Coupang hit with shareholder class action in US over data breach response SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - U.S.-listed Coupang Inc. is facing a shareholder class action lawsuit in California over its handling of disclosures related to a massive data breach. According to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Friday, Coupang shareholder Joseph Berry filed a class action suit against the company, its Executive Chairman Bom Kim, and Chief Financial Officer Gaurav Anand. In the complaint, plaintiffs' attorney Lawrence Rosen alleged that Coupang made "false or misleading public statements, or failed to make timely disclosures," after experiencing what he described as the largest data breach in South Korean history, causing investors to suffer losses. The lawsuit claims that inadequate cybersecurity protocols at Coupang allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for approximately six months without detection, significantly increasing the company's exposure to regulatory scrutiny and legal risks. The complaint further alleges that despite being aware of the data breach, Coupang failed to file required reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, rendering the company's periodic filings materially false. The shareholder lawsuit is separate from consumer class actions seeking damages over the data breach itself, and centers on alleged violations of U.S. federal securities laws. Several domestic and international law firms are reportedly preparing additional class actions in U.S. courts, including claims for punitive damages, and are in the process of recruiting plaintiffs. Coupang's share price declined following reports of the data breach, falling about 18 percent from $28.16 on Nov. 28 to $23.20 on Dec. 19. Separately, the U.S. Senate showed that Coupang spent a total of $10.75 million on lobbying activities targeting the U.S. Congress, the Department of Commerce, the Trade Representative and the White House from August 2021 through the third quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Coupang also drew criticism after sending only two foreign executives who do not speak Korean to a parliamentary hearing on Dec. 17, prompting objections from both ruling and opposition lawmakers. The executives were criticized for offering perfunctory responses and failing to directly address lawmakers' questions. 2025-12-21 13:40:17

G-Dragon sweeps three grand prizes at Melon Music Awards 2025 SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - K-pop singer G-Dragon dominated the Melon Music Awards 2025 on Saturday, winning three grand prizes and a total of seven awards to emerge as the biggest winner of the night. The artist claimed the top honors of Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year at the 17th annual awards ceremony, held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. He also took home trophies for Top 10, Millions Top 10, Best Male Solo Artist and Best Songwriter. His third full-length album, "Übermensch," released in February, surpassed one million streams within four hours of its release and was inducted into Melon's Hall of Fame. Its title track, "Home Sweet Home," recorded the highest number of listeners on Melon in the first half of the year, demonstrating its commercial success. In his acceptance speech for Album of the Year, G-Dragon said the past year would remain personally meaningful, describing "Übermensch" as a title reflecting his desire to transcend his former self. He also expressed gratitude to his fans, known as VIPs, and shared his affection for his fellow members of BIGBANG. Accepting Artist of the Year, he pledged to continue striving to become an artist worthy of the moment. Upon winning Song of the Year, he said that "Home Sweet Home" felt warmer because it was created together with his members. Meanwhile, Jennie of BLACKPINK won Record of the Year for her first solo studio album, "Ruby," released in March. The album’s title track "like JENNIE" entered Melon's Top 100 chart immediately after release and has remained on the chart for an extended period. The New Artist of the Year was jointly presented to co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT and girl group Hearts2Hearts, both of whom pledged to continue growing as artists. The ceremony also featured a special performance by EXO, who unveiled their new song "Back It Up" for the first time alongside a medley of hit tracks. Additional special stages by aespa, RIIZE and IVE heightened the year-end awards buzz. 2025-12-21 10:50:48

