Translator Kim Jung-ah completes decade-long Dostoevsky translation project SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Translator Kim Jung-ah held a press conference in central Seoul on Monday to announce the publication of her Korean translation of "The Brothers Karamazov." With its release, she completed solo Korean translations of four major novels by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "Crime and Punishment," "The Idiot," "Demons," and "The Brothers Karamazov." The project took more than ten years from start to finish. Kim is the first South Korean translator known to have completed full-length translations of all four works on her own. The total page count exceeds 6,600. Speaking to AJP, Kim said, "He's been the compass of my life. I've lived the last ten years as if we were connected by an umbilical cord." She began with "Notes from Underground" around 2010, but started focusing on the major novels in 2018. Kim holds degrees from Seoul National University and Illinois State University, and also runs the fashion brand Space Nool. She did most of her translation work in the early morning hours, often beginning at 2 a.m. and continuing until just before heading to the office. "'The Brothers Karamazov' drained me emotionally," she said. "There were nights I sobbed while translating certain passages. But it was in those moments I felt closest to Dostoevsky's view of humanity, not as fallen or broken, but as compassionate beings capable of redemption." The physical toll was significant. During work on "The Idiot," she began translating while standing due to chronic back pain. "At one point, a doctor told me not to cry during work," she said. "But how do you read 'Karamazov' and not cry?" One of her priorities was to correct what she identified as more than one hundred mistranslations in earlier Korean editions. "I wanted to stitch the Korean version together with care, as if I were repairing a beloved's sweater," she said. "I tried to offer something qualitatively different." The books are now available in standard paperback editions. "The Brothers Karamazov" has also been released in a special leather-bound edition, limited to 300 copies. Kim refers to Dostoevsky as "Teacher Do" and considers herself his lifelong student. "He's the most human of all writers. Fully ninety percent of my life was shaped by him," she said. She has been nominated for Russia's Pushkin Medal, an award that recognizes individuals who promote Russian literature and culture abroad. 2025-07-09 19:26:54

Lee seeks advice from religious leaders over luncheon SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung met with religious leaders at the presidential office on Wednesday. Lee invited the leaders of South Korea's seven key religious orders including Buddhist monks, Catholic priests, Christian pastors, and others to a luncheon to seek their advice on state affairs and promote unity amid deepening social and political conflict. Expressing his concerns, Lee said, "The role of religious leaders is even more important, especially in a time of a growing social division and confrontation." The luncheon came about a month after Lee took office early last month and just two days after he met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, who visited to deliver Pope Leo XIV's invitation to the Vatican. The American-born pope is expected to visit Seoul in 2027 to attend World Youth Day (WYD), an international Catholic event that brings together hundreds of thousands of young believers from around the world. Anticipation is already building that he may also visit North Korea to mend inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. Once he travels to Seoul as planned, Leo will become the third pope to visit the country, following Pope John Paul II who visited twice in 1984 and 1989, and his predecessor Pope Francis in 2014. 2025-07-09 17:18:18

