AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Andy Burnham Sworn in as 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
    Andy Burnham Sworn in as 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham was sworn in as the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 20. He is the second Prime Minister of the Labour government that came to power following the 2024 general election.According to reports from the Associated Press and The Guardian, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer will formally submit his resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Following this, Burnham will receive a request from the King to form a government and will officially take office, delivering his first speech at 10 Downing Street.In his inaugural address, Burnham is expected to emphasize the need to restore political stability, which has been shaken by frequent changes in leadership, and to create tangible changes that the public can feel. He plans to acknowledge the challenges facing the UK candidly and convey a message aimed at enhancing the government's effectiveness to alleviate the burden on citizens.Burnham returned to the House of Commons after winning a by-election last month and ran unopposed in the Labour leadership contest. He was officially elected as the party leader at a special conference on July 17, confirming his position as the next Prime Minister.Starmer led the Labour Party to reclaim power after 14 years in the 2024 general election. However, following a significant drop in approval ratings and losses in local elections, pressure mounted for him to resign, leading to his announcement last month that he would step down.Burnham faces several challenges, including slowing economic growth, rising living costs, improving public services, and restoring trust in the political establishment. He has stated his intention to strengthen the public sector's role in key infrastructure areas such as housing and transportation while expanding local decentralization and fostering a business-friendly government.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:48:00
  • U.S. Secretary of State Meets with Lebanese President to Discuss Hezbollah Disarmament
    U.S. Secretary of State Meets with Lebanese President to Discuss Hezbollah Disarmament U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss the implementation of a trilateral framework agreement that includes Hezbollah disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.The U.S. State Department announced on July 19 that "Secretary Rubio met with President Aoun to discuss the restoration of Lebanese sovereignty and efforts to disarm Hezbollah."Rubio praised the Lebanese government's efforts to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle military facilities. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to continue supporting the implementation of the trilateral agreement and Lebanon's economic recovery.The U.S., Lebanon, and Israel reached a trilateral framework agreement on June 26 to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement includes provisions for the disarmament of armed groups in Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese military in the southern region, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces.Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalated again in March. Since then, the U.S. has been supporting the implementation of the agreement to help end the violence and enable the Lebanese government to regain control over its territory.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:40:00
  • Iran Claims U.S. Attack on Darakobin Nuclear Plant Under Construction
    Iran Claims U.S. Attack on Darakobin Nuclear Plant Under Construction Iran has claimed that the U.S. conducted an airstrike on the site of the Darakobin nuclear power plant, which is under construction in the southwest of the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently verifying the facts. However, the IAEA confirmed that there were no nuclear materials at the facility during its last visit.On July 19, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) issued a statement alleging, "The United States attacked the construction site of the Darakobin nuclear power plant." The AEOI further asserted that an attack on a peaceful nuclear facility, which is subject to international safety measures, constitutes a violation of international law. Specific details regarding the extent of the damage have not been disclosed.The U.S. has not confirmed whether it carried out an attack on the Darakobin nuclear plant. The Central Command of the U.S. military did not include the Darakobin site in its list of targets for airstrikes released on the same day.The IAEA stated, "We are verifying the related reports and are in contact with Iranian authorities." The Darakobin nuclear plant is still in the early stages of construction, and the IAEA confirmed that no nuclear materials were stored at the site during its last visit. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged restraint regarding military actions around all nuclear facilities.According to an analysis by the private satellite company Planet Labs, satellite images taken on July 9 showed that while some cleanup work was being conducted at the nuclear site, significant construction activity was not evident.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:32:00
  • U.S. Soldier Killed While Handling Iranian Drone Munitions in Iraq
    U.S. Soldier Killed While Handling Iranian Drone Munitions in Iraq A U.S. soldier was killed and another injured while handling unexploded munitions from an Iranian drone in Iraq. In Jordan, where two U.S. soldiers were killed and one is missing due to a prior Iranian attack, additional unidentified remains have been discovered.U.S. Central Command reported that on July 19, a soldier died during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian one-way attack drone that had been shot down in northern Iraq. The injured soldier is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.Central Command also stated that on July 17, unidentified remains were found at the site of the Iranian attack in Jordan, and they are currently undergoing forensic examination. The earlier attack resulted in the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and left one missing. It has not yet been officially confirmed whether the discovered remains belong to the missing soldier.Central Command did not disclose the specific location of the attack in Jordan. However, Axios reported that at least two Iranian ballistic missiles struck the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, located approximately 100 kilometers northeast of the capital, Amman.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:24:00
