Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Duo Data Leak Exposes 430,000 Matchmaking Profiles, Raising Questions About Trust
    Duo Data Leak Exposes 430,000 Matchmaking Profiles, Raising Questions About Trust Marriage has long carried an element of transaction, even when it is wrapped in the language of love. The film “Materialists” captured that idea with a blunt line from a couple manager who builds matches by salary, looks, education and age: “Love is a variable, and marriage is a calculation.” That logic depends on collecting ever more personal information. But the more complete the calculation becomes, the more exposed people can be. A data breach at Duo, South Korea’s largest matchmaking company, laid bare that risk when sensitive personal information on 430,000 members was leaked. The leaked material went far beyond names and contact details. It included height, weight, blood type and religion, as well as marital history, family relationships, workplace, financial capacity and health status — a profile that can describe a person’s life in numbers. The breach also raised questions about how such data was handled. Of the 430,000 affected, 300,000 were members whose contracts had already ended and whose data should have been destroyed, the article said. Instead, the information was kept and ultimately fell into hackers’ hands. The company’s response drew additional criticism. The article said Duo failed to meet a requirement to report the breach within 72 hours after recognizing it, and victims learned of the leak later through news reports. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission imposed an administrative fine of about 1.2 billion won. Spread across the victims, that amounts to about 2,800 won per person — less than the price of a cup of coffee, the article noted. The article said the penalty reflects limits in the current system, including rules tied to revenue and reductions based on company size. But it argued the larger issue is why people disclose so much while expecting so little protection in return. Unlike breaches involving platforms or telecom companies, the article said, the information entrusted to matchmaking firms is not just a record of consumer behavior. It can shape a person’s social standing and identity, and once exposed it can become an irreversible vulnerability. A scene in the film poses a simple question: “Why do people insist on getting married?” The answer is equally direct: “Because they’re lonely. And because they need hope.” The article said what people are buying is not a set of conditions but relief from anxiety — reassurance that their choice is not wrong. Matchmaking companies sell that reassurance and, in exchange, accumulate vast power through data. In a market where marriage is treated as a deal, the article argued, trust should be the most valuable asset. Instead, it said, trust is treated as cheap, and the costs of that complacency fall most heavily on individuals. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 06:45:26
  • Coupang Scrutiny Should Focus on Numbers, Not Emotion, After Data Leak and Lobbying
    Coupang Scrutiny Should Focus on Numbers, Not Emotion, After Data Leak and Lobbying An old saying about others doing the work while someone else takes the money has resurfaced in South Korea as questions grow over Coupang’s structure and conduct. Built on a logistics network supported by 35 million Korean consumers, with Korean workers making pre-dawn deliveries and Korean small businesses paying platform fees, Coupang posted last year’s results of 45.4555 trillion won in revenue, 2.2883 trillion won in operating profit and 1.5891 trillion won in net profit. Operating profit rose 40.9% from a year earlier and net profit increased 37%, even as South Korea was shaken that year by a personal data leak. Coupang’s Korean unit then paid an interim dividend of 1.4659 trillion won to its parent, the U.S.-based Coupang Inc., which owns it 100%. The payout exceeded 90% of net profit. Coupang has said the transfer was not a shareholder cash dividend but a funding move to reinvest in global growth businesses such as Taiwan, and that the source was not Korean operating profit but part of paid-in capital surplus from past overseas investors. The explanation may be difficult to dispute on accounting grounds. Critics, however, question whether it is reasonable that the trust costs from the data leak were borne by Korean users and society while profits flowed overseas. The issue escalated further with lobbying in Washington. Coupang spent $1.785 million on U.S. lobbying in the first quarter of this year, nearly double the previous quarter. Its in-house lobbying rose to $1.09 million, and it newly hired outside firms including Ballard Partners, Crossroads Strategies, and Williams & Jensen. The reported targets expanded beyond the Commerce Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to include the White House, the Office of the Vice President and the National Security Council. The fallout soon returned to Seoul. Fifty-four Republican members of the U.S. House sent an open letter to Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, arguing the South Korean government discriminates against U.S. companies such as Coupang. They described the leak involving data on 35 million people as a release of “low-sensitivity” information. In South Korea, Coupang is widely seen as daily-life infrastructure rather than a simple consumer choice, and critics say the lawmakers’ wording underscored the core of the dispute. Concerns have also grown that the corporate dispute could become entangled with U.S.