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  • aespa set to release single of concert tracks
    aespa set to release single of concert tracks SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will release four solo tracks performed during their Seoul concert in August, their agency SM Entertainment said on Monday. The songs are set to be released at 6 p.m. later in the day through major music streaming platforms under the title "SYNK : COMPLaeXITY - 2026 Special Digital Single." The tracks were first unveiled during aespa's concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul and feature solo songs by all four members. Karina took part in writing "16 Bit," an R&B dance track that uses the image of pixels to describe moments when one's sense of self becomes blurred. Winter's "Saddle Up" is another R&B dance track, carrying a bold and self-assured message through her vocals. Giselle took part in writing and composing "BYEB4HELLO," a track marked by bright energy and a shift in mood. Ningning's "I Love You But I Gotta Let You Go" is a ballad centered on her vocals and a sweeping string arrangement. The single comes as aespa members continue their fourth world tour. Following a stop in Taipei, the group's concerts in Santiago, Lima and Mexico City sold out, while their Brazil show drew about 21,000 people. AJP Takeaways - aespa will release four solo tracks at 6 p.m. Monday. - The songs were first performed at the group's Gocheok Sky Dome concert in August. - The release includes solo tracks by Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning. - Giselle and Ningning took part in writing and composing their tracks, while Karina joined the lyric writing for hers. 2026-09-14 10:41:33
  • Actor Ha Jung-hoon Signs Exclusive Contract with Management Agency
    Actor Ha Jung-hoon Signs Exclusive Contract with Management Agency Actor Ha Jung-hoon has announced the signing of an exclusive contract with his new management agency, Actor's Embrace, along with confirmation of his upcoming drama role.On September 14, Actor's Embrace stated, "Ha Jung-hoon is an actor with a captivating presence and solid acting skills. We will provide full support to help him showcase his talents through various projects in the future."Simultaneously with the contract signing, Ha Jung-hoon confirmed his participation in the original BL drama 'Boys, Attention,' set to premiere on the 30th on Heavenly. This marks the beginning of his active career.'Boys, Attention' is a romance drama that follows a temporary teacher and a 21st-century student who has been held back due to past traumas, as they gradually develop feelings for each other. Ha Jung-hoon will portray the role of the student, Lee Hyun-jae, showcasing his delicate emotional acting and youthful charm.Actor's Embrace, the agency that Ha Jung-hoon has signed with, boasts a diverse lineup of talent, including veteran actors Lee Young-seok, Choi Kwang-il, Jo Hyun-woo, Kim Do-yeon, Choi Hee-jin, Joo In-young, Choi Soon-jin, Yoon Sung-won, and Jung Jin-woo, as well as rising stars Lee Hyun-seo, Ha Seon-jae, Min Chae-min, and Jung Da-on.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:40:20
  • Dr. Bae Mi-kyung Appointed as Gwangjus First Spokesperson
    Dr. Bae Mi-kyung Appointed as Gwangju's First Spokesperson Dr. Bae Mi-kyung was appointed as the first spokesperson for Gwangju Metropolitan City on September 14. She holds the position of local deputy director, classified as an open-level 3 position. The term of appointment lasts for two years, until September 13, 2028, with the possibility of extension for up to five years. The spokesperson will oversee city public relations, manage media responses and briefings, handle policy messaging, and develop external communication strategies. Dr. Bae earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism and broadcasting, as well as a Ph.D. in communication from Chonnam National University. She has served as a public relations expert for the South West Investment Promotion Team at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, head of the planning and public relations team at Gwangju's Urban Marketing Headquarters, and as the external cooperation and public relations officer for the 2015 Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee. Additionally, she has been an invited professor at Honam University. Dr. Bae previously worked as the CEO of the advertising and public relations agency The Kingpin.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:40:10
  • Reform Party Appoints Lee Gi-in as Emergency Committee Chair
    Reform Party Appoints Lee Gi-in as Emergency Committee Chair The Reform Party appointed Lee Gi-in as the chair of its Emergency Committee on September 14, transitioning to a full emergency response system.Acting leader Cheon Ha-ram held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Lee Gi-in is the best candidate to swiftly stabilize the Reform Party."Lee has held several key positions within the party, including chair of the founding preparation committee, senior supreme member, and secretary-general. His extensive knowledge of the party's internal affairs and proficiency in overall party operations were cited as reasons for his selection.Cheon described Lee as a "prepared emergency committee chair who can quickly initiate normalization and reform efforts without a separate preparation or assessment period," adding that Lee enjoys high trust among party members and key constituents, which will enable effective and robust reform efforts.Initially, there were indications that the Reform Party was considering bringing in external figures, but it appears they opted for an internal candidate to expedite the reform process.In this context, Cheon noted, "There are many practical issues that need to be resolved through close communication regarding the internal situation of the party. Considering the party's unique circumstances, we determined that someone already familiar with the internal situation would be more suitable."Lee's term will last until July 27 of next year, which is the remainder of former leader Lee Jun-seok's term.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:40:10
