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KOSPI extends 9-day rally to fresh high, up 50% from April low SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Kospi shares continued to slope upward, finishing the week at new heights, riding on the global liquidity-powered rally. Extending a nine-session winning streak, the Kospi ended Friday 1.5 percent higher at 3,395.54 — up 7 percent from Sept. 2 and 48.6 percent above the annual low in April. Foreign and institutional investors were the main buyers, while retail investors, cautious of a potential fizzle in the summer rally, took profits. The U.S. dollar slipped 3.6 won to 1,388.2 on robust foreign demand for Korean equities. Across Asia, shares tracked Wall Street’s strength on expectations of a U.S. rate cut this month. Foreign investors snapped their net-selling streak in May and turned steady buyers, purchasing a net 2 trillion won that month, 3.08 trillion won in June, and 3.4 trillion won in July. But momentum cooled in August, with net purchases shrinking to just 5.7 billion won after the government proposed lowering the capital gains tax threshold for large shareholders. President Lee Jae-myung’s stock-friendly remarks buoyed sentiment. At a televised press conference Thursday marking his 100th day in office, Lee signaled he was open to leaving the current tax threshold unchanged. “The stock market moves on sentiment,” he said. “The government shouldn’t necessarily push with the tax revision if it proves detrimental to the rally." The government had planned to lower the taxable threshold for large shareholders’ capital gains to 1 billion won from the current 5 billion won. Analysts said removing uncertainty over the plan has further bolstered investor confidence, helping to sustain the bullish run till the end of the year. “The fundamental environment surrounding global markets is not that bad, so upward momentum should continue until year-end,” said Lee Jung-hoon, analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities. 2025-09-12 16:55:22 -
TRAVEL: A barefoot journey on clay trail in Daejeon DAEJEON, September 12 (AJP) - In a world filled with constant noise and stress, we search for ways to reconnect. Many are discovering that the simplest path to peace is a return to nature. Barefoot walking, or "earthing," has emerged as a powerful way to soothe the mind and body. And in the heart of South Korea, there's a place that embodies this philosophy perfectly: the magnificent Red Clay Trail on Mount Gyejok in Daejeon. What makes this trail so special? This 14.5-kilometer path isn't a natural wonder but a testament to human vision. It was created in 2006 by Jo Ung-rae, the chairman of local soju brand Sunyang Soju, who took it upon himself to pave the mountain's paths with high-quality red clay. It’s a labor of love that continues today, with 2,000 tons of clay used annually to keep the path pristine — a massive undertaking that costs some 1 billion won each year. Stepping onto the trail feels like entering a different world. At just 424 meters, Mount Gyejok is a gentle giant, but its red clay paths offer a unique kind of adventure. As you shed your shoes and socks, the ground comes alive. The cool, soft clay feels like a natural massage for your feet, releasing tension with every step. Some sections are dry and crumbly, while others are moist and packed, a gentle reminder that every part of the journey is an experience. As you walk, the trail reveals delightful surprises, from convenient foot-washing stations to muddy puddles that awaken a playful, childlike spirit. But the Red Clay Trail is more than just a walk; it’s a cultural experience. From April to October, the trail's forest concert hall comes alive with classical music performances every Saturday and Sunday. The music drifts through the trees, providing a perfect soundtrack to your serene walk. And for those interested in history, the path leads directly to a 1,200-meter-long ancient fortress. A barefoot walk on Mount Gyejok is a journey for the soul. It's a chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself, all while surrounded by the simple, beautiful embrace of nature. It's an experience that feels both ancient and deeply modern, a reminder that true healing is often found by simply putting your feet on the ground. 2025-09-12 16:46:21 -
Venezuelan exhibition in Seoul aims to build cultural bridge with Korea SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Venezuela's Embassy in the Republic of Korea has described the new exhibition "Color Without Limits: Tribute to Carlos Cruz Diez" as a cultural bridge linking Venezuela and South Korea, highlighting how art can strengthen ties between two nations that are geographically distant yet connected by shared values. "This exhibition is an opportunity for cultural exchange between Venezuela and Korea," Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Chargé d'Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul, told AJP on Thursday. "Although our countries are far apart, we share coincidences in the arts, and Korea has always had a refined appreciation for them. Preserving the legacy of three major Venezuelan kinetic artists — Jesús Rafael Soto, Carlos Cruz Diez, and Víctor