Korean founders told to prioritize profit over growth at Silicon Valley summit SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - South Korean startup founders hoping to break into the United States market were advised to abandon aggressive growth strategies in favor of proving their "unit economics," as investors at a major industry gathering here warned of a tightened global capital environment. The advice was delivered at the UKF 82 Startup Summit 2026, held from January 9 to 12 at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City. The event drew approximately 4,000 participants, making it the largest gathering of South Korean entrepreneurs and venture capitalists ever held in North America. Speakers at the four-day summit described a distinct shift in investor sentiment compared to the boom years of 2021. Eric Kim, managing partner at Goodwater Capital, noted that the venture capital market in 2026 has moved away from rewarding sheer scale. "Unlike in 2021, the market is now strictly dominated by performance and numbers," Kim said. "The IPO market shrinking to 70 to 80 percent of its peak is evidence of this." Kim urged founders to focus on "unit economics"—the direct revenues and costs associated with a business model—rather than user acquisition at all costs. Despite the stricter financial climate, Silicon Valley investors pointed to South Korea as a critical market for identifying future tech trends. Kim described the country as a "leading indicator" for the global industry, citing high population density and advanced digital infrastructure. He mentioned rapid-growth companies such as Coupang and Viva Republica, the operator of Toss, as examples of South Korean firms that successfully scaled in a competitive environment. "Goodwater Capital currently allocates about 10 to 15 percent of its investments to South Korea," Kim said. "We see it not just as a content creator, but as an investment opportunity where trends often emerge before they hit the global stage." The summit was organized by the United Korean Founders (UKF), a non-profit group that has expanded significantly since its inception. Jeong Sae-ju, co-chair of UKF and executive chairman of Noom, described the organization's origins as a casual social gathering in 2018, where founders met in a living room to share "oden" (fish cake) soup and discuss their struggles in the U.S. market. To acknowledge these roots, organizers set up a networking area at the venue styled after a "pocha," or Korean street food tent, serving fish cakes and spicy rice cakes to attendees. "It started with founders eating oden soup and sharing their struggles," Jeong said. "It has now evolved into an ecosystem where global tech leaders, the government, and VCs collaborate." The South Korean government also used the summit to announce expanded support for startups in the Bay Area. Noh Yong-seok, the 1st Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups, attended the event to inaugurate the new Startup Venture Campus (SVC). The facility is designed to provide office space, housing assistance, and administrative support for early-stage South Korean companies entering the U.S. Noh stated that the government is shifting its focus from indirect support to direct, on-the-ground assistance to help founders connect with local networks. 2026-01-15 09:30:53

BLACKPINK to release new album next month SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will release a new album next month. "Deadline," the quartet's third mini album, was teased by their management agency YG Entertainment on Thursday, ahead of its release slated for Feb. 27. "We'd like to thank fans who have waited for quite a long time," the agency said in a press release. The much-anticipated album is expected to reflect the memories and moments of their ongoing world tour, also called "Deadline." The tour kicked off in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last July and has included more than 30 performances in about 16 cities around the world. BLACKPINK will hold a three-day concert in Tokyo from Friday, followed by the tour's final stop in Hong Kong a week later. 2026-01-15 09:13:23

Samsung working with US labs to develop next-generation clothes dryer SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that its research into next-generation clothes-drying technology has been selected for official support by the U.S. Department of Energy. The South Korean electronics giant said the project aims to develop a high-performance dryer that sharply reduces energy use while maintaining drying efficiency. Samsung is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the U.S. and the University of South Carolina’s department of chemical engineering on the research. The project focuses on applying a high-efficiency dehumidifying material, known as a desiccant, to clothes dryers. The technology is designed to cut electricity consumption during drying to about 35 percent of that used by conventional vented dryers, while delivering comparable drying performance. Vented dryers are valued for their shorter drying times because they expel humid air outdoors. However, Samsung said their low energy efficiency makes them difficult to operate in typical U.S. homes using 120-volt power, often requiring separate 240-volt electrical work. They also require external ducting to vent air outside. Samsung said commercializing the new technology would allow high-performance dryers to run on standard 120-volt power without the need for external venting, reducing installation constraints. Such improvements could expand the use of dryers in a wider range of housing, including multiunit residential buildings and small apartments, the company said. Samsung said it plans to apply the research findings across multiple product lines, including standalone dryers and all-in-one washer-dryer units. Moon Jong Seung, a vice president in Samsung Electronics’ Digital Appliances Business Division, said the project represents “a practical opportunity to connect innovative energy-saving technology to value consumers can feel.” "We aim to expand appliances that support sustainable daily life through collaboration with global research institutions," Moon said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-15 08:52:44

