• 
  South Korea launches task force to develop AI-powered smart cities SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has established a dedicated task force to spearhead the development of artificial intelligence-driven cities, marking a significant step beyond traditional smart city initiatives. The newly formed task force held its inaugural meeting on Friday, bringing together departments specializing in urban development, architecture, and mobility alongside key research institutes and public corporation September 5, 2025
• 
  68 countries to join Seoul Defense Dialogue next week SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - The defense ministry will host the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in central Seoul from Monday to Wednesday, bringing together senior officials from around the world. Launched in 2012, the annual forum is designed to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen regional security cooperation. This year, more than 1,000 participants from 68 countries and international organizations are expected to attend, according to the ministry. Defe September 5, 2025
• 
  SK hynix maintains DRAM market lead over Samsung in second quarter SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - SK hynix retained its position as the world's largest DRAM manufacturer in the second quarter of 2025, widening its lead over Samsung Electronics as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand continued to drive growth, according to data released Friday by market research firm Omdia. Global DRAM industry revenue increased 17.3 percent quarter-over-quarter to $30.92 billion, driven by rising contract prices and increased HBM shipments. SK hynix expanded its D September 5, 2025
• 
  Ruling and opposition party leaders to meet with acting US ambassador SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - The leaders of South Korea's two main political parties, Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Jang Dong-hyeok from the main opposition party People Power Party (PPP), are scheduled to hold separate talks with acting United States Ambassador Joseph Yun, who has been serving as acting ambassador since January, at the National Assembly on Friday. Jung, leader of the ruling party, is set to meet Yun at 3 p.m. in his office at the Assem September 5, 2025
• 
  South Korea's credit card firms post profit drop as delinquency hits decade high SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - South Korea's credit card companies saw their combined net profits sink more than 18 percent in the first half of the year, with delinquency rates climbing to their highest point in over a decade, according to data released Friday by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). Net profits stood at 1.2251 trillion won ($8.79 billion) for the January–June period, down 18.3 percent from a year earlier. The slide came even as revenue rose by 331.1 bi September 5, 2025
• 
  South Korea's egg prices surge ahead of traditional holiday Chuseok amid supply shortage SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - South Korea's egg prices are expected to climb further as the Chuseok, traditional Korean thanksgiving holiday season, is set to take place in early October. Also, supply constraints stemming from extreme summer heat continue to squeeze the market. The Korea Rural Economic Institute projected Friday wholesale egg prices would reach 1,900 to 1,950 won (around $1.43 to $1.47) per 10 extra-large eggs in September, marking a potential 15.7 percent increas September 5, 2025
• 
  Two South Koreans dead in Lisbon funicular crash SEOUL, September 5 (AJP) - Two South Koreans were killed and another seriously injured in a funicular crash in Lisbon on Wednesday (local time), Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The ministry confirmed that a South Korean man and woman died in the crash, while another woman underwent surgery at a local hospital and is still in intensive care. "Our embassy is working closely with Portuguese authorities to provide consular support, including assistance for the injure September 5, 2025
• 
  [K-Pop] aespa to drop sixth mini album "Rich Man" today SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - aespa will return Friday with their sixth mini album "Rich Man," scheduled for release at 1 p.m. KST (0400 GMT) across global music platforms. The record features six tracks in a range of styles, including hip hop, R&B, and pop. The title track "Rich Man" is described as a dance song driven by rough electric guitar riffs and an addictive topline, paired with shifting band sounds meant to highlight the group’s vocals a September 5, 2025
• 
  [K-Pop] K-pop tops Billboard's main charts for first time in five years SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - K-pop song has reclaimed the top spots on both of Billboard's main song charts, the Hot 100 singles ranking and the Billboard 200 albums chart, for the first time in about five years. The last time the feat was achieved was in December 2020 by BTS. According to the latest Billboard update on September 4, the original soundtrack of Netflix's animated film K-pop Demon Hunters held the No. 1 position on the Hot 100 with the track "Golden," September 4, 2025
• 
  LG Electronics to supply cooling systems for AI data center in US SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - LG Electronics said Thursday it had secured a major contract to provide cooling solutions for a large artificial intelligence data center in the United States. Jo Joo-wan, the company’s chief executive, announced the win on LinkedIn, saying LG would supply chillers with advanced “free-cooling” capabilities. He didn't mention the value of the contract. “This demonstrates both our technological competitiveness and our abilit September 4, 2025