Naver, AMD sign MOU to strengthen AI GPU infrastructure cooperation SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - South Korea's Naver and U.S. chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop next-generation GPU infrastructure aimed at expanding their artificial intelligence ecosystems. Under the agreement signed at Naver's 1784 headquarters Wednesday, the two companies will collaborate on building high-performance GPU computing environments optimized for Naver's proprietary large language model, HyperCLOVA X, and work to advance infrastructure technologies for stable AI model operations. The partnership also covers providing AI computing resources to academic researchers and launching joint research projects to broaden AI research outcomes across diverse infrastructure platforms. "The collaboration with AMD will serve as a meaningful opportunity to secure technological diversity and strengthen our AI infrastructure competitiveness," Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. "We will continue to expand the potential of AMD platforms across Naver Cloud and our broader AI services, and pursue cooperation for next-generation technology stacks and service implementation." AMD CEO Lisa Su called Naver an optimal partner for implementing the chipmaker's next-generation AI GPU technologies, citing the Korean firm's AI capabilities and cloud platform. 2026-03-18 15:19:06

Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2 to win first World Baseball Classic title Venezuela beat the United States to win its first World Baseball Classic title. Venezuela defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the 2026 WBC final on March 18 (Korean time) at loanDepot park in Miami. Venezuela reached its first final by beating defending champion Japan 8-5 in the quarterfinals and Italy 4-2 in the semifinals. It then edged the U.S. to secure its first championship. The U.S., which lost the 2023 WBC final to Japan, finished runner-up again, falling by the same 3-2 score. The matchup drew attention as the “Maduro Derby.” The article said the U.S. removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in January and transported him to the United States. With political tensions between the two countries, the final attracted heightened interest. Venezuela struck first in the top of the first. With one out and runners on second and third, Maikel Garcia of Kansas City drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center. It added to the lead in the fifth when Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox hit a solo homer to make it 2-0. The U.S. tied it in the bottom of the eighth. Venezuela reliever Andres Machado of the Orix Buffaloes gave up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, evening the score at 2-2. Venezuela answered in the ninth. With no outs and a runner on second, Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds hit an RBI double to put Venezuela ahead 3-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Palencia of the Chicago Cubs closed it out. He struck out Kyle Schwarber of Philadelphia swinging, got Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles on an infield pop-up, and struck out Roman Anthony of Boston swinging to seal the win. Garcia was named tournament MVP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:04:23

Book Claims AI and Cell Science Could Enable Healthy Living to Age 200 A new book argues that humanity’s long-held goal of living a long life in good health is moving closer to reality through the convergence of artificial intelligence and cellular science. BookLab recently published “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu” (“AI: Healthy Longevity to Age 200”). The book challenges the idea that aging is an unavoidable law of nature, redefining it as a condition that can be managed and treated, and it lays out what it calls a scientific roadmap toward a 200-year lifespan. The book is co-authored by four specialists: Park Sang-cheol, described as a world-renowned scholar in aging studies in South Korea; Lee Hee-won, a CEO who has led development of third-generation human digital twin technology; Kang Si-cheol, a doctor who has worked for more than 30 years in advanced-technology humanities and AI medicine; and Lim Gyu-seong, a clinic director who leads AI health care research and distributes practical health solutions. The authors align their approach with Harvard Medical School professor David Sinclair’s aging research, and they argue that, with aging now listed in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, reversing aging is no longer fantasy but a medical task. A central theme is Park’s proposed shift in thinking that “aging is an active defense process for survival.” At the core of the book is technology it describes as using AI to decode signals from the human body. It examines how key aging indicators — including telomeres, mitochondria and the epigenome — interact with AI, and it portrays AI as a kind of “human body translator” that precisely analyzes an individual’s metabolic fingerprint to produce optimal, real-time health solutions. The book also highlights personalized precision nutrition, arguing that people can respond differently to the same foods depending on biological traits. It presents the possibility of AI-designed diets and “life design,” and calls for a “life integrated dashboard” that spans finances, relationships and lifelong learning in preparation for a 200-year era, aiming not only to extend lifespan but to improve quality of life. It also introduces the Genobiofit solution devised by Lee based on his own health recovery experience. The book describes it as a practical approach developed as an alternative for people who have difficulty exercising, intended to scientifically activate mitochondrial function. Book information is as follows: The title is “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu,” co-authored by Lee Hee-won, Park Sang-cheol, Kang Si-cheol and Lim Gyu-seong. The publisher is BookLab Co. The ISBNs are 979-11-7598-171-3 for the print edition and 979-11-7598-172-0 for the e-book.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:03:39

