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

KAIST researchers develop flexible micro-OLED brain implant for precision neural treatment SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - South Korea's prominent research institute Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced Sunday the development of a new flexible brain implant that uses micro organic light-emitting diodes (micro-OLEDs) to stimulate neurons with light. The device is expected to offer a safer and more precise tool for treating hard-to-cure brain disorders through a method known as optogenetics. Optogenetics involves sending light into specific areas of the brain to activate neurons that have been engineered to respond to certain wavelengths. Until now, delivering light deep into the brain has required the use of rigid fiber-optic cables, which can damage soft neural tissue and limit precision. The new micro-OLED implant, developed by Professors Choi Kyung-Cheol and Lee Hyun-Ju's team, offers a flexible, biocompatible alternative that can be inserted into the brain with minimal tissue disruption. "By focusing on detailed integration processes and improving the implant’s biocompatibility, we aimed to demonstrate that high-resolution and flexible micro-OLEDs could work effectively inside the body," said Dr. Lee So-min, the lead author of the study. The implant contains eight micro-OLEDs, each of which can be controlled separately. These emit light at a wavelength of 470 nanometers, delivering more than 1 milliwatt per square millimeter, which is considered a high level for neural stimulation. A structural layer known as the pixel define layer prevents electrical interference between the light sources and allows them to operate independently. One of the main technical hurdles was protecting the sensitive electronics from moisture inside the body. The research team used a thin film encapsulation method, applying alternating layers of aluminum oxide and parylene-C, both known for their stability and safety in medical settings. This protective layer achieved a water vapor transmission rate of 2.66×10⁻⁵ grams per square meter per day, allowing the device to remain functional for more than 10 years inside the body. The implant’s total width ranges from 260 to 600 micrometers, narrow enough to insert into the brain without the help of external guides like needles or shuttle devices. The team also controlled the stress and thickness of the internal layers to ensure that the device remains flexible even after long-term use. The research was supported by the National Research Foundation of South Korea and published online on March 26 in Advanced Functional Materials. It was later selected as the journal’s cover story for the July issue. 2025-07-06 14:32:44

Trump's sweeping economic bill may boost Korea's semiconductor, shipbuilding sectors SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law a wide-ranging economic bill — dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill for America,” or OBBBA — cementing key elements of his domestic agenda and delivering a potential windfall to South Korea’s semiconductor and shipbuilding industries. The legislation, signed on July 4, includes a suite of measures aimed at reducing taxes, reforming welfare, strengthening national defense, and loosening government regulations. Among the chief beneficiaries are industries expected to see increased federal spending under the Trump administration, with semiconductors leading the pack. A centerpiece of the bill is an expansion of investment incentives tied to the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. The tax credit for companies constructing semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States will rise to 35 percent from the current 25 percent — an aggressive push to boost domestic chip production and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. Analysts in Seoul say the new incentives could offer a significant tailwind for South Korean tech firms like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which have already poured billions into U.S.-based fabs and R&D. Given the heavy capital intensity of the semiconductor industry, analysts expect the enhanced tax benefits to accelerate construction timelines and shorten the path to profitability. “The increased investment tax credits could prompt earlier groundbreaking of new fabs and research centers,” said one industry analyst. “That could have a meaningful impact on earnings going forward.” The legislation also earmarks $32.7 billion for the U.S. Department of Defense to rejuvenate the domestic shipbuilding industry, a move widely interpreted as part of Washington’s broader efforts to secure defense supply chains and strengthen military readiness. South Korean shipbuilders, including Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, are expected to be key partners in this initiative. Both companies are poised to win contracts in the U.S. commercial and naval ship markets, potentially starting in the second half of the year. Not all sectors fared well under the new law. Clean energy and healthcare industries, once central to the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, face significant setbacks. The OBBBA imposes steep cuts to tax credits previously offered for renewable energy and electric vehicle purchases. It also tightens eligibility deadlines, raising uncertainty around long-term investment in green technologies. Tax credits of up to $7,500 for electric vehicle purchases, originally set to remain in place through 2032, will now expire on Sept. 30. Similarly, tax incentives for solar and wind projects will begin phasing out in 2026 and are scheduled to be eliminated entirely by 2028 — four years ahead of schedule. Analysts warned the changes could dampen investor sentiment across the clean energy, battery, and EV sectors. “It’s not just the early sunset of the tax credits,” said another analyst. “The bill also strips away mechanisms for raising funds in these areas, effectively halting meaningful federal support.” While the OBBBA marks a significant pivot in U.S. industrial policy, it also signals a recalibration of priorities — favoring strategic manufacturing and defense capacity over decarbonization and healthcare expansion. 2025-07-06 10:37:54

K-pop anime film soundtrack tops US music chart SEOUL, July 5 (AJP) - A track from "KPop Demon Hunters," a new Netflix animated film inspired by the K-pop industry, has topped the American music charts. Global streaming platform Spotify said Friday that "Your Idol," performed by the film’s fictional boy band Saja Boys, ranked No. 1 on its daily top songs chart in the United States. It is the fourth K-pop track to top the chart, following Jungkook’s "Seven," Jimin’s "Who," and BLACKPINK’s Rosé with "APT." Other songs from the soundtrack also placed high, with "Golden" and "How It’s Done" landing at No. 2 and No. 8, respectively, and "Soda Pop" coming in at No. 10. The film follows Huntr/x, a fictional Korean girl group battling evil spirits while competing with the mysterious boy band Saja Boys. The film’s album was produced by top hitmakers from The Black Label, including Teddy Park, Kush, and Vince — renowned K-pop producers known for crafting hits for globally popular groups like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK. 2025-07-05 18:08:31

Japan travel demand drops over fears of July earthquake SEOUL, July 5 (AJP) - Travel demand from South Korea to Japan has dropped sharply amid growing fears over a rumored major earthquake expected to hit Japan in July, leading to widespread trip cancellations and a sharp decline in airfares and hotel bookings. Round-trip tickets to major Japanese cities like Osaka and Fukuoka are selling for just over 100,000 won ($70) on weekends in July and August, as demand remains weak despite the peak travel season. The sharp decline appears to be linked to an old Japanese manga that has resurfaced online, which claims a devastating earthquake will occur in July. The comic, “The Future I Saw,” published in 1999 by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, gained attention after it allegedly foresaw the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and also hinted at another disaster in July 2025. More than 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded since June 21 around the Tokara Islands, a remote island chain in southern Japan located between Kyushu and Okinawa, two of the country’s southernmost islands. On Wednesday and Saturday, tremors measuring magnitude 5.6 and 5.3 were observed, respectively. Japan’s Meteorological Agency has said that the area remains seismically active and has urged residents to be prepared for possible evacuation. The frequent tremors have raised public concern that they could foreshadow a larger earthquake elsewhere in Japan, a fear that aligns with long-standing warnings about the potential for a catastrophic event in the Nankai Trough, an underwater fault off the Pacific coast. Japanese government estimates suggest such a disaster could result in up to 298,000 deaths and $1.8 trillion in economic losses. The rumors have begun to affect travel across Asia. Hong Kong-based budget airline Greater Bay Airlines announced it will suspend flights to Yonago and Tokushima, two smaller Japanese cities, starting in September due to falling demand. Some hotels in Taiwan have also reported a surge in cancellations. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said the seismic activity is unlikely to directly affect the Korean Peninsula, though experts noted that faint tremors may still be felt. While no official travel advisory has been issued, travelers are advised to stay informed and follow safety guidance from Japanese officials. 2025-07-05 17:11:05