Building on Partnership: UK-Korea Priorities for 2026 As we begin 2026, the partnership between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea has never been stronger. Elevated to a Global Strategic Partnership in 2023, our relationship reflects shared democratic values, a commitment to the rules-based international order and a vision for a more prosperous, secure and sustainable future. The inaugural UK-Korea High Level Forum held in Seoul in December brought together leaders from government, business and academia to chart the course ahead and spark new ideas for collaboration. 2026 will be an opportunity to build on that momentum. Standing firm for Ukraine is our most urgent shared imperative. As Russia’s illegal war continues, the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, with North Korean troops fighting on European soil, shows that Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are indivisible. What happens in Ukraine matters profoundly to the Korean Peninsula, and vice versa. The UK and Korea must continue unwavering support for Ukraine while maintaining robust sanctions against Russia. Together, we send a clear message: aggression will not be rewarded, and perpetrators will face consequences. Driving mutual economic growth remains central to our mission. Following the successful conclusion of negotiations in December to upgrade our Free Trade Agreement, we have unprecedented opportunities to deepen trade and investment. British and Korean businesses lead in artificial intelligence, clean energy and defence technology. In 2026, we will connect innovators across these sectors, leveraging complementary strengths to create jobs and prosperity in both countries. This year holds special significance for our security ties. 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River, where British troops fought bravely for Korea’s freedom, and the establishment of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea in Busan, the resting place of over 880 British casualties of the Korean War. This shared history inspires our modern defence partnership. Climate leadership is another area where our partnership can make a global difference. Both nations have submitted ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions, and Korea’s commitment to phasing out coal demonstrates genuine resolve. We look forward to sharing expertise in offshore wind and nuclear energy as we pursue green transitions. Finally, our cultural ties continue to flourish. 2025 saw British creativity on display in Korea through exhibitions from Antony Gormley and the National Portrait Gallery, and Thomas Heatherwick’s curation of the Seoul Biennale. This year, we eagerly anticipate Damien Hirst’s exhibition at the MMCA and other exciting events. These exchanges remind us that our partnership lives in the connections between our peoples. 2026 promises to be a year of deepening friendship between our two countries. I look forward to all we will achieve together. *The author is the British Ambassador to South Korea. 2026-01-15 07:56:56

KRX eyes AI-driven overhaul to support 24-hour trading, reviews startup acquisition SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -The Korea Exchange (KRX) said Tuesday it is pursuing an artificial intelligence–based innovation strategy as groundwork for a future 24-hour trading system, including a possible acquisition of an AI startup. The exchange said it plans to integrate AI into market oversight and operations, calling the technology a core strategy that will determine the competitiveness of South Korea’s capital markets. AI is expected to be applied across market surveillance, corporate disclosures and other regulatory functions to improve efficiency and productivity as trading hours expand. KRX also said it intends to use AI in its information business to diversify revenue streams, including the development of commercial indexes and financial products based on unstructured data. While the acquisition of an AI startup is among the options under review, the exchange emphasized that no decision has been made. The announcement follows KRX’s plan to extend trading hours in stages, with premarket and after-hours trading set to begin in June. Under the plan, the exchange would operate a premarket session from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and an after-market session from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., extending total daily trading hours to 12 hours. KRX said the premarket would open one hour earlier than the 8 a.m. opening of alternative trading system Nextrade (NXT), allowing investors to respond more quickly to overnight developments in U.S. and European markets. The exchange said the move aims to attract greater participation from both domestic and foreign investors and to stem the outflow of liquidity to overseas markets. The exchange reiterated its goal of building a full 24-hour trading system by December 2027. It also plans to expand derivatives trading to a 24-hour schedule by the end of next year. Currently, derivatives trade for up to 19 hours a day, including the regular session from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and the night session from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day. In parallel, KRX said it will push to shorten the stock market settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1, bringing settlement forward to one business day after a trade. The exchange said longer trading hours are becoming a global standard, citing moves by major exchanges such as NYSE Arca, which currently operates 16-hour trading sessions and plans to introduce 24-hour trading with Nasdaq in the second half of the year. The London Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing are also reviewing similar measures. KRX said the global shift reflects intensifying competition for cross-border liquidity, particularly as retail investors in Asia increase overseas investment. As of the end of 2025, Korean investors held roughly 250 trillion won ($170 billion) in overseas equities, with domestic market liquidity continuing to flow abroad. Addressing concerns over increased workload, the exchange said off-hours trading will be limited to orders placed through headquarters, home trading services (HTS) and mobile trading services (MTS), excluding nationwide branch operations. Participation by exchange-traded fund (ETF) liquidity providers outside regular hours will be optional, and measures will be taken to minimize additional information technology development costs. 2026-01-15 07:42:21

