Journalist
Kim Dong-young and Han Jun-gu
davekim0807@ajupress.com
-
Kakao deploys ChatGPT to defend ubiquitous rank among Koreans SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Kakao Corp., South Korea's dominant messaging platform, announced the most sweeping overhaul in KakaoTalk's 15-year history on Tuesday, unveiling plans to embed OpenAI's ChatGPT directly into the app in a bid to restore public trust after a series of scandals and to sharpen its edge against both domestic and global competitors. The integration, revealed at the company's annual if(Kakao)25 conference in Yongin, will launch in October and represents the first direct collaboration of its kind worldwide. Users will be able to access OpenAI's latest GPT-5 model seamlessly within KakaoTalk without downloading a separate application, enabling AI-powered conversations alongside everyday messaging. "This magnitude of change is unprecedented in KakaoTalk's history," said Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a. "We are demonstrating our commitment to respond swiftly to user demands while embracing the transformative power of AI." The move underscores Kakao's urgency to reinvent itself as an AI-powered super app in South Korea's increasingly competitive digital arena, where rival Naver has steadily expanded its dominance across search, e-commerce, webtoons, and digital payments. "By bringing ChatGPT into KakaoTalk, an app that nearly all Koreans use daily, we are embedding world-class AI into the lives of people across the nation," said Oliver Jay, OpenAI's international managing director. KakaoTalk counts 49.1 million monthly active users, covering more than 90 percent of South Korea's population. AI Aid Across Kakao Services Beyond chatbot functionality, Kakao is building "agent AI" that connects ChatGPT with its ecosystem of services. For instance, users asking for driving music will receive curated playlists from Melon, its music streaming arm, without leaving KakaoTalk. The overhaul also brings Instagram-style feeds to the Friends tab, new organizational tools such as chat room folders, extended message editing up to 24 hours, and AI-powered voice call summaries. Complementing the OpenAI partnership, Kakao introduced Kanana, its own on-device AI model with 1.3 billion parameters, designed to grasp Korean conversational nuance and provide context-aware suggestions. The lightweight model can be downloaded in 18 seconds over Wi-Fi, enabling features to run directly on user devices without cloud reliance. Analysts welcomed the transformation. "KakaoTalk is expected to grow meaningfully as the world’s first messenger-based AI super app," said Choi Seung-ho of DS Investment & Securities. "Short-form content will be a key driver of user retention, while Kakao's AI service integration already outpaces global messenger peers." Kim Jin-gu of Kiwoom Securities added that ChatGPT subscriptions would strengthen data integration and accelerate the development of autonomous agents. Kakao's strategy comes as global tech giants race to bring AI deeper into consumer platforms. On the same day, Google Play introduced a new entertainment-dedicated space in South Korea with Gemini-powered gaming support, highlighting how major players are rushing to anchor user experiences in AI. Shares of Kakao closed Wednesday 0.79 percent lower at 62,800 won. 2025-09-24 12:42:45 -
Celltrion shares jump on deal to acquire Eli Lilly and fend off US tariff risks SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion's shares surged upon a major M&A deal in the United States, setting the contract-based drug maker better positioned against U.S. tariff exposure. The company said on Tuesday its U.S. operation signed a deal to acquire Eli Lilly's biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Branchburg, New Jersey for about 460 billion won ($330 million), with an aim to close the deal by the end of the year. Shares of Celltrion closed Tuesday 8.93 percent higher at 184,200 won. The facility operates as a ready-to-use biopharmaceutical drug substance current good manufacturing practice production site, allowing immediate operations and significantly reducing the five-year timeline and trillion-won costs typically required for new plant construction. The deal includes full employment transfer of experienced local staff. Celltrion also signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Lilly to supply drug substances from the facility, providing revenue growth and early investment recovery opportunities while establishing a complete local supply chain from production to sales in the U.S. market. 2025-09-23 15:35:11 -
