[[UPDATE]] Police Sweep Kakao building following bomb threat; No explosives found SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Authorities in South Korea on Monday conducted a large-scale search operation at tech giant Kakao's office building in Pangyo, south of Seoul, following a bomb threat report, but no explosive devices were discovered. Police said a joint team of approximately 70 officials — including police officers, firefighters, and military personnel — was deployed to the site, but no unusual or suspicious findings were reported during the operation. Access restrictions to the Kakao building were subsequently lifted, police said. Kakao said it alerted police early on Monday after the threat appeared on its customer service website. In response, the company instructed all employees at the Pangyo office to work remotely as a precaution. The facility houses Kakao’s headquarters staff as well as employees from key subsidiaries, including Kakao Pay and Kakao Healthcare. “After receiving a bomb threat through our customer service center, we prioritized employee safety and shifted all staff to remote work while taking necessary safety measures,” Kakao said in a statement. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 13:47:05

Korea's ex-president brooded on martial law scheme more than a year before acting out SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) -Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol brooded over a scheme to invoke martial law to “eliminate political opponents and consolidate power” before October 2023, more than a year before the stunning decree was declared in December 2024, a special counsel investigation claimed Monday. The finding was detailed by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk, who led a 180-day probe into allegations of insurrection and foreign collusion surrounding the December 3, 2024, martial law episode. Cho’s team concluded that Yoon sought to use military force to remove political opponents and monopolize power, contradicting the former president’s reasoning that the move was aimed at defending the nation from so-called “anti-state forces.” “Yoon Suk Yeol and others intended to suspend political activity and the National Assembly’s functions through military force, and to seize legislative and judicial authority via an emergency legislative body,” Cho said at a press briefing in southern Seoul. “They framed normal parliamentary activity as anti-state conduct to justify the declaration.” According to the investigation, Yoon repeatedly referred to his “emergency powers” from the early days of his presidency, which began in May 2022 and ended in April 2025 after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment. At a dinner with senior figures of the then-ruling People Power Party in November 2022, Yoon said he possessed emergency authority and would “wipe them all out,” even at the risk of being shot, investigators said, citing testimonies. Former senior officials from investigative agencies also told the team they had heard as early as mid-2022 that Yoon was considering imposing martial law after the next general election. Preparations accelerated ahead of a military leadership reshuffle in October 2023, when Yoon and his aides discussed whether to impose martial law before or after the personnel changes, the team said. Several officers later implicated in the case — including former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung and former Army Chief of Staff Park An-su — were promoted to key posts at the time. Notes recovered from a notebook belonging to Noh Sang-won, a former intelligence commander described by investigators as one of the “designers” of the plan, mirrored those personnel arrangements, according to the findings. The investigation concluded that Yoon and his allies aimed to establish what prosecutors described as an unchecked authoritarian system, using the military to control the judiciary and an emergency legislative body to replace the National Assembly. As evidence, the team cited written directives ordering the cutoff of National Assembly funding and budgeting for an emergency legislative body, power and water shutdowns at media outlets, the blockade of opposition party headquarters, lists of politicians to be arrested found in military commanders’ notes, and handwritten entries calling for the collapse of “all left-wing forces” ahead of the next presidential election. The special counsel also concluded that Yoon sought to manufacture conditions justifying martial law by provoking a military response from North Korea through what investigators described as “abnormal military operations.” Internal military notes referred to the need for a situation “beyond police control” and for “offensive measures to create enemy conditions,” the team said. South Korean forces subsequently deployed drones carrying leaflets over Pyongyang, but the plan failed when North Korea did not respond militarily. The probe further found that Yoon attempted to portray the ruling party’s defeat in the April 2024 general election as the result of electoral fraud orchestrated by “anti-state forces,” using that narrative to justify suspending parliamentary functions. Former intelligence officials assigned dozens of agents to detain election commission staff under martial law, investigators said. Equipment including cable ties, blindfolds, clubs and hammers was prepared, and military personnel briefly occupied the commission’s server room. No arrests were carried out after parliament swiftly voted to lift the decree. The special counsel team — comprising 238 prosecutors, investigators and support staff — indicted 27 people in total, including Yoon, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. At least 24 were indicted on insurrection-related charges, according to the team.Yoon was indicted three times by the special counsel on charges including obstruction of justice, aiding an enemy and perjury, in addition to earlier indictments for leading an insurrection and abuse of power. On conviction, insurrection carries a possible sentence of life imprisonment or death under South Korean law. Several senior officials were re-arrested or had detention periods extended, while arrest warrants for others were denied by the courts. A separate special counsel investigation into corruption allegations involving Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is ongoing. Investigators said there was no evidence linking her to the martial law conspiracy. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 13:46:51

