Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Why Korea should benchmark Japan in tweaking retirement age and managing super-aged society SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Korea, under strong pressure from labor unions, is moving to extend the statutory retirement age to 65 as it enters a super-aged demographic structure, but the shift could strain public finances and the national pension system if it fails to draw voluntary participation from the private sector, responsible for most hiring. Korea's two largest umbrella unions are urging the progressive government and ruling party to mandate a "blanket, unconditional extension to 65 without wage cuts" within the year. The ruling Democratic Party has proposed raising the statutory retirement age gradually to 65 by 2033, in line with the scheduled rise in the national pension eligibility age. Korea joined the ranks of "super-aged" societies last year, with people aged 65 and older accounting for more than 20 percent of the population. Although the legal retirement age is 60, the national pension does not begin paying benefits until age 63 — a threshold that will rise to 65 by 2033. The gap has left many seniors with insufficient income and pushed labor force participation among those 65 and older to 37.3 percent in 2023, the highest in the OECD. Korea also records the OECD's highest senior poverty and suicide rates. Japan, which encountered rapid aging decades earlier, offers lessons on how to manage the transition. Tokyo began addressing the issue 25 years ago and provided companies with autonomy and time to adjust. The Japanese government implemented a 12-year grace period, first introducing retirement-age guidelines in 1986 as a "non-binding obligation" before making them legally enforceable in 1998. The same gradual approach applied to raising the effective retirement age to 65: in 2000, Japan revised the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons, requiring companies to "make efforts" to ensure employment until age 65. If Korea implements its proposed legislation this year without similar staging, the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) warns that the benefits will accrue mainly to full-time workers at large firms and public institutions with strong unions. The business lobby estimates the additional annual employment cost at roughly 30 trillion won ($20.6 billion) — equivalent to hiring around 900,000 workers aged 25 to 29. Moreover, only 21.8 percent of Korean workplaces currently operate under a mandatory retirement system, meaning gains would disproportionately flow to workers in big corporations and the public sector. This helps explain mounting opposition from younger job seekers. Experience from the 2016 introduction of the current 60-year retirement age also suggests unintended consequences. According to the Bank of Korea, the policy increased employment among workers aged 55 to 59 by about 80,000 by 2024, but reduced employment among those aged 23 to 27 by 110,000. For every additional older worker retained, employment for young workers fell by 0.4 to 1.5. Japan's approach since 2006 gives companies three options: extend the retirement age, abolish retirement limits altogether, or provide continued employment for older workers under new contracts. As of April this year, companies must offer continued employment to anyone wishing to work until 65. Under this system, employees formally retire at the designated age but are rehired with adjusted pay and conditions, allowing firms to retain experienced workers while managing labor costs. Watami Co., which operates restaurant chains such as Subway and TGI Fridays in Japan, recently raised its retirement age to 65 and introduced a program enabling employees to work until 75. The move addresses both labor shortages and the desire of older workers to remain active. As of June 2022, 99.9 percent of Japanese companies with 21 or more employees had adopted one of the three systems, effectively lifting the retirement age to 65 in practice, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. More than 65 percent of companies have either formally extended the retirement age or abolished it altogether. 2025-11-12 17:22:56 -
Survey shows Deepfake crimes seen as growing threat to young people in South Korea SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Nine out of ten South Koreans believe deepfake crimes pose a serious threat to society, a recent survey showed, underscoring escalated alarm over the abuse of artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit or manipulated content. Deepfake refers to synthetic media generated using artificial intelligence to alter or replace a person's likeness in photos or videos. The technology is increasingly being abused to produce non-consensual sexual material, often targeting women and public figures by inserting their faces into pornographic videos or images shared online. A nationwide survey of 1,007 adults conducted by pollster Realmeter on November 4 and 5 found that 90.2 percent of respondents consider deepfake crimes to have a serious impact on society. Among them, 65.2 percent said the threat was "very serious," while 25.0 percent described it as "somewhat serious." Concern was high across all age groups, reaching 95.3 percent among those in their 50s. The poll results coincide with data from the Ministry of Education showing that deepfake exploitation is spreading rapidly in schools. Between January and October 27 last year, 799 students and 31 teachers were identified as victims of deepfake-related crimes. Reports were more frequent at higher grade levels, but even elementary schools recorded 16 cases. Of 504 cases reported to the ministry, 417 were referred to police for investigation, while 218 videos were deleted with government assistance. The ministry said it has established a task force to monitor such cases and work closely with investigators. Deepfake abuse first drew national attention last year, when 45 related school violence cases were reported in Seoul—double the number from the previous year. Since then, incidents have continued to rise as artificial intelligence tools become easier to access and misuse. The Korea Communications Standards Commission held talks with Telegram in September 2024, one of the platforms frequently used to share manipulated content. Telegram agreed to comply immediately with deletion requests from South Korean authorities. 2025-11-12 17:18:01 -