-South Korea security talks, including issues such as nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment and reprocessing. Wi Sung-lac, head of South Korea’s National Security Office, said, “Coupang is a corporate issue, but it is true that this issue is affecting security consultations between South Korea and the United States,” while drawing a line by calling it an “undesirable connection.” He said questions of corporate illegality should be handled through law and procedure, and security negotiations through security logic, warning that mixing the two risks turning the rule of law into a bargaining chip and the alliance into a transaction. The article argues South Korea’s government and political circles should not treat the matter as an emotional issue, saying anti-American sentiment, anti-business sentiment and nationalism are not answers. It calls for a fact-based accounting: how much Coupang earned in South Korea, how much it paid out, when and by how much lobbying funds increased, how far lobbying targets expanded, and the scale of harm from the data leak and whether follow-up steps were adequate. It says foreign companies should not be treated unfairly, but U.S. companies should not receive exceptions, adding that mature alliances build trust by respecting each other’s laws and institutions and that an alliance cannot serve as a shield against the rule of law. “Korea did the work,” the article concludes, arguing that seeking accountability through the rule of law is a matter of common sense, not emotion. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 06:36:23
  • China’s ‘Soul Ferry’ Returns as 100% AI-Generated Film, Drawing Backlash
    China’s ‘Soul Ferry’ Returns as 100% AI-Generated Film, Drawing Backlash A thriller series that drew huge audiences in China in 2014 is returning to theaters about a decade later — this time as a film made entirely with artificial intelligence. The movie, titled ‘Soul Ferry·Floating Life Dream’ (靈魂擺渡·浮生夢), is scheduled for release this summer, according to China News Network and other local outlets. It is co-produced by the online video platform iQiyi and Chuangxin Media. ‘Soul Ferry’ began as a web drama in 2014 and surpassed 5 billion cumulative views. Fans welcomed news of a film adaptation, but the project has also stirred controversy after being billed as a “100% AI-generated film.” AI has been used in film and TV production before, but local media described this as effectively the first case of a well-known intellectual property being produced end-to-end with AI. The original drama follows a young man who can see ghosts. Seemingly ordinary and barely noticed by others, Xia Dongqing (played by Liu Zhiyang) is born with the ability to see “souls from another world.” Struggling to make a living through part-time jobs, he takes work at the “Convenience Store No. 444,” a place where ghosts appear after midnight and a boundary linking different dimensions. A civil servant from the underworld, Zhao Li (Yu Yi), runs the store and calls himself a “guide for souls,” while Dongqing and the bold young woman Wang Xiaoya (Xiao Yin) encounter a series of strange cases. The producers said AI was used from planning through completion, including modeling characters based on the original cast and editing music. They said deep-learning technology was used to reproduce subtle facial expressions and even muscle movement. The trailer has intensified debate over whether AI can replace human actors. Some viewers called it a technical breakthrough for East Asian thrillers, while others criticized it, saying, “Even an actor’s soul is exploited by an algorithm.” Online reaction has been sharply divided. Viewers said the AI performers’ emotional cues — frightened eyes, sly expressions and cutesy speech — looked more awkward than real acting. On China’s Baidu portal, the hashtag “Soul Ferry has no soul” rose among top trending searches. One film critic panned it, saying it was “like serving pre-made food at a Michelin restaurant.” The trailer also drew attention for apparent technical flaws. Some scenes show what viewers described as an “uncanny valley” effect, including a hand that appears to have six fingers and hair that seems to pass through a doorframe. Comments by Guo Jingyu, who oversaw the film’s production, added to the controversy. Critics pointed to his earlier remarks at a forum, where he criticized AI virtual humans and said, “AI cannot express a character’s soul,” calling his move to make a fully AI film contradictory. The dispute reflects broader anxiety in the film industry as AI grows rapidly. Some worry that wider use of AI across production could shrink roles for actors and crew and force a restructuring of the industry. According to Chinese market research firm Tonghuashun, AI short dramas can be produced for about one-tenth the cost of traditional dramas, and a three-person team can finish production in 48 hours. The AI-based short-drama market in China is projected to reach about 24 billion yuan this year, with works featuring AI virtual actors expected to account for about 40% of the total.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 06:04:38
  • KOSPI’s W-Shaped Rebound Faces Test as Chip Earnings and Fed Meeting Loom
