South Korea to reaffirm commitment for trade deal after Trump threatens tariff hike SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korea would reaffirm its commitment to implementing its trade agreement with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly threatened on Monday to raise tariffs again, according to Cheong Wa Dae. In a written statement on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac, and other key officials from relevant ministries met earlier in the day at Cheong W January 27, 2026

KAIST and Korea University develop new AI knowledge transfer technique for different models SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Korea University announced on January 27 that they have developed a new technology called TransMiter, which allows for the efficient transfer of learned knowledge between different artificial intelligence models. This innovation addresses the significant inefficiency of having to retrain high-performance AI models from scratch whenever a new version is released. Currently, January 27, 2026

The birth of humanoid robots (2): The Tin Man goes to work Editor's Note: This is the second installment in AJP's series on humanoid robotics, examining the anatomy, technologies and economic logic behind one of the most hyped industries of the decade. SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - A sudden jolt. A shudder. A mechanical doll's waist folds backward halfway, clanking onto the ground. Another teeters from side to side on a soft-soil running track before crashing headfirst, its legs flailing in a motion reminiscent of rigor mortis. S January 27, 2026

Indian envoy pledges to deepen strategic partnership with S. Korea at Republic Day celebration SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - The Indian Embassy in South Korea held a reception on January 26 to celebrate India's 77th Republic Day, marking a period of rapid expansion in economic and defense ties between the two nations. The event, held at Sevit Island on the Han River, drew approximately 400 guests, including diplomats, government officials, business leaders, and academics. The gathering commemorated the anniversary of the adoption of India's constitution in 1950, a miles January 27, 2026

South Korea's GS E&C builds solar power complex in India SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction has entered India’s renewable energy market, completing a solar power project in Maharashtra state and beginning full commercial operations. The company said on Tuesday the Patur solar power complex has an installed capacity of 12.75 megawatt-peak (MWp) and is expected to generate between 18 million and 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply power to about 6,000 house January 27, 2026

South Korea's LS Electric sees record orders, earnings on power infrastructure boom SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korean power equipment company LS Electric said on Tuesday it posted record revenue and operating profit in 2025, driven by strong growth in its North American business and rising demand for power infrastructure. The company said consolidated revenue rose 9 percent from a year earlier to 4.96 trillion won, while operating profit increased 9.6 percent to 426.9 billion won. Fourth-quarter revenue climbed to a record 1.52 trillion won, with operatin January 27, 2026

Korean ruling party to hasten passage of bill on Korean invest to US SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) -South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party on Tuesday vowed to speed up the legislation to support the country’s $350 billion investment commitment to the United States after President Donald Trump blamed the Korean legislative for his plan to reinstate the tariffs on selective Korean exports to 25 percent. The party stressed that Trump was referring to legislation that has yet to be enacted in South Korea, not to parliamentary ratification of a b January 27, 2026

Samsung's Lee to host gala in Washington with Lutnick invited amid renewed tariff threat SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is due in Washington, D.C., this week amid renewed tariff threat from President Donald Trump, raising attention on whether tycoon can serve as an informal business-diplomatic channel. Lee’s visit comes after Seoul emerged as the latest target of Trump’s tariff offensive, with the U.S. president warning overnight on social media of sweeping tariff hikes to 25 percent on South Korean exports, citing delay January 27, 2026

[BTS Comeback] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - BTS’s first global concert tour in nearly four years, following the completion of the Korean members’ mandatory military service, has reached the level of presidential diplomacy in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had personally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure additional BTS concert dates in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand from Mexican youth. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Jan. January 27, 2026

Customs watchdog seizes over 100,000 knockoffs of South Korean brands, mostly Chinese SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - About 117,000 counterfeit items copying South Korean brands were seized last year, the Korea Customs Service said on Tuesday. The seizure came after the customs watchdog launched an intensive crackdown on knockoffs that capitalize on the global popularity of South Korean goods and products. These counterfeit goods were found in cargo and express parcels shipped through foreign online shopping platforms. By country of origin, China accounted for 97.7 p January 27, 2026