S. Korea, US to begin talks next year on nuclear submarines, other nuclear issues SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to begin talks next year on nuclear submarines and other nuclear-related issues to implement agreements reached at summits between the two countries. "From next year, we agreed to begin discussions in all areas, including nuclear submarines, along with the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and uranium enrichment," National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Saturday after visiting Canada following a trip to Washington. The agreements follow Wi's visit to Washington last week, where he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, among other senior officials. In preparation for the talks, Seoul has established a task force on nuclear submarines and another on uranium enrichment under the National Security Office, and plans to begin working-level negotiations as soon as Washington designates its official counterparts. Wi said bilateral discussions were progressing smoothly overall, adding that the U.S. has described the alliance as a "model" alliance. He added that Seoul intends to move swiftly to follow up on the agreements under the current favorable atmosphere. Regarding nuclear submarines, Wi said the two sides agreed to pursue a separate bilateral arrangement based on Section 91 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which allows the U.S. president to authorize the transfer of nuclear material for military purposes. The move is intended to bypass restrictions limiting the transfer of nuclear materials, similar to the approach taken by Australia under the AUKUS partnership. The move follows comprehensive joint fact sheets released last month after summits between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in August and October. 2025-12-21 10:13:00

Korean digital platforms under threat and underprepared SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Global content platform TikTok announced more than $2 billion in annual safety investments on Thursday — a stark contrast to South Korea's major digital platforms, which are struggling to fend off both cyberattacks and real-world security threats. TikTok said the platform, which surpassed 1 billion monthly active users globally in 2021, continues to expand its reach, with more than 100 million videos uploaded each day. According to TikTok's second-quarter data, over 99 percent of content removed for policy violations was detected proactively, before users reported it. "We have strengthened our technology development, content moderation workforce and security infrastructure," said Yang Soo-young, a TikTok manager, speaking at the company's media day in Seoul. Beyond safety, TikTok has also emerged as a key conduit for the global spread of Korean culture. An analysis of data from more than 70 countries, including Korea, shows that roughly half of all K-culture hashtag posts created over the past three years were generated in just the past 12 months. Survey results indicate that 86 percent of U.S. consumers and 76 percent of Southeast Asian consumers say they learned more about Korean culture through TikTok, with Korean dramas and music driving interest in Korean products and brands. That proactive posture stands in sharp contrast to the mounting security crisis facing Korea's homegrown platforms. Coupang recently suffered a large-scale personal data breach affecting millions of users, while Naver and Kakao have become targets of bomb-threat posts this week, triggering police investigations. What began as online harassment has escalated into physical terror warnings, fueling public outrage and raising questions about the resilience of Korea's digital infrastructure. The gap in preparedness is reflected in spending. According to CEO Score's analysis of security investments by 585 companies from 2022 to 2024, Korean firms allocated just 0.1 to 0.13 percent of revenue to information protection. More critically, security spending accounted for only 6 to 6.2 percent of IT budgets — roughly half the U.S. benchmark of 13.2 percent. In Coupang's case, a former employee of Chinese nationality has been identified as a suspect, underscoring China's complex role in the global cybersecurity landscape. China ranks second worldwide in cybersecurity market size after the U.S., according to Statista's 2026 projections, while also harboring the world's second-largest hacker population — about 22 percent — trailing only North Korea at 33 percent. Despite being prime targets, Korean companies remain reluctant to invest meaningfully in security. The underlying calculus is economic. Since the launch of the Personal Information Protection Commission in August 2020 through September this year, 109.16 million cases of personal data leaks have been recorded, resulting in cumulative fines of 367.1 billion won ($249 million). That equates to roughly 3,300 won per breach — a trivial cost compared with the punitive damages imposed in Europe or the U.S., where data-protection penalties can be severe. "Investment alone won't solve everything, but investment has to come first," said Park Choon-sik, a professor in the Division of Information Security at Seoul Women's University. "Companies need to allocate at least 10 percent of their IT budgets to security. Only then can they hire specialists, build dedicated teams and meaningfully reduce damage." China has already moved in that direction. In 2023, it introduced its first cybersecurity insurance framework, offering tax breaks and insurance subsidies to encourage voluntary enrollment. The system establishes quantitative risk-assessment standards for key industries, standardizes cyber-risk evaluation and encourages insurers to diversify coverage, including liability protection. 2025-12-19 15:50:58

