Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Malaysia Envoy Proposes Korea Energy Security Partnership Beyond Gulf Risks
    Malaysia Envoy Proposes Korea Energy Security Partnership Beyond Gulf Risks As President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to India and Vietnam helps accelerate South Korea’s “Global South” diplomacy, Malaysia has proposed energy security cooperation with South Korea as a new strategic pillar. Citing supply shocks tied to the Middle East, the idea is to redesign energy supply chains by combining the two countries’ strengths. Mohamed Zamruni bin Khalid, Malaysia’s ambassador to South Korea, said in an interview Tuesday with Ajou Economy and AJP that “energy security is the starting point for strategic cooperation between our two countries.” He said Malaysia’s liquefied natural gas supply capacity, paired with South Korea’s industrial competitiveness in energy use, could create “an interdependent but complementary structure.” He pointed to carbon capture, utilization and storage, or CCUS, as the most practical area for near-term cooperation. “A representative model we can pursue immediately is storing carbon dioxide captured in Korea in Malaysia’s depleted reservoirs,” he said, adding that a cross-border carbon value chain could be built. The proposal comes as Asia’s energy vulnerability has been exposed after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blocked following a war in the Middle East. With the strait — through which more than 20% of global oil and LNG cargo volumes pass — shut, the need to diversify regional sourcing has surged. Shifts are also being seen in South Korea’s import mix. Last year, Australia accounted for the largest share of South Korea’s LNG imports at 31.4%, followed by Malaysia at 16.1% and Qatar at 14.9%. For crude oil, imports from Malaysia jumped 140% in March from a year earlier, while imports from seven Middle Eastern countries fell 18.3%, according to the Korea International Trade Association. As a result, the Middle East share declined to 62.9% from 73%. Malaysia, which has proven reserves of about 2.7 billion barrels, is emerging as an alternative energy supplier that could help spread geopolitical risk, beyond its role as an LNG provider. Khalid said bilateral ties already rest on a broad base centered on supply chains, semiconductors and energy security, and could evolve into a more strategic relationship if cooperation expands into the economy, technology and defense industries. Two-way trade totaled about $27.4 billion in 2025, staying above $20 billion for several years. “It is a meaningful achievement that it has already exceeded $20 billion in the early stage of the partnership,” he said. Malaysia’s industrial strategy is also widening points of contact with South Korea. Through the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the government has set advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, smart factories and a transition to cleaner energy as key growth pillars. In semiconductors, Malaysia is increasing its presence in global supply chains. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said Malaysia accounts for about 13% of the global market for semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging, and ranks sixth in exports. Khalid said the strategy aligns with South Korea’s strengths, naming advanced semiconductor manufacturing, digital transformation, smart manufacturing and clean energy as core areas for cooperation. He also cited electric vehicle batteries, green hydrogen, CCUS, medical devices, automation, e-commerce, fintech and artificial intelligence as promising fields. He said the approach combines South Korea’s technological maturity with Malaysia’s net-zero goals and resource availability, creating momentum for both countries to move into higher value-added industries. On CCUS, he said Malaysia emphasizes “utilization,” distinguishing it from South Korea’s focus on carbon capture and storage, or CCS. “Because we link utilization with storage, the ‘U’ is important,” he said. Malaysia has also moved quickly to build a policy framework, recently passing a CCUS law and establishing a dedicated agency to set regulations covering capture, transport and permanent storage. The steps are expected to expand opportunities for South Korean companies. Petronas, Malaysia’s state energy company, is the main channel for cooperation, with South Korean firms including Samsung Engineering and the Korea National Oil Corp. participating. Khalid said the cooperation offers South Korean companies a chance to take part both as technology suppliers and as demanders of low-carbon fuels, and could contribute over the long term to securing energy supply chains linked to South Korea’s hydrogen economy. He also said there is room to expand cooperation in tourism and the halal industry. More than 300,000 Malaysian tourists visited South Korea last year. He said access should be improved not only to prayer rooms but also to washing facilities for wudu, the ritual cleansing performed before prayer, and that cooperation is possible in halal industries spanning food, cosmetics and tourism. Malaysia attracted more than 25 million foreign tourists last year and is promoting its “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign. Khalid said the multicultural appeal highlighted by the “Malaysia Truly Asia” slogan could also be competitive in drawing South Korean visitors. Cultural exchanges linked to the Korean Wave are also expanding. According to a 2025 survey by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, 70.2% of respondents in Malaysia said their perception of South Korea improved after exposure to Korean cultural content. Khalid, a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to France, took up his post in South Korea in 2024. “The past two years in Seoul have been a very enjoyable experience,” he said, expressing expectations for broader cooperation. 2026-04-23 08:48:23
