Amazon executive, South Korea's AI officials explore cooperation SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s AI Strategy Committee said Friday that David Zapolsky, Amazon’s senior vice president for global public policy and legal affairs, has visited the committee's vice chairman, Lim Moon-young, to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. During the meeting, Amazon outlined its ongoing investments in AI and cloud services in South Korea and discussed potential collaboration on the government’s “AI highway” project and building data infrastructure. The company also highlighted its commitment to supporting local businesses with advanced computing capacity and cloud-based AI development. The two sides also reviewed plans Amazon announced at the APEC CEO Summit in October to invest 7 trillion won ($5.3 billion) in AI data centers and cloud infrastructure between 2025 and 2031, with a focus on deepening ties with South Korea’s AI ecosystem. “Building an AI highway is essential to fostering an innovation ecosystem,” Lim said, stressing that Amazon’s large-scale investment could help position South Korea as a global hub for AI infrastructure. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 14:51:08

Korea to up crackdown on drug trafficking on record smuggling SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korean authorities will up border control and crack down on drug trafficking after seizing a record 3,000 kilograms of illicit substances this year, mostly brought in through smuggling channels. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said Friday it confiscated 2,913 kilograms of illegal drugs between January and October, nearly quadruple the volume seized during the same period last year. The surge underscores what officials describe as the sharpest escalation in smuggling attempts in recent years. Air travelers accounted for the most cases, with 505 detected attempts, while substantial quantities were also intercepted in express cargo shipments and international mail. Southeast Asia remained the dominant source of inflows, with Cambodia and Laos emerging as fast-growing hubs for trafficking routes targeting Korea. “Because most illegal drugs distributed domestically originate from overseas smuggling, we will move quickly to strengthen pre-emptive border-control measures,” KCS Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku said. To bolster enforcement, the KCS will launch joint operations with 10 countries where trafficking activity has been most pronounced. Korea’s existing cooperation with Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States and the Netherlands will now expand to include Cambodia, Laos, Canada, Germany and France. Under the plan, participating nations will station customs officers in each other’s airports and border offices to jointly screen high-risk travelers and cargo. The agency said it has also agreed with Cambodia to conduct coordinated anti-smuggling operations following an emergency meeting between the two sides, amid mounting concerns over organized criminal networks operating across the region. Korea recently imposed a travel ban and raised advisories for several Cambodian cities after a spike in online scam syndicates and drug-related crimes involving Korean nationals. *This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 14:35:47

Hancom Lifecare to supply K5 gas masks to Korean military SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Hancom Lifecare, a safety equipment subsidiary of Hancom Group, said Friday it has secured a major contract to supply gas masks to the South Korean armed forces. The company said it signed a 185 billion won ($13.8 million) agreement with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to deliver about 80,000 K5 gas masks by 2026. The K5 model, developed between 2010 and 2014, features a single-lens visor for improved visibility and dual filters designed to lower breathing resistance. It is built to withstand extreme operating environments. Hancom Lifecare began mass production of the K5 in 2015 and has since secured a steady stream of orders. The Ministry of National Defense plans to replace older masks with K5 units by 2030 under a 2.9 trillion won procurement program. The company has also been broadening its defense portfolio beyond fire and safety equipment to include laser target designators and various training systems. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 14:25:16

Seoul included among world's most attractive cities SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - Seoul has been included among the world's ten most attractive cities, according to an annual survey by data analytics company Euromonitor International released this week. The survey evaluates cities around the world based on several factors including "economic and business activity, tourism performance, infrastructure, tourism policy and appeal, health and safety, and sustainability." Seoul ranked 10th, making it into the top ten for the first time this year, having steadily improved from 16th in 2016 to 24th in 2018 and rising to 12th last year. Paris maintained the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, partly boosted by the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in December last year. Madrid ranked second, followed by Tokyo, the highest-ranked Asian city. Rome and Milan placed fourth and fifth, with New York coming in sixth as the only U.S. city in the top 10. Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Singapore rounded out the remaining top-tier rankings. London, which dropped out of the top 10 last year, slid further to 18th. Meanwhile, Bangkok attracted the most tourists, with 30.3 million visitors, followed by Hong Kong, London, and Macau. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 14:18:22

