Coupang user numbers rebound slightly despite massive data breach affecting 33.7 million accounts SEOUL, December 14 (AJP) - South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has seen its user base recover and expand modestly despite a colossal data breach that compromised 33.7 million accounts, underscoring the powerful grip the company maintains over the nation's online shoppers. Weekly active users on Coupang's main shopping app reached 29.9 million during the first week of December, up about 4.1 percent from 28.8 million a month earlier, according to data from retail analytics firm WiseApp Retail on Sunday. The company's affiliated services also posted gains. Coupang Play, the firm's video streaming platform, drew 3.9 million weekly users, a 4 percent increase that kept it in second place among over-the-top services behind Netflix. Coupang Eats, its food delivery arm, climbed 3 percent to nearly 8 million users. Industry analysts attribute the resilience to a so-called lock-in effect, where Coupang's integrated ecosystem spanning shopping, streaming, and delivery makes it difficult for customers to switch to rival platforms. A survey by research firm Embrain Trend Monitor found that 71.9 percent of 1,000 adult respondents said they would struggle to restore trust in the company even if it offered compensation. Yet more than half, at 55.3 percent, said they would likely continue using the service out of convenience. The rebound marks a stark reversal from the user exodus seen in the days following the initial confirmation of the breach, which had led several industry observers to forecast a gradual downfall for the Korean e-commerce giant. 2025-12-14 09:53:45

"Like deciphering ancient script", Korea's English exam stuns Western media SEOUL, December 14 (AJP) -South Korea’s notoriously punishing college entrance exam has once again drawn global attention—this time not only for its difficulty, but for the language used by Western media to describe it. Following widespread backlash over this year’s English section of the Suneung, the country’s high-stakes college entrance exam, the head of the testing authority resigned, acknowledging that the questions were excessively difficult. The episode quickly became international news, with outlets such as the BBC and The New York Times portraying the exam as a symbol of extreme academic pressure in South Korea. The BBC described the English test as being “like deciphering an ancient script,” echoing complaints from students who said the dense passages and abstract concepts were nearly impenetrable. The broadcaster highlighted questions based on Immanuel Kant’s philosophy of law and a technical passage on video game perception, noting that some students called the exam “insane.” The New York Times focused on the institutional fallout. It reported that Oh Seung-geol, head of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), resigned after issuing a public apology, admitting that the English test “did not meet the appropriate difficulty level.” Just over 3 percent of test takers earned the top English grade this year, down from about 6 percent the previous year. For the BBC, the figure illustrated how the test crossed the line from rigorous to unreasonable. For the Times, it reinforced longstanding criticism that exam difficulty often undermines government pledges to curb so-called “killer questions” and reduce reliance on private tutoring. Oh Seung-geol, head of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), which administers the exam, stepped down after widespread criticism from students, parents and educators. “We sincerely accept the criticism that the difficulty of the questions was inappropriate,” Oh said, acknowledging that the test “fell short” despite undergoing multiple rounds of review. The controversy centered on dense, abstract passages that many students found unnecessarily convoluted. Among the most daunting were questions drawing on Immanuel Kant’s philosophy of law and a passage using technical language from game design theory. One widely discussed question, worth three points, asked students to determine where a sentence about “the virtual bodily space of the avatar” should be inserted into a paragraph describing perception in video games. The passage was later identified as an excerpt from Game Feel, a game design book by Steve Swink—used without broader context. Online criticism was swift. One Reddit user described the writing as “fancy smart talking,” while another called it “awful writing that doesn’t convey a concept well.” Held every November, the Suneung is an eight-hour marathon that shapes not only university admissions but also future job prospects, income levels and even marriage outcomes. Students answer around 200 questions across Korean, mathematics, English, and other subjects. Since the Suneung was introduced in 1993, only four of its 12 chief administrators have completed their full three-year terms. While most resignations followed factual errors in questions, Oh is the first to step down solely over excessive difficulty—underscoring just how politically and socially sensitive the exam remains. 2025-12-14 08:20:42

