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Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee Honors Sacrifices of Independence Heroes on Liberation Day Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee emphasized on Liberation Day that "the freedom and peace we enjoy today are a precious legacy built on the blood and sweat of countless heroes and national defenders." On this day, Mayor Han held the 81st Liberation Day celebration at the Gunpo Veterans Hall, honoring the noble intentions of those who dedicated their lives to the country's independence and providing an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the meaning of liberation and the value of patriotism. The event was attended by over 250 people, including Mayor Han, Lim Kyung-joo, president of the Gunpo chapter of the Korean Liberation Association, families of independence activists, members of the National Assembly, and local councilors. The ceremony began with a national tribute, followed by the presentation of awards to independence activists, commemorative speeches, congratulatory performances, singing of the Liberation Day song, and a cheer for independence. Notably, the performance by the Gunpo City Children’s Choir captivated attendees as it shared the meaning of liberation with future generations. Children sang alongside citizens, conveying a message of passing down the spirit of independence across generations, creating a solemn and moving atmosphere at the event. In his commemorative speech, Mayor Han stated, "Liberation is a valuable achievement realized through the sacrifices of our ancestors who devoted everything for the independence of our country and the firm will of our people to reclaim our nation." He added, "It is our heavy responsibility to further develop this country that our ancestors reclaimed and to fully pass on its proud values to the next generation." Mayor Han also highlighted the importance of honoring veterans as a key value in governance that connects to citizens' lives, expressing his commitment to ensuring that national heroes and their families receive the respect and recognition they deserve. He outlined a vision for a better future for Gunpo, emphasizing the importance of listening to each citizen's voice and safeguarding everyone's happiness. This year’s Liberation Day celebration not only commemorated the joy of independence but also reinforced the values of freedom and peace preserved through the sacrifices of our ancestors, urging their legacy to be passed on to future generations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 13:56:00 -
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Message to President Lee on 78th Anniversary of South Korea's Establishment On August 15, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, emphasizing the importance of developing relations between the two countries on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the establishment of the South Korean government.According to Yonhap News Agency, state-run Xinhua News reported that in his message, President Xi stated, "China and South Korea are important neighbors and cooperative partners," adding that "over the 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries have supported each other's achievements through joint efforts and have realized common development, yielding fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation across various fields."President Xi also evaluated the recent state of Sino-Korean relations, noting, "Last year and early this year, President Lee and I successfully conducted mutual visits, providing strategic guidance for the development of Sino-Korean relations."He further expressed, "I attach great importance to the development of Sino-Korean relations," and expressed hope to work with President Lee to advance the strategic cooperative partnership in the right direction, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries and making greater contributions to peace and development in the region and the world.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 13:56:00
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Sogang University Data Breach Exposes 180,000 Personal Records Personal information of 180,000 students and staff at Sogang University has been compromised.According to Yonhap News, Sogang University announced on August 15 that it had confirmed signs of a data breach due to an external attack by an unidentified source targeting integrated login account information.The leaked data includes student ID numbers, names, affiliations, email addresses, mobile phone numbers, and encrypted integrated passwords.After detecting the incident, Sogang University implemented emergency measures, including blocking the attacker's IP address.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 13:48:00
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Sogang University latest to report data breach in Korea SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) -Sogang University has become the latest South Korean institution to report a data breach, adding to a series of cyber incidents that have exposed vulnerabilities across the country's corporate, government and education systems. The private elite university in Seoul said an external attacker gained unauthorized access to its integrated login system on Aug. 11 through a brute-force attack, in which large numbers of password combinations are tried until access is obtained. Potentially exposed data include student or employee identification numbers, names, affiliations, email addresses, mobile phone numbers and encrypted passwords for the university's integrated login system, Sogang said in a notice. The university said government-issued unique identification information and other sensitive personal data were not included in the breach. Sogang detected abnormal activity and blocked the unauthorized access on Aug. 14, three days after the intrusion occurred, according to a notice posted by the university. Sogang