  • Pacific Law Firm and Trade Remedy Society Conclude Seminar on Global Trade Environment
    Pacific Law Firm and Trade Remedy Society Conclude Seminar on Global Trade Environment The Pacific Law Firm (BKL) and the Trade Remedy Society announced on September 14 that they held a policy seminar on September 10 at BKL's headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, titled 'Challenges in the Changing Global Trade Environment: The Status and Improvement Directions of Bonded Factory Operations.'The seminar brought together experts from the government, academia, and national research institutions, as well as industry professionals from sectors such as steel, chemicals, textiles, and tires. Participants discussed the need to review South Korea's bonded factory system in light of the rising tide of global protectionism and to address movements that undermine the original purpose of the bonded factory system while evading trade remedy measures.Amid the increasing implementation of trade remedy measures like anti-dumping duties due to global protectionism, concerns are growing that bonded factories may be used to circumvent or neutralize these measures. The seminar aimed to explore institutional improvements that would maintain the positive functions of bonded factories—such as promoting exports and creating value through processing trade—while ensuring the effectiveness of trade remedy systems.Choi Chang-hwan, president of the Trade Remedy Society and a professor at Dankook University, stated in his opening remarks, "It is time to expedite discussions on institutional reforms to ensure that the trade remedy system achieves its fundamental goals of providing substantial industry protection and establishing a fair trade order, rather than remaining a mere written norm."In the first session, attorney Joo Sung-jun from BKL examined the potential for evading anti-dumping duties through domestic bonded factories and compared the management systems of bonded zones in major countries such as the United States, the EU, and Japan.Joo pointed out that while major countries employ multi-layered mechanisms—such as raw material taxation, economic feasibility assessments, and bonded factory permit reviews—to prevent circumvention of trade remedy measures, South Korea lacks a review function to assess the potential for evasion of trade remedy measures during the permit review process for bonded factories using goods subject to anti-dumping duties.In response, Professor Cho Young-jin from Ewha Womans University (former member of the Trade Commission) and Jeong Jae-ho, deputy director of the Korea Institute of Public Finance, emphasized that anti-dumping measures are designed to protect industries harmed by unfair foreign trade. They stressed the need for effective management to ensure that relief is properly provided to affected companies. They also called for discussions on rationally improving the bonded factory system in light of the changing trade environment.In the second session, Lee Go-eun, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, presented an analysis of the increase in imports of foreign steel and the surge in bonded factory entries following trade remedy measures. She noted that despite the government's recent trade remedy actions on key steel products such as hot-rolled and heavy plates, imports of regulated items (including those entering bonded factories) have significantly increased in the first half of this year.Considering the recent expansion of bonded factory applications, she highlighted the need to examine the potential for evasion of anti-dumping measures through bonded factories and to improve the effectiveness of the system. She specifically pointed out that imports of Japanese hot-rolled steel have increased even after the implementation of anti-dumping duties, contrary to expectations.During the discussion, Professor Cho Soo-jung from Korea University (former director at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and BKL advisor Lee Chan-ki (former deputy commissioner of the Korea Customs Service) emphasized the importance of supply chain management in the current global trade environment. They argued that it is necessary to reform related systems to prevent South Korea from being labeled as a bypass for excess production from China.They also noted that the concentration of anti-dumping measure evasion through bonded factories among large corporations could widen the competitive gap with small businesses. This raises concerns about fairness in the system, as some companies can avoid anti-dumping duties through bonded factories while others bear the burden.In the subsequent policy recommendations and comprehensive