AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Rising Oil Prices Delay First Settlement of Price Cap, Refiners Face Up to $8 Billion in Losses
    Rising Oil Prices Delay First Settlement of Price Cap, Refiners Face Up to $8 Billion in Losses As oil production disruptions in Saudi Arabia and Libya push international prices to a four-month high, South Korea has yet to complete the first settlement under its oil price cap system. The gap between the estimated losses by refiners and the government's compensation amount is expected to lead to significant negotiations.According to industry sources on September 16, the Price Cap Settlement Committee under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy continues to request data from refiners such as SK Innovation, GS Caltex, S-Oil, and HD Hyundai Oilbank to determine the compensation amount, aiming for the first settlement in October.However, dissatisfaction is already emerging from the refining sector. With escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran causing oil and transportation costs to rise again, the government plans to calculate compensation based on production costs plus a reasonable margin, rather than market prices.Typically, refiners set domestic and export prices based on the Singapore International Oil Price (MOPS). They are submitting data to the committee to calculate compensation based on the difference between export prices and domestic prices under the price cap.If this method is applied, the estimated losses for refiners since the price cap was implemented on March 13 could reach approximately 7 trillion to 8 trillion won over six months.In contrast, the government’s compensation amount, calculated by adding a reasonable margin to production costs, is reported to be less than 1 trillion won. Even if the committee uses MOPS as a basis for compensation, the government has allocated only about 4.2 trillion won for the price cap's implementation, which is insufficient to cover the losses estimated by refiners.Moreover, with the government planning to extend the price cap on September 18 to stabilize prices, the likelihood of needing to compensate for fourth-quarter losses has increased. Although the Ministry of Industry has set aside about 1.5 trillion won from next year's budget for fourth-quarter compensation, this amount is deemed inadequate given the soaring oil prices.The refining industry is also concerned that the committee may underestimate compensation amounts based on the strong performance of individual companies in the second and third quarters. This strong performance is attributed to a lagging effect from purchasing crude oil at lower prices, while the fourth quarter may see significant losses due to the current high oil prices, necessitating proper compensation from the government to ensure ongoing business viability. The lagging effect refers to the delay in profit and loss due to the time difference between purchasing raw materials and processing them for sale.Meanwhile, international oil prices have surged to a four-month high due to attacks on Saudi oil pipelines and threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels to block the Red Sea. As of September 11, Dubai crude surpassed $123 per barrel, while Texas and Brent crude reached $108.75 and $105.83 per barrel, respectively, as of September 15.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 18:04:00
  • Samsung Expands 2-Nanometer Foundry Services Beyond Mobile to AI and Automotive
    Samsung Expands 2-Nanometer Foundry Services Beyond Mobile to AI and Automotive Samsung Electronics is broadening its 2-nanometer foundry customer base beyond mobile to include artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive sectors. While TSMC, the leading foundry provider, is expanding its mobile chip clientele, Samsung is differentiating itself by offering memory, foundry, and advanced packaging services from a single source.According to industry sources, Samsung is accelerating its efforts to secure major clients in the AI and HPC sectors as it expands production of its second-generation 2-nanometer process in the second half of the year. In its second-quarter earnings report, Samsung noted that collaborations with 2-nanometer HPC customers are increasing, and it plans to diversify its portfolio to include AI, HPC, automotive, and aerospace.Real-world applications are also expanding. U.S. AI semiconductor company Ambarella is developing a next-generation edge AI platform using Samsung's 2-nanometer process for applications in robotics, drones, and autonomous machines. Samsung has previously collaborated with Ambarella to produce chips for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) using its 5-nanometer process.Among its key clients is Tesla. Reports indicate that Samsung has begun trial production and yield verification of Tesla's AI5 chip at its Taylor, Texas, facility. While TSMC also supplies a different version of the AI5 chip, Samsung's proactive acquisition of large customer volumes in the AI and autonomous driving sectors is significant. This partnership is expected to strengthen further with the next version, the AI6 chip. Unlike TSMC, which has recently secured supply contracts with Chinese and Taiwanese smartphone manufacturers, Samsung is not