has reported the incident to the Personal Information Protection Commission and the Ministry of Education and urged users to immediately change passwords for SAINT, its academic and administrative portal. The country received 447 data-leak reports in 2025, up 45.6 percent from 307 a year earlier, according to an analysis by the privacy commission and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. Hacking accounted for 276 cases, or 62 percent of the total, rising from 171 in 2024. Regulators said increasingly sophisticated external attacks, including ransomware, malware and attacks exploiting web vulnerabilities, were behind much of the increase. They have urged institutions to tighten access controls, encrypt databases, apply security updates more quickly and maintain secure backup systems. The breaches have spread across sectors. SK Telecom suffered a massive compromise affecting about 23 million users in 2025, the largest leak among cases investigated and sanctioned by the privacy regulator that year. Coupang disclosed another breach late last year that ultimately affected data associated with more than 30 million accounts. An investigation found that a former employee had obtained a security key that allowed unauthorized access, turning the episode into the largest breach involving a domestic e-commerce platform. Government networks have also proved vulnerable. In July, the Foreign Ministry disclosed that hackers had penetrated an online training system operated by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, potentially exposing information associated with around 10,000 current and former diplomats and officials. The attackers are believed to have had access to the system for months before the intrusion was detected. The rising number of breaches has prompted Seoul to toughen its regulatory response. From Sept. 11, organizations responsible for large-scale leaks caused intentionally or through gross negligence can face penalties of as much as 10 percent of total revenue, according to the privacy commission. AJP Takeaways: Sogang detected and blocked a brute-force cyberattack that may have exposed names, IDs, contact details and encrypted portal passwords; the number of affected accounts has not been disclosed. Korea's data-breach problem is accelerating: reported leaks jumped 45.6 percent to 447 in 2025, with hacking accounting for nearly two-thirds. The latest incident follows major breaches across telecom, e-commerce and government networks, increasing pressure on institutions to strengthen authentication, access controls and monitoring. 2026-08-15 13:39:51 -
Grammys rethink Asian pop award after BTS pullout SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - The Recording Academy is reconsidering its newly created Asian pop Grammy category after criticism that separating music by geography and language could marginalize Asian artists, a backlash amplified by BTS's decision to sit out next year's awards. But whether any changes will come before the Aug. 21 deadline for online entries to the 2027 Grammys remains uncertain. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. acknowledged Friday that the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category had failed to win over some of the musicians it was intended to recognize, after the organization held discussions with artists and industry representatives over the past two weeks. "There are some artists in this space who feel that this category isn't representing the music they work so hard to create," Mason said in a statement provided to U.S. media, without specifying who they are. He said the Academy would work to ensure that musicians it seeks to honor feel properly represented, signaling that the category could be revised before the 69th Grammy Awards in February. The Academy has not announced that it will abolish the category or specified what changes are under consideration. The retreat comes two months after the Academy unveiled Best Asian Pop Music Performance as one of five new awards for the 2027 Grammys. The Academy said at the time that the category was designed to recognize "artistic excellence" in pop music originating from or widely recognized in Asian markets, explicitly including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. Eligible songs must make meaningful use of at least one Asian language. The rules specify that musical style, rather than an artist's ethnicity or nationality, determines eligibility. Songs performed entirely in English cannot compete in the Asian pop category but remain eligible for other appropriate Grammy categories. Mason initially defended the new award as recognition of Asian pop's growing global weight. In announcing it in June, he described Asian pop as one of the world's most significant and sustained musical forces and said the Academy believed its scale and impact warranted dedicated recognition. But the attempt at inclusion quickly produced a different debate: whether grouping K-pop, Japanese pop, Chinese pop and other Asian music under a geographically defined award amounted to recognition or segregation within an American awards system. The controversy escalated after BTS announced on July 29 that it would not submit its fifth studio album, ARIRANG, or other music for consideration at the 2027 Grammys. All seven members posted the same message on their individual Instagram accounts. "We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language," the group said. BTS did not explicitly name the Asian pop category or say it was the reason for withdrawing. But the message came about six weeks after the category was announced and directly addressed the use of geography and language to classify music, intensifying scrutiny of the Academy's decision. Mason responded at the time by saying the award had been created to celebrate the depth, diversity and rapid growth of pop music from Asia rather than to restrict Asian artists' access to other categories. The latest statement marks