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PHOTOS: Pyongyang touts Mt. Kumgang's UNESCO World Heritage listing SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced Wednesday that Mount Kumgang has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The designation came three days after the UNESCO World Heritage Committee formally approved North Korea's long-standing application on July 13. Pyongyang initially submitted its bid for Mount Kumgang's recognition in 2021. However, the evaluation process was protracted, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After approximately four years, the scenic mountain, revered for its natural beauty and historical significance, has finally secured its place on the UNESCO list. 2025-07-16 12:52:20 -
US beef exporters intensify lobbying as Korea weighs lifting age restrictions SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - American beef exporters are intensifying their lobbying efforts to convince South Korea to lift its 16-year ban on U.S. cattle over 30 months old. This push comes as Seoul seeks leverage ahead of critical tariff negotiations with Washington. South Korea has maintained the 30-month age limit on American beef imports since the 2008 bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or "mad cow disease," crisis. Officials have cited a heightened risk of detecting BSE-linked hazardous materials in older cattle as the reason for the restriction. This barrier has become a central point of contention in U.S. trade pressure. On March 31, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) highlighted the beef age restriction as one of several non-tariff barriers in its annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) report. The report also noted, "In addition, Korea continues to prohibit the import of processed beef products, including ground beef patties, beef jerky, and sausage, regardless of age." The global landscape for beef imports has changed significantly in recent years. Japan lifted similar restrictions in 2019, followed by China in 2020 and Taiwan in 2021. This leaves South Korea, along with Russia and Belarus, as one of the few major markets still imposing age limits on U.S. beef. U.S. meat industry giants are engaging in what sources describe as comprehensive lobbying efforts targeting the Korean market. The U.S. Meat Export Federation suggests that lifting the age restriction could generate an additional $175 million in revenue for American exporters. Beyond beef, the apple market presents another point of contention. The U.S. has sought market access for its apples for 33 years, ever since filing a risk analysis request in 1993. Despite repeated American complaints, Korean quarantine authorities have consistently blocked these efforts. Domestically, regional governments are mobilizing opposition to agricultural concessions. The North Gyeongsang Province Council and Cheongsong County Council have issued formal statements demanding the immediate suspension of apple import reviews. Further protests are planned, with the farmers federation intending to demonstrate against non-tariff barriers outside the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. 2025-07-16 10:53:33 -
Korean dessert chain Sulbing to enter Philippine market SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - South Korean dessert franchise Sulbing is expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, announcing a new master franchise agreement with a local partner in the Philippines, Wednesday. The agreement, signed on July 15 at Sulbing’s headquarters in central Seoul, brings the brand into its third Southeast Asian market following Malaysia and Cambodia. Sulbing CEO Kim Eui-yeol and Winnie Go, head of Beyond Bingsu Cafe Inc. — a newly formed company under the Fredley Group of Companies — attended the signing ceremony. The Fredley Group, which operates more than 200 restaurants across the Philippines, will oversee Sulbing’s operations in the country through the new franchise entity. The first location is scheduled to open by the end of this year at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila, one of the Philippines’ largest commercial centers. A second location is also slated to launch before year’s end. “With Beyond Bingsu Cafe’s extensive experience in food and beverage operations, we expect to offer localized service and ensure stable store management,” a Sulbing official said in a statement. “Their expertise will play a key role in establishing Sulbing in the Philippine market.” Founded in South Korea and known for its modern take on bingsu — a traditional shaved ice dessert — Sulbing currently operates 587 stores domestically and 12 overseas, including locations in the United States, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The company also said it aims to expand into additional Southeast Asian markets, including Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Laos, as part of a broader push to increase its global presence. 2025-07-16 09:44:23 -
Seoul lodges protest against Tokyo's repeated claim over Dokdo SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - South Korea on Tuesday lodged a strongly-worded protest against Japan's latest defense white paper, which once again repeats Tokyo's dubious claim to the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo. The Japanese government officially released the white paper the same day after a Cabinet meeting approved it, explicitly laying claim to Dokdo by referring to it by the Japanese name Takeshima and describing it as a "disputed" territory that "still remains unresolved." In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here urged Tokyo to retract the claim, saying, "We strongly protest against the Japanese government's repeated claim, which is incontestably inherent Korean territory from the historical, geographical and legal point of view." The ministry also pledged to "respond resolutely to any attempt to undermine South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo" and called in a Japanese Embassy official in Seoul to lodge an official complaint. The Ministry of National Defense also separately summoned Hirofumi Inoue, Japan's defense attaché in Seoul to protest, urging immediate actions. Tokyo has repeated the claim since 2005. 2025-07-15 17:36:52 -
