US Treasury weighs permanent dollar swap lines for Gulf, Asian allies SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States is in discussions to establish currency swap lines with Gulf and Asian partners, pitching the move as a strategic step to bolster the U.S. dollar's global dominance amid regional geopolitical tensions. Bessent stated that several allied nations requested the swap lines to help manage the economic fallout and energy shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. "Additional swap lines can benefit our nation by reinforcing dollar usage and liquidity internationally, maintaining smooth functioning in dollar funding markets, promoting trade and investment with the United States," Bessent said in a post on X on Friday. He further emphasized the long-term strategic goal, adding, "Extending permanent swap lines can be a major first step in creating new U.S. dollar funding centers in the Gulf and Asia." While traditional swap lines are typically handled by the Federal Reserve, analysts note that these new agreements would likely be drawn from the Treasury's limited Exchange Stabilization Fund. Experts view the potential facilities not as emergency bailouts for cash-strapped nations, but rather as confidence-building measures to prevent market disruptions and reduce the need for these nations to sell off U.S. Treasury assets. Bessent noted the strong financial positions of the requesting nations, stating, "Many of these countries have pristine sovereign balance sheets and large dollar holdings – larger than many major economies with whom we maintain permanent swap facilities." The United Arab Emirates, which was named as one of the countries in discussions, strongly pushed back against any market speculation that it was facing a liquidity squeeze. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington, stated on X that "any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts." "The UAE is one of the world’s most financially resilient economies, underpinned by more than $2tn in sovereign investment assets," he added. 2026-04-25 18:00:37

S. Korean appeals court dismisses inmates' COVID-19 lawsuit against government SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - A South Korean appellate court has dismissed a damages lawsuit filed by inmates against the government over a massive COVID-19 outbreak at a Seoul detention center in 2020. A Seoul Central District Court appellate panel upheld a lower court's ruling against 33 inmates and their families who sued the state and then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday. The plaintiffs had argued that the government and correctional authorities were liable for the cluster infections at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center due to negligent virus containment measures. However, the court found no direct epidemiological link between an initial outbreak among prison staff in November 2020 and a larger, subsequent wave among inmates in December. "The similarity between the viruses in the first and second waves was low," the court stated. "It is reasonable to view the routes of virus introduction as different." The court also rejected the plaintiffs' claims that the facility exacerbated the spread by failing to strictly separate close contacts based on transmission routes. The judges noted that the detention center had implemented clear separation standards between confirmed and non-confirmed individuals, adding that tracing exact transmission routes for each case was "quite difficult" given the time and space constraints at the time. 2026-04-25 17:42:19

Zelenskyy Says Russian Barrage Kills 4, Wounds More Than 30 Across Ukraine Russia again attacked targets across Ukraine, leaving more than 30 people killed or wounded.  According to Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that overnight Russian strikes killed four people and injured more than 30.  From the previous night into early morning, Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles.  The attacks focused on areas including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv and Chernihiv, where nearby facilities were reported to have collapsed.  Zelenskyy said sanctions are needed to limit Russia’s military-industrial capacity and that he is in contact with the European Union on the issue.  Talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have been suspended due to developments in the Middle East. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 17:39:16