Yeosu petrochemical workers protest government-led plan to cut naphtha cracker output Yeosu industrial complex workers on Tuesday criticized a government- and creditor-led plan to voluntarily cut output at naphtha crackers, warning it could lead to mass layoffs and damage the local economy. They said it is unfair to push ahead with talks between the government (creditors) and companies without agreement from workers and the community. According to political circles, the labor-led Joint Countermeasures Committee for responding to petrochemical restructuring at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex held a news conference at the National Assembly press room and called for a halt to additional NCC cuts in Yeosu and the creation of a multi-party consultative body. The committee includes the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ South Jeolla headquarters, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions’ South Jeolla headquarters, the Yeosu Industrial Complex Labor Union Council, the KCTU Chemical, Fiber, Food Industries Union’s Gwangju-South Jeolla branch, and the FKTU Chemical Workers Federation’s South Jeolla headquarters. The committee said the government’s output-cut target for NCC facilities at three major industrial complexes is 2.7 million to 3.7 million tons, and about 3.43 million tons of cuts are already underway. It noted, however, that Ulsan is expanding capacity as S-Oil pursues its 1.8 million-ton Shaheen project. Yeosu’s cut volume is 1.67 million tons, about half of the nationwide reduction, the committee said. With the government seeking an additional 900,000 to 1.1 million tons in cuts, Yeosu’s total could rise to as much as 2.77 million tons — about 60% of the national total, it said. The committee said additional cuts by Yeocheon NCC and Lotte Chemical are expected to bring restructuring for regular workers and could trigger mass layoffs among subcontracted workers as downstream volumes fall. It warned of ripple effects across related industries and the broader regional economy. It also said employment at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex fell about 30% year over year as of the second quarter of 2025, down by about 7,000 workers, and argued that workers and the local community have been excluded from the restructuring process. The committee said a petrochemical special law enacted last year lacks sufficient measures to protect jobs and the regional economy, and that a recently announced enforcement decree does not adequately reflect views from industrial sites or broader social discussion. It urged the government to immediately stop unilateral plans for additional cuts. It also called for Yeosu to be upgraded to a higher-level “employment crisis area” designation and demanded legislation to establish a four-party joint committee involving the government, local governments, companies and labor to guarantee participation by workers and the community. The committee said policy should address what it called an imbalance of “maximum cuts in Yeosu, maximum expansion in Ulsan,” and it urged revisions to the special law and enforcement decree to ensure labor rights, regional balance and participation in governance. Rep. Jeon Jong-deok of the Progressive Party said, “A one-sided restructuring that excludes the field is not a solution but the start of another crisis,” and called for a multi-party consultative body with workers as key participants to protect jobs and develop practical alternatives to support the region. 2026-03-18 14:48:20

BLACKPINK's Jennie to headline Lollapalooza Chicago as K-pop presence expands SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The organizers of Lollapalooza Chicago announced the 2026 festival lineup on Tuesday (local time), confirming that South Korean soloist Jennie will headline the four-day event at Grant Park. Scheduled to run from July 30 to August 2, the festival marks a significant milestone for the singer as she transitions from group performances to a solo mainstay on the global circuit. She joins a premier roster of headliners for the summer season including Lorde, Charlie XCX, and The Smashing Pumpkins. The announcement follows her successful appearances at previous international festivals where she garnered critical acclaim for her stage presence and vocal range. This appearance in Chicago is part of a broader summer tour for the performer, who is also slated to headline the Governors Ball in New York this June. Following her engagement in the United States, she will travel to Spain to lead the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid before concluding her summer schedule at Summer Sonic in Japan. These bookings solidify her standing as a primary draw for major Western music events, reflecting a strategic shift toward individual global branding. Her previous experience at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California served as a precursor to this expansive 2026 festival run. The 2026 iteration of the Chicago festival continues a trend of heavy investment in South Korean talent, with several other prominent acts confirmed for the lineup. The girl groups aespa and (G)I-DLE are scheduled to perform, alongside the rising male quintet Cortis. This collective presence underscores the sustained demand for Seoul-based artists within the American live music market. Each group brings a distinct choreographed style and discography that has already seen substantial commercial success on domestic and international streaming charts. Jennie follows a lineage of South Korean artists who have broken through at the historic Chicago venue since 1991. The trail was blazed by J-Hope in 2022, who became the first Korean headliner at the event, followed by Tomorrow X Together in 2023. Subsequent years saw Stray Kids and Twice take top billing, demonstrating a growing institutional comfort with K-pop as a headline attraction. More than 400,000 attendees are expected to gather in the Illinois city this year to witness the 170 scheduled acts. 2026-03-18 14:47:00

