Wemix will be listed on Thailand's largest crypto exchange Bitkub SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - The Wemix Foundation said Friday that its Wemix cryptocurrency will be listed on Bitkub, Thailand’s largest digital asset exchange, with deposits and withdrawals opening on Dec. 1. Bitkub controls about 70 percent of Thailand’s cryptocurrency market and operates under authorization from the Ministry of Finance. The platform lists more than 100 digital assets. The listing marks Wemix’s first official entry into the Thai market and will allow users to trade the token directly in Thai baht. The foundation said the move is expected to increase accessibility for local investors and broaden Wemix’s user base. The launch is also anticipated to strengthen engagement with Wemade’s blockchain-based game Legend of Ymir, which was released globally in October, by bolstering its in-game economy. The Wemix Foundation added that it is continuing to seek listings on major global exchanges as part of efforts to expand its ecosystem. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 16:28:49

Sydney roundtable highlights new opportunities for Australia–Korea clean energy ties SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A roundtable focused on strengthening clean energy partnerships between Australia and Korea was hosted in Sydney last Thursday. Hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) with support from HWLE Lawyers and Elecseed, the event brought together 25 C-suite executives and senior government officials to explore collaboration opportunities across the clean energy sector. Representatives from major organizations including POSCO Australia, LG Energy Solution Australia, Hanwha Energy Australia, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai E&C, KEPCO Australia, Korea East-West Power (Australia), GS E&C Australia, Port of Newcastle, PwC, and Elecseed attended the forum. Through presentations and discussions, participants examined cooperation potential in hydrogen, CCUS, ammonia, critical minerals and electrification, drawing on policy, legal and investor insights into market trends and regulatory hurdles. Speakers underscored the need for clearer policy direction, deeper academic analysis and stronger institutional leadership to bolster Australia’s competitiveness as a green energy exporter and a long-term partner for Korea. Attendees also shared updates on ongoing bilateral projects, noting financing challenges, certification and regulatory alignment issues, and grid constraints, while highlighting the complementary strengths of Australia’s natural resource base and Korea’s industrial and engineering capabilities. AustCham Korea Chief Executive Officer Rowan Petz said the roundtable was intended to facilitate high-level dialogue. “This roundtable was created for decision makers who are moving from ambition to actual investment,” Petz said. “We want Korean and Australian companies to engage directly with officials and industry partners to address barriers in project execution.” He added that AustCham Korea will continue to act as a “trusted conduit” for navigating regulatory, technical and commercial issues. David Lee, Partner at HWLE Lawyers and Director of AustCham Korea, emphasized the importance of early engagement. "Foreign investors into Australia seek clarity and consistency," Lee said. "Engaging key stakeholders early fosters effective communication and alignment of expectations." AustCham Korea, established more than 20 years ago, serves as the peak body representing Australian and Korean business interests in Seoul. It supports more than 110 member organizations across energy, infrastructure, resources, finance and technology, working closely with the Australian Embassy, Austrade and state government offices to facilitate market access and policy dialogue. HWLE Lawyers, Australia’s largest legal partnership, advises domestic and international clients on complex transactions and regulatory matters in energy, resources and infrastructure. Elecseed, a renewable energy developer based in Seoul and Brisbane, provides integrated solutions across solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage, supporting bilateral investment and technology cooperation. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy security and competitiveness. Frameworks such as the Australia–Korea Green Economy Partnership and the Hydrogen Trade and Investment Dialogue continue to expand cross-border cooperation, helping to scale clean energy technologies and support the commercial viability of future projects. 2025-11-28 16:24:28

US envoy urges allies to address 'common challenges' in Indo-Pacific SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Friday stressed the importance of addressing shared challenges on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Indo-Pacific region. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, first starts with having a shared assessment of the threats that we face," Kim said at a forum in Seoul. "Ultimately what matters is that we strengthen deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region," he added. Describing South Korea as a "model ally," Kim highlighted the strong bilateral alliance, citing a recently signed joint fact sheet covering a wide range of cooperation in defense, economy, and trade, as well as a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Calling U.S. President Donald Trump a "peacemaker," Kim said Trump has pursued approaches to engaging with North Korea and that no option should be ruled out. The comments suggest Trump could enlist Chinese President Xi Jinping's support in facilitating dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his planned visit to Beijing in April next year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 16:08:47

Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea Dec. 11 – 14 Busan International Children’s Book Fair Dec. 12 – Jan. 4 Seoul Lantern Festival Japan Dec. 6 – 7 Tokyo Whisky Festival Dec. 13 – 14 Ishigaki Island Pottery Festival Dec. 11 – 21 Tokyo Art Book Fair Dec. 1 - 25 Shibuya Christmas Market Dec. 12 - 25 Nagano Christmas Market Dec. 20 - Jan. 31 Okinawa Zoo & Museum Christmas Fantasy Thailand Dec. 1 – 7 Chiang Mai Street Jazz Festival Dec. 5 – 7 808 Festival India Dec. 12 -21 Serendipity Arts Festival 2025-11-28 15:41:04

Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a 705.4 billion won ($480 million) contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to mass-produce long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM) by 2030. The agreement covers the supply of anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) and launchers for the country’s upper-tier missile defense network. The L-SAM system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 kilometers and will operate alongside South Korea’s existing Cheongung II and Patriot batteries. The ABM interceptor is equipped with a domestically developed dual-pulse propulsion motor and a divert attitude control system (DACS), technologies possessed by only a handful of countries. In November, Hanwha Systems won a separate 357.3 billion won contract from DAPA to produce the L-SAM multifunction radar (MFR), which detects and tracks incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft. The radar is capable of identifying multiple targets simultaneously. Following the completion of the initial L-SAM development program last year, the Agency for Defense Development is working with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems on L-SAM II, a next-generation system expected to expand air defense coverage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:27:48

K-pop quintet donate 200 million won to aid victims of Hong Kong's deadliest fire SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - K-pop group (G)I-DLE donated money to support victims of Hong Kong's deadliest fire earlier this week. The multinational quintet with Chinese member Yuqi donated 200 million won (approximately US$136,000) to support emergency relief efforts for those affected by the fire, the Shanghai-based nonprofit Fosun Foundation said on Friday. The donation comes a few days after Yuqi posted a message on social media expressing her hope for everyone's safety. As of early Friday morning, 94 people were dead, 76 injured, and many others still missing after a fire broke out at a large housing complex in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong on Wednesday. Seven of the complex's eight buildings were affected, with flames spreading to adjacent blocks. About 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters at nearby schools, and more than 1,250 firefighters have been mobilized to extinguish the blaze and carry out search and rescue operations. Donations continue to pour in to help victims, with other K-pop groups such as aespa and RIIZE also joining in. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:26:48

Samsung scion's naval commissioning reunites Lee family, including ex-wife SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Naval Academy commissioning ceremony for 24-year-old Lee Ji-ho, son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, brought together members of the Samsung family — including the chairman’s former wife Im Se-ryung — in a rare public appearance since their 2009 divorce. Lee Ji-ho, commissioned as part of the 139th class of naval officers, was joined by his grandmother Hong Ra-hee, widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, and his aunt Lee Seo-hyun, head of the Samsung Welfare Foundation. The event marked one of the few occasions in which Lee and Im were seen together in public in more than a decade. Lee and Im, heiress to the Daesang Group, share two children — daughter Ji-soo and son Ji-ho. Im is currently in a public relationship with actor Lee Jung-jae. The junior Lee enlisted in September as an officer candidate and completed 11 weeks of basic training before receiving his commission. After a four-day leave, he will report to the Naval Education and Training Command in Changwon on Dec. 2 for three weeks of initial officer training, after which he is expected to serve as an interpreter officer at the Naval Operations Command in Busan. The commissioning comes five years after Chairman Lee pledged, at the height of legal proceedings related to his father’s succession, that he would not pass corporate management to his children — declaring an end to Samsung’s third-generation leadership tradition. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:23:13

South Korea to delay tax audits for foreign firms increasing investment SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) will postpone regular tax audits for up to two years for foreign companies that substantially increase their investments in the country. NTS Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyun announced the measure on Friday during a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham) in Seoul. Companies that raise their domestic investment by a defined percentage compared with the previous year will be eligible to apply for the audit deferment. Under the revised criteria, small foreign businesses that increase investment by at least 10 percent and medium-sized firms that boost investment by 20 percent will qualify for the program. Previously, the audit delay was available only to small enterprises. The tax authority also said it plans to ease the burden of double taxation on foreign firms by accelerating the Advance Pricing Agreement process, which provides tax certainty for companies engaged in cross-border transactions. To improve accessibility for international taxpayers, the agency is expanding its AI-based foreign language consultation services launched in September. James Kim, chairman of AmCham Korea, welcomed the steps and stressed that fair and predictable treatment of foreign companies is essential for South Korea to compete with regional investment hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:14:41

Ex-police chief tapped as envoy to Cambodia to combat crimes against South Koreans SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A former police chief has been named ambassador to Cambodia to address the rising crimes against South Koreans there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. A graduate of the Korean National Police University, Kim Chang-ryong has held key positions at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and has also served as a consul in São Paulo, Brazil, and in Washington, D.C., U.S. The appointment appears to be aimed at further bolstering cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of both countries, following the establishment of a joint investigative team in Phnom Penh to combat rising online scams, phishing schemes and other crimes targeting South Koreans. The ministry also tapped Jung Yeon-du, former ambassador to Turkey, as vice minister responsible for nuclear negotiations with North Korea, while filling several other key positions including a new spokesperson and senior diplomatic officials. 2025-11-28 14:50:30

PHOTOS: Salvation Army starts year-end charity campaign SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - The iconic sound of charity bells has returned to the streets of South Korea, but this year, the tradition comes with a modern upgrade. The Salvation Army Korea signaled the start of its fundraising season on Nov. 28 at Gwanghwamun Square. The launch event featured a ceremonial bell-ringing attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Salvation Army Commander Kim Byung-yoon. Now in its 97th year, the year-end Red Kettle campaign will operate at approximately 300 locations across the country. Adapting to a cashless society, the organization has introduced an NFC-based "One-Tag Smart Donation" system this year, allowing passersby to make donations instantly via smartphone. 2025-11-28 14:29:11