The Shilla Seoul picked Korea's top hotel in global La Liste ranking SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - The Shilla Seoul has been named Korea’s top hotel and ranked among the world’s 200 best in the 2025 edition of La Liste Top 1000 Hotels, an international ranking published by the French National Tourism Board. The annual list evaluates hotels around the globe based on aggregated scores from international guidebooks, professional media, industry journals, and online reviews. The Shilla Seoul stood out for its highly personalized service and culinary excellence, distinguishing itself in the fiercely competitive luxury hospitality market. Reviewers praised the hotel’s meticulous attention to guest preferences, from customized room preparation to seamless service from arrival to departure. The evaluation highlighted what it described as the hotel’s “authentic approach to hospitality,” noting its consistently high standards and detail-oriented service. The Shilla Seoul’s diverse fine dining offerings were also central to its ranking. All four of its restaurants were included in La Liste 2025, with the Korean fine dining restaurant La Yeon earning 96 points — the highest score among Korean restaurants — and maintaining its place in the global Top 200 for a sixth consecutive year. French restaurant Continental and Japanese restaurant Ariake were each recognized for the sixth straight year, while Chinese restaurant Palsun made the list for a third year running. La Liste, first published in 2015, ranks the world’s top 1,000 hotels and restaurants using a composite scoring system that incorporates data from review platforms such as TripAdvisor and Yelp, as well as assessments from the Michelin Guide, The New York Times, and surveys of culinary professionals worldwide. 2025-07-15 17:19:23 -
NewJeans' producer Min Hee-jin cleared of criminal charges, HYBE to appeal SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) -South Korea's police have cleared former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin of breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE, the parent company behind K-pop girl group NewJeans. The Yongsan Police Station said Tuesday that after more than a year of investigation, the case would not be forwarded to prosecutors. HYBE filed the complaint in April 2024, accusing Min of attempting to take control of ADOR by colluding with outside investors and bypassing the internal decision-making process. At the time, HYBE held an 80 percent stake in the label, which Min had led since its launch. Min's legal team welcomed the police decision, stating, "After more than a year of investigation, police have found no grounds for criminal suspicion. Both the breach of trust and embezzlement allegations have been dismissed." HYBE responded that it would formally appeal the decision. The company pointed to a recent ruling by the Seoul High Court which stated that Min had “intentionally destroyed the integrated structure that was the premise of the exclusive contract,” referring to the internal governance and contractual foundation of ADOR and NewJeans. The legal dispute began with HYBE’s audit of ADOR in early 2024, which quickly escalated into a public power struggle between the two sides. Following the fallout, the five members of NewJeans attempted to terminate their contracts and began operating under the name "NJZ." The move was not authorized by ADOR. In June 2025, the Seoul High Court issued an injunction in favor of ADOR, blocking the members from promoting independently or using the NJZ name. The court reaffirmed that the group remains legally bound to ADOR and imposed penalties of up to one billion won, about $725,000, per violation. Although the police decision relieves Min of criminal responsibility, HYBE maintains that her actions caused structural harm to the company and continues to seek further legal review. The company says the police ruling does not reflect more recent developments that have come to light during civil proceedings. 2025-07-15 16:33:51 -
Russian airliner to launch direct flights to Pyongyang SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - A direct flight linking Pyongyang and Moscow will be launched later this month, Russia's Transport Ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines will offer the first-ever direct passenger flights to Pyongyang twice a week starting in late July, connecting the two countries' capitals. The non-stop route, which takes about eight hours, was approved last week by Russia's aviation authorities following a request from Nordwind in June. The new flight comes as part of broader efforts to foster cooperation and exchanges amid closer ties between the two countries. Until now, the only available air route has been a flight connecting Pyongyang to Vladivostok three times a week, which resumed last August after a halt during the coronavirus pandemic. During a visit to North Korea's tourist zone of Wonsan in the eastern coastal area of Kangwon Province last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also revealed plans to restore maritime routes, which would boost trade and tourism between the two countries. 2025-07-15 16:32:10 -
