South Korea braces for fourth day of torrential rains as casualties mount SEOUL, July 19 (AJP) - Torrential rains that began pounding South Korea's central regions four days ago continued to wreak havoc across the nation, with casualties and infrastructure damage mounting. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported Saturday morning that the death toll remained at four, with two people still missing. The fatalities occurred in Gyeonggi Province's Osan city and South Chungcheong Province's Seosan and Dangjin cities, while two residents remain unaccounted for in Gwangju's North District. Infrastructure damage surged dramatically as floodwaters paved destruction across the peninsula. Public facilities took massive blow with 729 reported incidents, including 388 flooded roads, 133 cases of soil erosion, and 57 collapsed river structures. Private property damage reached 1,014 cases, encompassing 64 flooded buildings and 59 inundated agricultural areas. The relentless downpour forced around 7,000 residents from nearly 5,000 households across 72 municipalities in 13 provinces to flee their homes temporarily. Of those evacuated, about 2,800 people from roughly 2,000 households remained unable to return home as of Saturday morning. The transportation network buckled under the assault as well, with seven major railway lines suspended including the Gyeongbu line connecting Seoul to Busan and the Honam line linking Daejeon to Mokpo. Rail authorities halted services on additional routes spanning the peninsula's key arteries. Road networks faced widespread disruption as floodwater submerged 57 riverside roads, 12 underground passages, and 302 small bridges. Authorities also restricted access to 255 riverside areas, 170 riverside parking lots, and 22 camping sites. "Currently, heavy rain advisories and warnings are in effect across most of the nation, with very intense rainfall of 30 to 80 millimeters per hour expanding and intensifying the alerts," the disaster headquarters said. 2025-07-19 10:13:08

[[K-Tech]] EV sales surge in South Korea, signaling shift toward mass adoption SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - Electric vehicle sales in South Korea soared by more than 40 percent in the first half of 2024, a surge that analysts say signals the country's EV market is beginning to break through the so-called “chasm” separating early adopters from the mainstream. A total of 93,569 new electric vehicles were registered between January and June, up 42.7 percent from 65,557 during the same period last year, according to data released Friday by the automotive data platform Car Is You. The increase of over 28,000 units year-on-year marks one of the strongest six-month performances for the industry to date. Analysts attribute the rapid expansion to a combination of demographic shifts, government subsidies, and a significant buildout of charging infrastructure. The growth was largely driven by buyers in their 30s and 40s — a key indicator that EVs are no longer confined to a niche segment. Consumers in their 40s accounted for the largest portion of private EV ownership, with 22,532 units, or 35.3 percent of total registrations. Drivers in their 30s followed with 16,130 vehicles, making up 25.2 percent of the market. Even drivers in their 20s showed increasing interest, registering 3,531 vehicles. The generational appeal of newer models was evident in the popularity of Kia’s compact electric SUV, the EV3. The vehicle ranked first among EV buyers in their 20s with 910 units sold, second among those in their 30s with 1,920, and also second among drivers in their 40s, who registered 2,218 EV3s. Industry observers point to a range of government incentives and infrastructure upgrades as key catalysts. Several local governments have increased financial support for EV purchases this year, helping to offset upfront costs. At the same time, the expansion of both slow and fast-charging stations has eased concerns about convenience and range. As of June, South Korea had 417,437 EV chargers in operation, nearly 1.5 times the number available two years ago, according to data released Friday by the Ministry of Environment. Analysts say the latest figures suggest that South Korea's EV market has entered a new phase — one characterized not by curiosity or novelty, but by widespread consumer buy-in. 2025-07-18 16:11:12

Kakao Pay abandons SSG Pay acquisition, pivots to AI investment SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - Kakao Pay has scrapped its planned acquisition of SSG Pay and Smile Pay, two mobile payment services owned by Shinsegae Group, as its parent company Kakao Group pivots sharply toward artificial intelligence-focused investments, according to industry sources on Friday. The decision marks a significant shift in Kakao Group’s broader strategic direction, which has seen the tech firm prioritize funding for its growing AI ambitions over expanding its fintech footprint. Kakao Pay, a leading mobile payment platform in South Korea, had been in talks with Shinsegae Group since early this year in a bid to better compete with rival Naver Pay. The two sides had finalized key terms, including pricing and corporate valuation, but the deal fell apart as Kakao Group reallocated capital toward its AI initiatives. The move comes just weeks after Kakao Group sold approximately 430 billion won ($310 million) worth of shares in SK Square, a move widely viewed as an effort to raise funds for large-scale AI investments. The now-abandoned acquisition was seen as part of Kakao Pay’s efforts to consolidate its position in South Korea’s highly competitive digital payments market. Shinsegae’s SSG Pay and Smile Pay are embedded within the group’s robust retail ecosystem, including Shinsegae Department Store and e-commerce platform SSG.com. Shinsegae Group said it remains committed to strengthening its payments business independently, pledging to enhance service stability and boost competitiveness across its digital commerce operations. 2025-07-18 16:05:53

