Journalist
Lee Hugh
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South Korea Tightens Oversight of Local Tourism Projects With New Performance Rules The South Korean government is moving to curb chronic budget waste and delays in regional tourism development projects by tightening oversight of local governments and expanding performance-based management. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it promulgated an amendment to the Tourism Promotion Act on April 28 that introduces a performance management system for subsidy-supported projects run by local governments. The revised law will take effect Oct. 29. The amendment calls for a comprehensive management framework covering the full project cycle, from planning through completion and post-completion. The ministry said the move reflects a push to address repeated concerns raised during the National Assembly’s annual settlement reviews about weak performance and insufficient management of regional tourism projects. ◆ Tighter reviews for projects of 10 billion won or more; tailored consulting for delays The ministry outlined three main changes. First, projects with total costs of 10 billion won or more will be designated as priority evaluation targets. Authorities will assess implementation results and analyze economic effects, then feed identified problems back into the projects with recommended fixes. Second, the government will build a “Tourism Development Integrated Information System” to track the status of local projects receiving national subsidies, including administrative histories and lists of underperforming projects. Third, projects running at least 30% behind schedule compared with their plans will be eligible for tailored consulting by experts. The ministry said the support will diagnose causes of delays and offer solutions by area, including legal issues, construction, content planning and facility operations, to help projects finish on time. ◆ Higher bar for subsidies; dedicated agency to be named within the year Requirements for receiving national subsidies will also be tightened. Local governments seeking national funding will be required to submit documents proving they have secured project sites and completed reviews for local fiscal investment and loans. To help the new system take hold, the ministry said it plans to designate a dedicated agency within this year and prepare detailed implementation measures. Kang Jeong-won, director general for tourism policy at the ministry, said the performance management system would reduce similar or overlapping investments and help projects be completed on schedule. “It will improve the efficiency of fiscal investment and strengthen regional tourism competitiveness,” Kang said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 08:21:18 -
Naver Launches Beta of AI Search ‘AI Tab’ for Naver Plus Members Naver has launched a beta version of its artificial intelligence search service, “AI Tab,” for Naver Plus membership users. The company said April 28 that AI Tab is available from Naver’s PC main search bar, below AI Briefing, and in integrated search results for Shopping and Place. Naver plans to expand access to all users in the first half of this year. AI Tab is a conversational AI search service designed to reflect a user’s intent and context and allow continued exploration through follow-up questions. Naver said the service is built to handle a wide range of queries, from everyday questions to searches with multiple conditions. It cited examples such as asking what to do with a girlfriend tomorrow, or requesting a recommendation in Gangnam for a cafe suitable for studying that has power outlets, spacious seating and many reviews mentioning those features. Users can refine results with additional questions. Naver also said it strengthened links across its services — including integrated search, Shopping, Place, Blog and Cafe — to reduce the need to switch between services and to show related information on a single screen. The company said it combined user-generated content and service data accumulated on its platform to improve search efficiency. For example, when a user asks for a “good date cafe near Hwadam Forest with a great view,” AI Tab provides results by combining Place information, visitor reviews and blog content, Naver said. Users can proceed from viewing details to making reservations on a PC screen. During the beta period, Naver said it will use user feedback to improve response speed and answer accuracy and to enhance performance for complex queries. It also plans to strengthen multimodal search this year by linking AI Tab with Smart Lens. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 08:15:17 -
