AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Floods in Nepal and China Claim 1,130 Lives as South Korea Sends Rescue Team
    Floods in Nepal and China Claim 1,130 Lives as South Korea Sends Rescue Team Flooding along the Nepal-China border has resulted in over 1,130 deaths, with approximately 4,400 people reported missing. As a week has passed since the disaster, the chances of finding survivors are diminishing. A South Korean emergency rescue team (KDRT) arrived in Nepal on September 2 to begin search and rescue operations for nine missing South Koreans.According to reports from AFP and Reuters, the Nepal Disaster Management Authority has confirmed at least 1,114 fatalities within Nepal. Including 16 deaths in China, the total death toll stands at 1,130.The number of missing persons includes 3,916 in Nepal and 546 in China, totaling 4,462. Among the missing in Nepal, 583 are foreign nationals, while 261 are from China. However, as power and communication services are being restored, some missing foreign tourists have been confirmed alive.Local authorities are focusing their search efforts around hydropower plants, where hundreds are believed to be stranded. The Nepal Disaster Management Authority reports that at least 639 individuals are missing or isolated at various hydropower facilities, many of whom are thought to be trapped in tunnels.Rescue teams are attempting to clear large boulders blocking tunnel entrances and remove mud and debris to gain access. However, some tunnels are filled with mud, and large amounts of water have flooded in during the excavation process, complicating rescue efforts.On the previous day, three bodies were recovered from the UT-1 and Chilime hydropower plant tunnels. Although rescue teams have penetrated hundreds of meters into some tunnels, they are facing challenges due to accumulated mud and debris.As the week progresses, concerns are growing about the decreasing likelihood of finding survivors. Vinod Basnet, a retired general who led search and rescue operations during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, noted that the nature of flood damage reduces survival chances over time.The Nepalese government is shifting its focus from search and rescue to rehabilitation and reconstruction. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced plans to prioritize the protection of affected residents and provide medical and psychological support while concentrating on recovery efforts.There are also concerns about secondary disasters due to the large number of displaced individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that residents living in cramped conditions face an increased risk of disease outbreaks. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that debris from buildings, rocks, and mud resulting from the floods could weigh at least 2.2 million tons.The search for the missing South Koreans is expected to accelerate. The 44-member KDRT arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on September 2 at 6:27 a.m. via military transport.The KDRT is deploying five rescue dogs, high-resolution drones, acoustic and video detection devices, and thermal imaging equipment to focus their search efforts in the area where the nine South Koreans went missing. They plan to move to the Battar campsite in Nuwakot, Bagmati Province, a day earlier than initially scheduled, to commence thorough search preparations.The government had previously dispatched a 20-member joint rapid response team to conduct aerial and ground searches. Firefighters from the rapid response team are also set to join the KDRT in ongoing search efforts.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to secure the last known locations of the missing individuals' mobile phones. If they can obtain the last recorded locations from local cell towers, it may help refine the search area.Korea Southern Power and Doosan Enerbility, the companies responsible for the construction of the UT-1 hydropower plant where the missing individuals worked, are also deploying helicopters, drones, and search dogs to continue on-site search operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 20:12:00
  • Russia and Japan Exchange Blame Over Deteriorating Relations
    Russia and Japan Exchange Blame Over Deteriorating Relations Russia and Japan are engaged in a diplomatic dispute, each blaming the other for the deterioration of their bilateral relations. Tensions have escalated amid joint military exercises between Japan, the United States, and Australia, intertwined with the territorial dispute over the four Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.On September 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to reporters during his visit to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, asserted that "the current deterioration in relations is entirely Japan's responsibility."Putin emphasized that Russia has not taken actions to worsen relations with Japan and has responded cautiously. He also highlighted that Russia has been willing to discuss a peace treaty, which includes the Kuril Islands issue.He expressed surprise at the strong objections from the Japanese government regarding his visit to the Kuril Islands, stating, "I am shocked by their overall attitude toward Russia."In response, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno refuted Putin's claims, stating at a press conference that the current serious state of Japan-Russia relations is due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He added, "We cannot accept statements implying that Japan bears any responsibility."However, Matsuno left the door open for dialogue with Russia, noting, "As Russia is our neighbor, it is important to manage our relations appropriately," and indicated that Japan would respond with its national interests in mind.At the heart of the conflict are the four Kuril Islands. Russia has effectively controlled the region