    KOSPI’s W-Shaped Rebound Faces Test as Chip Earnings and Fed Meeting Loom After setting a record high and completing a so-called W-shaped rebound, South Korea’s stock market is expected to face a key test next week over whether the rally can extend. Semiconductor-driven earnings momentum has supported gains, but heavy foreign selling and a U.S. monetary policy event could increase volatility. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed the previous session down 0.18 point, or flat, at 6,475.63. The index rose to the 6,490 level early in the day but gave up gains amid large foreign selling. In the main board market, foreigners net sold 2.1022 trillion won, while individuals and institutions net bought 1.5066 trillion won and 646.1 billion won, respectively. The KOSDAQ ended up 29.53 points, or 2.51%, at 1,203.94. Foreigners and institutions net bought 806.5 billion won and 179.6 billion won, while individuals net sold 963.8 billion won. This week, domestic shares swung between gains and losses as investors weighed post-record-high fatigue and geopolitical risks. Analysts said expectations for semiconductor earnings have collided with Middle East uncertainty. While negotiations between the United States and Iran have continued, tensions tied to the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices have not fully eased, they said. Next week, the durability of the semiconductor earnings story is expected to be a central driver. SK hynix posted its best-ever first-quarter results, reinforcing expectations for an industry upturn, and optimism could spread across related sectors. In April export data released recently, semiconductor exports rose more than 180% from a year earlier, maintaining a strong trend. Market watchers also noted that the KOSPI’s rise has been driven more by improving corporate earnings than by liquidity. Upward revisions to profit estimates, led by semiconductors, have helped underpin fundamentals. Still, the sharp run-up over a short period and continued foreign selling are seen as near-term sources of volatility. Foreign flows are viewed as a key swing factor. Foreign investors have remained net sellers in the cash market, and directional buying in the futures market has been limited, analysts said. That could restrain program buying and reduce the index’s upward momentum. Overseas, investors are watching U.S. monetary policy and major economic data. The Federal Open Market Committee meets April 29-30 local time, and while a rate hold is widely expected, markets are focused on how the Fed addresses inflation pressure linked to higher oil prices. U.S. first-quarter gross domestic product, the personal consumption expenditures inflation gauge and earnings from major big tech companies are also seen as potential volatility triggers. Some in the market said that if higher oil prices intensify inflation concerns, expectations for rate cuts could weaken. Others said the KOSPI could keep its uptrend if earnings improvements, led by semiconductors, continue. Na Jeong-hwan, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, said, "The KOSPI is in a phase where expectations for earnings growth have been reflected in prices, so investors need to focus on sectors where results are being confirmed," adding that "semiconductors, power equipment and defense remain valid leading sectors." Kang Jin-hyeok, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., said, "After a sharp short-term drop, the market has succeeded in a W-shaped rebound, so whether gains continue will depend on earnings and macro variables," and added that investors should keep in mind the possibility of greater volatility driven by geopolitical risks and inflation factors. Some analysts also said the recent pullback has not translated into damage to corporate earnings. With profit estimates continuing to rise, particularly in semiconductors and industrials, they said the current move looks more like a short-term, flow-driven adjustment than a break in the broader trend. As a result, they expect stock-specific performance to dominate over a clear index direction for the time being.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 06:03:23
  • Blue House swaps senior civil affairs and discipline aides; special inspection team moved
    Blue House swaps senior civil affairs and discipline aides; special inspection team moved The Blue House confirmed that its senior secretary for civil affairs and its senior secretary for public service discipline swapped posts on April 24. According to the Blue House, Lee Tae-hyeong, the senior secretary for civil affairs, and Jeon Chi-young, the senior secretary for public service discipline, began working in their new roles that day. The special inspection team, which had been under the public service discipline office, was also moved under the civil affairs office, officials said. The personnel switch within the same senior secretariat was seen as unusual. The Blue House did not disclose the reason for the changes. Separately, President Lee Jae-myung is set to meet Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis at the Blue House on April 27 to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence. Hassabis, a founder of Google DeepMind, oversaw the 2016 matches between Go champion Lee Sedol and the AI program AlphaGo. He also won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing AlphaFold, an AI model that predicts protein structures. The Blue House said the meeting is part of the government’s broader push for global AI cooperation and is expected to help accelerate policy efforts through collaboration with a top-tier AI company.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 00:33:17