  • Iran President Says U.S. Blockade and Threats Are Obstructing Talks
    Iran President Says U.S. Blockade and Threats Are Obstructing Talks Masoud Pezeshkian criticized what he called a U.S. maritime blockade and threats, saying they are obstructing negotiations. In a post Tuesday (local time) on X, Pezeshkian said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always welcomed dialogue and agreement, and will continue to do so.” He added that “malicious distrust, blockades and threats” are the main obstacles to “real negotiations,” and said the world is watching what he called contradictions between U.S. claims and actions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker who leads Iran’s delegation for end-of-war talks, also wrote on X that a “complete ceasefire” is meaningful only if the maritime blockade and what he called taking the global economy hostage end, and if “military provocations by Zionist forces” stop on all fronts. He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be impossible as long as what he described as blatant ceasefire violations continue. “They failed to achieve their goals through military attacks, and they will not achieve them through pressure and threats,” he said. Iran did not send a delegation to a second round of end-of-war talks with the United States that had been scheduled for Monday in Islamabad, Pakistan, citing the continued maritime blockade during the ceasefire period. The United States said it decided to extend the ceasefire at Pakistan’s request ahead of its expiration. Iran has not immediately agreed and has tightened control of the strait, including seizing three vessels that attempted unauthorized passage through the Strait of Hormuz.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:47:11
  • Naver to Disable Comments on Articles Flagged for Excess Malicious Posts
    Naver to Disable Comments on Articles Flagged for Excess Malicious Posts Naver will disable comments on articles when malicious posts exceed a set threshold, as it steps up efforts to promote healthier online discussion. Naver said on 23 it is applying its artificial intelligence-based detection system, Cleanbot, to all articles, including those in the politics and elections sections, to identify malicious comments. When the number of malicious comments crosses the threshold, users will see a notice saying, “Comments are not available because Cleanbot detected a large number of malicious comments,” along with a banner for the company’s “Green Internet” campaign. First introduced in 2019 as an industry first, Cleanbot has been continuously upgraded to better detect profanity and sexually explicit or violent language, as well as expressions of hate, disparagement and discrimination, Naver said. The company added that it is preparing another AI Cleanbot model upgrade by the end of April. Kim Suhyang, a Naver leader, said the company has been working to make the comment section “a place for healthy communication” by advancing Cleanbot, following last month’s move to stop providing comments at the bottom of articles in the politics and elections sections. “We will continue to develop the service by listening to a range of opinions so we can respond to rapidly changing forms of malicious comments,” Kim said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:46:40
  • Nol Universe to Fully Refund Ticketing Fees for Involuntary Flight Cancellations
    Nol Universe to Fully Refund Ticketing Fees for Involuntary Flight Cancellations Nol Universe, led by CEO Lee Cheol-woong, said Wednesday it will fully refund ticketing fees when an airline ticket is canceled for reasons not attributable to the customer. The policy applies to cancellations that occurred on or after April 6. If a flight is canceled due to airline circumstances such as natural disasters or war, the company said it will automatically refund the full amount paid, including the ticketing fee, without requiring a separate request from the customer. Nol Universe currently charges ticketing fees for booking services of 1,000 won per person for domestic flights and 10,000 won per person for international flights. Customers have repeatedly complained that the fee was not refunded even in involuntary cancellations. Last year, flight cancellations totaled about 1,700 cases, including about 700 international and about 1,000 domestic, the company said. It expects cancellations to rise further this year due to external factors such as a surge in oil prices and the war in the Middle East. Nol Universe described the change as a proactive step to prevent broader customer losses and as an example of putting its “Yanolja 3.0” vision of “sincerity toward customers” into practice. Kim Jong-min, head of Nol Universe’s Business Support Group, said the company empathizes with customers who faced “double inconvenience” when travel plans were disrupted by airline fault and then compounded by disputes over ticketing-fee refunds. “This decision is a first step in putting sincerity for customers into action,” Kim said, adding that the company will continue to lead service improvements that address inconvenience from the customer’s perspective first. 2026-04-23 08:45:55
