AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

Journalist

Park Sae-jin박세진

Assistant EditorForeign embassies in Seoul & Geopolitics, Diplomacy, Policy

Experienced journalist and editor at AJU PRESS specializing in multilingual news. I cover international diplomacy, geolpolitics, and policy, consistently delivering highly accurate, compelling reporting for a worldwide audience. "Reporting the facts. Shaping the narrative. Every second counts."

Latest by Park Sae-jin

Studies reveal uneven productivity gains and job anxiety from generative AI in S. Korea SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Kookmin University International Business School (KIBS)'s Professor Oh Eun-young has published two research papers analyzing the varying impacts of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on industrial productivity and occupational replacement in South Korea, Kookmin University said Wednesday. The studies, published in international academic journals in February and June, examine how the adoption of AI technologies affects different sectors and how the public perceives the threat of job displacement. The research indicates that the effects of generative AI are determined by industrial structures and job characteristics rather than applying uniformly across the economy. The first paper analyzed productivity changes following the spread of generative AI. The research found that early productivity gains were concentrated in finance, information and communications, and professional services. In contrast, the manufacturing sector experienced limited changes, suggesting that the initial economic benefits of AI are more prominent in specific service-oriented industries. The second paper assessed public perceptions of job replacement by AI tools like ChatGPT. The survey indicated that South Koreans believe translators, data scientists, and financial advisors face a high likelihood of replacement. Meanwhile, professions such as professors, researchers, and writers were viewed as less vulnerable to AI substitution. The study also noted that older individuals experience greater overall job anxiety related to the technology. "Generative AI is an important technology that can increase productivity across the economy, but its effects do not appear equally in all industries and professions," Oh said. "In order to spread the benefits of AI technology more widely and respond to changes in the labor market, policy discussions that consider the characteristics of each industry and profession are necessary." 2026-06-11 06:56:44
KAIST researchers teach robots human judgment using short videos SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Researchers in South Korea have built an artificial intelligence system that allows robots and self-driving cars to figure out human intentions just by watching a handful of videos. The new method heavily cuts down the amount of data needed to train these machines, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Wednesday. A research team led by Professor Yoo Chang-dong at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)'s electrical engineering department designed the framework, called Video-based Optimal TransPort Preference (VOTP). The technology lets smart machines learn how to make the right choices without needing a person to manually grade thousands of different actions. Instead of relying on massive datasets, the method only requires someone to provide about 10 short video clips showing both good and bad ways to complete a task. The system then uses a mathematical method called optimal transport to track tiny differences in movement. From there, it automatically guesses what humans would prefer in thousands of other situations, setting up virtual rewards to steer the machine. This setup mimics how people learn to do new things by simply watching a few examples. Physical AI systems, like factory robots, self-driving cars, and medical equipment, need strict guidelines to choose the safest actions in complicated environments. Until now, creating those guidelines meant having workers spend countless hours evaluating robot behaviors one by one. Some developers previously tried using text-based language models to speed up this grading process, but trying to describe highly specific mechanical movements with words often failed. The research team noted that their video-based approach works well for robotic arms, humanoid robots, drones, and software that controls computer screens. The study was picked for an oral presentation at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) 2026, which will take place in Seoul in July 2026. The paper, authored by Tung Minh Luu, Kim Hwan-hee, Lee Young-hwan, and Chang D. Yoo (Yoo Chang-dong), ranked in the top 0.7 percent of the 23,918 submissions the conference received. "The core of physical AI is making machines understand human intent and select the correct actions," Yoo said. "VOTP can learn human judgment criteria from a small number of videos, and it is a core technology that will advance the era of robots making human-like judgments." 2026-06-10 10:54:44
Russian envoy stresses restoration of bilateral ties with South Korea amid diplomatic strain SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev pushed for repairing relations between Moscow and Seoul during a diplomatic reception Tuesday, pointing to recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin to back his stance. Hosting the Day of Russia event at the embassy in Seoul, Zinoviev pointed out that while the two nations have shared decades of strong cooperation, their relationship is currently dealing with serious roadblocks. "Nonetheless, as President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin has emphasized, we continue to count on their restoration," Zinoviev told the crowd. He argued that South Koreans still hold a deep-rooted interest in Russian culture and a broadly friendly attitude toward the country. This underlying goodwill, he said, will help smooth the way for rebuilding relations once the right conditions are met. Zinoviev's speech comes during a particularly low point for Moscow and Seoul. Bilateral ties nosedived after Russia attacked Ukraine in early 2022. When South Korea joined the international community in placing economic sanctions on Moscow, Russia fired back by officially labeling South Korea an unfriendly country. The diplomatic rift widened in 2024 as Moscow tightened its military alignment with Pyongyang. Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership during a summit in Pyongyang, which included mutual defense clauses. South Korea heavily criticized the pact, along with the suspected transfer of North Korean weapons to Russia, calling it a blatant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Touching on regional security during his speech, Zinoviev said untangling the current issues on the Korean Peninsula will require a group effort. He called for dialing back military tensions and establishing comprehensive security guarantees that actually factor in everyone's concerns. On the topic of the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, the ambassador did not back down. He argued that the sanctions meant to squeeze the Russian economy have instead fast-tracked the country's economic independence and technological growth. 2026-06-09 21:37:01
Chinese president drops denuclearization from North Korea summit agenda SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping completely excluded references to denuclearization and the Korean Peninsula during his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Monday. The omission marks a fundamental realignment in how Beijing treats its neighbor, pivoting from managing regional security to utilizing the country as an active strategic asset against South Korea and its allies. This strategic shift dismantles the long-standing framework for peaceful regional disarmament. By prioritizing institutionalized bilateral ties over regional stability, Beijing is providing diplomatic cover for Pyongyang while actively undercutting international efforts to counter its nuclear ambitions. The state visit on June 8 marked the first time the Chinese leader traveled to Pyongyang in seven years. During talks at the Kumsusan Guest House, Xi proposed expanding official exchanges across diplomacy, law enforcement and military affairs. The two countries agreed to fully reopen border ports and resume international flights and passenger trains to significantly boost human and economic interaction. Official Chinese state documents from previous encounters heavily featured the term peninsula, including nine mentions during the 2019 summit. The official Chinese briefing for the latest meeting completely replaced regional security terminology with language emphasizing sovereign state relations and global initiatives. This integration deepens a northern trilateral alignment connecting North Korea, China and Russia, which directly challenges the security cooperation of South Korea, the United States and Japan. In a commentary published in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper on the day of his arrival, Xi emphasized that both countries must jointly safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests. The new alignment echoes a recent joint statement between China and Russia that explicitly opposed diplomatic isolation and economic pressure aimed at North Korea. The direct involvement of top defense officials during the talks indicated an immediate acceleration in trilateral military cooperation. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol both attended the summit. Analysts suggest this defense framework could pave the way for high-level personnel exchanges or joint naval drills among North Korea, China and Russia at facilities like Wonsan Port. Such maneuvers would serve as a direct counterweight to the joint maritime training conducted by South Korea and its partners. On the economic front, Beijing indicated a greater willingness to bypass international trade restrictions to revitalize the North Korean economy. The two sides discussed linking development strategies and expanding practical cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, science, technology and public health. The cross-border agreements are expected to revive several stalled infrastructure projects. These initiatives include opening the New Yalu River Bridge, renewing the ten-year usage rights for Rajin Port and developing the Tumen River maritime exit project recently negotiated between Beijing and Moscow. Xi concluded the state visit by calling for grand celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of the bilateral treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. 2026-06-09 09:42:46
South Korea outlines strategy to attract 2 million cruise visitors SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - South Korean government and tourism officials met with industry representatives aboard a docked cruise ship in Busan on June 5, 2026, to outline a strategy aimed at expanding international cruise tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization said Monday. The 21st Cruise Development Council meeting took place aboard Royal Caribbean's 169,000-ton Spectrum of the Seas, marking the first time the annual council convened on an active vessel. About 90 officials from regional governments, the cruise industry, and academia attended the event to discuss ways to improve port excursions and encourage local spending. During the meeting, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced its 2026 revitalization plan funded by a supplementary budget. The initiative includes joint marketing campaigns with Royal Caribbean, familiarization tours for cruise line operators, and participation in international port exhibitions. Officials highlighted recent efforts to tailor services for visitors, citing a pilot program launched in Busan on May 12, 2026. A dedicated shuttle bus connecting the port terminal to the Seomyeon Medical Street area increased the disembarkation rate among ship