Saltlux launches AI center to guide corporate adoption SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - South Korean artificial intelligence firm Saltlux on Tuesday announced the launch of its AI Work Innovation Center aimed at helping businesses integrate generative AI and AI agents into their operations from concept to deployment. The center is intended to support companies grappling with the challenges of AI adoption by offering a structured, end-to-end consulting and implementation service. Its offerings span strategy development, technology assessment, prototype development, and full-scale integration. While AI agents are increasingly seen as essential tools for boosting productivity and maintaining competitiveness, many companies remain hesitant, citing uncertainties around implementation, compatibility with legacy systems, security risks, and cost control. Saltlux said its approach is designed to address those hurdles through tailored, sector-specific solutions. The process begins with an intensive two-week strategy workshop to assess client goals and operational conditions. From there, the company develops AI agent prototypes and user interface designs, aiming to deliver technology that fits into existing workflows and scales effectively from pilot to production. “AI is no longer a choice, but a strategic necessity that every company must prepare for,” said Lee Kyung-il, chief executive of Saltlux. “We will continue to actively support Korean companies in their AI transformation by leveraging our technical expertise and experience, and help all organizations harness AI as a tool for innovation.” 2025-07-15 16:16:29 -
Korea's budget airlines see passenger decline despite peak travel season SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s low-cost carriers reported disappointing results for the second quarter of 2025, as passenger numbers dipped below last year’s levels despite the start of the summer travel season. Total traffic on budget airlines fell 2.8 percent year-on-year to 17.46 million domestic and international passengers, according to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The decline comes amid ongoing fare suppression, persistent safety concerns, and softer-than-expected demand — fueled in part by viral but unfounded rumors of seismic activity in Japan, a key destination. The subdued figures are in sharp contrast to those of South Korea’s full-service airlines. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines posted a combined 3.2 percent increase in passenger numbers over the same period, suggesting that travelers may be opting for legacy carriers amid concerns over service and safety at budget airlines. The gap was even wider when viewed over the first half of the year. While Korea’s two flagship carriers saw passenger growth of 3.8 percent, the collective total for low-cost carriers declined by 5.4 percent. Jeju Air is expected to report a second-quarter operating loss of 39.9 billion won, widening from a 32.6 billion won shortfall in the first quarter, according to estimates from market tracker FnGuide. Jin Air, which had posted an operating profit of 58.3 billion won earlier in the year, is now forecast to swing to a 5.1 billion won loss. T’way Air is projected to remain in negative territory, with an estimated 41.5 billion won operating loss. Analysts point to the aftermath of a runway overrun at Muan International Airport late last year as a key factor behind the financial strain. In the wake of the incident, low-cost carriers slashed ticket prices to rebuild demand — but those fare cuts have since become entrenched, making it difficult to restore profitability even during the typically robust summer period. “In the process of recovering from the Muan Airport incident, low-cost carriers significantly lowered their fares, and those price cuts have since become entrenched — preventing them from regaining profitability even during the peak season,” said Choi Go-un, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities. Currency fluctuations are adding to the strain. Budget airlines remain heavily exposed to a strong U.S. dollar, which affects core costs such as aircraft leases, fuel, maintenance, and insurance — all typically paid in dollars. “For some carriers, the underlying demand base is starting to weaken,” Choi added, warning that the mounting financial pressure could prompt some airlines to pursue capital raises through rights offerings in the second half of the year. 2025-07-15 15:27:24 -
Biopharmaceuticals account for growing share of new drug launches SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - Biopharmaceuticals made up 42 percent of new drug launches worldwide between 2020 and 2024, reflecting their growing influence in the pharmaceutical landscape, according to new data released Tuesday by market research firm IQVIA. The share of biological medicines among newly approved active substances has steadily increased over the past two decades — from 28 percent between 2005 and 2009, to 30 percent in the following five years, and to 39 percent between 2015 and 2019. The latest figures confirm a continued upward trend. New active substances, or NASs, are defined as compounds with previously unapproved chemical structures or mechanisms of action. They often represent significant innovations in drug development, forming the basis of pharmaceutical pipelines across the globe. Regional disparities in biopharmaceutical adoption remain notable. In the 2020–2024 period, biologics accounted for 33 percent of NAS launches in China, compared to 44 percent in the United States, and 45 percent in both Japan and a group of four major European Union countries plus the United Kingdom. IQVIA attributed these variations in part to differences in regulatory environments and market accessibility, emphasizing that a country’s level of access to biopharmaceuticals directly influences its overall healthcare spending. While China’s adoption rate still trails that of more developed markets, the gap has narrowed in recent years, the firm said. The five-year period also saw a notable acceleration in overall drug development, with 394 NASs launched globally — representing nearly 40 percent of all new active substances introduced since 2005. The United States led with 273 NASs during the period, a 22 percent increase from 2015 to 2019, further solidifying its position as a hub for biopharmaceutical innovation. 2025-07-15 15:19:45