AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

Journalist

Candice Kim, Lim Jaeho candicekim1121@ajupress.com, ajupresswogh@ajupress.com

Three former Sapeon employees indicted for stealing AI core technology SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - South Korean prosecutors have indicted three former employees of the artificial intelligence chip company Sapeon, accusing them of leaking core technologies ahead of the company's planned merger with a domestic rival. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office said Wednesday it charged two of the former employees with theft of industrial technology, unfair competition, and breach of trust. A third former executive was indicted without detention on the same charges. According to prosecutors, the stolen materials, which include source codes and technical documents for AI semiconductor architecture, are valued at approximately 28 billion won, or about $20.2 million. The prosecutors allege that the former Sapeon employees leaked the source codes to external hard drives and personal cloud storage between January and June of 2024. The former executive is accused of leaking separate architectural materials to an external hard drive in March 2023. The indictment states that the former executive left Sapeon before its merger with Rebellions, another domestic AI chip firm, and founded a new AI semiconductor startup. The two employees later joined his new company as engineers. 2025-08-06 16:22:15
[[K-Tech]] Korean scientists develop AI chip that mimics human brain SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - A research team at Dankook University in Seoul has developed a next-generation artificial intelligence semiconductor that mimics the human brain by learning through light, the university announced Wednesday — a potential breakthrough in the emerging field of neuromorphic computing. Led by Professor Choi Jun-hwan of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the team engineered a neuromorphic chip that replicates the structure and function of biological neural networks. Unlike traditional semiconductors, which separate memory and processing units, the new device integrates both into a single chip, drastically reducing power consumption and enabling the simultaneous processing of massive data flows. “This device integrates both memory and synaptic functionalities using optoelectronic mechanisms,” said Professor Choi in a statement. “What’s more, it can be implemented on paper substrates, opening new doors for applications in wearable electronics, AI-based sensors, and security systems.” The chip operates on the principles of synaptic learning, with photonic signals triggering charge storage and processing — a method that mirrors how synapses in the human brain transmit and retain information. Its dual-mode memory transistor is capable of both data retention and adaptive learning in response to external stimuli. The study was conducted in collaboration with Professors Yoo Ho-cheon and Oh Se-yong of Hanyang University. The announcement comes at a time when neuromorphic computing — which aims to replicate the cognitive processes of the brain — is attracting increasing interest from both academia and industry. Analysts project the global market for such technologies could grow from $28.5 million this year to $1.3 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 90 percent. Key drivers include the rise of edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and autonomous systems, all of which require efficient, real-time data processing at low energy costs — areas where neuromorphic devices excel. 2025-08-06 14:30:59
[[K-Beauty]] CJ Olive Young courts American consumers at K-pop festival in LA SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - CJ Olive Young, South Korea’s leading beauty retailer, drew a crowd of 36,000 visitors over three days at KCON LA 2025 with its largest K-beauty booth to date, the company said Tuesday. The immersive 430-square-meter installation spotlighted 164 products from 66 Korean brands, aiming to deepen engagement with U.S. consumers at the annual K-pop and culture festival held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. At the center of the experience was a skincare zone, where attendees sampled over 40 products ranging from essences and serums to suncare, sheet masks, and moisturizing creams — all curated to reflect Korean skincare rituals. A UV protection testing device allowed visitors to measure sunscreen efficacy on the spot, while a newly introduced skin scanning service provided personalized skincare recommendations based on facial analysis. To further entice attendees, Olive Young offered complimentary skincare starter kits featuring products from six popular brands. Long lines formed throughout the event as visitors waited to participate in the interactive skincare sessions, the company said. The booth also served as a platform for promoting smaller Korean beauty labels. A dedicated section highlighted 34 products from 30 small and mid-sized enterprises chosen through government-backed programs supporting global market entry. Meanwhile, Olive Young’s own private-label brands — Bio Heal BOH, Bring Green, and COLORGRAM — were prominently featured in stand-alone installations. 2025-08-05 17:29:31
