Korean replaces Chinese as foreign favorite language amid K-pop rise SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - In another sign of Korean pop culture's global reach, Korean has become the sixth most-studied language on Duolingo, one of the world's largest language-learning platforms, increasingly replacing Chinese as a preferred foreign language. According to the 2025 Language Report released Thursday, Korean trailed only English, Spanish, French, Japanese and German in global popularity. It also ranked as the second-fastest-growing language in Western countries including Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain and Poland. Duolingo now counts 5.5 million Korean learners worldwide, a trend the company attributes to the international success of "Squid Game," K-dramas and K-pop. Official dictionary traffic tells a similar story. The National Institute of the Korean Language, the government body overseeing Korean language policy, said Tuesday that its two major online dictionaries — the Basic Korean Dictionary and the Korean–Foreign Language Learners' Dictionary — surpassed 20 million cumulative visits this year. From January through October, the Basic Korean Dictionary recorded 3.5 million visits, while the learners' dictionary logged 16.64 million, led by its Korean–English edition. High usage was also reported in the Korean–Arabic and Korean–Indonesian versions, particularly in regions where Korean pop culture enjoys strong followings and alternative reference tools are scarce. Users searched not only nouns but also verbs, adverbs and suffixes, suggesting that learners across proficiency levels depend on the dictionaries. The Basic Korean Dictionary, launched in 2012 with about 52,000 headwords, will add roughly 1,300 new entries in March 2026. Motivation data shows why Korean stands apart from other foreign languages. A survey last year by Preply found that most Korean learners cited "hobby or personal interest" as their main reason for studying the language. By contrast, 28 percent of general language learners worldwide study for job-related or career or self-development purposes — highlighting how Korean's appeal is tied directly to entertainment consumption and cultural affinity. Demand is also rising in higher education. A 2024 report by the Modern Language Association found that U.S. university enrollment in Korean courses grew more than 60 percent between 2013 and 2024, while enrollment in Chinese courses fell about 30 percent. Similar patterns have emerged in the United Kingdom, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. The South China Morning Post noted that China's slowing economy and deteriorating global image have dampened interest in Chinese language study, while Korean continues to gain momentum on the back of K-pop and Korean media. The King Sejong Institute, South Korea's government-run global Korean-language network, has also expanded rapidly. It now operates 256 branches in 88 countries — up from just 13 in 2007 — with roughly 700,000 cumulative learners. The government aims to increase the network to 350 branches by 2027 and is rolling out AI-based learning tools, including the "i-Sejong Institute," alongside localized curricula and dispatched teaching staff. "The Basic Korean Dictionary and the Korean–Foreign Language Learners' Dictionary have become essential tools for both learners and instructors," an official at the National Institute of the Korean Language said. "As global interest in Korean continues to rise, we will work to provide reliable and accessible online dictionary services." 2025-12-04 17:32:19

C-democracy, or political participation through wagering, sprouts in polarized Korea SEOUL, December 02 (AJP) - "C-democracy" — where wagering meets political motive — is emerging in South Korea, as bets on former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment odds illustrate how fandom-driven political participation is evolving into fortified camps amid deepening polarization, a media scholar said at a forum in Seoul. "The fandom-engaged, interest-based model of democracy is shifting into a fortress-centered one — a fragmented, hybrid structure marked by ideological defense," said Park Han-woo, a professor of media and communication at Yeungnam University, speaking at AJP’s first-anniversary forum titled "Extremism, Polarization and the Role of Media in the Digital Transition." Park contrasted today’s digitally driven rallies with the hierarchical and closed protests under the 1970s–80s military regime. Contemporary participation, he noted, spans K-pop–style collective action seen in impeachment demonstrations, seniors expressing political views through YouTube, and teenagers mobilizing both online and on the streets through smartphones, livestreaming and social media. "Modes of participation are diversifying across generations," he said. Drawing on Australian media scholar Axel Bruns’s framework, Park pointed to a broader shift toward "individual publics," "issue publics," and "networked publics." These digitally connected groups can accelerate information flow, he said, but also amplify distortion and misinformation. The impeachment period revealed the interplay of "strong publics," capable of organized political action, and "weak publics," driven more by emotional affiliation. Both can broaden democratic debate, Park said, but also heighten social conflict. A new layer is emerging in the form of what Park describes as "financialized publics," a concept from his recent research. Studying overseas users who