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[[K- Tech]] S. Korea's new geo-spatial AI system to undergo commercialization next month SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on Tuesday announced the completion of its spatial intelligence system known as Geo-AI, a next-generation artificial intelligence technology designed to analyze and respond to queries using spatial information such as maps, locations, environments, and moving objects. The ministry will begin full-scale research and development (R&D) in August to prepare the technology for commercialization. Unlike traditional chatbot-style AI, Geo-AI incorporates spatial and temporal elements to deliver optimized responses. The technology enables users to interact through natural language queries such as, "Show me apartments under 300 million won near a subway station and within 100 meters of an elementary school." and receive results visualized on 3D maps. This is made possible through the system’s ability to interpret complex datasets including real-time traffic, infrastructure, and public records. Geo-AI is characterized by three major features: 3D map-based visual response, inference capabilities that understand spatial context and relationships, and integration of heterogeneous spatial datasets ranging from urban planning and transportation to climate and CCTV footage. The system is already being piloted by real estate startups, which are using mid-stage versions of the technology to automatically recommend property listings and connect users to AI-based brokerage services. In the safety domain, smart glasses embedded with Geo-AI allow construction workers to locate underground infrastructure via voice command in real-time. Additionally, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) utilizing Geo-AI can calculate and follow optimal paths based on real-time obstacles and traffic data. Geo-AI will be accessible via internet-connected devices such as smartphones and navigation systems, without requiring additional software installation. A demonstration version is expected to be deployed through MOLIT’s V-World spatial data platform. Originally initiated in April 2022, the Geo-AI development project is scheduled to run through December 2027 with a total budget of 10.82 billion won (about $7.8 million). The initiative involves collaboration among four universities (Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Kunsan National University, and Korea National University of Transportation) and three private companies. According to MOLIT, the project aims to lay the foundation for an advanced public spatial information platform and foster innovation among spatial data startups. The ministry plans to enhance service features over the coming years, gradually shifting toward full-scale deployment and service integration by 2027. 2025-07-29 15:59:59
UN adopts Tajikistan-led resolution on AI for sustainable development in Central Asia SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - A resolution calling for stronger regional cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) to support sustainable development in Central Asia was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly last week. The resolution, led by Tajikistan, came as a rare move of unified support for a regional approach to AI governance, laying the groundwork for the ethical, inclusive, and practical use of AI technologies while highlighting Central Asia's growing role in global tech policy. Initiated by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in September last year, the resolution's adoption reflects broad support for Tajikistan's efforts to align emerging technologies with regional development goals. As part of its objectives, the resolution includes building a regional AI center in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to serve as a hub for education, research, and cross-border collaboration, with aims to support startups, connect institutions, and expand access to shared digital infrastructure. Tajikistan's Ambassador to Seoul Salohiddin Kirom welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying it reflects his country's active participation in global AI dialogue. "The resolution shows Tajikistan's growing role in global discussions on AI and reflects the importance of President Rahmon's constructive leadership," he said. With detailed action plans for implementation yet to be seen, the resolution is drawing attention as a potential model for other regions seeking to balance innovation and governance, especially amid evolving technological landscapes. 2025-07-29 15:45:20
Washington remains 'open' to talks with North Korea despite snub SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump remains 'open' to reengaging in talks with North Korea, Reuters reported on Monday. Citing a White House official, it said, Trump "remains open to engaging with as a nuclear weapons state." Trump, who had a couple of photo ops with Kim during his first term, has claimed on several occasions that he still has a "good relationship" with Kim. The previous day, she also ruled out any chance of resuming talks with the South, saying that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is "no different from his predecessor in blindly adhering to the South Korea–U.S. alliance and pursuing confrontation" with the North. "I make it clear once again that we are not interested in any policy or proposal put forward by Seoul, and there will be no chance of us sitting down with South Korea for any discussions," she fumed. 2025-07-29 15:06:56
Yoon refuses to appear for questioning in probe involving ex-first lady SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear for questioning in a probe involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, independent prosecutors said on Tuesday. Yoon, who has been detained at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province since last month over charges related to his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year, was asked to appear for questioning on alleged election-related meddling but failed to show up, prompting prosecutors to summon him again on Wednesday. Prosecutors are now considering options to force him to attend questioning if he continues to stall. Yoon and his wife have been accused of interfering candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections, with Kim also facing a slew of other allegations including bribery and involvement in a stock manipulation scheme. In a separate probe involving a suspicious change of plans favoring Kim's family in a real estate project in Yeonpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Kim's brother was also questioned the previous day. 2025-07-29 14:12:16