Seoul's AI initiative gains BlackRock support SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korea is making strides in the race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy as it brings on U.S. funding to back its initiative to become the Asia-Pacific hub of the big data economy. Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding with BlackRock on a global partnership in the AI industry on the sidelines of President Lee Jae Myung's meeting with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in New York on Monday (local time). The MOU calls for cooperation on building infrastructure to meet rising AI demand, renewable energy initiatives, and a comprehensive approach to expanding AI capabilities, underscoring the confidence of the world’s largest asset manager with $12.5 trillion under management in Korea's state initiative and potential to achieve AI leadership. Earlier this month, Seoul launched the National AI Strategy Committee commanded by the president with the ambition to become one of the world's top three AI powers. For the aim, the government is proposing to triple AI-related budget to 10.1 trillion won next year from this year's 3.3 trillion. "Since Korea has just begun pushing for AI, a broad range of investment for AI development should be considered positive," said Kong Duk-jo, professor of AI policy strategy at the graduate school of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Korea falls far behind the front runners in the AI race. According to Stanford HAI's 2025 AI Index, Korea's AI investment reached $1.33 billion, meager versus U.S.'s $109 billion and China's $9.29 billion. The private sector is moving quickly to match the public push. SK Group is building what would be the country's largest AI data center in Ulsan with 60,000 GPUs and targeted capacity of 103MW by 2029, ultimately aiming for 1GW capacity, in a joint venture with Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS is investing $4 billion and SK contributing sources plus $2.5 billion. The initiative is to establish "sovereign AI" infrastructure to position Korea as the hub for the Asia-Pacific region, SK Group and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won said in an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on Monday. He proposed Korea and Japan to join hands to seek AI opportunities in overseas markets. Experts urge Korea to carve out its own AI specialty as it did with memory chips in semiconductors. “We'll always be number two or three if we keep chasing AI themes other nations coined like physical AI,” Kong of Gwangju Institute pointed out. 2025-09-23 13:47:15 -
Multinational interest revives Korea's dream of becoming gas producer SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A beleaguered deep-sea gas development campaign in the East Sea has been revived after BP plc. and a few unspecified foreign names submitted offers to tap reserves off the east coast of South Korea. State-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) published on Sunday that several multinational energy firms filed letters of intent by the deadline on Sunday, resuscitating the campaign shunned by local companies due to association with former disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol. BP did not respond to requests for comment. KNOC declined to disclose the names of the bidders. ExxonMobil, also seen as a potential candidate, could not be reached. A preferred bidder will be selected in October. The renewed interest comes after the much-hyped "Blue Whale" structure off Yeongil Bay in Pohang disappointed earlier this year. Analysis by Core Laboratories found gas saturation levels of just 6.3 percent in February, far below the 70 percent threshold for viable commercial recovery. The discovery was originally trumpeted by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in June 2024, who claimed the reserves could be worth up to $29 billion. His successor, President Lee Jae-myung, denounced the project as a "scam," citing its lack of economic feasibility. But foreign interest has breathed new life into the project. KNOC relaunched its tender after relinquishing rights to exploration Blocks 6-1 and 8, extending the bidding deadline from June to September to attract more suitors. "Foreign big names like BP wouldn't have joined out of charity — they must have conducted their own research," said Jun Hyung-gu, geology professor at Kyungpook National University. The winning bidder could take up to a 49 percent stake in the venture, as debt-burdened KNOC seeks foreign capital and expertise to push ahead with Phase 2 exploration. Energy experts say BP's global experience in fast-tracking deep-sea oil and gas projects into production could prove critical in assessing whether hydrocarbons bypassed the Blue Whale structure and accumulated elsewhere in the basin. "KNOC must approach resource development with a long-term perspective, beyond political cycles," Jun added. Still, skepticism remains. "Foreign firms with long exploration histories will certainly add value, but the odds of striking commercially viable gas remain slim. It's premature to predict drilling outcomes," said Kim Do-hyun, analyst at Kiwoom Securities. 2025-09-22 13:46:52 -