INTERVIEW: How literature is bringing South Korea and Poland closer together SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - For many South Koreans, Poland once seemed like a distant European country, often known only for legendary figures such as pianist Frédéric Chopin and Nobel laureate chemist Marie Curie. But the Slavic country in central Europe has drawn closer to South Korea in recent years thanks to a burgeoning appreciation for its rich literary tradition and cultural heritage. "Although South Korea and Poland are geographically far apart and have had relatively few opportunities for mutual exchange or interaction, literature can serve as a bridge to help the two countries, which share cultural and historical similarities, build a deeper connection," said Lee Dang-kweon, director of the Korean Cultural Center in Warsaw, in a recent interview with AJP. Indeed, Poland has long been regarded as one of Europe's most renowned countries for literature. With five Nobel Prize laureates from Henryk Sienkiewicz in 1905 to Olga Tokarczuk in 2018 and other internationally acclaimed authors, literature is truly a beloved part of Polish culture. Particularly famed for its poetic brilliance, Polish literature, deeply intertwined with the country's turbulent history along with pride its cultural heritage, much like South Korea's, has served as a powerful form of resistance and cultural endurance, resiliently preserving and shaping national identity through language and storytelling. "The center, which opened in 2010 as the first of its kind in central Europe, has been offering diverse literature-themed programs, as I believe literature has the power to connect people and deepen relationships beyond cultural and territorial boundaries," Lee said. Among these activities, the regular gatherings of book lovers and literature enthusiasts, which began late last year, stand out the most, quickly gaining popularity from locals. "In the beginning, only a small circle of people gathered to share their thoughts on literature," Lee recalled. "But now each session attracts a large crowd." Such interest grew even stronger when writer Han Kang became South Korea's first Nobel Prize recipient in literature last year, ushering in a new chapter of cultural exchange between Seoul and Warsaw. In particular, Han's biographical collection of essays "HYNN" instantly stole Polish readers' hearts. Set in post-World War II Warsaw and written during her stay there, the book exemplifies Han's distinctive style of "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life," which was cited as the reason for awarding her the prestigious prize. Another boost to this growing interest came in May, when South Korea was selected as the Guest of Honor at this year's Warsaw International Book Fair, becoming the first Asian country to serve the role. "The center received a warm response and enthusiastic support from visitors when it first presented South Korean literary works at the fair in 2023, which soon led to an invitation to fulfill this year's honored role," Lee recalled, sharing his joy at achieving such a meaningful milestone at one of the largest annual literary events in Europe, which brings together numerous publishers and participants from around the world every year. Following the success of the fair, which drew even greater attention to South Korea, the center is expanding its efforts to promote the country's literature and culture by planning a variety of additional programs. It also seeks to create more opportunities for South Korean authors and writers by connecting them with various literary events and book fairs held across Poland. "More and more Polish people here are rediscovering South Korea through literary works and have even started organizing events to learn more about the country on their own," Lee said. "We will continue to support them and help more people in Poland connect with Korean culture through books." 2025-07-18 16:03:45

[[K-Tech]] Hanwha Q Cells joins US petition to curb solar panel imports from Chinese-controlled firms SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - A coalition of solar manufacturers, including Hanwha Q Cells and First Solar, petitioned the U.S. Commerce Department on Friday to impose tariffs on solar panels imported from Indonesia, India and Laos, accusing Chinese-owned firms of circumventing existing trade restrictions by routing products through third countries. The petition, filed by the American Solar Manufacturing and Trade Coalition, alleges that Chinese manufacturers are exploiting lower-cost production facilities in the three countries to flood the U.S. market with underpriced solar panels, undermining domestic producers. The move comes just a year after a similar petition led to new tariffs on solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Following that decision, imports from Indonesia and Laos surged, filling the gap left by the newly restricted countries. The case underscores the ongoing volatility in the global solar supply chain and the intensifying trade tensions between the United States and China. While the companies at the center of the complaint are based in Indonesia, India and Laos, the petition claims they are ultimately owned or controlled by Chinese parent firms, which are seeking to evade existing U.S. tariffs. “The domestic industry continues to be harmed by dumped and subsidized solar products entering through alternative channels,” the coalition said in a statement. “These measures are necessary to level the playing field.” If the Commerce Department agrees to initiate an investigation, it could result in new anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar products from the three nations, potentially reshaping sourcing strategies for U.S. solar developers and installers. 2025-07-18 16:00:34

