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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
North Korea shuts the door on dialogue, brushes off Lee Jae-myung's outreach SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - North Korea has flatly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's recent gestures of reconciliation, accusing Seoul of political insincerity and declaring there is "no issue to be discussed" between the two sides. The statement, released Monday by Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, underscores Pyongyang's decision to sever what little remained of inter-Korean communication. To understand the bluntness of the response, the situation should be viewed through the eyes of Pyongyang. For decades, North Korea's posture toward the South has remained largely consistent, anchored in the Juche ideology and the unbroken rule of the Kim family. Meanwhile, South Korea has changed course repeatedly as power shifted back and forth between liberal and conservative presidents. From Pyongyang's point of view, these swings, from engagement to hostility and back again, have made the South an unreliable and ideologically confused counterpart. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which preceded Lee, made no attempt to engage with the North. According to findings from a recent government probe, Yoon allegedly authorized drones to be flown toward Pyongyang in what is now being interpreted as a calculated provocation. Against that backdrop, Lee's sudden shift, talks of peace, resumed humanitarian gestures, and even murmurs of a possible invitation to the upcoming APEC summit, may appear hypocritical to the North. Kim Yo-jong made that sentiment clear in her statement. Referring to the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts and the halt of anti-North leaflets, she wrote, "It is not the work worthy of appreciation." She added that these were not acts of goodwill but mere reversals of mistakes Seoul had "voluntarily invited." She also mocked South Korea's new Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, for his remarks about opening a "time of reconciliation and cooperation," calling it a "daydream." His suggestion that someone from the North might be invited to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju was met with scorn. Kim dismissed the idea that the character of inter-Korean relations could be reset with "a few sentimental words" and declared that "there can be no change in our state's understanding of the enemy." "The true nature of the ROK politician who is surely enslaved to the departed spirit of unification by absorption can not be changed," she said, adding that the Ministry of Unification "must be dissolved." Although Lee Jae-myung came into office pledging to rebuild ties with Pyongyang, the North's position could not be clearer. They are not listening. "No matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the ROK," Kim stated. Her final message left little room for ambiguity. The relationship between the two Koreas, she said, has "irreversibly gone beyond the time zone of the concept of homogeneous." 2025-07-28 14:33:19
S. Korea scrambles to avert tariffs as US seals trade deals with Japan, EU SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - With the United States locking in trade agreements with Japan and the European Union, South Korea is making a last-ditch effort to avoid steep tariffs that could further strain its slowing economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol will travel to Washington this week for a face-to-face meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, officials said Monday. The talks will take place on the final day of a temporary tariff grace period, and are widely seen as Seoul’s last opportunity to stave off a potential 25 percent levy on its exports. The urgency of the mission has intensified in recent days. On July 22, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough agreement with Japan that sets a 15 percent tariff rate on Japanese exports to the United States and includes a $550 billion investment pledge from Tokyo. Five days later, a similar deal was reached with the European Union, establishing matching tariff terms and $600 billion in new European investments. South Korea, by contrast, remains on the outside looking in. Talks between Seoul and Washington have dragged on for months, and a previously planned “2+2” trade consultation was abruptly canceled earlier this month. Minister Koo was already en route to the U.S. when he was ordered to turn back at Incheon International Airport. Friday’s meeting is now expected to serve as final coordination before the tariff decision deadline. Korean officials warn that the imposition of mutual 25 percent tariffs would deal a heavy blow to Korea’s key manufacturing exporters, already reeling from U.S. steel and auto tariffs. The finance ministry has flagged a risk of “snowballing economic damage,” with additional levies potentially pushing South Korea’s growth trajectory deeper into stagnation. To break the impasse, Seoul is preparing a fresh set