Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • <PEACE and PROSPERITY Column> Putins obsession with empire must end
    Putin's obsession with empire must end History occasionally presents moments when the world can see, with exceptional clarity, who is pushing it toward chaos and who is pulling it back from the brink. Today, that contrast is unmistakable. Donald Trump—despite the controversies surrounding him, despite the anger his tariff wars still provoke—has stunned the world by helping open a path toward a calmer Middle East. His aggressive pressure on Iran’s proxies and his unflinching stance against Hamas have done what years of diplomatic half-steps could not: they have exposed the militants’ brutality, disrupted their networks, and given the region its first glimmer of quiet in years. Even his willingness to explore mediation in the Ukraine war shows a recognition that global leadership demands engagement, not retreat. And while Trump is—undeniably—one of the most polarizing figures in the West, he has demonstrated something rare in the current geopolitical landscape: the capacity to force adversaries to recalculate. He has shown that unpredictability, when paired with resolve, can sometimes create openings where conventional diplomacy repeatedly failed. But there is one man who refuses to recalculate anything: Vladimir Putin. Putin’s war in Ukraine is not strategy. It is obsession. A futile, backward-looking attempt to resurrect the ghost of a Soviet empire that even Russians no longer genuinely desire. He has chained his nation to a fantasy—one built on stolen territories, silenced dissent, and the cynical rewriting of history. While Trump attempts to pull volatile regions toward negotiation, Putin drags Europe toward a darker era. While much of the world searches for a formula for peace, Putin clings to a delusion of conquest. His ambitions are not merely outdated; they are reckless, corrosive, and utterly detached from the needs of the Russian people. Under his rule, Russia has become a nation in decline - isolated by sanctions, drained by demographic collapse, censored into intellectual stagnation, dependent on China in ways unthinkable twenty years ago. Empires die slowly. But fantasies of empire die violently. The tragedy is that Russia could have chosen a different path. This is the country of Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky, of groundbreaking physicists, of pioneers who sent humanity into space. A nation this gifted does not need to steal land to prove its worth. It needs leadership that believes in its future instead of worshipping its past. Putin has become the single greatest obstacle to that future. The world has seen the contrast: Trump, whatever his faults, has shown a willingness to push adversaries toward de-escalation. Putin has shown a willingness to sacrifice the lives of Ukrainians and Russians alike merely to satisfy his personal mythmaking. This is a moment of stark choice for Moscow. Russia can continue down Putin’s path—a path of isolation, militarism, and irreversible decline. Or it can step back from the abyss and reclaim its place as a constructive global power. The Middle East’s fragile opening proves that even the most entrenched conflicts can shift when leaders decide that peace is a strength, not a concession. Putin still has a narrow window to choose peace. But every day he refuses, Russia’s future grows smaller. And history’s judgment grows harsher. The author is the chairman of Asia-Pacific Economic and Culture Association. 2025-11-20 09:29:11
  • Lee arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President
    Lee arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after wrapping up his itinerary in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this week. Lee is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and the two leaders are expected to discuss expanding trade and cultural cooperation as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. Lee will then deliver a speech at Cairo University, where he will outline South Korea's policy and vision for the Middle Eastern country. With the growing popularity of South Korean dramas and films among young Egyptians, cultural exchange is also likely to be included among the topics of discussion. After meeting with South Korean expatriates there, he will head to Johannesburg to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which will be held in South Africa this weekend. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 09:03:25
  • OPINION: How Koreas medical obsession is undermining its AI aspirations
    OPINION: How Korea's medical obsession is undermining its AI aspirations As the era of artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, one reality has become impossible to ignore: South Korea is falling behind in the race for talent. While other nations aggressively cultivate scientists, engineers and researchers, South Korea continues to funnel many of its brightest students into medical schools — an imbalance that risks undermining the country’s long-term competitiveness. The contrast was laid bare in a KBS documentary that aired in July, which compared China’s systematic investment in engineering talent with South Korea’s overwhelming emphasis on medicine. The documentary struck a nerve, prompting the release of a book in November that further examined the nation’s deep-rooted talent bottleneck. The public shock it generated was not