a shift in tone. Mason said discussions with stakeholders over the previous two weeks had made clear that the Academy's intention to become more inclusive had not translated into a category that all affected artists believed represented their music appropriately. U.S. music publications reported that Recording Academy executives have been consulting representatives from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and Indian music as the organization considers changes to the category and potentially to the process used to introduce new awards. The Academy's online entry period for the 2027 Grammys closes Aug. 21. First-round voting is scheduled for Oct. 12-22, with nominations to be announced Nov. 16. The awards will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 2027. AJP Takeaways: The Recording Academy is reconsidering its new Asian pop Grammy category after Mason acknowledged that some artists believe it does not properly represent their music. BTS intensified the debate by declining to submit for the 2027 Grammys, although the group did not explicitly name the new category as the reason for its decision. No change has yet been formally announced. The Academy faces an Aug. 21 entry deadline ahead of the Feb. 7, 2027, Grammy Awards. 2026-08-15 13:21:15 -
AI Takes Physical Form: South Korea Enters the Era of Physical AI "To effectively promote M.AX, it is crucial to realize robot transformation through 'Accelerating AX, Realizing RX.'" This is the direction proposed by Cho Young-hoon, head of the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency. While generative AI has ushered in an era of AI that speaks and thinks, physical AI refers to AI that moves and works directly in the real world. Cho is focusing policy efforts on linking the AI transformation in manufacturing to robot transformation, bringing lab technologies into factories, logistics, and defense sectors. AI is beginning to emerge in the real world. Generative AI, symbolized by ChatGPT, has opened a new era of writing, drawing, data analysis, and human interaction. However, most of the AI we have experienced so far has operated within computers and smartphones. The next competitive stage is shifting to the real world, where AI recognizes its surroundings through cameras and sensors, makes autonomous decisions, and operates robotic arms and legs to assemble parts in factories, transport goods in warehouses, and perform dangerous tasks that are difficult for humans. This is what is known as physical AI. This change holds special significance for South Korea, which has a global manufacturing base in automobiles, semiconductors, batteries, shipbuilding, and electronics. By combining AI as the brain with robots as the body, South Korea can create new industrial competitiveness distinct from generative AI. Cho's emphasis on the transition from 'AX to RX' is precisely at this point. He aims to connect the AI transformation in manufacturing to the actual transformation of robots in industrial settings. "Accelerating AX, Realizing RX" The phrase 'Accelerating AX, Realizing RX' succinctly captures Cho's policy direction. It signifies the need to accelerate AI transformation and implement it as actual robot transformation. It is essential not only to develop AI technologies but also to ensure they operate effectively in industrial and public settings. The competitiveness of physical AI is not determined solely by performance in papers or labs. It must be verified how accurately robots perform tasks in actual factories, whether they can work alongside humans in logistics, and if they can reliably carry out missions in hazardous environments. The role of the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency is also crucial here. It aims to bridge the gap between technologies developed in labs and the market through demonstration, certification, commercialization, and connecting with demand sources. Enhancing the completeness of technology is as important as making it usable in the market. The military becomes a proving ground for physical AI. A notable area in Cho's physical AI strategy is defense. On August 7, the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency held a meeting at its Daegu headquarters with the Army's 2nd Operations Command to discuss expanding the application of civilian robot technologies in military logistics and supply operations. In a context of declining troop resources due to population decrease and increasing burdens on military logistics, the agency believes that assigning repetitive tasks to robots can enhance efficiency and reduce the risk exposure of soldiers. At the meeting, Cho stated, "The 2nd Operations Command is proactive in adopting physical AI and robots to realize a technologically advanced military, and we will support the discovery of robot utilization needs within the military to ensure practical application on the ground." The key is 'robots that are practically utilized on-site.' It is essential to confirm results by integrating robots into logistics, supply, repetitive tasks, and hazardous operations, rather than merely demonstrating technology. Defense can become a new market for civilian robot companies and a means to supplement the military's workforce shortages. In the era of humanoids, safety is competitiveness. The technology symbolizing the physical AI era is humanoids. A new era is approaching where robots resembling humans work using spaces and tools designed for people. However, industry cannot be built solely on flashy demonstrations. Safety and reliability must be verified before deployment in the field. This is why the establishment of the 'Humanoid Robot Safety Certification Center,' overseen by the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency, is significant. The city of Daegu plans to invest a total of 18.65 billion won over five years from 2026 to 2030 to build the center at the National Robot Test Field site in Daegu. The funding will come from national, local, and