solely focused on mobile.Samsung's competitive edge lies in its comprehensive semiconductor supply capabilities. The company can provide memory, such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), advanced foundry services, and packaging all in-house. By bundling logic chips, HBM, and packaging to meet the demands of AI accelerator customers, Samsung aims to broaden customer options within the TSMC-centric foundry supply chain. The company is pushing for double-digit growth in foundry revenue this year by expanding design orders for AI and HPC and increasing sales to customers in the U.S. and China.Recently, TSMC's tight production capacity has created opportunities for Samsung to expand its customer base. According to Reuters, the share of Samsung's foundry revenue from AI and HPC is expected to rise from 15-20% at the end of last year to over 30% this year. Collaborations with major clients such as Tesla, Broadcom, and NVIDIA have also been announced.Lee Min-hee, a researcher at BNK Investment & Securities, stated, "As TSMC's production capacity tightens and prices increase, customers are shifting to competitors like Samsung and Intel."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 18:04:00
  • South Korea and Central Asia Expand Economic Cooperation Through Business Summit
    South Korea and Central Asia Expand Economic Cooperation Through Business Summit South Korea and five Central Asian countries are expanding the framework of cooperation established at a recent summit into business partnerships. They plan to develop new economic cooperation and private exchange models focused on future industries such as energy, key minerals, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). President Lee Jae-myung emphasized during his keynote speech at the 'Korea-Central Asia Business Summit' held at a hotel in Seoul on September 16 that there is a need to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in the key minerals sector, moving beyond simple raw material trade to include exploration, refining, high-value material processing, and finished product production. He outlined three key tasks for the 'new Silk Road' that South Korea and the five Central Asian countries will develop together: expanding trade and investment, collaborating in key minerals and advanced manufacturing, and building future infrastructure. President Lee noted that trade between South Korea and Central Asia has grown from $15 million at the time of diplomatic relations in 1992 to over $10 billion last year. He stressed the need to diversify the trade structure, which is currently focused on automobiles, parts, energy, and raw materials, to include consumer goods, biotechnology, and digital industries. In the key minerals sector, he proposed combining Central Asia's resources, such as lithium and uranium, with South Korea's battery and semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. He reiterated the importance of comprehensive cooperation throughout the entire cycle, from exploration to production. Future infrastructure development, including urban development, high-speed rail, plants, power grids, and logistics networks, was also highlighted as a major area of economic cooperation. President Lee pointed out that Central Asia, with a population of 84 million and an average age of 27, is experiencing rapid growth and increasing demand for infrastructure modernization, making South Korean companies with extensive experience and proven technology ideal partners for innovation in the region. The business summit was organized to establish networks among business leaders from South Korea and Central Asian countries and deepen practical cooperation across various sectors. A total of 130 representatives from 103 companies, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, POSCO, LS, Shinhan Financial Group, Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, and Hyundai Motor, attended the event. Additionally, President Lee and the leaders of the five Central Asian countries adopted the 'Seoul Declaration of the First Korea-Central Asia Summit' and agreed to hold the summit every two years. In years when the summit does not take place, a ministerial-level Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum will be held. This plan aims to elevate the existing ministerial cooperation framework to a summit level, establishing a continuous multilateral cooperation system. The declaration outlines cooperation directions in areas such as key minerals and energy supply chains, urban and transportation infrastructure, AI and digital transformation, climate and water resources, and human exchanges. It also includes plans to establish 'Korean Desks' in the governments of Central Asian countries to support South Korean companies and to combine South Korea's technological capabilities with Central Asia's resource and growth needs to create a joint value-added production network. Furthermore, the leaders signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on industrial and supply chain cooperation, laying the institutional groundwork for economic collaboration. They agreed to expand joint projects in areas such as industrial policy, manufacturing, infrastructure, key minerals and energy, and digital transformation, and to establish a Korea-Central Asia industrial ministers' council to discuss implementation progress and new cooperation projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 18:04:00
