• 
  Korea moves fast on Grok as global deepfake backlash grows SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) — South Korea has taken its first regulatory steps targeting xAI’s chatbot Grok, as governments worldwide step up scrutiny of generative AI tools over deepfake abuse and illegal content. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) on Wednesday sent an official notice to X requesting stronger safety measures for Grok, including tighter controls on harmful content and stricter restrictions on minors’ access. The commission also January 15, 2026
• 
  As China exports its surplus, Korea, Germany and Japan pay the industrial price SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -China logged a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus in 2025, underscoring the resilience of its export engine despite renewed U.S. tariff pressure — and sharpening competitive strain on other manufacturing economies from South Korea to Germany and Japan. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, the surplus expanded by roughly 20 percent from 2024, even as exports to the United States fell by about 20 percent following tou January 15, 2026
• 
  Thousands of sculptures on display at annual art fair in Seoul SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - The annual Seoul International Sculpture Festa kicked off its monthlong run at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul on Thursday. Now in its 15th year, the event is solely dedicated to exhibiting sculptures, drawing numerous art enthusiasts every year. This year's exhibition features around 2,000 works from approximately 480 artists. January 15, 2026
• 
  Foreign workers' visa applications for this year to begin late this month SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Thursday it will accept applications for new employment permits under its E-9 visa program in five rounds this year, allowing companies facing labor shortages to hire foreign workers. The first round of applications will run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 10, followed by additional rounds in April, July, September, and November. According to the ministry, companies can apply depending on their business conditions and sta January 15, 2026
• 
  BOK stays pat and signals end to rate cuts amid prolonged won weakness SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) — The Bank of Korea’s decision to hold its policy rate at 2.5 percent on Thursday came with an unusual backdrop: a rare public intervention by the U.S. Treasury secretary and a detailed defense by a deputy governor, highlighting how Korean won's fragility has become central in both fiscal and monetary policy calculus. The central bank unanimously voted to keep the benchmark rate unchanged at its first rate-setting meeting of the year, extend January 15, 2026
• 
  Four-term lawmaker Seo Young-kyo announces bid for Seoul mayor SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Lawmaker Seo Young-kyo of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced her bid for Seoul mayor on Thursday, vowing to "transform the capital into a leading global economic and cultural hub." At a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday, months ahead of local elections slated for June 3, the four-term lawmaker said Seoul must turn into a "city where Seoul citizens are truly the owners," pledging to deliver "proven resul January 15, 2026
• 
  South Korea on alert over safety of about 70 nationals as Iran protests turn deadly SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - As Iran's ongoing internal protests have reportedly killed thousands, with fears of possible U.S. intervention heightening global concerns, the South Korean government has remained on alert, convening an emergency meeting earlier this week to assess the safety of its citizens there. Chaired by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a, the meeting was held on Tuesday via Zoom with embassy officials in Tehran to set up contingency plans for South Korean nationals January 15, 2026
• 
  LG, SK, Upstage shortlisted for Korea's sovereign AI model SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage have passed the first evaluation round of South Korea’s competition-style national project to select two homogeneous artificial intelligence foundation models by the end of the year. According to results announced Thursday by the Ministry of Science and ICT, three of the five contenders — Naver Cloud, NC AI, Upstage, SK Telecom and LG AI Research — advanced directly based on aggregate scores, while on January 15, 2026
• 
  Seoul holds emergency meeting after Trump's tariff move on chips and critical minerals SEOUL, January 15 (AJP)-The South Korean government moved into emergency response mode Thursday after the White House issued sweeping proclamations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, targeting semiconductors and critical minerals on U.S. national security grounds. Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Kim Jung-kwan convened an emergency meeting Thursday to review the details of President Donald Trump’s proclamations and map out Seoul’s next steps as Wa January 15, 2026
• 
  South Koreans rush to hoard dollars amid weakening won SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - South Koreans have been hoarding U.S. dollars as the greenback continues its strong run. According to financial data released on Thursday, individual customers of South Korea's five major banks -Hana, KB Kookmin, NH Nonghyup, Shinhan, and Woori - exchanged South Korean currency for U.S. dollars worth about US$480.81 million over the past three weeks. The amount breaks down to $22.90 million per day on average, more than double the daily average of $1 January 15, 2026