place bets on Korean political outcomes through the blockchain-based prediction platform Polymarket, Park found that political messaging often diverged from actual wagering behavior. "Emotional expression is intense, but financial risk-taking moves on a separate track," he said, calling this a new hybrid of political and economic participation. Park warned that rising news avoidance, algorithm-driven information consumption, and deepening emotional polarization are creating conditions in which "even basic facts fail to gain consensus." Trends such as election denial and the spread of conspiracy theories, he noted, have become visible in both South Korea and the United States. With democratic norms under strain, Park emphasized that rebuilding public trust is essential. He called for transparent communication, stronger civic empathy, and institutional structures that can bridge increasingly segmented publics. "Media must help rebuild trust at a moment when traditional value systems are shaking," he said. 2025-12-02 16:49:36

Korea's unique dawn delivery stokes debate between consumer and labor rights SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Koreans expect grocery orders to arrive at their doorstep by morning — a standard that may astonish outsiders but has become routine thanks to Coupang's ultra-fast e-commerce strategy. Competitors large and small, including Kurly, SSG.com under Shinsegae, CJ Logistics, and others, now compete primarily on delivery speed. But overnight and dawn deliveries come with a human cost. The delivery workers' union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions recently proposed restricting deliveries between midnight and 5 a.m., suggesting that workers starting at 5 a.m. should handle early-morning orders. The union emphasized that the goal is to protect rest hours, not abolish the service. Even so, the discussion quickly escalated into calls for an outright ban. Coupang, the dominant player, has become the center of the controversy. According to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, eight deaths occurred during early-morning deliveries between 2019 and 2023, with 151 workers injured. Critics say risks such as drowsy driving and chronic overwork cannot be dismissed as "voluntary choices." Yet a ban is opposed not only by consumers but also by many delivery workers themselves. The Coupang Partners Association, representing subcontracted drivers, said 93 percent of respondents in its survey opposed restrictions. Coupang's union for full-time drivers also argued the issue had become "political rather than being about improving labor rights." Consumer sentiment leans strongly toward preserving the service. Surveys show delivery speed is the top reason Koreans choose Coupang, followed by easy returns and refunds. A Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry poll found that 84 percent of residents in smaller cities and island regions want access to early-morning delivery. The model is rare overseas, underscoring its uniquely Korean characteristics. In the United States, same-day delivery is offered by Amazon and Walmart, but midnight-to-dawn operations are avoided because of labor costs, noise regulations, and local "quiet hours." The European Union restricts transportation work hours, limiting shifts to under ten hours if any portion falls after midnight, while high logistics costs and strict urban noise rules make overnight delivery impractical. Japan also has no dawn-delivery service; most couriers begin time-slot deliveries after 8 a.m., and convenience-store pickup absorbs much of the early-morning demand. Korea's geography and density help explain the difference. The Seoul metropolitan area has a high concentration of consumers and logistics hubs, enabling short delivery distances and light overnight traffic. From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., drivers can handle far more orders than during daytime hours. Companies such as Coupang, Kurly, and Oasis have used delivery speed as a key competitive edge, making early-morning delivery a fixture of daily commerce. Safety concerns, however, have intensified after a series of recent deaths involving night-shift workers. Three workers employed by Coupang or its subcontractors died this month while working overnight or early-morning shifts. Coupang said underlying health issues must also be considered, but labor groups counter that strenuous work can aggravate existing conditions and should be treated as an occupational illness. The debate is growing increasingly heated. A National Assembly petition opposing a ban has surpassed 25,000 signatures. Supporters argue that policymakers must consider the realities of dual-income households, while businesses warn that restricting the service could disrupt the broader ecosystem — including fresh-food logistics, packaging, electric-vehicle delivery, and smart-logistics operations. Experts say the goal should not be eliminating early-morning delivery, but ensuring the system remains sustainable. "Strengthening accident-response systems and guaranteeing rest hours are key," said Seo Yong-gu, a professor at Sookmyung Women's University. "What is needed is policy reform that protects workers while maintaining industrial growth." 2025-11-28 17:14:25

