Journalist
Lee Hugh
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In the World Cup and the market, the ultimate winner is the one who manages uncertainty The group draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America has presented the Korean national team with a formidable challenge. Facing Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of the European playoffs (Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, or North Macedonia) is difficult enough, but the real variable in this group is the environment. The fact that all matches will be played in Mexico becomes an opponent in itself. High altitude, temperature fluctuations, and humidity exert invisible pressure on players’ stamina, tactics, and psychology. This mirrors the economic landscape, where uncertainty dominates the market. Mexico’s vast high-altitude regions, drastic temperature shifts, intense humidity, and overwhelming home support create a competitive arena that cannot be explained by technique or tactics alone. Entrepreneurial mindset is the driving force that helps organizations break through such uncertainty. Numerous studies show that growth is shaped not only by technology or capital, but by behavioral factors such as opportunity recognition, risk-taking, self-efficacy, and innovativeness. When head coach Hong Myung-bo noted after the draw that the first two matches would be played at altitude and the last in over 35°C heat, he identified the essence of the challenge—but recognition alone is not enough. What Korea needs is entrepreneurial leadership capable of turning environment into opportunity. While many coaches focus primarily on the strength of their opponents, Hong pointed first to environmental conditions. This is an appropriate starting point for understanding uncertainty. Yet entrepreneurial thinking does not end with awareness; execution determines outcomes. The same applies to football. Beyond simple environmental analysis, the ability to structure uncertainty into a strategic asset is essential. Mexico’s 1,600-meter elevation significantly increases physical strain, and the heat and humidity of the third match affect passing speed, pressing intensity, and recovery. Add to this the psychological advantage of Mexico’s home crowd. However, these conditions are not unique to Korea—they are variables every team must face. Under identical conditions, performance differences arise not from resources but from behavior, in other words, entrepreneurial mindset. Some teams perceive the environment as risk; others convert it into a preparable opportunity. The distinction stems from the leader’s perspective. Entrepreneurship is not the ability to avoid risk but to manage it and channel it into execution. Hong’s comment that the team “has no choice but to prepare” is directionally correct, but only gains weight when translated into concrete action. Climate adaptation training, load management, rotation plans, and match-specific tactical adjustments are not optional—they are essential strategies that turn uncertainty into a controllable structure. Innovativeness and execution have long been identified as core predictors of entrepreneurial success. The World Cup is no different. What matters more than skill is the leader’s ability to execute with an entrepreneurial mindset. The environment is the same for all teams, but how each team interprets and prepares for it is what separates winners from the rest. The World Cup is won not by the team with the most talent, but by the team that identifies opportunities first and prepares earliest. That is the leadership Korea needs now. Hong Myung-bo stands at that threshold. Altitude, humidity, and home advantage are steep obstacles—but for a leader equipped with entrepreneurship, these obstacles can become stepping stones. Those who see opportunity win. Those who move first prevail. The author is a columnist of Aju Media Corporation. 2025-12-06 13:19:33 -
Kpop Demon Hunters makes No. 2 most trending search on Google in 2025 SEOUL, December 06 (AJP) - Google’s Year in Search 2025 revealed a digital world captivated by culture clashes, political shocks and breakout entertainment — and Korea’s cultural engine once again emerged as one of the year’s dominant global forces. While U.S. political turmoil topped America’s trending list, Korean pop culture and gaming IP cemented their global imprint: Netflix’s animated “KPop Demon Hunters” surged to No. 2 in the United States' trending searches, Nexon’s ARC Raiders ranked among the world’s hottest games, and Squid Game reclaimed relevance as one of the most-searched TV titles of the year. The most striking global mover was KPop Demon Hunters — an animated adventure where a trio of K-pop idols fight a demonic boy band. Released by Netflix, the film became a cross-platform sensation, riding on K-pop’s established global fandom and the rise of stylized Asian animation. The movie didn’t just