of negotiating offers. These include expanded industrial cooperation in shipbuilding — a sector that Trump has cited as strategically important — as well as a possible revision of South Korea’s “$100 billion” investment plan in the U.S. market. The move comes after Tokyo’s $550 billion commitment raised expectations for other allies to follow suit. Notably, South Korean officials have also confirmed that agricultural products are now on the negotiating table, raising speculation that the government may consider concessions on politically sensitive imports such as rice and beef — long regarded as untouchable due to strong domestic opposition. Trade experts caution that while Seoul faces pressure to align with the U.S. amid shifting global trade alignments, any deal must also protect core domestic industries already weakened by sluggish exports and thinning profit margins. 2025-07-28 14:11:52
Alaska LNG project gains momentum. Should Korea be part of it? SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - As Japan signals its intention to join the U.S.-backed Alaska LNG project, pressure is mounting on South Korea to consider following suit — despite deep concerns about the project’s economic and strategic viability. The massive infrastructure undertaking, long championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, envisions tapping natural gas reserves from Alaska’s North Slope, piping them more than 1,300 kilometers to a planned liquefaction facility in Nikiski, near Anchorage, and exporting the fuel to energy-hungry Asian markets. With a projected cost exceeding $45 billion, it ranks among the most ambitious energy projects in North America. On the surface, participation by South Korea — one of the world’s largest LNG importers — could yield strategic benefits, including long-term energy security and deeper integration into global supply chains. Yet major Korean energy firms remain hesitant, citing serious doubts about the project’s cost-efficiency and long-term competitiveness. “The engineering and logistical challenges of building in the Arctic are formidable,” said one senior industry official, who requested anonymity. “It’s not just about upfront investment — it’s about whether the gas will be affordable when it finally ships.” Indeed, financial viability is a major sticking point. Harsh terrain, remote access, and costly infrastructure have already deterred some of the world’s largest energy players. ExxonMobil, BP, and ConocoPhillips all exited the project in 2016, citing weak profitability. In 2021, China quietly shelved a $43 billion joint development deal it had signed with the state of Alaska four years earlier. Price forecasts further complicate the picture. Analysts estimate the landed cost of Alaska LNG in South Korea could exceed $13 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), far above the current Asian spot price of around $3.15. A return to global supply normalcy — or easing geopolitical tensions — could widen that gap, undermining the project's commercial case. That has kept potential Korean stakeholders like SK Innovation, POSCO International, and GS Caltex on the sidelines. SK Innovation, currently focused on streamlining its core businesses, lacks the financial bandwidth for new LNG ventures. GS Caltex imports only small volumes of LNG for in-house use and is structurally unsuited for megaproject participation. Still, the project has attracted interest from other corners of Korean industry. Shipbuilders and steelmakers are eyeing a potential windfall. Companies such as SeAH Steel and Dongkuk Steel could supply high-specification pipeline components, while Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are positioned to secure orders for icebreaking LNG carriers designed for Arctic navigation. But analysts warn that any move to formally join the project would come with substantial financial and policy risk. “Alaska LNG faces steep uncertainties — from extreme climate conditions to long-term demand trends,” said Shin Hyun-don, a professor of energy resources engineering at Inha University. “If Korea finds participation unavoidable, it would be wiser to approach the project as a buyer of LNG, not a financial stakeholder.” 2025-07-28 13:59:17
PHOTOS: Nationwide heat wave persists as vacation season begins SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Heatwave warnings have been issued across South Korea, with the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasting a prolonged period of intense heat as the nation officially enters its summer vacation season. With this week and next marking the peak of holiday travel, citizens are finding various ways to cope with the scorching temperatures. From splashing in urban water parks to seeking respite in the cooler climes of coastal areas and mountain retreats, many are embracing outdoor activities despite the persistent heat. Photographs captured across the country show Koreans enjoying relief in the water, whether in city centers or at popular beaches and scenic mountainous locales. 2025-07-28 11:15:31