Lotte World adds MapleStory unit to daily parade, launches Pink Bean photo sessions Lotte World Adventure said Monday it will run a new MapleStory-themed parade segment and character photo sessions, building on the popularity of its “Maple Island Zone,” created in partnership with Nexon’s online game “MapleStory.” The Maple Island Zone at Lotte World’s Magic Island has drawn long lines since it opened on April 3, the company said. In response, Lotte World Adventure has added MapleStory elements to its “Let’s Play! Lotty’s Adventure Parade,” held daily at 2 p.m. on the first-floor parade route since April 24. The newly added MapleStory unit vehicle is inspired by Ludibrium, the game’s toy kingdom. MapleStory characters Orange Mushroom and Slime lead the unit, followed by dancers themed as Brown Tenny, Pink Tenny, Blockpus and a drum-beating rabbit. The highlight is a Ludibrium-style vehicle designed like a colorful toy-block castle, with special effects including moving wind-up parts and spinning propellers. The boss monster Pink Bean rides on top and greets spectators. Lotte World is also introducing a character photo event, “Smile with MapleStory,” to extend the parade experience. The event will run twice daily through June 14, at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., visitors can take photos with Pink Bean at the first-floor Meeting Plaza. At 5:30 p.m., the photo session will be held at the seasonal photo zone across from the plaza. Details on locations and schedules are available on the Lotte World Adventure website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 07:48:27 -
Plane Crashes Near South Sudan Capital Juba, Killing 14 On Board An aircraft crashed near South Sudan’s capital, Juba, killing all 14 people on board, according to reports. Reuters and Yonhap reported on the 27th (local time) that the passengers included 13 travelers and one pilot. All but two Kenyan nationals were South Sudanese. The plane, operated by low-cost carrier (LLC) Citylink, was flying from Yei in central South Sudan to Juba International Airport when it lost communications. South Sudanese authorities are investigating the cause. They said poor weather may have reduced visibility and contributed to the crash.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 07:24:16 -
Mirae Asset Securities Seen Leading Q1 Operating Profit on SpaceX Valuation Gain ◆Ajou Economy Top Stories ▷Mirae Asset Securities may reclaim the top spot after four years; Q1 operating profit seen at 1.36 trillion won -Mirae Asset Securities is projected to post first-quarter operating profit of 1.3572 trillion won, potentially overtaking Korea Investment & Securities (822.0 billion won) to regain the No. 1 position. -A valuation gain from its investment in SpaceX is expected to be reflected, raising expectations it will surpass 1 trillion won in quarterly operating profit for the first time. -On an annual basis, Mirae Asset Securities is forecast at 3.1240 trillion won in operating profit versus 2.8116 trillion won for Korea Investment & Securities, suggesting a reversal in rankings. -Over the past three years, Korea Investment & Securities has maintained an edge with a profit structure centered on investment banking and trading. -Going forward, the rivalry is expected to hinge on the global investment environment and performance in the IMA business. ◆Key Report ▷NH Investment & Securities: Hyosung Heavy Industries’ North America-led growth accelerates; target raised -NH Investment & Securities raised its target price for Hyosung Heavy Industries from 3.6 million won to 4.5 million won, up 25%, while maintaining a “buy” rating. -It cited expanding North American orders, prolonged supply shortages and the impact of capacity expansion as supporting mid- to long-term growth and valuation appeal. -First-quarter operating profit fell short of expectations due to the effect of deferred earnings, but orders of 4.2 trillion won and a backlog of 15.1 trillion won were described as solid. -The report pointed to a higher North America share and the value of HVDC-related business and the Memphis plant, arguing that a high valuation is justified amid a global power-infrastructure boom. ◆Major disclosures after the close (24th) ▷LS Cable & System and Marine Solution terminate Anma offshore wind contract worth 271.1 billion won ▷Bukwang Pharmaceutical: “Acquired 30.0 billion won worth of Korea Union Pharmaceutical shares; stake 75%” ▷Aekyung Chemical: “Invested 82.4 billion won in subsidiary Aekyung Chemical Works” ▷Dong-A Socio Holdings Q1 operating profit 19.1 billion won, down 6% ▷Unitrontech: “Additional purchase of affiliate GPI shares for 11.3 billion won” ▷A-Lux: “Additional purchase of subsidiary ER shares worth 8.0 billion won; stake 100%” ▷NGeneBio to raise 22.0 billion won via rights offering and public sale of unsubscribed shares ◆Fund flows (as of the 24th, excluding ETFs) Domestic equity funds: 37.3 billion won Overseas equity funds: -8.8 billion won ◆Today (Tue) key events South Korea: Bank of Korea monetary policy meeting minutes United States: Home prices (February), consumer confidence (April), M2 (March) Japan: BOJ Gov. Ueda; Japan monetary policy meeting * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 07:12:25 -