dominate film charts; it also spilled into fashion, TikTok edits, and global meme culture, pushing searches for “K-pop,” “K-pop animation,” and “K-pop demon characters” to new highs. Google’s list of “Trending Games of 2025” included heavyweights like Battlefield 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong, but Korea’s Nexon stood out with ARC Raiders emerging as a breakout global title. The extraction shooter, built by Stockholm-based Embark Studios under Nexon, redefined the genre with communal robot-hunting mechanics and a more casual-friendly loop. With more than 7 million copies sold within a month, ARC Raiders became Korea’s first mainstream global gaming hit since PUBG, reigniting Seoul’s ambition to challenge U.S. and Japanese dominance in triple-A gaming. Squid Game, which reshaped global streaming entertainment in 2021, returned as a trending search in 2025 on the back of renewed global streaming cycles, behind-the-scenes revelations during production of its next installment, and Korea’s political and economic crises echoing the show’s original themes. Google’s trending musicians list for 2025 included household Western names like Bad Bunny and Coldplay — but one of the biggest surprise entries was KATSEYE, the multinational K-pop girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen’s global trainee program. 2025-12-06 10:59:26 -
Korea draws Mexico, South Africa and European playoff winner, all World Cup games in Mexico SEOUL, December 06 (AJP) - South Korea landed in what many analysts consider a manageable Group A for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, avoiding global powerhouses and setting the stage for Hong Myung-bo’s squad to target its first-ever overseas quarterfinal run. At Friday’s draw held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Taegeuk Warriors were grouped with host nation Mexico, South Africa, and the yet-to-be-determined winner of European Playoff Path D—a four-way contest among Denmark, Czechia, Ireland and North Macedonia scheduled for March. For Hong Myung-bo, whose side topped the Asian Qualifiers Group B unbeaten (6 wins, 4 draws), the result offered relief and realism: South Korea dodged tournament favorites such as France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil, but must still confront a historically difficult Mexican side on home soil. Favorable logistic: All matches in Mexico South Korea will also enjoy the rare advantage of staying in a single country for the entire group stage—minimizing travel fatigue across the vast North American tournament footprint. June 12 (Guadalajara) – vs. European playoff winner June 19 (Guadalajara) – vs. Mexico June 25 (Monterrey) – vs. South Africa The schedule offers both stability and climate consistency, with the team avoiding long-haul flights between the United States and Canada that other groups must endure. Mexico clash likely to decide the group While Mexico enters the tournament with the second-lowest FIFA ranking among host nations (15th), the team’s athletic, high-tempo style has historically troubled Korea. El Tri leads the all-time series 8–4–3, including World Cup wins in 1998 and 2018. The two sides most recently fought to a 2–2 draw in a friendly in Los Angeles in September, reinforcing expectations of a tight, tactical battle. The U.S. media reaction also highlights Korea as Mexico’s main challenger for top spot in Group A. USA TODAY noted the matchup as “a battle of overall tactical quality,” with Korea’s European-based stars—Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in—forming the spine of a squad entering its 12th consecutive World Cup. South Africa: a wild card with momentum South Africa, FIFA-ranked 61st and the lowest-ranked team in Pot 3, appears on paper to be the least threatening opponent. But Bafana Bafana arrive with renewed confidence after finishing atop their CAF qualifying group ahead of Nigeria. The two nations have never played each other, making the final group match an unpredictable but potentially decisive encounter. The European mystery: Denmark or a softer landing? The biggest variable is the unidentified European entrant. The Path D playoff unfolds next March: Czechia vs. Ireland (March 26) winner meets , Denmark vs. North Macedonia (March 26) winner, Final playoff: March 31. Among them, Denmark (21st) poses the toughest challenge, while North Macedonia (65th) would be the most favorable draw for all three Group A teams. Hong Myung-bo’s mission: a historic overseas breakthrough South Korea enters the North American World Cup as a consistent qualifier with rising expectations. Since debuting in 1954, the national team has reached the knockout stage three times, and famously reached the semifinals in 2002 under Guus Hiddink. Hong, who captained that squad, now seeks to guide Korea to its first quarterfinal on foreign soil. The path is clearer than in recent tournaments: with 48 participating