Sydney roundtable highlights new opportunities for Australia–Korea clean energy ties SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A roundtable focused on strengthening clean energy partnerships between Australia and Korea was hosted in Sydney last Thursday. Hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) with support from HWLE Lawyers and Elecseed, the event brought together 25 C-suite executives and senior government officials to explore collaboration opportunities across the clean energy sector. Representatives from major organizations including POSCO Australia, LG Energy Solution Australia, Hanwha Energy Australia, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai E&C, KEPCO Australia, Korea East-West Power (Australia), GS E&C Australia, Port of Newcastle, PwC, and Elecseed attended the forum. Through presentations and discussions, participants examined cooperation potential in hydrogen, CCUS, ammonia, critical minerals and electrification, drawing on policy, legal and investor insights into market trends and regulatory hurdles. Speakers underscored the need for clearer policy direction, deeper academic analysis and stronger institutional leadership to bolster Australia’s competitiveness as a green energy exporter and a long-term partner for Korea. Attendees also shared updates on ongoing bilateral projects, noting financing challenges, certification and regulatory alignment issues, and grid constraints, while highlighting the complementary strengths of Australia’s natural resource base and Korea’s industrial and engineering capabilities. AustCham Korea Chief Executive Officer Rowan Petz said the roundtable was intended to facilitate high-level dialogue. “This roundtable was created for decision makers who are moving from ambition to actual investment,” Petz said. “We want Korean and Australian companies to engage directly with officials and industry partners to address barriers in project execution.” He added that AustCham Korea will continue to act as a “trusted conduit” for navigating regulatory, technical and commercial issues. David Lee, Partner at HWLE Lawyers and Director of AustCham Korea, emphasized the importance of early engagement. "Foreign investors into Australia seek clarity and consistency," Lee said. "Engaging key stakeholders early fosters effective communication and alignment of expectations." AustCham Korea, established more than 20 years ago, serves as the peak body representing Australian and Korean business interests in Seoul. It supports more than 110 member organizations across energy, infrastructure, resources, finance and technology, working closely with the Australian Embassy, Austrade and state government offices to facilitate market access and policy dialogue. HWLE Lawyers, Australia’s largest legal partnership, advises domestic and international clients on complex transactions and regulatory matters in energy, resources and infrastructure. Elecseed, a renewable energy developer based in Seoul and Brisbane, provides integrated solutions across solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage, supporting bilateral investment and technology cooperation. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy security and competitiveness. Frameworks such as the Australia–Korea Green Economy Partnership and the Hydrogen Trade and Investment Dialogue continue to expand cross-border cooperation, helping to scale clean energy technologies and support the commercial viability of future projects. 2025-11-28 16:24:28

Koreans spend more time on ChatGPT than on Naver, making Korea OpenAI's No. 2 market SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Koreans have emerged as the world's most avid ChatGPT users, spending more time on the AI platform than on the country's dominant portal Naver, and pushing Korea to become OpenAI's second-most profitable market despite its small population, data showed. According to app analytics firm Sensor Tower, Korea ranked No. 2 after the United States in ChatGPT revenue contribution. Global downloads of the ChatGPT app have surpassed 1.4 billion, with India accounting for the largest share at 15.7 percent. Korea represented a modest 1.5 percent of total downloads, placing it 21st — but contributed a disproportionately high 5.4 percent of global revenue, or roughly $200 million, out of ChatGPT's $3.5 billion worldwide. Korea's revenue per download reached $8.7 — nearly on par with the U.S. at $8.8 — indicating an unusually high share of paid subscribers. The service's explosive rise in Korea accelerated after OpenAI introduced image-generation features that allow users to transform portraits into Ghibli-style or other customized illustrations in seconds. App downloads hit a record in August, and revenue peaked again in October. From Jan. 1 to Nov. 20, ChatGPT ranked No. 1 in overall downloads and No. 4 in app revenue in Korea — an exceptional feat in a market where the top-grossing apps are typically mobile games. ChatGPT also dominated Korea's AI-assistant category. Downloads were three times those of Google's Gemini, daily active users were eight times higher, and revenue exceeded that of Anthropic's Claude by more than tenfold. On the web, ChatGPT ranked as the fifth most-visited site in Korea — trailing only YouTube, Naver, Google and Daum. Korean users spent an average of 367 minutes per month on the site, about 1.7 times longer than on Naver. Roughly 90 percent of visits came from users typing the address directly rather than arriving via search, suggesting ChatGPT has already become a primary work tool rather than a supplemental service. The broader uptake of AI services in South Korea has also surged. A March report by the Ministry of Science and ICT showed generative AI usage among the general population doubled from 17.6 percent in 2023 to 33.3 percent