  • NH Investment & Securities Shifts to Co-CEO Structure, Citing Accountability
    NH Investment & Securities Shifts to Co-CEO Structure, Citing Accountability NH Investment & Securities said its board of directors met on the 24th and approved a change in its CEO management structure, shifting from a single-CEO system to a co-CEO system. The company said the move is intended to respond to its larger scale and more diversified business structure following its entry into the IMA (investment management account) business. It said it revamped its top management structure to enable faster, more efficient decision-making as capital markets grow. Under the co-CEO system, the firm plans to strengthen accountability centered on key business divisions and raise division-level expertise. It said the change is aimed at improving execution and speeding decisions, while linking growth in client assets with investment banking capabilities to reinforce its mid- to long-term growth foundation. The company said the board finalized the decision after several rounds of discussions, reflecting NH NongHyup Financial Group’s direction to upgrade governance at its subsidiaries. The board also reviewed expected benefits and potential risks from the shift and said it will put in place phased safeguards. An NH Investment & Securities official said the company will operate a firmwide coordination function and strengthen internal controls so an expertise-based accountability system works smoothly. The official added that while responsibilities by business division will be clearly defined, companywide risk management and customer protection standards will be kept consistent. The official said the change is a strategic choice to strengthen competitiveness over the mid to long term, not a short-term response, and that the company will use greater division expertise to connect expanding business opportunities to higher customer and shareholder value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 22:00:18
  • Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as US-Iran Talks Are Floated Again
    Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as US-Iran Talks Are Floated Again Iran foreign minister to visit Pakistan; possibility of second U.S.-Iran talks raised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan, according to reports, as the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations is being discussed again, though no schedule has been set. Reuters reported on the 24th that Pakistani sources said Araghchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. The timing of any U.S.-Iran talks remains undecided. The Associated Press, citing two Pakistani officials, also reported that Araghchi could visit as early as that day and no later than this weekend. Pakistan has played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Reuters said Islamabad has kept security measures in place in case talks are held, but uncertainty has caused confusion locally because no date has been confirmed. President Lee arrives in Seoul, wrapping state visits to India and Vietnam President Lee Jae-myung returned to South Korea on the 24th after a six-day trip to India and Vietnam, arriving via Seoul Air Base. Air Force One carrying Lee, first lady Kim Hye-kyung and aides landed at about 9:03 p.m. at the base in Seongnam, south of Seoul. They were greeted by Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and senior presidential secretary for political affairs Hong Ik-pyo. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung also welcomed the couple. Lee and Kim stepped off the plane and shook hands with officials who came to receive them. Lee began the trip on the 19th with a two-night, three-day state visit to India. In a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two agreed to expand cooperation in strategic industries including shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and defense. They also agreed to set up an industrial cooperation committee and speed talks to improve the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, strengthen supply-chain cooperation, and continue coordination on global issues including Middle East developments. KOSDAQ tops 1,200 for first time in 25 years, led by chip suppliers and biotech South Korea’s KOSDAQ closed above 1,200 for the first time since 2000, lifted by gains in semiconductor materials, parts and equipment makers and biotech shares. The KOSPI, after setting repeated records, traded narrowly as investors took profits. The Korea Exchange said on the 24th that the KOSDAQ rose 29.53 points, or 2.51%, to finish at 1203.84. It was the first close above 1,200 since Aug. 4, 2000, about 25 years and eight months ago. The rally was driven by chip-supply-chain and biotech stocks. As large semiconductor shares eased on profit-taking, buying shifted toward KOSDAQ growth stocks, widening gains. The KOSPI slipped 0.18 point to 6475.63. It climbed as high as 6516.54 early but gave up gains to end near flat. Profit-taking after three straight record closes through the previous day, along with geopolitical risk in the Middle East, limited the advance. Samsung Electronics union reports plan to rally outside chairman’s home on first day of strike A Samsung Electronics labor union has reported plans to hold a rally outside the home of Chairman