since the Soviet Union occupied it at the end of World War II in 1945, but Japan continues to assert its claim. The two countries have yet to sign a peace treaty due to this territorial dispute since the end of World War II.Tensions intensified further when Putin made an unannounced visit to Iturup, one of the four islands, on August 13.Military tensions are also rising. In response to Japan's plans for large-scale joint exercises with the U.S. and Australia, Russia has warned of potential countermeasures.According to NHK, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated at a press conference on September 1 that Russia had conveyed its concerns to the Japanese embassy in Moscow regarding Japan's joint training plans.Zakharova emphasized, "We will not tolerate provocative military activities near the Russian border," warning that Russia would take appropriate countermeasures to protect its security.The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is set to conduct joint exercises called "Orient Shield" with U.S. and Australian forces from September 8 to 24. The training area includes Hokkaido, which is adjacent to Russia and close to the Kuril Islands.Japan has stated that it will continue to communicate its position to Russia and address current issues between the two nations. With the longstanding territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands compounded by the Ukraine war and military training issues, the cooling of Japan-Russia relations is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 20:00:00
  • Kwon Young-jin and Seo Beom-soo Challenge Party Suspension, Seek Re-examination
    Kwon Young-jin and Seo Beom-soo Challenge Party Suspension, Seek Re-examination Kwon Young-jin and Seo Beom-soo, both lawmakers from the People Power Party, have decided to challenge their party suspensions of 18 months and 10 months, respectively, by seeking a re-examination from the party's Ethics Committee.On September 2, Kwon announced his intention to request a re-examination during an appearance on Channel A's YouTube program 'Political Signal.' The Ethics Committee had previously imposed an 18-month suspension on Kwon for physically confronting floor leader Jeong Geum-sik over dissatisfaction with committee assignments.Kwon explained, "There was a lot of dissatisfaction among lawmakers regarding the committee assignments. The incident escalated into a physical confrontation as I was voicing those concerns on behalf of my colleagues."He further argued that an 18-month suspension is effectively equivalent to expulsion, stating, "Considering that the application for candidacy for the upcoming general election occurs during the suspension, this is an extremely harsh punishment that deprives me of the opportunity to apply for candidacy."Kwon characterized the disciplinary action against him as politically motivated, saying, "The general sentiment within the party is that this is not a fair and just punishment but rather a form of political retaliation. If they think they can intimidate those who speak out with disciplinary actions, they are mistaken."However, he refrained from commenting on potential follow-up actions, such as filing for an injunction, if the re-examination is denied. Kwon expressed skepticism about taking the matter to court, stating, "The request for re-examination is intended to correct this politically and to avoid bringing it to the courts."Seo Beom-soo, who received a 10-month suspension for making inappropriate jokes in a public setting, announced on his Facebook page that he has also filed for a re-examination with the Ethics Committee. He apologized to the public and party members for causing concern but emphasized that he is requesting a review of the procedural fairness and appropriateness of the disciplinary action.Meanwhile, lawmaker Jo Kyung-tae, who received a 30-month suspension on the same day, has accepted his punishment and will not seek a re-examination. Jin Jong-o, who was also sanctioned with a 24-month suspension, is expected to continue deliberating until the final day to file for re-examination on September 3.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 19:56:00
  • Six Missing After Tugboat Capsizes Off Busan
    Six Missing After Tugboat Capsizes Off Busan The Coast Guard has launched a nighttime search for six crew members missing after a tugboat capsized off the coast of Busan. A total of 19 vessels, including 11 from the Coast Guard and four from the Navy, along with three aircraft and an underwater drone, are being deployed for the operation.According to the Busan Coast Guard, the search began at 7 p.m. on September 2. The area where the tugboat, identified as A-ho, sank has been divided into 15 sections measuring 25 kilometers wide and 12 kilometers long, with vessels assigned to each section. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft will assist in the search, deploying approximately 270 flares for nighttime visibility.The Coast Guard is expediting the search efforts, considering the survival chances of the missing crew members. According to international maritime search and rescue guidelines, the maximum survival time for individuals missing at sea in water temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius is over 40 hours. As of 5:40 p.m. on the same day, the water temperature near Oryukdo was recorded at 25.1 degrees Celsius.In addition to the search, the Coast Guard has established an investigation team to determine the exact cause of the incident.The 286-ton tugboat A-ho capsized around 1:29 p.m. approximately nine kilometers east of Oryukdo. It completely sank about two hours later, at 3:27 p.m.At the time of the incident, there were eight people on board, including six South Koreans and two Indonesians. One Indonesian crew member was rescued by a passing cargo ship. A South Korean crew member was found unconscious and later died at a hospital. The remaining six crew members are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 19:48:00