  • Online Post Alleges Wine Switch at Seoul Fine-Dining Restaurant MOSU
    Online Post Alleges Wine Switch at Seoul Fine-Dining Restaurant MOSU A post alleging a wine switch at a Seoul fine-dining restaurant has spread online, fueling controversy. On the 21st, a user posted on an online cafe under the title, “I was served a swapped Chateau Leoville Barton vintage at MOSU (MOSU Seoul).” The writer, identified only as A, said the account was “based entirely on facts.” A said the issue arose during a meal with acquaintances when a pairing wine was served with one of the main dishes, “wood-fired Korean beef.” A said a sommelier presented and described a “2005” vintage bottle, but after tasting the wine and checking the pairing list, A realized the service was supposed to be a 2000 vintage. A said the aroma and flavor did not match what was expected for the ordered wine, prompting doubts during the meal that grew after checking information about the bottle. A said that when asking the restaurant to confirm whether the served wine matched what was ordered, the sommelier then explained that a 2000 vintage bottle had been ordered by the bottle and was downstairs, and offered to pour the 2000 vintage in a Bordeaux glass to taste. A said the wine that should have been properly served was the 2000 vintage, and that the two wines differed noticeably, “from the color to the aroma.” A also claimed the two vintages differ by 100,000 won in bottle price at the restaurant, and alleged the sommelier may have known from the start. A said that after requesting a photo of the bottle following the 2005 service, the sommelier said “just a moment” and brought out the 2000 vintage bottle instead. While acknowledging mistakes can happen and labels can look similar, A questioned whether such an error was plausible for a sommelier at a Michelin two-star restaurant, and criticized the response, saying there was no apology that day and the handling was disappointing. The post quickly spread through online communities and social media, drawing attention and debate, including speculation by some users that an actual switch may have occurred. The restaurant’s official position and the facts of the claim had not been confirmed as of publication, and some commenters said further verification is needed. 2026-04-23 08:45:17
  • Hanwha Vision, Hanwha Momentum notch India wins as tech push accelerates
    Hanwha Vision, Hanwha Momentum notch India wins as tech push accelerates Hanwha Group’s tech solutions unit said Wednesday it is stepping up its push into India, betting on new technologies as the fast-growing market becomes a strategic base. The company said cooperation between businesses in South Korea and India is strengthening following a recent summit between the two countries’ leaders, which it expects will help accelerate expansion. Global market research firms forecast India’s video security market will grow by more than 10% annually through 2029, it said. Hanwha Vision said it recently obtained India’s cybersecurity-related STQC certification, a requirement for suppliers of security equipment in the country. STQC is issued by an agency under the Indian government. After securing the certification, Hanwha Vision said it won a series of contracts in the first quarter (January-March) to build video security systems for major global companies in India across finance, retail and logistics. It said it expects additional orders from other industries. To raise brand awareness and promote its technology, Hanwha Vision said it has been holding roadshows nationwide. It cited briefings for potential customers in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi in January. The company said many local business officials showed strong interest in products based on its in-house system-on-chip and Wisenet 9 platform, and that multiple deals were signed on site. Hanwha Vision said it plans to significantly expand its product lineup and technical support staff in India. Starting in Bengaluru this year, it also plans to add more “HITE” technology experience centers where customers can try its latest technologies. Other affiliates in the tech solutions unit are also moving into India. Hanwha Momentum said it secured multiple local projects related to secondary batteries and automation equipment, winning equipment supply contracts worth several tens of billions of won. The tech solutions unit’s activity in India is expected to become more pronounced after Hanwha Group completes its planned split-off and the establishment of a new holding company, the company said. It said support from the new holding company, increased investment and synergies among affiliates could strengthen competitiveness in new markets, including India. “As India emerges as a global technology hub, demand for video security is rising sharply,” a Hanwha Vision official said. “Based on our advanced technology and trust built in global markets, we will actively expand in India.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:43:03