misplaced. South Korea’s university system has struggled for years to keep pace with global peers, and international rankings reinforce that concern. In the QS 2026 list, only three Korean universities — Seoul National University at 38th, Yonsei University at 50th, and Korea University at 61st — placed in the top tier. The Times Higher Education 2026 rankings put SNU at 58th, KAIST at 70th, Yonsei at 86th, and Sungkyunkwan at 87th. ARWU’s 2025 table placed SNU 81st. These results tell a sobering story: English-speaking countries and China dominate the global academic landscape, while South Korea’s best institutions struggle to break into the very top ranks. The weakness is not simply reputational. A report by THE and Elsevier found that SNU’s College of Natural Sciences lags significantly in research impact when compared with institutions like UC Berkeley and Cambridge. The report cited uneven research performance among faculty, limited international collaboration and an overall lack of scale — issues that cannot be solved by rhetoric alone. Meanwhile, China continues to expand its lead in AI and engineering, producing vast numbers of specialized graduates each year. Compounding the problem is the steady loss of homegrown talent. A Bank of Korea survey found that nearly 43 percent of domestic STEM workers are considering leaving the country, drawn by better pay and clearer career pathways abroad. South Korea trains promising researchers, only to watch them depart for environments that value their expertise more. The Lee Jae Myung administration has acknowledged these shortcomings, proposing a “National Scientist” program to support top researchers and attract 2,000 foreign experts in AI and semiconductors over the next five years. But unless this initiative offers more flexibility and long-term stability than China’s well-established program, it risks becoming another symbolic policy rather than a transformative one. The urgency is evident. Despite receiving 260,000 NVIDIA GPUs from CEO Jensen Huang at the 2025 APEC summit — a windfall most countries could only dream of — South Korea still faces a critical shortage of AI specialists capable of putting those processors to meaningful use. Hardware without talent is simply infrastructure waiting to be wasted. If South Korea truly wants to compete in the tech talent war, it must reorient its priorities. That means elevating science and engineering to the same status — socially and economically — as medicine. It means building a research ecosystem that can withstand political cycles. And it means ensuring that gifted students do not see their greatest opportunities in foreign labs and multinational companies. Otherwise, the country risks watching the AI era unfold from the sidelines — not for lack of resources, but for lack of people empowered to use them. About the author -B.A. in English Education, Seoul National University -Ph.D. in Education, Seoul National University -Senior Researcher, Korea Educational Development Institute -Research Professor, University of Texas at Austin -President, Korean Society of Elementary English Education * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 08:52:06
  • Blue Dragon Awards: Power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin make history with dual acting wins
    Blue Dragon Awards: Power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin make history with dual acting wins SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) -South Korea’s star couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin made history at the 46th Blue Dragon Awards, becoming the first married pair to win Best Actor and Best Actress on the same night. Their milestone moment lit up the ceremony at KBS Hall in Seoul on Wednesday, where actors Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon served as hosts for the live broadcast. The night otherwise belonged to “No Other Choice,” which swept major categories including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, and Best Technical Achievement. The black-comedy thriller, directed by Park Chan-wook, is also South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Park won Best Director, though he was unable to attend due to overseas commitments; actor Lee Sung-min accepted the trophy on his behalf. Hyun Bin earned Best Actor for his performance in Harbin. After hearing his name announced, he shared a brief embrace with his son—a moment that instantly ignited social media. In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to those who have served the country and thanked his wife and young son for their support. Son Ye-jin, honored with Best Actress for her role in No Choice, reflected on her first Blue Dragon win at age 27. She said she hoped to continue growing as both an actor and a parent. The couple also picked up the Popular Star Award, with Son calling it “an unforgettable day,” while Hyun Bin expressed gratitude to longtime fans. The pair married in March 2022 after co-starring in the global hit drama Crash Landing on You, and their dual wins added a rare personal narrative layer to one of Korea’s most-watched film events. Other major awards included Best New Actor for Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) and Best New Actress for Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary). Kim Hye-young won Best New Director for It’s Okay, It’s Okay, It’s Okay!. Best Supporting Actor went to Lee Sung-min (No