Salas — is part of that shared commitment." The exhibition opened in Caracas in 2023, traveled to Beijing in 2024, and arrived in Seoul this year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and South Korea. It follows last year's "RGB: The Colors of the Century" at the Seoul Arts Center and continues to celebrate the centenary of maestro Cruz Diez. Carlos Cruz Diez (1923~2019) was one of Venezuela's most influential artists and a global pioneer of kinetic and optical art. His work explored the interaction of light and color, often creating the perception of movement in static pieces. Cruz Diez's legacy is present in museums and public spaces worldwide, and his influence remains central to contemporary visual arts. Alongside honoring Cruz Diez, the exhibition features works by young Venezuelan artists with cognitive conditions such as autism and Down syndrome, who reinterpret the maestro's kinetic style in ways that promote inclusion and diversity. "It raises awareness about how we can give people with special conditions a chance to be included in society and to develop skills for the future," Di Carlo Quero said. She added that the exhibition underscores Venezuela's intent to keep Cruz Diez's legacy alive for younger generations. "With just primary colors, one can create infinite variations," she said. "That message reflects creativity without limits, and it is also a way to connect our two nations." Seoul already hosts two important Venezuelan works — one at Olympic Park and another in Gyeonggi Province — making the capital a meaningful stop for this project. For Venezuelan artists, the exhibition is also an opportunity to highlight the enduring resonance of kinetic art in Korea, a country with a long-standing appreciation for contemporary and abstract art. As the two countries mark six decades of diplomatic ties this year, Venezuelan officials expressed hope that "Color Without Limits" will serve as a lasting bridge between peoples, extending friendship through art, inclusivity, and shared creativity. 2025-09-12 16:43:01 -
South Korean workers return home after weeklong detention in Georgia SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in an immigration crackdown in Georgia, the U.S. returned home on Friday after being held for about a week. A total of 316 South Koreans, along with about a dozen foreign workers, traveled by bus to Atlanta to board a chartered flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after being released from a detention facility the previous day and arrived at Incheon International Airport at around 3:30 p.m. Looking weary and exhausted after a 15-hour flight, they quickly left the airport after being reunited with their family members who had been anxiously awaiting their return. Some of them are being driven home in cars provided by LG Energy Solution, which arranged the flight to bring the workers back to Seoul. Medical checkups will also be arranged for them upon request. They were caught last Thursday in the largest single-site workplace in the history of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to the detention of nearly 500 people, most of them South Korean nationals working at a joint electric vehicle battery plant under construction in Folkston, Georgia, by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. The U.S. immigration authority alleged that the workers were either in the country illegally, had overstayed their visas, or were employed on visas without proper work permits. The incident occurred shortly after President Lee Jae Myung pledged massive investment plans to the country's closest ally during his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington late last month, sparking widespread public anger and concern here. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who rushed to Washington immediately after the incident, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other immigration-related officials to express concern about the raid and regret over the release of video footage showing the detained workers in shackles. He also requested that the U.S. ensure they would not face any disadvantages with future reentry into the U.S. Their departure was initially delayed due to a reportedly last-minute offer from Trump for the high-skilled workers to remain in the U.S. to train local staff, but they decided to return with one choosing to stay there. In the wake of the incident, officials from both countries are discussing the issuance of a new type of visa for skilled South Korean workers to prevent similar occurrences. 2025-09-12 16:16:52 -
British Chamber's annual garden party to offer chance to enjoy beautiful autumnal night SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK) will host its annual garden party later this month. In collaboration with Dulwich College Seoul, an international school in southern Seoul, this year's party will be held in the garden of the British Ambassador's residence in central Seoul on Sept. 24. It will be a great opportunity for participants to look around the historic residence, which was built in the late 1800s and rarely open to the public. They will be able to enjoy a perfect autumnal evening filled with live music and performances while savoring catered food and beverages. Events like wine tasting and raffles are also planned. "We are thrilled to once again host the party at this beautiful residence," a BCCK spokesperson said. "We believe it will be our best yet." 2025-09-12 15:59:26 -