  • Government Strengthens Anti-Money Laundering Measures for Professionals
    Government Strengthens Anti-Money Laundering Measures for Professionals The government is set to enhance its anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and proliferation financing frameworks.The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) announced on September 16 that it has established and released a 'National Strategy and Policy Direction for Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Proliferation Financing' in preparation for the fifth mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) scheduled for 2028.This strategy and policy were reported and approved during the 23rd National Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo.The government has outlined five key strategies and 12 implementation tasks. Central to these efforts are the strengthening of beneficial ownership information management for corporations and trusts, the expansion of anti-money laundering (AML) obligations for certain non-financial businesses, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) for suspicious transaction reporting (STR) analysis, and enhanced recovery of criminal proceeds.In particular, the government plans to gradually impose customer verification, data retention, and suspicious transaction reporting obligations on specific non-financial businesses, including lawyers, accountants, tax agents, real estate brokers, and precious metals dealers.The FIU intends to implement an AI-based suspicious transaction analysis system and a virtual asset analysis and tracking solution, while also expanding its analytical workforce. In 2025, the total number of suspicious transaction reports is expected to reach 1,333,391, a significant increase from 884,655 in 2021, with STRs related to virtual assets surging from 199 to 62,055 during the same period.Responsibilities for AML compliance among financial institutions will also be strengthened. The government will designate AML officers at the executive level and clarify internal control obligations, while establishing a risk-based supervisory system focused on financial institutions with high money laundering risk.Additionally, the government plans to legislate the freezing of transactions related to suspicious accounts linked to new types of phishing, as well as drug and gambling-related crimes, and to introduce a system for the independent and extended confiscation of criminal proceeds.The FIU aims to demonstrate that the domestic anti-money laundering system is functioning effectively during the FATF's fifth mutual evaluation, which will take place over approximately 14 months starting in March 2028.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 18:00:20
  • Seoul Bar Association Urges Prevention of Lawyer Participation Restrictions at Sangju Police Station
    Seoul Bar Association Urges Prevention of Lawyer Participation Restrictions at Sangju Police Station Choi Soon-yeol, president of the Seoul Bar Association, visited the Sangju Police Station in North Gyeongsang Province, where a controversial notice restricting lawyer participation had sparked constitutional concerns. He expressed worries about potential violations of the right to legal assistance and urged measures to prevent future occurrences.According to the Seoul Bar Association, Choi and association staff visited the Sangju Police Station at 10 a.m. on September 16 to meet with Chief Choi Seong-yeol and discuss corrective actions regarding the notice on lawyer participation restrictions.At the request of the Seoul Bar Association, the previous notice displayed at the Sangju Police Station was immediately removed, and a new notice emphasizing the protection of the right to legal assistance was created and installed.During the meeting, Choi expressed concern that "this issue could infringe upon the right to legal assistance" and requested that "the process of investigation ensure that the role of lawyers is fully protected and that similar issues do not arise in the future."In response, Chief Choi acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure the right to legal assistance is fully protected during investigations, while also committing to thorough management to prevent similar issues from recurring.Previously, the Seoul Bar Association had visited the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency to request verification of whether similar notices were posted at police stations nationwide. Following this, a comprehensive investigation revealed that no similar notices existed at the 261 police stations across the country, excluding Sangju Police Station.This is not the first time the Seoul Bar Association has taken corrective action regarding lawyer participation restrictions. Recently, Choi visited the Uijeongbu Police Station after discovering a post that inappropriately compared the legal assistance of lawyers and the appointment of legal counsel. The Uijeongbu Police Station promptly removed the post and stated it would take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.A representative from the Seoul Bar Association stated, "The reason we visited Sangju Police Station today, following our visit to Uijeongbu Police Station, is clear. The right to receive legal assistance must be guaranteed as a fundamental right during investigations, and any erroneous practices or perceptions that undermine this right must be corrected from the ground up."He added, "We will not stop at merely raising issues; if there are problems, we will go directly to the site to demand corrections and ensure that they are actually addressed. We will continue to actively respond to protect the rights and the legal profession, ensuring that the right to legal assistance is effectively guaranteed in investigative settings."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:56:00