[[K-Tech]] Samsung Electronics secures $16.5 billion Tesla chip contract SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics announced on Monday that it has secured one of the largest chip supply contracts in its history — a deal worth 22.8 trillion won, or approximately $16.5 billion — with what the company described as a “major global customer.” While Samsung declined to name the buyer, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed shortly after that the contract involves the production of the automaker’s next-generation AI chipset. The agreement, which spans from July 24 through the end of 2033, runs more than eight years and accounts for 7.6 percent of Samsung’s projected 2024 revenue. Analysts see the deal as a major step forward in the South Korean firm's bid to revitalize its struggling foundry business and narrow the gap with industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). “This is a critical turning point for Samsung’s foundry operations,” said Lee Min-woo, a semiconductor analyst at NH Investment & Securities. “Not only is the size of the contract significant, but it also signals that top-tier customers are increasingly willing to diversify away from TSMC.” Samsung’s foundry division, which manufactures custom chips for clients, has reported a string of losses in recent quarters as it struggled to keep pace with TSMC’s dominance in advanced chipmaking. The Taiwanese rival holds a commanding lead in the production of high-performance chips used in artificial intelligence, mobile devices, and automotive applications. Samsung's shares closed at 70,400 won on Monday, climbing 4,500 won, or 6.83 percent, from the previous trading day. It was the first time Samsung's stock had finished above 70,000 won in roughly 11 months since Sept. 4 of last year, when its closing price was exactly 70,000 won. The identity of Samsung’s client had been withheld for confidentiality reasons, but Musk confirmed on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Samsung will manufacture Tesla’s upcoming “AI6” chip at its new Texas facility. “Samsung’s giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip,” Musk wrote. “The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate.” Tesla currently relies on Samsung for production of its AI4 chip, while the AI5 — which Musk said just completed design — will be fabricated by TSMC, initially in Taiwan and later at its Arizona plant. The AI6, expected to debut between 2027 and 2028, is aimed at delivering up to 6,000 trillion operations per second (TOPS), more than double the peak performance of AI5. Musk added that Tesla would be closely involved in optimizing manufacturing at Samsung’s U.S. fab. “Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency. This is a critical point, as I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress,” he said. “And the fab is conveniently located not far from my house.” Beyond Tesla vehicles, the AI6 chip is expected to play a central role in a broader range of Tesla products, including its autonomous robots, such as the Optimus humanoid. Industry observers say the deal not only bolsters Samsung’s credentials in the race for next-generation AI chips, but also reflects a growing push by companies to diversify their supply chains amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and capacity constraints in Taiwan. 2025-07-28 10:56:58
[[K-pop]] Jungkook sets new record as first Asian solo artist with over 100 weeks on Billboard global charts SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - BTS member Jungkook has reached a new milestone on Billboard, becoming the first Asian solo artist to keep a single on both of the magazine's global charts for more than 100 consecutive weeks. His debut solo single "Seven," released in 2023, ranked No. 156 on the Billboard Global 200 and No. 89 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart dated July 26. The song has now remained on the Global 200 for 104 weeks and on the Global Excl. U.S. chart for 105 weeks. It is the longest run ever for a solo artist from Asia. "Seven" was a chart-topper at the time of its release, holding the No. 1 spot for nine straight weeks on the Global Excl. U.S. and for seven weeks on the Global 200. It was the first track by an Asian solo act to top both charts at the same time for seven weeks. That record still stands. Jungkook's momentum as a solo artist has not slowed. He followed up "Seven" with "3D" and "Standing Next to You," both of which also reached No. 1 on the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. His continued success reflects his growing presence as a global pop artist. 2025-07-28 10:44:48
