Journalist

Yoon Ju-hye
  • LBS Professor Alex Edmans: Curiosity and Constant Questions Help Defeat Fake News
    LBS Professor Alex Edmans: Curiosity and Constant Questions Help Defeat Fake News "We need a culture where saying, 'I was wrong — I see it differently now,' is accepted and even encouraged." Alex Edmans, a professor of finance at London Business School, says resisting misinformation starts with curiosity and the habit of asking questions rather than leaning on conventional wisdom or authority. In his book <May Contain Lies> (Wisdom House), Edmans puts a wide range of sources under scrutiny — government-approved reports, papers published in scientific journals and even books endorsed by Nobel laureates. He also points to what he calls errors and exaggerations in global bestsellers, including <Outliers>. In an interview with this news organization, Edmans said Korea’s polarization and a confirmation-bias environment — where people seek out only what supports what they already believe — can be addressed by encouraging curiosity and questioning. He also said a harsh attitude toward failure can make people cling to a view once they adopt it, instead of changing their minds. "If people become more discerning, things can improve," he said. "Just being curious and asking questions can do it. In an environment that is strict about failure, once you hold a particular view, you become focused on defending it and you don’t want to change your mind." Edmans said books should not be treated as automatically trustworthy and that popularity is not proof of accuracy. "People say something is 'textbook' when they mean it’s correct, or they defer to authority by saying, 'He wrote the book on it,'" he said. "But a book isn’t that different from a long blog post. What matters is who wrote it and whether that person has expertise. Popularity is not evidence that the content is accurate — just as viral videos can be misleading." He said people should avoid settling for the most obvious explanation and instead look for alternatives by asking questions. He described confirmation bias as a tendency to accept what feels comfortable and said people should practice tolerating discomfort and challenging what they want to be true. He wrote in the Korean edition’s preface that “democracy dies when citizens stop asking questions.” "As an economist, I believe both supply and demand matter," he said. "If the public wants fake news — if citizens don’t ask questions and accept as fact only what they want to believe — then politicians, influencers and journalists will keep supplying it. The key point is that this isn’t because they are bad people. They are human, and they may lack the time or expertise to think critically and fact-check. Even busy citizens can understand the world better and make better decisions just by asking simple questions." Edmans also answered questions in writing about fact-checking and how people can avoid being misled by false information and incitement. ▷ People can be influenced more by values and ideology than by facts. How can people balance the pursuit of objective facts with value judgments? "It starts with recognizing the difference," he wrote. "Some issues have an objective truth — whether smoking causes cancer, or whether investing in a net-zero portfolio lowers financial returns. But what decision to make in a given situation is often a value judgment. Even if a net-zero portfolio doesn’t maximize returns, you might invest because you worry about climate change. Separating the two is important. If someone says, 'Net-zero investing sacrifices financial returns,' social media may try to brand that person a climate-change denier or immoral. But it’s simply a fact, without a value judgment. Acknowledging that net-zero investing has costs, while deciding you are willing to pay them because of concern about climate change, is not logically inconsistent." ▷ Your book emphasizes diversity and inclusion. Is dialogue that reaches mutual agreement really possible? "If people are open-minded, and if culture supports changing one’s view rather than saving face by refusing to admit mistakes, then agreement through dialogue is certainly possible," he wrote. ▷ Korea’s education system tends to focus on finding the right answer. As a parent, what matters most in building a child’s critical thinking? "Encourage children to ask questions," he wrote. "There are two ways. First, explicitly praise the act of asking. I often tell my son, 'That’s a good question.' Second, answer carefully even if the question is simple. Sometimes you may need paper and a pen to draw a picture, or show a real object, to answer properly." ▷ The word “common sense” is often used in politics and can change by era and context. Is it a reliable standard? "Appealing to common sense is dangerous," he wrote. "It often means personal intuition or a hunch, which can lead people to reject evidence that contradicts their instincts. For example, it may seem like giving water to a child with diarrhea will just pass through, so you shouldn’t. But experts say you must give water to prevent dehydration. Also, the 'common' in common sense can mean what everyone else thinks — a shared belief. But the wisdom of crowds is often wrong." ▷ Will advances in technology, including AI, worsen information distortion or improve it? "The internet has made it very easy for people to search for information that supports their views, regardless of whether it is true," he wrote. "Social media bears some responsibility for misleading people with posts or short videos, but the problem is that this has expanded into blogs and newspaper articles. AI is a double-edged sword. Like other tools, it depends on how it is used. Some will use AI to check or verify the other side of an argument, while others will use it to find information that reinforces existing biases." ▷ A message for Korean readers? "Fake news is a serious problem, but it is not unsolvable," he wrote. "If you keep an open mind, don’t lose curiosity, and keep asking questions, you can get a little better every day." 2026-04-27 00:04:38