  • Suh Chang-wan Tops Mens Fencing Ranking Round at Asian Games
    Suh Chang-wan Tops Men's Fencing Ranking Round at Asian Games The men's individual fencing ranking round of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games took place on September 16 at the Anjo Sports Park in Aichi, Japan.Suh Chang-wan achieved an impressive record of 31 wins and 4 losses, securing the top position among 36 competitors. Kazakhstan's Temirlan Abdraymov and China's Ma Yuang followed in second and third place, both with 27 wins and 8 losses.Team ace Jeon Woong-tae finished in fourth place with 26 wins and 9 losses. Lee Jong-hyun placed ninth with 22 wins and 13 losses, while Kim Young-ha ranked 11th with 21 wins and 14 losses, ensuring that all four South Korean athletes finished in the top 11.Suh, who recently won a bronze medal in the men's individual event and a gold in the mixed relay at the 2026 World Championships, continued his strong performance. The youngest member of the team, 20-year-old Kim Young-ha, also delivered a stable performance in his first major competition.It is important to note that these results reflect the fencing ranking round and do not determine the final medal standings. The team will combine scores from the upcoming obstacle course, swimming, and laser run (shooting and athletics) events to decide the final medal outcomes during the finals on the 20th, the day after the opening ceremony.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:56:00
  • AI voice technology firm set to debut on KOSDAQ next week
    AI voice technology firm set to debut on KOSDAQ next week SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Neosapience, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI voice technology company will be listed on the KOSDAQ next week, according to its report filed with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on Wednesday. Some 23.21 percent of its shares will be available for trading starting from next Monday, down from an earlier estimate of 28.66 percent. The smaller number of shares available for trading comes after institutional investors agreed to lock up 44.02 percent of the shares allocated to them, with some 660,322 of the 1.5 million shares subject to a 15-day lockup period after listing. The initial public offering (IPO) allocated 1.5 million shares or 75 percent to institutional investors and 500,000 shares or 25 percent to retail investors. Such lockup agreements will keep part of the institutional allocation off the market after listing, reducing the number of shares available for trading on the first day. Neosapience operates Typecast, a generative AI-based voice platform offered through the web and application programming interface or APIs, which allow other software and services to use its technology directly. The tech firm provides more than 700 AI voice characters and supports 37 languages. Customers include South Korean streaming platform SOOP, home-shopping company CJ OnStyle, telecom operator LG Uplus and broadcaster SBS. The companies use Neosapience's voice technology to create content and provide customer services. AJP Takeaways - Neosapience plans to begin trading on the KOSDAQ on Sept. 21 with 23.21 percent of its shares available for first-day trading. - Neosapience's securities filing showed that 660,322 institutional shares, equal to 44.02 percent of the institutional allocation, are subject to a 15-day lock-up. - Neosapience operates the generative AI voice platform Typecast, which offers more than 700 AI voices and is used by companies including SOOP, CJ OnStyle, LG Uplus and SBS. 2026-09-16 17:50:44
  • Increasing Impersonation Accounts on Social Media Worry Securities Firms
    Increasing Impersonation Accounts on Social Media Worry Securities Firms Recent cases of impersonation of securities firms and asset management companies on social media are on the rise. Direct messages (DMs) encouraging individual investors to invest under the guise of exchange-traded fund (ETF) management teams are flooding platforms. As a result, securities firms and asset management companies are facing significant challenges. They respond immediately to each impersonation account, but they lack effective measures to completely block them.The IDs of these impersonation accounts often have slight variations in spelling or include hyphens, raising concerns that busy financial consumers may confuse them with official accounts. These accounts introduce themselves as ETF management teams and offer to provide investment materials for free.Both asset management firms