Colombia's Gripen deal raises questions beyond fighter jets Colombia’s recent decision to acquire 17 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden’s Saab for €3.1 billion was officially framed as a long-overdue modernization of its aging Kfir fleet. Yet the controversy surrounding the deal suggests that the issue extends far beyond replacing obsolete aircraft. The Colombian government insists the selection process was transparent. Still, key details remain unclear. It is not publicly known whether the contract includes weapon systems, pilot and maintenance training, or long-term logistics support. Nor is it clear how infrastructure-related projects—such as water supply improvements or energy-transition initiatives reportedly linked to the deal—are structured or financed. This opacity has fueled confusion over the contract’s true value. While both the government and Saab cite a €3.1 billion figure, media reports converting the amount into U.S. dollars or Colombian pesos present significantly different totals. The lack of a clear breakdown has left the public questioning what exactly Colombia is paying for—and why. Unsurprisingly, the issue has spilled into the political arena. A presidential candidate has openly challenged the deal’s transparency, raising allegations of possible corruption and even calling for a U.S. investigation. Such reactions reflect not merely partisan posturing but a deeper erosion of public trust. As a result, the Gripen controversy is likely to outlive the current administration and resurface under the next government. Notably absent from the negotiations were South Korean fighter jets. This exclusion was not driven by technical deficiencies. Rather, Colombia appears to have prioritized immediate political and strategic calculations over historical military relationships—including South Korea’s participation in the Korean War, which once formed part of bilateral defense goodwill. Meanwhile, neighboring Peru is preparing to replace its own aging fighter fleet with up to 24 new aircraft, creating a potential opening for South Korea. Yet local reporting suggests Korean models are not currently a leading option, while Sweden’s Gripen continues to feature prominently in discussions. The implications are broader than any single procurement decision. Fighter jet exports are never purely commercial transactions. They involve diplomacy, industrial cooperation, long-term maintenance commitments, and—above all—political trust. In Latin America, where public scrutiny of defense spending is intense, transparency in contract structures is not optional; it is foundational. Colombia’s experience, coupled with Peru’s pending decision, presents a test for South Korea. Success in the region will require more than competitive aircraft or attractive pricing. It will demand a shift from a product-centered export strategy to one grounded in sustained relationships, institutional trust, and political credibility. Author’s Background ▲ Latin America expert (former diplomat, honorary professor at Trujillo National University) ▲ Global ambassador, National Railroad Corporation ▲ Director, Latin American Railroad Economic Research Institute * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-14 07:54:15

Gwangju library construction site death toll in Korea confirmed at 4 SEOUL, December 14 (AJP) -The final missing worker in a deadly construction accident at a public library site in Gwangju was found dead Saturday, bringing the total death toll to four, authorities said. The body of a 58-year-old worker, identified only by his surname Kim, was recovered at around 11:20 a.m., two days after part of the structure collapsed during construction. Earlier Saturday, another worker, surnamed Ko, was found dead at around 1:03 a.m. Two others were confirmed dead on Thursday, the day of the accident. All four victims were Korean nationals and technicians employed by a subcontractor involved in the project, officials said. Authorities believe the collapse began while workers were pouring concrete onto the roof of the two-story structure. The upper section reportedly gave way, causing the ground floors to cave into the underground levels. The accident occurred at 1:58 p.m. Thursday at the site of the Gwangju Metropolitan Library, which is under construction on the former site of the Sangmu waste incineration plant in Seo-gu, Gwangju, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul. The project, led by the Gwangju metropolitan government, carries a total budget of 51.6 billion won ($37 million). The building is designed to span two basement levels and two above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 11,286 square meters. Construction was about 72 percent complete at the time of the collapse. Rescue operations mobilized more than 1,000 personnel from fire departments, police, and related agencies. About 230 pieces of equipment, including life-detection devices and thermal imaging cameras, were deployed, along with nine search-and-rescue dogs. Police and labor authorities have launched a full-scale investigation, including a raid on the headquarters of the project’s main contractor on Saturday. Investigators seized construction documents and accident records to determine whether proper safety measures were in place, particularly regarding the method used to pour concrete without adequate structural supports. “We will examine work orders, construction methods and safety management systems based on the seized evidence,” an official at the Gwangju Employment and Labor Office said. “We aim to thoroughly investigate the structural causes of this accident, which resulted in multiple casualties, and hold those responsible accountable.” Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Friday that the government plans to push for a special law to strengthen construction site safety and impose tougher penalties for fatal workplace accidents, citing a rise in deadly incidents nationwide. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-14 07:48:02