OPINION: The Case for a 'Noah Accord' in the Middle East Wars may begin with grand justifications, but they end in ruin, fatigue, and overwhelming economic bills. The escalating conflict in the Middle East is no exception. What started under the banner of security and deterrence is rapidly exposing the limits of military sustainability, threatening both regional stability and the broader global economy. The financial and material toll of this war of attrition is staggering. For Israel, the illusion of limitless defense is being tested. While its multi-layered air defense systems are technologically formidable, the economic asymmetry is undeniable: interceptor missiles cost exponentially more than the incoming drones and rockets they destroy. When the cost of defense consistently eclipses the cost of offense, a perpetual war becomes unsustainable. Iran faces a similarly grim reality. Prolonged conflict, coupled with severe economic sanctions, is degrading its industrial base and supply chains. Modern warfare requires more than just ideological resolve; it demands semiconductors, specialized metals, and a stable economy. As the conflict drags on, the economic foundation required to sustain such military operations is crumbling. Ultimately, both sides are nearing a phase where avoiding mutual destruction must take precedence over calculating a hollow victory. The consequences of this prolonged instability extend far beyond the Middle East. For trade-dependent nations like South Korea, the ripple effects are immediate and severe. Volatile oil prices and supply chain disruptions translate into inflation, currency instability, and an overall chilling effect on global trade. A war without a clear endgame holds the global economy hostage. The region requires a new diplomatic imagination. In 2020, the Abraham Accords reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy, proving that pragmatic national interests could override decades of emotional and political stalemates. However, the current crisis demands we look even deeper. We need what might metaphorically be called a "Noah Accord." While Abraham represents the diverging branches of the region's faiths, Noah symbolizes a more fundamental, shared human origin and the ultimate imperative of collective survival. The Middle East is not a monolith; it is a complex tapestry of Arab, Persian, Turkish, and Jewish civilizations. A sustainable peace cannot be built on military dominance or the complete subjugation of one side. It requires a structural agreement that addresses mutual security guarantees, economic cooperation, and the stabilization of energy supply chains. Peace does not arrive through declarations, but through the shared construction of a livable future. It is time to recognize that no one can achieve absolute victory, and no one will entirely disappear. Diplomacy and a renewed commitment to coexistence must replace the exhausted stockpiles of weapons. *The author is a columnist for AJP. 2026-04-25 17:35:39

Canada evaluates South Korean weapons for major army modernization SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - Canada is in discussions with South Korean defense contractors regarding its largest army modernization project in over 25 years, the commander of the Canadian Army said, explicitly naming Hanwha Aerospace's artillery and armored vehicles as potential candidates. Lt. Gen. Michael Wright told Yonhap News Agency in an interview published Saturday that Ottawa is actively exploring avenues to rapidly upgrade its military capabilities amid growing defense cooperation between the two nations. "The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernization of equipment in over 25 years, and we're looking in accordance with our defense industrial strategy — what we can do to rapidly accelerate bringing new equipment into the Canadian Army," Wright said. When asked about specific areas for arms cooperation, the commander confirmed that South Korean platforms are under consideration. "The K9 howitzers, I know, is something that Hanwha has spoken about. The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is another example," Wright said, though he noted that Canada's defense ministry and defense investment agency will determine the final procurement details. Hanwha Aerospace previously announced it had proposed an integrated package deal to Canada, combining its K9 self-propelled howitzers, the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, and Redback infantry fighting vehicles. Wright made the remarks while visiting South Korea to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong, a key engagement during the 1950 to1953 Korean War where Canadian troops fought alongside other Commonwealth forces. The commander emphasized that the bilateral military ties are growing stronger in an increasingly "fractured world." "For Canada, it's a reaffirmation of our partnership that started on the battlefields in Korea in 1950 and endures to this day and, if anything, is getting stronger," Wright said. "I really think that the history that we share is an indicator of what we'll do together in the future." 2026-04-25 16:50:04

Lee Jae-myung vows tough punishment for syringe hoarding, price-gouging President Lee Jae-myung said he will deal sternly with companies caught hoarding syringes, calling it antisocial profiteering that exploits a community crisis. In a post Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lee said he instructed the Cabinet to take all possible follow-up steps, including continued crackdowns, swift investigations, tough punishment and the maximum administrative penalties for confirmed violations. He also wrote, “What’s the point of living well alone? Let’s live together.” The remarks came after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said a special nationwide inspection of syringe sellers, aimed at stabilizing distribution, found 32 distributors violated a notice banning syringe hoarding. Some companies were found to have stockpiled about 130,000 syringes without selling them, or to have supplied 620,000 only to specific clients. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 16:39:15

U.S. Energy Exports Hit Record as Hormuz Closure Spurs Demand Amid Iran War The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war has pushed U.S. energy exports to record levels. According to Yonhap News Agency and The Wall Street Journal, Asian and European buyers cut off from Middle Eastern supplies are turning to U.S. crude oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Last week, U.S. exports of crude and petroleum products averaged 12.9 million barrels a day, a record high. U.S. exports of crude and LNG to Asia in March and April rose about 30% from a year earlier. The surge reflects the Hormuz blockade, which has disrupted purchases of Middle Eastern energy. Countries long dependent on the region have had little choice but to seek U.S. supplies. It is unclear whether the shift will last after the war. Many Asian refineries are designed for Middle Eastern crude, and the United States cannot increase exports without limit. Tsuneo Watanabe, a researcher at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a Japanese think tank, said, “If the Strait of Hormuz reopens and Middle East energy prices return to normal, U.S. crude and gas will no longer be attractive.” 2026-04-25 15:39:15