Lee Jae-yong on the first day of a planned general strike, as a dispute over the bonus system extends beyond the workplace. Samsung Electronics’ National Samsung Electronics Union said on the 24th it filed a notice that morning with Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for a gathering at 1 p.m. on May 21 outside Lee’s residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu. The reported turnout was about 50 people. The union has announced an 18-day strike from May 21 to June 7. The gathering is expected to be conducted more as a news conference to publicize the strike plan than as a large-scale protest, according to the report. The union is demanding the removal of a cap on performance bonuses and payment of 15% of operating profit as bonuses. The joint union struggle headquarters held a rally the previous day outside Samsung’s Pyeongtaek campus in Gyeonggi province, urging management to accept its demands.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 21:54:24
  • Pentagon chief says Europe, Asia must share costs for Hormuz security
    Pentagon chief says Europe, Asia must share costs for Hormuz security U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly pressed European and Asian countries over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the era of relying on U.S. military power to secure key sea lanes is over. Bloomberg reported on April 24 that Hegseth criticized what he called “free-riding” by Europe and Asia in connection with Hormuz transit. GB News said Hegseth told a Pentagon news conference that Europe and Asia had benefited for decades from U.S. protection, but that “the time for free-riding is over.” He was also quoted as stressing that alliances are not one-way, a message widely read as a call for countries with major stakes in stable passage through Hormuz to share costs and responsibilities. At the same news conference, Reuters reported that Hegseth said the U.S. maritime blockade on Iran was expanding. “Our blockade is growing and expanding worldwide,” he said. Hegseth said the U.S. Navy has so far turned back 34 vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that without U.S. Navy approval, ships cannot sail from the strait to anywhere in the world. The remarks were seen as a signal that Washington is seeking to link Hormuz transit to burden-sharing by allies. The strait is a critical sea lane for Middle Eastern crude oil and liquefied natural gas, and major importers in Europe and Asia have a direct interest in its stability. Hegseth also left room for negotiations with Iran, saying Iran has a chance to reach a “good deal” with the United States. He did not provide details on any timetable or whether the blockade could be eased.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 21:51:21
  • President Lee Jae-myung Returns to Seoul After State Visits to India and Vietnam
    President Lee Jae-myung Returns to Seoul After State Visits to India and Vietnam President Lee Jae-myung returned to South Korea on April 24 after a six-day trip to India and Vietnam. Air Force One, carrying Lee, first lady Kim Hye-kyung and aides, arrived at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, at about 9:03 p.m. They were greeted by Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung also welcomed the couple. Lee and Kim stepped off the plane and shook hands with the officials. Lee began the trip in India on April 19, completing a two-night, three-day state visit. In talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in strategic industries including shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and defense. They also agreed to strengthen supply-chain cooperation by creating an industrial cooperation committee and speeding up negotiations to improve the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and to continue coordination on global issues including the situation in the Middle East. From April 21, Lee made a state visit to Vietnam and held a summit with Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. They agreed to step up cooperation in future-oriented and strategic areas including trade and investment, energy and nuclear power, infrastructure, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. 2026-04-24 21:39:18
  • Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as Possible US-Iran Talks Resurface
    Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as Possible US-Iran Talks Resurface Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan, according to reports, as talk resurfaces about a possible resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran, though no schedule has been set. Reuters reported on the 24th that Pakistani sources said Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. The timing of any U.S.-Iran talks remains unconfirmed. The Associated Press, citing two Pakistani officials, also reported that Araghchi could visit as early as that day and no later than this weekend. Pakistan has played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Reuters said Islamabad has kept security measures in place in case talks are held, but uncertainty over dates has fueled confusion locally. Araghchi’s trip is being viewed as a factor in assessing whether a ceasefire can be maintained and whether there is room for negotiations to end the conflict. Major issues remain, including passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief, leaving prospects for progress unclear. 2026-04-24 21:33:17