nations and third-place teams eligible for the Round of 32, Group A provides multiple mathematical routes for advancement. A draw free of giants—but full of nuance While Korea avoided the dreaded "Group of Death," Group A is far from predictable as Mexico is dangerous at home and historically strong against Korea, South Africa is inconsistent but capable of giant-killing, and the European playoff winner could dramatically shift the group’s difficulty. Still, compared with groups featuring Spain–Uruguay (H), France–Senegal (I), or England–Croatia (L), Korea’s prospects appear brighter. As Hong Myung-bo put it privately before the draw, the mission is simple: “Avoid the giants early, control our travel and create our chances.” Korea got all three. "It's a little good for us.' South Korea was in Group A with Mexico, one of the co-hosts, South Africa of Africa, and the winner of the European Playoffs (PO) D. Among soccer fans, there is a reaction of "'Greatest honey team ever", he told Korean reporters after the draw. It has become a World Cup in Mexico instead of across Americas, he said as he moved onto tactics. "The first and second games will be held at 1,600 meters above the ground. The third game is not that high, but it is very humid and matches are played in temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. I think that will be the biggest and most important pointIt takes at least 10 days or more than two weeks to adapt to the highlands. If I call up the national team, I think I'll have to go and adapt right away." 2025-12-06 09:29:35 -
Samsung widens lead in foldable market with latest Galaxy 7 SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics widened its commanding lead in the foldable smartphone segment it pioneered, capturing 64 percent of the global market in the third quarter with its latest Galaxy Z Fold7 despite intensifying competition from Chinese brands, research showed. Global foldable shipments rose 14 percent on-year in the July–September period — the highest quarterly volume to date — with Samsung’s book-type flagship exerting “outsized influence,” according to market tracker Counterpoint Friday. The stronger-than-expected performance was driven by the Z Fold7’s slimmer frame, lighter hardware, improved hinge durability, and reduced crease visibility, features that “broadened its premium appeal,” the firm said. Chinese brands, meanwhile, continued steady momentum. Motorola “emerged as one of the standout performers globally, expanding its foldable base through competitive pricing, strong channel partnerships and favorable usability reviews,” it added. Counterpoint forecasts a “more pronounced expansion phase” for foldables in 2026, helped by Apple’s expected entry in the second half of that year. Samsung is also preparing a first tri-fold model, though initial shipments will be extremely limited. “Scale is not the objective,” said Counterpoint Associate Director Liz Lee. “With competitive dynamics set to shift materially in 2026, especially with Apple’s expected entry into the foldable segment, Samsung is positioning this device as a multi-fold pilot to reinforce its technology leadership. This release is designed to validate durability, hinge architecture and software optimization while gathering real-world user insights ahead of broader commercialization.” 2025-12-05 17:42:45 -
South Korea's LIG Nex1 seeks to localize chips for AESA, SAR radar systems SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 has launched a project to develop key semiconductors for active electronically scanned array (AESA) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems using fully domestic technology. The company said it signed agreements on Nov. 28 with the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute to co-develop X-band common monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and front-end module platforms for AESA radar, as well as broadband MMIC and front-end module platforms for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) SAR systems. The AESA radar semiconductors will serve as essential components for multifunction radars, fighter aircraft, stealth UAVs and wideband radar platforms. The joint program aims to produce compact, high-performance chips capable of meeting next-generation weapon system requirements. Defense-grade semiconductors are core elements for radar, precision-guided weapons and battlefield communications. South Korea currently depends heavily on foreign suppliers, raising concerns over potential vulnerabilities in the event of global supply chain disruptions. LIG Nex1 is already developing an air-cooled AESA radar for overseas markets. Successful localization of radar semiconductors would ensure a stable component base for upcoming high-performance AESA radar programs spearheaded by the Defense Science Research Institute. The initiative is seen as a significant step toward bolstering technological self-reliance in radar and broader defense systems, the company said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 17:22:26 -