and securities companies are urging consumers to be cautious. A representative from Korea Investment Trust Management stated, "The number of impersonation cases online has increased, prompting us to post notices for investors and report these accounts on platforms. These impersonation accounts have intensified since early this year." A representative from Yuanta Securities also noted, "The number of cases where impersonation accounts reach out has increased, and we are informing consumers through our website's consumer protection section, emphasizing the importance of preventing potential harm."So far, there have been no reports of large-scale damages, but the concerns in the securities industry are significant. There is a risk that the company's brand value could be damaged, and they must proactively prevent potential financial fraud against consumers.The challenge lies in the difficulty of responding effectively. Even if impersonation accounts are blocked, new accounts can be created, requiring ongoing responses. A representative from Mirae Asset Securities explained, "When we discover impersonation accounts, we request the platform companies to block them, but it is often challenging to respond actively since many cases involve foreign accounts."The Financial Supervisory Service is also aware of this situation. A representative stated, "We have implemented an AI-based real-time monitoring system to track investment fraud involving impersonation of financial companies. Given the prevalence of crimes impersonating legitimate financial institutions, we advise against using accounts in someone else's name and encourage verification of employee status."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:48:00
  • Korean Womens Volleyball Team Dominates Hong Kong in Asian Games Opener
    Korean Women's Volleyball Team Dominates Hong Kong in Asian Games Opener The South Korean women's volleyball team, aiming for its first Asian Games medal in eight years, secured a convincing victory in their opening match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.Under the guidance of head coach Cha Sang-hyun, South Korea (ranked 28th by the International Volleyball Federation) defeated Hong Kong (ranked 127th) in the first match of Group D on September 16 at the Komaki Park Arena in Japan, winning in straight sets with scores of 25-23, 25-12, and 25-12.Star player Kang So-hwi (Korea Expressway Corporation) led the team with 13 points, while Lee Da-hyun (NEC Red Rockets) contributed 12 points and Lee Ye-rim (Hyundai Engineering & Construction) added 9 points.The first set was unexpectedly competitive. South Korea initially built a lead, but late in the set, they struggled with errors and faced a strong serve from Hong Kong, allowing the score to tighten at 24-23. However, in a critical moment, Lee Ye-rim calmly executed a successful attack to secure the set.With momentum on their side, South Korea took control in the second set. Kang So-hwi scored 8 points in the set alone, helping the team to a comfortable 25-12 win.South Korea maintained their strong performance in the third set, extending their lead to over 10 points. Coach Cha utilized substitutes like Yook Seo-young and Jung Ho-young to manage the stamina of the starting players. The team continued to operate smoothly, finishing the match with a 3-0 set score.Having won their opening match, South Korea will face Qatar (ranked 106th) on September 17 and conclude the group stage against Vietnam (ranked 32nd) on September 18.In this tournament, the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. For South Korea to secure the top spot in their group and reach the quarterfinals, they must defeat Vietnam. If they finish second in the group, they will face the likely Group B winner, China (ranked 7th). 2026-09-16 17:48:00
  • Yeouido trip exposes public-notice gap in Seoul summit security
    Yeouido trip exposes public-notice gap in Seoul summit security SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Traffic on Olympic-daero, the major artery running along the southern bank of the Han River, is rarely free-flowing. On Wednesday, the stretch near Yeouido Hangang Park appeared closer to a parking lot, with rows of police vans, ambulances and black limousines lining the area. Inside the park, police moved cyclists, joggers and pedestrians away from restricted paths as security tightened around a visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Many people caught in the restrictions had little idea why. “Who’s coming?” one resident muttered among a small crowd asking much the same question. “Police blocked the bike path and wouldn’t let people cross,” fumed Kim Seon-yeong, a 42-year-old office worker near Yeouido Station who commutes from Bundang. Kim said she had seen no advance notice that movement through the area could be restricted. “I didn’t see a single banner or notice anywhere,” she said. The security operation accompanied Tokayev’s appearance at a cultural heritage event in Yeouido during his state visit to South Korea. Tokayev had held a bilateral summit with President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday and attended a Korea-Kazakhstan business roundtable before joining the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit on Wednesday. Kazakhstan