Astana braves the frost for a new Kazakhstan ASTANA, March 15 (AJP) - A leaden sky hung low over Astana on Sunday morning, stubbornly refusing to deliver the slight thaw promised by the local forecast. Instead, the mercury hovered at a biting -4°C, and the city’s wide avenues were flanked by mounds of snow stained with soot and dust, while footpaths were glazed in a treacherous layer of ice. Despite the chill, the capital’s residents appeared early. Clad in heavy winter coats, citizens moved with a hurried, quick-stepping gait, determined to reach the polling stations without lingering in the biting wind. The brisk movements reflected a city eager to participate in a defining moment for the nation. Kazakhstan, the giant of Central Asia with a population of approximately 20.4 million, stands as the region’s largest economy. By the end of 2026, its nominal GDP is projected to exceed $320 billion, firmly placing it among the world’s top 50 economies. While the nation has historically relied on "old industries" like oil, gas, and minerals, it is now undergoing a massive structural shift.Under a national goal to double its GDP by 2029, Kazakhstan is aggressively pivoting toward "new industries," including high-value manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital finance. This national ambition has transitioned into concrete action this year. On January 18, Kazakhstan enacted a pioneering "AI Law," one of the first of its kind globally. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 2026 as the "Year of Digitization and AI," concentrating state resources on technological innovation. Yet, these digital milestones are not merely technical adjustments; they represent the vanguard of a broader new industrial pivot intended to redefine the nation's competitive edge. The Kazakh leadership recognizes that a high-tech economy cannot thrive on an analog political foundation. Consequently, this referendum is targeted at a comprehensive overhaul of Kazakhstan's politics and society, acting as the critical "software synchronization" required to ensure the nation’s institutional architecture is as agile and transparent as the digital systems it is now deploying. Inside the grand, glass-fronted Al-Farabi Palace of Schoolchildren, the atmosphere shifted instantly from the harsh exterior to a scene of quiet, focused civic purpose. Citizens filtered into Polling Station No. 50 to cast a ballot that represents the most significant tectonic shift in the nation’s governance in decades. The referendum is designed to transition the country from a "super-presidential" system toward a more balanced "Presidential-Parliamentary" model, introducing a unicameral parliament known as the Kurultai and restoring the office of the Vice Presidency. Among the early arrivals was Roza, 61, whose bright, observant eyes offered a sharp contrast to the somber weather outside. She didn't see the freezing morning as a deterrent, but rather as a threshold. "Naturally, I believe that today, this new project is necessary for us," she said. "Because times are changing, people are changing, the era itself is changing. Therefore, it is necessary. I think it is only for the better, for the good". Roza’s hopes were grounded in a sense of urgency. "I don't have much time, I'm 61 years old," she remarked, noting that she paid particular attention to the changes that affect her personally—namely medicine, education, and the new direct access to the Constitutional Court. Despite the ticking clock, she remained optimistic: "I think everything will be very good in the near future". She confirmed she was fully informed before casting her vote. The mood took on a more rhythmic, festive energy in the residential suburb of Koshy. Inside Secondary School No. 3, the cold was a distant memory as the percussive strumming of traditional bands echoed through the hallways. The sound of the dombra turned what could have been a dry bureaucratic exercise into something closer to a cultural homecoming. Near the entrance, residents had set up unassuming, improvised stalls to greet the morning crowds. Golden jars of honey and royal jelly sat alongside piles of local confectioneries, turning the polling station into a modest community hub where neighbors paused to chat before heading to the booths. Kaisar Seifullin, the 39-year-old chairman of the precinct referendum commission at the school, watched the flow of families with an approving eye. "Most people are coming with a positive reaction, as you can see for yourself," Seifullin said. "Many Kazakh parents want to show and illustrate to their children how the polling station works". One of those parents was Almas Jexenbekov, 38, who arrived navigating the icy schoolyard patches with his pre-school son. For Jexenbekov, who works in mass media, the referendum is a necessary "upgrade" to the country’s fundamental software. "As for me, the new Constitution is like the upgrade of the Supreme Law of Kazakhstan that will affect the other laws because it is the priority," he explained. He noted that his professional background meant he was well-informed, having translated the discussions surrounding the changes. This sense of high-tech civic duty was echoed by Maksat Muratbekuly Mukhamedjanov, a 35-year-old education professional. To him, the day marked Kazakhstan’s transition from the raw, survival-focused independence of its early years to the maturity of a settled nation. "The first Constitution emphasized independence and our formation as a state. The new one is a big step into the future—not just as the Republic of Kazakhstan, but as a nation," Mukhamedjanov said. He was particularly struck by the inclusion of "digital rights" in the text, calling the legal evolution essential "immunity" for a nation in the age of digitalization. He praised the transformation of the parliament into a unicameral body, arguing that it "emphasizes public democracy" and aligns with models in developed nations. Like his fellow voters, he reported being "100 percent informed" through digital platforms and television. 2026-03-15 17:17:34