Top US trade official urges South Korean workers to obtain proper visas after Georgia raid SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - After last week's immigration crackdown in Georgia that detained hundreds of Souh Koreans allegedly working without valid permits, the U.S. top trade official stressed the need to secure proper visas for employment, while senators promised to come up with legislative measures to prevent similar incidents. While welcoming the massive investment plans and projects of South Korean businesses including automaker Hyundai Motor Group, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick emphasized that their workers should obtain valid employment visas. "They should get the proper visa for their workers..... get a work visa," Axios quoted Lutnick as saying in an interview on Thursday. "What they did was they came in on tourist visas and then they just working." However, his comments appeared to overlook that some of those detained were holding B-1 business visas, which allow temporary stays for assignments such as training and equipment setup. When asked whether such an immigration raid might affect Washington's bid to attract foreign investment, Lutnick replied, "No," adding that he could help them "get the right visa.” He further explained that the "old way" would no longer be tolerated and that U.S. President Donald Trump "wants it done correctly. You can't skirt the rules anymore." Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who rushed to Washington immediately after the incident, has been busy meeting with U.S officials including senators Andy Kim, Bill Hagerty, and Todd Young. During their discussion, Cho apparently emphasized that protecting the affected workers would be crucial for South Korean companies to conduct their U.S. projects without disruption. He proposed forming a "working group" to consider a new type of visa that would ensure smoother business operations. The senators reportedly agreed that the incident should not undermine bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Last week, U.S. immigration authorities detained over 300 South Koreans, accusing them of allegedly working at a construction site in Folkston, Geogia without valid work permits. It was the largest single-site workplace raid in U.S. history by the Department of Homeland Security. AJP has contacted U.S. immigration and visa-related agencies to inquire about these workers' visa status but has not yet received a reply as of Friday. 2025-09-12 15:50:04 -
S. Korea sees surge in complaints over social media livestream shopping SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s consumer protection agency on Friday warned of a surge in complaints from shoppers who purchased fashion items through livestreaming on social media platforms. The Korea Consumer Agency said it had received 444 complaints related to clothing and textile products sold through livestream commerce on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Naver Band and Facebook from 2022 through June 2025. The number of grievances has grown each year, jumping from 54 in 2022 to 185 last year. In the first half of 2025 alone, consumers filed 139 complaints. Nearly half of the cases involved sellers refusing to process cancellations. Other problems included poor product quality and contract violations, the agency said. Clothing items, particularly jackets and coats, accounted for the majority of disputes, followed by handbags and shoes. Some of the cases cited by the agency were striking: one buyer paid 4.51 million won, or about $3,300, for three mink coats but was unable to reach the seller to request returns; another made 32 purchases worth 2.68 million won, or about $1,950, but never received any of the items. The agency said livestream commerce on social media poses more risks than traditional online shopping, because it is often difficult to verify seller information or review return policies. It urged shoppers to confirm business registration numbers and to use secure payment methods rather than direct bank transfers before making purchases. 2025-09-12 14:18:38 -
Hyundai says immigration crackdown will delay Georgia battery plant by 2-3 months SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s top U.S. executive said Friday that construction of its $7.6 billion battery plant in Georgia will be pushed back by at least two to three months. Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor’s global president and chief operating officer, said raids at the construction site created staffing shortages as some workers returned to South Korea following mass detentions. “For the construction phase of the plants, you need to get specialized people. There are a lot of skills and equipment that you cannot find in the United States,” Munoz told reporters in Detroit. The facility, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, is central to Hyundai’s electric vehicle expansion in North America. To limit disruption, Hyundai said it would source batteries from other plants, including a separate Georgia facility run with SK On. The company stressed that its long-term U.S. strategy remains unchanged despite the delay. Hyundai Motor Group’s Chairman, Chung Eui-sun, also commented publicly on the incident, expressing relief that detained workers had returned home and urging closer coordination between Seoul and Washington on visa rules for specialized labor. 2025-09-12 11:29:17 -