crew members from 29 percent to 49 percent. Representatives from several South Korean ports shared specific regional strategies. Incheon focused on its fly-and-cruise programs, while Busan presented plans for overnight port calls linked to local festivals. Officials from Jeju, Yeosu, Sokcho, and the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency also outlined their development goals. Wendy Yamazaki, Royal Caribbean's vice president for the Asia-Pacific region, presented an overview of core tasks for growing the country's cruise sector from a global operator's perspective. "We will do our best to attract cruise tourists through cooperation between the private sector, government, and academia based on the discussions at this council," said Han Yeo-ok, director of the international tourism content division at the KTO. "We will carry out comprehensive marketing to expand our global network and achieve the era of 2 million cruise tourists visiting South Korea early." 2026-06-08 17:09:55
S. Korean university students pitch multidisciplinary solutions at global sustainability festival SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - Students from five universities in South Korea presented multidisciplinary solutions to global challenges during the finals of the 2026 Global Symbiosis Joint Academic Festival on May 29, 2026, Kookmin University said Monday. The festival was organized by the HUSS Global Symbiosis Project Group and brought together participants from Kwangwoon University, Kookmin University, Sunmoon University, Yeungnam University and Honam University. The competition challenged students to analyze complex social issues, such as climate change and demographic shifts, and propose practical solutions through cross-major collaboration. Nine teams advanced to the finals, pitching ideas across fields such as technology, welfare, and urban planning. A team from Yeungnam University won the grand prize for proposing a symptom translation and hospital matching solution designed to improve medical access for international students. First prize went to a Kookmin University team for a food donation campaign aimed at supporting vulnerable youth. Excellence awards were given to three teams for artificial intelligence-based proposals. These included a carbon reduction platform using local energy data, an accessible cultural tourism application, and a monitoring system to prevent solitary deaths among single-person households. Judges evaluated the projects based on creativity, feasibility, and their multidisciplinary approach. The festival is part of the HUSS Global Symbiosis Consortium, a three-year initiative launched in 2024 with support from the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation. The consortium aims to train 2,500 students in sustainable resource management and international cooperation through various educational exchange programs. "This academic festival was an opportunity for students to interpret the complex problems of global society based on their majors and fields of interest, and to propose solutions through multidisciplinary collaboration," Professor Ahn Hyun-chul said. "We will continue to expand various programs so that students can grow while experiencing the value of a sustainable future and global symbiosis." 2026-06-08 16:56:34
Researchers design DNA coatings to control catalyst environments for chemical production SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - Researchers in South Korea have developed a method to coat chemical catalysts with single-stranded DNA, enabling precise control over the surrounding chemical environment to improve hydrogen and chemical production, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Sunday. The research team, led by Professor Park Ji-min from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)'s department of chemical and biomolecular engineering, applied single-stranded DNA to the surface of gold nanoparticle catalysts. By altering the sequence of the DNA, the researchers could control the local acidity and ion distribution at a nanometer scale without changing the structure of the catalyst itself. In chemical reactions driven by electricity, the immediate environment surrounding a catalyst determines how efficiently it operates. Traditionally, scientists used polymer coatings to manage this space, but these materials lacked the precision needed to design internal structures at a microscopic level. Because DNA naturally carries a negative charge and its structure can be altered by changing its sequence, it serves as an effective tool for guiding the movement of ions. Using real-time analysis techniques, the team observed that the DNA layer functions as a customized interface that manages the flow of hydroxide ions. When applied to hydrogen generation and the conversion of glycerol, the specific DNA sequences directly impacted the efficiency of the reactions. Adjusting the sequence increased the production rate of glycerate, a material used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, demonstrating that reaction outcomes can be controlled solely through DNA modification. The study, co-authored by doctoral students Oh Sang-yeon and Lee Tae-kyung, was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on May 5, 2026. "This research is an example showing that DNA can be utilized not just as a genetic information storage medium, but as a precision nanomaterial to control electrochemical reactions," Professor Park said. "By adjusting the acidity and ion movement on the catalyst surface through DNA sequence design, we expect it to be widely utilized in overall carbon neutrality technologies, including hydrogen production and biomass conversion in the future." (Reference Information) Journal/Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society Title: Programmable Single-Stranded DNA Layers as Modulators of Nanoscale pH at Electrocatalytic Interfaces Link/DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c02995 2026-06-08 16:21:17