South Korea’s Industrial Power Rates Shift to Cheaper Days, Costlier Nights; Heavy Users Skeptical The government has unveiled a revamp of industrial electricity rates, but petrochemical and steel producers — among the biggest power users — say the plan is unlikely to bring meaningful relief. With continuous, 24-hour operations, they say it is difficult to shift consumption by time of day, limiting any direct benefit from lower daytime rates. Industry officials said March 15 that companies in both sectors do not expect the changes to significantly reduce their overall power bills. On March 13, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power Corp. announced a seasonal and time-of-use pricing overhaul. Starting April 16, daytime electricity will be as much as 16.9 won cheaper per kilowatt-hour, while nighttime power will cost 5.1 won more. The government said the goal is to ease strain on the grid by encouraging companies to increase production during lower-demand periods, as power demand rises rapidly with the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers and broader electrification. It projected that about 38,000 businesses — 97% of companies — will see their average rate fall by 1.7 won per kWh. But heavy industries say the policy’s impact will be limited because their processes cannot be easily rescheduled. Petrochemical plants, including naphtha cracking centers, typically run around the clock under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. Stopping or shifting output to specific hours can affect equipment safety and production efficiency, making adjustments difficult. Steelmakers cited similar constraints, saying key facilities such as electric arc furnaces and rolling lines operate largely as continuous processes, leaving little room to align production with time-based pricing. Companies also worry energy costs could rise further. They point to a recent surge in international oil prices amid instability in the Middle East, which has pushed up raw-material costs even as business conditions remain weak. Yeochun NCC recently declared force majeure to customers after supply disruptions linked to the Middle East situation made it difficult to fulfill some contracts, the report said. Some analysts also warn that higher oil prices could add longer-term pressure for electricity-rate increases, as rising fuel costs lift power generation expenses and become a factor in future pricing adjustments. Industrial electricity rates are already a major burden. Since 2022, industrial power prices have risen about 70% across seven increases, sharply raising costs for power-intensive sectors. “We understand the policy aim of spreading out electricity demand, but for 24-hour continuous-process industries it is practically difficult to adjust production times to electricity rates,” one industry official said. “With limited room to respond by sector, fairness across industries also needs to be discussed.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 17:03:27

BTS Comeback D-6: Police brace for massive crowds with heightened security SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - With less than a week left before K-pop juggernaut BTS' massive comeback concert, security at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul will be heightened, with over 6,500 officers mobilized as part of a set of safety measures, police said on Sunday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, all available personnel will be deployed to the concert venue and surrounding areas to manage traffic, prevent crimes, and maintain safety, along with more than 5,400 pieces of security equipment. These measures come after a meeting last Friday between police, security managers of large buildings near the venue, and local government officials to discuss building access, rooftop closures, and other safety arrangements. As hundreds of thousands of people including foreign visitors are expected to pack the area this Saturday, police will manage crowds through about 31 gates to disperse them and use metal detectors to stop anyone carrying dangerous items from entering the venue. If crowds become too dense, these gates will be temporarily closed. Police will monitor the area in real time through CCTV and on-site inspections. They will also remain on alert for potential vehicle attacks or explosive threats. Visitors will be asked to cooperate with safety checks and are encouraged to carry minimal personal belongings to speed up entry. After the concert, authorities will help disperse crowds gradually to nearby subway stations and will also be prepared with evacuation plans. Police are also preparing for the possibility of concertgoers and other revelers moving to nearby tourist spots such as Itaewon and Seongsu-dong for post-concert gatherings. Traffic around Gwanghwamun will be restricted before and after the concert. The main thoroughfare in front of the statue of admiral Yi Sun-shin, the renowned South Korean naval hero of the Joseon Dynasty, will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Sunday, with emergency lanes remaining open for urgent vehicles. Details on traffic information and alternate routes can be obtained by calling 120 or other police hotlines. 2026-03-15 15:51:55