Korea's CJ picks safe site for first U.S. Olive Young store to test offline popularity of K-beauty SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - CJ is taking a measured approach as it prepares to plant the Olive Young flag in the world’s largest beauty market, selecting Pasadena, California, as the location for its first U.S. store — a choice driven by demographic safety, retail compatibility and the growing appeal of Korean skincare across America’s diverse consumer base. “Pasadena is not far from downtown LA, has a relatively high share of high-income residents and a retail district that fits fashion and beauty retail well,” an Olive Young official said. “It is also less congested than some other areas, which made it an attractive location for our first store.” Whether Olive Young — now the definitive gateway to K-beauty for foreign tourists in Korea — can scale across California will hinge on the May 2026 opening of the Pasadena store. The U.S. strategy will center on skincare, reflecting both global sales trends and enduring perceptions of K-beauty, the official added. “Skincare has a significantly larger weight than makeup in terms of sales and market size globally.” K-beauty’s selling point remains its disciplined ritualism. The official noted that international consumers often associate Korean skincare with the “seven-step routine,” even if most Koreans no longer practice such elaborate regimens. Educating U.S. consumers on Korean-style makeup preparation will also be part of the playbook. “For example, skincare pads used before makeup are still not widely known or commonly used in the U.S. Explaining such routines is part of our approach to introducing K-beauty.” While both skincare and makeup will be carried, the merchandising mix is expected to broadly mirror Olive Young’s Korea operations, with skincare at the core. The retailer is currently coordinating with about 400 beauty brands — consistent with its earlier disclosures — and does not expect major adjustments before launch. Marketing initiatives are still being finalized. The Pasadena store is also a strategic step to build Olive Young’s brand presence in the U.S., where awareness remains limited despite its status in Korea as a “must-visit” stop for foreign visitors. Competing against entrenched players such as Sephora, however, will require a more pragmatic layout. Unlike Olive Young N Seongsu in Seoul, which emphasizes immersive experiences and interactive merchandising, the Pasadena location will prioritize clarity over theatrics. “This will not be an experiential flagship like our Seongsu store,” the official said. “The goal is to present products and brands clearly and give consumers a better understanding of K-beauty.” The company’s cautious but calculated approach reflects both opportunity and risk: the K-beauty boom is cresting globally, but converting online and tourist-driven enthusiasm into sustained brick-and-mortar success will depend heavily on how Pasadena performs. 2025-12-05 17:10:02 -
Quiet flight from Coupang after data breach deepens pain for small vendors SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Fallout from Coupang’s massive data breach is widening beyond consumers to tens of thousands of small vendors across South Korea who rely on the e-commerce giant as a primary sales channel and livelihood. The National Assembly Science and ICT Committee has scheduled another hearing on Dec. 17 to examine a growing number of complaints against Coupang, including difficulties in canceling subscriptions or discontinuing platform use. Lawmakers say the scale and sensitivity of the data leak — which affected nearly all of Coupang’s 34 million users — warrant continued scrutiny. Market researcher IGAWorks showed that Coupang’s daily active users, which had hovered around 18 million before the breach, slipped to 17.8 million but have so far remained above the 17 million mark. Instead of a mass exodus, industry data suggest a “silent boycott”: customers reducing their use of Coupang for daily shopping or avoiding Coupang Eats for food delivery due to loss of trust. That shift has delivered a sharp blow to vendors and dining partners. A café owner in Gwangju said delivery orders via Coupang Eats “dropped to zero,” with daily sales falling more than 20 percent from a week earlier. A seafood company selling primarily through Coupang reported a more than 30 percent slide in revenue. According to Coupang’s internal “Impact Report 2025,” released in September, the company serviced around 230,000 small businesses as of 2023 — roughly 75 percent of all its vendors — generating a combined 12 trillion won ($8.2 billion) in annual transactions. The data leak now exposes them to a double shock: plunging sales and anxiety over potential compromise