[[K-Tech]] Samsung's Galaxy S25 hits 3 million sales in Korea — fastest pace yet for 5G Galaxy phone SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its Galaxy S25 smartphone series has surpassed 3 million domestic sales, achieving the milestone faster than any previous 5G Galaxy S device. Launched in February 2025, the Galaxy S25 lineup reached the 3 million mark two months earlier than its predecessor, while maintaining steady momentum throughout the first half of the year. Pre-launch anticipation was particularly high, with Samsung recording 1.3 million pre-orders — the highest in the Galaxy S series’ history. Much of the enthusiasm was driven by upgrades in performance and the debut of Galaxy AI features, including the personalized “Now Brief” function. Samsung cited widespread use of new on-device AI tools such as generative photo editing, automatic slow-motion rendering, and audio eraser features as key factors in sustaining sales after the launch period. The company’s Galaxy AI subscription club, which offers a 50 percent residual value guarantee after one year, also proved popular — accounting for 30 percent of purchases made through Samsung’s direct sales channels. The company’s success extended into the second half of the year with the recent launch of its foldable flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, on July 25. The duo generated a record 1.04 million pre-orders — surpassing all previous foldable Galaxy models — fueled by a slimmer design and the foldable-optimized ONE UI 8 interface. Samsung credited the strong showing to its continued integration of advanced AI and hardware innovation across its product lineup. 2025-08-05 16:29:33
[[K-Tech]] Korean biotech firms target Middle East's healthcare markets SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - South Korean pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are ramping up expansion into the Middle East, seizing new opportunities in healthcare as Gulf nations shift their economic focus away from oil and toward medical innovation and services. Botulinum toxin manufacturers and medical artificial intelligence firms are at the forefront of this push, aiming to tap into rising healthcare investments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, industry officials said Tuesday. Hugel, a leading South Korean aesthetic medicine firm, is awaiting regulatory approval to launch its botulinum toxin product, Botulax, in Saudi Arabia. Mirae Asset Securities expects the company’s botulinum exports to surge by 53 percent in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half. The move follows Hugel’s market entries into Kuwait in 2023 via Medica Group and the United Arab Emirates this past May, positioning Saudi Arabia as its next major target. Medytox, which also entered the Saudi market last year, is moving to establish the first Korean botulinum toxin manufacturing plant in the region. The firm signed an agreement in May with Dubai’s Tecom Group to construct the facility within Dubai Science Park, a strategic step toward localizing production. Daewoong Pharmaceutical, another major player, has expanded its botulinum toxin product, Nabota, to five Middle Eastern markets since 2022. Export sales for Nabota reached 156 billion won ($120 million) in 2024, up from 108.2 billion won two years earlier. The biotech push extends beyond aesthetics. South Korea’s medical AI companies are also accelerating efforts to enter the region. Last month, Vuno signed a partnership with an Egyptian healthcare provider to distribute its AI-powered cardiac arrest prediction tool, DeepCAS, across Egypt, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The firm is currently navigating local regulatory approval processes. Lunit, a Seoul-based medical AI startup, played a prominent role during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in June, providing AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis to detect infectious respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Since entering the region in 2023, Lunit has secured supply contracts with UAE’s SEHA health authority and Saudi Arabia’s Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group. Analysts say the momentum is driven by the region’s push for economic diversification and aspirations to become global medical hubs. According to market research firm Research and Markets, the pharmaceutical market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow to $42.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. 2025-08-05 14:05:14
