Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Naver Nears Launch of AI Search Tab, Aiming to Shift From Keywords to Agents
    Naver Nears Launch of AI Search Tab, Aiming to Shift From Keywords to Agents Naver is in the final stages of shifting its search service toward an artificial intelligence-driven model, a change expected to significantly reshape what users see after they enter a query. As search once moved from PCs to mobile, the company is now pushing a broader transition from keyword-based results to AI-based search. On the 21st, Naver began closed beta testing of an "AI tab" for employees last week, aiming for a second-quarter launch. Because closed beta testing is typically the final internal verification step before release, the industry has raised the possibility of a launch as early as late April or early May. Some functions or even the name could change after feedback is reflected. Internal reaction has been broadly positive, according to the report. Rather than seeking a sweeping advantage over global AI services for general queries, the approach is seen as focusing on areas where Naver already has strengths. For example, for location- and reservation-based requests such as "Find a restaurant in Pangyo that can take a reservation at 6 p.m.," the system is said to provide more practical answers by linking to existing data. That is attributed to a structure that can quickly reflect reservation and store information accumulated through services such as Naver Place. The AI tab is expected to appear as a new section alongside existing category tabs such as News, Blogs and Cafes on the search results page. After a user enters a query, the AI would present personalized results reflecting preferences and context, while also enabling follow-up questions through a conversational interface. The focus is to strengthen a "conversational search" experience beyond simple information delivery. Naver is designing the AI tab not as a single feature but as an umbrella that integrates multiple AI agents. Depending on what is needed during a search, different agents for shopping, maps and reservations would be called. When a user requests a task, a relevant agent could run automatically, or the user could select an agent and direct it to carry out the work. The first agent to be applied will be a shopping AI agent. The company plans to expand to other areas including finance and Place, and expects that by next year it will complete a structure in which multiple agents are organically linked across Naver services. Over the longer term, the goal is that if a user types something like "I am going on an overseas trip," separate agents would divide and carry out tasks such as booking flights, buying needed items and managing an itinerary. The shift underscores Naver's move from a search-centered service to an AI agent-based platform. The company has also been streamlining existing features as part of a broader search overhaul. On April 8, it ended its related-search-terms service, and its AI search service Clova X also moved into a wind-down process. A Naver official said the company is taking a gradual approach, keeping existing usability while expanding AI features. "Because it is a service with a large user base, rather than a full overhaul overnight, we are pursuing a strategy of gradually expanding the AI experience while maintaining existing usability," the official said. "Just as AI Briefing was expanded only up to 20% over a year, the AI tab will also be rolled out step by step." Globally, the search market is also shifting toward AI. Google has introduced "Gemini in Chrome" in South Korea, integrating its Gemini AI model into the Chrome browser and allowing users to call up AI from a side panel. The move of portal competition toward AI is expected to accelerate both in South Korea and abroad. 2026-04-21 14:19:40
  • T map revamps home screen with map-first layout to boost place discovery
    T map revamps home screen with map-first layout to boost place discovery T map Mobility has revamped the T map home screen, placing the map front and center to strengthen place-search features. The company said on the 21st that it reorganized the home screen, including grouping more than 20 core services — along with the map — by category. Users can now open the map immediately from the home screen. By swiping down the icon-based “content area,” the map expands to fill the entire mobile screen. Previously, users had to enter individual services such as navigation to view the map. T map Mobility also doubled the number of place names that appear automatically on the map, allowing users to discover more locations simply by moving the map with touch. Place icons were standardized in shape and color to make business types and characteristics easier to distinguish, and a search bar was added at the top of the map. Selecting a place on the map shows details including reviews, business hours, parking availability and the number of vehicles currently en route. From the same screen, users can view routes, save locations, share links and enter navigation. The update also streamlines the home-screen service menu. More than 20 core T map services are now grouped under categories such as “T map Recommendations,” “Convenient Travel” and “All Benefits,” making services easier to find and use. “Maps are a core interface that helps users explore places in everyday life, beyond just directions,” Jeon Chang-geun, T map Mobility’s chief product officer, said. He said the company will continue improving map usability to develop the service “into something that delivers value beyond navigation.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 14:18:58