Korea ramps up inbound marketing to boost regional tourism SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - As countries intensify competition for foreign visitors, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has turned to a comprehensive inbound marketing strategy as its key solution. Moving beyond conventional promotion, the approach offers end-to-end support — from product development and overseas distribution to global network linkage — with the aim of bringing regional tourism content onto the global stage. According to the KTO's October inbound tourism statistics, approximately 15.82 million foreign visitors entered Korea during the first 10 months of this year, marking a 15.2 percent increase from the same period last year. With November and December figures yet to be finalized, the total is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic record of 17.5 million visitors set in 2019. Despite the rapid recovery in inbound arrivals, concerns remain over the continued concentration of tourist visits and spending in the Seoul metropolitan area. More than 80 percent of foreign visitors currently travel to the capital region, while visits to non-metropolitan areas remain limited to around 20 percent, constraining the broader economic impact on regional tourism industries. To address this imbalance, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to allocate roughly 3.5 trillion won ($237 million) of its 14.9 trillion won tourism budget for next year toward revitalizing regional tourism. The policy focus is shifting from a Seoul-centric model to longer-stay, region-based travel, with the government aiming to establish "regional inbound tourism hubs." The program is designed to address the challenges faced by domestic tourism operators seeking to attract foreign visitors, particularly those with strong content but limited overseas exposure. Support includes connections to international distribution channels, familiarization tours, product listings on global online travel agencies (OTAs), and local networking through overseas offices — with an emphasis on converting visibility into sales and longer regional stays. To strengthen the service, the KTO launched Touraz, a Korea-specific inbound support platform, in May. It is a self-diagnostic tool that allows companies to evaluate their marketing capabilities and market readiness through a short questionnaire. Based on the results, participants are guided toward tailored support options, including on-site marketing, digital marketing, partner linkage, capacity building and information services. From August to September, the KTO also hosted a series of on-site inbound marketing briefings across six regions — Jeju, Gyeongsang, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeolla and the Seoul metropolitan area — drawing 463 participants from 307 organizations. The sessions combined practical guidance, expert lectures and one-on-one consultations with KTO divisions and industry experts from Trip.com, Tripbtoz and Creatrip. Satisfaction surveys recorded an average score of 4.43 out of 5, with 89.2 percent positive responses. Tangible outcomes followed. Wondertour launched new tour packages linked to the APEC summit in Gyeongju after consultations with global online travel agency KKday, while Jeju Special Self-Governing Province worked with KTO overseas offices to map out entry into European markets. Additional partnerships involving familiarization tours and OTAs are also underway. Seo Se-jin, an official with the Tourism Policy Division of Jeju Province, said participation in a KTO-led familiarization tour targeting global luxury travel network members — featuring haenyeo (women divers) as a central theme — provided meaningful networking opportunities. "Follow-up meetings were held with travel agencies from Italy and Switzerland that joined the tour, allowing us to discuss concrete plans for market entry," Seo said. "By leveraging overseas offices and expanding global OTA partnerships, the KTO will continue to support the global promotion of Korea's tourism industry," said Kim Jong-hoon, acting director of the KTO's International Tourism Division. 2025-12-19 10:12:03

K-steel strains to stay afloat amid prolonged slump and gov't relief Editor's Note: This is the third installment in AJP's 2026 outlook series on South Korea's key industries, based on forecasts by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) -Stagnation is set to extend into 2026 for Korean steelmakers as demand remains sluggish and global markets stay flooded with low-priced Chinese exports — a downturn severe enough to draw legal protection for the industry. According to data compiled by the KCCI, steel output is expected to remain virtually unchanged at 63.9 million tons in 2026, extending a decline that has persisted since 2021. Exports, which rose 1.5 percent this year to 28.8 million tons, are forecast to fall 2.1 percent to 28.2 million tons next year, as Chinese mills accelerate overseas shipments while the United States and Europe harden trade barriers. Domestic