of business information. “I’m massively anxious. I changed all my business account passwords, but it feels like they’ve already been stolen,” said the owner of a Korean beef stew shop in downtown Seoul. “Coupang Eats accounts for a large proportion of my orders, so even if I want to quit, I can’t. It used to be about 50–50 between Baemin and Coupang Eats, but now it’s closer to 45–55 because more customers use Coupang Eats.” Holding up a text alert from the platform, she added, “Coupang said a delivery address was leaked. I panicked. I deleted my personal account, but I can’t delete my business account — how else can I run my shop?” A Coupang executive, speaking anonymously to AJP, said vendor information is stored in a separate system that “shows no abnormal signs,” and stressed that partner data remains protected. Other shop owners said Coupang Eats’ appeal makes it difficult to exit despite safety concerns. “Customers prefer Coupang. Baemin assigns riders through its system, which takes more time. Coupang uses individual drivers, so deliveries are faster,” said one operator. Coupang Eats has expanded rapidly this year, leveraging its ultra-fast delivery model and free deliveries for Coupang subscribers. It held a 37.6 percent market share in the food-delivery sector, trailing No. 1 Baemin’s 56.7 percent. “We live in a paradox,” said Lee Joong-seon, secretary-general of the National Franchise Owners Association. “Even when sales are high, small business owners make little profit because of the massive commission fees charged by platforms like Coupang and Baemin. When sales are low, life gets harder. Either way, we lose. And now, after the Coupang data leak, it feels like insult upon injury.” The Korean Federation of Micro Enterprises said it plans to collect vendor complaints and prepare for collective legal action if needed, according to member Ryu Pil-seon. Meanwhile, consumer frustrations continue to mount. On Coupang’s PC version, account deletion requires a six-step process, including personal-information verification and a mandatory survey — a design critics say reflects the broader difficulty of disengaging from the platform even amid a crisis of confidence. 2025-12-05 16:58:48 -
Asian stocks mostly gain while Nikkei slips on interest rate concerns SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed mixed on Friday, with most bourses, including South Korea's, posting gains, while Japan slipped amid uncertainty over its benchmark interest rate. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,096.13, up 1.68 percentage points from the previous session. Foreign investors buoyed the market with net purchases of stocks worth 770.7 billion Korean won ($524 million). The inflow appears to be driven by investors seeking other opportunities amid rising uncertainty over Japan's monetary policy. Institutions led the rally with net purchases of 1.2 trillion won, while retail investors took profits by selling 1.94 trillion won. The won strengthened against the greenback, trading at 1,470, lifted by foreign capital inflows into the market. The hottest stock on the KOSPI was Hyundai Motor, which surged a whopping 11.11 percent to 315,000 won, recording a new high. The surge appears to reflect relief over a 15-percent tariff being retroactively applied after Seoul and Washington finalized their trade talks, along with expectations of accelerated development of in-house autonomous driving technologies. LG Electronics also continued its upward trend, closing 5.17 percent higher at 99,700 won, reflecting strong investor confidence in its next-generation growth strategies including its Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) initiative and automotive electronics business. Samsung Electronics closed 3.14 percent higher at 108,400 won, approaching the 110,000-won mark, while SK hynix edged up just 0.37 percent to 544,000 won. The junior KOSDAQ, after briefly surpassing 5 trillion won in mid-day trading on hopes for Seoul's market stimulus, instead closed 0.55 percent lower at 924.74. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.03 percent to 50,503, pressured by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's comments the previous day hinting at a cautious approach to raising interest rates. Major stocks fell across the board, with Toyota dropping 2.71 percent to 3,019 yen ($19.53) and Sony sliding 2.24 percent to 4,320 yen. Chip-related stocks mostly declined, with Advantest falling 2.22 percent to 20,235 yen and Tokyo Electron dropping 2.54 percent to 32,960 yen. But semiconductor circuit board maker Ibiden surged 6.77 percent to 12,695 yen. Taiwan's TAIEX closed 0.67 percent higher at 27,980.89. TSMC performed well, closing 1.04 percent higher at 1,460 Taiwan dollars ($46.68). MediaTek also closed 1.42 percent higher at 1,425 Taiwan dollars. With the Shanghai Composite Index trading 0.66 percent higher at 3,900 as the end of trading, Chinese markets rallied on expectations of economic stimulus measures, supported by selective buying in technology stocks. Chinese markets rallied on stimulus expectations and selective tech stock buying, with the Shanghai Composite Index closing about 0.66 percent higher at 3,900. The SZSE Component rose 0.98 percent to close at 13,133 and CATL also gained 1.48 percent to finish at 389 yuan ($55.01). In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 0.47 percent to 26,059, with Xiaomi climbing 2 percent to HK$42.82 ($5.50) amid strong buying in the tech sector. 2025-12-05 16:56:36 -