Seoul city bus service back to normal after wage deal ends record strike SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -Seoul city buses are back on the roads on Thursday after labor and management reached a wage agreement late Wednesday, ending the longest city bus strike on record. The deal was struck at 11:55 p.m. during a second follow-up mediation session convened by the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission at its special arbitration panel. The talks brought together the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, affiliated with the Korean Automobile Workers Federation, and the Seoul City Transport Business Association. Negotiations were nearly derailed when union representatives attempted to leave the session around 9 p.m., citing a lack of progress. Mediators and Seoul city officials physically blocked the exit and urged both sides to remain at the table, eventually steering talks back on track. Under the agreement, base pay for bus drivers will rise 2.9 percent — higher than the 0.5 percent offered in the initial proposal but slightly below the union’s 3.0 percent demand. The retirement age will be raised from 63 to 64 starting in July, and to 65 beginning in July 2027. The two sides also agreed to form a labor-management-government task force to further discuss the city’s bus operations monitoring system, which the union had sought to abolish. A broader restructuring of the wage system to reflect “ordinary wages,” a key union demand, was excluded from this round of negotiations at the union’s request and will instead be pursued through the courts. The strike began Tuesday after wage talks collapsed, marking the first walkout by Seoul bus drivers in two years. At its peak Wednesday morning, only 562 — about 8 percent — of the city’s 7,018 intracity buses were operating, causing widespread commuter disruption in subzero climate. In response, Seoul expanded emergency transportation measures, increasing rush-hour subway services from 172 to 203 trains, extending peak service hours by two hours, dispatching empty trains to congested stations, and deploying more than twice the usual number of safety personnel at 86 major stations. The city also mobilized chartered buses, deploying 677 vehicles on Tuesday and 763 by Wednesday. With the agreement reached, Seoul will lift all emergency measures. Extended subway operations will return to regular schedules, and district-run shuttle and chartered bus services will end. Mayor Oh Se Hoon welcomed the agreement, praising both sides for continuing dialogue despite difficult conditions. He also thanked residents for their patience and cooperation during the disruption. “The city will do everything it can to strengthen trust between labor and management and ensure that public transportation does not waver in serving the people of Seoul,” Oh said. 2026-01-15 07:22:03

Washington makes a rare Korean won-supporting remark SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - In a rare departure from Washington’s long-held opposition to currency intervention, the U.S. Treasury secretary echoed Seoul’s concerns over the weak Korean won, lending verbal support to efforts to stabilize the currency. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Monday (local time) to discuss market developments and preparations for the upcoming critical minerals ministerial meeting, according to a Treasury Department readout released Wednesday. During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on economic conditions in both countries and ways to deepen bilateral economic ties. Bessent specifically addressed the recent depreciation of the Korean won, noting that the currency’s weakness does not align with South Korea’s underlying economic fundamentals. He emphasized that excessive volatility in foreign-exchange markets is undesirable, while underscoring South Korea’s role as a critical U.S. partner in Asia — particularly given the strength of its key industries that support the American economy, the readout said. The remarks mark an unusual shift in tone for Washington, which has traditionally cautioned Seoul against interventionist moves seen as supporting exports at the expense of the U.S. dollar and trade balance. Bessent and Koo also discussed the full and faithful implementation of President Donald Trump’s Korea Strategic Trade and Investment Deal. Bessent said he expects the rollout to proceed smoothly and stressed that the agreement would further deepen bilateral economic cooperation and contribute to the revitalization of U.S. industrial competitiveness. The comments appeared to have an immediate market impact. The dollar weakened sharply against the won overnight, sending the U.S. dollar down 13.50 won to 1,465.00 won. 2026-01-15 06:15:19