Korea's beauty exports hit record $5.5 billion in first half SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s cosmetics exports surged to a record $5.5 billion in the first half of 2025, a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year. The latest data, released Monday by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, marks the highest first-half export total in the country’s history and reinforces South Korea’s position as the world’s third-largest cosmetics exporter, behind only France and the United States. If current trends hold, South Korea could overtake the United States for second place by year’s end, industry experts say. K-beauty’s rising profile reflects more than just trend-driven appeal. Once heavily reliant on the Chinese market, the industry has strategically diversified, gaining traction across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Exports to China accounted for just 19.6 percent of the total in the first half of this year — down sharply from 34.7 percent in 2023 — as shipments to other regions surged. Sales to the United States jumped 17.7 percent year over year, while Japan saw a 15.7 percent increase. Korean cosmetics now rank as the top import brand in both countries. European markets also posted robust gains: exports to Poland soared 133.8 percent to $150 million, and shipments to the United Kingdom climbed 46.2 percent to $100 million. The Middle East and Latin America contributed to the broader momentum. Exports to the United Arab Emirates rose 69.4 percent, and shipments to Mexico leapt 138.3 percent — an indication, analysts say, of Korea’s growing ability to cater to varied consumer needs across cultural and climatic boundaries. “South Korea is no longer exporting just a beauty trend,” said Kim Ji-eun, an analyst at Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. “It’s exporting a manufacturing ecosystem — and a very sophisticated one at that.” That ecosystem includes major original design and equipment manufacturers such as Korea Kolmar and Cosmax, which have enabled smaller brands to develop and scale custom products without sacrificing quality or speed. Combined with distribution platforms like CJ Olive Young — which handles more than 2,400 brands monthly — these players have reshaped how beauty products move from lab to shelf worldwide. Behind the numbers lies a deeper shift in strategy. Rather than relying solely on sleek packaging or celebrity endorsements, Korean firms are investing in functionality, affordability, and rapid product cycles. Customized formulations for diverse skin types, climate conditions, and cultural preferences are now standard. Cosmetics exports have steadily risen from $9.2 billion in 2021 to $10.2 billion in 2024, with a brief dip in 2022 tied to Chinese economic softness. But the rebound has been swift and sustained — and, increasingly, independent of any single market. “The global beauty industry is no longer dominated by Western giants alone,” said Park So-young, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “K-beauty isn’t just a wave. It’s an infrastructure — and it’s built to last.” 2025-08-04 13:54:14
[[K-Beauty]] Foreign patients flock to Korea, fueling hospital-based skincare industry Editor's Note: This is the seventh article in our series exploring the evolving landscape of the Korean beauty industry and the products that captivate international visitors. SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented wave of medical tourism, driven not by emergency surgeries or rare procedures, but by dermatology clinics and skincare treatments that are drawing patients from around the world — and transforming clinics into international beauty brands. In 2024, nearly one million foreign patients visited South Korea for medical treatments, nearly double the figure from the previous year and the highest since the government began tracking medical tourism in 2009, according to official data. The influx generated a record 1.4 trillion won (about $1 billion) in revenue and pushed the total number of foreign patients treated over the past 16 years to more than five million. Much of the growth is fueled by cosmetic dermatology. Skin clinics alone accounted for more than 585.5 billion won in revenue this year, surpassing services like general surgery or internal medicine. And while visitors came from over 60 countries, Japanese patients made up the largest group — with women comprising 94 percent of that segment — followed by patients from China, the United States, Taiwan and Thailand. Mongolian patients were the highest spenders, averaging nearly 12 million won ($8,600) per visit. At the center of this phenomenon is Banobagi Medical Group, a Seoul-based clinic that has grown into a global skincare hub. The group said foreign patients made up 63 percent of consultations at the peak in February 2024, up from 40 percent at the end of last year. That share averaged 50 percent over the first half of 2025 — a 31 percent increase in total patients compared to the same period a year earlier. While the clinic draws patients from across Asia and North America, Thailand now represents its largest international source at 27 percent, followed by Vietnam, China, the United States and Indonesia. But as the number of foreign patients rose, something unexpected happened: they wanted to take the treatments home with them. “Patients kept asking for products they could use after procedures,” Dr. Ban Jae-yong, founder of Banobagi, told AJP. “We realized there was demand for