Sejong Center Chief Kim Se-jin: Full Shift Away From Middle East Is Impossible; Redesign Supply Chains “It’s time to move supply-chain management beyond cost minimization and rebuild it around ‘sovereignty risk’ in three areas: resources, routes and contracts,” said Kim Se-jin, head of the Trade and Industry Policy Center at Sejong law firm. “Instead of focusing only on where to buy cheaply, companies must factor in which country the resource comes from, which sea lane it travels through, and whether the contract will actually be honored.” A global economic shock tied to the Middle East has deepened after physical clashes involving the United States and Israel and Iran. President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick cease-fire ahead of November midterm elections, but experts say the fallout is likely to persist and could mark a structural turning point for global supply chains. Kim, a New York-licensed foreign attorney and adjunct professor at Yonsei University Law School who has also served as director of the Trade Dispute Response Division at South Korea’s Industry Ministry, discussed what he sees as the core of the crisis and how Korean companies should respond. -With the U.S.-Iran war expanding Middle East-driven economic risk, Trump says he wants fast cease-fire talks. Even if a cease-fire is reached, the impact could last. How do you view the situation? Kim said the conflict reflects a miscalculation that it would be short. He said a localized fight, pulled into an Israel-centered frame, spread into a regional war and brought to life warnings made before the fighting: a Hormuz blockade, strikes on U.S. facilities and attacks on Israel’s energy infrastructure. He said Trump is clearly rushing toward a cease-fire before the midterms because energy prices can be politically damaging and even the MAGA base is turning away. But, he added, a cease-fire would not mean the risk is over. “This war is a structural turning point in which physical resources and geographic assets that had been depoliticized for 30 years are again being used as tools in sovereignty disputes,” Kim said. He said the Strait of Hormuz has shifted from a “public good” to leverage for sovereign power; Middle East resource geography has become missile targets; and byproduct processes such as LNG and helium have become instruments of sovereign control. Kim said South Korea is among the few countries whose core industries are simultaneously exposed across many of the routes affected: Hormuz (crude oil and naphtha), Israel (97.5% of bromine used for semiconductors), Qatar (helium and LNG), and the Gulf (ammonia and aluminum). He said companies should redesign supply-chain management to embed sovereignty risk across resources, routes and contracts. -Many companies face breach-of-contract risks due to shipping delays. How likely is it that this crisis will qualify as force majeure under international commercial law? Kim said there is no one-size-fits-all answer because contract language will determine outcomes. He said a key legal dividing line is whether performance is physically impossible or merely economically unreasonable. If supply is physically cut off — such as through a Hormuz blockade or damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan facilities — force majeure is more likely to be recognized, he said. But cases where routes remain open and costs surge, such as sharply higher insurance premiums, are harder to excuse under Anglo-American law, which generally does not treat cost increases alone as force majeure. He urged companies to review force majeure clauses and notice requirements across existing contracts and to document and preserve records of substitute procurement costs for potential recourse claims. For new contracts, he said firms should spell out scenario-based terms tied to Hormuz, the allocation of war-risk insurance costs, responsibility for any Iranian transit fees, and clear standards for when force majeure ends. “In any case, the practical benefit now is often greater in redesigning contract structures than in fighting,” he said. -War-risk insurance premiums are surging and port-entry refusals are increasing. What urgent legal steps do you recommend for shipowners and cargo interests? Kim said the most urgent step is a full review of contracts and insurance terms because a single clause can determine who pays and who can terminate. He said companies should first examine war-risk clauses in charter parties, which can allow owners to refuse dangerous routes, and noted that liability can flip depending on whether the charter is time or voyage-based. He said responsibility for additional insurance premiums also varies. While charter parties often place the burden on charterers, the ultimate allocation can change depending on whether a sale is CIF or FOB. “If you don’t sort it out now, it becomes a dispute and a lawsuit later,” he said. Kim also flagged the risk of Iranian transit fees. If Iran moves to a paid transit system, paying could violate U.S. sanctions on Iran, forcing companies to choose between breaching sanctions or breaching contracts. He said firms should check in advance whether an OFAC license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is required. -If a South Korean-flagged ship is seized by Iranian authorities or detained over unpaid tolls, what immediate international arbitration or legal remedies are available? Kim said several legal avenues exist, but effectiveness varies. One commonly cited option is the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s prompt-release procedure. Under Article 292 of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, a flag state can seek prompt release of a detained vessel upon posting