demand offers little relief The prolonged slump in construction and automobiles continues to weigh heavily on domestic steel consumption. Apparent steel consumption fell 9.1 percent to 43.4 million tons in 2025, with only a modest 1.2 percent rebound expected in 2026. Construction investment has been in retreat, with building starts through September down 4.6 percent year-on-year. Automotive production through October also slipped 1.5 percent, compounding weakness in flat products such as hot-rolled coil and thick plates that are closely tied to construction and manufacturing demand. China's import share surges despite trade remedies Steel imports fell 8.7 percent to 13.4 million tons in 2025, reflecting softer demand and the impact of anti-dumping measures. Even so, China's share of Korea's steel imports surged to 62.2 percent, up sharply from 47.7 percent in 2022, intensifying concerns that low-priced Chinese products continue to undercut domestic producers. Data from the Korea Iron and Steel Association show Chinese steel imports nearly quadrupled from 338,000 tons in 2021 to 1.26 million tons in 2023. Hot-rolled coil imports reached 1.53 million tons in the first 11 months of 2023 alone, with Chinese products priced up to 30 percent below Korean equivalents. The pressure has been especially severe for specialized producers. SeAH CSS, a major maker of special steel bars, saw operating profit plunge 91 percent, from 125.7 billion won in 2022 to 11.4 billion won in 2024, as Chinese special steel bar imports jumped 50 percent over two years to 670,000 tons, accounting for 92 percent of total imports in the category. Two headwinds define 2026 The outlook for 2026 is shaped by two overriding challenges: China's relentless outbound push and escalating trade walls in advanced economies. China's steel production capacity still far exceeds domestic demand, forcing mills to ship out excess supply and further depress prices. This erodes the competitiveness of Korean producers, which tend to compete on quality and specialized grades rather than volume. Beijing said in March it would aim to cut annual crude steel output by about 50 million tons, potentially bringing production below 1 billion tons for the first time in six years. POSCO Group said during its third-quarter earnings call that it expects Chinese output to decline about 5 percent this year and possibly 10 percent next year, though skepticism remains after past pledges failed to meaningfully absorb oversupply amid a prolonged property downturn. At the same time, the United States and the European Union (EU) are tightening import controls. Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs this year on steel and aluminum derivatives, scrapping a quota system that had allowed Korea limited duty-free volumes and forcing Korean suppliers to compete more directly on price. In Europe, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is moving closer to full implementation, imposing carbon-based costs on imports. The EU remains Korea's largest regional steel export market, with shipments totaling $4.48 billion last year, slightly ahead of the United States at $4.35 billion. K-Steel Act opens restructuring path A rare legislative breakthrough in late November injected cautious optimism into the industry. The National Assembly passed the "Special Act on Strengthening Steel Industry Competitiveness and Carbon Neutrality Transition," widely known as the K-Steel Act, marking the first comprehensive government support framework for the sector. The law establishes a special committee under the Prime Minister's Office and mandates five-year master plans and annual roadmaps by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Crucially, it allows coordinated capacity reductions and production cuts without triggering antitrust penalties — a long-standing obstacle to industry-wide restructuring. "Article 38, which provides an antitrust exemption for joint production adjustments, gives companies legal cover to coordinate capacity cuts in response to oversupply," said Kwon Ji-woo, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities. The act also includes measures aimed at shielding domestic producers from unfair imports and calls for national infrastructure planning for hydrogen pipelines and power grids, both seen as essential for hydrogen-based steelmaking and expanded electric-arc furnace capacity. Industry officials caution that legislation alone will not reverse structural headwinds, but welcomed the framework as a foundation for coordinated action that could reshape the competitive landscape from 2026 onward. Hyundai Steel bets on U.S. expansion Against the domestic malaise, Hyundai Steel is moving to deepen its U.S. footprint. The company said it will form a joint venture with POSCO Group to build a 2.7-million-ton electric-arc furnace mill in Louisiana, targeting automotive steel demand tied to Hyundai Motor Group's expanding U.S. manufacturing base. The $5.8 billion project will be funded equally through equity and external borrowing and will produce hot-rolled and cold-rolled coil for Hyundai Motor's Metaplant America in Georgia. The plant began mass-producing the Ioniq 5 in October 2024 and is ramping toward a long-term capacity target of 1.2 million vehicles annually. The mill is slated to come online in 2029, positioning Hyundai Steel to navigate rising protectionism and intensifying competition in North America, including changes triggered by Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. 2025-12-18 16:01:31