Lee thanks Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for helping evacuate South Koreans from Middle East SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has sent letters to the leaders of Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to thank them for their cooperation in evacuating South Korean nationals from the Middle East, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that Lee sent the letters the previous day to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Qatar's Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Al and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. In his letter to Takaichi, Lee expressed gratitude for Japan allowing about a dozen South Koreans to board Japanese‑chartered flights from Saudi Arabia, and Oman, enabling them to safely arrive in Japan. "I am glad that the friendship between our two countries has grown even stronger through cooperation in the Middle East," Lee wrote, adding that he hopes to "continue working even more closely to protect the lives and safety of our citizens." Lee thanked Qatar for arranging an emergency flight in Doha, which helped about 322 South Koreans arrive safely in Incheon earlier last week. Lee said Qatar's active support demonstrated the close ties between the two countries as "comprehensive strategic partners," and expressed hope that discussions would continue on ways to expand cooperation. Lee also conveyed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its cooperation last weekend, which helped about 204 South Koreans return home from Riyadh aboard a South Korean military transport aircraft. According to Kang, Lee previously sent similar letters to Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for their assistance in helping South Koreans leave high-risk areas in the Middle East. 2026-03-18 14:33:32

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan expand cultural ties through new diplomatic initiatives SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have entered a more active phase of cultural cooperation, the Uzbekistan Embassy in South Korea announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. This partnership is driven by a surge in festivals, film screenings, and theater tours designed to bring the two nations closer together. The relationship between the leaders of the two states has been a primary catalyst for this growth. Mutual visits and joint participation in cultural events have deepened friendship and mutual respect, providing fresh momentum to long-standing ties between the neighboring countries. A solid legal foundation supports these efforts, starting with an agreement signed on January 16, 1994, between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. This has been followed by the Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2024–2026 adopted by the ministries of culture of both countries to implement joint projects. Direct communication between high-level officials has become frequent over the last four years. Uzbekistan Minister of Culture and his deputies have visited Tajikistan 11 times, while Tajikistan Minister of Culture and her deputies have made eight visits to Uzbekistan. Flagship events such as the Days of Uzbek Culture in Dushanbe and the Days of Tajik Culture in Tashkent are now held regularly. Tajik performers have also found success at international festivals in Uzbekistan, including the Lola dance ensemble, which recently won an award at the International Dance Festival "Lazgi." Cooperation has also expanded into the film industry through a memorandum between the Cinematography Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CA) and the state institution Tojikfilm. The two organizations are currently finalizing the feature film "Starry Sky: Jami and Navoi," which is in the editing phase. In 2025, the city of Khujand hosted a major Navruz celebration attended by the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The event featured a joint concert with artists from all three countries, showcasing regional unity through music and performance. Future plans include signing a new cultural cooperation program for 2026–2027. Upcoming initiatives involve theater tours and a gathering for multiple generations titled "Navro'zi olam," ensuring the steady development of cultural relations between the two peoples. 2026-03-18 14:31:09