scientifically-backed skincare that connected to clinical treatments.” That demand gave birth to Banobagi Cosmetic, a brand that now generates over 90 percent of its sales overseas. Thailand and Vietnam each account for 40 percent of sales, with the remainder coming from Japan, domestic channels, and other markets like the United States. The brand’s “BANO” line has become a regional best-seller, ranking first in the face mask category at Thailand’s Watsons Awards for six consecutive years and topping the charts on Vietnam’s Shopee platform. "Unlike typical skincare brands that consult dermatologists for credibility, these hospital-based cosmetics are born in the clinic — developed in direct response to patient needs and grounded in clinical practice," Ban said. The success of Banobagi and similar clinics underscores a shifting paradigm in South Korea’s medical tourism sector. What began as a niche for high-end surgeries has evolved into a broader offering of skin health, anti-aging, and aesthetic maintenance — often integrated with cosmetic products designed for long-term use. The Korean government projects that up to 1.4 million foreign patients will visit the country by the end of 2025. And with many clinics now operating dual models — offering both treatment and take-home skincare — the line between medicine and consumer beauty is increasingly blurred. Industry experts say the model could reshape how medical tourism is understood globally as these hospital-based brands are forging lasting relationships with international patients. “A hospital visit becomes a starting point, not an endpoint — introducing patients to products and practices they’ll continue using long after they return home," said Ban. 2025-08-04 10:24:38
Tax reform plan triggers market rout, political fallout in South Korea SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - A sweeping tax reform proposal from President Lee Jae Myung’s administration has sparked political infighting and market turmoil, raising doubts about its ability to reconcile its pro-growth rhetoric with investor sentiment. Unveiled on July 31, the tax overhaul plan includes a controversial provision that would lower the threshold for shareholders subject to capital gains taxes from 5 billion won (about $3.9 million) per stock to 1 billion won ($770,000). It also calls for a hike in securities transaction tax rates and introduces a new separate dividend tax of up to 35 percent. The market response was swift and severe. On Aug. 1, the benchmark KOSPI index fell 126.03 points, or nearly 4 percent, closing at 3,119.41 — the largest single-day drop since early April. The sell-off ignited concerns that the government’s tax plan was undermining investor confidence and fueling volatility in already uncertain market conditions. As of 1 p.m. Sunday, a petition opposing the change to the capital gains threshold garnered over 90,000 signatures on the National Assembly’s public petition platform. At the heart of the criticism is what many see as a contradiction between President Lee’s campaign pledge to usher in a “KOSPI 5000” era and a tax policy that investors fear could deter market participation. Facing mounting backlash, Democratic Party floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-ki attempted to calm tensions, acknowledging widespread unease. “There are many concerns surrounding the tax reform proposal,” Kim said. “We will consider revising the 1 billion won threshold for large shareholders.” The main opposition People Power Party moved quickly to capitalize on the turmoil. In a statement on Sunday, senior spokesperson Park Sung-hoon accused the administration of precipitating a market collapse with what he called a reckless tax agenda. “With this tax reform, the Lee Jae-myung government and the Democratic Party aimed to raise 35.6 trillion won in revenue, but in just one day, over 100 trillion won in market capitalization was wiped out,” he said. Internal divisions within the ruling Democratic Party have also emerged. While some lawmakers defend the reform as fiscally responsible, others warn that it may jeopardize the stock market’s stability. Rep. Jin Sung-joon, the party’s policy chief, defended the lower threshold, arguing that similar tax changes under previous administrations had little impact on market performance. In a social media post, Jin noted that the capital gains tax threshold was gradually reduced from 100 billion won to 10 billion won under both the Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in administrations without major disruption. “Ironically, when the Yoon Suk-yeol administration raised the threshold back to 5 billion won, stock prices continued to decline,” he wrote. Jin framed the reform as a corrective measure, calling it essential to restoring fiscal balance. “The priority must be rebuilding the revenue base eroded by three years of regressive tax cuts under the Yoon government,” he said, pointing to the proposed restoration of a 1 percent corporate tax rate, a 0.05 percent transaction tax, and the 1 billion won capital gains threshold as steps toward that goal. But not all within the ruling party are on board. Rep. Lee So-young publicly opposed the tax plan, arguing that it runs counter to the government’s stated goal of channeling capital from real estate into financial markets. “This contradicts the policy direction the government has pursued until now,” she said in a Facebook post. 2025-08-03 16:03:06