  • Court Fines Kim Keon Hee 3 Million Won for Skipping Testimony in Julli Case
    Court Fines Kim Keon Hee 3 Million Won for Skipping Testimony in 'Julli' Case A court fined first lady Kim Keon Hee after she failed to appear as a witness in a trial tied to allegations that she once worked at an adult entertainment bar, an issue widely referred to as the “Julli” allegation. According to the legal community on the 21st, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 34, led by Chief Judge Han Seong-jin, ordered a 3 million won fine against Kim for not appearing at a continued trial of Ahn Hae-wook, former head of the Korea Elementary School Taekwondo Association, who is charged with violating the Public Official Election Act and other offenses. Kim’s side had submitted a reason for her absence, but the court rejected it, saying it was not justified. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a court may impose a fine of up to 5 million won on a witness who, after receiving a summons, fails to appear without a valid reason. The allegation surfaced ahead of the 2022 20th presidential election. Ahn said on the YouTube channel Open Sympathy TV that he had seen Kim working at an adult entertainment bar in the past and claimed she was known by the nickname “Julli.” Prosecutors indicted Ahn, saying he publicized false information to cause then-candidate Yoon Suk Yeol to lose the election. Prosecutors also sent to trial Jeong Cheon-su, a former CEO of the channel that aired Ahn’s remarks in an interview format. Despite Kim’s absence, the court plans to summon her again as a witness and continue the trial on May 20.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 14:18:24
  • KOTRA Steps Up Support for Korean Shipbuilding Equipment Firms Entering Japan
    KOTRA Steps Up Support for Korean Shipbuilding Equipment Firms Entering Japan Japan’s shipbuilding industry is accelerating its shift to greener and more digital operations under a government-led rebuilding drive, opening more opportunities for South Korean marine equipment suppliers. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, known as KOTRA, said April 21 it will join the city of Busan and the Korea Marine Equipment Association, or KOMEA, at “Sea Japan 2026,” running from April 22-24 in Japan, to operate a pavilion showcasing top Korean marine equipment products. KOTRA also published a report titled “Japan’s Shipbuilding Revival Policy and Market Entry Opportunities.” KOTRA said the push is aimed at helping Korean firms respond to changes driven by Japan’s shipbuilding reconstruction policy. Japan held about half of the global shipbuilding market in the 1970s, but its share fell to 5.4% last year as South Korea and China rose. Japan’s government drew up a “Shipbuilding Industry Revitalization Roadmap” in 2025, calling for shipbuilding capacity to double to 18 million gross tons by 2035, alongside large-scale investment in digitalization and decarbonization. Under that policy direction, Japanese shipbuilders are stepping up investment in production automation, autonomous navigation technology and development of eco-friendly vessels, KOTRA said. With mandatory implementation of a greenhouse gas emissions trading system starting in April this year, demand is rising quickly for carbon-reduction equipment and propulsion systems based on hydrogen, ammonia and LNG. Structural pressures are also reshaping the market. Japan’s shipbuilding sector faces labor shortages and aging facilities, driving demand for robots, data-driven operations and equipment that improves maintenance efficiency. KOTRA said this is expanding openings for Korean companies with strengths in areas such as AI-based ship safety management and smart design and maintenance solutions. At Sea Japan 2026, KOTRA will hold product displays and business consultations with 20 Korean companies. The pavilion will feature AI-based safety management systems, eco-friendly ship equipment, and design and maintenance solutions, with KOTRA aiming to support export results through networking and B2B meetings with global buyers. Sea Japan is Japan’s largest shipbuilding and maritime exhibition, bringing together global companies and experts across shipbuilding, shipping and marine equipment, and is seen as a key platform for entering the market. KOTRA Vice President Kim Kwan-mook said Japan’s roadmap “is an opportunity for South Korea and Japan to respond together to changes in the global maritime industry,” adding that KOTRA will continue supporting Korean marine equipment companies seeking to expand into Japan. 2026-04-21 14:15:27