Japan Upset by Venezuela, Eliminated in WBC Quarterfinals for First Time 'Defending champion' Japan was knocked out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in a surprise quarterfinal loss. Japan fell 8-5 to Venezuela on March 15 (Korea time) at loanDepot park in Miami. Japan, the 2023 WBC champion, saw its tournament end in the quarterfinals. It was the first time Japan has been eliminated at this stage in WBC history, after winning the title three times (2006, 2009 and 2023). Venezuela tagged Japan for 10 hits, including three home runs. A go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning proved decisive. With the win, Venezuela reached the WBC semifinals for the first time since 2009, when it lost 10-2 to South Korea. Venezuela will play Italy on March 17 at the same venue. Italy advanced to the WBC semifinals for the first time; its previous best finish was a quarterfinal appearance in 2023. Italy beat Puerto Rico 8-6 in a quarterfinal at Daikin Park in Houston. On the other side of the bracket, the Dominican Republic, which routed South Korea 10-0, will meet the United States, which edged Canada 5-3, on March 16 for a place in the final.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 15:24:00

Park Hae-joon on 'Humint': Director Ryoo Seung-wan eased his concerns Park Hae-joon, who recently drew viewers in with an everyday, emotionally grounded performance in Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” returns with a sharply different role in the film “Humint.” In the movie, he plays Hwang Chi-seong, North Korea’s consul general in Vladivostok, a man driven by power and profit who keeps a wary eye on Park Geon, who suspects him. Instead of warmth, Hwang projects cold tension and suspicion. Park keeps his emotions tightly controlled while letting the character’s anxiety and ruthlessness show through. “Director Ryoo Seung-wan is someone everyone wants to work with, so I was genuinely happy when he asked to meet,” Park said. “The ‘Humint’ script was a great read and really entertaining, so I was excited. But I’d done ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ last year, and I felt pressure about taking another villain role. I wondered, ‘Do I have anything more to show?’ and worried it might overlap with what I’d done before. After meeting the director, that concern was resolved. It was different — different from my previous roles — and I felt he understood Hwang Chi-seong in detail, so I committed to the project with confidence.” Park described Hwang’s action scenes as less like carefully planned moves and more like the reflexes of someone cornered. He said the overall intensity was not high, but he tries to do as much physical work himself as possible. He also focused on showing Hwang’s instability and unpredictability in how he handles a gun. “It’s a role where he dies in a frenzy, so the action intensity was low, and the gun work turned out well thanks to Tae Sang-ho, a military specialist reporter, who paid close attention to it,” Park said. “When it comes to action, I try not to hold back. Hwang is a character with a sense of freedom. With the gun, I used it more freely than rigidly — holding it this way or that, using it however I could in a hurry. Because he’s cornered, there was more room to express things others might not. It can look ridiculous, like when he’s startled and falls, but I wanted to show he’s truly backed into a corner. I thought it suited me. He’s scary because you don’t know how he’ll attack. I wanted that sense that he could do something unexpected to come through.” Park said he starts preparing by getting comfortable in the spaces where a character lives and works, arguing that understanding a role is tied to how a person occupies a place. Before filming, he visited sets such as a North Korean restaurant and the consul general’s interrogation room, imagining how Hwang would stand and move there. “When I work, space is very important,” he said. “I need time to get used to it, so before shooting I go early and make it feel familiar. The North Korean restaurant wasn’t literally my space, but I thought it was a place Hwang could control, so I visited places like that and the interrogation room in advance. I thought he needed to be overwhelming, comfortable and in a position of advantage, and that acting as if nothing bothered him could read as confidence.” Asked about filming overseas, Park recalled his time in Latvia with an easy smile. He said the cold was manageable, though outdoor shoots — including an airport scene — were difficult. Off set, he said, the cast built memories that contrasted with the film’s tense mood. “People say it was freezing, but it wasn’t the kind of cold that makes your bones ache,” he said, laughing. “But when we shot the airport scene, it was so cold that outdoor filming was tough. The Latvia location shoot left a lot of memories. We’d have dinner and drink beer, and during travel it snowed heavily, so we’d have snowball fights. People over 30, like little kids,” he said, laughing. “It felt like we got close again by running around like children.” Park said the teamwork on set also came quickly. While “When Life Gives You Tangerines” brought actors together through affection and connection between characters, he said “Humint” bonded the cast through a demanding schedule in an unfamiliar environment over three months. “On ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ the story itself has deep affection between people, and that builds into a point where feelings cross and connect, so the actors got very close and opened up,” he said. “This time, filming was hard and there was no one else to rely on, so over three months it felt like we got close fast. We ended up sharing everything — what we ate, what happened that day. Our rhythm on set got good, too. There was a sense of urgency like, ‘If I can’t trust that person, even before being an actor, I have nowhere to lean myself,’” he said, laughing. “Jung-min liked it so much he said he wants to go back to Latvia. The teamwork shows even more during promotion than during filming.” Park has built a career across major projects — including the dramas “My Mister,” “The World of the Married,” “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “First, For Love,” and the films “4th Place,” “Believer,” “12.12: The Day” and “Humint” — often showing markedly different sides of himself. He said it has been less strategy than luck. “These are projects you might meet only once in a lifetime, and I’m grateful they sent them to me and I got to meet those roles,” he said. “It’s luck — the fact that I can do work like that,” he said, laughing. “My wife once said, ‘You’re really unusual. How can someone who played Lee Tae-oh in “The World of the Married” be given the role of Gwan-sik in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”?’ She said she was jealous, and that I did well to show that range. I deeply agreed. I felt proud, and it felt strange, too. I can only say I’m lucky.” Asked which project he feels most attached to, Park pointed to the film “4th Place.” It may not be widely known, he said, but it reminded him that acting can be fun and helped open doors for later work. “I’m grateful for every project and feel attached to them, but ‘4th Place’ comes to mind,” he said. “I had a really fun, comfortable time on set, and it made me feel, ‘Acting is fun.’ It was like a starting gun telling me, ‘Keep filming in a fun way.’ Directors and production staff later sought me out after seeing that film. Even now, many people tell me they really like ‘4th Place.’ It’s not a well-known movie, but I’m thankful there are still people who watched it, loved it and remember me. Personally, it gave me hope that I could keep working.” Near the end of the interview, Park spoke carefully about movie theaters. Rather than urging audiences to show up, he said he hopes going to the cinema can again feel like a natural part of life. “There was a time when going to the theater with family during holidays was just normal,” he said. “If there were about four weekends in a month, it felt natural to go at least once. I hope that kind of normal returns. I won’t say, ‘Come to the theater,’ like you’re being pushed, but I hope people can again feel that going to the cinema is something enjoyable. And I hope you’ll show love for ‘Humint,’ too.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 14:45:12