[[K-tech]] S. Korea to acquire 13,000 advanced GPUs for AI infrastructure SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has announced that it will procure 13,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) using approximately 1.46 trillion won (about $1.05 billion) from a supplementary budget. The move is part of the country's broader strategy to rapidly expand domestic AI computing infrastructure. Tech giants Naver Cloud, NHN Cloud, and Kakao have been selected as the final operating partners. This initiative aims to ensure timely support for the academic, industrial, and research sectors amid growing demand for high-performance computing. Following the May budget allocation, the ministry conducted a rigorous month-long process that included public bidding, proposal evaluations, and on-site inspections before finalizing the three operators. The GPU procurement will focus on NVIDIA’s newest models, with 10,080 units of the Blackwell architecture-based B200 and 3,056 units of the Hopper architecture-based H200. Of these, more than 10,000 units, specifically 8,160 B200s and 2,296 H200s, will be deployed directly by the government to large-scale clusters to support domestic AI demands. The B200, based on NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell architecture, offers up to 2.25 times the performance of the H200 in FP8 (8-bit floating point) and Tensor Core operations, making it one of the most powerful AI chips currently available. NHN Cloud will handle the largest share, deploying 7,656 B200 units, all equipped with water-cooling systems to boost thermal efficiency. From this, 6,120 government-owned GPUs will be configured into clusters of 510 nodes (4,080 GPUs) and 255 nodes (2,040 GPUs). NHN expects to begin beta services within the year. Naver Cloud will be responsible for managing 3,056 H200 units, centered around the current-generation Hopper architecture. Of the government’s 2,296 allocated units, 2,040 will be deployed in 255-node clusters and 256 in 32-node clusters. The company aims to make these resources fully available for academic and research use by the end of the year. Kakao will deploy 2,424 B200 units, focusing on operational efficiency. The government’s 2,040 units will be arranged into a single 255-node cluster, with partial beta services also planned for launch this year. To ensure equitable and efficient usage, the ministry will establish a centralized GPU access system. Through this system, universities and research institutions can apply for GPU access online. Resource allocation will be based on proposal reviews, and idle resources will be redistributed to pending applicants in real time, maximizing nationwide utilization. Formal agreements with operators and GPU procurement are expected to begin in August. The full-scale service launch is targeted for later this year, with the infrastructure supporting major national initiatives such as sovereign AI foundation model development. "This advanced GPU acquisition will become the cornerstone of Korea’s AI innovation," said Minister Bae Kyung-hoon. "It marks the first step in building a national AI superhighway that enables our country to leap ahead as a global AI leader." 2025-07-29 10:12:52
INTERVIEW: UN OHCHR Seoul Office Chief calls for "sustainable approach" to North Korean human rights SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - South Korea needs to develop a consistent stance on human rights in North Korea instead of one that changes every time there is a new government, according to a top UN official. "There needs to be a sustainable approach to DPRK human rights," said James Heenan, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, using the official name of North Korea. "One that doesn’t change drastically every time there’s a new administration." This is particularly necessary as in some areas the plight of North Koreans is deteriorating. "In some areas, such as movement restrictions and the use of the death penalty, things have clearly gotten worse," he said. James Heenan is the representative of the UN Human Rights office in Seoul. AJP Han Jun-gu Heenan made the comments in an interview ahead of a new report on the human rights situation in North Korea set to be released in September. The upcoming report, to be presented at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, marks a decade since the 2014 Commission of Inquiry (COI), which exposed rights violations in North Korea. The COI, which was a rare full-scale investigation into a non-conflict country, concluded that "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations had been committed in North Korea. The report cited arbitrary detention, torture, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and movement. In response, the Human Rights Council set up the OHCHR field office in Seoul in 2015, tasked with monitoring the situation in North Korea and collecting evidence for future accountability. As the office’s second representative, Heenan has been overseeing preparations for the 10-year follow-up report. James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu "The Council asked for a report covering ten years of human rights in the DPRK," he said. "That’s a real challenge. But it allows us, for the first time in a while, to look at long-term trends." "We’ve documented some small improvements, but also serious setbacks," he said. "Freedom of expression is more restricted now. It’s harder to express your views or access outside information, like Korean dramas, for instance." In some areas, he said, "things have worsened." Still, he stressed the UN’s purpose is not just to document abuses. "Our goal is to improve things. We don’t just produce reports or criticize. We look for patterns that help us find opportunities for change." But getting the world’s attention remains difficult, he said, particularly now as there are so many crises in the world. Another factor is that the Korean issue has lasted so long. "It’s been going on for over 75 years. There’s very little visual evidence—no images or videos like you see from other crises. And people tend to respond more to what they can see." Still, Heenan believes this moment offers a critical opportunity. "In our reporting, we try to highlight the voices of victims," he said. "That’s one of the few ways to get people to care—both outside the Peninsula, and frankly, here in the Republic of Korea. Because I still find there’s a lack of interest in this country." The new Lee Jae-Myung administration is currently reviewing whether to continue publishing the Ministry of Unification’s annual report on North Korean human rights. Since the enactment of the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2016, the ministry has been mandated to publish an annual report. While the 2017-22 Moon Jae-in administration kept it confidential, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration made it public. "Whether making reports public is useful, that question applies to all reports, including ours," Heenan