  • Samsung SDS, Google Cloud form partnership to expand AI, cloud and security push
    Samsung SDS, Google Cloud form partnership to expand AI, cloud and security push Samsung SDS has formed a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to step up its push into the artificial intelligence, cloud and security markets. Samsung SDS said it formally announced the expanded cooperation with Google Cloud at “Google Cloud Next 2026” in Las Vegas on April 23 (local time April 22). The companies plan to work mainly in generative AI and cloud services and to jointly identify new business opportunities in highly regulated, high-security industries such as the public sector and finance. A central focus is strengthening capabilities for high-security environments. Samsung SDS plans to use Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) to target industries with demanding requirements, including local data processing, regulatory compliance and ultra-low latency. The company said it aims to accelerate cloud adoption in regulated sectors such as government and finance. In AI, Samsung SDS said it is exploring ways to combine Google’s “Gemini Enterprise” with its Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) to provide integrated agentic AI-based solutions to corporate customers, supporting companies’ AI transformation (AX). Samsung SDS also said it will expand its cloud business model by strengthening its managed service provider (MSP) business, combining Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with its own cloud and industry expertise to jointly pursue the market. The partnership also includes security cooperation. The companies plan to combine Google’s cloud security solution “Wiz” with Samsung SDS’ security and managed service capabilities to improve proactive threat response and raise cloud security levels. Ruth Sun, president of Google Cloud Korea, said, “Expanding our partnership with Samsung SDS will be a turning point for innovation in global regulated industries, based on agentic AI and sovereign cloud capabilities,” adding, “By combining our strengths, we will deliver secure and scalable next-generation enterprise intelligence.” Lee Ho-jun, executive vice president and head of Samsung SDS’ Cloud Service Business Division, said, “Through this cooperation, we will build AI and cloud environments centered on high-security and regulated industries and support companies’ AI transformation,” adding, “We will continue to expand AX innovation across a wide range of industries.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:42:18
  • Toss, Korea Mint Sign MOU to Build Blockchain-Based Payment Infrastructure
    Toss, Korea Mint Sign MOU to Build Blockchain-Based Payment Infrastructure Viva Republica, operator of the Toss app, said April 23 it signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. to build blockchain-based payment infrastructure. Under the agreement, the two sides will work to improve convenience in digital payments and jointly pursue the introduction and linkage of blockchain-based payment systems. They plan to connect their payment infrastructure to improve users’ payment experience and review the feasibility of applying new payment methods. The partnership links private fintech services with public payment infrastructure. Toss has provided services including simple money transfers, credit checks and currency exchange, backed by 30 million cumulative users as of July last year. The Korea Mint has operated public payment platforms, including local currency programs for 83 local governments and the digital Onnuri gift certificate project. Over the mid- to long term, they also plan joint pilot projects using token-based payment instruments such as deposit tokens and stablecoins, to test real-world applicability and expand into more personalized payment services. A Toss official said the deal will help advance payment infrastructure while assessing new payment options, adding the company will continue cooperation to create a simpler, more scalable payment experience for users.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:41:39
  • Culture Ministry Launches ‘Sports for Everyone’ Campaign to Boost Daily Participation
    Culture Ministry Launches ‘Sports for Everyone’ Campaign to Boost Daily Participation The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a “Sports for Everyone” campaign to encourage people to take part in sports as part of daily life. Kim Dae-hyeon, the ministry’s second vice minister, will visit the Jongno Culture and Sports Center in Seoul’s Jongno district on the afternoon of the 23rd to kick off a participation relay campaign and review on-the-ground issues in the sports sector. The campaign was organized to coincide with Sports Week, set for April 27 to May 3 under the Basic Sports Act. The ministry said the effort aims to create conditions in which anyone can enjoy sports without gaps by region, gender or age, in line with government policy tasks. As the first participant, Kim will film himself