a reasonable bond. He said the process is fast — in principle, a ruling within one month — and South Korea, as a party to UNCLOS, has standing. But he said enforcement is limited because Iran has not ratified UNCLOS and is likely to reject ITLOS jurisdiction. He said the most realistic tool is diplomatic negotiation, citing the January 2021 seizure by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of the South Korean chemical tanker Hankuk Chemi. The 19 crew members were released after about a month, he said, but the ship and its captain took 95 days. He said the release reflected a mix of South Korean diplomatic efforts, progress in talks on the Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, and steps by South Korea related to frozen funds. He described it as a case resolved through diplomacy before international legal procedures such as ITLOS or the International Court of Justice were activated. -Energy security has become a top management priority. For companies trying to reduce dependence on the Middle East, what alternatives look promising? Kim said a complete shift away from the Middle East is unrealistic because South Korea’s refining system is optimized for Middle Eastern heavy, high-sulfur crude and the country has long depended on the region for around 70% of its crude oil. He said diversification and stockpiling are more practical than outright replacement. As potential alternatives, he said U.S., Australian and Canadian crude are widely seen as candidates. He said the crisis also exposed the risk of relying on Qatar for LNG, and pointed to U.S.-sourced LNG projects, including Alaska LNG, which he said are emerging as a major potential use of investment funds tied to a U.S.-South Korea trade agreement, linking South Korea’s energy security with bilateral trade ties. -What specific support is Sejong providing to companies facing unpredictable geopolitical risk? Kim said Sejong formally launched its Trade and Industry Policy Center earlier this year to respond to geopolitical shocks like the current crisis. He said the center aims to go beyond legal review by integrating overseas expansion strategy, investment structures and supply-chain restructuring. He said the firm helps strategic industries — including defense, energy, shipbuilding, batteries, semiconductors and AI — manage regulatory risk across major economic blocs including the United States, the European Union and China. He said Sejong advises on supply-chain regulatory risk diagnostics, long-term contract renegotiation and force majeure responses, and designs linking policy finance with strategic investment, including deal architecture. For complex transactions such as U.S. shipbuilding investment or defense expansion, he said Sejong builds joint advisory structures with U.S. law firms to reflect both countries’ rules, including CFIUS, export controls, procurement regulations, tax and finance. “Regulation is everywhere, but the companies that read the structure of regulation first ultimately gain a competitive edge,” Kim said. He added that the Iran crisis could also open major opportunities for Korean companies, including Middle East reconstruction, LNG carriers, defense and nuclear power.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 06:12:58 -
Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchanges Expand With Festivals in Hanoi and Suwon Cultural and tourism events linking South Korea and Vietnam were held alongside President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit, highlighting exchanges that have broadened beyond government and business cooperation into culture and travel. Vietnamese media outlets including Zing Viet reported that the “2026 Korea Culture and Tourism Festival” ran from the 23rd to the 26th at Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi. Co-hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korean Cultural Center in Vietnam, the event carried the theme “Feel Your Korea” and offered hands-on programs designed to engage all five senses. The Korea Creative Content Agency, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., and organizations supporting small businesses and startups also took part. A “K-wave talk show” on the opening day featured actor Jung Il-woo; travel YouTuber and singer Gwangbin; broadcaster Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha; and K-beauty expert Amy Hoang, who shared experiences related to Korean tourism, food, film and beauty. Tran Bao Trinh, head of Jung’s Vietnam fan club, said, “A wide range of content — webtoons, games, food and films — was impressive, and it seems more visitors came thanks to Jung Il-woo’s participation.” A student who said they attend a journalism and communication academy said they learned about the event through the cultural center’s Facebook page and came in person to join the activities and talk show. Kim also visited the venue that day, joining a bibimbap-making activity and meeting directly with Vietnamese citizens and other visitors. Organizers set up five themed zones: K-content, K-food, K-beauty, K-travel and K-heritage. The K-content zone featured displays tied to the Korean dramas “The Tyrant’s Chef” and “Solo Leveling.” The K-food zone recreated dishes shown