Son of Mirae Asset founder moves to core Mirae unit to renew speculation on generational shift SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -Park Jun-beom, the eldest son of Mirae Asset Chairman Park Hyun-joo, has moved from Mirae Asset Venture Investment to Mirae Asset Securities, the core unit of South Korea's top asset managing conglomerate, renewing speculation about a generational shift under making despite the founder's long-stated opposition to hereditary succession. Mirae Asset Securities said Thursday that Park, previously a senior investment reviewer at Mirae Asset Venture Investment, was reassigned through a personnel reshuffle the previous day. Beginning this year, he will work in the proprietary investment (PI) division, which focuses on investments in new-growth industries and innovative companies. Born in 1993, Park majored in economics at Washington University in St. Louis. After graduating, he worked as a project manager at game developer Netmarble starting in 2020. He joined Mirae Asset Venture Investment in 2022, where he led startup deal sourcing and investment execution, including a secondary-share investment in apparel brand Andar, according to industry sources. His move to Mirae Asset Securities — widely regarded as the group’s core operating arm — has fueled market speculation that preparations for a future management succession may be gaining momentum. A Mirae Asset Securities official, however, downplayed such interpretations, saying the reassignment reflects Park’s professional background rather than a governance shift. “His experience as a venture investor focused on long-term investments in innovative companies will be useful for proprietary investment activities,” the official said, adding that Mirae Asset maintains a professional management system and that the chairman’s children are not expected to take board positions.Speculation over succession has been floated after change in the ownership structure of Mirae Asset Consulting, the holding company at the top of the group’s governance chain, two years ago. Regulatory filings placed Park Jun-beom as the second-largest shareholder of Mirae Asset Consulting after receiving 25,884 shares, or 3.33 percent, from his aunt Park Jung-sun through a gift transaction. His stake rose from 8.19 percent to 11.52 percent, second only to Chairman Park Hyun-joo’s 48.63 percent. The transfer pushed Park’s mother, Kim Mi-kyung, to third place with a 10.24 percent stake. His sisters, Park Ha-min and Park Eun-min, each hold 8.19 percent, while cousins Song Sung-won and Song Ha-kyung hold 1.37 percent each. Mirae Asset Consulting sits at the apex of the group’s ownership structure, which runs through Mirae Asset Global Investments, Mirae Asset Capital, Mirae Asset Securities and Mirae Asset Life Insurance. The group has been making meaningful strides on the global market. In September, the company's global exchange-traded fund assets have surpassed 250 trillion won ($179.2 billion), reaching 254 trillion won. Its ETFs are now operated across multiple markets, including South Korea, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan, making Mirae Asset the world’s 12th-largest ETF provider by assets. Mirae Asset’s global ETF assets have grown at an average annual rate of 37 percent over the past decade, nearly double the global industry average of about 20 percent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 15:14:47

Kim Jong Un stresses internal unity, honors troops sent to Russia in New Year address SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his New Year speech to emphasize domestic cohesion and praise soldiers deployed to Russia, avoiding any direct message toward South Korea or the United States. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim delivered the remarks late Wednesday at a large celebration held at Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium. He said North Korea’s drive for “comprehensive socialist development” had successfully passed its first stage, crediting both central and provincial regions for propelling nationwide progress. Kim devoted a significant portion of the speech to the Korean People’s Army, commending troops who endured “heavy hardships” and achieved “remarkable results” on what he described as front lines of construction and change. He said their “noble sacrifices” would be remembered “for generations,” in an apparent reference to forces dispatched to support Russia. He also highlighted workers, agricultural laborers and the women’s national football team, which won last year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing them as key contributors to the country’s direction over the past year. Calling on the public to remain faithful to socialism and “people-first” principles, Kim urged citizens to strengthen unity ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Ninth Congress, which is expected to outline major policy directions for the next five years. KCNA said Kim’s speech contained no references to the United States or South Korea, signaling a focus on tightening internal discipline rather than foreign policy messaging. Kim attended the event with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and their daughter, Ju Ae, who sat beside him during the performance. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 15:01:51