HOT STOCK: Korea Zinc soars on reports of $6.8 bn US smelter investment SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Shares of Korea Zinc Co., currently under a hostile takeover bid, jumped more than 11 percent Monday amid reports that the company is considering a 10 trillion won ($6.77 billion) investment to build a smelter in the United States. Korea Zinc shares rose as high as 1,914,000 won and closed at 1,592,000 won, up 4.9 percent from previous finish. Korea Zinc, the world's largest non-ferrous smelting company, is holding a board meeting and is expected to announce its decision later Monday following a vote by directors. According to industry sources, the company is pursuing a joint venture in the United States, inviting the U.S. government and local companies as partners. Washington reportedly approached Korea Zinc as part of its efforts to secure strategic mineral supplies following China's move in October to weaponize rare-earth exports. The plan has drawn strong opposition from Young Poong Group and MBK Partners, which are pursuing a hostile takeover of Korea Zinc. The two investors criticized the U.S. investment plan, arguing that it "goes against national interests by compromising the zinc business to defend Chairman Choi Yun Birm's personal management rights." They warned that the project could hollow out South Korea's domestic smelting industry and heighten the risk of leaks involving core technologies. Under the proposed structure, the U.S. Commerce and Defense Departments, along with American defense contractors, would invest about $690 million in the joint venture. If Korea Zinc issues new shares to the JV, the U.S. partners are expected to acquire roughly a 10 percent stake. The remaining 7 trillion won ($4.74 billion) would be financed equally by the U.S. government and JPMorgan, through loans guaranteed by Korea Zinc, according to the sources. If approved, the deal would position Korea Zinc as a key partner in Washington's push to build a rare-earth supply chain independent of China. Direct equity participation by the U.S. government in a Korean private company would mark the formal launch of a "strategic resources alliance" between Seoul and Washington aimed at countering China’s dominance in global rare-earth production. Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun Birm was included in the business delegation accompanying President Lee Jae Myung during his state visit to the United States in August. 2025-12-15 11:29:25

Nearly 90% of South Koreans use streaming services SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Nearly 90 percent of South Koreans use online streaming services and platforms, with an average of 2.1 subscriptions per person, according to a survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency. The survey, based on face-to-face interviews with 6,554 people conducted over three months starting in July, found that 54.2 percent of subscribers were paid users. YouTube led with 85.4 percent of users, followed by Netflix at 47.6 percent, Coupang Play at 18.9 percent, and TVING at 13.1 percent. Smartphones were the most popular devices for accessing the services (91.7 percent), followed by TVs (31.5 percent) and PCs (10.6 percent). Average viewing times were 101 minutes on weekdays and 128 minutes on weekends. Users spent an average of 10,909 Korean won (about US$7.60) per month on paid services and were willing to pay up to 14,076 won. But their preferred subscription price was 7,939 won, reflecting a cost-saving trend, with 64.7 percent of users taking advantage of discount offers. Among Netflix and TVING users, 34.8 percent said they could tolerate ad-supported options in exchange for lower subscription fees, and 87.3 percent of them were willing to continue using such plans. But users of YouTube Premium for ad-free viewing rose to 20.6 percent, up 6 percentage points from a year earlier. About 58.6 percent of respondents said they watch shorts and other brief videos because they don't take up much time and allow them to focus on the most engaging parts. Among these viewers, 33.3 percent clicked on in-video shopping links, and 31.4 percent went on to make purchases. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 11:05:41