  • South Korea Sends Emergency Relief Supplies to Flood-Stricken Nepal
    South Korea Sends Emergency Relief Supplies to Flood-Stricken Nepal The South Korean government is providing emergency relief supplies, including rapid DNA analyzers and blankets, to Nepal, which has been severely affected by flooding.According to a report submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on September 2, the government has decided to send four rapid DNA analyzers at the request of the Nepalese authorities.The DNA analyzers were transported to Nepal by the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), which arrived in the country on the same day.The government plans to collaborate with Nepalese authorities to expedite identification efforts in the wake of significant casualties.Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide 38,320 blankets to assist those displaced by the disaster.Previously, the government announced it would offer $1 million in humanitarian aid to Nepal through international organizations. This relief supply initiative is part of a broader plan to support recovery efforts and assist local residents.On the same day, members of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive updates on the government's support plans and ongoing search operations.Song Seok-jun, the committee chair, stated, "Unlike other countries, we have personnel on the ground assisting with the construction of dams and hydropower plants, so we are closely coordinating with the Nepalese authorities in light of this incident."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 19:40:00
  • Global Bond Yields Surge Amid Inflation Concerns from Rising Oil Prices
    Global Bond Yields Surge Amid Inflation Concerns from Rising Oil Prices Global bond yields are surging as inflation concerns rise due to increasing oil prices from the Middle East. Long-term government bond yields in major countries, including the U.S., Japan, and the U.K., have reached their highest levels in years, while South Korea's government bond yields are also on the rise. The anticipation of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Korea, combined with the burden of government bond issuance due to expansionary fiscal policies, is intensifying upward pressure on the domestic bond market.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, the yield on the 3-year government bond rose to 3.930% on September 2, an increase of 5.2 basis points from the previous trading day. The yield on the 10-year bond also increased by 4.7 basis points to 4.418%. This marks the fourth consecutive day of rising yields, influenced by global rate increases and the anticipated burden of government bond issuance next year.Yields on government bonds in major countries have also risen sharply. On September 1, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury bond, a benchmark for the global bond market, closed at 4.799%, up 4.80 basis points from the previous day. This is the first time the yield has reached 4.8% since January of last year. In Japan, the yield on the 10-year bond rose to 3% during trading, the highest level since October 1996. The U.K.'s 30-year government bond yield surged to 5.919%, the highest since 1998.The simultaneous rise in global bond yields is attributed to inflation concerns stemming from geopolitical instability in the Middle East and rising oil prices. Additionally, the increased issuance of government bonds due to fiscal expansion in major countries has dampened investor sentiment in the bond market.The outlook for U.S. monetary policy has also impacted bond yields. According to the CME FedWatch, the probability of a 25 basis point rate hike by the Federal Reserve in September is estimated at 67.2%, an increase of about 7 percentage points from the previous week.In South Korea, government bond yields continue to rise. The yield on the 3-year government bond has increased by 97.7 basis points this year. The 5-year and 10-year bonds have also risen by 92.7 basis points and 103.3 basis points, respectively. The heightened inflation concerns from the Middle East have led to market expectations of a tightening shift by the Bank of Korea.The burden of government bond issuance due to expansionary fiscal policies is also cited as a factor contributing to rising yields. The net increase in government bonds for next year is projected at 96.3 trillion won, a reduction of 13 trillion won from this year, but still larger than the anticipated 60 trillion won.Analyst Ahn Ye-ha from Kiwoom Securities stated, "While the decrease in the net issuance of government bonds could limit the upper bound of yields, the 12.8% increase in total expenditure from expansionary fiscal policy is likely to raise government bond yields through growth and inflation. Expansionary fiscal policy is expected to elevate the Bank of Korea's terminal rate or prolong the current rate hike, exerting the most direct upward pressure on 3- to 5-year bond yields."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 18:48:00
  • Changwon City Council Revamps Marriage Support Policies