South Korean defense minister conducts New Year's Day command flight SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back conducted a command flight on New Year’s Day under escort by domestically produced fighter jets in a symbolic move to demonstrate military readiness across the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. Ahn boarded an Air Force E-737 Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft before dawn for what the ministry described as an “airborne command post” operation. Six Air Force fighter jets escorted the flight, including the KF-21, FA-50 and TA-50. It marked the first time domestically produced aircraft have been deployed to escort a command flight, the ministry said. During the mission, Ahn held a series of command-line briefings with frontline commanders to assess operational readiness. Those briefed included the captain of the Navy’s Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer operating in the East Sea, an Air Force flight leader responsible for aerial patrol and escort missions, the battalion commander of the Marine Corps’ 6th Brigade defending a front-line contact area, and the Army commander overseeing a guard post in the 22nd Division. Ahn later spoke by secure line with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung, stressing the importance of maintaining a strong state of readiness and a fully prepared operational posture. During the calls, the defense minister checked for any unusual developments along the front lines and in key operational areas. He thanked service members for their dedication, saying, “Thanks to your commitment, our people can welcome the New Year in peace,” and urged commanders to maintain a gap-free readiness posture throughout the year. Ahn also underscored the importance of self-reliant defense capabilities, saying, “Only when we have the strength to protect ourselves can sustainable peace be possible,” adding that the military must “proactively prepare for the future security environment based on our own defense capabilities.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 14:51:15

Korea bets on AI-driven productivity as new engine of growth in 2026 SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -South Korea is entering 2026 with a renewed push to reset its growth model around artificial intelligence, as the government and corporate leaders converge on AI-led productivity and solution-based innovation as the country’s next economic engine, according to New Year's addresses by key officials from the government and private sector. In his New Year’s address Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung raised urgency on a national transition beyond recovery and incremental growth toward structural change powered by technology. “Now we are only at the starting line,” Lee said, “Because we started late, we must now run faster.” He pledged to make 2026 “the first year of a great leap forward,” calling for a fundamental shift in the country’s growth paradigm. Lee stressed that Korea can no longer rely on familiar development paths, saying the country must “completely change the growth paradigm” and move onto “a new road of transformation.” Growth, he said, should be driven not by concentration or scale alone, but by innovation, decentralization and new engines of productivity. At the core of that transformation is artificial intelligence, which policymakers increasingly view as essential infrastructure rather than a standalone technology. Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon described AI as a decisive factor for national survival in the coming decade. “Information security has become a prerequisite for the survival of both nations and companies in the AI era,” he said, signaling a tougher stance on governance as AI adoption accelerates. Bae defined 2026 as a turning point for science and technology policy, saying the government will push forward an “AI basic society” in which “all citizens can enjoy the benefits of artificial intelligence.” Rather than focusing only on cutting-edge research, the government is emphasizing practical, solution-oriented AI that directly raises productivity across the economy. The science ministry plans to secure world-class domestic AI models and deploy them across manufacturing, shipbuilding, logistics and other core industries to accelerate digital transformation. AI-based public projects will be expanded so citizens can experience tangible improvements in daily life. “We will promote AI transformation across key industries and expand AI-based livelihood projects so people can feel real change,” Bae said. Nationwide AI education programs, competitions and training initiatives will be expanded to ensure broad participation, while startups and young entrepreneurs will receive targeted support to translate ideas into viable businesses. A central pillar of the strategy is the creation of a “full-stack K-AI ecosystem,” linking semiconductors, software, data, platforms and services into a single value chain. The government plans to accelerate global expansion of Korean AI companies while strengthening the ecosystem that connects chips, infrastructure and applications. Officials say this approach is intended to move Korea beyond its traditional role as a component supplier toward becoming a provider of integrated AI solutions. This direction closely mirrors the private sector’s message. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said AI is already reshaping global industry and will define competitiveness going forward. “AI is no longer a distant future but a reality that has entered deep into our daily lives,” Chey said in his New Year’s message. “The era of AI has only just begun, and the opportunities ahead will be far greater than we can imagine today.” He said SK aims to become a leader in the global AI ecosystem by offering integrated AI solutions rather than isolated technologies. “AI innovation is not limited to semiconductors,” he said, stressing that energy, telecommunications, construction and bio businesses can all serve as foundations for AI-driven value creation. Chey added that successful transformation depends on strengthening core businesses first. “We must solidify the fundamentals of what we already do well and layer AI innovation on top of them to create differentiated value,” he said. As AI adoption accelerates, the government is also tightening its stance on cybersecurity and accountability. Bae warned that cyber threats linked to AI pose structural risks, saying the government would “respond at the national level” to hacking and security breaches. He said corporate leaders will face clearer legal responsibility for security failures, and repeated incidents could result in punitive penalties. The goal, he said, is to ensure that trust and safety become the foundation of AI-driven growth rather than an afterthought. The government plans to expand regionally autonomous R&D budgets and establish AI-based innovation clusters linked to local industries. Large-scale demonstration projects will anchor these hubs, enabling regions to develop sustainable growth engines tailored to their industrial strengths. This aligns with President Lee’s broader vision of moving away from a capital-centric structure toward a more distributed growth model, in which multiple regions serve as engines of innovation. Alongside AI, the government highlighted biotechnology, quantum technology and nuclear fusion as next-generation strategic sectors. A so-called “K-Moonshot” initiative will support long-term, high-risk research aimed at securing core technologies essential for future competitiveness. Bae emphasized that science and technology are central to overcoming Korea’s low-growth trap. “Science and technology are the key tools to unlock our economic potential,” he said, pledging stronger institutional support for basic research, scientists and young talent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 14:37:05