in 2024. Overall AI service use — spanning translation tools, voice recognition and recommendation systems — climbed from 32.4 percent in 2021 to 60.3 percent last year. Most users relied on AI for information searches, document writing, translation and other productivity tasks. Digital consumption patterns are shifting in parallel. Subscription-based online services jumped from 13.1 percent to 49.4 percent in one year, while overseas e-commerce usage — led by AliExpress and Temu — rose from 20 percent to 34.3 percent as global platforms expanded their footprint in Korea. A Science and ICT Ministry official said the government aims to "strengthen public digital skills and ensure the ethical use of AI," noting that further policy measures are in the works. Workplace adoption is even more pronounced. A Bank of Korea survey of 5,512 workers conducted between May and June found that 63.5 percent had used generative AI at least once, and 51.8 percent had used it for work — roughly double the 26.5 percent reported in the United States. Heavy users — those spending more than an hour a day on AI tools — accounted for 78.6 percent in Korea, compared with just 31.8 percent in the U.S. The Bank of Korea estimated that AI tools have reduced working hours by an average of 3.8 percent per week and may have contributed up to 1 percentage point to Korea's GDP growth since ChatGPT's launch in late 2022. The gains were strongest among highly educated workers and those with shorter job experience, as AI helped narrow skill gaps. A central bank official cautioned, however, that shorter working hours do not always translate directly into higher output. "Actual productivity improvements may be smaller if the saved time is not used for additional work," the official said. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life and professional workflows, analysts say generative AI is reshaping the architecture of Korea's digital-services market. Companies and government agencies are racing to upgrade their platforms, and Korea's rapid adoption curve is expected to leave a lasting imprint on the country's AI ecosystem. 2025-11-26 17:31:52

K-pop anime qualifies for animated Oscar race SEOUL, November 23 (AJP) - Netflix’s animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," the first foreign-made animation centered on South Korean K-pop idols, has been listed among the titles eligible for consideration in the Academy Awards’ best animated feature category this year. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), 35 films qualified for the category at the upcoming 98th Oscars. The film earned its spot by completing a limited theatrical run in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in June, a requirement for all entries seeking eligibility in the animated feature race. Released globally on Netflix, the 100-minute film follows fictional K-pop stars who use secret powers to fight supernatural forces, blending K-pop themes with action-driven fantasy elements. Alongside "KPop Demon Hunters," this year’s eligibility list includes major studio titles such as Disney’s "Elio" and "Zootopia 2," as well as Japanese hits like "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle" and "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc." The final slate of nominees will be unveiled early next year, ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony set for mid-March 2026. 2025-11-23 17:39:38

S.Korean won drops to lowest level versus the U.S. dollar since 2009 SEOUL, November 23 (AJP) - The South Korean won’s real value has slipped to its lowest point, risking the deterioration of Korea's purchasing power in global trade. Data from the Bank of Korea and the Bank for International Settlements showed that the country’s real effective exchange rate — or REER — stood at 89.09 at the end of October against the reference year of 2020 as 100. The index was down 1.44 points from a month earlier and marked the lowest reading since August 2009. It is even below the 89.29 in March amid political uncertainty due to presidential impeachment following a short-lived martial law declaration. The REER measures a currency’s real purchasing power compared with those of major trading partners. A reading below 100 indicates the currency is undervalued relative to the base year. The decline in the won’s real value reflects broader global currency trends. A strong U.S. economy has kept the dollar firm, while the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan have weakened, putting additional pressure on the won. South Korea’s REER, which was above 100 in 2020 and 2021, has steadily fallen and dipped below 95 in the second half of last year. The U.S. dollar has spiked this month amid heavy foreign stock selling to near 1,500 won. It climbed to 1,476.0 during Friday trading, the highest since early April, when it briefly hit 1,487.6. Unlike the sharp but short-lived jump in April, recent movements have shown a gradual upward trend. Analysts say stronger demand for the dollar — partly due to increased investment in the U.S. stock market — and delayed currency conversion by exporters are contributing to the won’s structural weakness. Market watchers believe government intervention alone won't be able to reverse the trend, projecting that the exchange rate is likely to remain in the 1,400 range per dollar well into next year. 2025-11-23 16:49:15