Choice), while Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face). Performances by Lee Chan-hyuk, Choi So-yul, La Poem, BoyNextDoor, and Hwasa added flair to the evening. Actor Park Jung-min also made a surprise appearance during Hwasa’s stage set. The Blue Dragon Film Awards reviewed films released across theaters and major OTT platforms from October 2024 to October 2025, announcing winners in 18 categories. Winners List Best Film: No Choice Best Actor: Hyun Bin (Harbin) Best Actress: Son Ye-jin (No Choice) Best Director: Park Chan-wook (No Choice) Best Supporting Actor: Lee Sung-min (No Choice) Best Supporting Actress: Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face) Best New Actor: Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) Best New Actress: Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary) Best New Director: Kim Hye-young (It's Okay, It's Okay, It's Okay!) Best Screenplay: Kim Hyung-joo & Yoon Jong-bin (The Match) Best Music: Cho Young-wook (No Choice) Best Technical Achievement: Cho Sang-kyung (No Choice) Best Editing: Nam Na-young (High Five) Best Cinematography and Lighting: Hong Kyung-pyo & Park Jung-woo (Harbin) Best Art Direction: Lee Na-gyeom (Jeon, Ran) Popular Star Award: Park Jin-young, Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Lim Yoon-a Best Short Film: A Season of Rotary Most Audience Award: Zombie Daughter * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 07:42:48
  • Saewol ferry-like tragedy avoided as no casualties reported in a South Korean ferry disaster
    Saewol ferry-like tragedy avoided as no casualties reported in a South Korean ferry disaster SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - All 267 passengers and crew aboard the Queen Jenuvia II were safely rescued by 11 p.m. Wednesday, within hours after the 26,546-ton ferry ran aground near an uninhabited rock islet off South Korea’s southwestern coast as the Coast Guard rushed to the scene, mindful of preventing any repeat of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people. The ferry, carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members, struck Jok Islet near Jangsan Island in Sinan County, 366 kilometers south of Seoul, at around 8:16 p.m., according to the Coast Guard. The vessel had departed Jeju at 4:40 p.m. bound for Mokpo before its bow rode up onto the rocky outcrop, shutting down the engines and leaving the ship listing more than 15 degrees to the left. Half of the hull was said to have climbed onto the islet. No serious injuries were reported, though 27 people complained of pain from the impact, including a pregnant woman and several elderly passengers. All passengers were transported to Mokpo via Coast Guard vessels and a coastal rescue craft. Rescue operations involved 17 patrol ships, four coastal rescue vessels, a fixed-wing plane and special response personnel. Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin said human error was suspected but emphasized that a full investigation was needed. President Lee Jae Myung, currently traveling in the Middle East, ordered an all-out rescue response and instructed officials to keep the public updated in real time. Passengers described a sharp, sudden jolt when the ferry ran aground. One reported that “the bow climbed onto the island,” prompting the initial emergency call. Photos and videos posted online showed tilted interiors and items scattered across floors. Despite the impact, officials said there were no signs of flooding, fire or fuel leakage on board. Experts noted that the accident occurred during low tide, when reefs around Jokdo rise closest to the surface, increasing the likelihood that the crew may not have detected the obstruction in time. Authorities will inspect the hull for punctures or flooding and question the crew, including the captain, to determine the cause of the grounding. The Queen Jenuvia II, formerly operating as the Beyond Trust on the Incheon–Jeju route, had faced service suspensions in the past before being reassigned to the Jeju–Mokpo corridor. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 05:52:18
  • Asian shares finish broadly lower as AI-bubble anxiety persist
    Asian shares finish broadly lower as AI-bubble anxiety persist SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Asian stocks edged lower for a second straight session on Wednesday, with investors remaining cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings and the growing “AI bubble” narrative that has weighed on sentiment across the region. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.61 percent to 3,929.51, recovering part of its earlier plunge after falling as low as 3,854.95 in morning trade. Foreign investors sold a net 1.04 trillion won ($709 million), leading the downturn, while retail investors bought 446.5 billion won and institutions purchased 625.6 billion won, attempting to position for a potential rebound. The won showed no sign of stabilizing. As of 4:30 p.m., the currency weakened further to 1,465.6 won per dollar, up 4.6 won from the previous day. Market bellwethers pared back earlier losses, but remained far from a full rebound. Samsung Electronics fell 1.33 percent to 96,500 won, while SK hynix dropped 1.4 percent to 562,000 won. Hynix, Nvidia’s largest memory supplier, briefly broke below the 550,000-won level before recovering some losses late in the session. Not all AI-adjacent names were dragged down. Samsung Electro-Mechanics jumped 5.39 percent to 215,000 