INTERVIEW: Korea confident in AI sovereignty - National AI committee vice chair SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -“The debate over whether sovereign artificial intelligence is even possible has completely shifted. Now the mood is: we can do it. That change in mindset is the most important development so far,” Lim Moon-young, the vice chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, told Aju Business Daily on Dec. 29, 2025. More than 100 days after its launch under President Lee Jae Myung, the National AI Strategy Committee's biggest internal transformation is the growing recognition that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a policy agenda to be discussed, but a national strategy that must be executed. Initial skepticism over whether Korea could realistically pursue “sovereign AI” has eased as plans to secure large-scale computing resources — including hundreds of thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) — have taken shape and as the government’s commitment has become more visible. Officials say confidence has grown both inside and outside government. The committee has elevated AI to a top-tier national agenda and is pushing for a government-wide shift in how policy is coordinated. Its approach includes converting the body into a statutory committee to strengthen authority, applying a so-called “funnel strategy” to compel interministerial cooperation, and drafting a basic AI law centered on infrastructure building and real-world deployment. The ultimate goal is to establish AI as a foundational national infrastructure across industry and society. Below is a Q&A with Lim Moon-young, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee. What stands out most after 100 days of the committee’s work? “The biggest change is confidence — confidence that we can actually do this. At the beginning, there was a lot of doubt: ‘Can we really compete with big tech?’ ‘Is sovereign AI even feasible?’ But that atmosphere has changed completely. As plans such as securing 260,000 GPUs have taken shape, both policymakers and the public have gained confidence in the AI transition. People can now see that the government is serious, and that has changed attitudes,” Lim said. The committee is set to become a statutory body next year. What will change? “Becoming a statutory committee allows us to operate on a more stable footing. In the AI era, every ministry’s work inevitably overlaps, so coordination is essential. This committee is designed as a new organizational model to break down bureaucratic silos and drive cooperation. “Through an AI action plan based on the funnel strategy, we assign clear roles, responsibilities and deadlines to each ministry. Their outcomes then flow back into the committee through a funnel structure that enforces collaboration. We will also introduce evaluation indicators so the process cannot be ignored, and we plan to monitor implementation through a council of chief AI officers centered on AI senior secretary Ha Jung-woo,” he said. Why does South Korea need ‘sovereign AI’? “Sovereign AI should not be misunderstood as a closed or exclusive approach that relies only on domestic products. The core issue is choice and control. If we do not have our own technology, we become vulnerable when overseas companies raise prices or cut off supply. “It’s similar to national defense. Even if we buy fighter jets from the United States, we operate them ourselves. In the same way, we need a flexible strategy that maintains our own models while also using global technologies where appropriate,” Lim said. Startups worry that an AI basic law could stifle innovation. How do you respond? “This should not be framed as a simple choice between regulation and promotion. The real question is whether policy fits our current stage of development. From an AI-native perspective, we are still at a very early phase. We lack sufficient data centers and power infrastructure. “In that situation, leading with regulation would be putting the cart before the horse. The AI basic law should not function as a regulatory law at this stage. It should serve as a foundation for support and promotion, helping us repay what I call the ‘technology debt’ accumulated over 20 years of underinvestment and enabling us to rapidly build AI infrastructure,” he said. How should South Korea address widening knowledge gaps as subscription-based AI services spread? “We are entering an era of what I call ‘knowledge inflation.’ Advanced knowledge should not be accessible only to those who can afford expensive subscriptions. Just as King Sejong created Hangul to democratize knowledge, the core philosophy of the government’s AI basic society is that benefits must be shared by everyone. “Rather than simply distributing AI vouchers, the government can make foundational technologies — such as large language models or vision-language models — available for free or at low cost so startups and small business owners can use them. “For example, a restaurant owner could upload sales data and have AI automatically handle complex tax filings or track health-certificate renewal dates. They could also ask questions like, ‘Most of my customers are in their 40s — what menu item should I add?’ or ‘How should I redesign my interior?’ and receive consulting-level analysis,” Lim said. How can South Korea address power supply constraints linked to an AI-based economy? “The solution is what I call ‘Gyeong-su, hyang-san’ — data in the capital region, computing in the provinces. China processes data generated in its eastern regions using power-rich western regions, and we can take a similar approach. “Data creation will naturally remain concentrated around Seoul, but large-scale training data centers, which consume enormous amounts of electricity, should be located in regions with abundant power supply. Edge centers for inference, where real-time response is crucial, should be located in cities, but they must be carefully managed so they don’t proliferate uncontrollably. “AI itself should help solve this problem by analyzing fluctuations in energy supply by time of day and season, and allocating power more efficiently. Just as Google DeepMind is working on using AI to manage nuclear fusion, the interaction must be two-way: AI improves energy efficiency, and energy sustains AI,” he said. What are the committee’s mid- to long-term goals? “I hope South Korea does not miss this golden window for AI transformation and succeeds in building an independent ‘third zone’ between U.S. and Chinese dominance. We are one of the few countries with a full-stack capability — spanning semiconductors, software, services and data. “Our strengths lie in e-government know-how and world-class manufacturing. Going forward, we plan to expand the committee and place greater emphasis on physical AI as the next strategic frontier. “Beyond industrial development, we also want to ask more fundamental questions: how democracy and social systems should evolve in the AI era, and what kind of identity and governance model Korea should pursue,” Lim said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 14:12:50