Korean president speaks up on climate action and AI at G20 summit SEOUL, November 23 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday, as part of a regional tour of the Middle East and Africa designed to broaden South Korea's diplomatic engagement. During the two-day meeting, he outlined South Korea's views on climate and disaster response, artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation and inclusive economic growth. After visiting the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Lee joined the annual gathering of the world's major economies. The G20 consists of 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union, representing about 85 percent of global GDP and 75 percent of global trade. This year's summit was the first to be held on the African continent and unfolded under unusual circumstances, with the leaders of the United States, China and Russia all absent. On the opening day, member states adopted the leaders' declaration — normally approved at the end of the meetings — in an effort to avoid potential last-minute opposition from Washington. The statement also confirmed that South Korea will host the G20 summit in 2028. Lee attended every official session, presenting South Korea's policy priorities and contributions to the international community. In the first session, he introduced Seoul's initiative — a domestic policy vision promoting the safe and inclusive use of artificial intelligence — and stressed that technological benefits must be shared widely. On the second day, he highlighted the growing risks of climate change and natural disasters, calling for stronger international cooperation. Citing an assessment by the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, he warned that complex and overlapping disasters are becoming more frequent. "If we strengthen our resilience and ability to absorb shocks, new opportunities for growth will emerge," he said. Lee also reaffirmed South Korea's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and pledged to support global climate efforts "as a responsible member of the international community." He urged countries to shift disaster-response systems toward prevention and resilience, pointing to South Korea's early flood-warning assistance programs for Asia-Pacific nations. "A single country's resilience leads to the resilience of the world," he said, emphasizing cooperation on global food security and the transition to clean energy. Lee also held a series of bilateral and small-group meetings. He met leaders from MIKTA — a consultative group of middle-power countries including Mexico, Indonesia, Türkiye and Australia — to discuss closer cooperation. He also held separate talks with the French and German leaders. On Sunday, the final day of the summit, Lee is expected to again underscore the need for global coordination on AI and digital transformation. He plans to highlight South Korea's vision for integrating AI into basic social systems, a concept the country promoted during its leadership of the APEC summit. After wrapping up his schedule in South Africa, Lee will travel to Türkiye on Monday, the last stop of his four-nation tour. He is set to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for discussions on defense industry cooperation and nuclear energy. 2025-11-23 13:13:00

Mega malls emerge as Korean retailers' answer to online challenges SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s retail giants, squeezed by the rapid proliferation of online shopping and a prolonged slump in domestic consumption, are betting on mega-sized mixed-use malls to regain foot traffic by drawing customers through leisure and tourism appeal. Gwangju has become the latest city to embrace the trend, breaking ground this week on a large-scale multi-complex mall that blends retail with entertainment. These mega malls combine shopping with dining, games and cultural activities, positioning themselves as weekend destinations for families. Unlike traditional department stores or hypermarkets, they devote a significant share of space to non-retail functions — from VR attractions to libraries — in a bid to differentiate themselves and extend visitor stay. "Malls are not only about purchasing items — they are spaces to eat, spend time and hang out," Lotte Department Store CEO Jeong Jun-ho said, noting that this approach aligns with the preferences of Korea’s MZ generation. At Lotte World Mall in Seoul, one of the capital’s most visited complexes, retail accounts for just 30 percent of the total area, while entertainment takes up 57 percent and food and beverage 13 percent. The mall drew more than 8 million visitors during July and August amid a severe heat wave, according to operator Lotte Property & Development. Purchasers made up 66 percent of visitors in July and 63 percent in August, meaning that more than a third came primarily for non-shopping activities. A survey by Embrain, a Korean market-research firm, found that 48.4 percent of respondents prefer multi-complex malls because they "can experience almost everything in one place." Other reasons included expanded entertainment and cultural facilities, convenient accessibility and the ability to escape heat waves or air pollution — key considerations that influence indoor activity choices in Korea’s extreme seasonal climate. Visitor numbers at major complexes have continued to rise. From January to April 2024, footfall at large malls such as The Hyundai Seoul, I’Park Mall and Starfield increased 28.8 percent compared with the same period in 2022. South Korea’s three major retail groups — Shinsegae, Lotte and Hyundai — are now racing to expand their mall portfolios. Of the 21 new department stores or