Soundtrack for K-pop anime reaches No. 3 on Billboard 200 albums chart SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - The soundtrack for Netflix's latest animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 3 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart, the American music chat said Sunday. Released on June 20, the album jumped five spots from No. 8 the previous week, becoming "the highest-charting soundtrack to an animated film since 'Encanto' spent nine weeks at No. 1 in 2022." The previous top-performing soundtrack was "Wicked," which reached No. 4 in January following its debut at No. 2 in December last year. The album's impressive chart ascent comes after the success of the K-pop musical fantasy film, which revolves around a fictional girl group called Huntrix, who lead double lives as demon hunters to battle evil spirits disguised as a rival boy band. The album which has 12 tracks also includes hit songs like "Take Down," "Golden," and "Soda Pop" as well as an additional version of "Take Down" sung by girl group TWICE members Jeong-yeon, Ji-hyo, and Chae-young. Directed by Korean Canadian Maggie Kang, who reportedly wanted to create a story rooted in her Korean background and heritage by blending traditional mythology with K-pop, the 100-minute film features several South Korean stars, including Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Yun-jin, and Lee Byung-hun, who lent their voices. 2025-07-07 14:42:30

LG Electronics reports 46.6 percent drop in Q2 operating profit amid tariff pressures SEOUL, July 07 (AJP) - LG Electronics reported a 46.6 percent decline in second-quarter operating profit to 639.1 billion won ($491 million) as the South Korean appliance maker faced headwinds from the United States tariffs and weakened demand for televisions and IT products. Revenue fell 4.4 percent year-on-year to 20.74 trillion won in the April-June period, the company said in a preliminary earnings statement on Monday. The results reflect challenging operating conditions, including tariff burdens from US trade policies and increased logistics costs that weighed on profitability across multiple business segments. LG's home appliance division and business-to-business operations, including automotive components and air conditioning systems, maintained relatively stable performance despite the difficult environment. However, the company's media and entertainment unit, which includes TV and IT products, struggled with demand contraction and rising LCD panel prices that pressured margins. The electronics giant said it expects logistics cost burdens to ease in the second half compared to the same period last year. LG plans to focus on what it calls "qualitative growth" areas, including B2B operations, subscription services, webOS platform development, and direct-to-consumer sales through its LGE.com platform to maintain business fundamentals. LG's automotive components business continued to grow based on a stable order backlog, with operating profit increasing year-on-year through improved operational efficiency. The company also plans to accelerate its push into AI data center cooling solutions and European air-to-water heat pump markets following its recent acquisition agreement with Norwegian water heating company OSO. 2025-07-07 14:40:06

S. Korea, UK hold FTA upgrade talks in Seoul to strengthen partnership SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - South Korea and the United Kingdom kicked off their fifth round of negotiations to upgrade their bilateral free trade agreement in Seoul, with about 60 delegates from both sides gathering in Seoul for five days of intensive talks. The negotiations, running from Monday through Friday, aim to modernize the Korea-UK FTA that was hastily signed after Britain's exit from the European Union. The original deal largely mirrored the terms of South Korea's existing trade pact with the EU bloc. The South Korean team is headed by Kwon Hye-jin, the country’s chief trade negotiator from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Team Britain is led by Kwon’s counterpart Adam Fenn, chief negotiator at the United Kingdom's Department for Business and Trade. The two countries are seeking to ease rules of origin requirements to make them more business-friendly while introducing new trade standards covering supply chains and digital commerce. This marks their fifth attempt to bridge gaps on key sticking points. Negotiators will tackle 16 separate areas including services, investment, digital trade, rules of origin and government procurement as they work to narrow differences on major issues dividing the two sides. "The importance of concluding free trade agreements to counter deepening protectionism is growing day by day," Kwon said. She expressed hope the upgraded FTA would help both nations jointly respond to global supply chain risks and expand trade and investment cooperation. The negotiation follows previous March talks held in London, discussing subjects such as bioeconomy, gender equality, and strengthening economic bonds between South Korea and the UK. 2025-07-07 14:38:43