PHOTOS:Crowds flock to ice festival in Hwacheon Hwacheon, January 14 (AJP) - On a white canvas of snow-covered ice, hundreds of people hunched over holes drilled into the frozen river, their fishing lines disappearing into the dark waters below. Despite temperatures plunging to -14 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall, crowds gathered from early morning last Monday, just days after the annual mountain trout-themed Sancheoneo Ice Festival kicked off last weekend. Around 10 a.m., parking lots near the entrance to the festival site were already packed. Visitors from all over the country, armed with thermos flasks and hand warmers stuffed into bags and bundled in heavy winter gear, took their spots on the ice. The sprawling fishing area, covering about 30,000 square meters, features more than 20,000 fishing holes drilled through ice more than 30 centimeters thick. People clutched fishing rods in one hand while holding plastic bags for their catch in the other. Around noon, large snowflakes began to fall, and visibility dropped suddenly, but many of the visitors endured it, with their eyes fixed on their fishing lines. Another fishing area for bare-hand fishing also greeted visitors. Inside a circular pool filled with water, sancheoneo swam in circles. Participants changed into short-sleeved shirts and shorts provided by festival organizers, then waited for their turn. The sight of people lined up in summer clothing in -15-degree weather was enough to make onlookers shiver. Without hesitation, they plunged into the icy water, thrusting their arms deep as they chased the quick-moving fish. Minutes later, shivering but triumphant, they hurried to nearby foot baths, sinking their frozen feet into the hot water and feeling relief wash over them. Various other amusements like sledding also await visitors. They can look at massive ice sculptures while participating in hands-on activities like making traditional snacks. There are also food stalls offering various preparations of sancheoneo - grilled, raw, or fried, providing savory delights for weary visitors after a long day of fishing. As the sun set, most visitors packed up and left, but hundreds of others arrived late, eager to compete for gold prizes awarded to those with the largest catch. Unlike the family-friendly atmosphere of the morning and afternoon fishing hours, the competition, which kicked off at 7 p.m., attracted what seemed to be seasoned anglers equipped with specialized rods, lighting, and various professional gear. The festival, now in its 21st year, runs until the first day of February and continues to attract hundreds of visitors each year. 2026-01-14 18:05:59