Lee vows to nurture super-gap growth engines beyond semiconductors SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung marked his first year in office on Monday by unveiling plans to aggressively expand the country's economic focus, pledging to discover and nurture global super-gap growth engines beyond the semiconductor sector. Lee assumed the presidency on June 4 last year, following a snap election triggered by the December 2024 impeachment of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who had briefly declared emergency martial law. Lee framed his first year in office as a period of overcoming the resulting crisis of democracy and stabilizing the nation, setting the stage for a new era of proactive national growth. Speaking during a press conference at the state guest house at the presidential Blue House, Lee declared 2026 as the year South Korea begins its bold dream of becoming an irreplaceable nation. He presented four primary national objectives aimed at transforming the country into an industrial powerhouse where all citizens share the economic benefits. "I will continuously discover and nurture 'global super-gap growth engines' that will serve as South Korea's next-generation cash cows in industrial sectors other than semiconductors," Lee said. To execute this vision, the president promised to unveil a large-scale investment project soon, designed to fundamentally shift the national economic strategy. He emphasized that the financial rewards of this expansion must not remain trapped within specific corporations or regions, but must instead flow to small and medium-sized venture companies and spread evenly across the country. "I will carefully monitor the highly supported National Growth Fund so that it can fulfill its role for the growth of everyone, and I will also prepare measures to utilize the excess tax revenue generated by semiconductors in the most effective way," Lee said. On the security front, Lee committed to elevating South Korea's standing as a global diplomatic and military power under the principle that peace directly supports economic livelihoods. The government has recently accelerated efforts to build an independent defense framework in response to shifting global alliances and regional security demands. "I will do my best to ensure that the precious diplomatic and security achievements made over the past year, such as the revision of the South Korea-US nuclear energy agreement, the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, and the push for an early recovery of wartime operational control, bear concrete fruit," Lee said. Domestically, the president promised to aggressively dismantle privileges and correct market irregularities to build a society where rules are respected. He vowed to strictly punish crimes that harm the economic well-being of the public. "I will thoroughly crack down on civil crimes that disrupt market order, such as stock manipulation and real estate offenses, and I will unwaveringly implement structural reform tasks to dismantle privileges," Lee said. "I will run with all my might, as if every single day given to me is my last day in office, so that this government will be more anticipated for the next four years than it was over the past year," Lee said. 2026-06-08 11:13:21
From PC cafés to pork belly: Inside Jensen Huang's unconventional Seoul summit SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - Neon lights, the rapid clatter of keyboards in a bustling Hongdae PC café, and the unmistakable sizzle of meat hitting a hot grill—these are hardly the traditional backdrops for high-stakes tech diplomacy. Yet, on the evening of June 5, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang traded the polished boardrooms of Silicon Valley for the vibrant, everyday rhythms of Seoul. Immersing himself first in South Korea's grassroots digital culture, Huang eventually made his way to "Hyungnim Jeoyo," a local pork belly restaurant, setting a distinctly grounded and intimate visual tone for the night ahead. By 7 p.m., the casual outing transformed into an unprecedented gathering of industry titans. Sharing the table and bonding over a traditional "samso"—pork belly paired with soju—were SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin. This smoky, grill-side meeting echoed a similarly historic summit Huang held just seven months prior with Samsung and Hyundai leadership over fried chicken. The images that follow capture the candid, unbuttoned moments of this extraordinary evening, offering a rare glimpse into the personal, cross-cultural connections that are quietly shaping the future of global technology. 2026-06-05 22:54:20
Tourism agency partners with Catch Table to simplify restaurant reservations for foreign tourists SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - The Korea Tourism Organization has forged a partnership with WAD, the operator of the dining platform Catch Table, to improve restaurant reservations and information access for international visitors, , the state-operated tourism agency said Friday. The partnership focuses on promoting K-Local Gourmet Travels 33, a list of regional food destinations selected by KTO. Through the Catch Table global application, the organizations will create a digital service that combines restaurant information, reservations, and payment processing into a single system. The initiative is designed to eliminate language barriers that foreign travelers experience when dining at local restaurants. By integrating regional eateries into a global platform, the project seeks to distribute tourist traffic beyond major cities and generate revenue for small businesses across South Korea. "With K-food establishing itself as a global cultural trend, this agreement is an important milestone for the qualitative growth of food tourism in South Korea," said Min Byung-sun, head of the tourism industry division at KTO. "We will help foreign tourists conveniently enjoy hidden culinary gems across South Korea, bringing new vitality to the regional economy and the overall tourism industry." 2026-06-05 14:50:05