AI race to be defined by entrepreneurial spirit The global artificial intelligence market is exploding in size. Precedence Research projects that AI will swell from $757.6 billion to $3.7 trillion by 2034. An annualized growth of 19.2 percent is pronounced: AI is not just another fast-growing technology. It will reshape the very structure of the world economy. But in this era of relentless innovation, the decisive factor is no longer the technology itself. AI is becoming widely accessible—almost a public good. What will truly separate winners from laggards is the ability to turn that technology into new business models, new industries, and new value. In other words, the entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurship is often reduced to the romantic image of a lone founder with a great idea. But the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor defines it differently: as a behavioral capacity that combines opportunity recognition, risk-taking, innovativeness, and the power to execute. It is the ability to see what others overlook, accept that failure is part of progress, and move boldly when uncertainty is high. My own research across 16 metropolitan regions confirms this. Regions that scored higher in opportunity perception, risk tolerance, self-belief, and innovativeness did not simply produce more startups. They produced more economic growth. What mattered was not the rate of new business creation, but the mindset that turns ideas into impact. Growth, in other words, was driven less by technology and capital than by human intention and action. This is why the real battleground of the AI race will not be technical capability alone. The differentiator will be entrepreneurial leadership powerful enough to reshape markets using the tools of AI. OpenAI is a case in point. The company did not win global attention merely because it built a sophisticated model. It reoriented the investment landscape, reorganized industrial ecosystems, and triggered a rethinking of how economies will function in an AI-first era. “Technology + capital + execution” is the formula that defined its rise. That is entrepreneurship in its purest form. Countries and companies hoping to lead the AI era need to understand this shift. Investing in AI research is necessary, but insufficient. Without systems that reward risk-taking, channels that move ideas from laboratory benches into commercial use, and a culture that respects and protects innovators, AI spending becomes little more than a pile of capital stacked on fragile ground. Only with such foundations, AI becomes transformative—not only advancing technology, but accelerating national competitiveness. AI is sweeping the world with the force of a storm. Yet its direction will not be dictated by algorithms or machines. It will be shaped by the people daring enough to wield them. In the AI age, advantage will not belong to those who merely possess technology. It will belong to those who spot the opening first—and seize it. The author is a columnist of Aju Media Corporation. 2025-12-05 14:12:04

Kia marks 80th anniversary with pledge to lead future mobility SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Kia President Song Ho-sung pledged to accelerate innovation across electric and purpose-built vehicles as the automaker marked its 80th anniversary on Friday. “We will continue to innovate with various electric and purpose-built vehicle models to become a centennial company,” Song said at a commemorative event held in Yongin, south of Seoul. Reflecting on Kia’s evolution to a global brand, Song credited the company’s resilience to founder Kim Chul-ho’s vision of advancing national industrial capability through technology. He noted that Kia endured multiple crises by introducing new models and pursuing fresh business directions. Since joining Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has expanded its global presence under successive leadership. Song highlighted Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s emphasis on quality and Chairman Chung Eui-sun’s focus on design and innovation as key drivers of growth. He also underscored the company’s efforts to strengthen organizational culture and lead in next-generation mobility solutions. Song cited ongoing challenges, including shifting global trade policies, supply-chain disruptions, rapid advances in AI-based mobility technology, and rising competition from Chinese automakers. Kia, he said, plans to address these pressures by doubling down on its core mission of providing innovative mobility solutions. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 13:57:39

KITA forecasts record exports for South Korea this year SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea's exports are on track to top $700 billion for the first time in history, with the recovery expected to continue into 2026, according to a report released on Dec. 5 by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA). KITA's Institute for International Trade said exports are projected to rise 3.0 percent this year to $704 billion, while imports are expected to slip 0.3 percent to $630 billion. That would leave the country with a trade surplus of $74 billion. Semiconductors and shipbuilding are the main drivers behind the record performance. Chip exports have climbed sharply on growing demand for AI-related components such as high-bandwidth memory, paired with limited global production capacity that has pushed up prices. Shipments of vessels are also set to increase more than 22 percent as high-value LNG carriers ordered in 2022 and 2023 are delivered. Automobile exports, which were hit earlier in the year by increased U.S. tariffs, are expected to grow 1.6 percent as South Korea shifts more shipments to Europe and other non-U.S. markets. KITA said exports to the United States rebounded in November with a 13.7 percent increase, helped by expectations of tariff reductions following recent bilateral negotiations. Steel and petroleum products, however, are expected to remain weak through the end of the year due to higher duties and falling crude prices. For 2026, KITA projects that exports will continue on a positive track, increasing 1.0 percent to $711 billion. Imports are forecast to edge up 0.5 percent to $633 billion, keeping the trade balance in surplus. Information-technology products are expected to lead next year's growth. Semiconductor exports are forecast to rise 5.9 percent as AI-related demand remains strong. SSD exports are expected to increase 10.4 percent on the back of expanding enterprise-level storage needs. Wireless communication devices are projected to grow 5.4 percent as foldable smartphones gain ground and memory-chip prices rise. Display exports are likely to post a small gain as OLED panels continue to expand in IT devices and premium smartphones. Other sectors face a more challenging outlook. Automobile exports may fall 1.0 percent due to base effects and gradual expansion of U.S. local production. Petroleum products are projected to decline 13.3 percent as crude prices settle in the mid-50-dollar range. Petrochemical exports are expected to drop 6.1 percent amid continued global oversupply, while steel exports may fall 2.0 percent under ongoing U.S. tariffs and subdued demand. KITA said next year's import trends will largely reflect weaker energy prices, though higher imports of semiconductor components and manufacturing equipment could offset some of the reduction. 2025-12-05 13:44:25