Korea looks to shipbuilding ties as strategic tool in tariff talks with US SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - As South Korea prepares for high-stakes tariff negotiations with the United States over the next three weeks, the country’s shipbuilding industry has emerged as a central element of Seoul’s diplomatic and strategic playbook. Government officials said Wednesday that cooperation in the shipbuilding sector is being positioned as more than just a bargaining chip in ongoing trade discussions. A senior official at the presidential office noted that the Korea–U.S. partnership in shipbuilding “will not be used merely as leverage,” underscoring its broader significance within the countries’ economic and security relationship. The talks, which include not only trade policy but also defense cost-sharing and the role of U.S. military forces stationed on the peninsula, are being shaped by a growing recognition of shipbuilding’s dual role — as both a geopolitical asset and an industrial powerhouse. Korean officials believe highlighting the sector's strategic utility will help frame negotiations more comprehensively. That positioning gained momentum this week when Hanwha Ocean announced it had secured its third U.S. Navy maintenance contract — this time for the USNS Charles Drew, a supply ship in the Navy’s 7th Fleet. The deal involves maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work scheduled to begin in mid-July at Hanwha’s Geoje shipyard and conclude by the end of the year. The Charles Drew, a 41,000-ton non-combat vessel tasked with transporting cargo and ammunition, follows two earlier contracts awarded to Hanwha for the Wally Schirra and the Yukon in 2024. The Yukon is expected to leave the Geoje yard later this month after completing repairs. Hanwha is targeting five to six MRO projects in 2025 and is preparing to transition into direct ship construction for the U.S. market following facility expansions at its recently acquired Philadelphia shipyard. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, signed a memorandum of understanding with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the top American military shipbuilder. The agreement aims to explore collaboration in areas such as process innovation and workforce development — areas seen as critical to the revitalization of American naval production capacity. Industry officials describe South Korea’s major shipbuilders as among the few realistic partners capable of supporting the U.S. Navy’s modernization ambitions. Their strengths in eco-friendly vessel construction and smart shipyard technologies are also seen as a counterweight to China’s expanding shipbuilding footprint, particularly in the military domain. The geopolitical undercurrents of the sector were highlighted by President Lee Jae Myung during remarks Tuesday at a defense industry forum marking the country’s first National Defense Industry Day. Lee described the defense sector as a “future growth engine” and pledged to diversify the industry’s ecosystem away from its traditional conglomerate-centered model. He also committed to expanding government-to-government cooperation and making South Korea one of the world's top four defense powers. 2025-07-09 16:50:30

Korean instant noodle firms Samyang, Nongshim poised for strong earnings SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading instant noodle exporters, Samyang Foods and Nongshim, are expected to post robust second-quarter earnings, buoyed by growing overseas demand and a favorable currency rate. According to analyst consensus, Samyang Foods is projected to report 542.6 billion won ($395 million) in revenue for the April–June period, a 27.9 percent increase from the same period last year. Operating profit is forecast to rise 43 percent to 127.9 billion won, setting a new quarterly record and surpassing the previous high of 529 billion won in the first quarter. Following its milestone of exceeding 1 trillion won in annual sales for the first time in 2023, Samyang now appears on pace to cross that threshold within just the first half of this year. The company's rapid ascent has been fueled by its aggressive expansion into international markets. Its overseas sales ratio climbed from 57 percent in 2020 to 77 percent in 2024 and reached 80 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Samyang has made significant inroads into mainstream retail channels across the United States, Europe and Latin America, while also diversifying its exports to include sauces alongside its signature spicy ramen offerings. Nongshim is also expected to show signs of recovery after a softer first quarter. The company is projected to post 905.6 billion won in revenue for the second quarter, a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent, with operating profit forecast to rise 16.5 percent to 50.9 billion won. The upbeat projections come amid rising global appetite for Korean instant noodles, particularly among younger consumers seeking bold flavors and convenient meals. While domestic growth has matured, industry leaders are increasingly focused on export markets as key engines of long-term growth. 2025-07-09 16:21:43

Trump's 200 percent drug tariff threat draws cautious response SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies are preparing for potential U.S. tariffs on drug imports after President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping trade measures that could impose duties of up to 200 percent. While the announcement has prompted firms like Celltrion and SK Biopharmaceuticals to activate contingency strategies, industry analysts say the broader impact on the Korean pharmaceutical sector is likely to be modest — at least for now. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said the United States would impose high tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, part of what he described as a broader effort to onshore critical industries. “They’re going to be tariffs at a very high rate, like 200 percent,” Trump said, adding that companies would have “about a year, year and a half” to adjust before the tariffs take effect. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later told CNBC that more specific details about the tariff plan would be released by the end of the month. In Seoul, the announcement sent pharmaceutical stocks into a brief tailspin before recovering, as major players rushed to reassure investors. Celltrion published a letter to shareholders early Wednesday, outlining measures it has already taken to shield itself from possible fallout. The company said it had stockpiled two years’ worth of product inventory for the U.S. market and had secured contracts with American contract manufacturing organizations to localize production. The firm is reportedly weighing the acquisition of a U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturer to solidify its local presence. SK Biopharmaceuticals, which markets the epilepsy drug Cenobamate in the U.S., said it has completed due diligence on a production facility in Puerto Rico and secured U.S.-based manufacturing partners approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Samsung Biologics said it expected minimal direct exposure, given its focus on outsourced development and production rather than direct exports. Some industry observers expressed skepticism about the policy’s trajectory, noting that similar threats from Trump did not translate into major structural changes for the industry. “South Korea has relatively few drug substance or finished drug exporters at present, aside from major pharmaceutical companies,” said Hwang Ju-rie, director of public and international relations at the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization. “For tariffs to significantly impact the industry, we would need at least another decade, as most biotech firms remain in the research and development phase.” 2025-07-09 16:12:57