  • Understanding Modern China Through the Communist Party
    Understanding Modern China Through the Communist Party July 1 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. Over the past century, China has undergone transformative changes that have fundamentally altered the fate of its people and significantly impacted the course of world history. The key to China's remarkable achievements lies in the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Understanding modern China requires an understanding of the CCP.During the modern era, China, like other East Asian nations, was forced to open its doors to Western powers. The hardships faced by China were particularly long and severe. To avoid collapse, the Chinese people sought various solutions to save their nation, with many patriots sacrificing their lives, but unfortunately, all efforts ended in failure.In 1921, in response to the demands of the times, the CCP was established. It faced a challenging path, enduring brutal repression and several life-and-death crises. However, with an indomitable spirit, the CCP overcame difficulties, uniting and leading the Chinese people to dismantle the three great obstacles of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, ultimately establishing the People's Republic of China. The new China has continuously improved its institutional foundations, firmly safeguarded its sovereignty and security, and successfully charted a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics through reform and opening up. This has resulted in two miracles: rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.Today, the CCP is the world's largest political party, boasting over 100 million members and more than 5 million grassroots party organizations. Through a century of refinement and continuous self-innovation, the CCP has developed several distinguishing characteristics. First, it maintains a focus on the people, making the happiness of the Chinese people the starting point and goal of all its work, earning heartfelt support from all ethnic groups in China. Second, it upholds advancement, accurately understanding China's national conditions and viewing global changes from a macro perspective. It learns from experiences and lessons in line with the development of the times, maintaining a resilient attitude. Third, it emphasizes strategy, integrating long-term strategies with phased goals while rejecting short-term performance-oriented governance. This ensures stable national development and sustained momentum. Fourth, it upholds purity, continuously strengthening the party's political, ideological, organizational, and disciplinary foundations to maintain a healthy organization, fully shouldering the responsibility of promoting national development and achieving national rejuvenation.The CCP recognizes the challenges of long-term governance, reform and opening up, market economy, and external pressures. It actively works to prevent risks associated with complacency, lack of capability, disconnection from the masses, and corruption. The CCP reviews itself in response to the demands of the times, awakens through a sense of crisis, and improves through self-revolution. It also maintains strict party management and robust anti-corruption policies, ensuring a strong political consciousness and a commitment to ongoing self-revolution.Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, China-South Korea relations have developed rapidly, with both countries building a strategic cooperative partnership. In recent years, many South Korean friends have praised China for its vibrant innovation, rapid technological advancement, and significant increase in international influence. They hope for enhanced understanding and deeper cooperation between the two countries. However, some still view the CCP through an ideological lens, influenced by misinformation and entrenched biases.China and South Korea are important neighbors and cooperative partners, and friendly cooperation is the only correct choice for both nations. To engage and cooperate with China, it is essential to engage with and understand the CCP, which will enhance mutual trust and cooperation. The ideals, beliefs, struggles, goals, policies, and actions of the CCP are all publicly available through party documents, reflecting the ideological consensus and guiding principles of the Chinese government and people.China and South Korea have different national conditions. Just as China respects South Korea's social systems and development paths, South Korea should equally respect the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system chosen by the Chinese people. It is hoped that all sectors in South Korea will recognize the CCP and modern China from an objective, rational, and open perspective, fostering trust through understanding and promoting cooperation through trust. This will help ensure that China-South Korea relations develop in a healthy, stable, and positive direction, gathering more consensus and capabilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:04:00
  • LG Electronics Launches Subscription Service for Premium Appliances