won, and Hyundai Autoever rose 2.92 percent to 186,500 won, buoyed by expectations of major AI-related investment from Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.34 percent lower at 48,537.70, reversing early gains as regional weakness spread through the afternoon. Chip stocks stayed subdued. Advantest slipped 0.57 percent to 19,150 yen ($123.2), Tokyo Electron declined 1.97 percent to 30,860 yen, and Ibiden, known as a key Nvidia partner, tumbled 4.12 percent to 11,640 yen. Taiwan’s TAIEX also retreated, falling 0.66 percent to 26,580.12. Earlier strength in chip stocks faded as TSMC dropped 0.71 percent to 1,395 Taiwan dollars ($44.7) and MediaTek slipped 0.85 percent to 1,160 Taiwan dollars. China’s Shanghai Composite Index bucked the trend, edging up 0.18 percent to 3,946.74. Solar-related stocks were mixed. Cybrid Technologies, a maker of solar-panel backsheets, surged 10.02 percent to 13.62 yuan ($1.92) amid optimism over rising data-center demand and stabilizing silicon prices. Solareast Holdings, on the other hand, plunged 10.02 percent to 11.58 yuan on concerns about weakening earnings. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index traded 0.48 percent lower at 25,805, with tech stocks leading the decline. Xiaomi fell 4.81 percent to 38.82 Hong Kong dollars ($5), while EV maker Li Auto lost 2.6 percent to 71.3 Hong Kong dollars. 2025-11-19 18:03:26
  • Star chef Fabri kicks off Italian Cuisine Week in Seoul with cheese-infused kimchi dish
    Star chef 'Fabri' kicks off Italian Cuisine Week in Seoul with cheese-infused kimchi dish SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Italian chef Fabrizio Ferrari, widely known in South Korea by his affectionate nickname "Fabri," opened this year's Italian Cuisine Week in Seoul on Wednesday with a cooking demonstration that blended Italy's signature cheeses with Korea's most familiar flavors. At High Street Italia in Gangnam, Ferrari prepared a pan of kimchi fried rice and finished it with a cooled, paper-thin cheese crisp set over the dish like a hat. The crisp, made from melted and re-hardened Italian cheese, added a nutty aroma and a crackling texture as he introduced the first program of the week-long event. Ferrari called cheese one of Italy's greatest culinary treasures and said it cannot be separated from the country's food identity. He opened his remarks by drawing a parallel between cheese and jang, the fermented sauces at the foundation of Korean cuisine. "For Italian food, cheese is what jang is for Korean cuisine," he said. "Without jang, there is no real Korean food. It is the same for us. The flavor and umami in Italian dishes come from cheese." In Korean cooking, jang is the element that shapes the taste of soups, stews, and everyday dishes, and many chefs treat it as the essence of Korean food. Ferrari told the audience he sees the same role played by cheese in Italy. He spoke about cheese as a fermented food, noting that its depth comes from the same slow processes that define Korea's jang tradition. Holding up cheeses like provolone and caciocavallo, he pointed out their visual similarities to meju blocks and said the fermentation link explains why Korean diners often find Italian cheeses familiar rather than foreign. Ferrari's demonstration featured well-known cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, but also lesser-known regional varieties. He reminded the audience that Italy produces dozens of traditional cheeses that differ according to altitude, grass, soil, and climate. "There are regions where animals eat different herbs and plants, so the taste of the milk changes and the cheese changes with it," he said. The chef also introduced the audience to Asiago from northern Italy, as well as provolone, which he described as a firmer, more elastic cousin of mozzarella. Using four types of cheese, he prepared a rich quattro formaggi pasta, then turned to his Korean-Italian fusion dish, placing the cheese crisp on top of the fried rice to bring together heat, salt, and sweetness with the aroma of aged dairy. During the Q&A session, Ferrari told AJP about pairing Italian cheese with Korean traditional drinks. He said fermented alcohols with a slight tang or sweetness worked well. "Makgeolli is a good example," he said. Ferrari is well known in Korea beyond his kitchen. Born into a family of restaurateurs, he earned a Michelin star in 2005 for his seafood restaurant Al Porticciolo 84 in Italy and held it for 15 years. His exposure to Korean cuisine began in 2010 while working with Korean culinary students in Italy. He learned how to make kimchi and other fermented foods and later developed his own Korean-Italian fusion dishes. He moved to South Korea in 2019, taught at Woosong University in Daejeon and became a familiar figure on television. His YouTube channel, Italy Fabri, has drawn a large Korean following. Before Ferrari took the stage, Italian Trade Commissioner Ferdinando Gueli opened the event by presenting this year's promotional focus on authentic Italian cheese. He urged Korean consumers to check origin labels and look for the EU's certification marks. "Korea is one of our most important markets in Asia in terms of per capita exports," he said. "Korean people are among the best lovers of made in Italy in the world." Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto also greeted guests. Speaking in Korean, she thanked the audience for attending. She said food represents the cultural and artistic ties between South Korea and Italy and praised the popularity of Korean cuisine in Italy. The ambassador said she hoped the week's programs would help deepen the exchange between the two food cultures. 2025-11-19 17:57:08