North Korean hacker slapped with US sanctions over cyber scam SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - A North Korean hacker, accused of being involved in a scheme for illegal cyber activities, was slapped with sanctions along with several Russian firms, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said Monday. The department said it sanctioned Song Kum-hyok, linked to a hacking group run by the North's Reconnaissance General Bureau, known as Andariel, for facilitating North Korean IT workers to find remote jobs overseas with "falsified identities and nationalities." These workers, mostly based in China and Russia, allegedly installed malware into company networks to "generate revenue for the regime's efforts to circumvent sanctions through its digital asset theft, attempted impersonation of Americans, and malicious cyber-attacks." Under the sanctions, all their assets are frozen, and they are barred from doing business in the U.S. 2025-07-09 16:02:52

Foreign language media association celebrates 10 years of connecting South Korea with the world SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - The Foreign Language Newspaper Association of Korea marked its 10th anniversary on July 8 with a ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. Lawmakers, diplomats, media executives, and business leaders gathered to reflect on the press's evolving role in a time of global tension and rapid change. Established in 2015, the association brings together South Korea's major foreign-language news outlets. Over the past decade, it has helped deliver the country's political, economic, and cultural stories to a global audience through multilingual journalism. Choi Jin-young, chairman of the association and CEO of Herald Media Group, which publishes The Korea Herald and Herald Economy, opened the event by stressing that journalism must move beyond simply relaying facts. "Media does not exist just to pass along the news," Choi said. "We connect. We shed light. We create empathy. Journalism is what keeps democracy alive." He said the association's mission is not only to share South Korea's story with the world but also to make global developments relatable for domestic readers. "Our job is to turn global issues in peace, culture, technology, and diplomacy into stories that matter to our readers here," he added. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, who was unable to attend in person due to parliamentary commitments, sent a video message. In his remarks, he praised the association for helping promote the country's creative diversity and for narrowing the distance between nations through journalism. "You are a vital part of the Korean media landscape, realizing the values of creativity, diversity, and inclusion," Woo said. "The National Assembly also recognizes the importance of open communication with the global community, and we will do our part to help South Korea play a greater role in the world." Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing also addressed the gathering. While thanking the association's member publications for their efforts, he voiced concern over some portrayals of China in South Korean media. "If China is reviewed through a distorted analysis, or if Korean media uncritically echo narratives like the so-called China collapse or China threat, it risks misleading the public and damaging bilateral cooperation," Dai said. He highlighted that more than 7 million people traveled between China and South Korea last year, with over 1,200 direct flights operating weekly. Encouraging greater exchange, he said, "We welcome Korean reporters to visit China, whether to conduct interviews, attend events, or simply explore. We hope you are coming back with a fuller, more detailed and more authentic picture of China." The event included lawmakers from across party lines, senior presidential aides, ambassadors, and executives from major South Korean conglomerates, including Samsung and Hyundai. Speakers repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the media in an age of disinformation and political division. Choi also thanked veteran journalists and founding members who helped establish the association. Among those recognized were Kwak Young-kil, Chairman of Aju News Corporation, Oh Young-jin, President of The Korea Times, and Yang Ki-hyun, a media executive of Joongang Daily. 2025-07-09 15:37:18