malls planned by the groups, 19 are multi-complex malls. As consumer behavior shifts toward "experience-based consumption," with shoppers seeking leisure and culture alongside purchases, retailers are moving away from traditional department store-centered strategies. Lotte Group plans to convert nine large land parcels — originally secured for department stores and outlets — into malls, including sites in Songdo and Daegu. Seven existing outlets will also be renovated or expanded into mall formats. Lotte Department Store said it aims to reduce department stores’ share of total revenue from 75 percent today to 60 percent by 2030, while increasing mall revenue from 1 percent to 30 percent. Shinsegae Group plans to open 13 new locations within five years, 11 of them multi-complex malls. Its development arm, Shinsegae Property, will invest about 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion) by 2030. "Malls offer an offline experience that online shopping cannot provide," a Shinsegae official said. "This increases the time customers spend on-site and boosts non-retail revenue." Hyundai Department Store is also expanding the model pioneered by its flagship The Hyundai Seoul into regional markets. It will break ground next month on The Hyundai Busan, a 7.343-trillion-won project targeting a 2027 opening. A separate site in Gwangju, a metropolitan city of 1.4 million people, is slated to open in 2028 with an estimated project cost of 1.2 trillion won — the largest single retail development in Hyundai’s history. "We have focused on the Seoul metropolitan area for years, but expanding into major regional cities will create a new growth axis," a Hyundai official said. 2025-11-21 16:26:12

Korea celebrates defense advance and explores sustainability strategy: Aju Defense Forum '25 SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s defense industry is enjoying an unprecedented heyday as demand for self-defense in a nation still technically at war converges with its rapidly advancing technological capabilities. Amid simultaneous military confrontations in Ukraine and the Middle East, Korea’s defense exports have tripled and are likely to easily top 30 trillion won ($20 billion) this year. Yet despite the rediscovery of Korea’s firepower — from tanks to howitzers to fighter jets — the sector must strengthen its long-term sustainability strategy for peacetime, experts said Thursday at the Aju Defense Forum '25, held in western Seoul and co-hosted by Aju Business Daily, the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), Jeonbuk National University, and D&A Advisory. The discussion highlighted sweeping challenges confronting Korea’s defense industry: rapid shifts in global security, shrinking military manpower, force-structure reforms, and the rise of commercial artificial intelligence. Participants included lawmakers, defense manufacturers, policy institutions, analysts, and defense attachés from around 20 countries. Artificial intelligence — vividly demonstrated in the ongoing war in Ukraine — has become a decisive metric in combat. The global defense AI market, valued at US$13.2 billion last year, is expected to grow to US$35.5 billion by 2031, intensifying competition as major powers integrate AI into weapons manufacturing, battlefield decision-making, and unmanned operations. Korean companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and LIG Nex1 are accelerating development of unmanned platforms, drones, and autonomous systems. R&D spending among Korea’s five major defense firms reached 1.3293 trillion won this year, up 8.1 percent from 2023. Wars in Ukraine and Gaza are speeding the real-world deployment of AI, robotics, and drone systems, said Kwak Ki-ho, who heads the AI Center at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). He stressed that Korea must lean into innovation-driven strategies to stay ahead of emerging battlefield trends. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows Korea has emerged as the second-largest arms supplier to NATO member states over the past five years — underscoring its accelerating presence in Europe. Platforms such as the K2 tank, K9 howitzer, and FA-50 fighter jet are rapidly expanding across the continent, led by Poland’s landmark US$22 billion procurement deal. Exports to Romania and Saudi Arabia are also increasing, solidifying Korea’s role as a global defense player. Lim Kwu-jin, CEO of Aju Business Daily, said Korea’s defense exports — including the K9 and FA-50 — "have grown significantly in recent years, elevating the country’s global standing." He added that government moves to ease export controls and support technology innovation "are strengthening Korea’s ability to enter new markets," and that the forum served as "a meaningful venue to discuss future battlefield requirements and long-term strategies for the sustainable growth of K-defense." National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Hack-young noted that Korea’s rapid rise has placed it among the world’s leading arms exporters and said the legislature would fully support the government’s drive to elevate Korea into the world’s top four defense powers. Still, participants stressed that Korea must bolster mid- and long-term strategic capabilities — including nuclear-powered submarines, advanced unmanned and autonomous systems, and next-generation ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) technologies — to maintain an edge in an era increasingly defined by AI-driven command, control, and operational systems. 2025-11-20 17:43:24