  • Korea’s Q1 Surprise Growth Lifts Forecasts, but Potential Growth Seen Sliding to 1% Range
    Korea’s Q1 Surprise Growth Lifts Forecasts, but Potential Growth Seen Sliding to 1% Range Q1 surprise growth lifts forecasts, but warning signs on potential growth Global investment banks are raising their outlooks for South Korea’s growth after a surprise first-quarter expansion. Economists, however, are warning that the rebound may be short-lived as the economy’s underlying capacity continues to weaken, with potential growth projected to slip into the mid-1% range next year. Analysts said the strong reading could reflect a temporary bounce. They pointed to base effects from last year’s unusually weak growth, combined with a semiconductor upturn and currency-related factors. The longer-term trend remains softer. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development projects South Korea’s potential growth rate will fall to 1.71% this year from 1.92% last year, a decline of 0.21 percentage points, and ease further to 1.57% next year. China pushes smart cars at Auto China 2026 to counter weak domestic demand “Auto China 2026,” running through May 3, highlighted Chinese brands rolling out AI-heavy smart cars as they seek to offset a sharp domestic slowdown. Held under the theme “Future of Intelligence,” the show drew global automakers including Hyundai Motor, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group, along with more than 100 local companies such as BYD, Geely, Chery, Xiaomi, Xpeng and Nio. A Li Auto official said the government’s new energy vehicle strategy is shifting from rapid expansion to higher-quality growth, intensifying competition among local firms. With AI integrated into vehicles, the official said, autonomous driving and infotainment features have advanced, and charging and operating systems have improved. “A 1,500-kilometer driving range has become the standard, and the 2,500-kilometer era will open soon,” the official said. Against China’s fast-rising automakers, Hyundai Motor is betting on its electric “Ioniq V.” The model is the production version of the previously unveiled “Venus” concept car and the first China-focused strategic model under Hyundai’s Ioniq brand. Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon said, “We will learn a lot and grow in China,” adding, “It is the toughest market, but we will rise again in China and create success.” Top five financial groups post record Q1 profit; nonbank units drive gaps South Korea’s five major financial holding companies — KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — posted a combined net profit of more than 6 trillion won in the first quarter, a record, as performance differences widened in noninterest income and nonbank businesses. A strong stock market lifted trading value, and results varied depending on each group’s securities unit. The financial industry said the five groups’ combined first-quarter net profit totaled 6.1976 trillion won, up 9.8% from 5.6430 trillion won a year earlier. It was the first time their combined first-quarter profit exceeded 6 trillion won. Nonbank units, especially brokerages, were the biggest swing factor as securities firms emerged as a key earnings pillar during the market rally. KB Securities posted 3,478 billion won in first-quarter net profit, up 93.3% from a year earlier, as stock trading fees and proprietary trading both grew. Shinhan Investment Corp. reported 2,884 billion won, up 167.4%. NH Investment & Securities posted 4,757 billion won, up 128.5%. KOSPI surge lifts minors’ stock assets near 3 trillion won despite fewer holdings A historic stock rally, including a 70% jump in the KOSPI last year, sharply increased the value of shares held by underage investors, even as the number of shareholders and shares owned declined. The total value of minors’ holdings approached 3 trillion won on rising prices. The Korea Securities Depository said that as of the end of last year, 728,344 minors (under age 20) held shares in 88 companies among the top 200 listed firms by market capitalization that disclose shareholder data by age. The value of their holdings was about 2.9761 trillion won. Average minors per company fell to 8,277 from 8,466, and average shares held declined to about 370,000 from about 400,000. But average holding value jumped more than 72% to 33.8 billion won from 19.6 billion won, reflecting higher stock prices. By company, Samsung Electronics drew the largest number of minor shareholders. Trump says shooting suspect likely acted alone; doubts Iran link U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 25 local time that a suspect in a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner likely acted alone and that he did not believe the incident was connected to Iran. According to AP and other outlets, Trump told a White House news conference that he initially thought the sound was “a tray falling.” “It was quite loud, and it was heard from quite far away,” he said. Referring to suspect Cole Thomas Allen, 31, Trump said, “They (investigators) seem to think it was a lone act. I think so, too.” He added, “He is someone with very serious mental problems,” and said authorities searched the suspect’s apartment. On a possible Iran link, Trump said, “I don’t think so,” while adding, “But you never know. We will learn a lot” through the investigation. Seoul jeonse demand index hits highest since June 2021 as moves stall Seoul’s apartment jeonse supply-demand index, which