said. "If there’s no legal requirement, it’s up to the government to decide whether or not to release them." "Transparency is something we at the UN generally support," he said. "So yes, in general, public information is more useful. Public reporting has value. Private reporting can also be useful, especially when you're trying to engage quietly before going public. Many organizations do that, sharing concerns with a party before media coverage. So both public and private reports have value." James Heenan, representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, speaks during an interview at the office on July 23, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu On domestic engagement, Heenan called for a shift in perspective. "In many places, people say human rights are political because they deal with the power relationship between the individual and the state," he said. "But here in the Republic of Korea, DPRK human rights are particularly politicized. No other two countries are this intertwined. It’s one peninsula." The UN office regularly consults with North Korean escapees. "We ask them what they want in terms of accountability, support, and future prospects," Heenan said. "And many tell us they don’t want to get involved in this work because it’s too politicized. Once they speak out, people assume they’ve chosen a side." "That’s really concerning," he said. "Human rights should not be politicized like that. But people in positions of responsibility here need to find a way." 2025-07-28 17:29:50
Veterans minister reaffirms strength of US-South Korea alliance on armistice anniversary SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul emphasized the strength of the United States-South Korea alliance during a visit to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, marking the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War armistice. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Kwon met with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins ahead of a ceremony commemorating the anniversary. During the meeting, Kwon expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by American soldiers during the Korean War, who risked their lives to defend the "freedom and peace" of South Korea. He also thanked the U.S. for being the first to deploy the largest number of troops during the war. Kwon invited Collins to visit South Korea later this fall. In response, Collins recognized the importance of honoring the sacrifices and dedication of Korean War veterans and thanked Kwon for the invitation. Kwon is visiting Washington for four days to deliver a speech on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the anniversary, who pledged to further strengthen the "blood-forged" South Korea-U.S. alliance with future generations. The armistice agreement, signed on July 27, 1953, by the UN Command, North Korea, and China, brought a ceasefire to the 1950–53 Korean War and established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is still in effect today. 2025-07-28 17:06:50
[[K-pop]] Red Velvet's Joy to return with solo mini album in August SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Joy of Red Velvet is gearing up for a solo comeback with a new mini album set for release on August 18, her agency SM Entertainment said Monday. Titled "From JOY, with Love," the album will feature six tracks, including the title song "Love Splash!" It marks her first solo release in over three years since her 2021 special album "Hello," which consisted of remade tracks. "Hello" topped iTunes charts in 26 regions worldwide and reached No. 1 on domestic platforms Genie and Bugs with its title track. SM Entertainment said the new album will deliver a variety of love stories through Joy's distinct sensibility. "Joy will bring a refreshing wave of music to this summer with songs that express different shades of love in her own unique style," the agency said. Pre-orders for "From JOY, with Love" began Monday. The album will be released on major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. on August 18. 2025-07-28 15:57:12
[[K-Tech]] Older DDR4 chip prices rebound after Samsung, SK hynix raise contract rates SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Spot prices for older-generation DDR4 memory chips have staged a modest recovery after a lull earlier this month, driven by price hikes from major South Korean suppliers amid continued supply shortages, according to market research firm TrendForce. In its latest report, TrendForce said DDR4 prices climbed across several key models during the week of July 16–22, reversing a brief cooling trend that began in early July. The gains follow upward revisions to fixed contract prices by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, two of the world’s largest memory chipmakers, as constrained supply continues to ripple through the consumer electronics market. “The rebound is primarily driven by supplier-side pricing actions, not a fundamental shift in demand,” TrendForce noted in a July 23 commentary. The firm cited significant hikes in fixed contract rates by both Samsung and SK hynix as contributing to renewed upward momentum in the spot market. 2025-07-28 15:11:09
South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers hold first phone call, discuss APEC and regional issues SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, marking his second call with a foreign counterpart since taking office July 21. In their phone call, which lasted about 30 minutes, the two foreign ministers discussed ways to improve bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on key regional and international issues, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. "Minister Cho and Minister Wang exchanged views on advancing Korea-China relations," a Foreign Ministry official said. The two sides also agreed to expand high-level exchanges and continue dialogue on mutual concerns. Cho invited Wang to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for late October in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, and proposed working-level coordination to ensure the success of the event. Cho also expressed concern over North Korea’s recent rejection of dialogue with the South and urged China to play a "constructive role" in encouraging Pyongyang to refrain from provocations and return to the path of denuclearization. Traditionally, South Korea’s top diplomats hold their first call with the United States Secretary of State after taking office. However, Cho prioritized calls with regional neighbors, Tokyo and Beijing. Cho is expected to depart for Washington on Thursday for an in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio. The two are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including security cooperation and support for ongoing negotiations related to bilateral tariffs. 2025-07-28 15:01:53