S. Korean PM lauds Pearl Abyss' 'Crimson Desert' for 5 mln sales, pledges industry support SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok congratulated video game developer Pearl Abyss (263750.KQ) on the record-breaking global sales of its latest title, "Crimson Desert," pledging proactive government support to bolster the country's gaming industry across broader platforms. In a social media post late Friday, Kim highlighted the action-adventure game's milestone of surpassing 5 million copies sold just 26 days after its release, calling the feat a "splendid achievement." Kim praised the developers for captivating global users with a "living game world created entirely with their own technology, photorealistic graphics, and active communication." He added that the game seamlessly integrated South Korean cultural elements, such as Taekwondo and traditional cuisine, thereby "opening a new chapter for K-content." The prime minister framed the title's commercial success as a significant indicator of the domestic industry's potential abroad. "This is an important turning point showing that the domestic gaming industry can expand and leap forward across various platforms, including consoles," Kim wrote. "The government will take responsibility and actively support this to create an environment where K-games can shine as a core pillar of K-content." "Crimson Desert" launched on March 20 and immediately set a record for the fastest-selling South Korean packaged game, moving 2 million copies on its first day. Global sales reached 3 million by the fourth day, 4 million by April 1, and crossed the 5 million mark on April 15. Separately, Pearl Abyss released the game's first official soundtrack album, featuring 75 tracks, on domestic and global streaming platforms on Friday. 2026-04-25 15:29:23

Appeals court rejects COVID-19 damages suit by Seoul detention center inmates, families Inmates and their families who sued the South Korean government over a COVID-19 outbreak at Seoul Eastern Detention Center in 2020 have also lost on appeal. According to Yonhap News Agency on Friday, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Appeals Division 5-1 recently ruled against 33 inmates and family members who sought damages from the state and Choo Mi-ae, the justice minister at the time who oversaw correctional facilities, upholding the lower court’s decision. The panel said it did not see a link between a first wave of infections centered on staff that began Nov. 17, 2020, and a second wave centered on inmates that continued after Dec. 7 that year. The court said it was difficult to conclude the inmate cluster stemmed from the earlier staff outbreak. “The similarity between the viruses in the first and second outbreaks is low, and testing conducted during the first outbreak showed a low positivity rate among inmates,” the court said, adding that it was reasonable to view the routes of introduction as different. The court also rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that infections spread because close contacts were not separated by transmission route. It said the detention center distinguished close contacts using a clear standard of confirmed versus unconfirmed cases, and that identifying each confirmed patient’s route of infection would have been very difficult given time and space constraints. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 14:39:16

South Korea’s Kim Min-seok hails Pearl Abyss’ ‘Crimson Desert’ as milestone for K-games Prime Minister Kim Min-seok congratulated Pearl Abyss on its game “Crimson Desert” surpassing 5 million copies sold just 26 days after release. According to Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Kim wrote the message on social media the previous evening while sharing an article about the sales milestone. Kim said the title won over players worldwide with a “living game world” built with the developer’s own technology, lifelike graphics and active communication with users. He added that it opened “a new chapter” for K-content by naturally incorporating Korean elements such as taekwondo and Korean food. Kim also said the government would help promote the game industry. Calling it “an important turning point” showing the domestic game industry can expand to platforms including consoles, Kim said the government would “actively support” the sector with a sense of responsibility. He said he would work to create conditions for K-games to shine as a pillar of K-content. “Crimson Desert” was released on March 20 and sold 2 million copies worldwide on its first day, setting a record for the fastest and highest sales for a Korean-made packaged game. It topped 3 million copies on day four, surpassed 4 million on day 12 on April 1, and reached 5 million as of April 15, its 26th day on the market. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 14:24:16