Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation Meeting to Focus on Supply Chains and AI As global supply chains are being reshaped and competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector intensifies, Korea and Japan are accelerating their economic cooperation. Business leaders from both countries will discuss ways to establish a 'future-oriented partnership' focusing on key industries such as semiconductors, mobility, energy, and finance.The Korea-Japan Economic Association announced on May 14 that it will co-host the 58th Korea-Japan Business Meeting in Tokyo at the The Okura Tokyo from May 19 to 20. This year's theme is 'Next Step Together,' marking the first event since the new presidents of the two economic associations took office, and is expected to outline a new direction for Korea-Japan economic cooperation.The meeting is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with a scheduled Korea-Japan summit on May 19, suggesting that the business sector will also contribute to strengthening private-sector cooperation amid improving political and diplomatic relations.Leading the Korean delegation will be Koo Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association and LS Group. Other prominent attendees include Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group; Park Jung-won, Chairman of Doosan Group; Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS Group; Koo Ja-kyun, Chairman of LS Electric; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor; Lee Hyung-hee, Vice Chairman of SK; and Lee Jae-eon, President of Samsung C&T.Representatives from the finance sector and platform companies will also participate. Notable attendees include Shinhan Bank CEO Jin Seon-kyu, OK Financial Group Chairman Choi Yoon, and Kwon Dae-yeol, Head of ESG at Kakao, who will discuss digital transformation and financial cooperation.On the Japanese side, key figures will include Koji Akiyoshi, Chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association and Asahi Group, along with other prominent business leaders such as Masakazu Tokura, Honorary Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren); Masayuki Hiodo, Chairman of Sumitomo Corporation; Keiichi Iwata, Chairman of Sumitomo Chemical; Akitoshi Takemura, General Manager of Toyota Motor; and Koji Nagai, Chairman of Nomura Holdings.The meeting is expected to highlight the necessity of industrial collaboration between Korea and Japan in response to growing global economic uncertainties. As the U.S.-China conflict continues and supply chain fragmentation deepens, there is an increasing need for cooperation between companies in sectors such as semiconductor materials, components, equipment, batteries, future vehicles, and decarbonized energy.With the intensification of competition in the AI industry, discussions are also anticipated regarding collaboration in data centers, power infrastructure, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. The potential for cooperation between manufacturing companies like LS, Doosan, and Hyundai Motor and Japanese material and component firms will be closely watched.On May 18, Koo Ja-yeol and the Korean delegation plan to meet with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to explain the significance of the Korea-Japan Business Meeting ahead of the summit and request the Japanese government's cooperation for economic collaboration between the two countries. 2026-05-14 14:23:53

Samsung Union Declares No Reason to Negotiate with Government or Company, Moves Toward Strike As Samsung Electronics and the Central Labor Relations Commission proposed additional talks to avert a total strike, the union has effectively rejected the offer, signaling an escalation in tensions. On May 14, Samsung Electronics sent a formal letter to the National Samsung Electronics Union and the Samsung Group's inter-company union, stating, "We propose additional discussions between labor and management." The company noted that while both sides had shared their views during recent mediation by the labor commission, they had not reached an agreement. The labor commission also officially requested the resumption of mediation talks on May 16, marking a simultaneous call from both the government and the company for negotiations just a week before the planned strike. However, the union insists that the establishment and transparency of a performance bonus system must be prioritized. Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the inter-company union, stated, "There is no reason to negotiate if the establishment and transparency of the performance bonus system are not achieved." Choi added that there could be room for dialogue if there are plans for the establishment and transparency of a cap removal system. However, the company has shown reluctance to agree to the establishment of such a system, which is interpreted as a rejection of the proposal. From May 11 to the early hours of May 13, the labor and management attempted mediation under the labor commission but ultimately failed to find common ground. The union demands that 15% of operating profit be allocated for performance bonuses and the removal of the 50% salary cap. In contrast, the company has proposed maintaining the existing performance bonus system based on economic value while adding special rewards for the DS division. During the mediation process, the labor commission also suggested maintaining the current OPI system and implementing special management performance bonuses for the DS division, but the union rejected these proposals. The union plans to proceed with a total strike from May 21 to June 7, as previously announced.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:21:35