North Korea to offer AI-related courses at universities SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - North Korea is expected to embrace new technologies with universities likely to offer courses related to artificial intelligence (AI). The move was part of an educational reform discussed at a recent two-day Workers' Party gathering which was held late last month and attended by leader Kim Jong-un, the state-run Rodong Sinmun reported on Wednesday. The daily further explained that universities have reorganized their study programs by consolidating departments and faculties to foster innovation through AI-related courses and programs to "nurture future talent." Notorious for its formidable hacking professionals and groups with advanced cybercrime expertise, the country, apparently awakened to the explosive growth of AI, appears determined to keep up with the latest trends and use them in operations or activities for the sake of the regime's survival. But it remains to be seen how extensively the reclusive country, where even internet access is heavily restricted or blocked, will adopt the fastest-evolving technology, especially given that AI could expose North Koreans to information about South Korea as well as the outside world, making them become disillusioned with what they've been told about their own country. 2025-07-09 14:58:49

Korean agricultural machinery firms brace for 25 percent US import tariff SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s agricultural machinery industry is bracing for a major blow after the United States announced it would impose a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on all Korean imports beginning August 1, a move that threatens to disrupt one of the country's most export-reliant sectors. Among the hardest hit are leading tractor manufacturers Daedong and TYM, both of which derive a substantial portion of their revenue from the North American market. Daedong, whose exports totaled 957.7 billion won ($696 million) in 2023, saw approximately 74 percent of its total revenue that year come from overseas shipments. In 2024, exports made up about 65.3 percent of sales, with nearly 80 percent of that volume headed to North America. The company’s strategic dependence on the U.S. market remains clear: in the first quarter of 2025, Daedong’s North American unit held a 10.8 percent share of the region’s tractor market, highlighting the scale of its exposure to the looming tariffs. TYM, another major player in the sector, finds itself in a similarly vulnerable position. The company posted export ratios of 71 percent in 2023, 62 percent in 2024, and 65 percent in the first quarter of this year. North America accounted for 60.2 percent of TYM’s revenue in the first quarter of 2025. The companies now face a dual challenge: mitigating the immediate financial blow from tariff-related cost increases while safeguarding their long-term competitiveness. Both Daedong and TYM are cautiously weighing price increases in the U.S. market. TYM raised prices earlier this year in response to climbing raw material and shipping costs, while Daedong is expected to implement price adjustments in the second half of 2025. 2025-07-09 14:36:55

Power demand hits July record, prompting emergency measures SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s electricity demand surged to its highest level in three years this week, as an unusually early and intense heat wave swept across the country. National power consumption reached 93.4 gigawatts on Monday, surpassing the previous July record of 92.99 GW set in 2022. By Tuesday evening, the load climbed further to 95.7 GW, pushing electricity reserves below the critical 10 percent threshold for the first time this summer, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The spike came nearly two weeks earlier than the typical peak in summer energy use. In response, the government activated a broad emergency management system. Deputy Industry Minister Lee Ho-hyun on Tuesday visited Daejeon to inspect key infrastructure. The emergency operations include real-time surveillance of critical generation plants and transmission lines to quickly detect and respond to potential disruptions. In tandem with infrastructure monitoring, authorities have intensified support for low-income and at-risk populations. Beginning July 1, the government began distributing enhanced energy vouchers — up to 701,300 won (about $540) — to more than 1.3 million households. Eligible recipients include older adults, people with disabilities, and families with infants. Officials have also completed the early installation of air conditioning units in 18,000 low-income homes and 500 social welfare centers, and have dispatched teams to conduct door-to-door visits to educate recipients on how to effectively use cooling systems without fear of rising bills. Additionally, an “energy cashback” program has been introduced, offering rebates of up to 100 won per kWh for households that reduce electricity use by at least 3 percent compared to their average consumption over the past two years. The incentive aims to curb demand during peak periods while helping households offset higher cooling costs. 2025-07-09 14:28:56