Korea's exports hit record $709.7 billion in 2025 as chip shipments surge to all-time high SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports hit an all-time high in 2025, surpassing $700 billion for the first time, driven by record semiconductor shipments despite weakening demand in key overseas markets. According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to $709.7 billion, topping the previous record set in 2024. Average daily exports also reached a historic high of $2.64 billion. Semiconductor exports — the country’s largest item — climbed 22.2 percent to $173.4 billion, setting another annual record as global AI investment pushed up memory prices. Automotive exports edged up 1.7 percent to $72 billion, also a record despite tariff-related declines in U.S.-bound shipments. Other major gainers included bio/health (+7.9%), ships (+24.9%), computers (+4.5%), and wireless devices (+0.4%). Exports of agricultural and fisheries goods, cosmetics and electrical equipment all reached historic highs amid growing global interest in K-food and K-beauty. By contrast, petroleum products (-9.6%), petrochemicals (-11.4%), and steel (-9.0%) declined due to lower oil prices and global oversupply. Shipments to China — Korea’s biggest market — fell 1.7 percent, while exports to the United States dropped 3.8 percent, weighed down by tariffs on Korean automobiles and machinery. Exports to ASEAN rose 7.4 percent, to the EU 3.0 percent, and to CIS countries 18.6 percent. Total imports were nearly flat at $631.7 billion, with reduced energy purchases offsetting increased imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. As a result, Korea posted a $78 billion trade surplus for 2025. In December alone, exports grew 13.4 percent to a monthly record $69.6 billion, marking the 11th straight month of year-on-year gains. Chip exports in December surged 43.2 percent to a historic monthly high of $20.8 billion. Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan said Korea must use the momentum to upgrade export competitiveness, citing “manufacturing AI transformation” and accelerated investment in advanced sectors including AI semiconductors. 2026-01-01 11:50:25