private sources, amounting to 9.68 billion won, 7.8 billion won, and 1.17 billion won, respectively, with the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency overseeing the project. The center will be equipped to evaluate the dynamic stability of robots, the reliability of AI, and cybersecurity all at once, utilizing the facilities of the National Robot Test Field to support testing, demonstration, and certification seamlessly. This initiative aims to assist domestic companies in entering the market without the burden of overseas certification, in line with the European Union's trend of strengthening regulations through AI and cybersecurity laws. The competition in physical AI is not just about who creates robots first. It is also about who can bring safer and more reliable robots to market. Good technology alone is not enough for companies to survive. Another challenge that Cho emphasizes is the commercialization of robot startups. While they have technology, they often lack places to validate their products, making it difficult to find customers, and without customers, securing investment becomes challenging. This issue is particularly pronounced in the robot industry, where development periods are long and investment costs are high. On July 30, the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency held a meeting with seven robot startups at its Daegu headquarters to discuss challenges related to funding, securing demonstration spaces, and developing initial sales channels. Attending companies expressed concerns about the lack of opportunities to validate product performance in the market despite developing excellent technologies. Cho remarked, "Many startups are halting their ventures or leaving the robotics industry due to difficulties in the commercialization process, despite having good technology and experience. We will actively support startups in achieving tangible commercialization results through PoC, business matching, and investment attraction." This signifies a shift in policy focus from technology development itself to actual commercialization outcomes. A growth ladder from the lab to the market. In the era of physical AI, the growth ladder between technology development and the market becomes even more critical. While software can be developed and tested at relatively low costs, robots require the production of hardware and the integration of sensors, motors, reducers, and control systems. Safety and durability must also be verified over extended periods in real-world environments. Therefore, it is not easy for startups to manage the entire process from technology development to demonstration, certification, and market entry alone. This is why national infrastructure is needed to provide testing fields and demonstration spaces and to connect with demand companies to create initial markets. The structure the agency aims to create does not involve jumping directly from technology development to the market. It involves a phased approach where concepts are validated in demand sources, performance is confirmed, and trust is built through demonstration and certification before connecting with demand companies and investors. This process must function effectively to help robotics companies overcome the 'valley of death' where they have technology but cannot enter the market. Physical AI represents a new opportunity for South Korea's manufacturing industry. While major tech companies in the U.S. and China lead the generative AI competition, the conditions for success in physical AI are somewhat different. Exceptional AI models alone are not sufficient. There is a need for robots and components to operate the AI, manufacturing capabilities to produce the robots, and industrial sites to deploy, learn, and validate the robots. In this regard, South Korea is seen as having an opportunity. The country already has world-class manufacturing companies, numerous factories, and established industries in semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, and machinery. By combining AI as the brain, South Korea can expand its manufacturing competitiveness into the realm of physical AI. Moreover, if the proving grounds are expanded to logistics, defense, and public services, it is possible to utilize the entire country as a single physical AI testbed. Technologies developed in labs must be repeatedly validated in various fields to gain recognition in the global market. The results of AX must be confirmed in RX. The meaning of 'Accelerating AX, Realizing RX,' as articulated by Cho, ultimately lies in the field. It is not just about the fact that AI has been introduced into manufacturing companies; what matters is how much AI has improved productivity and safety by operating robots on-site. Humanoids that have demonstrated performance in labs must be able to work reliably in industrial settings, and startups with excellent robot technologies must meet customers after undergoing demonstration and certification. In areas like defense and logistics, where labor shortages and safety issues are significant, it is also essential to evaluate how much robots can reduce the burden on humans. Thus, the tasks ahead are clear. We must create a tighter connection between AI research and development and manufacturing sites, and establish a structure that allows robots that have undergone demonstration and certification to quickly enter the actual market. For humanoids, speed alone will not suffice. It is crucial to verify safety and cybersecurity to produce products that the global market can trust. While generative AI is changing human intellectual productivity, physical AI is beginning to transform the very workplaces where humans operate. If South Korea successfully transitions its manufacturing strength into the competitiveness of robots and AI, it can create new industrial opportunities. The role of Cho Young-hoon and the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency is also clear. They must become an institution that enables technology to operate in industrial settings, rather than merely showcasing it. The path for South Korea to become a leader in physical AI will likely be determined not in labs, but in factories, logistics sites, defense, and service environments. :Cho Young-hoon, Head of the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency: Cho emphasizes the connection between the AI transformation in manufacturing and the actual transformation of robots, focusing on expanding physical AI demonstrations in industrial and defense sectors, establishing a safety certification system for humanoids, and supporting startups in connecting with demand companies and securing investments to create an ecosystem where robot technology achieves results beyond the lab. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 13:16:00