in drama scenes and offered free drinks made with Korean strawberries and Vietnamese mango and dragon fruit. The K-beauty zone let visitors try new products and join games and prize events. The K-heritage zone drew attention with a collaboration collection between BTS and MU:DS, the National Museum of Korea’s cultural goods brand. The festival also introduced content such as a “K-wave fan tour” and esports tied to “League of Legends Champions Korea.” In a multimedia space by Arte Museum, modern video technology reimagined Gwanghwamun, hanbok, Hangul and Korean natural scenery. Organizers said they aim to attract about 600,000 Vietnamese tourists to South Korea by 2026. Cultural exchange will continue in South Korea. The eighth “We Are Together” culture and music festival is scheduled for May 9-10 at the No. 1 Outdoor Concert Hall in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Inspired by South Korea’s “Family Month,” the event is designed for Vietnamese residents in South Korea, including those studying or working there, and is set to run from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days. About 300,000 Vietnamese people currently live in South Korea. Launched in 2017 to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Vietnam, the annual event has become a symbolic venue for cultural exchange. The program includes a talent competition for overseas Vietnamese, performances for children and families, a large joint music stage featuring artists from both countries, and a prize drawing. With Lee’s state visit serving as a catalyst, organizers and observers expect bilateral ties to deepen further beyond the economic sphere as cultural events gain momentum.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 06:11:40 -
Lee Jae-myung’s Vietnam state visit yields 85 MOUs, sets $150B trade goal by 2030 President Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his state visit to Vietnam with a series of major agreements through the final day. The two countries signed a total of 85 memorandums of understanding — 12 government-to-government MOUs covering areas such as nuclear power, railways and artificial intelligence, and 73 MOUs between companies — and formally set a goal of raising bilateral trade to $150 billion (about 221 trillion won) by 2030. The outcome was described as a step toward moving the comprehensive strategic partnership into an implementation phase. ◆ $150 billion trade goal formalized; growth since 1992 Vietnamese media outlets including Cheongnyeon Sinmun reported that expanding economic cooperation was the central agenda of the trip. Lee and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung co-chaired an economic roundtable and forum, formally reaffirming their shared commitment to lift trade to $150 billion by 2030. They also agreed to work together to carry out an economic integration vision suited to a changing international environment. Bilateral trade has risen sharply. From several hundred million dollars at the time diplomatic ties were established in 1992, trade expanded to $89.5 billion last year, and reached $26.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The $150 billion target is about 1.5 times the 2025 result, the report said. Companies also moved in parallel. Businesses from both countries signed and exchanged 73 MOUs spanning energy, finance, technology, electronics, telecommunications, processing, manufacturing, machinery, construction, infrastructure, trade, tourism and aviation. Government ministries and agencies signed 12 cooperation documents, strengthening the institutional framework, the report said. The summit schedule also included cultural events. On April 24, To Lam and his wife hosted a special friendship program for Lee and first lady Kim Hye-kyung at Hanoi’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The two sides agreed that bilateral ties have reached their most advanced stage and reaffirmed that they are moving into a new phase under a long-term strategic direction. The program, themed “Thang Long: A Thousand Years of Vitality, the Depth of Cultural Heritage,” featured performances including xoan singing, listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, as well as Vietnamese court music, Hue chau van singing and a “six royal flowers” dance. The leaders toured sites including Doan Mon, the main hall of Kinh Thien Palace and an exhibition hall while receiving historical briefings. In talks, Lee said, “The relationship between our two countries is special and close, like brothers,” and said South Korea would be a reliable partner in achieving Vietnam’s goals of becoming an upper-middle-income developing country by 2030 and a high-income advanced country by 2045. Vietnam’s leadership said the visit carried added significance as the first state visit after a leadership reshuffle following the 16th National Assembly election. During the state visit from April 21 to 24, Lee also visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and attended an official welcoming ceremony and a state banquet. On the final afternoon, Lee and Kim departed Hanoi after completing the schedule. The visit was widely seen as coming at a time when bilateral ties are at their strongest, providing a platform to expand trade and deepen strategic cooperation. The shared $150 billion goal is now moving beyond leader-level agreement into an execution phase through cooperation documents and contracts by governments and companies, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 06:10:17 -