    LG Electronics Launches Subscription Service for Premium Appliances Located in the furniture district of Nonhyeon, SKS Seoul showcases a luxurious living space adorned with high-end materials resembling marble. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a touch-operated built-in refrigerator, a wine cellar installed along the wall, and a softly closing refrigerator door paired with an island kitchen. The showroom, spanning from the basement to the fifth floor, is designed not just to sell and display products like refrigerators and ovens, but to evoke a desire to live in such a home.LG Electronics' SKS Seoul functions more as a consulting space where customers can plan their living environments. Experts participate in the interior design phase, offering suggestions for the layout of built-in appliances and furniture, and customizing combinations of refrigerators, wine cellars, and ovens to match customer preferences. An LG Electronics representative stated, "We are not just selling a single product like a refrigerator; we help design the entire kitchen," adding that they collaborate with construction companies from the design phase to propose seamlessly integrated built-in spaces.The launch of LG Electronics' subscription service for its super premium built-in brand SKS in May aligns with this philosophy. The company aims to expand its reach beyond product sales to encompass installation, management, and replacement, offering a 'service-type premium appliance.' Notably, top-tier specialists handle delivery, installation, care, and removal, and during the subscription period, they also provide free replacements for refrigerator door panels and induction cooktops.The super premium subscription service is set to be implemented in the country's most upscale residential complexes. In the redevelopment of Apgujeong, which includes over 7,000 units being constructed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, penthouses in zones 3 and 5 will feature SKS and LG Signature appliances on a subscription basis. This marks the first instance of SKS applying a B2B subscription model. General units will include LG's Object Collection subscription appliances, while the penthouses will showcase the super premium lineup to enhance the quality of high-end living spaces.Park Jae-sung, head of LG Electronics' Korean B2B group, remarked, "If subscriptions have established themselves as a consumer culture in the B2C market, the construction B2B market will follow the same trend. We are currently discussing collaborations with various construction companies for major redevelopment projects in areas like Yeouido and Mokdong, starting with Apgujeong."Construction companies are increasingly adopting subscription models to enhance their competitive edge in securing contracts. As competition intensifies in the bidding for redevelopment and reconstruction projects, differentiating solely through branding, landscaping, and community facilities has become challenging. Offering a subscription service that includes specialized care for five years post-move-in has emerged as a new differentiating factor that can boost resident satisfaction. For manufacturers like LG Electronics, this approach allows them to create a sustainable revenue model beyond simple product sales, ensuring ongoing service revenue and customer engagement.LG Electronics' appliance subscription business continues to experience rapid growth. Subscription revenue expanded from 110 billion won in 2016 to 2.48 trillion won last year, achieving an average annual growth rate of 38.8% over the past decade. In the first quarter of this year, the company reported 640 billion won in revenue, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, and it is projected to surpass 3 trillion won in annual revenue for the first time this year. Currently, approximately 4,000 specialized care managers nationwide are responsible for the subscription services.The plan is to extend the validated B2C subscription model into the B2B market, creating a new growth avenue. Park stated, "B2B appliance subscriptions will not merely be about supplying appliances but will establish a new paradigm for managing the overall living experience post-move-in. Based on successful domestic cases, there is ample potential for expansion into the overseas luxury housing market in the future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 06:04:00
  • New York Mayor Considers Arresting Netanyahu During UN General Assembly
    New York Mayor Considers Arresting Netanyahu During UN General Assembly New York City Mayor Joran Mamdani's statement about potentially arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September has sparked outrage among Israeli and American Jewish communities.In an interview with The New York Times on July 18, Mamdani revealed that he is actively discussing the authority of the New York City Law Department regarding Netanyahu's arrest. He stated, "I believe Netanyahu should be in The Hague (where the International Criminal Court is located) as he is a war criminal indicted by the ICC." However, he acknowledged uncertainty about whether he has the legal authority to order the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu, adding, "I will do whatever is allowed by New York City law to facilitate the arrest, but I will not create laws for that purpose."Previously, during his campaign last year, Mamdani had indicated he would instruct the police to arrest Netanyahu, reaffirming that promise with his recent comments.Legal experts have raised questions about the legality of a mayor ordering the arrest of a head of state, according to the NYT. Furthermore, the United States is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its authority. The Trump administration has been actively working to dismantle the ICC.Harold Koh, a Yale Law School professor and expert in the field, analyzed the situation, stating, "If Netanyahu is inside the UN headquarters, he is exempt from arrest due to diplomatic immunity, but if he is driving around New York City, he could be at risk." He added, "The real question is whether Netanyahu is prepared to face such a situation, and the same goes for the mayor."Immediately following Mamdani's remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz responded, calling the mayor's comments "pure political theater" and asserting that Netanyahu would not be arrested during the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that the U.S. is not a party to the Rome Statute, which underpins the ICC, and that the UN headquarters agreement guarantees diplomatic protection for heads of state, meaning that immunity applies and federal authority supersedes local mayoral wishes.Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon added, "If someone should be arrested, it should be Mayor Joran Mamdani," criticizing him for focusing on attacking Israel to gain media attention instead of addressing the rising anti-Semitism in the city.Netanyahu recently expressed that he is not concerned about Mamdani's threats and accused the mayor of supporting Hamas, a claim that Mamdani has denied, according to The Hill. Netanyahu is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes, including the killing of thousands of residents in the Gaza Strip.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 05:04:00
  • Democratic Party Avoids Debate with Han Dong-hoon: What Are They Afraid Of?