    Changwon City Council Revamps Marriage Support Policies The Changwon City Council is undertaking a fundamental restructuring of its youth meeting and marriage support policies.The plan aims to move away from one-off events that merely fulfill quotas, establishing a long-term monitoring system and a 'Changwon Model' that reflects local characteristics, along with a solid budgetary basis for support.The council's youth policy research group recently held a kickoff meeting to begin a comprehensive study on redesigning youth meeting and marriage policies.In the past, Changwon has operated various programs to facilitate youth meetings, such as 'Couple Catcher in Changwon' by the Changwon Facilities Management Corporation and 'Exciting Day' by the Women and Family Department. However, according to findings from the working group, 'Couple Catcher' saw only 5 matches from 46 applicants in 2024, and 6 matches from 79 applicants in May of this year, with no follow-up to determine if these meetings led to actual relationships or marriages.Nam Ho-jun, the representative member, stated, "Marriage information services are expensive, and existing local government initiatives often just fill quotas without leading to meaningful connections. Young people are unsure where or how to meet others, especially after COVID-19 significantly reduced opportunities for social interaction, creating a 'gap in meetings.'"In response, the research group plans to implement a '5-Year Tracking System' that links meetings to marriage as a single policy cycle. Nam explained, "We will not stop at merely hosting events. With participants' consent, we will analyze and monitor whether their meetings lead to marriage over the next five years, and if not, investigate the reasons why."Developing a 'Changwon Model' that reflects the city's unique characteristics is also a key focus of this research. The plan is to leverage the city's concentration of large manufacturing companies to build a network among young people across different firms.Nam emphasized, "Changwon is a major manufacturing city. While young people work at companies like LG and Shinseong Delta Tech, it is often difficult to know who else is at other companies. We plan to facilitate connections between these businesses to promote meetings through administrative support."To reduce any reluctance among young people regarding policy implementation, the atmosphere of 'forcing marriage' will be strictly avoided.Nam stated, "It is important that meetings occur without the pressure of marriage from the outset. There is no law mandating marriage, so the priority of this policy is to create a social environment where young people can meet and socialize rather than being alone."A significant aspect of this research is the consideration of establishing ordinances to systematically support practical benefits, such as marriage incentives, beyond mere matchmaking. The research group is broadly benchmarking leading examples from other local governments, including Daegu's Dalseo District, which has established a dedicated marriage support department, and Busan's Saha District, which offers support for dating expenses, rental deposits, and marriage congratulatory funds.Nam expressed, "Through this research, we want to actively consider promoting marriage incentives. While Dalseo District has a dedicated department for marriage promotion, Changwon has been somewhat lacking in such policy benefits. We will examine what tangible benefits young people can feel when they marry and explore them comprehensively."Despite the numerous economic challenges facing the youth generation, such as housing costs and job insecurity that hinder marriage, the starting point of this policy research is to first improve the environment where 'opportunities for meetings are nonexistent.'Nam added, "Even economically struggling small business owners and factory workers face significant challenges in meeting potential partners. We will approach this by opening up opportunities for meetings."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 18:28:00
  • Shifts in Diagnostic Industry: Seegene Benefits from Expansion of Syndromic Testing
    Shifts in Diagnostic Industry: Seegene Benefits from Expansion of Syndromic Testing Syndromic testing, which allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens related to similar symptoms, is gaining attention in the infectious disease diagnostics market. This method reduces the number of tests and the time required for diagnosis in areas where identifying the causative pathogen based solely on patient symptoms is challenging. According to industry reports, global diagnostic companies are expanding their syndromic testing product lines. French company Biomerieux offers multiplex testing panels for respiratory, gastrointestinal, meningitis, encephalitis, and bloodstream infections through its BIOFIRE platform. Roche also provides multiplex testing panels for respiratory and bloodstream infections based on its cobas eplex system. Respiratory infections exemplify the need for syndromic testing. A study published in the journal Diagnostics in 2023 found that among patients exhibiting influenza-like symptoms, approximately 36% to 40% of samples tested positive for two or more pathogens. Researchers noted that multiplex testing could aid in identifying co-infections in respiratory illnesses. The market is expected to grow significantly. Market research firm Grand View Research projects that the global syndromic multiplex diagnostics market will expand from approximately $2.92 billion in 2024 to about $3.66 billion by 2030. After a decline in demand for COVID-19 testing, Seegene has seen improved performance due to increased sales in its non-respiratory product lines, including human papillomavirus (HPV), sexually transmitted infections (STI), and gastrointestinal (GI) tests. In the second quarter of this year, Seegene's non-respiratory product sales rose by 22.9% compared to the same period last year. Sales of HPV tests increased by 40.3%, while STI and GI sales grew by 20.7% and 13.9%, respectively. Overall, Seegene's consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 136 billion won, a 19.2% increase year-on-year. Operating profit surged by 586.4% to 21.6 billion won, and net profit turned positive at 26 billion won. The company has been developing a syndromic PCR product portfolio capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating multiple pathogens in the HPV, STI, and GI fields. In the HPV and STI areas, Seegene offers products that not only confirm infections but also identify major types and co-infections. In the GI sector, the tests target a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Seegene stated, "We are also working to accumulate clinical evidence using actual test data." They added that by utilizing their PCR data analysis platform, STAgora, they recently analyzed respiratory test data from the past three and a half years, confirming instances of co-detection of viruses and pneumonia bacteria, among other findings. Additionally, Seegene is accelerating its global expansion efforts. Its U.S. subsidiary, Seegene USA, recently received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Allplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay. This product can simultaneously detect herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and monkeypox virus (MPXV), which can cause similar symptoms. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 18:20:00