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August 15, again — at Seodaemun prison SEOUL, Aug. 15 (AJP) — On the afternoon before Liberation Day, visitors made their way through the gates of Seodaemun Prison History Hall in western Seoul. Beyond the red-brick walls, Korean national flags hung in the summer air. People entering through the main gate seemed instinctively to slow their steps. Aug. 15, 1945, was the day Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule. Koreans call it Gwangbokjeol — literally, "the day the light returned." Before that light returned, many people gave up their own freedom behind these walls. Seodaemun Prison preserves their memory. Inside the exhibition halls, narrow, dim corridors run past rows of cells. Near the bottom of each cell door is a small opening once used to pass food to prisoners. It is barely large enough for an adult hand. A child crouched before one of them for a long time, peering through the opening. No explanation seemed necessary. It was the kind of place that made visitors stop. The red-brick cell blocks stretch outward in a radial pattern, designed so guards could watch several corridors from a central observation point. Inside the small cells were little more than narrow wooden floors and low ceilings. Many of those imprisoned here were young people, not so different in age from the students and young adults walking through the museum today. Near the end of the visitor route stands the execution building. The atmosphere changed as people approached it. Visitors stopped before a sign explaining that independence activists had spent their final moments here. Outside the exhibition halls, a group of children stood in a line before a memorial and bowed their heads. They may not have known every name or every face. But for a few moments, the courtyard fell quiet. Elsewhere in the prison grounds, a giant Taegeukgi — the South Korean flag — hung against the brick buildings. A family stood together beneath it, looking upward. Against a place carrying such a heavy history, the ordinary sight of a family spending an afternoon together seemed unusually vivid. As visitors left, others remained inside the walls, walking at their own pace, stopping before cells and photographs, lingering where something caught their attention. Liberation Day is not simply an anniversary of something that happened long ago. It is also a reminder of a time when freedom was not assumed, and of those who lost theirs in the effort to recover it. Eighty-one years ago, liberation came to people held behind these walls. Today, visitors can walk through the same gates and leave freely. Remembering the distance between those two moments may be what people carry with them when they step back outside. 2026-08-15 13:12:10 -
Lee proposes talks to end Korean War, build peace regime SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday proposed talks among the parties to formally end the Korean War and replace the peninsula's decades-old armistice with a peace regime, saying such negotiations could also open a path toward halting North Korea's expanding nuclear capabilities. In his address marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee laid out a three-part doctrine of peaceful coexistence with North Korea and pledged to move beyond the principles he announced a year ago toward concrete measures to reduce hostility and prevent military escalation. "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula into a peace regime," Lee said at the ceremony at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. "Let us set aside intentions to threaten one another and begin discussions among the parties to end this long-standing war," he said. "Through this, effective measures to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities could also be discussed." The proposal gives more concrete shape to Lee's effort to position Seoul as both a direct party to Korean Peninsula peace and a "pacemaker" seeking to revive dialogue involving Pyongyang and Washington. Lee recalled that at last year's Liberation Day ceremony he pledged to respect North Korea's political system, reject unification by absorption and refrain from hostile acts. "One year later, today I would like to present a blueprint for moving beyond principles and toward action," he said. The first pillar is what Lee called inclusive peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect. "South and North Korea must respect each other and stop unnecessary confrontation," he said, calling for the two sides to reduce hostility in their perceptions, rules and institutions. "I hope the South and North will sit down together for peaceful coexistence and shared growth," Lee said. "This is not a concession, but the starting point for coexistence." Lee said the two Koreas need institutions to manage tensions and conflict, backed by multiple safeguards against crises and escalation. His government, he said, would take "preemptive and sustained peace measures" after assessing the broader security environment around the peninsula and seek a response from Pyongyang. Lee's overture comes against renewed military tension. North Korea