    Democratic Party Avoids Debate with Han Dong-hoon: What Are They Afraid Of? Politics is fundamentally about dialogue. More precisely, it is a process of having one’s logic and philosophy scrutinized in front of the public. Therefore, public debate is not merely an option in a democracy; it is almost an obligation. The recent controversy surrounding the abolition of prosecutorial supplementary investigation rights brings this point back into focus. The supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors are not just a matter of authority; they serve as a final safeguard for verifying and supplementing police investigations that may be inadequate or flawed. For victims, this can represent another opportunity to rectify injustices. Conversely, there are arguments advocating for its abolition, suggesting that prosecutorial powers should be curtailed and that investigations and prosecutions should be separated. If both sides have their own arguments, what would be the most desirable solution? Engaging in public debate before the citizens. Representative Han Dong-hoon proposed just that. He suggested that if the Democratic Party is advocating for the abolition of prosecutorial supplementary investigation rights, they should compete on the merits of their arguments in front of the public. Given that this is a stance often expressed by the Democratic Party leadership and its hardliners, there seemed to be no reason to decline. However, for several days, no one responded. Ultimately, Lee Geon-tae, a former prosecutor and attorney for President Lee Jae-myung in the Daejang-dong case, expressed his willingness to participate in the debate. The venue was practically arranged, and even broadcasting schedules were mentioned. Yet, within a day, the situation changed. Lee stated, “I will not participate in the debate, taking the opinions of party members seriously.” This raises a question: Was it truly due to the opinions of party members, or did they find the debate politically burdensome? Public debates can lead to victories or losses. However, the decision to forgo a debate is a different matter altogether. The public tends to remember the attitude toward the debate more than the outcome itself. Within the Democratic Party, there were analyses suggesting concerns that participating in the debate could inadvertently elevate Han Dong-hoon’s political profile. In other words, it was thought that it might merely boost his stature. But is that really the case? We believe it is not. However, if such a judgment is indeed accurate, it becomes even more paradoxical. Whether it is the Democratic Party or Representative Lee, if they are confident in their arguments, the debate would be an excellent opportunity to communicate their positions to the public. Conversely, avoiding the debate could imply not that the opponent’s logic is correct, but rather that they lack confidence in their own. Ultimately, politics is about the art of persuasion. This is especially true for issues like prosecutorial reform, which directly affect citizens' rights. Allowing the public to make judgments through open debate is a principle of democracy. What remains from this controversy is not just the fate of prosecutorial supplementary investigation rights, but the attitude of the Democratic Party. Initially, they accepted the debate, only to retract that acceptance later. They cited “the opinions of party members” as the reason, but this leaves many questions in the minds of the public. Lee may be more of an expert in this field than any other member, yet the reasons for avoiding the debate remain unclear. In politics, refusing to debate often hands victory to the opponent. Even if a debate does not take place, political impressions are already formed. The public tends to remember not who won, but who avoided the debate. Politics is about being validated in the public square. If one believes their argument is correct, they must stand before the public. This is democracy, and it is the minimum responsibility that a public party owes to its citizens.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 04:04:00
  • Koreas Content Agency Pledges Support for Global Expansion of Content Companies
    Korea's Content Agency Pledges Support for Global Expansion of Content Companies Kim Yoon-ji, head of the Korea Creative Content Agency, stated on July 16 that the agency will be a strong partner for content companies and creators seeking to grow on a broader stage and enter the global market.Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Character Licensing Fair held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Kim emphasized that domestic content IP is creating new value by connecting across various fields, including characters, games, animation, broadcasting, music, food, and beauty.The economic impact of content IP is increasingly significant. According to a study titled 'Kokapocus No. 214, Economic Effects of Korean Wave Industry Exports,' which Kim participated in, a $100 million increase in exports of Korean Wave content leads to a $220 million increase in exports of related industries such as cosmetics, food, and tourism. The domestic production inducement effect is also estimated to reach approximately $570 million. This indicates that content is establishing itself as a new growth engine that drives the growth of both manufacturing and service industries.In particular, characters are expanding into new experiences and content by merging with various businesses, including animation, games, performances, space, distribution, and tourism. This transformation was reflected in this year's Character Licensing Fair, which was themed 'Expanding: Content IP.' The event showcased collaborations across various content IPs, including characters, games, broadcasting, animation, and music.Kim noted, 'This fair will be a meaningful opportunity to confirm the scalability and future potential of content IP and to create new collaborations and