NVIDIA–Intel tie-up to bring opportunities for Korean chipmakers SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - A tie-up between U.S. chip-design giants NVIDIA and Intel is expected to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure — creating new opportunities for South Korea’s memory and packaging technologies that support advanced AI chips. The $5 billion partnership, under which NVIDIA will acquire a 4 percent stake in Intel, could unite the current and former leaders of global chip design, pending regulatory approval. The announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to raise tariffs on high-margin goods such as semiconductors, on top of existing 25 percent tariffs on automobiles. "We are still analyzing the situation, but for now, we believe we'll see increased HBM usage in the design process between the two companies," said Yim So-jung, analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities. "With the adoption of advanced packaging technologies, the importance of back-end processes is also likely to rise." For South Korean chipmakers, the collaboration could translate into greater demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging — both crucial to AI development. HBM enables processors to handle massive data workloads, while advanced packaging — which involves cutting wafer-produced chips and connecting them for specific applications — has emerged as a key technology to enhance performance in the AI era. Industry watchers say the deal could hurt Taiwanese foundry leader TSMC more than Korean firms. "If NVIDIA had placed foundry orders with Samsung, the deal could have had a negative impact," said Kwon Dae-woong, professor of semiconductor engineering at Hanyang University. "TSMC had been handling nearly all packaging for NVIDIA, so its partnership with Intel opens opportunities for diversification," added Park Jong-kyung, professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. Park noted that HBM demand could surge, with TSMC already near full capacity for interposers — the interface routers critical to HBM. "Prices may even fall if supply expands," he said. SK hynix currently supplies around 50 percent of the global HBM market and is a core supplier to NVIDIA. The NVIDIA–Intel tie-up could further boost demand for its solutions, with its U.S. operations already experiencing rapid growth. The firm also boasts proprietary packaging technology that stacks 32 NAND chips to produce ultra-high-capacity enterprise SSDs for AI servers, and is planning a $3.87 billion investment in Indiana for an AI-focused memory packaging facility. Samsung Electronics, while trailing SK hynix in direct HBM supply to NVIDIA, remains the world’s No. 2–3 player in the segment. The company is preparing to send its latest HBM4 samples for inspection in September, positioning itself to capture a larger share of AI-driven demand. Investors were not much worried. Samsung Electronics shares slipped only marginally from a 13-month high to 79,700 won (about $57) on Friday, while SK hynix ended with the same price as the day before, reflecting confidence that the NVIDIA–Intel deal will ultimately expand, not diminish, opportunities for Korean chipmakers 2025-09-19 16:41:26 -
Tourism Malaysia Seoul concludes successful roadshow event with Batik Air Malaysia SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The Tourism Malaysia Seoul on Thursday has wrapped up a four-day roadshow across Korea's key metropolitan hubs - Seoul Daejeon, Gwangju, and Busan - to showcase the attractions of Sabah, the northern Borneo state known for its natural beauty and cultural appeal. The promotional campaign co-sponsored by the Sabah Tourism Board and Batik Air Malaysia, is timed with the launch of the airliner's direct route between Incheon and Kota Kinabalu, one of Malaysia's popular resort destinations. 2025-09-19 11:48:08 -
Korea's drug crisis spikes, treatment gap widens SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korea, once hailed as drug-free, is confronting a fast-rising drug crisis with young adults most affected and treatment systems lagging to raise long-term public health concerns. From January through August, authorities confiscated 2,810 kilograms of illegal drugs — 3.5 times the 787 kilograms seized in all of 2024, Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Il-young said Thursday, citing data from the Korea Customs Service. The haul, equivalent to about 76 million doses based on a typical use of 0.03 grams, spanned a wide range of substances. "South Korean ports are emerging as a new hub for international drug cartels, and this danger is already materializing," Chung said. "The fact that 56.1 percent of drug offenders arrested over the past five years are in their 20s and 30s is a grave warning that threatens the very fabric of society." Despite Korea's no-tolerance for