Korea Zinc weighs US strategic mineral smelter: reports SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Korea Zinc is considering building a strategic mineral smelter in the southeastern United States, according to media reports, on Monday. The world’s largest non-ferrous metal smelting company convened an emergency board meeting at its Seoul headquarters to discuss the potential project, which could involve investment from the U.S. Department of Defense and local defense-related investors, according to industry sources. The proposed smelter would position Korea Zinc as a key partner in the U.S.-led push to diversify rare earth and critical mineral supplies, following China’s tightening of export controls on key materials. Shares of Korea Zinc rose more than 10 percent to 1,672,000 won as of 10:55 a.m. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 10:57:10

PHOTOS: Korean-born diplomat represents Ghana SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Ghana's newly appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Kojo Choi, officially commenced his diplomatic mission on Dec. 11, presenting his credentials to President Lee Jae Myung. Ambassador Choi, whose birth name is reported as Choi Seung Eub, is a naturalized Ghanaian citizen and a successful businessman, marking a significant first as the first Korean-born diplomat to serve as an African nation's ambassador to South Korea. The ambassador moved to Ghana as a middle school student with his missionary father. He subsequently completed his education and settled there, where he built a successful career in business before his appointment. 2025-12-15 10:44:22

Doosan Enerbility signs steam turbine supply deal for Qatar plant SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Doosan Enerbility said on Monday it has signed a contract with Samsung C&T to supply key equipment for a power plant in Qatar, in a deal valued at about 1 trillion won ($730 million). The project involves the construction of a 2,400-megawatt gas-fired power plant located around 10 kilometers southeast of Doha. Under the agreement, Doosan Enerbility will supply two 430-megawatt steam turbines, generators and related auxiliary equipment, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2029. The contract marks Doosan Enerbility’s second project win in Qatar this year. In March, the company secured a 290 billion won peaking unit project in the country. It has also won additional gas power contracts in Saudi Arabia, including the Ghazlan 2 and Hajar expansion projects, with a combined value of about 340 billion won. Doosan Enerbility said it is strengthening its presence in the Middle East by expanding deliveries of steam turbines and generators as regional demand for gas-fired power generation grows. “Our continued success in Qatar, along with expanding contracts across the Middle East, reinforces our position in the global gas-fired power market,” said Son Seung-woo, head of Doosan Enerbility’s Power Service business group. “We aim to further enhance our competitiveness by offering optimized solutions based on the reliability of our products.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 10:23:22

Korean AI models score poorly in college exam math vs global rivals: study SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) -South Korea's homegrown artificial intelligence language models significantly underperformed compared with leading international counterparts in solving college entrance exam–level math problems, according to a study by a research team led by Professor Kim Jong-rak at Sogang University. The study tested five major Korean-language AI models against five global models, including ChatGPT, using math and essay questions drawn from university entrance examinations. Results showed a wide performance gap between domestic and international systems. Among the Korean models, only Upstage’s Solar Pro-2 scored above 20 points, achieving 58 points. Other domestic models clustered in the 20-point range, with NCSoft’s lightweight Llama Barco 8B Instruct scoring just 2 points. By contrast, international models recorded scores ranging from 76 to 92 points. The evaluation consisted of 50 questions per model: 20 high-difficulty math problems covering common mathematics, probability and statistics, calculus, and geometry, as well as 30 essay-style questions sourced from South Korean, Indian and Japanese university entrance exams. The Korean models tested were Upstage’s Solar Pro-2, LG AI Research’s Exaone 4.0.1, Naver’s HCX-007, SK Telecom’s A.X 4.0 (72B), and NCSoft’s Llama Barco 8B Instruct. International models included GPT-5.1, Gemini 3 Pro Preview, Claude Opus 4.5, Grok 4.1 Fast, and DeepSeek V3.2. Even when allowed to use Python-based tools to enhance computational accuracy, Korean models continued to struggle. In a separate evaluation using 100 custom-designed questions, international models scored between 82.8 and 90 points, while Korean models ranged from 7.1 to 53.3 points. When models were given up to three attempts to solve each problem, Grok achieved a perfect score, while other international models reached 90 points. Among Korean systems, Solar Pro-2 scored 70 points and Exaone reached 60 points. HCX-007, A.X 4.0, and Llama Barco 8B Instruct scored 40, 30 and 20 points, respectively. “We conducted this test in response to growing questions about how domestic AI models perform on entrance exam–level problems,” Professor Kim said. “The results show clearly that Korean models are still significantly behind global frontrunners, particularly in complex reasoning and mathematics.” The findings add to concerns within South Korea’s AI industry over gaps in advanced reasoning capabilities, despite strong investment and rapid model development in recent years. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 10:19:14