Homegrown space rocket set for first nighttime launch late this month SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's homegrown space rocket Nuri is scheduled for liftoff later this month. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said Wednesday that the rocket, dubbed KSLV‑II, will be launched at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province on Nov. 27 unless unexpected problems occur, in which case there will be further launch windows between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4. The liftoff has been tentatively set for between 12:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m., with the exact time to be decided the previous day. KARI's head researcher Han Young-min admitted concerns about fatigue among the crew due to the early morning launch but expressed confidence in the mission's success, vowing to minimize any human error. The mission is to put a next-generation medium-sized satellite into orbit approximately 600 km above Earth's surface to observe the planet's magnetic field and auroras. Along with the main satellite, the launch vehicle will also carry 12 smaller satellites. The launch will be particularly notable as it marks the first civilian-led mission, with Hanwha Aerospace participating in the rocket's production and assembly, a key step toward fostering a private-sector space industry ecosystem. 2025-11-12 17:03:12 -
KOSPI extends gains for second day; tech stocks lag as SOX declines SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Asian shares turned higher on Wednesday, with South Korea’s benchmark index rising for a second consecutive session. Semiconductor stocks, however, underperformed after overnight losses in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) and the Nasdaq. The KOSPI gained 1.07 percent to close at 4,150.39. Institutional investors drove the advance, purchasing 912.1 billion won ($620 million), while retail investors and foreigners sold 446 billion won and 428 billion won, respectively, to take profits. The Korean won weakened further despite the market rebound, closing at 1,466 per dollar. Government bond yields inched lower but remained elevated, with the three-year note at 2.831 percent. Gains were capped by weakness in leading chipmakers. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.39 percent to 103,100 won, while SK hynix edged down 0.32 percent to 617,000 won. The selloff followed news that SoftBank Holdings liquidated its entire stake in Nvidia, sending the SOX sharply lower overnight. A broader tech slump on the Nasdaq added pressure to Seoul’s chip-heavy market. Power equipment stocks also retreated. Hyosung Heavy Industries fell 3.65 percent to 2,220,000 won, while HD Hyundai Electric dropped 1.4 percent to 848,000 won. Brokerage firms led the rally after strong third-quarter results. Samsung Securities reported a 24 percent on-year increase in operating profit to 401.8 billion won, driven by robust brokerage activity. Its shares jumped 9.17 percent to 83,300 won. Mirae Asset Securities gained 7 percent to 24,550 won, extending the sector’s momentum. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.49 percent to 51,090, supported by heavy trading in financial and investment stocks. SoftBank Group recorded turnover of 72 million shares, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group saw 52 million shares traded. Mitsubishi UFJ climbed 3.38 percent to 2,400 yen ($15.53) on expectations that the Bank of Japan will refrain from cutting its benchmark rate, boosting profit prospects for lenders. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.07 percent to 4,000.14 in subdued trade. Activity centered on rare earth and aluminum producers. Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Union slipped 1.52 percent to 2.6 yuan ($0.37), while Aluminum Corp. of China surged 6.38 percent to 11.68 yuan on expectations that output limits will support prices. Taiwan’s TAIEX rose 0.58 percent to 27,947.09, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.8 percent to 26,921 as of 4:25 p.m. 2025-11-12 16:55:24 -
France and Korea to celebrate 140 years of ties with nationwide events SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - A yearlong celebration marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea will take place across both countries in 2026. France and Korea have long maintained a comprehensive partnership, engaging closely in diplomacy, defense, economy, science, and technology. The upcoming anniversary will commemorate more than a century of partnership and friendship while showcasing a shared vision for the future. A wide range of commemorative events will be led by the French Embassy in Seoul in collaboration with about 100 French and Korean partner institutions. The programs, spanning politics, defense, trade, science and technology, culture, education, sports, and tourism, will reflect the full scope of bilateral cooperation throughout the year. Highlights include high-level visits, a strategic dialogue between foreign ministers, an official anniversary ceremony, and a memorial honoring French veterans of the Korean War. Events will take place nationwide, including in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Suwon, Jeonju, and Bucheon, with more than 100 programs planned across 20 cities. In France, the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center in Paris will jointly organize exhibitions, concerts, and other events celebrating the anniversary. "The 140th anniversary will be a landmark occasion to further expand cooperation in every field — from economy and science to culture, education," said French Ambassador to Seoul Philippe Bertoux. "We are preparing nationwide events that will not only commemorate 140 years of friendship but also strengthen our ties for the future," Bertoux added. 2025-11-12 16:38:50 -