S. Korea's convenience stores bet on private brands to fight stagnation SEOUL, July 07 (AJP) - By the end of 2024, South Korea had 54,852 convenience stores nationwide. That breaks down to roughly one store for every 1,000 people. In urban areas, it is not unusual to see three or four different franchises on the same block, a clear sign of how dense and competitive the market has become. With growth slowing, the country's biggest chains, CU, GS25, 7-Eleven Korea, and Emart24, are turning to private brands (PBs) to stay relevant and improve margins. What began as budget-friendly alternatives have since evolved into full-scale product lines that help define each retailer's identity. Each chain now promotes its own brand. CU recently replaced its former label, Heyroo, with a new flagship line called PBICK. GS25 operates YouUs and Real Price. 7-Eleven Korea sells under the Seven Select label. Emart24 features No Brand and Peacock, both tied to its parent retail group. CU, run by BGF Retail, said on Jul. 6 that PBICK sales rose 33.7 percent in its first month. The line launched in May with snacks like melon gummies, chocolate churros, and affogato cookies. So far, CU has released more than ten products under the PBICK brand. The impact is already visible in performance metrics. Over the past month, PB snacks accounted for 16 percent of CU's total snack sales, up from 12 percent. PB snack sales at CU grew 36.6 percent in 2022, 27 percent in 2023, and 15.5 percent in 2024. CU sees PBICK not only as a branding move but as a way to boost store-level revenue. Upcoming items include black sesame latte snacks, double shrimp chips, and crème brûlée-inspired crackers. "Convenience store PBs are uniquely positioned to respond to rapid market shifts," said Shin Eun-ji, CU snack foods MD. "We aim to create differentiated offerings that deliver new value and experience." GS25 is also expanding its private brand strategy through cross-border collaboration. On Jul. 8, it will open a month-long pop-up shop at The Hyundai Seoul with Japan’s leading discount store, Don Quijote. This will mark Don Quijote’s first physical presence in South Korea. The pop-up will showcase over 30 of Don Quijote’s private label items alongside 10 from GS25’s lineup, including snacks and lifestyle goods. Some of the featured products will later be released nationwide at GS25 locations. This partnership follows GS25’s move in May to supply YouUs-branded products to Don Quijote stores in Japan. The Seoul pop-up reflects a growing collaboration between the two companies. Other players are pushing similar strategies. Emart24 is preparing to introduce its No Brand products to overseas stores, starting in India this August. 7-Eleven Korea has expanded its Seven Select label into lifestyle items, offering Supima T-shirts and socks in a trial to test customer response. 2025-07-07 14:31:20

N. Korea steps up tribute efforts ahead of Kim Il-sung's 31st death anniversary SEOUL, July 07 (AJP) - North Korea is ramping up memorial activities ahead of the 31st anniversary of founding leader Kim Il-sung's death on July 8, with state media reinforcing his legacy and ideological vision. In a two-page article titled "Only for the people, relying on the people," published by the ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday, Kim was hailed as a "peerless great man" whose life was guided by the principle of Iminwi Cheon, or "the people are heaven." "The long years of revolutionary leadership by our leader were marked by not a single deviation in line or a single practical error," the paper claimed. It attributed North Korea's continued path of success to Kim's lifelong devotion to serving the people and leading based on their strength. The article emphasized Kim’s oft-repeated maxim, calling it his lifelong creed: "From the day I embarked on the road of revolution until today, I have always regarded the people as the sky and served them accordingly. I have carried out the revolution by relying on the people's strength." Current leader Kim Jong-un was also praised in the article as the rightful heir of this legacy, continuing what the paper described as the "sacred journey of service for the people" and realizing the dreams of his predecessors. "The people's dignity and glory will shine endlessly, and all their dreams and ideals will unfold into a brilliant reality under the wise leadership of our respected General Secretary," the article stated. North Korea has long used major anniversaries to reinforce the ruling family's personality cult and the legitimacy of its hereditary power structure. By linking Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un as an unbroken chain of perfect leadership, the regime seeks to justify its three-generation dynastic rule. In the lead-up to the anniversary, various memorial events have taken place. On Saturday, a student and youth virtue recital was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang, according to Rodong Sinmun. The same day, members of foreign organizations and the Kim Il-sung–Kim Jong-il Foundation board sent floral tributes to the bronze statues of the two former leaders at Mansu Hill. Earlier events included a women’s gathering on July 4 at the Women's Hall, where members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union praised Kim Il-sung's leadership during the Korean War. On July 3, a workers' virtue recital session was held at the Central Workers’ Hall, featuring a recitation of the narrative poem "Our Eternal Leader, Comrade Kim Il-sung." Such ceremonies have become an annual tradition, designed to promote collective mourning and reinforce loyalty to the state. This year, no large-scale commemorations are expected, as it is not a major milestone year. North Korea typically reserves more elaborate events for anniversaries ending in five or zero. Last year, marking the 30th anniversary, Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay tribute to both his grandfather and father, Kim Jong-il. Similar visits took place in 2014 and 2019. He is not expected to make a public appearance this year unless the regime chooses otherwise. 2025-07-07 13:47:34

