Jeon Ji-hyun Returns to the Screen After 11 Years with 'Goonche' Jeon Ji-hyun, who captivated audiences with her role in the film 'Assassination,' has made her return to the screen after 11 years. Her latest film, 'Goonche,' directed by Yeon Sang-ho, has been officially invited to the Midnight Screenings section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Through her character, who embodies cold rationality, responsibility, and decisive action, Jeon aims to re-establish her presence that audiences have been eagerly awaiting."It's been 11 years since I last appeared on screen. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the film industry to slow down significantly, which naturally reduced opportunities to review scripts. During that time, I focused on series work, but I found the script for 'Goonche' to be intriguing. After working on longer series, I felt a bit bored, but reading Yeon Sang-ho's script reignited my desire to make a film. It was a movie I wanted to see myself. It was intense and thrilling," she said.This marks Jeon Ji-hyun's first official invitation to the Cannes Film Festival. Although she had previously visited as an ambassador, this is her first time walking the red carpet for a Korean film in which she starred. "The Cannes I visited before wasn't really Cannes," she remarked."It's a dream for every filmmaker to showcase their work at Cannes, and 'Goonche' was presented there for the first time. This is my first time attending Cannes with a Korean film. Although I've been there as an ambassador, this is my third visit, and the previous times didn't feel like Cannes. Haha. This time, I was able to take fun photos with Go Kyung-pyo, and I felt empowered as an actress. It was our own red carpet, and I was so excited. There was tension, but also moments of relaxation, and since I am comfortable with Kyung-pyo, we took playful photos together. The positive reactions and the promotional opportunities for the film were just perfect."Jeon Ji-hyun is known as a master of genre films, having excelled in works such as 'Blood,' 'The Thieves,' 'Berlin,' 'Assassination,' and dramas like 'Kingdom: Ashin of the North,' 'Jirisan,' and 'North Star.' She expressed her desire to work with leading creators in Korean genre films, stating, "I want to be an actress who is not limited to a specific genre.""I don't think being confined to one genre makes an actress a good one. Since childhood, I believed that an actress should act well, and I pondered what sets me apart from other actresses. I realized that the market needs to be broad. I thought that if I could work beyond Korea and in a wider world, it would be different. So, I took opportunities to work overseas when I could. This led me to action roles, as I believe there are enough aspects to connect with audiences through action without relying solely on dialogue. I think those elements have helped me in doing a zombie film," she added.One intriguing aspect of 'Goonche' is the dynamic between the ex-wife and current wife working towards the same goal. Jeon Ji-hyun admitted that she initially found this relationship setup unfamiliar. However, after watching the completed film, she found the structure of pursuing a common goal, despite being in different places, to be fascinating."At first, I wondered if such a setup was necessary. It can be uncomfortable for the ex-wife and current wife to drive the story together. The husband acting as a mediator might also seem strange. But after filming and seeing the finished product, I found it interesting to explore that relational dynamic. The fact that they are in different places but moving towards the same goal was compelling. Beyond the relationships, I appreciated the shared objective. I think the director's intended message about relationships comes through in this aspect," she explained.Kwon Se-jeong is a central character who guides the audience through the film. However, Jeon Ji-hyun believes that this character should be seen as someone who makes judgments and choices alongside the audience, rather than just being labeled as a strong female character."Compared to the female characters in Yeon Sang-ho's other works, I feel that 'Goonche' hasn't showcased enough yet. Kwon Se-jeong adapts to situations, but I felt there was a lack of agency in solving events. Kwon Se-jeong is the center of the film, guiding the audience and prompting them to ponder and understand her choices, so I felt a bit disappointed that I couldn't fully express myself as an actress in this character," she noted.Meeting audiences again through film after a long time, Jeon Ji-hyun expressed surprise at the changed theater culture. Unlike past stage greetings, she noted the energy created by the interaction between audiences and actors."I was surprised during the stage greetings. Nowadays, it feels more like a fan meeting. In the past, we would greet the audience in front of the screen and say, 'See you next time,' but now there's a culture of interaction that impressed me. I was truly touched by the orderliness and manners of Korean audiences. It feels like the culture has matured significantly," she said.Her return to film is also connected to changes in the film industry. The production environment has shifted since COVID-19, leading to fewer opportunities to review scripts and a natural focus on dramas and series. Jeon Ji-hyun mentioned that she considers the audience's time and money when choosing films."The film industry has changed significantly. After COVID-19, the production environment has altered, which has naturally led to a focus on dramas. With films, I feel a greater sense of responsibility. I believe I need to create works that audiences want to see, rather than just what I want to do. It's not easy for them to take the time and spend money to watch a film. I feel I have to take on that responsibility. I always want to make films that I want to see. While it may not always align, I felt that when I saw Yeon Sang-ho's work, it matched my desire. That was a significant factor for me," she explained.After meeting audiences again through film, Jeon Ji-hyun's thirst for the screen has grown. Although she hasn't been inactive during the past 11 years, reflecting on that time has left her with a sense of regret."Having made a film after a long time has made me want to work on films more frequently. I want to meet movie audiences again. I didn't think much about it being 11 years, but now that I realize it, I feel a bit regretful about the time I spent not making films, even though I wasn't completely inactive," she said.Kwon Se-jeong was a character that Jeon Ji-hyun could portray at this stage in her life. She expressed her desire to take on roles that reflect her age and emotions she can understand now."I don't think I could have played the character of Kwon Se-jeong if it weren't for this moment in my life. I wanted to portray a character that fits my age. I still feel the same way. I want to explore emotions that I can express and understand now," she concluded.'Goonche' also holds the potential for expanding the K-zombie genre. Jeon Ji-hyun believes that compared to the sci-fi genre, zombie films have already established themselves as a genre that audiences can accept and enjoy."There is a K-zombie genre. I feel that while sci-fi is still somewhat challenging for audiences to accept and realize, zombie films have already found their footing. I believe it is a genre that can resonate and be enjoyed. I think there will be opportunities to challenge it in the future," she said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:30:00