Korea's KakaoTalk admits to feed pratfall and will return to original format by December SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - KakaoTalk, bowing to massive backlash and acknowledging the failure of its largest redesign to date, will restore its original interface by the end of the year after a clumsy attempt to introduce an Instagram-like picture feed to a platform used by virtually all South Koreans. A KakaoTalk spokesperson told AJP on Thursday that the company is "working to restore the original layout by year-end" in response to negative "user feedback," meaning the arbitrary photo feed will be removed from the main page and offered only as an optional feature. Asked why the feed had been placed on the main screen in the first place, the spokesperson said that "some users wanted an easier way to view friends' updates without tapping each profile," but conceded that "the redesign did not meet broader user expectations." At a company event in September 2025, Kakao announced plans to evolve into an AI-powered "super app," integrating multiple services into a single platform. On September 23, it rolled out a sweeping update that replaced the traditional "Friends" tab with a social media–style feed, automatically displaying friends' profile updates and status messages. The redesign, widely seen as an attempt to push KakaoTalk toward a social-media model, sparked widespread complaints from users who found the new format confusing, intrusive, and misaligned with how the app is used in everyday life — from business communication to money transfers. Unlike WhatsApp, LINE, or WeChat, which open directly to chat lists, KakaoTalk's feed-first interface broke from global norms and alienated long-time users. According to IGAWorks' Mobile Index, the app's average monthly usage time per user fell from 700.17 minutes in September to 677.85 minutes in October, a decline of about 22 minutes. The figure also marked a drop from the third-quarter average of 694.82 minutes. A separate online survey of 1,000 users aged 20 to 60 by the Korea Press Foundation's Media Research Center showed that 91 percent felt "uncomfortable being exposed to less-close acquaintances." Only about 20 percent found the new format convenient for checking updates or interacting through likes and comments, while nearly 80 percent said they wanted to return to the previous version. The company declined to specify the financial cost of the redesign and rollback, saying that "it is difficult to measure, as updates occur monthly and costs are mixed." The episode underscores how even dominant platforms can stumble when they misread consumer needs. 2025-11-12 16:18:20 -
Korean firms scale back UAM plans amid delays in commercialization SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Major South Korean companies are retreating from the once-hyped Urban Air Mobility, or UAM, market as delays in commercialization and regulatory hurdles cloud the industry’s near-term prospects. The technology, envisioned as a new mode of eco-friendly urban transport that could ease traffic congestion, has been touted globally as a growth industry worth more than $60 billion by 2035. But with commercialization timelines slipping and profitability still out of reach, Korean companies are beginning to reconsider their roles. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had originally planned to commercialize its “K-UAM” program this year, but postponed the target to 2028 in August — a move that dampened momentum among corporate participants. Analysts say the long development horizon and uncertain returns have made it difficult for companies to justify continued investment. LG Uplus, the telecommunications affiliate of LG Group, recently dismantled its UAM division after initially joining a development consortium. SK Telecom also withdrew from the second phase of the K-UAM demonstration program last month, citing technological and regulatory challenges. The company, which began its UAM project in early 2021, told shareholders in March that it would take a cautious approach amid the changing market environment. Hanwha Group, one of the earliest Korean investors in UAM technology, is also scaling back. Its subsidiaries Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems halted funding for the U.S. eVTOL startup Overair in June and are reportedly moving to divest their shares, signaling a strategic retreat from direct aircraft development. Industry experts warn that these moves could slow South Korea’s broader ambitions to develop a domestic UAM ecosystem. “For such projects to succeed, comprehensive management strategies are needed, but the momentum has stalled,” said Kim Kwang-ok, a professor at Korea Aerospace University. “Profitability and revenue cannot be guaranteed, making the UAM market outlook cloudy.” * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 16:06:37 -
Samsung expands Galaxy XR use to corporate training, moving beyond gaming and entertainment SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Samsung is taking its extended reality (XR) headset beyond gaming and entertainment, introducing immersive corporate training programs that blend artificial intelligence with XR through its “Galaxy XR” device. Starting this month, Samsung Human Resources Development Center began using the Galaxy XR for employee education programs, covering meditation, company history, leadership, language, and debate sessions. About 20,000 employees—from new recruits to executives—will undergo training using the headset annually. The Galaxy XR, which Samsung co-developed with Google and Qualcomm and released in October, runs on the Android XR platform. It enables users to interact with 3D environments through voice, gaze, and gestures, allowing them to simulate presentations, hold meetings, or revisit historical milestones such as the founding of Samsung in 1938. Samsung first hinted at broader ambitions for XR at its October launch event, saying the device could go beyond gaming to include sports experiences, industrial simulations, and medical or educational applications. The company also highlighted its potential in B2B services—such as training workers for hazardous sites or conducting medical education in controlled virtual settings—reflecting the group’s long-term strategy to build an ecosystem around spatial computing. Through the AI-powered system, participants can receive real-time, personalized feedback from virtual avatars and repeat exercises in realistic environments without the pressure of live evaluation. The XR-based training is designed to increase engagement and overcome the limitations of conventional classroom learning. Samsung said it will continue working with experts and develop new content optimized for next-generation XR devices. The company aims to integrate feedback from trainees and expand AI-XR education into additional fields in partnership with Samsung Electronics. 2025-11-12 15:47:51 -