discussion, BKL advisor Heo Kyung-wook served as the moderator, with participation from presenters and discussants, including Professor Kim Tae-hwang from Myongji University and Dr. Lee Cheon-ki from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. The participants agreed that while bonded factories are crucial for supporting processing trade and exports, their positive functions should not be compromised. However, they also concurred on the need to limit their use as a means to undermine anti-dumping measures.The discussion highlighted that even in cases of re-export through bonded factories, this involves the importation of low-priced dumped goods that have caused industrial harm. Maintaining a tax deferral status without any sanctions during exports is deemed unreasonable.Furthermore, if trade remedy measures for domestic industries continue to be effectively neutralized through bonded factories, the effectiveness of the trade remedy system in providing relief to domestic industries could diminish. This issue is not limited to the steel industry but poses a serious concern regarding the overall credibility of South Korea's trade remedy system, with significant implications for other industries as well.In light of this, participants proposed establishing explicit grounds in customs law or subordinate regulations to restrict the operation of bonded factories for the purpose of evading trade remedy measures. They also agreed that a policy decision is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the system in response to the changing trade environment. 2026-09-14 10:40:00
  • Yuhan Corporation Launches Online Museum to Mark 100th Anniversary
    Yuhan Corporation Launches Online Museum to Mark 100th Anniversary Yuhan Corporation officially launched its 'Online Museum' on September 14, commemorating the 100th anniversary of its founding. This digital exhibition space visually restores the company's contributions to public health over the past century through key events and photographs. The online museum was created based on the comprehensive history book 'Yuhan Corporation: 100 Years of History,' published to celebrate the centennial. The main exhibition area, titled 'Great Pioneer, Dr. Yoo Il-han,' highlights the life of Dr. Yoo, who returned to Korea after achieving success as a businessman in the United States to establish the company and dedicate himself to the independence movement. The museum also sheds light on Yuhan's unique governance structure and organizational culture, including Dr. Yoo's belief in philanthropy, his commitment to public welfare through the Yuhan Foundation, and the early establishment of a professional management system that separated ownership from management. Various multimedia content, including a centennial video, card news, and key commemorative projects from this year, have been organized for continuous access without time or space constraints. A Yuhan representative stated, "We hope the online museum serves as a platform to reflect on the past 100 years and share our founding spirit and corporate values with future generations. We will continue to challenge and innovate to open a new century for human health and social development." Additionally, Yuhan Corporation is enhancing the exhibition content of its cultural complex 'Willow House,' which was established to mark its 100th anniversary, to expand visitor engagement. Rather than merely preserving the old headquarters, Yuhan is transforming it into a space where visitors can experience Dr. Yoo's management philosophy and the company's 100-year history. Willow House is a reimagined cultural complex created from Yuhan's former headquarters, which was used from 1962 for 35 years, in celebration of the centennial. The Yuhan Archive is designed to provide a comprehensive view of Dr. Yoo Il-han and Yuhan Corporation's past, present, and future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:40:00
  • S. Korea, U.S. hold defense talks in Busan amid Hormuz pressure
    S. Korea, U.S. hold defense talks in Busan amid Hormuz pressure SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States will hold high-level defense talks in Busan this week amid growing pressure from Washington for a South Korean contribution to U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the defense ministry in Seoul Monday. The 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, or KIDD, will take place in the southeastern port city from Wednesday through Friday, the Ministry of National Defense said. Kim Hong-cheol, director general for defense policy at the South Korean defense ministry, and George LeMoore, the U.S. assistant secretary of war for East Asia, will represent Seoul and Washington, respectively. Their delegations will include senior defense and foreign affairs officials from both countries. “The two sides plan to discuss a wide range of alliance security issues, including the transition of wartime operational control, combined defense posture and shipbuilding cooperation,” the ministry said. Launched in 2011, the KIDD is a senior-level forum for regular defense and security talks between Seoul and Washington. The meeting is generally held once or twice a year, alternating between the two countries. The upcoming session comes about four months after the 28th KIDD was held in Washington in May. One of the most closely watched issues will be a possible South Korean