturing, while shifting advanced memory output to other sites. It emphasized that operations in China will remain compliant with international regulations and continue supporting customers with long-term demand for DDR4 products. In light of the U.S. government's recent approval for Nvidia's export of its H20 AI chip to China, SK hynix expressed cautious optimism about increased memory demand tied to those shipments. President Song Hyun-jong said the company would move ahead with preemptive investments to secure HBM capacity, citing clear demand visibility into 2026. “SK hynix aims to become a Full Stack AI Memory Provider,” he said, “by delivering timely, high-performance, and high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of the global AI ecosystem.” 2025-07-24 16:06:24

Prosecutors raid former PM's residence in martial law probe SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors on Thursday raided the residence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as part of their investigation into disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. Searches were conducted at Han's private home and his former official residence as prime minister in central Seoul. The raid came just about three weeks after Han was questioned for about 14 hours earlier this month. 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. Han, mindful of possible controversy, has also been accused of destroying the documents. But he reportedly denied all allegations, claiming that he only learned of Yoon's plan to declare martial law when a late-night cabinet meeting was convened that day, despite CCTV footage and other evidence suggesting otherwise. 2025-07-24 15:36:19

[[K-Tech]] Kakao releases its own open-source AI models SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Kakao has released two new open-source artificial intelligence models, including Korea’s first publicly available mixture-of-experts (MoE) model and a lightweight multimodal model. The company announced on Thursday that both models — Kanana-1.5-v-3b, a compact multimodal language model, and Kanana-1.5-15.7b-a3b, an MoE model designed for efficient inference — are now available on Hugging Face, a leading platform for open-source AI tools. The release underscores Kakao’s ambitions to move beyond consumer messaging and establish itself as a serious player in advanced AI research and development. “As a developer of in-house models and a provider of large-scale digital services like KakaoTalk, we see it as our role to help strengthen Korea’s AI infrastructure,” the company said in a statement. Multimodal AI models are capable of processing various forms of input — text, images, and sometimes audio — simultaneously. The Kanana-1.5-v-3b model, optimized for deployment in mobile and IoT environments, can understand images and follow complex user instructions in both Korean and English. Built entirely with Kakao’s own technology, the model delivers performance that the company says rivals larger international offerings — achieving up to 128 percent higher instruction-following accuracy than comparable open-source Korean multimodal models. 2025-07-24 14:51:33