drug crimes, police and prosecutors are struggling to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks. "Young people today use cryptocurrency and false-name bank accounts to buy illegal drugs," said Yoon Heung-hee, professor of global addiction rehabilitation counseling at Namseoul University. Dealers have shifted from simple package drops to organized relay points, and long-term ties between sellers and buyers often frustrate investigators. The problem has spread to teenagers, though arrests of offenders in their teens dropped to 649 in 2024 — down 56.1 percent from the previous year after the government crackdown that followed the notorious "attention drink" case. Still, a pilot survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare last year found that 23 of 1,800 respondents aged 14 to 24 admitted to drug use, or 1.3 percent. Experts believe the true figure is far higher, given the clandestine nature of drug crimes. "Drugs are easily accessed through illegal websites, free webtoons, and social media," said Lee Hae-kook, psychiatry professor at the Catholic University of Korea. "Teenagers without money sometimes sell amphetamine-based appetite suppressants without knowing what they are, only to end up hospitalized after arrest." Specialists are calling for a paradigm shift from criminal enforcement to public health. At a National Assembly seminar co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Wednesday, Kim Ju-hee, chief executive of biotech firm Inventage Lab, warned that "drug addiction can no longer be dismissed as an individual failing but must be treated as a national public health crisis." Compared with countries such as the United States and France, Korea lacks insurance coverage, treatment programs, and access to proven therapies. Experts urged the government to fund long-acting injectable medications that improve compliance and reduce relapse, and to integrate prevention into schools. "Education should begin early, teaching students both which acts are illegal and how specific drug components affect the brain," Lee said. "Without proactive attention from both government and private sector, the crisis will only deepen." 2025-09-18 15:56:03 -
Naver CEO joins UN Global Compact board SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Naver Chief Executive Choi Soo-yeon has been appointed to the board of the United Nations Global Compact, becoming the first Korean to join the sustainability initiative's governing body in 17 years, the Korean internet giant said Thursday. The appointment recognizes Choi's pioneering role in shaping international discourse on artificial intelligence governance and establishing ethical frameworks for AI development across the technology sector, it said. Choi will serve a three-year term on the board of the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. The UN Global Compact, which encompasses about 25,000 companies and institutions across 167 countries, promotes responsible business practices through ten principles spanning human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. The organization has guided corporate sustainability efforts since its establishment in July 2000. "Choi Soo-yeon brings deep expertise on how digital companies can create value and scale globally while upholding principles on responsible and sustainable business," said Sanda Ojiambo, the UN Global Compact's Executive Director. "We look forward to her participation on our Board as we mobilize business to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals." Choi spearheaded critical AI safety initiatives this year, including unveiling an AI Safety Framework in June to identify and manage potential risks throughout AI systems' lifecycles. She also participated in February's AI Action Summit in Paris, where she articulated her vision for securing diversity in the digital ecosystem alongside global technology leaders. Choi will attend her first board meeting as a new director at UN headquarters in New York on Friday (local time), where she is expected to advance cross-border discussions on building secure and trustworthy AI governance frameworks. 2025-09-18 10:06:30 -
Belgium highlights business opportunities with S. Korea on biotech, life science innovation SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Belgium and South Korea spotlighted cooperative spirits in joining hands on life sciences during a business forum held Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul in the Jung District. Around 70 diplomats, business leaders, and special guests attended the seminar. Both Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture David Clarinval and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot stressed the importance of economic relations with South Korea. "Belgium is a trustworthy and reliable economic partner, committed to long-term, transparent