business opportunities.' She added, 'This year, it is also being held alongside the Board Game Con, Korea's representative board game event, allowing us to see the synergy between characters and board games. We promise to provide visitors with abundant entertainment and opportunities for collaboration in the industry.'In fact, the Character Licensing Fair has established itself as a leading character business platform in Korea, consistently generating business results over the past three years. Last year, it recorded approximately 1178 business meetings, with a consultation amount of about 66 billion won and an expected contract amount of around 37 billion won. This represents increases of approximately 44% and 79%, respectively, compared to the previous year. It is being recognized as a business platform that leads to actual contracts and investments beyond simple exhibitions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-20 00:04:00
  • K-Character Industry Thrives at Licensing Fair
    K-Character Industry Thrives at Licensing Fair A pink rabbit has captured the hearts of Japan's Generation Z. The character 'Esther Bunny' topped the list of 'most favorite characters' in a 2025 survey of Japanese high school students, surpassing the beloved national character Hello Kitty. It also ranked highly in major trend surveys, including Shibuya trends.At the 'Character Licensing Fair and Board Game Con 2026' held on July 16, Kim Hyun-kyung, CEO of KB Vision, stated, "Korean characters can compete effectively in Japan." Esther Bunny currently has licensing agreements with over 300 companies worldwide, including 130 in Japan. Approximately 80% of KB Vision's royalty revenue comes from overseas.KB Vision operates similarly to a character planning agency, discovering promising character IPs and collaborating with various sectors, including food, fashion, cosmetics, convenience stores, banks, cinemas, and hotels, much like K-pop agencies do with idols.This year's 25th 'Character Licensing Fair' highlighted the saying, "One well-developed character is worth ten companies." The event featured 186 companies with 443 booths, showcasing the potential of content intellectual property (IP) across diverse industries such as gaming, animation, broadcasting, food, and beauty. Characters have evolved from mere content to core assets that create new business value.At the center of this IP expansion is the Korean Content Agency (KCA), which facilitated business consulting, licensing, distribution, and international expansion for participating companies and buyers. KCA supported small content companies and creators lacking distribution networks and business experience, demonstrating its role in enhancing the competitiveness of K-content throughout the event.K-Character Industry Thrives as Targeted Strategies PrevailOne of the standout booths at the fair was from global character IP producer Olabowex, which attracted long lines of young men, unlike other booths dominated by female visitors. They were there to purchase goods featuring 'Remini,' an animal character inspired by members of the girl group Lissenne. A 26-year-old male attendee remarked, "It's great to collect the goods and keep memories of Lissenne."As Lissenne's popularity has surged, so has the appeal of Remini. Chae Hee-sang, an executive at Olabowex, noted, "The popularity has exceeded our expectations, creating a very positive atmosphere within the company. Nowadays, most famous idols use characters as sub-characters."KB Vision's booth, featuring over 20 character IPs including Esther Bunny, Heungnam Brothers, Shuya, and Momolei, also drew attention. Kim Hyun-kyung emphasized, "In an era where preferences are increasingly fragmented, it's essential to initially target a specific audience before broadening the base." Esther Bunny has expanded collaborations with Japanese beauty brands based on its fanbase of young women, leading to partnerships with professional baseball teams like the Hanshin Tigers, aligning with teams' strategies to attract young female fans to the stadium.Building a fanbase is crucial for international expansion. Kim stated, "You need at least 10,000 Instagram followers to develop a targeted strategy, and without validation in Korea, it's challenging to enter overseas markets." The character 'Kim Ham-jji,' which reflects the struggles of office workers, recorded sales of 100 million won on its first day at a popup in Shinsegae Gangnam, a result of resonating with the office environment.As competition in the character market intensifies, emerging creators are also focusing on differentiation. Designer Kim Ji-hyun, participating in the 'Rookie Project' booth, showcased 'Little Sandwick,' aimed at preschool children. He explained, "I created a video with a math country concept to align with the edutainment trend."“In the AI Era, We Seek More Human Connection” – Board Games Embrace CharactersThe Board Game Con, held alongside the Character Licensing Fair, attracted family audiences. This joint event featured 28 companies showcasing over 600 types of board games, aiming to create synergy between characters and board games.Korea Board Games, one of the participants, recorded its highest performance last year with 60 billion won in domestic sales and 2.2 billion won in exports. Over 50 types of games, including 'Coffee Rush,' were exported to 50 countries.They are particularly expanding collaborations with various IPs such as Kakao Friends, Tiny Ping, Jadoo, Kart Rider, Everyone's Marble, and Fireworks Baseball. Oh Han-woong, head of marketing at Korea Board Games, stated, "The Cookie Box collaboration with Tiny Ping attracted both existing board game fans and Tiny Ping fans simultaneously." Recently, they have also been pursuing partnerships with overseas online streaming services.Oh added, "The board game market has been growing every year for over a decade, and in the AI era, the trend of seeking human connection will only strengthen." 2026-07-20 00:04:00