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pledges people-driven policies, growth and stability in New Year address SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed on Thursday to steer national policy based on the will of the people, outlining a government agenda centered on growth, stability and peace in his New Year’s address. Kim said the administration, launched last year “with a heavy heart” amid concerns about a crisis in democracy, is beginning 2026 with renewed confidence in economic recovery. “This year will mark the first step toward a greater leap forward for South Korea,” he said. He emphasized easing public anxiety and stabilizing state affairs, calling for “a complete clearing out of insurrection” and measures to prevent similar events by reinforcing democratic foundations. Kim said South Korea is at a critical moment as global interest in the “K-brand” accelerates, adding that the country must use the momentum to modernize its industrial structure and strengthen competitiveness. The government, he said, will pursue growth through an “ABCDE” strategy encompassing AI, biotech, cultural content, the defense industry and energy — while ensuring that the gains are shared broadly across society. He also pledged stronger safety measures to reduce industrial accidents and suicide, and support for vulnerable groups, including economically struggling youth and neighbors in need. On inter-Korean affairs, Kim said South Korea’s “bigger leap” is possible only on a foundation of peace, adding that the government will “walk steadily on the path toward peace” on the Korean Peninsula. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 10:25:55

PHOTOS: South Korea greets 2025 with the first sunrise SEOUL, January 1 (AJP) — The Year of Byeongo (the Year of the Red Horse) has begun, marking the start of 2026. On the first day of the new year, most regions across the country are expecting clear skies and weather, which makes watching the sunrise more enjoyable. However, the morning temperature in Seoul is forecast to plunge to minus 11 degrees Celsius, bringing frigid weather. 2026-01-01 10:08:48

Gangnam Media winter festa illuminates Seoul streets SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - The "2025 Gangnam Media Winter Festa" opened on December 19 in the G20 Square and K-POP Square near exits 5 and 6 of Samseong Station in Gangnam District, Seoul. Gangnam District describes the event as "an urban festival combining spectacular media technology with warm winter sentiments." The festival features immersive media shows utilizing 17 large LED displays across seven locations in four buildings, incorporating light, sound, and interactive elements. The festival runs for 16 days through January 3, 2026. 2025-12-31 17:45:12

SK Group recruits former vice industry minister to head Chinese operations SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) -South Korea's second-largest conglomerate SK Group has appointed Park Sung-taek, former vice minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, to head its Chinese operations. Park, a career bureaucrat with more than 30 years of experience at the, stepped down in June following the launch of the new government under President Lee Jae Myung. Over his career, he held a series of senior posts, including director of the power industry division, chief of staff to the minister, head of the trade policy division, and posts overseeing investment policy, energy industry policy, industrial policy and trade security policy. He led tariff talks since the launch of the Trump administration, giving him firsthand experience navigating trade disputes. The recruitment is seen as SK's strategic choice amid deepening U.S.-China tensions. SK hynix has DRAM and NAND flash production plants in Wuxi and Dalian, making semiconductors the group’s core business in China. The sector sits at the center of U.S.-China technology competition and is highly sensitive to shifts in the global trade environment. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-31 17:21:37