Philosophy and AI mix in Korea? Too early to tell SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, co-founders of Palantir — one of the world’s most prominent artificial intelligence data analytics companies, now valued at more than $426 billion — share an unusual academic background for Silicon Valley: both studied law and philosophy as undergraduates. Karp went further. He earned a Ph.D. in classical social theory under renowned German philosopher Jürgen Habermas at Goethe University in Frankfurt, grounding his thinking in traditions that probe the nature of reason, power and social systems. The renewed attention to philosophy in tech circles reflects a broader question facing the AI era. Philosophy, long focused on the human mind and modes of reasoning once thought exclusive to humans, is increasingly invoked as AI systems grow capable of mimicking — and sometimes surpassing — human cognitive tasks. As AI spreads rapidly from classrooms to workplaces, concerns over ethics, values and human agency have moved to the foreground. That shift is visible inside AI companies themselves. Amanda Askell, who holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University, works as an in-house philosopher at Anthropic. Appearing recently on CBS’s 60 Minutes, she answered host Anderson Cooper’s question — “What is somebody with a PhD in philosophy doing working at a tech company?” — by saying, “I spend a lot of time trying to teach the models to be good, and trying to teach them ethics, and to have good character.” Philosophy’s surprise resurgence in Korea Against this backdrop, philosophy — long regarded as an impractical or declining field — has seen a surge in popularity at some South Korean universities, where AI adoption is among the fastest in the world. At Seoul National University, the early-admission competition rate for the philosophy department rose from 9.92-to-1 in the 2020 academic year to 15.56-to-1 in 2026. Over the same period, linguistics climbed from 6.9-to-1 to 9-to-1, aesthetics from 7.2-to-1 to 12.56-to-1, and religious studies from 6.7-to-1 to 15.33-to-1. At Korea University, regular-admission competition for philosophy increased from 3.73-to-1 in 2020 to 5.27-to-1 in 2026, while linguistics rose from 4.57-to-1 to 6.5-to-1. At Kyungpook National University in Daegu, the philosophy department recorded a 15.6-to-1 competition rate for regular admissions in 2026 — the highest among all departments. Some analysts attribute the trend partly to tech companies showing greater openness to hiring graduates from disciplines such as philosophy and linguistics, valuing skills related to reasoning, language and abstraction. Baek Do-hyung, a philosophy professor at Soongsil University, said the AI era is reshaping how students view career risk. “Unlike when the internet or smartphones first emerged, students aspiring to become IT developers may now worry about job security,” Baek said. “Education increasingly requires the ability to think beyond memorizing established knowledge, which makes philosophical training more relevant.” He added that the AI transition “could become an opportunity to reverse the neoliberal trend that has marginalized foundational disciplines like philosophy within universities.” Moon Sung-hoon, a philosophy professor at Seoul Women’s University, framed the issue more fundamentally. “With the universal adoption of artificial intelligence, we are entering a society where machines use machines — something unprecedented,” Moon said. “This inevitably raises basic questions: What does it mean to be human? What are the signs of humanity? How should people live, and how should society be organized if AI replaces human activity?” Skepticism remains Still, not everyone agrees that philosophy’s rising admissions numbers reflect a genuine AI-driven revival. Some scholars argue the connection is overstated, noting that philosophy has long been a popular major among students preparing for law school, where logical reasoning and analytical writing are heavily tested. Kim Joon-sung, a professor in the Department of Youth Education and Leadership at Myongji University, called recent media coverage “somewhat exaggerated.” “In reality, philosophy departments have been closing at many universities for a long time,” Kim said. Kim, who taught in Myongji University’s philosophy department until 2024, now works in another department after the university stopped recruiting new philosophy majors in 2025. “Even though the department had high enrollment and solid employment outcomes, it was still abolished,” he said. Other universities have followed similar paths. Wonkwang University closed its philosophy department in 2022. Kyungnam University halted new admissions in 2014 and shut the department entirely after its final students graduated in 2021. Daejin University merged philosophy with history in 2016, while Hannam University replaced its philosophy department with a philosophy counseling program in 2014. Kim argued that the recent surge in applicants at elite institutions such as Seoul National and Korea University “appears to be driven more by law school preparation than by a structural link between philosophy and artificial intelligence.” For now, philosophy’s renewed visibility in the AI era may reflect aspiration as much as reality — a sign of changing anxieties about technology, rather than a clear transformation in how universities or labor markets value the discipline. 2026-01-14 17:46:56

Hanwha restructuring lifts Korean stocks as Asian shares end mixed SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Asian equities ended mixed on Wednesday, with South Korea's benchmark index closing at a record high, while markets elsewhere in the region showed divergent performances. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.65 percent to close at 4,723.10. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 0.72 percent to 942.18, as investors rotated selectively between sectors. Market attention centered on Hanwha Group after it unveiled plans to split its businesses, separating defense, energy and financial units from its technology and lifestyle operations. The announcement triggered sharp moves across Hanwha affiliates. Hanwha Galleria jumped 30 percent to 1,622 won, hitting its daily upper limit, while Hanwha Life Insurance climbed 10.4 percent to 3,385 won. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics gained 1.96 percent to 140,300 won, while SK hynix rose 0.54 percent to 742,000 won. Hyundai Motor added 1.35 percent to 411,500 won, and Doosan Enerbility advanced 2.99 percent to 89,600 won. Losses were seen in LG Energy Solution, which fell 1.1 percent to 389,500 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which slid 4.7 percent to 615,000 won. In currency markets, the South Korean won weakened to around 1,475 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.48 percent to end at 54,341.23, supported by speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could call a snap general election as early as next month, a move investors see as raising the likelihood of more expansionary fiscal policy. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.3 percent to 4,125.94, retreating in afternoon trade after earlier gains. Hong Kong stocks were little changed, with the Hang Seng Index edging up about 0.1 percent. 2026-01-14 17:37:52