[[K-pop]] Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo begins mandatory military service SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Cha Eun-woo, a member of the K-pop boy group ASTRO, will begin his mandatory military service on Monday. The 28-year-old is scheduled to enter an Army training center in Nonsan at 2:00 p.m. (0500 GMT), joining others who have been conscripted. Fantagio, the singer-actor's agency, Cha will be assigned to the Army's brass band following three weeks of basic training. Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to serve a minimum of 18 months in the Army. Those who enlist in the Air Force or Navy serve for 21 months and 20 months, respectively. A day before his enlistment, Cha greeted fans in a YouTube livestream, where he revealed his freshly cut soldier-style short hair and shared a brief farewell. "I'll stay healthy and return safely. I wish you the best of luck in everything you do," he said. Cha debuted with ASTRO in 2016 with tracks including "Breathless" and "Confession." He later expanded into acting, appearing in dramas such as "Gangnam Beauty" and "Wonderful World." 2025-07-28 10:36:03
Small business ownership continues to shrink in S. Korea, raising alarm over structural gaps SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - The share of small business owners in South Korea continues to shrink despite an uptick in government support. According to the latest figures from Statistics Korea, small business owners made up just 19.4 percent of all employed individuals as of the end of June, or 5.64 million people — a drop of 0.3 percentage points from January and 1.2 points from a year earlier. The decline marks a continuation of a long-term slide, falling below the 20 percent threshold for the first time in 61 years in 2023. In 2020, the figure stood at 20.6 percent. The trend, driven largely by a record number of business closures, has raised concerns about broader labor market implications. Data from the National Tax Service show that more than 1 million small business owners filed for closure in 2023 — the highest figure on record. Analysts say demographic decline, the rise of online platforms, and the 52-hour workweek are fundamentally changing the business environment, adding the continued drop in small business ownership could negatively impact the broader labor market. The South Korean government has expanded financial backing for small businesses in recent years, positioning them as key to job creation and social mobility. The budget for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups increased from 13.5 trillion won in 2023 to 15.2 trillion won (approximately $11 billion) this year, with direct support for microbusinesses rising to 5.4 trillion won in 2025. But experts argue that subsidies alone are not enough to reverse the downward trajectory. Particular concern centers around oversaturated service sectors such as restaurants, cafes and snack bars, where low entry barriers obscure high closure rates. According to data from the National Tax Statistics Portal, the average three-year survival rate for the 100 most common consumer-facing businesses was just 53.8 percent as of 2023. Survival rates were even lower for specific categories: 46.6 percent for snack shops, 46.8 percent for chicken and pizza restaurants, and 53.2 percent for coffee and beverage outlets. Analysts say the current support framework doesn’t address the structural weaknesses in South Korea’s small business ecosystem. The government is now being urged to move beyond subsidies and look at measures like restricting entry into already saturated markets. Policy analysts and trade groups have called for a multi-pronged approach that includes: regulating market entry in overcrowded sectors, providing training and exit support for struggling business owners, offering data-driven insights into viable industries, and strengthening oversight and alignment in the franchise sector. 2025-07-28 10:01:58
Heat wave claims over 1 million livestock, elevates human casualties SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - A relentless heat wave gripping South Korea has led to a surge in heat-related deaths, claiming over a million livestock and a growing number of human lives. Heatwave warnings were in effect across the nation on Sunday. According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, a total of 1,011,243 livestock animals have perished this year as of July 25. The ministry noted a sharp escalation in these numbers recently, directly attributing it to the sweltering temperatures. This year's tally represents more than a 10-fold increase compared with the same period last year, the ministry said. On July 24 alone, 13,842 livestock animals succumbed to the heat, including 209 pigs and 13,633 poultry such as chickens and ducks. The human toll has also escalated significantly. The number of individuals suffering from heat-related illnesses has reached 2,183 this year, marking a 2.5-fold increase over the 871 cases reported during the same period last year. On July 25, a man in his 50s was discovered collapsed on a street in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, around 2:20 p.m., bringing the total number of heat-related fatalities this year to 11. The Korea Meteorological Administration has cautioned that the extreme conditions are expected to persist. Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain around 35 degrees Celsius across the country for the time being, with many areas also experiencing "tropical nights," where temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Celsius. 2025-07-27 15:01:03