South Korea's HJ Shipbuilding secures first US Navy MRO contract SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - South Korea's HJ Shipbuilding has signed its first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract with the U.S. Navy, marking its entry into the shipbuilding cooperation project between South Korea and the United States, the company said on Monday. The contract covers mid-level maintenance of the USNS Amelia Earhart, a 40,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship operated under the U.S. Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command and Military Sealift Command. Commissioned in 2008, the USNS Amelia Earhart supports U.S. Navy operations by delivering up to 6,000 tons of ammunition, food and cargo, as well as about 2,400 tons of fuel. The vessel, named after pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, is 210 meters long and 32 meters wide, with a top speed of 20 knots. HJ Shipbuilding said it will begin maintenance work at its Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan in January and aims to redeliver the ship to the U.S. Navy by the end of March. The company described the contract as a key step toward entering the U.S. Navy’s MRO market, which has high entry barriers but offers strong long-term returns. The MASGA project, along with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Regional Sustainment Framework policy, is strengthening defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and boosting expectations within South Korea’s defense industry, analysts say. HJ Shipbuilding has been preparing to enter overseas MRO markets since 2024, building on its experience as South Korea’s first marine defense contractor since 1974. Earlier this year, the company applied for a Master Ship Repair Agreement licence and underwent a site inspection in September to assess its facilities for U.S. Navy maintenance work. “This contract recognizes our maintenance capabilities and technical expertise on the global stage,” Chief Executive Yoo Sang-chul said. “We will meet the U.S. Navy’s delivery schedules and quality standards, and build long-term trust based on our 50 years of experience.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 10:04:08

South Korea's LS Cable considers Virginia site for rare earth magnet factory SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - South Korea's LS Cable said Monday it is considering building a rare earth permanent magnet factory in the United States. The company is currently reviewing Chesapeake, Virginia, as a potential site for the investment and is in talks with state authorities. Rare earth permanent magnets are critical components in advanced industries, including electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense systems such as fighter jets. China accounts for about 85 percent of global production, while manufacturing capacity in the United States remains limited, making supply chain diversification a growing priority. The proposed factory would likely be located near LS Cable’s submarine cable plant currently under construction in the United States, according to the company. The facility would aim to supply major automotive and electronics manufacturers. “If realized, this project would expand our business from cables into strategic materials and strengthen our position in the global mobility supply chain,” an LS Cable spokesman said. LS Cable is seeking to build an integrated value chain covering rare earth oxide procurement, metalization and magnet production. Through its subsidiary LS Eco Energy, the company is securing supplies of refined rare earth oxides from Vietnam and Australia, it said. The company is also considering producing high-grade copper materials in the United States. With existing supply ties to automakers such as General Motors and Hyundai Motor, LS Cable said the addition of rare earth magnet production could enhance its competitiveness in key mobility-related materials. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 09:53:45