Wall Street Turns Its Attention to South Korean Stocks Beyond Semiconductors The South Korean stock market is emerging as a new investment destination for Wall Street, fueled by the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. Beyond the soaring stock prices of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, companies like SK Square and Samsung Life, which hold stakes in these firms, are also attracting global investors' attention. Two years ago, foreign capital was primarily focused on reevaluating the Japanese stock market, but that gaze is now shifting toward Korea. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on May 14 that "walking the streets of New York, one can feel the popularity of Korean culture, from music to food and cosmetics. Wall Street is no different," noting that both institutional and individual investors are increasingly drawn to South Korean stocks. This trend was evident at the "Sorn Investment Conference" held in New York on May 12. Known as a "hedge fund festival," the event showcased investment ideas from both emerging and veteran fund managers. Eduardo Marques of hedge fund Pertento Partners took the stage, stating, "Lately, I have been focused on uncovering complex value investment opportunities hidden within Korean stocks." The driving force behind the rise of the South Korean stock market is the demand for high-performance memory for AI data centers. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun highlighted that the KOSPI index has tripled in the past year, marking the steepest rise among major global indices. The tight supply of high-performance memory for data centers has led to soaring stock prices for SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, lifting the entire market. On the surface, South Korean semiconductor stocks still appear undervalued. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the projected price-to-earnings ratios (PER) for SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics are both around six, still below their American competitor Micron Technology, which stands at nine. However, Marques emphasizes that he is not focused on this PER gap. He remarked, "PER comparisons are already well-known in the West," suggesting that there are much more deeply discounted stocks available for purchase. He pointed to SK Square and Samsung Life as notable examples. SK Square is a major shareholder in SK Hynix, while Samsung Life holds significant shares in Samsung Electronics. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun noted that the market capitalizations of these two companies are only about half the value of their stakes in memory firms. Due to the unique cross-shareholding structure of South Korean conglomerates, these long-ignored discount factors are now seen as attractive value investment opportunities by Wall Street investors. Investor expectations are also being fueled by the South Korean government's push for improved corporate capital efficiency. There is growing anticipation among foreign investors that the undervaluation of holding companies and insurance firms, long viewed as a symbol of the Korea Discount, may be resolved in conjunction with the government's corporate value-up program. Similar to the recent reevaluation of the Japanese stock market amid pressures for improved capital efficiency and activism from investors, a similar transformation may be on the horizon for the South Korean market. There are also projections that the AI memory boom could translate into domestic consumption in South Korea. Jonathan Lennon of Present Lake Partners recently analyzed that Samsung Electronics is considering a plan to pay bonuses equivalent to 10% of operating profits, similar to its competitors, after interviewing several former employees. He stated, "Our calculations suggest that the total bonuses for both companies could reach $40 billion, which corresponds to several percent of South Korea's GDP," indicating that this could have unprecedented ripple effects. Individual investors are also rapidly pouring funds into the market. A memory stock exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched by U.S. firm Roundhill attracted over $6 billion within a month of its debut in early April. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that this marks the fastest inflow rate ever, surpassing that of Bitcoin ETFs in 2024. Nearly half of the ETF's assets are in SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. Access for U.S. investors to South Korean stocks is also expanding. Interactive Brokers, a U.S. online brokerage, began offering trading services for stocks listed on the Korea Exchange on May 7. Previously, U.S. investors could only access South Korean stocks through ETFs or American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), but now they have broader options for investing in individual South Korean stocks. Strengths Compared to U.S. and Japanese Markets This trend is also linked to the high valuation pressures in the U.S. stock market. Marques noted, "No matter how much one believes in artificial intelligence, the valuations of U.S. stocks appear very high." The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the S&P 500 index reached an all-time high on May 13, with projected PERs in the 21 range, significantly exceeding the 15-year average of 17. While the AI growth story remains valid, there is a growing perception that it has become difficult to generate additional returns solely from U.S. stocks, increasing interest in alternative investment destinations like South Korea. A notable point is the contrast with the Japanese market. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Japanese stocks were hardly mentioned at the Sorn Conference. Just two years ago, activist investors were prominent speakers, drawing attention to the Japanese market, but now it has been noted that "the narrative has run dry" for Japanese stocks. The strategies of investment banks and brokerages are also changing. Hong Kong-based CLSA is set to hold a new investor event called the "Northeast Asia Forum" in Seoul in June. In contrast, the existing "Japan Forum," which has been held for over 20 years, is expected to be renamed and scaled down, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. This shift of a marquee Asian stock event from Tokyo to Seoul symbolically reflects where global investment banks see the flow of capital in Northeast Asia heading. The competition among Northeast Asian stock markets to attract global money is intensifying. It is noteworthy that a leading Japanese economic newspaper framed the situation as "Japanese stocks are running out of steam, while South Korean stocks present new investment ideas." This signals that the recent rally in the South Korean stock market is being interpreted as a shift in the allocation of global capital in Northeast Asia, extending beyond just a semiconductor boom.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:17:08

ASIA INSIGHTS: How Asia is redrawn into the AI map SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) -The software was written in California. The intelligence is being manufactured in Asia. A Bloomberg chart circulating this week tells the story cleanly: South Korea has overtaken the United Kingdom to become the world's eighth-largest stock market, at $4.04 trillion. Six of the ten largest equity markets on Earth now sit in Asia. The United States ushered the generative AI era. But the East building its physical infrastructure is collecting the dividend. This is not a coincidence. It is the logical consequence of how artificial intelligence actually works. Every AI query, response, every generated image begins not with software but with hardware: electrons moving through silicon, copper, and exotic materials assembled to nanometer tolerances. That supply chain runs through Asia. Understanding how each major market fits into it reveals not a single AI boom but four distinct ones, each feeding into the next. Taiwan: The Indispensable Foundry Without TSMC, there is no AI at scale. The pure-play foundry controls more than 90% of the world's leading-edge chip production. Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, AMD's MI series, Apple's M-chips — all fabbed in Taiwan. In Q1 2026, TSMC reported revenue of $35.6 billion, up 35% year-on-year, with profit jumping 58%. Capital expenditure for 2026 is guided at $52–56 billion, a 37% increase, signaling management sees no demand ceiling. Goldman Sachs estimates Taiwan's market is "well over 80%" exposed to AI-related revenue. TSMC's largest customers are collectively planning over $1.2 trillion in data center capex through 2028. Almost all of it flows through Hsinchu. South Korea: The Memory Monopoly If Taiwan is the foundry, South Korea is the memory bank — and in AI, memory is no longer a commodity. It is a chokepoint. High-Bandwidth Memory, or HBM, sits alongside AI processors and feeds them data at speeds standard DRAM cannot approach. The world's HBM comes overwhelmingly from two companies in Gyeonggi Province. SK Hynix beat Samsung in operating profit for the first time in 2025, posting a record 47.2 trillion won for the year. Its stock rallied more than 210%. The KOSPI has gained nearly 80 percent in just five months into the year to become the world's best-performing major index. SK hynix holds a 57–62% share of the global HBM market, supplies Nvidia almost exclusively, and has already sold out its entire 2026 capacity. The Bank of America calls 2026 a "memory supercycle similar to the boom of the 1990s," projecting the HBM market to reach $54.6 billion — up 58 percent year-on-year. The stock rally however goes broader than memory. Investors have poured into shipbuilding, defense, power equipment, and cultural exports. HD Hyundai Electric, LS Electric, and Hyosung Heavy Industries carry order books extending years forward as AI data centers drive unprecedented electricity demand. Goldman Sachs has noted Korea's market is "deeper and broader" than Taiwan's — a rare thing to say about a market whose memory champions alone have rewritten the rules of the semiconductor industry. Japan: The Equipment Layer Japan's role sits one layer upstream: the machines that make the chips. Tokyo Electron, Advantest, and Lasertec supply the lithography tools and test equipment that TSMC and SK Hynix depend on to scale. The Nikkei 225 crossed 60,000 for the first time in history on April 23, 2026. On May 7, markets reopened after Golden Week and immediately priced in a global