Tiffany and Byun Yo-han make latest K-pop superstar couple SEOUL, December 13 (AJP) - Korean-American singer-actress Tiffany Young may become the first member of 18-year-old K-pop girl group, to get married after actor Byun Yo-han confirmed the two were dating with marriage in mind. Byun’s agency, Team Hope, said Monday that “the two actors are currently dating with marriage in mind.” While no wedding date has been finalized, the agency added that the couple wishes to share the news with fans first once plans are decided. “We ask for your warm support and blessings for their future together,” the agency said. The confirmation follows earlier media reports suggesting the couple may be planning a wedding as early as next year. Team Hope clarified that there is no fixed schedule at this stage. The two are believed to have grown close while working together on Disney+’s Korean original series Uncle Samsik, which was released last year. Their professional collaboration reportedly developed into a private romantic relationship. Byun, born in 1986, made his acting debut in 2011 and has since established himself as one of Korea’s most respected character actors. His notable works include the hit drama Misaeng (2014), the historical series Mr. Sunshine (2018), and films such as The Book of Fish (2021), Voice (2021), and Hansan: Rising Dragon. Tiffany Young, born in 1989, debuted in 2007 as a member of Girls’ Generation, one of K-pop’s most influential girl groups. After ending her contract with SM Entertainment in 2017, she expanded her career into acting, appearing in dramas such as Reborn Rich (2022) and Uncle Samsik (2024), while also earning acclaim in musical theater, including her role in Chicago. If the marriage goes ahead, Tiffany would become the first member of Girls’ Generation to marry, marking a significant milestone for the group, which has had no married members throughout its 18-year history. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-13 12:01:49

South Korea, Japan join U.S.-led 'Pax Silica' alliance to secure AI chip supply chains SEOUL, December 13 (AJP) -South Korea and Japan on Saturday joined a new U.S.-led strategic grouping that goes beyond the so-called “Chip 4” alliance, bringing together the core microchip and artificial intelligence supply chain — from critical minerals and energy to chipmaking equipment, design and advanced manufacturing — across the Asia-Pacific and allied economies. The initiative, branded Pax Silica, reflects Washington’s growing push to reinforce a trusted technology bloc amid mounting concerns that China could weaponize its dominance over key materials essential to semiconductor and AI chip production. According to the U.S. State Department factsheet, inaugural meeting was held Saturday in Washington D.C. with officials from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Australia — countries that collectively host many of the world’s most advanced semiconductor, AI, equipment and infrastructure firms. South Korea is home to global memory chip leaders Samsung Electronics and SK hynix; Japan supplies essential chipmaking materials, precision components and equipment; the Netherlands hosts ASML, the world’s sole producer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines required for advanced-node manufacturing; Israel is a hub for semiconductor design, cybersecurity and AI software; the United Kingdom plays a central role in chip architecture and advanced research; Singapore serves as a regional manufacturing, logistics and data-center hub; the United Arab Emirates is emerging as a major investor in AI infrastructure and energy-intensive computing; and Australia provides critical mineral resources vital to semiconductor and battery production. Seoul's foreign ministry did not issue a separate statement on the alliance, a low profile reflecting its awkwardness towards the hidden political agenda. Notably absent is India, despite its rising profile in semiconductor design, electronics manufacturing and critical mineral sourcing, underscoring unresolved frictions in U.S.–India relations under the Trump and Modi administrations. Unlike Chip 4, earlier supply-chain coordination efforts focused narrowly on fabrication or export controls, Pax Silica is designed as an end-to-end framework spanning the entire technology stack — from upstream mineral refining and energy inputs to semiconductor design, advanced packaging, AI computing infrastructure and logistics. The State Department described Pax Silica as a “secure, resilient and innovation-driven silicon supply chain” initiative rooted in cooperation among trusted partners, with the explicit aim of reducing coercive dependencies while enabling large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence. While the department did not name China directly, the timing and scope of the initiative coincide with growing alarm in Washington and allied capitals over Beijing’s tightening export controls on rare earth elements and other materials critical to military, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. China accounts for more than 70 percent of global rare-earth mining and processing capacity, a concentration that U.S. officials increasingly view as a strategic vulnerability in an AI-driven economy. U.S. officials framed Pax Silica as part of a broader shift in economic statecraft, where secure supply chains, trusted technology and resilient infrastructure are increasingly seen as pillars of national power and long-term growth. The initiative responds to rising demand from U.S. partners for deeper coordination on technology and economic security, the recognition that AI will reorganize global value creation, and the need to protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from undue access or control by countries of concern. “AI is reorganizing the world economy,” the State Department said, noting that economic value will increasingly flow through all layers of the AI supply chain — driving demand for semiconductors, energy, advanced manufacturing, data centers, transportation logistics and new markets yet to be created. The name “Pax Silica” draws on the Latin word pax, meaning peace and stability, paired with silica, the compound refined into silicon — the foundation of modern computing chips. U.S. officials likened the concept to earlier geopolitical orders such as Pax Americana, positioning Pax Silica as an economic and technological framework for an AI-driven era. Under Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez Helberg directed U.S. diplomats in Washington and overseas to operationalize the summit’s outcomes by identifying infrastructure projects and coordinating economic security practices across missions, the department said. 2025-12-13 09:04:48