US demand for rice market access clouds prospects for Lee-Trump summit SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - A dispute over U.S. access to South Korea’s rice market is casting a shadow over a planned summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns that economic friction could spill into broader diplomatic discussions. American officials have claimed that South Korea agreed to open its rice market to U.S. imports as part of recent trade negotiations. But South Korean officials, including President Lee’s office and senior government officials, have denied any such agreement, calling the statements out of Washington "politically motivated." “There has been no discussion whatsoever regarding rice market access,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol on Aug. 2, after returning from trade talks in the United States. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Koo dismissed comments by a White House spokesperson who had mentioned rice in the context of the agreement. “Rice was not on the table,” he said, emphasizing during a separate briefing at the South Korean Embassy in Washington that “the U.S. side recognized the sensitivity of agricultural issues in Korea, and we reached a consensus that there would be no further market opening.” The dispute intensified following remarks from Trump, who said South Korea had agreed to accept more American products, including agricultural goods. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt echoed that statement, describing the deal as providing “historic market access for U.S. rice in Korea.” South Korean officials have pushed back, attributing the U.S. remarks to domestic political strategy, noting that American farmers remain a crucial part of Trump’s support base. “We believe this is political rhetoric,” said Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong. She added that under the existing Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, “99.7 percent of agricultural products are already open,” leaving little room for further concessions. The conflicting narratives come at a delicate time, with both governments signaling that a bilateral summit between Lee and Trump could take place in Washington within the next two weeks. Observers warn that if the rice issue surfaces during the talks, it could strain discussions not only on trade but also on broader areas such as security cooperation and regional diplomacy. 2025-08-03 10:27:09
South Korea's new ruling party leader rejects dialogue with PPP, citing threat to democracy SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - Jung Chung-rae, a hardline lawmaker who is loyal to President Lee Jae Myung, ruled out cooperation with the conservative opposition People Power Party after being elected as leader of the ruling Democratic Party, on Aug. 2, denouncing the PPP as a “force that destroys democracy." Jung won 61.74 percent of votes in the party’s leadership contest, decisively defeating another Lee loyalist Rep. Park Chan-dae, who received 38.26 percent. Speaking to reporters after his victory, Jung drew a stark line between his party and the opposition, saying South Korea was “at war with rebellion” rather than engaged in routine partisan debate. “This is not a matter of ruling and opposition parties,” he said. “We must see this as a struggle between those who destroy democracy and the Constitution — the People Power Party — and those who defend it.” Jung was referring to an alleged plot involving martial law plans on Dec. 3, which he has characterized as an attempted insurrection. “They sought to arm military forces and storm the National Assembly, to dismantle the Constitution and even take lives,” he said. “Before any political engagement can occur, there must first be a sincere apology and reflection.” He accused some members of the People Power Party of continuing to support former President Yoon Suk Yeol. “As long as those who shield Yoon remain within the PPP, I cannot — and will not — shake hands with them,” Jung said. Jung also suggested that a special counsel investigation could reveal broader complicity in the purported plot. Should the probe uncover collaborators, sympathizers, or enablers within the People Power Party, he said, “public demand for a constitutional review and dissolution of the party will naturally grow.” He added, “At that time, I will exercise sound judgment as party leader.” In outlining his priorities, Jung pointed to sweeping institutional reforms as a mandate from the public. “The Korean people are calling for reforms of the prosecution, judiciary, and media,” he said. “Their demand is clear: finish the job before the Chuseok holiday on Oct. 6.” Acknowledging the potential for resistance, he added, “I will take on that resistance myself.” 2025-08-03 09:51:57