Naver teams up with Netflix for Culinary Class Wars Season 2 push SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Naver unveiled a joint marketing campaign with Netflix, leveraging its map and membership services to promote the streaming giant's upcoming cooking competition series Culinary Class Wars Season 2. The South Korean tech firm said on Friday its Naver Map application now features a curated list of restaurants operated by chefs appearing in the Netflix show, which premieres on Dec. 16. A internationally beloved series which pit 80 unknown chefs against celebrity chefs in a culinary competition last season, Culinary Class Wars was the first Korean unscripted series to lead Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) TV list for three consecutive weeks. About 30 establishments run by contestants including Michelin two-star chef Lee Jun, Son Jong-won and Raymon Kim are accessible through the app's saved list function. The collaboration builds on a year-long partnership between the two companies, Naver saying that the initiative aims to strengthen ties between Netflix's global content and its domestic digital services while offering enhanced user experiences. Starting Dec. 18, the app will expand its offerings to include the complete roster of Season 2 chef restaurants. Naver Map will also exclusively feature hidden gem recommendations from Season 1 fan favorites, including celebrity chefs Choi Hyun-seok, Yeo Kyung-rae and viral sensation Lim Tae-hoon. Naver Plus membership subscribers who select Netflix as their digital content benefit can enter the "NaNet Dining" promotion running from Dec. 9 through Jan. 18. Ten winners will receive dinner invitations prepared personally by chefs featured in the new season. An additional 1,000 participants will be selected through a lottery to receive 5,000 won in Naver Pay points, the company said. 2025-12-05 12:28:55

Asian stocks mostly down early Friday ahead of FOMC week SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Asian stocks were mostly lower in early Friday trading as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of next week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which is expected to set the tone for U.S. rate policy in 2025. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.5 percent to 4,047.41, while the KOSDAQ slipped 0.7 percent to 923.70 as of 10:05 a.m. Samsung Electronics gained 1.9 percent to 107,050 won ($72.8), whereas SK hynix fell 0.7 percent to 538,000 won. Large-caps were broadly higher. LG Energy Solution, the market’s third-largest stock, advanced 3.1 percent to 422,500 won, and Hyundai Motor jumped 6.4 percent to 301,750 won. Hyundai Motor surpassed its previous intraday record of 299,000 won set on January 11, 2021, extending a four-day rally after Washington confirmed a retroactive reduction in tariffs on Korean auto imports to 15 percent. Samsung Biologics, the fourth-largest by market value, declined 1.4 percent to 1,656,000 won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4 percent to 50,329.03. Among the country’s three largest firms by market capitalization, Toyota Motor declined 2.3 percent to 3,033 yen ($19.6); Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group dropped 0.9 percent to 2,492 yen; and Sony Group slid 2 percent to 4,328 yen. As of 10:40 a.m., 39 of the top 40 large-cap stocks were down, with SoftBank Group the sole gainer, rising 1.7 percent to 18,510 yen. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.2 percent to 3,867.04, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.6 percent to 25,787.66. 2025-12-05 11:47:07

Korea's C/V surplus halves, outbound stock invest outsized inbound by a factor of 6 SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea posted its 30th straight monthly current account surplus in October, but the headline figure shrank to a six-month low as reduced factory activity during the Chuseok holiday dampened trade, according the central bank data, which also showed Korean outbound stock purchases overwhelming foreign inflows by a factor of six to explain the stubbornly weak Korean won against the U.S. dollar. The Bank of Korea said Friday that the country recorded a $6.81 billion current account surplus in October, down sharply from $13.47 billion in September and from $9.4 billion a year earlier. Korea’s September–October trade patterns typically hinge on the timing of the Chuseok holiday, with exports front-loaded ahead of factory shutdowns. Even with the pullback, the cumulative surplus for the first 10 months reached a record $89.58 billion—17 percent higher than a year earlier—putting Seoul on track to hit the $115 billion milestone for 2025. The services account logged a $3.75 billion deficit despite a record influx of inbound tourists. The travel balance swung deeper into the red, widening to $1.36 billion from $910 million in September, as a stronger dollar inflated Koreans’ overseas spending. The goods account recorded a surplus of $7.82 billion, half of September’s $14.24 billion. The Bank of Korea said the drop largely reflected the normalization of consumption tax flows, which had surged ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Customs-cleared exports rose 3.5 percent on year to $59.5 billion. Semiconductor shipments jumped 25.2 percent to $15.86 billion, while vessel exports soared 135.8 percent to $4.62 billion. Petroleum products also posted an 11.7 percent gain to $3.84 billion, despite intensifying low-cost competition from China. The primary income account booked a $2.94 billion surplus, buoyed by Koreans’ growing investment income overseas. Dividend income alone reached $2.29 billion, underscoring heavy equity allocations abroad. In the financial account, net assets increased by $6.81 billion as outbound investment continued to dominate. Direct overseas investment totaled $1.88 billion, far outpacing the $150 million that foreigners invested in Korea. Korean nationals’ overseas equity purchases surged to $18 billion in October—more than double September’s $8.5 billion and six times the $2.93 billion foreign investors deployed into Korean stocks. Reserve assets rose by $6.67 billion, up from $4 billion in September, suggesting stepped-up efforts by authorities to counter won weakness after the currency moved past 1,450 per dollar and continued south in October. As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, the won was trading at 1,474 per dollar. 2025-12-05 11:28:45