S. Korea to launch campaign to lower wedding costs SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - The South Korean government announced Sunday that it will launch a national campaign to address the soaring cost of weddings and shift public perceptions around the issue. The initiative follows President Lee Jae-myung's campaign pledge to ease the financial burdens associated with marriage. High wedding costs are often cited as one of the reasons young people are delaying marriage and starting families. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) recently commissioned research aimed at promoting more rational spending in the wedding services market, which continues to draw criticism for its inflated pricing practices. According to data released in May by the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), the average wedding service contract in South Korea costs around 21 million won ($15,353). In Seoul's Gangnam district, well-known for its luxurious lifestyle culture, the average rises to about 34 million won, highlighting stark regional disparities. These figures include only core wedding services such as venue rental, dresses, and makeup, excluding additional extras. Many couples turn to professional planners to navigate the complexity of wedding arrangements, despite the added expense. "Without a wedding planner, couples must arrange everything themselves, and coordinating schedules becomes extremely difficult. Even with the extra costs, the time saved is a lifesaver," said a 30-year-old woman who recently got married. In terms of consumer satisfaction, the wedding service industry ranked last among 40 sectors in the KCA’s 2024 survey, scoring just 50.4 out of 100. The average score across all industries was 65.7. The wedding sector received the lowest marks across all categories, including fairness of pricing, reliability, diversity of choices, and consumer protection. In response, the FTC plans to hold public contests to collect ideas on improving consumer culture. It also intends to issue guidelines to help prevent financial disputes tied to weddings. The FTC issued warnings in April to several well-known wedding planning companies for false and misleading advertising. In February, the National Tax Service launched a broad audit of the wedding service industry, focusing on pricing practices for photography, dress rentals, and cosmetic services. 2025-07-07 11:03:09

S. Korean game companies jump on Squid Game season 3 buzz SEOUL, July 07 (AJP) - With "Squid Game" back for a third season, the global hit is once again making waves, and South Korea's gaming industry is moving fast to ride the momentum. According to Netflix’s Top 10 chart as of July 6, "Squid Game: Season 3" ranked first among non-English TV series, pulling in more than 60.1 million views in its first week. That popularity has translated into new game content from major South Korean developers, giving fans a chance to step into the show's intense, high-stakes world. Kakao, one of the country’s leading tech firms, released an interactive online game titled "Chunsik Game: The Final Game." Based on a hide-and-seek scene from the new season, it uses KakaoTalk’s Open Chat feature to guide players through a series of escape room-style puzzles. Since launching, it has gone viral on social media, with over 23,000 people joining as of July 1. Kakao has also launched exclusive Squid Game merchandise under the collaboration. Items like a Chunsik x Squid Game choco pie set and a Season 3-themed keyring are available in the dedicated product category, marking a shift from promotional tie-ins to full-scale monetization. Nexon, a major South Korean gaming company, added Squid Game-themed content to its popular online shooter "Sudden Attack." A new map replicates the show’s maze-like staircase set, and players are divided into "managers" and "contestants" in team deathmatch mode. Participants earn in-game rewards and can enter to win event prizes. In "Fortnite," Epic Games added content inspired by Season 1 of Squid Game, including Red Light, Green Light, and marbles. The underground maze setting and game mechanics have been praised by fans for their attention to detail. After Squid Game’s first season premiered in 2021, South Korea’s content exports rose sharply. The Korea Creative Content Agency reported a 13.1 percent increase over six months, led by video and game-related content. One industry source said, "Squid Game is no longer just a drama. It’s become a platform. We’ll continue collaborating with global IPs so users can enjoy content in new ways." 2025-07-07 11:02:50