fired a ballistic missile from its eastern Wonsan area on Wednesday, its second launch from the area in six days and its 11th suspected ballistic-missile test this year, according to South Korean assessments. The missile flew about 700 kilometers before falling into waters off the peninsula's east coast. Pyongyang followed the launch by condemning the annual South Korea-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, scheduled for Aug. 17-27, as an "aggressive war" rehearsal and more provocative than last year's drills. North Korea's Foreign Ministry said growing military cooperation among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo was developing into a "nuclear alliance" and warned that it would answer a "new level" of threat with a corresponding level of deterrence. The allies say the exercise is defensive and designed to strengthen readiness against North Korea's evolving nuclear and weapons capabilities. Still, Lee pledged to turn "the energy of hostility and confrontation into a driving force for peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity," adding that South Korea would fulfill its role and responsibility both as a pacemaker and as a direct party to peace on the peninsula. Lee used the Liberation Day address, delivered on the anniversary of the end of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea, to pair a conciliatory message toward Tokyo with a call for greater recognition of unresolved historical wounds. Lee said South Korea and Japan had built a foundation of trust through active shuttle diplomacy over the past year and expanded cooperation in supply chains, energy and advanced industries. His government would continue a foreign policy based on "pragmatic national interest" and broaden cooperation where the two countries share interests, Lee said. But he made clear that future-oriented ties could not be separated from history. "For the achievements so far to continue without being shaken, above all we need firm trust between the peoples of the two countries," Lee said. "Trust comes from sincerity in understanding the other's pain and empathizing with one another." He noted that victims and bereaved families continue to live with the wounds of the past and invoked the 1998 joint declaration by then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi as an example of efforts to build the future by confronting history. "At a time when Korea-Japan cooperation is more important than ever, the light of the new relationship we build must provide warmth to those who continue to endure pain in the shadows of history," Lee said. He said he hoped the countries could become "close and truly close neighbors" and open a new 60 years of peace and prosperity together. At the same time, Lee vowed to strengthen recognition and support for independence fighters and their families while stepping up efforts to recover assets accumulated improperly by Koreans who collaborated with Japanese colonial authorities. He said assets recovered under legislation promulgated on June 2 would be managed so the proceeds could be used to support independence activists and their families. Lee also used the historic anniversary to present what he called a "new liberation" for a country facing economic, technological and geopolitical upheaval. After liberation, industrialization and democratization, South Korea now needs another leap, he said, setting out a goal of making the country "irreplaceable" — one the world needs and other nations want to work with. "We must move toward an irreplaceable Republic of Korea, a country the world needs, a country every nation wants to cooperate with and one that no other country can substitute," Lee said. The government would redistribute national resources and capabilities, redraw Korea's "growth map" and spread growth centers across the country, he said. Lee also promised greater investment in young people, including stronger support allowing them to try again after failure, while acknowledging the immediate pressure from high living costs, difficulties facing small businesses and anxiety among young people over jobs and their future. He defined "new liberation" through four goals - liberation from stalled growth and anxiety, greater opportunity regardless of background, more balanced development across the country and, ultimately, freedom from the threat of war and confrontation. "Our responsibility is to carry the light inherited from those who came before us farther and brighter — toward better lives for our people and toward the world's tomorrow," Lee said. AJP Takeaways: Lee proposed talks to formally end the Korean War and replace the armistice with a peace regime, saying the process could include measures to halt North Korea's advancing nuclear capabilities. His North Korea policy rests on three forms of coexistence: mutual respect, institutional safeguards against conflict and a peace framework that contributes to regional and global security. On Japan, Lee paired cooperation with historical accountability, saying stronger bilateral ties require empathy for victims of the colonial past and trust between the two countries' peoples. 2026-08-15 12:31:49 -