collaboration," said Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval, recalling his meeting with his South Korean counterpart Koo Yun-cheol earlier today. "We come with no hidden agendas – only a sincere desire to build mutually beneficial partnerships. This commitment opens the door to joint initiatives in key sectors such as life sciences and biotechnology." Investing more than 3 percent of GDP on research, Belgium stands as a long-time biotech powerhouse of Europe. The bilingual nation continues its growth in biotech, listing in March 2024 that its biotech companies reached a combined market capitalization of €66.8 billion, a 42.7 percent increase year-on-year. “Our country boasts thriving clusters of excellence in biopharma, nuclear medicine, vaccines, green chemistry, and more. These hubs of innovation are supported by strong academic institutions, cutting-edge research, and a collaborative ecosystem that fosters breakthroughs and accelerates delivery to global markets,” said Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot. Deputy Minister Maxime Prévot reminded the audience that 2026 is the 125th year the two nations celebrate diplomatic relations; a partnership strengthened by military cooperation during the Korean War in the 1950s. The event also showcased Belgium's strength in biotech sectors spurring from academic excellence to science parks dedicated to biomedical research and powered by quantum computing, respectively representing the northern Dutch-speaking Flanders, the southern French-speaking Wallonia, and the capital region of Brussels. Hwang Su-jin, general manager of UCB Korea, the Korean branch of the Belgian pharma giant, congratulated the bilateral cooperation as the final speaker. 2025-09-17 22:23:57 -
POSCO has eyes on HMM despite industry backlash and synergy doubts SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s POSCO Group remains committed to pursuing the country’s sea flag carrier HMM, despite fierce competition for the asset and vocal protests from the maritime industry. POSCO has been reviewing the option of going after state-owned stake in HMM in hopes to cut logistics costs and strengthen resilience against global supply chain disruptions. HMM, formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine, absorbed assets and the Asia–U.S. East Coast route of Hanjin Shipping after the latter collapsed. It is 36.02 percent owned by the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and 35.6 percent by the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC). Their combined stake will shrink slightly above 30 percent once a 2.2 trillion won stock buyback wraps up this month. The government plans to relaunch a competitive auction afterward, after a 2023 attempt to sell KDB’s 7 trillion won stake to Harim Group collapsed. POSCO Holdings said it is assessing whether the deal can deliver sustainable growth and strategic synergies. Other potential bidders include Harim Group, along with former owners HD Hyundai and Hanjin Group. Valued at about 23–24 trillion won, HMM has staged a recovery thanks to improving trade conditions. "Few can now afford HMM in the privatization process," said one company official, welcoming POSCO’s entry into the race. POSCO already has a lot on its plate. Its steel business is under strain from Chinese dumping, sluggish domestic demand, and higher U.S. tariffs, while its battery materials division has been hit by an electric vehicle slowdown. The group argues that acquiring HMM could save it around 3 trillion won annually in logistics costs for importing coal, iron ore, and battery ingredients, while providing a hedge against supply chain risks. HMM itself reported an “earnings shock” in the second quarter, with operating profit plunging 64 percent year-on-year to 233.2 billion won. Its rivals are guardedly watching POSCO's bid. The Korea Shipowners' Association warned on Sept. 11 that HMM could be reduced to "a subsidiary for POSCO’s in-house cargo transport" instead of competing as a global carrier. "HMM, which the government and industry have painstakingly revived through the five-year shipping reconstruction plan, could again be at risk if the steel industry falters," the association said. Maritime experts echoed caution. "HMM's main vessels are container ships, fleets that must operate even with little cargo. Shipping follows cyclical swings, and it is doubtful whether shareholders of a private industrial group like POSCO will accept the sector's volatility," said Jang Woon-jae, professor of maritime transportation science at Mokpo National University. At the same time, he noted that HMM’s growing pivot toward bulk shipping, which specializes in iron ore and coal, does align strategically with POSCO's raw material needs. Should the deal go through, analysts say the onus will be on POSCO to craft a credible blueprint that reassures the market and addresses concerns over industrial dominance. 2025-09-17 17:16:59