North Korea conducts 'firepower strike drill,' with leader hinting at more drills to come SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - North Korea conducted a "firepower strike drill," attended by its leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported on Sunday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the drill "involved twelve 600mm-caliber ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers and two artillery companies," with Kim quoted as referring to it as "aimed at making the army do what it should do." Photos released later also showed he was accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae. Kim said the drill is a "regular one for checking the defensive posture and war deterrence and such drill will be frequently conducted in the future, too." "But in case such deterrents of a defensive nature do not prevent foreign forces from launching an armed provocation or invading our state to jeopardize the security of its sovereignty, they will immediately be used for their second mission, i.e., as a means of massive, destructive strike," he added. Boasting that the launched rockets hit targets in the East Sea "with 100 percent accuracy," Kim warned that the drill would "expose the forces hostile to , the enemies within the 420-km striking range, to uneasiness." Kim also stressed the need for all army units to ready for "high-intensity practical maneuvers under the simulated conditions of an actual war." The previous day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected about 10 ballistic missiles launched toward the East Sea from Sunan near Pyongyang at around 1:20 p.m. The missiles flew roughly 350 kilometers and were interpreted as Pyongyang's protest against the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercise, which has been underway since last Monday. 2026-03-15 13:14:29

Hyundai launches self-driving taxi service with Uber in Las Vegas SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group's Ioniq 5-based robotaxis can now be hailed through ride-hailing app Uber in Las Vegas, Nevada. Motional, the automaker's autonomous driving joint venture, said Sunday it has launched a pilot robotaxi service with Uber in the city. The service area includes hotels and shopping districts along the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, with coverage expected to continue expanding. The Ioniq 5 robotaxi is an SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle, certified under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, capable of handling all aspects of driving, monitoring, and emergency response without human intervention within specific areas or conditions. Riders can request a trip through the Uber app, set "ride preferences" to prioritize robotaxis, or choose to be assigned to a non-robotaxi vehicle. Fares are the same as standard Uber rides. ​When the robotaxi arrives, riders use the Uber app to unlock the doors and board. After getting in, audio messages provide a greeting and safety reminders, such as fastening seat belts. Riders who need assistance during the trip can connect to a support agent through the app. During the pilot period, a vehicle operator remains in the driver's seat for safety. Motional said it wants to improve the service by gathering feedback from riders and begin fully driverless operations by the end of the year. "Motional is ready to put our extensive ride-hail experience to work with Uber again," said David Carroll, a Motional executive. "We've tested the Ioniq 5-based robotaxi on public roads in urban areas like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Singapore. And, in Las Vegas, we've conducted over 100,000 public rides with overwhelming customer satisfaction and zero at-fault incidents," the automaker said in a press release. "Las Vegas hotel and casino owners have also allowed Ioniq 5-based robotaxis to practice passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, which is a challenging, but critical, skill for robotaxis." 2026-03-15 12:20:11