Korea's trade representative sacked, raising speculations SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) -South Korea abruptly dismissed its top trade negotiator on Saturday, leaving the command post for talks with Washington vacant as Seoul confronts fresh U.S. tariffs pressure to accelerate a $350 billion investment commitment and other unresolved trade disputes. President Lee Jae Myung removed Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo from office effective midnight, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. No successor was immediately named and the government did not disclose a reason for the dismissal. The use of a compulsory dismissal for a vice minister-level political appointee was unusual, particularly because Yeo had remained at the center of Korea's U.S. trade negotiations until immediately before his removal. "The appointment and dismissal of political appointees fall within the appointing authority's powers and political judgment, and it would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment on the background," the ministry said, adding that it would work to prevent disruption to ongoing trade issues. Yeo's departure comes at an awkward moment for Seoul. Washington last month imposed new Section 301 tariffs on South Korean imports after the U.S. Trade Representative concluded that Korea had failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports produced with forced labor. Korea is among economies subject to duties of up to 12.5 percent, depending on the product and its existing most-favored-nation tariff. A separate USTR investigation into structural excess manufacturing capacity also includes South Korea and could produce additional trade measures. The investigation covers 16 economies and is examining whether policies contributing to excess production burden U.S. commerce. At the same time, Seoul is under pressure to implement the investment side of the bilateral trade agreement reached with the Trump administration. Under the deal, South Korea committed an additional $200 billion to strategic U.S. investment projects in return for a framework that set a 15 percent tariff rate on qualifying Korean goods. The dispute surrounding U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang has added another source of friction. Korean regulators imposed a record penalty on the company over a massive customer-data breach, while U.S. politicians and investors have raised concerns that the company was treated unfairly. Seoul has rejected allegations of discriminatory enforcement. There is no disclosed evidence linking any of those trade issues to Yeo's dismissal. His sudden removal nevertheless creates a potential continuity problem because he had served as the working-level commander of Seoul's negotiations with Washington since returning to government last year. Yeo previously headed Korea's trade negotiations under the Moon Jae-in administration and was appointed again by Lee in June 2025 as the new government prepared for tariff negotiations with the Trump administration. He subsequently led the government task force coordinating the U.S. negotiating package across trade, industry and energy and participated in repeated talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other senior American officials. As recently as Wednesday, Yeo attended a National Assembly committee meeting, and the industry ministry's schedule released Friday still listed him for Cabinet and trade-related meetings next week, underscoring the abruptness of the decision. The ministry plans to operate an emergency system led by Deputy Minister for Trade Park Jeong-sung until a successor is chosen, seeking to limit disruption to negotiations with Washington and other pending trade matters. AJP Takeaways: President Lee abruptly dismissed Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo without publicly giving a reason or immediately naming a successor. The timing raises continuity risks: Korea is dealing with new U.S. Section 301 tariffs, another investigation into manufacturing overcapacity and implementation of its $200 billion U.S. investment commitment. No link to Yeo's trade performance has been established. The industry ministry said it would use an emergency system led by Deputy Minister Park Jeong-sung to limit disruption. 2026-08-15 12:04:24 -
Gwangju Military Airport Temporarily Relocates Operations to Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju The military has decided to temporarily relocate the operations of the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing from Gwangju Military Airport to Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju bases, following the designation of the Gwangju site for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster.According to Yonhap News on the 15th, a Defense Ministry official stated during a press briefing on the 14th, "We plan to implement a temporary relocation considering operational impacts and the capacity of each base, utilizing Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju bases."The 1st Fighter Wing, known as the 'cradle of fighter pilots,' includes two flight training squadrons, the 189th and 216th, and three combat squadrons, including the 206th. The two flight training squadrons operate T-50 advanced trainers and are responsible for training fighter pilots.The 206th Fighter Squadron operates the domestically produced TA-50 Block 2 light attack aircraft and is tasked with air defense missions in the southwestern region. The existing capabilities of the 1st Fighter Wing will be temporarily relocated to Yecheon base (16th Fighter Wing) and Seosan base (20th Fighter Wing), with some functions moving to Chungju base (19th Fighter Wing).Gwangju Military Airport had already been selected as a candidate site for relocation to Muan, but the government decided to establish the Honam Semiconductor Cluster there, necessitating an expedited vacating of the site. President Lee Jae-myung directed on the 10th that the functions of the Gwangju base be temporarily relocated to other military airports by mid-2028, effectively formalizing the plan to disperse the 1st Fighter Wing ahead of the Muan relocation.The final relocation site, Muan Military Airport, is expected to be completed by 2032, indicating that the temporary relocation to Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju bases will last approximately four years.Gwangju base is one of five U.S.-Korea joint operational bases where U.S. air power can be deployed in emergencies, and it has been noted that discussions with the U.S. will be necessary for the base's relocation.A Defense Ministry official remarked, "The U.S. is fully aware of this matter and we are engaging in substantive discussions with them."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 11:28:00