Lotte chairman orders sweeping overhaul as conglomerate confronts deepening crisis SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of South Korea’s Lotte Group, has ordered a sweeping business overhaul, calling for structural reform and long-term innovation as the retail-to-chemicals conglomerate faces what analysts describe as the most serious crisis in its history. The directive came during a rare two-day forum that concluded Thursday at the Lotte Human Resources Development Center in Osan, south of Seoul. The meeting brought together some 80 senior executives, including Shin’s eldest son, Executive Vice President Shin Yoo-yeol, in what insiders say was the most comprehensive top-level review since the group’s founding. At the center of Lotte’s woes is its petrochemicals arm. Lotte Chemical’s operating profit plunged nearly 64 percent year-on-year — from 2.59 trillion won ($1.9 billion) in 2023 to 916.8 billion won in 2024 — amid a sharp downturn in demand, rising raw material costs, and intensifying competition from Chinese producers. The group has begun liquidating non-core assets to ease financial pressure. It has reportedly pledged its iconic Lotte World Tower as collateral and sold its operations in Pakistan. It is also considering a merger of its naphtha cracking center with HD Hyundai Chemical to achieve cost synergies. “CEOs must anticipate how the business environment will evolve over the next decade and act with speed and precision,” Shin told executives, emphasizing a shift toward what he termed "PEST perspective management" — a framework focused on political, economic, social and technological change. The restructuring plan calls for Lotte Chemical to significantly reduce its reliance on low-margin basic materials, which currently account for more than 60 percent of revenue. The company will instead prioritize the expansion of high-value-added products, which now make up roughly 30 percent of sales. Lotte’s retail division is also set for a strategic overhaul. As legacy department stores and supermarkets lose ground to online platforms and a surge in competition from Chinese players, the company will pursue a “selection and concentration” strategy — focusing on core assets while exiting or consolidating weaker units. “The fatal mistake in corporate management is ignoring known problems — or worse, failing to recognize problems at all,” Shin said. “We must be prepared for the world five to ten years from now.” 2025-07-18 15:15:25

US Senate defense bill aims to preserve troop presence in South Korea SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - A newly passed United States Senate defense bill signals congressional intent to maintain current American troop levels in South Korea amid renewed debate over the future of U.S. military commitments abroad. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), approved last week by the Senate Armed Services Committee, includes language that blocks any reduction in the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula or transfer of wartime operational control without formal certification from the Secretary of Defense. According to a summary released by the committee, such changes would require confirmation that the move is in the national interest. The bill also mandates that top military officials—including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of Indo-Pacific Command, and the Commander of U.S. Forces Korea—complete an independent risk assessment before any adjustments can move forward. This provision mirrors a restriction introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which was later removed under President Joe Biden. Its return comes as speculation grows that a second Trump term could revisit efforts to scale back U.S. troop deployments overseas. The NDAA, passed annually, serves as a blueprint for U.S. defense policy and spending. The final version will be negotiated between the Senate and House before being sent to the president for approval. 2025-07-18 13:52:46

[[K-Culture]] Kim Hye-soon becomes first Asian poet to win German literature prize SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - South Korean poet Kim Hye-soon has been awarded the International Prize for Literature by Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Germany for the German translation of her poetry collection "Autobiography of Death" on Thursday. HKW announced Kim as the winner from a shortlist of six authors, including Turkey’s Dogan Akhanli, Canada’s Sarah Bernstein, Ukraine’s Anna Melikova, France’s Neige Sinno, and the U.S.'s Jesmyn Ward. The jury unanimously selected Kim, saying that her poetry reveals meaning “precisely in the enigmatic,” adding, “The texts open up as we follow their rhythm and read them over and over again, the images reveal themselves like directions that only become visible when the right direction has already been taken.” Jury member and German writer Deniz Utlu praised the collection as “translations from death’s native language,” describing it as “miraculously opening up the possibility of listening to this language as it sounds on the threshold of the afterlife.” Kim did not attend the ceremony in person but delivered her remarks via video call, expressing gratitude to translators Park Sul and Uljana Wolf, the jury, HKW, her publisher S. Fischer, and all those involved in organizing the event. The award, established in 2009, honors outstanding contemporary works translated into German and is jointly presented to both the author and the translators. "Autobiography of Death" was originally published in Korean in 2016 and translated into German earlier this year. The poems, inspired by Kim’s collapse in a subway station in 2015, reflect on national tragedies such as the MERS outbreak and the Sewol ferry disaster. The collection comprises 49 poems exploring the boundary between life and death. Kim is the first Asian and the first poet to receive the HKW prize. South Korean Nobel laureate Han Kang was also a finalist for the award in 2017 with the German translation of her novel "The Vegetarian." 2025-07-18 13:49:51