AI rally that had run in their absence — the index surged 5.58 percent, its largest single-day point gain ever, led by SoftBank (+18.44%), Tokyo Electron (+9%), and Advantest (+7%). J.P. Morgan has set a year-end 2026 Nikkei target of 70,000. SoftBank deserves a sentence of its own. Once mocked for Vision Fund losses, Masayoshi Son's bets on Arm Holdings and OpenAI have made the company, in the words of one analyst, "the listed proxy for OpenAI and Arm." Japan's decades of stagnation have found, in AI infrastructure demand, a genuine secular growth engine. China and Hong Kong: The Challenger Ecosystem China's position is the most contested and the most consequential to watch. Blocked from advanced Nvidia chips since 2022, Chinese companies have responded by building a parallel AI ecosystem. DeepSeek's R1 model, released in January 2025, claimed performance comparable to OpenAI's best systems at a fraction of the cost — and rattled global markets. The Hang Seng Tech Index surged nearly 30 percent in the weeks that followed. Alibaba, which has pledged $52 billion over three years in AI infrastructure, added $153 billion in market value from its January 2025 lows. Chinese chipmakers SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor have rallied as Beijing backs semiconductor self-sufficiency with incentives reportedly worth up to $70 billion. The valuation case is straightforward: Hang Seng Tech trades at roughly 24 times forward earnings versus 25–31 times for the Nasdaq 100. UBS rates Chinese tech "most attractive," citing rapid AI monetization and policy support. The U.S. built the leading models; China is building a parallel ecosystem around them. There is a layer beneath the semiconductors that deserves attention: the power grid itself. AI data centers consume electricity at two to five times the rate of conventional facilities, creating a global shortage of high-voltage transformers, cables, and switchgear — equipment made disproportionately in Asia. Korea's HD Hyundai Electric dominates ultra-high-voltage transformer supply for North America. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI supply large-scale battery storage systems stabilizing AI campus power grids. Japan's Fujikura, a cable specialist, has been among the surprise winners of the infrastructure buildout. Every kilowatt delivered to a GPU cluster passes through equipment increasingly likely to carry an Asian manufacturer's nameplate. The structural thesis is simple. AI is a software product requiring a hardware supply chain of extraordinary complexity. The software came from the United States. The hardware supply chain is Asian — from the foundries of Taiwan to the memory fabs of Korea, from Japan's equipment makers to China's challenger chipmakers, down to the transformers and cables that keep the whole system powered. The intelligence was born in California. The factory floor is in Asia. 2026-05-14 14:09:13

Korean firms ramp up family-friendly perks as low birth rate bites SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - South Korean companies are widening cash payouts and parental leave benefits to lift the world's lowest birth rate, with game publisher Krafton reporting a near doubling of in-house births a year after overhauling its childbirth and childcare program. Krafton said Thursday that 46 children were born to its employees between January and April this year, about twice the 23 births recorded in the same period last year and 21 in 2024. The Seoul-based firm rolled out the expanded scheme in February 2025. The program offers up to 100 million won ($66,992) per child over a worker's career, alongside parental leave of up to two years, automated hiring of replacement staff and counseling for returning parents. The company is co-running a study with Seoul National University's Population Policy Research Center on its effectiveness. The findings suggest cash and non-cash benefits work differently. Direct subsidies signal corporate sincerity, with 83.4 percent of the staff surveyed saying they felt the company's family-friendly message was genuine. Non-cash measures such as flexible hours and childcare support more strongly shaped attitudes toward having children. "Through this research, we confirmed that real change is possible when companies actively join in solving social problems," said Choi Jae-keun, head of Krafton's General Operations Department. Krafton joins a growing roster of Korean firms tackling the demographic slump. Booyoung Group ignited the trend in 2024 with a 100 million won bonus per newborn, which lobbied the government into exempting such corporate gifts from tax. Kumho Petrochemical and HD Hyundai have since followed with cash incentives, while Samsung Electronics, LG and Hyundai Motor have expanded onsite daycare, fertility coverage and extended parental leave. The corporate push appears to align with a tentative national turnaround. South Korea's total fertility rate climbed to 0.8 in 2025, a four-year high, with 254,500 newborns marking the steepest annual increase since 2007, government data showed in February. 2026-05-14 14:03:59