Korea set to test digital ADHD treatment amid overuse of concentration pills SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often taken lightly in Korea, particularly when strong school grades compensate for disruptive or reckless behavior — and, in some cases, when parents quietly encourage medication use ahead of college preparation. The neglect, delayed diagnosis and lingering aversion to child psychiatry frequently lead to long-term difficulties for patients. For many, treatment begins late and remains narrowly focused on medication. For Kim, a 31-year-old Seoul resident who asked to remain anonymous, "the fear of running out of prescriptions" has become a constant part of daily life. "For most Koreans, the most discreet way to keep ADHD hidden is medication," he said — a reliance that often deepens over time. Against this backdrop, health authorities and researchers are moving to broaden treatment options to curb the overuse of stimulant drugs. The Ministry of Health and Welfare this week revised its guidelines on the safety and effectiveness of new medical technologies, clearing the way for a digital therapeutics-based cognitive training program for pediatric ADHD. Under the fast-track designation, specialists at designated medical institutions will be allowed to prescribe screen-based treatment from February 2026 through January 2029. The program will be available to children aged six to under 13 who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Under a doctor's supervision, children will engage with an immersive, game-like platform designed to improve attention, working memory and impulse control. The treatment can be prescribed alongside oral medication, depending on symptom severity, and is being referred to by policymakers as a form of "digital medicine." The policy shift comes as ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions continue to climb nationwide. According to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the total number of patients who received medical treatment for ADHD reached 260,334 in 2024, up 229 percent from 79,244 in 2020. By age group, teenagers (10s) accounted for the largest share of ADHD patients in 2024, with 92,704 cases, or 35.61 percent of the total. They were followed by people in their 20s at 65,927 (25.32 percent), children under the age of 10 at 45,016 (17.29 percent), and those in their 30s at 40,679 (15.63 percent). The number of adult ADHD patients also rose sharply. In 2024, 122,614 adults received treatment for ADHD, up from 25,297 in 2020 — an increase of 385 percent, or nearly 4.9 times. It marked the first time that the number of adults treated for ADHD exceeded 100,000 in a single year. Another NHIS data showed, prescriptions for methylphenidate — one of the most commonly used ADHD medications — reached 1.28 million cases as of May, a 33.4 percent increase from 960,000 cases during the same period last year. Annual prescription volumes have also risen steadily. Last year, methylphenidate prescriptions totaled 2.47 million cases, up 24 percent from 1.99 million in 2023. By age group, teenagers recorded the highest number of prescriptions per 100,000 people at 2,305, followed by those in their 20s at 1,414, and children under 10 at 1,360. Regional disparities are equally striking. Within Seoul, the so-called "Gangnam Three" districts — Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa — have ranked first through third in ADHD prescription volume since 2019. Affluent neighborhoods in southern Seoul known for intense academic competition, including Daechi-dong, Banpo-dong, Jamsil-dong and Irwon-dong, showed particularly high prescription rates relative to population, according to NHIS data. Prescriptions also tend to spike ahead of major exams, including the college entrance test season. Similar concerns resurfaced ahead of last month's 2026 college entrance exam, according to online parent communities. Advertisements for so-called "concentration-enhancing drinks" and "exam supplements" surged, targeting anxious students and parents. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it detected more than 750 violations during a 10-day inspection period in October. According to the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Center (KPIC), ADHD is associated with deficiencies in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate attention and focus. Medications such as methylphenidate raise levels of both, while atomoxetine selectively increases norepinephrine. While these drugs are effective in improving concentration by stimulating the central nervous system, concerns persist over side effects and long-term use — particularly among children and adolescents whose brains are still developing. KPIC said that inappropriate use of ADHD medication can lead to side effects ranging from headaches and anxiety to, in severe cases, hallucinations, delusions, or suicidal behavior. "ADHD medications themselves are generally safe, and long-term use does not significantly increase the risk of misuse among diagnosed patients," said Lee Hae-kook, a psychiatrist at The Catholic University of Korea. "But when prescription rates rise sharply in specific regions or during specific seasons, it suggests some prescriptions may be driven by short-term attempts to boost concentration rather than clear medical necessity." Lee added that digital therapeutics are unlikely to replace medication outright, but could play a complementary role. "Some patients worry about how long they need to stay on medication or want to reduce their dosage," he said. "Using digital therapeutics consistently alongside medication may help shorten treatment duration or lower dosages in certain cases." 2025-12-17 17:07:13

Foreign arrivals hit records, but Korea's duty-free shops face deepest slump in a decade SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Korea has waived visas for Chinese group tourists, the won is about 4 percent weaker than a year ago, and inbound foreign arrivals are on track to hit a record high in 2025. Yet duty-free sales are shrinking to levels last seen a decade ago. Once the backbone of tourist retail — and a near-mandatory stop for Chinese and Japanese visitors — duty-free shops are shuttering outlets, downsizing operations and renegotiating rents as foot traffic thins. The downturn reflects not a collapse in tourism, but a fundamental shift in who is visiting Korea and how they shop. From January to October, domestic duty-free sales totaled $7.3 billion, down 16.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Duty Free Shops Association. Even allowing for year-end seasonality, the full-year market is expected to fall to its lowest level since 2015, when sales stood at about $8.1 billion. The slump stands in stark contrast to tourism numbers. Foreign arrivals reached 15.82 million over the same period, up 15 percent year on year. At the current pace, Korea is likely to surpass its pre-pandemic record of 17.5 million visitors set in 2019 and meet the government’s full-year target of 18.5 million. Retailers had hoped the return of Chinese group tours — credited with driving pre-pandemic duty-free sales above $20 billion annually — would provide relief. Chinese tourists are back, but their shopping itineraries have changed. Instead of duty-free counters, visitors are flocking to health-and-beauty chains such as Olive Young, discount retailers like Daiso and fashion platforms including Musinsa. These outlets offer lower prices, faster transactions and products perceived as more closely tied to Korean lifestyle trends. "Visitors are buying more items, but spending less per product," said a Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) official, noting that budget-friendly shopping is crowding out luxury spending. KTO data released Tuesday underscore how sharply consumption patterns have shifted. Compared with 2019, average spending per purchase by foreign visitors fell from 150,000 won ($102) to 120,000 won in 2025. At the same time, average spending per visitor rose 83 percent year on year, while the number of purchases surged 124 percent — pointing to more frequent transactions across a wider range of lower- to mid-priced goods. Foreign card payment data show particularly strong growth in capsule-toy "gacha" shops, where transactions jumped 142 percent from January to September. Spending also rose sharply at stationery stores (up 48.7 percent) and bookstores (up 39.9 percent). Cosmetics, daily necessities, character goods and small lifestyle items are emerging as key growth categories. As profitability deteriorates, even conglomerate-run operators are retreating. Hotel Shilla and Shinsegae Duty Free have both returned their Incheon International Airport concessions early, opting to absorb termination penalties of more than 190 billion won each rather than continue operating at a loss. City-based stores are also scaling back. Lotte Duty Free downsized its flagship store at Seoul's Lotte World Tower, while Hyundai Duty Free closed its Dongdaemun branch and reduced the size of its COEX location. Korea's five major duty-free operators recorded combined losses exceeding 300 billion won last year — a stark reversal for an industry once seen as a bellwether of the country's tourism boom. 2025-12-16 17:05:53