TRAVEL: Exploring traditional markets in Pattaya Pattaya, July 17 (AJP) – Known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a wide range of marine leisure activities, Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist and resort cities. It ranks second only to Bangkok in tourist visits. While sightseeing and enjoying local attractions are a major part of travel, experiencing how local people live can offer a refreshing and memorable perspective. Traditional markets in Southeast Asia’s densely populated cities are famous for their energy and bustle. At wholesale markets filled with local people trading colorful tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, and fish, travelers can get an up-close look at daily life. Among these is Rattanakornwanasin Market and its adjacent wholesale-oriented Ratanakorn Market—Pattaya’s largest fruit markets. Markets in hot, tropical regions typically open at dawn and lose steam as the day heats up. Early morning is the best time to witness the market in full swing. When we arrived at Rattanakornwanasin Market just after sunrise, the vendors had already completed their setup and were welcoming customers. The semi-open building, covered only by a roof, was lined with neatly organized and immaculately clean stalls. Brightly colored tropical fruits were stacked like small mountains, and the air was filled with a dizzying mix of sweet and tangy aromas, as if dozens of perfumes had been sprayed at once. Piles of carefully arranged fruit, neatly trimmed vegetables, and fresh meat were all marked with hand-written price signs—simple but direct. It felt less like shopping and more like visiting an exhibition curated by the vendors. Sellers preparing food or handling fish wore tied-up hair and long aprons, while some male vendors went shirtless in the humid heat. Their lean, strong physiques seemed to enhance trust in the freshness of their produce. fruits on display ranged from familiar favorites like tangerines, watermelons, and mangoes to rare finds such as durians, dragon fruit, rose apples that resemble bell peppers, rambutans, and jackfruit. Pineapples, with their tough rinds, were stacked not just inside the truck beds but all around, piled as high as a small child. It was easily more pineapple than I had seen in my entire life. Vendors would peel and prepare them on the spot for customers. Prices varied by fruit, but mangoes, mangosteens, and watermelons—all familiar to Korean palates—were as cheap as half to a quarter of what they cost in Korea. Every fruit tasted as if it had been sprinkled with sugar, sweet and full of juice. In all my time in Thailand, I had never once been disappointed by the taste of fruit. The very first mango I tried there had a deep, rich sweetness I had never experienced before. It felt like a reminder of what it means to taste fruit where it is grown. Thailand has long had a “sai-thung” culture, where nearly everything is packaged in a plastic bag. Vegetables, fruits, side dishes, soups, sauces, beverages, and coffee were all sold in these bags. But in 2020, Thailand banned single-use plastic bags in department stores, large supermarkets, and some retail outlets. Now, this practice is mostly seen in markets. The tightly inflated bags, resembling those used to transport ornamental fish, looked cute and somehow fresher and more appealing than deflated ones. These food bags are thicker than regular ones, so there was little worry about them tearing or spilling. Butcher shops displayed their meats openly, rather than refrigerating them. Spread out generously, the meat looked freshly slaughtered and quite clean. In addition to fruits and meat, the market also included side dish stalls, fishmongers, and general goods vendors, offering the full experience of a traditional marketplace. Though I had arrived early, most visitors were local Thais. A few Westerners, likely expats living in Thailand, were the only other foreigners. I felt like I was the only traveler in the place. Locals, seeing me with a camera, began chatting in Thai. I didn’t understand what they were saying, but I could instinctively tell I was the subject. For a moment, I worried. What if they don’t like being photographed? But I soon realized there was nothing negative in their tone. After a short exchange, they began smiling at me. Some offered me a piece of fruit, others gave me a thumbs-up. Their gestures and expressions made it clear. They were welcoming me, and they were enjoying the moment just as much as I was. 2025-07-18 10:47:36

Prominent Korean AI researcher departs OpenAI to join Meta SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - Hyung Won Chung, a prominent researcher at OpenAI and the only Korean contributor to its cutting-edge o1 model, has joined Meta’s newly formed Superintelligence Lab. Chung will move to Meta alongside Jason Wei, another former OpenAI researcher with whom he collaborated on both the o1 model and OpenAI’s Deep Research initiative. Chung, who earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019, previously spent four years at Google Brain, where he focused on large language models and reasoning systems. He joined OpenAI in early 2023 and quickly became a key contributor to some of its most ambitious projects. Among the 20 researchers involved in developing the o1 model, he was the only Korean participant. Chung and Wei had previously worked together at Google before moving to OpenAI. Their joint arrival at Meta suggests they were recruited as a package, a practice that has become increasingly common as firms seek to reduce onboarding friction and accelerate research output. The hires come amid a broader talent offensive led by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has made public his ambition to compete directly with OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic in the race to develop artificial general intelligence. 2025-07-18 10:17:48