Leaders of Korea and Mexico agree to expand cooperation in phone call SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - Lee Jae Myung spoke by phone with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the two leaders agreed on the need to expand bilateral cooperation during their phone conversation earlier in the day. The two leaders have kept in close contact since their first face-to-face meeting in June last year on the sidelines of the G7 gathering in Canada. They also exchanged letters earlier this year. Recalling an event last week at Mexico City's Zócalo Plaza, where tens of thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of K-pop superstars BTS, they agreed to work to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries. Lee described Mexico as South Korea's largest trade and investment partner in Latin America and stressed the need to restart talks on a free trade agreement as soon as possible. He also called for closer cooperation on energy and other sectors to cope with growing global uncertainties amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Sheinbaum was quoted as saying she has a strong interest in boosting cooperation with Korea. Lee also congratulated Mexico on co-hosting the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 and runs through July 19 across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This will mark the first time the quadrennial tournament is hosted by three nations simultaneously. Lee also accepted Sheinbaum's invitation to visit Mexico, with both sides agreeing to begin preparations and hold further talks on strengthening bilateral ties. 2026-05-14 14:03:43

Musical Actress Kim Hwan-hee Announces Wedding on May 18 Musical actress Kim Hwan-hee has announced that she will become a bride this May. On May 14, Kim shared the news via her social media, stating, "I wanted to be the first to share this good news with my fans, so I wrote this letter by hand. On May 18, I will begin the second act of my life." She continued, "I felt a certainty that if I were to spend my life with this person, it would be a joyful journey, even with its worries. I have found love with someone who shares my values and dreams of a beautiful and healthy life together, rather than striving for perfection." Kim expressed her hopes for support, saying, "If you bless this new beginning and join me with joy, I will be incredibly happy. I will continue to bring you good performances and songs in various works, thanks to your support and love." In response, fans have commented, "Congratulations!", "You always looked happy on stage; I wish you even more happiness!", and "I support your second act in life!" Born in 1991, Kim Hwan-hee made her debut in the musical "Fantasia" in 2015. Since then, she has performed in numerous productions, including "Big Fish," "42nd Street," "Kinky Boots," and "Mamma Mia." She is set to star as Mina in the musical "Dracula" this July.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 13:59:43

Hyundai Motor's Yangjae Headquarters Reopens as a Hub for Human-Robot Collaboration "Let’s collaborate more, lower barriers, and work in an open manner." Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, made these remarks on May 14 during the 'Lobby Story Town Hall' event at the Yangjae headquarters. He noted that the lobby renovation stemmed from a desire to build on the experiences, achievements, and ideas accumulated at the Yangjae headquarters. "This initiative began with a goal to change our work environment to foster innovation, and I believe we have achieved a satisfactory result," he said. ◆ Renovated after nearly two years: An open plaza for employee communication Hyundai Motor Group's Yangjae headquarters has served as the group's control tower since 2000, symbolizing the foundation of its growth. The renovation, which began in May 2024 and took about two years to complete, centers on the philosophy of 'communication.' The lobby has been redesigned into an open plaza for employees, covering approximately 36,000 square meters, equivalent to the size of five soccer fields, spanning from the basement to the fourth floor. The event took place in the newly created tiered lounge, 'Agora,' where Chung and other key executives, including Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon and Presidents Seo Kang-hyun, Choi Jun-young, Sung Kim, and Park Min-woo, gathered with those involved in the lobby's design. Chung emphasized that "short conversations can lead to new ideas, and sharing information can facilitate better outcomes. I hope this project will change our working environment and, consequently, our working methods." Chung pointed out that 'Yangjae' means 'land where virtuous talents gather,' expressing hope that the talented individuals at the headquarters will naturally interact in the lobby and various spaces, leading to greater achievements. He added, "To better understand our customers, we need to be more flexible. Let’s collaborate more, lower barriers, and work in an open manner." ◆ Creating a people-centered plaza: Chung emphasizes the power of reflection The lobby renovation was undertaken by Studios Architecture, a global architecture and interior design firm. The core concept of the renovation is a 'plaza for freely exchanging ideas.' Hyundai Motor Group has restructured the space while preserving the essence and framework of the Yangjae headquarters, focusing on the values of connection and collaboration. The first-floor lobby features a tiered lounge called Agora, inspired by ancient Greek plazas, designed to encourage employees to gather naturally. Surrounding Agora are the 'Connect Lounge' for meetings and relaxation, an 'Open Stage' for exhibitions, and a café with an outdoor