  • HOT STOCK: Hyundai Autoever and Samsung Electro survive AI overvaluation scare
    HOT STOCK: Hyundai Autoever and Samsung Electro survive AI overvaluation scare SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Hyundai AutoEver and Samsung Electro-Mechanics were among a selective KOSPI stocks that managed to survive this week’s sharp rout triggered by fears of an AI-driven bubble ahead of Nvidia’s earnings release scheduled for Thursday. Hyundai AutoEver — the Hyundai Motor Group affiliate responsible for software development and next-generation mobility strategy — gained 2.92 percent to close Wednesday at 186,500 won ($127.1). Its rally was buoyed by Hyundai Motor Group’s pledge of a record 125 trillion won in domestic investment over the next five years. Of the total, 50 trillion won has been allocated for AI, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and robotics — all core areas under AutoEver’s purview. The company is also expected to participate in the government’s planned “Physical AI” initiative, designed to support Korea’s foundational industries such as shipbuilding and defense. Another key catalyst was AutoEver’s inclusion in the KOSPI 200 index. The Korea Exchange (KRX) announced Tuesday that its stock-exchange steering committee approved the removal of eight constituents and the addition of seven new names, including AutoEver. The index represents roughly 80 percent of the KOSPI’s total market capitalization, firmly establishing AutoEver as a representative blue-chip stock. The company is on track to achieve revenue of 5 trillion won by 2027, said Kim Sung-rae, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, noting that “SI (system integration) is leading growth this year through higher-margin projects such as next-generation ERP and cloud services.” Samsung Electro-Mechanics also surged, climbing 5.39 percent to 215,000 won, boosted by overlapping tailwinds across its core businesses. The company is a major supplier of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and flip-chip ball-grid-array (FC-BGA) substrates — essential components for AI servers and automotive electronics — and demand has risen sharply. According to its Oct. 29 earnings release, the Components division, responsible for circuit-board production including MLCCs, posted 1.38 trillion won in revenue in the third quarter, up 8 percent quarter-on-quarter and 15 percent year-on-year. Operating profit also climbed to 260.3 billion won, up 22 percent quarter-on-quarter and 16 percent year-on-year. Factory utilization is nearly maxed out, jumping from 86 percent in Q3 2024 to approximately 99 percent this quarter, as demand from AI and automotive customers exceeded supply. Samsung Electro-Mechanics holds roughly 25 percent of the global MLCC market, second only to Murata Manufacturing’s 40 percent. However, in the AI-optimized MLCC segment, Samsung’s share is estimated at around 40 percent — effectively matching Murata and signaling growing competitiveness in next-generation components. The company is also strengthening its position in FC-BGA substrates, which connect high-performance semiconductors to motherboards and are well suited for AI data centers and automotive electronics due to their superior signal-transmission performance. “FC-BGA substrates are expected to remain fully booked through 2027,” said Park Jun-seo, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, adding that MLCC demand “will continue to increase as power requirements for AI processing expand.” 2025-11-19 17:24:46
  • Aju-sponsored Korea-Japan forum calls for bilateral FTA as a stepping stone toward economic bloc
    Aju-sponsored Korea-Japan forum calls for bilateral FTA as a stepping stone toward economic bloc SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea and Japan — two of the largest economies in East Asia — are increasingly viewed as a single investment destination by foreign capital as their tech-driven manufacturing capabilities grow more interconnected. But the absence of a meaningful bilateral trade framework or policy coordination still constrains the growth potential that could be unlocked if the two nations were to combine their industrial strengths, lawmakers, scholars and business leaders from both countries said Wednesday. The idea of the two neighbors complementing each other in strategically vital sectors such as semiconductors, batteries and defense — and jointly addressing common challenges — has been championed by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. He has proposed that the two countries move beyond existing multilateral trade platforms and work toward forming an EU-style economic bloc that could emerge as the world’s third-largest economic power after the United States and China. Chey is expected to reiterate this vision at the Tokyo Forum 2025 at the University of Tokyo on Friday. His argument was highlighted during the 2025 Korea-Japan Economic Forum held Wednesday at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club. The event was co-sponsored by Aju Media Group and Japan’s NNA Kyodo News Group. The gathering brought together members of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians’ Union, trade and industry experts, and