  • Kakao Plans Paid Membership Service Linked to KakaoTalk
    Kakao Plans Paid Membership Service Linked to KakaoTalk Kakao is preparing a paid membership service that integrates major affiliate services centered around KakaoTalk.According to the IT industry on September 2, Kakao is working on a paid membership service called 'Kakao Membership.' While there is speculation about a possible launch as early as next month, the specific release date and service details have not yet been finalized.Services being considered for membership integration include KakaoTalk's emoticons and gift features, Kakao Mobility's taxi service, Kakao Entertainment's Melon, webtoons, and web novels, as well as Kakao Style's fashion platform and Kakao VX's screen golf.It is reported that the membership will allow users to pay a monthly subscription fee to access some services for free or at discounted rates, as well as receive benefits such as discount coupons for various services. This strategy aims to expand service usage among KakaoTalk users by bundling multiple affiliate services into a single membership.There is also speculation about the potential integration of external services with KakaoTalk. Kakao has been collaborating with OpenAI to provide 'ChatGPT for Kakao' within KakaoTalk, raising the possibility that future membership benefits could include external services.Kakao's push for a paid membership aligns with its restructuring efforts to connect core businesses such as artificial intelligence (AI), advertising, and commerce around KakaoTalk.Jeong Sin-a, the designated CEO of Kakao AI, previously announced plans for collaboration between Coupang Eats and KakaoTalk using agentic AI during a conference call discussing second-quarter results.Restructuring is also underway. Kakao resolved to split into Kakao AI and Kakao X on August 21. The company plans to complete the split by January after an extraordinary shareholders' meeting in December.A Kakao representative stated, 'The launch date and specific details of Kakao Membership have not been determined yet.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 18:16:00
  • U.S. moves to deploy multi-domain forces to South Korea
    U.S. moves to deploy multi-domain forces to South Korea SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - The United States is moving to deploy elements of its Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to South Korea, potentially strengthening the U.S. military’s ability to counter China’s anti-access and area-denial capabilities in the region, according to reports and sources Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the U.S. Army, under acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve, was moving MDTF forces from Europe to South Korea, citing Army officials. If confirmed, the move would likely involve elements of the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, which is headquartered in Germany and primarily operates in the European theater. The scale and composition of the forces being transferred have not been disclosed. The U.S. military is believed to be taking concrete steps toward stationing MDTF capabilities in South Korea, with indications that some personnel or assets may have already arrived in an advance capacity, according to sources familiar with the matter. The MDTF is a theater-level formation designed to conduct operations across multiple domains, including land, sea, air, space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. The U.S. Army describes the MDTF as a maneuver force capable of synchronizing precision effects and long-range fires across domains to penetrate an adversary’s anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) networks. China and Russia have developed extensive A2/AD capabilities aimed at preventing U.S. forces from entering contested areas or limiting their ability to operate effectively once there. The MDTF was created in part to counter such strategies by integrating capabilities including cyber and electronic warfare, intelligence, space operations and long-range precision fires. The U.S. Army established its first MDTF under I Corps in Washington state. The 2nd MDTF is based in Germany, while the 3rd MDTF is stationed in Hawaii. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has repeatedly called for MDTF capabilities to be stationed on the Korean Peninsula. At a press briefing in August last year, Brunson said he had considered bringing an MDTF, particularly its Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, to Korea because such capabilities could help U.S. forces “see, sense and understand” the battlefield environment more effectively. He reiterated the call in May during a keynote speech at the Association of the United States Army’s LANPAC symposium in Hawaii, saying he hoped to see an MDTF deployed to South Korea. AJP Takeaways · The U.S. is moving MDTF forces to South Korea, potentially from Germany. · MDTFs are designed to counter China and Russia’s A2/AD capabilities. · USFK chief Gen. Xavier Brunson has repeatedly backed an MDTF deployment to Korea. 2026-09-02 18:13:56