military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has continued to press allies, including South Korea, for contributions to security operations in the region since the outbreak of war with Iran earlier this year. Seoul has stepped up its review by sending an assessment team to the United Arab Emirates to examine military facilities and operational conditions related to a possible deployment. The government team last week reviewed potential port calls and local conditions for maintenance, logistics and operational support. The United States is reportedly hoping South Korea could make a deployment before the U.S. midterm elections in November. Seoul, however, has maintained that no final decision has been made. The KIDD is expected to provide a forum for the two sides to discuss more detailed questions, including the timing and size of any deployment, its mission and the composition of participating forces. The transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, is another expected agenda item. Seoul aims to reach an agreement with Washington on a target year for the OPCON transition at the annual Security Consultative Meeting, or SCM, between the two countries’ defense chiefs in November. The Busan meeting will also mark the first time the KIDD has been held outside Seoul or Washington. The defense ministry said Busan was chosen to highlight bilateral interest in shipbuilding cooperation and South Korea’s industrial capabilities. U.S. officials attending the meeting are also expected to visit South Korean shipyards during their stay. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries operates a major shipyard in Ulsan, while Hanwha Ocean runs a shipyard in Geoje, both near Busan. AJP Takeaways - South Korea and the U.S. will hold high-level defense talks in Busan from Wednesday to Friday. - A possible South Korean deployment to the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be a key issue. - The talks will also cover OPCON transfer, combined defense posture and shipbuilding cooperation. 2026-09-14 10:37:30
  • Kakao Completes AI Training Program for Nonprofit Organizations
    Kakao Completes AI Training Program for Nonprofit Organizations Kakao announced the successful completion of the 'KakaoTech NGO AI Class' on September 9, aimed at enhancing the AI capabilities of nonprofit organization (NGO) activists in South Korea.The 'KakaoTech NGO AI Class' was designed to help nonprofit activists utilize generative AI in their work and improve their organizations' overall AI proficiency. This program expanded its focus from last year's 'KakaoTech AI School for Small Business Owners' to include nonprofit organization activists.During the application period, 206 individuals from 106 organizations applied, with 106 participants from 53 organizations ultimately selected. Kakao noted a high level of interest in AI training, as all selected organizations participated in the program.The participating organizations represented ten fields, including consumer and economic justice, environment and climate, international cooperation and development, children, women and family, human rights and peace, intermediary support, social welfare and housing, civic engagement and political reform, and youth education.The training consisted of a two-day program. The introductory course, held on September 2 at the Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, focused on practical applications of generative AI, including work automation, PPT creation, and Excel invoice preparation.The advanced course took place on September 8 and 9 at Kakao's Pangyo office, where participants chose one of the two days to attend. This segment emphasized how NGO activists could streamline their work using AI, covering topics such as customized AI environment setup, issue monitoring, newsletter creation, and data management automation.Kakao designed the training to encourage participation from both organizational leaders (team leaders and above) and practitioners in pairs, aiming to enhance individual AI skills while promoting organizational-level AI application.All participants received a one-month subscription to a paid AI service, and an open chat room with instructors will be available for a month after the training to support practical application in their work.Lee Seong-beom, the representative of the nonprofit organization Wonders International, stated, "I had been using AI in my work, but I participated to explore how to apply it at an organizational level with my staff. The training and practical exercises provided valuable insights on how to implement these methods in our work and how to disseminate them throughout the organization."Shin Jeong-hwa, director of Doctors Without Borders Korea, remarked, "Having both leaders and practitioners participate in pairs allowed us to discuss how to apply what we learned to our organization during the training. We also developed follow-up plans to share the knowledge with our team members and implement it in our work."Hong Shin, leader of Kakao's ESG Cooperation Performance, noted, "This training highlighted the significant demand for AI education in the nonprofit sector and the potential for organizational-level application. We will continue to provide practical training tailored to various needs and expand our support to multiple fields."Kakao has been consistently operating programs to enhance AI capabilities among diverse social groups and nurture AI talent. Initiatives include the 'Kakao AI Rookie Camp' for youth, the 'KakaoTech Campus' practical training program for local university students, and the 'KakaoTech Bootcamp' for aspiring developers. Recently, Kakao launched 'Kakao AI Sail' in collaboration with the four major science and technology institutes (KAIST, GIST, DGIST, UNIST) to foster local AI talent and businesses, further contributing to the expansion of the AI ecosystem.Kakao has also broadened its AI education offerings to the general public. In April, it conducted the 'AI TOP 100' program for high school and university students in partnership with Kakao Impact and Brian Impact, and previously operated the 'Visiting Senior Digital School' to enhance digital accessibility for seniors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:36:00