Renault Korea Launches 2027 Arkana Coupe-Style SUV Renault Korea said Sunday it has launched the 2027 model-year Arkana, a coupe-style sport utility vehicle. For the model-year update, the company consolidated both the Hybrid E-Tech and 1.6 GTe versions into a single Iconic trim to streamline specifications. Front-row ventilated seats are now standard, and the price of the optional Camel Brown synthetic leather seat package has been lowered, Renault Korea said. The 2027 Arkana comes standard with 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, which the company said improves fuel efficiency. The Hybrid E-Tech is rated at 17.4 kilometers per liter in combined fuel economy, while the 1.6 GTe is rated at 13.6 kilometers per liter. Renault Korea said the Hybrid E-Tech incorporates hybrid know-how from Renault Group’s F1 cars and is expected to deliver real-world fuel economy above the official rating. Driver convenience features were also upgraded. The OpenR Link navigation system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto and provides real-time Tmap navigation information. Advanced driver assistance systems are included as standard equipment. To mark the launch, Renault Korea is offering a “New Start” special support program to buyers this month. The benefit applies if the buyer or a family member has had a birth, school enrollment, marriage or newly obtained driver’s license since Jan. 1, 2026. The company is also running a new-model promotion that includes up to three years of interest-free installments for the Arkana 1.6 GTe. Pricing, based on the reduced individual consumption tax, starts at 33,129,000 won for the Hybrid E-Tech (with eco-friendly vehicle tax benefits applied) and 26.4 million won for the 1.6 GTe. 2026-03-15 11:09:16

Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win gold at ISU Short Track World Championships Kim Gil-li of Seongnam City Hall and Lim Jong-eon of Goyang City Hall won gold medals at the 2026 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Championships. Kim won the women’s 1,000-meter final in 1:28.843 at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada, on March 15 (Korea time). She sealed the title with a late comeback. Skating patiently until the closing laps, Kim moved to third with two laps left by going to the outside, then passed out of the final corner and stretched her left foot at the line. She beat runner-up Sandra Felzebur of the Netherlands (1:28.852) by 0.009 seconds. Also in the women’s 1,000, Shim Suk-hee of Seoul City Hall finished fourth in her semifinal heat. Lee So-yeon of Sports Toto was eliminated in the quarterfinals. In the men’s 1,500-meter final, Lim delivered a late rally to win in 2:14.974. With three laps remaining, Lim was running third when the leaders jostled in a corner. He moved to the outside, took the lead and held on to cross first. In the men’s 1,500, Shin Dong-min of Hwaseong City Hall and Hwang Dae-heon of Gangwon Province Office were eliminated in the semifinals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 10:57:00

Hana Financial, Standard Chartered Sign Pact on Global Business and Digital Assets Hana Financial Group said March 15 it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Britain’s Standard Chartered Group to cooperate in global financial business and digital assets. The companies said the agreement is aimed at strengthening global competitiveness and pursuing new growth opportunities by combining their overseas networks and financial capabilities amid rapid changes in the global financial environment. The signing ceremony was held March 13 at Hana Bank’s headquarters in central Seoul, attended by Hana Financial Chairman Ham Young-joo, Standard Chartered Group Chairman Bill Winters and other executives. They discussed cooperation in global financial markets and digital assets, the company said. Under the pact, the two groups plan to broaden collaboration across international finance, including investment banking, money markets and foreign exchange. They also said they will explore ways to create synergies in future-oriented areas such as digital assets. “The partnership between Hana Financial and SC Group, built on broad global networks and diverse financial know-how, will be a strong competitive advantage in global finance,” Ham said. “We will create new growth opportunities by generating synergies in future financial areas, including digital assets.” Winters said, “Korea is a key hub in Asia’s financial markets, and cooperation with Hana Financial, which has strong global capabilities, will be an important milestone for our global network business.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 10:51:40