Year-end office drinking binges quietly disappear in Korea SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - December used to mean one thing at Korean companies: mandatory year-end dinners, overflowing soju bottles and long nights that spilled into second and third rounds. This winter, that ritual is quietly fading. Rising dining costs and MZ workers' allergy to after-work obligations have thinned corporate calendars, leaving December unusually light — and restaurants unusually empty. At a fried chicken pub near Gwanghwamun, the year-end peak barely registers. On a recent Friday night, a staff member said the owner hadn't even come in. Bookings were that thin. In Myeongdong, Kim, who runs a samgyeopsal (pork barbecue) restaurant, said it doesn't feel like year-end at all. "By early December, these streets are usually so crowded you can barely move," he said, gesturing outside. "But look — it's empty." Next door, the story is the same. "Business is down from last winter," an employee said. "And it's not just restaurants. Even people in real estate say it's slow." Inflation has taken much of the cheer out of the season. According to Statistics Korea, consumer prices rose 2.4 percent year on year in November to 117.2 (2020=100). While housing and public service costs stayed relatively stable, personal service prices climbed 3 percent, with dining-out prices up 2.8 percent — enough to make another round of grilled pork feel like a luxury. The pressure is showing in survival rates. The National Tax Service says the three-year survival rate for 100 major livelihood industries, including food service, has slipped to 52.3 percent, meaning fewer than half of new businesses make it past their third birthday. The figure has been falling steadily since 2022, a sign of cooling domestic demand. But what's happening on the ground is not just about prices. It's also about culture. Company dinners — once treated as an extension of work itself — are losing their grip. A nationwide survey by market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor of 1,000 salaried workers aged 19 to 59 shows how sharply attitudes have shifted since the pandemic. Nearly eight in 10 respondents (79.2 percent) said the overall workplace atmosphere now leans toward avoiding company dinners. Even when they do happen, they tend to end early: 76.2 percent said gatherings wrap up faster than before, and 57.5 percent said evening drinking sessions have increasingly been replaced by lunch-time meals. For many workers, that's a relief. More than 70 percent said the stress of attending company dinners has eased, while 63.9 percent said they feel less pressure — or guilt — about skipping them altogether. Not everyone is celebrating. Regret over the decline in company dinners is strongest among older workers and senior managers. While 60.5 percent of executives in their 60s said they miss the tradition, only 41.1 percent of entry-level employees felt the same. And despite the new "voluntary" label, social pressure hasn't disappeared. Six in 10 respondents (60.7 percent) said that while attendance is technically optional, they still feel they have little choice. Lower-ranking employees, in particular, worry that skipping dinners could still carry consequences. If dinners must happen, many workers now favor a new rule of thumb: "119" — a tongue-in-cheek nod to Korea's emergency fire number. One drink, one round, and home by 9 p.m. Park, 27, who works in the public sector in Seoul, puts it bluntly. "I really don't want to go," she said. "If we have to meet, lunch is enough — and it should be during work hours." Lee Chun-ae, 57, who works at a tax office in Seoul, agrees, with limits. "Once every three months is plenty," she said. "And if there is a dinner, it should end after the first round." For restaurants, the quiet December is painful. For many workers, it feels like progress — proof that the era of endless year-end drinking may finally be over. 2025-12-12 18:30:42