Special counsel team seeks arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - A special counsel team investigating the Dec. 3 martial law incident has requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol. At a press briefing, Sunday, prosecutor Park Ji-young confirmed that the team filed the request with the Seoul Central District Court earlier in the day. Yoon faces multiple charges, including obstruction of official duties by public officials, violation of the Presidential Security Act, abuse of power, and falsification of official documents. However, a key allegation that Yoon ordered the military’s drone operations unit to send an unmanned aircraft into Pyongyang to fabricate grounds for declaring martial law was not included in the arrest warrant. “The treason-related charge is still under investigation and requires further inquiry,” Park said. “It was not included at this stage due to the ongoing nature of the probe.” Yoon was initially arrested on January 15 but was released 52 days later following a controversial court decision. 2025-07-06 18:05:27

Korea's security chief heads to US for talks on Lee-Trump summit SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac departed for Washington, D.C., on Sunday for high-stakes talks with U.S. officials as the two allies navigate a tense moment in trade and defense negotiations — and explore the possibility of a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport ahead of his departure, Wi said his three-day trip is aimed at “deepening consultations” on a range of urgent bilateral issues, including Washington’s evolving tariff regime and South Korea’s defense cost-sharing contributions. “Trade and security consultations between South Korea and the U.S. have entered a critical phase,” Wi said. “My visit reflects the importance of this moment.” At the top of the agenda are U.S. tariffs and sector-specific measures targeting steel, autos, and other key industries. Wi’s visit comes just days before a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs is set to expire Tuesday. Wi also confirmed that preparations for a potential Lee-Trump summit are “on the agenda,” signaling Seoul’s intent to reset high-level diplomacy after months of political uncertainty. He added that a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — who also serves as National Security Advisor — is being pursued. The visit follows Wi’s participation in informal discussions with U.S. officials during last month’s NATO Summit, where he represented President Lee. He declined to disclose the outcome of those earlier talks, saying only that this week’s meetings would build on prior efforts. Wi’s trip marks his first to Washington since taking office last month and comes as South Korea mounts a coordinated diplomatic push in Washington. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also arrived in Washington on Saturday to lead parallel negotiations on tariffs and trade. “Minister Yeo’s visit is part of the government’s all-out efforts to respond to the current situation,” Wi said. His trip also comes in the wake of a last-minute cancellation by Rubio of a planned visit to Seoul. 2025-07-06 15:04:25

South Korea's ruling party axes Cambodia loan aid linked to former first lady SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party has scrapped the entire budget for development loans to Cambodia, as special prosecutors are investigating whether a former official from the Unification Church lobbied former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to support church-backed projects in the Southeast Asian country. The 80 billion won ($58 million) in official development assistance (ODA) loans, originally allocated for civil cooperation in Cambodia, has been cut, the party said on Sunday. The decision targets a sharp increase in loan support that took place during the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The move comes amid an ongoing special counsel probe into alleged behind-the-scenes influence by the controversial religious group. In April, prosecutors raided the home of Yoon and Kim as part of the investigation. A search warrant reportedly cited lobbying related to the “Mekong River Development Project” in Cambodia — a project linked to the Unification Church. Under Yoon’s leadership, South Korea raised its ODA loan ceiling for Cambodia twice: first from $700 million to $1.5 billion in June 2022, then to $3 billion following a summit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in May 2023. One former ranking Unification Church official, identified only by the surname Yoon, claimed during a church event in May 2022 that he had met with then-President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss development aid. The Finance Ministry approved the first increase in loan limits just weeks later. 2025-07-06 14:32:51