tracks the balance between demand and supply for the lump-sum deposit lease system, rose to its highest level since June 2021. A reading above 100 indicates demand exceeds supply, nearing levels seen during the 2021 surge in jeonse prices. The Korea Real Estate Board said the index for the third week of April (as of April 20) came in at 108.4, up 3.2 points from 105.2 the previous week. The increase was larger than the prior week’s 0.7-point rise. It was the highest since the fourth week of June 2021 (as of June 28), when the index stood at 110.6. The index scores demand and supply around a baseline of 100; readings closer to 200 indicate far more renters seeking jeonse than landlords offering it, while readings closer to 0 indicate the opposite. In September 2021, the index rose as high as 109.1 during what was widely described as a jeonse crunch. The Seoul index moved above 100 starting in the third week of May last year (100.2) and has continued rising since the spring moving season began in March. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 22:03:28
  • Buckingham Palace to Review Impact of U.S. Shooting on King Charles III Visit
    Buckingham Palace to Review Impact of U.S. Shooting on King Charles III Visit Buckingham Palace said it is reviewing whether a shooting in the United States could affect King Charles III’s upcoming visit. A palace spokesperson, referring to the shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 26 (local time), said officials will discuss with U.S. counterparts “the extent to which this incident will affect the schedule for this visit,” Yonhap News Agency reported. The spokesperson said Charles expressed relief after hearing that President Donald Trump and his wife, along with other attendees, were safe. Charles is scheduled to make a four-day state visit to the United States starting April 27 at Trump’s invitation, tied to events marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 21:42:14
  • South Korea’s ruling, opposition parties condemn White House dinner shooting, offer sympathy to Trump
    South Korea’s ruling, opposition parties condemn White House dinner shooting, offer sympathy to Trump A shooting at a dinner event for the White House press corps drew condemnation from South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties, which said violence and terrorism cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.  Kang Jun-hyeon, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing on the 26th that it was fortunate the situation ended without escalating into a serious bloodshed. He offered sympathy to President Donald Trump and White House officials who may have felt anxious. Kang said peace cannot be assured when people try to resolve conflict through violence, and urged overcoming differences through rational dialogue and democratic compromise. He said he hoped the incident would help end attempts to express views through terror, adding that the Democratic Party would also use it as an opportunity to reflect on and practice the political principles of peace and democracy. Cho Yong-sul, spokesperson for the People Power Party, called the shooting a serious crime that should be strongly condemned regardless of political stance. He expressed deep sympathy to U.S. citizens and President Donald Trump, saying they would have been deeply shocked. Cho said the incident was not limited to a specific individual but a shared threat everyone must guard against. “Violence can never defeat democracy,” he added, again strongly condemning what he called a violent act of terror.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 21:18:14
  • Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier with marathon world record in London
    Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier with marathon world record in London The marathon’s long-standing two-hour barrier has been broken for the first time in history. Sebastian Sawe of Kenya won the men’s race at the 2026 London Marathon on April 26 (local time), finishing the 42.195-kilometer course in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. His time surpassed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. Sawe is now the first runner to complete an official full marathon in under two hours.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 20:48:15
  • South Korea’s Democratic Party Condemns Shooting at WHCA Dinner, Offers Sympathy to Trump
    South Korea’s Democratic Party Condemns Shooting at WHCA Dinner, Offers Sympathy to Trump South Korea’s Democratic Party condemned a shooting at a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, saying indiscriminate violence and terrorism can never be tolerated. In a written briefing on April 26, party spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon said it was fortunate the situation ended without escalating into “serious bloodshed,” and offered sympathy to President Donald Trump and White House officials who may have felt anxious. “Once conflicts are addressed through violence, peace cannot be guaranteed,” Kang said, calling for differences to be resolved through “reasonable dialogue and democratic compromise.” He said he hoped the incident would help end attempts to express views through terror, adding that the Democratic Party would take it as an opportunity to reaffirm and practice the principles of peace and democracy. Gunfire broke out during the WHCA-hosted dinner on April 25 (local time) at the Washington Hilton, prompting Trump and his wife, along with other attendees, to evacuate. No one was hurt, and the shooter was subdued at the scene. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 20:30:44
  • South Korea Golf Club Data Breach Exposes About 100,000 Records; North Korea Suspected