  • Severance University Hospital reaches 50,000 robotic surgeries, setting global milestone
    Severance University Hospital reaches 50,000 robotic surgeries, setting global milestone SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Severance University Hospital said Tuesday it has performed 50,000 robot-assisted surgeries, becoming the first single institution in the world to reach the milestone. It comes about 28 months after it hit 40,000 cases, having reached 10,000 in 2013, 20,000 in 2018, and 30,000 in 2021 since pioneering robotic surgery in South Korea in 2005. According to the hospital in Seoul, 12 surgical robots and two training robots are in use, five of which are single-port models suited for procedures in narrow, deep areas such as oral cancer resections, while also helping reduce pain and scarring. Robotic surgery is most commonly used in urology, thyroid, and gastrointestinal procedures, with thyroid surgery being the most frequent. The hospital also published about 196 research papers on robotic surgery from 2014 to 2023, with about 2,300 medical professionals from 43 countries completing its training programs. "We will endeavor to enhance our services with patient-tailored treatment based on advanced surgical technology and clinical research," said the hospital's president, Lee Kang-young. Robots once merely assisted surgeons, but they are increasingly being used throughout entire surgical procedures from the initial incision to the final stitches, playing a larger role by enabling delicate, precise movements that reduce the risk of infection and shorten surgery time. 2026-04-21 14:14:41
  • Mobis Shares Slide 12% After Being Named an Unfaithful Disclosure Company
    Mobis Shares Slide 12% After Being Named an Unfaithful Disclosure Company Shares of KOSDAQ-listed Mobis fell sharply in intraday trading after the company was designated an unfaithful disclosure company, a sanction tied directly to investor trust and seen as weighing on sentiment. As of 1:55 p.m. on the 21st, Mobis was trading at 4,955 won, down 685 won, or 12.15%, from the previous session. The Korea Exchange said the day before that it had designated Mobis as an unfaithful disclosure company for reversing a disclosure. The case involved the termination or cancellation of a stock transfer agreement that would have entailed a change in the company’s largest shareholder. Mobis first disclosed the matter on Dec. 2 last year, then filed a reversal disclosure on Jan. 26 this year, prompting controversy over the reliability of its disclosures. After a designation notice on Feb. 25, the exchange finalized the unfaithful disclosure designation on the 21st. The company received 5.0 penalty points and a 4 million won fine for the disclosure violation. The penalty points were initially set at 6.0, but 1.0 point was replaced with a monetary penalty. Mobis operates in computer programming and systems integration and management. Revenue at the end of last year totaled 5,097.70 million won, little changed from the end of 2024 at 5,026.43 million won. Operating losses widened to 2,935.21 million won at the end of last year, compared with 2,393.80 million won at the end of 2024 and 2,133.50 million won at the end of 2023. Net profit also remained in the red, with a net loss of 1,052.60 million won at the end of last year. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 14:12:44
  • Korea Tourism Organization Names Min Byeong-seon as Tourism Industry Division Head
    Korea Tourism Organization Names Min Byeong-seon as Tourism Industry Division Head Korea Tourism Organization said on 21 it appointed Min Byeong-seon, former chairman of the Suwon Convention Center, as its new executive director and head of the Tourism Industry Division. Born in 1972, Min graduated from Chungju High School and earned a sociology degree from Sungkyunkwan University. He began his career in 2000 as a reporter at The Korea Times and later worked as a reporter at The Dong-A Ilbo. He also served as a media adviser in the Gyeonggi Province spokesperson’s office, a public relations and cooperation officer at Gyeonggi Housing & Urban Corporation, and chairman of the Suwon Convention Center. The following is the list of personnel appointments. ◇Korea Tourism Organization △Appointments ▷Min Byeong-seon, head of the Tourism Industry Division (executive director) ▷Kim Young-mi, head of the Tourism AI Innovation Division (executive director) △Promotions and transfers <Division heads> ▷Park Yoon-sook, head of the Management Innovation Division ▷Yang Kyung-soo, head of the International Tourism Division ▷Park Jung-woong, head of the Domestic Tourism Division <Office directors> ▷Kim Kyung-ju, director of the ESG Management Office ▷Kim Kwan-mi, director of the Tourism Business Support Office ▷Lee Young-geun, head of the Jeju branch <Team heads> ▷Lee Jun-ho, budget team head 2026-04-21 14:08:47