officials from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. Participants discussed how both governments should respond to ongoing supply-chain disruptions and rising geopolitical risks that have intensified following the return of the Trump administration in Washington. Matsuo Hirotaka, minister at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, highlighted Japan’s dramatically expanding investment footprint in Korea. “It rose from just US$500,000 at the time of diplomatic normalization in 1965 to more than US$6.12 billion last year, making Japan Korea’s largest investor,” he said. “The uncertain global trade environment, driven in part by U.S. tariff policy, underscores the importance of stronger economic ties between Seoul and Tokyo.” Lee Ji-pyeong, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, warned that without closer coordination both economies could face greater market volatility. “Many production processes already span the two countries, making simultaneous responses essential as protectionist measures rise in major economies and global rules become less predictable,” Lee said. Lee argued that a “deeper” bilateral trade framework is necessary for the two countries to act as a rule-setter in the global economy, noting that their combined GDP is projected to reach US$7 trillion by 2030. Kim Gyu-pan, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), noted that “Korea and Japan currently lack a high-level bilateral trade agreement,” calling for renewed discussions on more advanced bilateral or multilateral frameworks. Kim also stressed the need for “greater consistency in Seoul’s Japan policy” and encouraged progress on joint declarations and future high-level exchanges. 2025-11-19 17:24:05
  • AI cover controversy in New Zealand poses wake-up call for Korean publishers
    AI cover controversy in New Zealand poses wake-up call for Korean publishers SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - It took less than a minute for ChatGPT to deliver a fully rendered image of Seoul's landmark Gwanghwamun draped in autumn leaves in the warm, painterly style of Studio Ghibli, the iconic Japanese animation studio. Image-making has become easy and ubiquitous ever since OpenAI added its image-generation feature, allowing users to transform their portraits into Ghibli-style illustrations within seconds. The feature quickly went viral across social media, sharply boosting ChatGPT's global usage: weekly active users jumped 30 percent in the first quarter, and as of last month, the platform counts more than 800 million users worldwide. But the spread of everyday AI assistance in visual and creative work is also complicating life for creators — a reality underscored by a recent case in New Zealand. Two New Zealand writers, Stephanie Johnson and Elizabeth Smither, were disqualified from the country's most prestigious literary prize, the Ockham Book Awards, making them ineligible for next year's NZ$65,000 fiction award. The decision came after the awards committee discovered that the publishers' design team had used artificial intelligence (AI) to create the book covers without informing the authors beforehand. The affected books, Johnson's short-story collection "Obligate Carnivore" (2025) and Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" (2025), shocked the literary world due to the absence of clear regulatory guidelines. A less dramatic but similar case occurred in Korea when it was revealed that the 2023 youth edition of "Almond" — the million-selling bildungsroman by Sohn Won-pyung about a boy who struggles to feel emotions — used AI in its redesigned cover. Before this incident, AI usage had largely been limited to publish-on-demand (POD) or self-published works. This was the first time AI had been used for the re-covering of a major bestseller. The core of the controversy centered on copyright: under current Korean law, AI cannot be recognized as a copyright holder. Korea will put its AI Basic Act into effect in January next year, but it barely touches the broad, day-to-day issues emerging across the many sectors AI has already penetrated. "Without clear rules, everything is judged on a case-by-case basis. But the trend is moving toward acknowledging rights for AI-assisted creations. Even if the themes are similar, different texts receive separate copyright protection," said Kim Hyung-geun, CEO of publishing house Seoul Selection, who added that the lack of regulations places publishers in limbo. AI-generated works differ fundamentally from traditional publishing, with the most notable changes appearing in the dramatic reduction of time and cost. Yet the law does not specify how disclosure requirements should apply to AI-produced covers, illustrations, or text. "Hiring designers for covers is expensive, and works created with ChatGPT are clearly copyright-free, so I don't see a legal issue there," observed Park Han-woo, media and communication professor at Yeungnam University. He suggested that Korea incorporate NFT-style systems to track the provenance of AI-generated content. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital certificates recorded on a blockchain that verify ownership and trace the history of a digital asset. Even if identical copies of an artwork circulate online, only the NFT-registered version carries true ownership rights — which could help ease confusion while authorities catch up with appropriate regulations, he said. 2025-11-19 17:19:07