    South Korea Golf Club Data Breach Exposes About 100,000 Records; North Korea Suspected Police are investigating a data breach at a golf club in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi province, that exposed personal information on an estimated 100,000 customers. According to the Kukmin Ilbo on Saturday, the National Police Agency’s Security Investigation Command and Control Division confirmed a large-scale leak from the Lee & Lee CC website and is investigating. The number of affected people is estimated at about 100,000. Lee & Lee CC said in a notice posted April 18 that it had confirmed customer data was leaked after a hacker inserted malicious code into its website on Oct. 21 last year. The exposed information includes names, dates of birth, gender, user IDs, passwords, mobile and landline phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses. Police reportedly learned of the breach while investigating major North Korean hacking groups and believe the club’s server was infected with malware distributed by the group. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 20:09:14
  • World Leaders Condemn Suspected Shooting Targeting Trump, Say They’re Relieved He’s Safe
    World Leaders Condemn Suspected Shooting Targeting Trump, Say They’re Relieved He’s Safe World leaders condemned what they described as “political violence” after a shooting believed to have targeted U.S. President Donald Trump, saying they were relieved he and others were unharmed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X on April 26 (local time) that she was “relieved” to hear that Trump, first lady Melania Trump and everyone at the dinner were safe, adding that “there must never be violence in politics.” Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, said political violence is unacceptable in public life and must be firmly rejected. He added it was fortunate that, thanks to a swift response by law enforcement, all attendees were able to evacuate safely. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X that he was “shocked,” and that any attack on democratic institutions or press freedom must be condemned “in the strongest terms.” He said he was greatly relieved that Trump, the first lady and all attendees were safe. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X that, after reports of a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, he was relieved to learn the president, the first lady and all attendees were safe. “Political violence must not occur in any democracy,” he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a statement, praised the efforts of the agencies that responded quickly. Earlier, gunfire was heard at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., prompting Trump and others at the event to evacuate. The shooter was subdued at the scene.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 19:27:15
  • Samsung Shareholder Group Plans Rally Outside Lee Jae-yong’s Home Ahead of Union Strike Event
    Samsung Shareholder Group Plans Rally Outside Lee Jae-yong’s Home Ahead of Union Strike Event A Samsung Electronics labor union is preparing a general-strike rally next month outside the home of Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and a shareholder group has announced a counterprotest. Yonhap News Agency reported on the 26th that the Korea Shareholder Movement Headquarters, which has opposed the union’s activities, notified police it will hold a rally from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on May 21 outside Lee’s residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul’s Yongsan district. The gathering is widely seen as a response to the general-strike plan by Samsung Electronics’ companywide union. The union plans to hold its own rally at 1 p.m. the same day outside Lee’s home to announce its general-strike plans. The reported number of participants for the shareholder group’s rally is about 30. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 19:12:15
  • South Korea Forecast: Mostly Cloudy Nationwide; Rain Possible in Capital Area at Night
    South Korea Forecast: Mostly Cloudy Nationwide; Rain Possible in Capital Area at Night Monday the 27th is expected to be mostly cloudy nationwide, with rain starting overnight in parts of the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon and Chungcheong, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Sunday. Central regions will be mostly cloudy, while southern areas will see intermittent clouds before turning cloudier at night. Jeju Island will be mostly clear during the day, then gradually cloud over at night. Rain is possible overnight in the capital area, Gangwon inland and mountainous areas, and the northern west coast of South Chungcheong Province. Expected rainfall: 5-10 millimeters in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province; about 5 mm on the five West Sea islands; 5-20 mm in Gangwon inland and mountainous areas; and less than 5 mm in Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong Province. Skies will be mostly cloudy across the country, with occasional sprinkles in the afternoon mainly in the capital area, Gangwon and the northern west coast of South Chungcheong. Temperatures are forecast to range from 6-14 degrees Celsius (43-57 Fahrenheit) in the morning and 14-27 C (57-81 F) in the afternoon. Daytime highs are expected to reach 22 C in Seoul and Wonju, 16 C in Gangneung, 23 C in Cheongju, 24 C in Daejeon, 25 C in Jeonju, 24 C in Gwangju, 23 C in Yeosu, 27 C in Daegu, 23 C in Busan and 20 C on Jeju. Fine dust levels are expected to range from “good” to “moderate” nationwide. On Tuesday the 28th, the country is expected to remain mostly cloudy, with rain in the capital area, Chungcheong and Gangwon. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 18:06:40