Korea Bond Yields Rise on Middle East War, Inflation Fears Despite WGBI Boost South Korea’s government bond yields are climbing again as Middle East war risks and rising inflation pressure outweigh the boost from the country’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index, or WGBI. While index-tracking foreign inflows are adding downward pressure, concerns about prolonged conflict, higher prices and possible policy-rate hikes are dominating, increasing borrowing costs across the market. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association on the 27th, the three-year government bond yield stood at 3.492% a year. The 10-year yield ended at 3.820%. That is up 53.9 basis points and 43.5 basis points, respectively, from the end of last year (1 basis point equals 0.01 percentage point). After WGBI inclusion on the 1st sent yields down more than 20 basis points in a single day, the market has since reversed much of that drop. The rebound reflects renewed worries about an oil-driven inflation shock as countries continue to spar over a ceasefire in the Middle East. The WGBI factor has not been enough to keep yields down. Finance Ministry data showed foreigners posted net purchases of 8.5 trillion won in Korean Treasury bonds over about three weeks after April’s WGBI inclusion, well above the usual average of 4.5 trillion won. Even so, yields have not returned to prewar levels — the 3.0% range for three-year bonds and the 3.5% range for 10-year bonds. Kiwoom Securities, citing China’s earlier WGBI inclusion, said index entry can broaden demand but does not necessarily drive yields lower on its own. Economic conditions and policy responses, it said, have a larger influence on rates. Expectations for additional policy tightening are also pushing yields higher. With the policy rate at 2.5%, the three-year government bond yield is nearly 1 percentage point above it. Because the three-year tenor typically reflects expectations for the policy path most sensitively, the market is pricing in the possibility that the Bank of Korea could raise rates at least twice more. Increased government bond supply is adding to the upward pressure. Higher government bond yields can spill into the real economy because they serve as benchmark rates for market borrowing costs. When they rise, corporate bond yields and bank lending rates can follow. Corporate financing conditions have already worsened. The yield on three-year AA- rated corporate bonds rose to 4.147% from 3.476% at the end of last year. Smaller companies with weaker credit could face a sharper squeeze, including difficulty raising funds. Households are also exposed: if bank loan rates move higher in line with government bond yields and the COFIX funding rate, borrowing costs for vulnerable borrowers could approach their limits. Prospects for Bank of Korea rate hikes have strengthened after first-quarter gross domestic product growth delivered a surprise that far exceeded market expectations. With Middle East-driven inflation risks already elevated, analysts say stronger-than-expected growth could add to price pressure and lead the central bank to place greater weight on inflation control when setting policy. Cho Yong-gu, a researcher at Shinyoung Securities, said, “With the domestic first-quarter GDP surprise, the terminal rate is now more likely to reach 3.00%,” and forecast an upward revision to the ‘K-dot plot’ in May, a minority dissent for a hike in July, and a 25-basis-point increase in August.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 06:09:15 -
Korea to Host 13th ISO Health Organization Management Standards Meeting in Seoul The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said Monday it will hold the 13th International Standards Meeting on Health Organization Management in Seoul for three days through April 30. The meeting will be the first hosted by South Korea since it took on the chair and secretariat roles for ISO/TC 304 (health organization management). South Korea plans to serve as a designer and coordinator for global health and medical standardization work during the session. Delegates will discuss five proposed international standards submitted by South Korea, including evaluation methods for logistics processes and performance based on autonomous driving robots in smart hospitals. The meeting will also establish a “smart hospital” subcommittee (SC1) as South Korea seeks to lead international standardization for smart health and medical systems. KATS Administrator Kim Dae-ja said, “By taking the lead in smart hospital standards, our medical industry will be able to strengthen its competitiveness in the global market and improve both patient safety and hospital operational efficiency.” She added, “We will continue to provide support so our standards experts can actively participate in international standardization for smart hospitals.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 06:08:28