was one of three Central Asian countries whose presidents were received on state visits ahead of the multilateral gathering. The Yeouido appearance stood apart from the more controlled settings of the bilateral summit, business meetings and Wednesday’s leaders’ gathering. Bringing a visiting president into one of Seoul’s busiest public parks meant presidential-level security had to coexist with cyclists, commuters, joggers and other park users going about their normal routines. The resulting contrast was conspicuous: extensive security was visible on the ground, while information explaining how that security would affect the public was not. South Korea’s Korea Heritage Service and Kazakhstan’s Culture Ministry jointly organized a “Nomadic Traditional Cultural Heritage Exchange” in Yeouido to introduce Kazakh traditions and promote cultural cooperation. The program included a digital exhibition space modeled on a traditional Kazakh yurt, displays of crafts, jewelry, clothing and musical instruments, performances and presentations on Korean and Kazakh archery traditions. It also highlighted the history and culture of Koryo-saram, ethnic Koreans in Central Asia. Kazakhstan’s embassy had also publicized separate cultural programs at Yeouido Park and Yeouido Hangang Park as part of Tokayev’s state visit. Its notices invited the public to attend and listed the venues and program times. What the notices did not spell out was that presidential security could temporarily cut or divert pedestrian and bicycle routes around the riverside area. That omission became more noticeable because the event itself was promoted as open to the public. Kim Min-su, a 24-year-old university student from Jamsil, encountered the restrictions while cycling along his usual Han River route. “My route normally takes me past Yeouido and back to Jamsil,” he said. “Suddenly the path was blocked and they told me there was an event and that I’d have to take a long detour.” The concentration of security personnel made him curious enough to stop. “There were six or seven police and security officers within about 10 meters,” Kim said. “Given how much manpower was deployed, out in the sun with hardly any shade, I decided to stick around and see who would show up.” Kang Sun-ja, a 68-year-old longtime Yeouido resident, was similarly unsure what was happening. “I’ve never seen this kind of commotion at Hangang Park before, with police lined up because someone important was coming,” Kang said. “I couldn’t tell whether it was for a foreign dignitary or some famous person from Korea.” The problem was not a lack of advance publicity for the cultural program itself. Both Korean and Kazakh organizers had announced the events. Rather, there was a gap between publicity for the event and notice of the restrictions required to secure it. The difference was particularly striking compared with preparations for the Korea-Central Asia Summit elsewhere in Seoul. The Presidential Security Service’s Security and Safety Control Team announced on Sept. 9 that Sowol-ro and parts of Euljiro 1-ga would face traffic restrictions on Sept. 16. Authorities specified that all lanes on Sowol-ro would be closed briefly six or seven times in line with the movements of visiting leaders rather than shut for an extended period. They also said information would be distributed through electronic displays at Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul City Hall, roadside signs, the security service’s YouTube channel and navigation services including T map, Kakao Map and Naver Map. The planning involved the presidential security team, the Foreign Ministry’s summit task force, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul police and the Korea Road Traffic Authority. No comparable public guidance on temporary pedestrian or bicycle restrictions around the Yeouido riverside programs was included in the notices reviewed by AJP. The episode does not suggest that public cultural diplomacy has no place in a state visit. Kazakhstan’s embassy openly promoted the Yeouido programs as opportunities for Seoul residents to experience Kazakh culture, with admission free and the public encouraged to attend. But an open venue also requires a different level of coordination from a closed summit hall. It was not immediately clear from public materials which side proposed Tokayev’s Yeouido appearance or when the security arrangements surrounding it were finalized. For Seoul, which had spent months preparing to host the first Korea-Central Asia summit at the leaders’ level, the relatively small episode offered a practical reminder that summit readiness extends beyond meeting rooms and motorcades. AJP Takeaways - Presidential-level security around Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Yeouido appearance temporarily disrupted pedestrian and bicycle routes, catching some park users by surprise. - Korean and Kazakh organizers had publicly promoted the cultural programs, but the notices reviewed by AJP did not specify possible access restrictions linked to presidential security. - The gap contrasted with summit-related road controls elsewhere in Seoul, where authorities provided advance closure schedules and distributed information through road signs, navigation apps and other channels. 2026-09-16 17:44:29