Korea, Qatar broaden green energy ties, coinciding with National Day   SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Green energy projects, led by large-scale solar power, dominated senior-level discussions in Seoul this week as Korea and Qatar reconfirmed a broadening of bilateral energy cooperation beyond liquefied natural gas, long the backbone of their relationship. At a reception held Monday ahead of Qatar's National Day on Dec. 18, Khalid bin Ebrahim Al-Hamar, Qatar's ambassador to Korea, highlighted a flagship renewable project involving Korean companies: a 2,000-megawatt solar power plant being developed in the Dukhan area west of Doha. "The QatarEnergy project to build a solar power station in Dukhan, with a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts, is the largest solar power plant implemented by Korean companies in the region," Al-Hamar said, describing it as a milestone in the evolution of bilateral energy ties. The project underscores how cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond hydrocarbons and construction into renewables, low-carbon manufacturing and advanced digital infrastructure. Al-Hamar said relations had matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership spanning health care, education, youth exchanges, agriculture, smart networks, investment, culture and sports. Renewable energy has become a central pillar of Qatar's broader economic diversification drive. Samsung C&T Corp. said in September it had secured a 1.46 trillion won ($993 million) contract from QatarEnergy to build the Dukhan solar facility, which will cover roughly 27 square kilometres — about nine times the size of Seoul’s Yeouido district — and deploy around 2.74 million solar panels. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the project is expected to be the largest solar power plant ever built by a Korean construction company. At the same time, Korean firms continue to expand their footprint in Qatar's conventional power sector. Doosan Enerbility announced on Monday that it had signed a 130 billion won contract to supply key equipment for a 2,400-megawatt gas combined-cycle power plant, known as "Facility E," to be built southeast of Doha. Under the agreement with Samsung C&T, Doosan will deliver steam turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment by 2029. The deal follows a 290 billion won combined cycle power plant, PP12 (Power Plant 12), secured by Doosan earlier this year, highlighting how renewable and thermal power projects are advancing in parallel as Qatar balances energy security with decarbonization goals. Kwon Oh-eul, Korea's Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said Qatar remained a critical energy supplier for Korea, contributing to the country's energy security, while Korean companies have played a key role in Qatar's urban development, plant construction and shipbuilding. He noted that the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership at a 2023 summit, expanding cooperation to defense, artificial intelligence and health care. 2025-12-16 13:16:00

K-Content in 2025: The year animation won — but largely without Korea SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Animation was the biggest winner in Korea's film and streaming market in 2025 — a year otherwise marked by stagnation — but much of that success bypassed Korean creators. Japanese R-rated animated films dominated domestic box offices, while local streaming releases struggled to gain traction against international blockbusters such as "KPop Demon Hunters." Industry observers warn that if Netflix's reported pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) materializes, Korean originals could be further crowded out, accelerating a shift toward platform-driven franchises at the expense of the genre-blending experimentation that once defined the global rise of Korean content, from "Parasite" to "Squid Game." Japanese animation lifts theaters In cinemas, Japanese animation provided rare relief for exhibitors. According to year-end box office rankings, "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" topped the charts, drawing around 5.68 million viewers, while Korean releases struggled to produce a comparable breakout. "Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc" alone surpassed 3.41 million admissions, ranking fifth overall and sustaining strong momentum throughout its run. The animation boom was fueled largely by Japanese manga IP and a loyal adult fan base — particularly viewers in their 40s and under — tied to the fandom surrounding shonen franchises such as "Demon Slayer," "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Chainsaw Man." The result was a paradoxical year: theaters benefited from animation's revival, but Korean films were not central to the recovery. A global OTT hit — but not a Korean production On streaming platforms, "KPop Demon Hunters" towered over competitors in the second half of the year. Despite being steeped in Korean themes — K-pop, food, beauty, tradition, and lifestyle — Korea can claim little industrial credit for its success. Netflix's Tudum data, which tracks views in the first 91 days, showed the film ranked No. 1 across all film and TV categories globally in 2025, outperforming both English- and non-English-language titles. It surpassed flagship series such as "Squid Game" and "Wednesday" in raw viewership. Netflix said the film recorded 325.1 million views, becoming the first title on the platform to cross the 300 million mark. Its soundtrack, led by "Golden," peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week and remained on the chart for 24 consecutive weeks despite seasonal competition from Christmas classics. International media hailed the phenomenon as "a new chapter for K-content and K-pop." From an industrial perspective, however, the film is fundamentally an American production. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, with Netflix handling distribution and full investment. According to foreign media reports, including Forbes, the production budget was around $100 million, while Sony's earnings — earned without direct investment — are estimated at roughly $20 million. Netflix, which controls the intellectual property, is expected to extract long-term value exceeding $1 billion through future exploitation. The film's success underscored the limits of this year's K-content narrative. Produced in English for a global audience, "KPop Demon Hunters" traveled well — but it did not redefine Korean storytelling in the way earlier Korean-language works once did. Local creativity still flickers Still, Korean filmmakers showed they have not lost their creative instincts. One of the year's most unexpected successes was "My Daughter Is a Zombie," a homegrown comedy that defied a market dominated by franchises and imported animation. It became the first Korean release of 2025 to surpass 5 million admissions, while also setting records for advance ticket sales and the strongest opening ever for a Korean comedy. Adapted from cartoonist Lee Yun-chang's popular Naver webtoon series of the same name (2018–2020), the film stayed faithful to the tone and emotional appeal of the original work. Its success revived the communal theatrical experience, drawing audiences back into cinemas to laugh, cry and react together. At the other end of the spectrum stood "No Other Choice," the latest film by internationally acclaimed director Park Chan-wook. While not positioned as a mass-market blockbuster, the film reaffirmed the enduring pull of globally recognized Korean auteurs, attracting audiences driven by artistic credibility rather than scale or spectacle. "Both K-pop and Korean cinema felt as though they were in a cooling phase overall," culture critic Kim Herin-sik said. "In theaters, films largely lost their presence to animation. At the same time, there was some progress among independent films, including works by director Yoon Ga-eun, suggesting the industry may need to reorganize around smaller-scale productions." "If 'No Other Choice' goes on to win major awards," he added, "it could help reverse the overall mood." Netflix dominance and consolidation risk Despite these challenges, Korean titles continue to maintain a strong presence in an English-heavy streaming landscape. Among Netflix's global top-10 titles ranked by views in the first 91 days, eight were English-language productions. The only two non-English titles on the list were both Korean, led by "Squid Game." The contrast reflects the enduring dominance of English-language content, while also confirming sustained global demand for Korean storytelling when cultural specificity translates effectively across markets. "Squid Game" resonated by pairing universal themes — economic inequality and class tension — with distinctly Korean elements such as childhood games including "Red Light, Green Light" and "gonggi." The tension has sharpened as Netflix signals a new phase of consolidation following reports earlier this month regarding a potential acquisition of WBD. If completed, such a deal would fundamentally reshape the global streaming landscape. Netflix would not only consolidate market share but also absorb a vast production apparatus, including WBD's intellectual property — from the "Harry Potter" franchise to HBO flagships such as "Game of Thrones" and "Friends." Industry observers warn that deeper consolidation could accelerate the platformization of content production, making it increasingly difficult for studios to maintain independent voices. For many, a partnership or merger may become the only viable path to survival. Domestic players recalibrate Amid these shifts, domestic players show mixed signals. CJ ENM posted improved results in the third quarter of 2025, supported by theatrical revenue from "No Other Choice" and stronger exports driven by expansion into new markets such as Latin America and the Middle East. Revenue rose across film, drama, music and commerce divisions, signaling a broad-based recovery. According to a regulatory filing in November, CJ ENM reported operating profit of 17.6 billion won ($12 million), up 11 percent year-on-year. The company also entered a strategic partnership with WBD to jointly produce K-content — a move that gained added significance as WBD later emerged as a potential acquisition target for Netflix. Attention also briefly turned to a proposed merger between domestic streaming platforms TVING and WAVVE, viewed by some as a counterweight to global players. The process, however, stalled due to opposition from key shareholder KT, which cited concerns about potential damage to its IPTV business. With a merger now likely pushed into 2026, the two platforms have pursued merger-level cooperation — including a joint subscription package and integrated advertising platform — even as they continue to stress the urgency of competing with Netflix. 2025-12-15 17:03:12