PHOTOS: Korean workers released from US custody depart for home SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - A charter flight carrying 316 South Koreans who were recently released from U.S. immigration custody departed from a Georgia airport on Thursday, bound for their home country. The plane, which left Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at approximately 11:38 a.m. local time, is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport on Friday at around 3:00 p.m. Korean time. The individuals had been detained for a week following a crackdown on illegal employment and immigration at a construction site for a new battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. 2025-09-12 11:16:25 -
Brazil underscores closer ties with S. Korea at Independence Day event in Seoul SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - At a reception marking the 203rd anniversary of Brazil's Independence Day, Ambassador Márcia Donner Abreu stressed that the occasion was designed not only to commemorate Brazil's history but also to reaffirm the expanding cooperation between Brazil and South Korea in trade, investment, culture, and responses to global challenges. "Brazil and Korea are partner countries not just by history but by shared values and hopes," Ambassador Abreu said during the national day reception held in central Seoul on Wednesday. She underscored the need to broaden the relationship in "economic diversification, scientific and technological cooperation, and resilient infrastructure development," while highlighting opportunities in "clean energy, food security, digital innovation, and climate action." She also pointed to the significance of the June summit between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and President Lee Jae Myung as proof of strengthened ties. "Despite being geographically far apart, the two countries are consistently linked by friendship and shared commitments to democracy, prosperity, inclusivity, sustainability, and peace," she said. Abreu added a personal note, reminding the audience that this would be her last Independence Day reception in Seoul and expressing gratitude to the South Korean government, private sector, and civil society for supporting the embassy's work in deepening bilateral ties. Song In-chang, the G20 Sherpa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed the ambassador's call for stronger cooperation. Representing the South Korean government, he congratulated Brazil on its independence and praised the country as a global leader that has grown into one of the world's largest democracies and a top-twelve economy. He emphasized that the two nations' partnership has moved beyond traditional areas. "Korean companies are investing in Brazil's semiconductor, hydrogen, and space sectors, working closely with local firms and institutions to contribute to Brazil's economic and technological advancement," Song said. He highlighted concrete examples of cooperation, including the successful test launch in March 2023 of South Korea's first private space rocket, Hanbit TLV, at Brazil's Alcântara space center, with a full launch scheduled for October. "Brazil's Air Force and Korea's private sector achieved a successful collaboration," he noted. Song also cited aerospace cooperation, mentioning that Korean aerospace firms will supply parts to Brazilian company Embraer for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Looking ahead, he said the two countries are intent on deepening cooperation in renewable energy, AI, climate change response and broader trade and investment. Song recalled the June summit between the two presidents at the G7 summit in Canada, the first such meeting in a decade, which provided momentum for renewed bilateral dialogue. He also pointed to the August vice-ministerial talks in Seoul and the newly signed working holiday program that will allow more young people to study and work in each country. On cultural ties, Song noted that K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean food are enjoying popularity in Brazil and that São Paulo state recently designated October 9 as Hangeul Day. "Korea and Brazil are friends and partners who share not only commerce and technology, but ideals," he said. The reception gathered some 200 diplomats, officials, business leaders, and cultural representatives from Brazil, South Korea, and other countries such as the United States, Peru, Chile, Iran, and Russia. Both speakers highlighted that as Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém this November, and as South Korea seeks to expand its global role in technology and climate action, the two countries see each other as strategic partners in shaping solutions to common challenges. 2025-09-11 19:54:44