  • Air Premia to launch new flights to Sapporo this winter
    Air Premia to launch new flights to Sapporo this winter SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - Air Premia will offer a new route to Sapporo, Japan starting this winter, the low-cost carrier said on Sunday. The route to the island country's popular winter destination will begin on Dec. 2, with flights four times a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, using a Boeing 787-9. They will depart Incheon at 9:40 a.m. and arrive at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido at 12:20 p.m. Return flights will leave Sapporo at 1:45 p.m. and arrive back in Incheon at 5:15 p.m. The upcoming service will be Air Premia's second route to Japan, following its existing route to Narita International Airport, a gateway to Tokyo, as part of its efforts to expand its services to Japan. Tickets for the new route will go on sale at 10 a.m. next Monday, with promotional discounts to follow a week later. "We expect our new route will broaden options for customers planning winter travel," an Air Premia spokesman said. AJP Takeaways - South Korean low-cost carrier Air Premia will launch a new Incheon-Sapporo route on Dec. 2, 2026, operating four times weekly (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. - The Incheon-Sapporo service will be Air Premia's second route to Japan, joining its existing Incheon-Narita International Airport route, as the carrier expands beyond the Tokyo area into Hokkaido, a popular winter destination. - Air Premia will begin selling tickets for the Incheon-Sapporo route at 10 a.m., with a promotional discount period to follow one week after sales open. 2026-09-14 10:33:17
  • SK Biopharm Achieves MSCI ESG AAA Rating for Three Consecutive Years
    SK Biopharm Achieves MSCI ESG 'AAA' Rating for Three Consecutive Years SK Biopharm announced on September 14 that it has received the highest rating of 'AAA' from the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG assessment for three consecutive years. It is the first domestic pharmaceutical company to achieve this rating for three years in a row, and currently, SK Biopharm is the only company to hold an AAA rating. The MSCI ESG assessment is a leading evaluation system that compares and assesses companies' capabilities in managing key environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities against their global peers. The company stated, "Despite recent changes in evaluation methodology that have made the criteria for transparency and evidence in ESG activities stricter, SK Biopharm has maintained the highest rating." In this assessment, MSCI highlighted SK Biopharm's strengths in areas such as Corporate Behavior, Human Capital Development, and Product Safety & Quality, all rated at a global top level. In the Corporate Behavior category, the company's compliance system and transparency in accounting and taxation were noted, while in Human Capital Development, its member capability development programs and initiatives to foster a 'great place to work' culture received high marks. In the Product Safety and Quality sector, the company was recognized for effectively managing risks based on a systematic quality management system and global certification standards. SK Biopharm supports a virtuous cycle where new drug development and business growth lead to the creation of social value through its ESG management. The innovative drug cenobamate has expanded treatment options for epilepsy patients worldwide, with over 300,000 cumulative prescriptions globally. Last year, SK Biopharm generated social value amounting to 498.7 billion won, with 452.4 billion won attributed to improvements in quality of life through its products and services. Lee Dong-hoon, CEO of SK Biopharm, stated, "Our efforts in maintaining transparent governance centered on the board, responsible management, enhancing talent competitiveness, fostering a great workplace culture, and ensuring quality and safety management have been recognized." Meanwhile, SK Biopharm's epilepsy drug candidate, opacalim (BHV-7000), recently received a partial clinical hold from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company expects to submit additional non-clinical data to the FDA by the end of this month and anticipates that the hold will be lifted between October and November. Opacalim is SK Biopharm's second global drug candidate following cenobamate. The company has entered into a global exclusive licensing agreement with Biohaven worth up to $795 million (approximately 1.1 trillion won).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 10:32:00