  • U.S., Cuba Resume Talks Amid Tensions; Meeting Held in Havana This Month
    U.S., Cuba Resume Talks Amid Tensions; Meeting Held in Havana This Month The United States and Cuba, long at odds over sweeping U.S. economic sanctions including restrictions on energy shipments, held bilateral talks in Havana earlier this month, according to reports. Reuters reported that a U.S. State Department official confirmed the meeting took place April 10 in the Cuban capital. It was the first visit to Cuba by a U.S. delegation since 2016. The official said the delegation again stressed that Cuba’s economy is rapidly deteriorating and that there is little time left to carry out key U.S.-backed reforms before conditions worsen beyond repair. The official added that President Trump is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution if possible, but would not allow Cuba’s leadership to ignore U.S. concerns and let the country become a serious security threat. The U.S. side was reported to have proposed allowing Starlink satellite internet, compensation for U.S. individuals and companies whose assets were seized after the 1959 revolution, the release of political prisoners and expanded political freedoms. The delegation also raised concerns about growing influence by foreign powers in Cuba. Alejandro Garcia del Toro, deputy director for U.S. affairs at Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, said the U.S. delegation included officials at the assistant secretary level, while Cuba was represented by vice ministers. Garcia del Toro said there were no deadlines or threats and that the talks were conducted in an overall respectful atmosphere. He said Cuba’s top priority was lifting what he called the U.S. energy blockade. He described the measure as unjustifiable economic punishment of the Cuban people and “a kind of global intimidation” of countries that, under free-trade principles, have the right to export fuel to Cuba. Reuters said the meeting signaled the two countries could still reach a diplomatic agreement, even after President Trump suggested possible military action against Cuba following the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in January. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly spoken of the need for regime change in Cuba and has pursued a hard-line policy, including an oil blockade. On March 28, he again suggested the possible use of force, saying, “Anyway, Cuba is next,” after Venezuela and Iran. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said April 16 that the country must prepare for the possibility of a U.S. military invasion, adding, “If it cannot be avoided, we will repel it.” 2026-04-21 14:08:03
  • Seoul to Develop Chang-dong as K-Entertainment Hub Around 28,000-Seat Seoul Arena
    Seoul to Develop Chang-dong as K-Entertainment Hub Around 28,000-Seat Seoul Arena An area around Chang-dong in Seoul’s Dobong district will be redeveloped into a global cultural hub and a cluster for the culture and entertainment industry, centered on the 28,000-seat Seoul Arena set to open in the first half of next year. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the plan at a news briefing at City Hall on April 21. The city aims to draw domestic and overseas visitors to boost the local economy and create jobs by fostering the entertainment industry, positioning Chang-dong as an economic anchor for northeastern Seoul. “Chang-dong, long seen as the outskirts of Seoul, will be reborn as a stage the world comes to — ‘K-Enter Town, Chang-dong,’” Oh said. “It will be a new engine driving Seoul’s next growth and a starting point for urban competitiveness that brings vitality to northern Seoul.” The city said the project will build Chang-dong into a place where performances run year-round, where concerts expand into industry and jobs, and where events translate into tourism and spending. Officials said they expect economic effects in the trillions of won, extending beyond ticket sales to lodging, transportation, dining and shopping. Chang-dong is to be promoted as a “Live Stage” city, with global concerts and exhibitions throughout the year. The city plans to host more than 100 performances annually at Seoul Arena, each drawing about 30,000 people. It also plans to introduce a live-broadcast system, dubbed “Connective Live,” so people outside the venue can watch and share performances in real time. Oh said the arena’s opening could bring about 2.7 million global tourists to Chang-dong each year, calling it a key driver for Seoul’s push toward an era of 30 million foreign tourists. The city also plans programs and performances linked to cultural sites in northern Seoul, including the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the “Dongdaemun K-pop Street,” to spread the project’s impact across the broader northeastern area. Events tied to Seoul’s seasonal Spring Festival are also planned to coincide with the arena’s opening. Nearby facilities — including the Seoul Museum of Photography, the Seoul Robot and AI Science Museum, and cultural spaces under the elevated structure near Chang-dong Station — are to run exhibitions and hands-on programs on an ongoing basis. A “multi-purpose cultural convention” facility inside the arena complex is planned to host music awards, album showcases and fan meetings. To encourage spending, the city plans K-culture-themed retail facilities within the district. Working with the privately developed Chang-dong station complex, it plans to support shopping tied to K-fashion and K-beauty, including merchandise. A K-food specialty market is planned for the site of an NH Hanaro Mart. For underused land near Chang-dong Station and aging commercial areas, the city plans incentives including floor-area ratios of up to 1,300% to bring in commercial uses, tourist accommodations and office space. The city also plans to attract and nurture culture and entertainment companies. A public-run support facility for popular music will provide assistance for music content production and distribution, targeting smaller agencies and other high-potential firms. Startup space is also planned at the Chang-dong Aurne startup center and the Seed Cube Chang-dong cultural industry complex. Across the Jungnang Stream in the Sanggye area, the city said it will also seek culture-industry tenants for the Seoul Digital Bio City (S-DBC) under development, allowing performance and entertainment firms alongside bio-related businesses to strengthen links between Chang-dong and Sanggye. To help visitors handle lodging, leisure and dining within the district, the city plans to expand infrastructure under a “Live City” concept. It plans to add 700 hotel rooms and promote urban homestay businesses using nearby housing. Chang-dong Station is also expected to add “Seoul Arena Station” or “K-Enter Town Station” as an additional name to improve access and brand recognition. The city put the total budget for the “K-Enter Town, Chang-dong” project at 2.7 trillion won. It said 2 trillion won in private and public capital had been invested through last year, and it plans an additional 700 billion won starting this year. “The essence of growth and change in northern Seoul, including K-Enter Town, Chang-dong, is improving the quality of life for residents in northern Seoul as well as Seoul’s urban competitiveness,” Oh said. He pledged strong support until the area’s potential becomes competitiveness and change leads to a real narrowing of gaps. 2026-04-21 14:06:48
  • South Korea EV Registrations Top 1 Million as 2026 New Sales Pass 100,000
    South Korea EV Registrations Top 1 Million as 2026 New Sales Pass 100,000 South Korea’s new electric-vehicle registrations have topped 100,000 this year, pushing cumulative EV registrations above 1 million. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Tuesday that new EV registrations surpassed 100,000 on April 14. The pace is faster than in previous years. In 2025, when EV adoption was highest for the year at 220,919 vehicles, new registrations crossed 100,000 in the second week of July. In 2024, with 146,902 vehicles, the milestone came in the second week of September. Cumulative EV registrations exceeded 1 million on April 15. As of April 17, the total stood at 1,004,727. Through March, EVs accounted for 83,533 of 415,746 new vehicles, or 20.1%. The EV share slipped slightly from 9.2% in 2023 to 8.9% in 2024, but rose to 13.0% in 2025. The ministry attributed the increase to a wider range of new models, price discount competition among automakers, expanded subsidies including government support for switching from internal-combustion vehicles, and early implementation of rollout programs. Some observers also cited higher oil prices linked to the recent Middle East situation. The government recently secured additional supplementary-budget funding for EV purchase subsidies covering 20,000 passenger cars and 9,000 trucks. That brings this year’s planned subsidy volumes to 280,000 passenger cars, 45,000 trucks and 3,800 buses. With a growing number of local governments running out of first-half subsidy allocations, the government plans to urge municipalities with remaining second-half volumes to move up their public notices. The municipalities planning to do so number 81 for passenger cars and 75 for trucks. The government also said it will allow local governments that need additional budget allocations to pay subsidies first using national funds. Minister Kim Seong-hwan said, “This year will be recorded as a historic year that opens the era of 1 million electric vehicles,” adding that the government will pursue “effective and swift measures” so the public does not face inconvenience in using EVs. 2026-04-21 14:06:06