Lee pushes for speedy construction of presidential office in Sejong SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday expressed hope for the speedy construction of a new presidential office in the administrative city of Sejong, scheduled for completion by 2030, saying he wants to "retire from there." Speaking at a briefing by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Lee expressed hope to expedite its timeline if possible, saying, "Otherwise, I would barely be able to use it." During his election campaign earlier this year, he suggested that he would first move to the current presidential office in Yongsan, then to Cheong Wa Dae, and eventually relocate to Sejong, where most ministerial offices and other government agencies have been moved since 2012 as part of efforts to promote balanced regional development. Kang Ju-yeop, in charge of the construction project, said the current plan requires two years for design and two years for construction, admitting the difficulty of meeting the 2030 target. Lee then clarified that he was simply expressing his wish to expedite the project, cautioning against cutting corners. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-12 18:01:52

World AI Film Festival to debut in Seoul in 2026 SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival will make its Seoul debut in March 2026, bringing together artificial intelligence technology and film as part of its expanding global network. Content planning firm Vision Culture said it will host the World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 (WAIFF Seoul 2026) on March 6 and 7, 2026, at Lotte World Tower in southern Seoul. The event will be held with official sponsor Lotte and media partner The Korea Herald. WAIFF is an international, network-based film festival that explores the artistic convergence of cinema and artificial intelligence. Founded by France-based Institut EuropIA, the festival has grown into a global platform with editions held in France, Brazil, Japan, China and South Korea. Each regional edition runs its own competition and jury while remaining linked through a shared international creative community. The inaugural WAIFF was held in April 2025 in Nice, near Cannes, attracting more than 1,500 submissions from 85 countries. About 200 industry professionals and more than 1,000 audience members attended the first edition. Following that launch, Seoul was selected as the festival’s Asian premiere host city for 2026. Cities confirmed to host WAIFF editions in 2026 include Sao Paulo, Kyoto, Wuxi and Seoul, with the Seoul event marking the first WAIFF edition in Asia. WAIFF Seoul 2026 will run a full competition program focused on short-form works created using generative AI technologies. Submissions opened on October 15 through the official website and include four categories: AI short films, AI short series, AI advertising and youth AI films. All entries must involve video works produced using generative AI. In addition to the competition, the festival will feature workshops, panel discussions, ethics forums, and industry exchange sessions covering AI-based content production, education, and collaboration. The jury and honorary leadership lineup includes Marco Landi, former chief operating officer of Apple and chairman of Institut EuropIA; French Academy Award-winning director Claude Lelouch; Emmy Award-winning writer Sarah Lelouch; and internationally acclaimed actress Gong Li, known for her roles in Memoirs of a Geisha and Farewell My Concubine. Winners in each category will receive prize money and sponsorship support, and selected award-winning works will be invited to screen at the main World AI Film Festival event in Cannes in April 2026. WAIFF Seoul 2026 is expected to serve as a platform connecting South Korea’s AI-driven content creators with global film and technology networks. 2025-12-12 17:59:31

Korea beats European powers to rank 7th most powerful country SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) -South Korea ranked as the world’s seventh-most powerful country in 2025, surpassing European heavyweights such as France and Italy, according to the latest CEOWORLD Magazine assessment — a result that highlights the country’s expanding influence, increasingly driven by soft power alongside industrial and strategic strength. The 2025 ranking underscores a central reality of global order: a small group of states continues to set the pace for politics, markets and security. The United States retained the top position with a score of 95.36, followed closely by China (94.86) and Russia (94.81). India (94.76), the United Kingdom (94.56) and Japan (94.31) completed an intensely competitive top six. South Korea placed seventh with a score of 94.18, edging out France (93.55), Italy (93.30) and Turkey (93.30), while Germany ranked lower at 90.40. The clustering of scores reflects how advanced industrial capacity, alliance networks and regional leadership increasingly translate into durable global influence. CEOWORLD’s framework defines “power” not narrowly as military might, but as the capacity to shape global economic and political outcomes across seven attributes: political stability, economic influence, defense budget, weaponry, global alliances, soft power and military strength. Political stability provides regulatory continuity and contract security — prerequisites for long-horizon investment. Economic influence reflects a country’s weight in trade, finance and global demand. Defense budgets and weaponry measure the resources underpinning deterrence and force projection, while global alliances capture a state’s ability to multiply influence through collective security and shared rules. Soft power — cultural reach, education, values and national brand — has emerged as a decisive differentiator, particularly for countries without overwhelming military scale. Military strength, meanwhile, assesses operational readiness, logistics and the ability to sustain deployments rather than headline spending alone. 2025-12-12 17:57:48