Low pay for AI talent is driving skilled workers overseas, BOK warns SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea offers the lowest wage premiums for artificial intelligence specialists among major advanced economies, placing the country at a disadvantage in the global battle for high-tech talent, the Bank of Korea said in a report released Friday. The analysis, presented at a seminar co-hosted with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for upgrading compensation systems and research environments to meet international standards. Using data from LinkedIn profiles compiled by Revelio Labs, the report estimated South Korea had about 57,000 AI-skilled workers last year — more than double the 27,000 recorded in 2010 but far behind the United States (780,000), the United Kingdom (110,000) and France (70,000). South Korean AI professionals earned only a 6 percent wage premium over non-AI workers, compared with 25 percent in the U.S. and 18 percent in Canada. Wage premiums were higher in specialized fields such as pattern recognition and neuroscience, but remained low in core areas such as deep learning and machine learning. The weak premium has contributed to a persistent talent drain. Except for 2020, South Korea recorded a net outflow of AI professionals every year from 2010 to 2024. Last year, about 11,000 South Korean AI specialists were working overseas, including 6,300 in the U.S. “The high rate of overseas employment among workers facing low domestic wage premiums suggests a clear link between compensation and international mobility,” said Oh Sam-il, one of the report’s authors. “South Korea is losing ground in the global competition for AI talent.” Oh said rigid wage structures and intense global competition are suppressing domestic premiums. He urged the government and companies to focus on improving career development pathways and offering competitive compensation packages to retain and attract top-tier AI professionals. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 16:28:36 -
OPINION: Massive data breaches expose urgent need for stronger security and accountability SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - In early 2026, a man received a phone call from an unknown caller who appeared to know every detail about him, including his home address, online habits, and shopping patterns. This incident shows how phishing has evolved from random attacks to highly targeted schemes that exploit detailed personal information. Massive data breaches have affected millions in South Korea, involving major companies such as Coupang and SK Telecom. Similar incidents in the public sector are also on the rise, with more than 100 cases reported last year alone. Despite South Korea's technological prowess, personal data remains highly vulnerable. The maximum compensation for data breaches is usually around 100,000 Korean won per person, regardless of the extent of data leaked, as proving corporate negligence is quite challenging for victims, leading to limited accountability. The maximum compensation for data breaches is usually around 100,000 Korean won per person, regardless of the extent of the data leaked, because victims often struggle to prove corporate negligence, resulting in limited accountability. Although fines and penalties have increased recently, most victims are barely compensated. Companies often treat such breaches as a cost of doing business and face only administrative orders, with fines flowing to state coffers rather than victims. To address this issue, punitive damages must be effectively implemented. Current stringent requirements for proving intent or negligence make it difficult for individuals to succeed in lawsuits, which are particularly unsuitable for cases like large-scale data breaches. Legal systems must evolve to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing era. Coupang's latest data leak exposes serious gaps in security measures and legal compliance, even as companies continue to accumulate vast amounts of sensitive personal information. It is not just about preventing hacking or data leaks, it is about ensuring that companies invest in security measures and provide adequate compensation. Without these changes, data breaches will continue. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI. 2025-12-05 16:03:04