garden, all interconnected with seating and tables for communication. To create a bright and inviting atmosphere, the lobby utilizes a vertically open atrium from the first to the third floor, filled with plants and trees. Notably, the design includes harmonious indoor landscaping in collaboration with Professor Jung Young-sun, a pioneer in Korean landscape architecture, providing employees with a space to pause and reflect. In line with Hyundai Motor Group's goal to become a leader in human-centered physical AI, a robot station has been installed on the first floor, creating a high-tech lobby environment where employees and robots coexist. Robots such as the 'DAL-e Gardener' for landscaping, 'DAL-e Delivery' for deliveries, and 'SPOT' for protocol and security have been introduced. Alexandra Villegas Sanne, design director at Studios Architecture, explained, "Most companies ask for impressive lobbies that serve as brand showrooms, but Hyundai Motor Group wanted a space centered on people from the start. They desired a living plaza where people actually gather, meet, and share ideas, and we focused on that in our design." Chung concluded, "Brilliant ideas that enable innovation and change rarely emerge when confined to one place. Innovation often arises from brief conversations, chance encounters, or quiet moments of reflection. I hope this lobby renovation will facilitate more active collaboration on-site."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 13:57:23

Shifting Public Sentiment in Seoul: Oh Se-hoon's Comeback and Jung Won-oh's Uncertainty The atmosphere in Seoul is changing, similar to the shifts seen in the Yeongnam region. Currently, candidate Jung Won-oh is still leading within the margin of error. Experts explain that within this margin, the results can be considered statistically equivalent. However, those experienced in elections understand that it is not just the current numbers that matter, but the trends. Recent polls show Oh Se-hoon has halved the gap in just a few weeks. The so-called "golden cross" is beginning to emerge in political discussions. Seoul has always been a city that wavers until the end. While it may appear to lean left in national elections, local elections prompt voters to reconsider who can effectively manage the city. Many voters prioritize practical governance over ideology. This makes elections in Seoul particularly challenging and unpredictable. This election is no different. Observations indicate that the Democratic Party's organizational strength is robust. Even in traditionally conservative areas like Seocho and Gangnam, Democratic candidates are actively campaigning, engaging with residents and canvassing neighborhoods. In contrast, the People Power Party appears relatively subdued, making it seem that the Democratic Party has the upper hand. However, there is a peculiar scene: the expressions of the voters. Despite the Democratic candidates' vigorous efforts, the public's response is surprisingly lukewarm, bordering on indifferent. This suggests a sense of detachment, as if voters are saying, "We will wait and see." This sentiment may be linked to the various confusions that have arisen since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, including turmoil over real estate policies, controversies surrounding the cancellation of indictments, and excessive political arrogance. The government, less than a year in office, may already be showing signs of fatigue. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party should not be underestimated. The real contest is just beginning. The progressive camp has historically demonstrated remarkable unity when feeling threatened. This has been evident in past elections, particularly in Seoul, where higher voter turnout tends to favor the Democratic Party. The enthusiasm among Democratic supporters on the ground is also significant. Therefore, the biggest risk for Oh Se-hoon’s campaign is complacency. Entering the margin of error signals not victory, but the true battle has begun. However, Oh Se-hoon does have an advantage: his established credibility. Jung Won-oh has yet to be sufficiently vetted by the entire electorate in Seoul. As the election approaches, it remains uncertain what new controversies or variables, referred to as "hidden traps," may emerge. While Jung has administrative experience in Seongdong-gu, questions remain about his readiness to manage a vast city like Seoul. Critics point out that instead of providing clear answers to recent controversies and policy confusions, he often responds evasively during public scrutiny. Voter concerns include issues like the response to heavy snowfall, the Cancun trip controversy, the feasibility of redevelopment and transportation pledges, and budget issues related to smart shelters in Seongdong-gu. Despite these pressing questions, Jung has been criticized for occasionally deflecting with vague responses or political attacks. The Seoul mayoral election is a stage for "verification," not just "image." Voters will closely observe the candidates' attitudes and communication skills until the very end. In contrast, Oh Se-hoon has already served as mayor four times and has experience as a member of the National Assembly, along with two electoral defeats. Politically, he is a well-analyzed figure, with both supporters and detractors already familiar with him. There seems to be little new to uncover. In politics, verification