playing table tennis with local residents and post the video on the ministry’s social media to promote everyday sports participation. He named Ha Hyeong-ju, chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation; Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; and Jeong Jin-wan, president of the Korea Paralympic Committee, as the next participants, the ministry said. Alongside the campaign, the ministry said it will expand benefits people can feel in daily life. The Jongno center Kim will visit is a certified facility for the Sports Activity Incentive program, known as Ttunteun Money, which awards points for 30 minutes of exercise. A center official said members refer to the program’s end when its budget runs out as “sold out.” The official said some members missed out on points last year after the budget was exhausted, and expectations are high this year because more members are expected to receive benefits. In a supplementary budget, the ministry increased funding for Ttunteun Money by 4 billion won and expanded support for vouchers for sports classes for people with disabilities by 6.2 billion won. It also boosted funding for building youth sports foundations by 9.5 billion won, creating training facilities for winter sports such as air mats by 3 billion won, and rewards for reporting ticket scalping by 500 million won, it said. “Regular sports activity not only improves individual health but is also an important factor in preventing chronic disease and reducing social medical costs,” Kim said. He said the supplementary budget will expand support such as Ttunteun Money and sports class vouchers so more people can exercise at nearby facilities without 부담 and directly benefit from the programs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:41:00
  • Ruling Party Reviews Seoul Candidate After Lawyer’s Past Defense of Valley Murder Suspect
    Ruling Party Reviews Seoul Candidate After Lawyer’s Past Defense of Valley Murder Suspect The People Power Party’s Seoul chapter said it will reexamine the candidacy of Hong Deok-hee, a lawyer who was given a sole nomination for Guro District mayor, after it emerged he previously represented Lee Eun-hae, the main perpetrator in the so-called “valley murder” case. Hong has issued a public explanation, but the controversy has continued. According to political circles on the 23rd, the party’s Seoul chapter said the previous day that “because this is a case that sparked public outrage, we have decided to review from scratch whether the candidate’s qualifications are appropriate.” It said Hong’s nomination followed a recommendation by the Guro district party committee chairs and that the Seoul chapter’s nomination committee decided on the nomination after an interview on April 19. The party added that “during the interview process, no facts related to the reported content were presented.” The Seoul chapter’s nomination committee on April 19 selected Hong, head attorney at the Yesung Joint Law Office, as its sole candidate for Guro District mayor. The dispute grew after reports said he had served as Lee’s legal representative. The “valley murder” case refers to the killing of Lee’s husband, identified as Yoon, who was pushed into the water and killed in a valley in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, in June 2019, prosecutors said. Lee acted with her lover, Jo Hyeon-su, the report said. Investigators also found that before the killing, Lee tried and failed to kill Yoon by feeding him food mixed with pufferfish reproductive organs and blood at a pension in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, in 2019. In May that year, she also allegedly tried to drown him at a fishing site in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, but a bystander found and rescued him, the report said. Lee and Jo were found to have committed the crimes to obtain Yoon’s life insurance payout. Lee is serving a life sentence after being convicted of murder, attempted murder and attempted violation of the Act on the Regulation of Insurance Fraud, among other charges. Jo was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Hong addressed the issue on his social media account. “I chose responsible work over work that looks good,” he wrote. He said Lee’s father “was a person with a disability who had to rely on a wheelchair,” and that he spent two weeks in Seoul’s Seocho-dong legal district trying to find a lawyer, only to be turned away because “public opinion is a burden.” Hong said the father eventually came to his office, and that what he heard suggested there were “legal points that could be disputed.” Hong added that what he found “surprising and devastating” was that “regardless of what the truth is, no one is willing to defend that claim.” He wrote that even if “everyone in the world throws stones and condemns” a defendant, there must be “one last person” willing to listen, calling that the constitutional purpose and public duty of defense counsel. He said that if he had avoided that responsibility out of fear, he would not be qualified to ask voters to entrust him with the lives of “410,000 Guro residents.” He said he intends to stay in the race, pledging to stand by residents “to the end” as a “reliable shield.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:40:03