South Korea maintains support for UN resolution on North Korean human rights abuses SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea will continue to support a UN General Assembly resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses and violations. According to the resolution disclosed on Wednesday, South Korea remains a co-sponsor, dispelling speculation that Seoul would soften its stance toward North Korea to avoid provoking Pyongyang under President Lee Jae Myung's rapprochement. After co-sponsoring the resolution from 2008 to 2018, South Korea withdrew under the Moon Jae-in administration due to concerns about inter-Korean relations, but rejoined in 2023 under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s tougher stance toward the North. "The government believes it is important to improve the human rights situation in North Korea and will continue to cooperate with the international community. This is why we are participating as a co-sponsor of this resolution," said a Foreign Ministry official. The resolution is expected to be adopted at the UN General Assembly's plenary session next month. This year's resolution condemns North Korea for diverting excessive resources to military spending and illegal nuclear and missile programs at the expense of its people. It also highlights the worsening human rights situation there including the plight of separated families, following North Korea's announcement in January 2024 that it would no longer pursue reunification with the South. North Korea has strongly opposed these resolutions. Last November, a spokesperson for its Foreign Ministry denounced the resolution as a "provocation" led by the U.S. and its allies, claiming it infringes on the country's dignity and sovereignty. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 15:46:54 -
Korea's G-Star 2025 loses earlier glow and star names as industry falls into doldrums SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - G-Star 2025, South Korea's annual expo once celebrated for showcasing the country's global gaming prowess, opens Thursday in Busan in a visibly downscaled form that reflects a stagnating blockbuster pipeline and weakening earnings across the industry. The event at Bexco will feature about 3,010 booths, down from 3,359 last year, and will notably miss major players such as Nexon, Pearl Abyss and Smilegate. The subdued tone follows the game industry's grim third-quarter results. Netmarble and Krafton were the only two of the five largest publishers to post modest revenue gains, as Korean companies that once dominated online and mobile gaming now struggle to fend off Chinese rivals amid a lack of major new releases. Korea failed to secure a single spot in the top 10 mobile games by revenue in October, according to Sensor Tower. China's Tencent ranked second, with domestic competitor Century Games taking fifth. NCSoft, which posted an operating loss of 109.2 billion won last year after years of declining users, is mounting an all-in wager on "Aion 2," the massively multiplayer online role-playing game launching Nov. 19. The company is operating 300 booths as the event's main sponsor. "We have considerable confidence internally in Aion 2," NCSoft CEO Park Byung-moo said in a recent earnings call. The game will preserve the original title's aerial combat while expanding player-versus-environment content. The company will also showcase looter-shooter "Cinder City" and three additional titles. Netmarble, last year's Grand Prize winner at the Korea Game Awards, will operate 112 booths with 145 demo stations for titles including "Solo Leveling: Karma" and "Project Evilbane," a cooperative action game receiving its first public demonstration. Krafton will unveil "Palworld Mobile" for the first time, developed by its PUBG Studios using Japanese studio Pocketpair's creature-collection franchise. The firm continues searching for a successor to its aging Battlegrounds franchise, which will have a separate booth run by Kakao Games. Smaller exhibitors will take up much of the remaining space. Webzen will feature its defense game "Gate of Gates" with cosplay models used in recent promotions. Neowiz will demonstrate a spin-off of "Sanabi," a dystopian action-platformer blending Korean cyberpunk aesthetics with narrative gameplay. Gravity plans to exhibit 18 titles, including a new Ragnarok Online project. Amid sour sentiment at home, several major publishers are shifting their focus overseas through the Tokyo Game Show and Gamescom. Pearl Abyss showcased "Crimson Desert" at both Tokyo and Cologne this year but is skipping Busan. Smilegate, which ran a large booth at Tokyo, is participating only in business-to-business meetings at G-Star. Nexon, last year's main sponsor, also attended the Tokyo Game Show but opted out of this year's Busan event. Foreign players are filling part of the void. Blizzard Entertainment is returning after a 12-year absence with an "Overwatch 2" experience zone and will participate in the expo's official esports tournament. Japan's Sega and Bandai Namco Entertainment will operate booths with existing franchises, and game engine developer Unity will also join. "The convention remains one of Korea's premier exhibitions, giving companies a platform to present new products to the public," said Kim Jung-sun, a professor of game content at ChungKang College of Cultural Industries, dismissing arguments about G-Star's decline. "With the proliferation of game festivals and viral marketing channels, participation has become a more strategic choice. G-Star is evolving beyond a platform for game companies — it now serves content creators and related industries as well." 2025-11-12 15:46:19