[[K-Tech]] From creepy-crawly to culinary contender: Companies bet big on edible insects SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - The first bite delivered a crispy snap, followed by an unexpectedly savory burst — something between charred prawns and stir-fried anchovies. There was no musty aftertaste, no trace of the gamy aroma one might expect. “These are mealworms,” said Celina Lee, founder and chief executive of Grub Lab, a South Korean food-tech startup focused on edible insects. She watched her guest's reaction with a practiced calm, then offered a second helping — this time, a generous scoop of golden-brown slivers still bearing traces of their original form. “They taste better than they look, don’t they?” Grub Lab is one of South Korean firms betting that insects — once a novelty street snack — could become a cornerstone of future global diets. As the world grapples with the looming threat of food insecurity, the race to develop sustainable protein alternatives has accelerated, and insects are emerging as an unlikely frontrunner. With the global population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, protein demand is projected to nearly double, putting unprecedented strain on agriculture and livestock production. In response, the food industry is advancing three main alternatives: plant-based meat for vegetarians, lab-grown meat for traditionalists, and edible insects for scalable, low-cost protein. South Korea, which has a long if sporadic tradition of insect consumption — including fried grasshoppers during harvest and silkworm pupae skewered on street corners — is positioning itself as a leader in the insect protein sector. A surge in patents, ranging from insect-based noodles to cheese, illustrates the scope of innovation. “Insects are remarkably efficient,” Lee told AJP. “They consume one-fifth the water and one-fifteenth the feed of traditional livestock, while emitting just a fraction of the carbon dioxide.” Referred to by industry insiders as “little cattle,” insects also require far less land, needing just one-fourteenth the space per gram of protein compared to cows. With breeding cycles as short as two months, they allow for multiple harvests per year — making them both cost-effective and climate-resilient. Market projections back the optimism. Precedence Research estimates that the global edible insect market, currently valued at $1.77 billion, will grow nearly sixfold to $9.14 billion by 2034. In terms of nutrition, insects outperform many conventional meats. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, mealworms contain 53 grams of protein per 100 grams — about 1.5 times more than pork. Rice grasshoppers contain even more: 64.2 grams of protein per 100 grams and nearly 40 times the iron. Their fat content is significantly lower, and what fat remains consists mostly of healthy unsaturated fatty acids. “Insects are the protein of the future,” said Kim Jae-keun, a professor of smart food resources at Donga University of Health. “They’re a viable alternative, particularly as extreme weather events — like the unusually intense monsoon season we saw this July — drive up feed prices and threaten traditional livestock.” Kim sees smart insect farms as the next frontier: vertically integrated, climate-controlled facilities that can produce reliable yields regardless of external weather conditions. South Korea’s government is beginning to act on that vision. On July 16, officials in Gangwon Province broke ground on a 20 billion won ($14.5 million) industrial complex dedicated to insect smart farming. The 2.8-hectare facility will focus on mass-producing mealworms, grubworms, crickets, and silkworms. “We want zero waste,” said Seok Young-seek, the center’s director. “Insects aren’t just food. Their chitin shells can be used in bioplastics and sensors. Their waste becomes fertilizer. There’s enormous potential.” The first batch — an estimated 200 tons of mealworms — is expected by mid-2026. The complex has already drawn attention from major firms: LG CNS is participating in automation design, while food giants Pulmuone and Hanmi Nutrition have expressed interest in integrating insect protein into their offerings. Despite the momentum, government data shows the number of edible insect businesses in South Korea grew only modestly in recent years — from 2,535 in 2019 to 3,031 in 2023, an 18 percent increase. That growth pales in comparison to the 180 percent surge in the four years leading up to 2015. Total sales in 2023 reached just 47.3 billion won, marking a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year — a sign that consumer acceptance is still lagging. “It’s really the visual aspect that turns people off,” said Lee Joon-ha, an expert in industrial insects at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. “People associate bugs with filth or household pests. It’s a deeply ingrained aversion that’s hard to change.” To combat the stigma, officials have organized edible insect festivals and launched public campaigns, including naming contests for farmed bugs. But Lee says a more lasting shift will come only when insects are reimagined in the culinary space. “Right now, we mostly see insects powdered, juiced, or dried. That’s not enough,” he said. “We need genuinely appetizing, original food products — things people want to eat, not just tolerate.” Until then, startups like Grub Lab are pushing forward, hoping that taste, not appearance, will eventually win over the masses. “Once people try it,” Celina Lee said, offering another sample, “they usually come back for more.” 2025-07-24 14:14:35

[[K-Film]] South Korean coming-of-age drama to compete at Toronto film fest this fall SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - Director Yoon Ga-eun's film has been invited to the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to be held in Canada this fall. According to the film's distributor on Thursday, "The World of Love" has been selected to compete along with nine other films in the "Platform" section, the TIFF's only juried competition, which "spotlights films with high artistic merit and strong directorial vision." Organizers of the festival described Yoon's film as a "powerful, emotionally layered drama" in which "a spirited teenager confronts buried pain, while explores the quiet resilience it takes to own one's story — and future." Since making her directorial debut with "The Taste of Salvia," a 19-minute short film, in 2019, the up-and-coming director has mostly directed youth-oriented films that explore the emotional complexities and challenges of coming of age among adolescents. "The World of Love" is set for release here in the second half of this year, after getting its world premiere at the TIFF, which runs from Sept. 4 to 14 in the largest Canadian city. 2025-07-24 11:28:20