UAE pledges priority oil supply to Korea amid global supply concerns SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to prioritize crude oil supply to South Korea amid global supply uncertainties, Seoul’s presidential office said Wednesday. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who returned earlier in the day from a visit to the UAE as a special envoy of President Lee Jae Myung, told a briefing that Abu Dhabi had assured Seoul it would be given top priority in crude shipments. “The UAE made it clear that no country will receive oil ahead of South Korea. Korea is their number one priority in crude supply,” Kang said. The two sides also agreed to allow South Korea to make emergency crude purchases from the UAE whenever necessary, he added. As part of the agreement, Seoul secured an additional 18 million barrels of crude oil through multiple supply channels. Of the total, 6 million barrels will be transported by three UAE-flagged tankers, while another 12 million barrels will be shipped via six South Korean vessels. An additional tanker carrying naphtha is currently en route to South Korea, Kang said. The latest deal follows an earlier emergency purchase of 6 million barrels from the UAE, bringing the total secured volume to 24 million barrels. The move comes amid rising tensions involving Iran, which have heightened concerns over the security of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The escalating geopolitical risks have fueled uncertainty in global energy markets, prompting countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern crude to secure alternative or emergency supplies. South Korea, which depends on imports for the vast majority of its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes. The UAE has long been one of Seoul’s key crude suppliers, with bilateral energy cooperation further strengthened through strategic projects such as the Barakah nuclear power plant. Kang said the agreement is expected to help stabilize the domestic oil supply amid ongoing uncertainties. Beyond short-term supply measures, the two countries also agreed to strengthen long-term cooperation to guard against potential disruptions in energy supply chains. They plan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on crude supply chain cooperation in the near future, which will include efforts to explore alternative supply routes and enhance joint response mechanisms in times of crisis. 2026-03-18 14:21:25

South Korea’s National Pension Service hit by fan backlash after ENHYPEN’s Heeseung exits Some overseas fans angry over ENHYPEN member Heeseung’s announced departure and move to solo work directed their frustration at an unlikely target: South Korea’s National Pension Service, a major shareholder in HYBE. Kim Seong-ju, chairman of the National Pension Service, said in a social media post on the morning of March 18 that the agency’s International Pension Support Center was briefly overwhelmed after its contact information spread online. The backlash began after HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab announced on March 10 that Heeseung would leave the group and pursue solo activities. Some overseas fans, opposing the decision, organized efforts to pressure the pension fund as a key HYBE investor to push for a reversal. Posts on X, formerly Twitter, and other platforms circulated the center’s phone number, urging users to “make things difficult” for the pension fund and to demand answers on whether it had been notified in advance and whether it understood potential losses in market value. As a result, the center received a surge of calls from overseas last week, temporarily disrupting operations. Kim said about 1,500 emails arrived in just two hours. “The International Pension Support Center provides pension counseling in multiple languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese, for foreign workers in Korea and Koreans living abroad,” Kim wrote, adding that people who urgently needed pension assistance were inconvenienced. Kim said the National Pension Service is a long-term investor managing retirement funds and invests in many companies worldwide, but does not intervene in individual firms’ management or personnel matters. “Of course, we have no authority to be involved in the formation of a K-pop group or its membership,” he said. He added that while the incident spread through social media as a “happening,” it prompted reflection on the pension fund’s public role, and he pledged to stay focused on managing citizens’ assets in a stable manner. Belift Lab has said Heeseung will continue as a solo artist under the label, including plans such as releasing a personal album. The company faces continued pushback from parts of the global fan base. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 14:12:11

Korea Zinc Develops Technology to Recover Rare Earth Mix From Discarded Products Korea Zinc said March 18 it has developed a technology to recover a rare earth mixture from discarded products. The company described the material as an intermediate product in which 17 rare earth elements are mixed. In advanced and defense industries, the mixture is separated and refined, then converted into oxides for use. Korea Zinc said its technology research institute at the Onsan smelter and its headquarters engineering team developed the process over three years. The method extracts mixed rare earths, including light and heavy rare earth elements, from waste rare earth magnets obtained by dismantling and separating discarded motors. Rare earth magnets, used as energy-conversion components in products such as motors and generators, smartphones, missile sensors and drones, contain large amounts of rare earths. Korea Zinc said it developed a way to recover the rare earth mixture from those magnets. Rare earths are considered essential materials for advanced industries, drawing investment from major countries and companies. Korea Zinc noted that one country holds overwhelming influence across the value chain from mining to production and consumption, raising the risk of supply disruptions and weakened future industrial competitiveness for others. Korea Zinc said it will continue developing technology for commercial production and plans to work with the government, the city of Ulsan and industry associations to build a system to secure stable raw materials. The company said it aims to contribute to greater technological self-reliance, stronger resource security and a more stable global supply chain. "Rare earth production is currently dominated by a few countries, leading to severe supply instability and price volatility, which directly affects the competitiveness of advanced industries not only in Korea but worldwide," a company official said. "Korea Zinc's participation in rare earth production, as the world's leading nonferrous metal smelter and a critical minerals hub, will help improve technological self-reliance and stabilize supply chains."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 14:06:16