can be a double-edged sword. It can leave scars but also provide stability. In a vast city like Seoul, "familiar competence" can be a surprisingly strong asset. Citizens often prefer to vote for managers rather than revolutionaries. Thus, this Seoul mayoral election is not merely a battle of ideologies. It is a contest of "unity" versus "stability." The Democratic Party will push forward with its organization and enthusiasm, while Oh Se-hoon will counter with his experience and urban management skills. Given the current momentum, the possibility of a golden cross certainly exists. However, the final week of elections in Seoul has historically defied predictions. Therefore, Oh Se-hoon’s campaign must remain vigilant until the end, as Seoul is a city that often changes its mind at the last moment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 13:53:56

Hyundai Motor's Yangjae Office Transformed into Robot-Friendly Building The lobby, designed with a glass ceiling, resembles a vast "indoor garden." The vertical space from the first to the third floor is filled with large trees and plants, making it hard to distinguish whether it is an office or a park. This perfect landscaping is maintained by the watering robot "DAL-e." DAL-e travels throughout the expansive lobby, watering plants and automatically recharging in a designated rest area at scheduled times. When afternoon meetings begin, a delivery robot brings dozens of coffee cups to summoned employees. Meanwhile, Spot patrols the premises, monitoring for fire and security risks. This harmonious coexistence of humans and robots is part of Hyundai Motor Group's newly remodeled Yangjae office. Hyundai Motor and Kia announced on May 14 that they have redesigned their Yangjae office in Seoul into a robot-friendly building, launching three types of services: a watering robot, a delivery robot, and a security robot. The newly introduced robots include the watering robot "DAL-e Gardener," the delivery robot "DAL-e Delivery," and the security robot "Spot." The initiative reflects the companies' commitment to creating an environment where employees can coexist with robots while performing their daily tasks, advancing their goal of becoming a leader in physical AI. DAL-e Gardener assists in maintaining the landscaping by supplying water to various plants throughout the office. It uses multiple sensors to gather information and recognizes the space in three dimensions, distinguishing between plants, soil, and flower beds. The robot arm can move up and down and rotate in six axes to spray water accurately. If the water stored in the robot runs low, it communicates with the building's water supply system to automatically refill, while also draining any remaining water to maintain cleanliness, minimizing the need for human intervention. DAL-e Delivery also began operations, delivering beverages from the first-floor café to designated pickup zones on each floor. Employees can order drinks via a mobile app, and DAL-e retrieves the beverages and delivers them to the requested location. It can carry up to 16 drinks simultaneously and features a facial recognition system for accurate delivery. The robot autonomously navigates complex spaces, avoiding obstacles as it moves. The security robot Spot, developed by Boston Dynamics, has been equipped with an autonomous driving module created by Hyundai and Kia's Robotics Lab. This module allows Spot to recognize its surroundings and navigate autonomously, patrolling the building and performing security duties. The Yangjae office features a robot-friendly environment with dedicated waiting areas and elevators for robots. The three types of robots automatically recharge at a designated robot station on the first floor when their battery levels are low, and they can perform tasks independently while using the dedicated elevators to move between floors. In addition to the robots, Hyundai and Kia have implemented a facial recognition system called "Facey" throughout the building to streamline access security procedures. The delivery robot DAL-e Delivery is integrated with Facey to identify the orderer without requiring separate authentication. An integrated control system called "NARCHON" manages the various robots. Robot managers can access NARCHON via a web app from anywhere, allowing them to monitor the location, status, and charging information of registered robots in real time. They can also easily adjust robot schedules and control their locations, enabling efficient operation of multiple robots. Through these efforts, the Yangjae office has received technical verification from UL Solutions, a global safety certification organization, confirming its suitability as a robot-friendly building. Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, stated, "As a company that plans and produces various robots, we have deployed actual robots so that employees can naturally encounter them in their workspaces. I expect this will create a positive feedback loop that allows us to directly experience the changing world and enhance our group's robotic technology competitiveness, leading to better product development." He added, "In the future, the Yangjae office will serve as a testbed for improving the performance of more robots developed by Hyundai Motor Group, and I hope employees will gain inspiration for innovative ideas."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 13:50:59