South Korea's June 3 local elections seen as key test for Lee government and party leaders SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s June 3 local elections are shaping up as a crucial political test one year after the launch of President Lee Jae Myung’s government, with the outcome expected to affect the administration’s governing momentum as well as the futures of several major political figures. The elections, the first nationwide vote since the change in government, are widely viewed as more than a contest over local power. Political observers say the results could trigger broader changes across both liberal and conservative camps ahead of the next presidential race in 2030. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Tuesday it classified nine of the country’s 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races, including the western port city of Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, as leaning in its favor. Party officials said they expect to win at least nine regions and as many as 15. The main opposition People Power Party said it held advantages in conservative regions, including the southern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, while describing nine regions, including Seoul and the southern port city of Busan as battlegrounds. The conservative party projected it could win between two and 11 races. A victory for the ruling party would likely strengthen the Lee administration as it enters its second year in office and give the government and the party greater justification to push ahead with reform legislation. A poor showing for the ruling bloc, however, could weaken the administration early in its second year and force the Democratic Party to slow its legislative drive in the National Assembly, where it currently holds a majority. The elections are also expected to have major implications for the political futures of ruling party leader Jung Chung-rae and main opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok. Both leaders have faced criticism for relying heavily on hard-line supporters while seeking to maintain control of their parties, making them vulnerable to internal backlash if the election results disappoint. Regional strongholds are seen as particularly important. Jung could face a weakened position within the ruling party if it fails to hold North Jeolla Province, while Jang could suffer a major political setback if conservatives lose Daegu, long considered the heartland of South Korea’s conservative movement. The North Jeolla gubernatorial race has drawn attention after independent candidate Kim Kwan-young, who was expelled from the Democratic Party over a controversy involving chauffeur service payments, mounted a reelection bid. Some ruling party supporters have framed the race as a referendum on Jung’s leadership. Several heavyweight politicians running in local races and parliamentary by-elections are also seen as trying to position themselves for future presidential bids. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, could emerge as a major presidential contender if elected. Analysts say a victory in the conservative stronghold would bolster his image as a symbol of national unity. Meanwhile, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, is seeking a fifth term. A win could strengthen his standing as a leading conservative presidential hopeful capable of appealing to both hard-line conservatives and moderates following the political fallout from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration and subsequent impeachment. Attention is also focused on parliamentary by-elections involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and former ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon. Cho, running for a National Assembly seat in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is viewed by liberal observers as a potential future presidential contender if he returns to parliament. His party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, currently holds 12 seats in the National Assembly. Han, running as an independent candidate in Busan’s Buk-gu after being expelled from the People Power Party, is also seen as a possible future presidential candidate if elected. Political analysts say his return to parliament could reignite tensions with Jang and reshape the conservative opposition bloc, particularly if Han pushes a reform agenda centered on his opposition to Yoon’s martial law declaration. Both Cho and Han have pledged to remain in their constituencies and prepare for the 2028 general elections if they lose Tuesday’s races. 2026-06-03 16:21:38

Voter Turnout Reaches 54.7% in Local Elections, Up 9.3% from 2022 As of 4 p.m. on June 3, the voter turnout for the 9th nationwide local elections has reached 54.7%. According to the National Election Commission, approximately 24.4 million of the 44.6 million eligible voters have cast their ballots. This figure includes votes from early voting, absentee voting, and maritime voting conducted from May 29 to 30. This turnout is 9.3 percentage points higher than the 45.4% recorded at the same time during the 2022 local elections. At that time, 20.1 million voters participated out of 44.3 million registered voters. The current local elections have seen a high participation rate from the early voting phase. The final early voting turnout was 23.51%, which is 2.89 percentage points higher than the 20.62% recorded in the 2022 elections. On the first day of early voting, the turnout at 4 p.m. was 9.25%, up from 8.22% at the same time four years ago. Voting began at 6 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. Voters must present a photo ID, such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport, to cast their votes. The main voting for the 9th local elections runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. This election will determine the heads of metropolitan and local governments, education superintendents, and members of regional councils, with some areas also holding by-elections for the National Assembly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:21:00

Reports of Disruptions and Assaults at Polling Places During Local Elections On June 3, during the 9th nationwide local elections, numerous reports of disruptions and election interference were made to emergency services across polling places in South Korea. Incidents ranged from attempts to photograph ballots to allegations of election fraud and even assaults on election officials, creating a tense atmosphere near polling locations. According to Yonhap News, as of 3 p.m. on election day, there were 312 reports related to the elections made to emergency services, with 53 of those concerning election interference. At a polling place in Yeongdeungpo-gu, a woman in her 70s caused a disturbance by claiming that her ballot had already been marked. Police are currently investigating her claims as a one-sided report. In Gwanak-gu, a man in his 30s created a scene when he was stopped from attempting to photograph his ballot inside the voting booth. In Sejong, a man in his 40s was prevented from showing his completed ballot to others after he tried to remove it from the ballot box. Reports of suspected election fraud also emerged. In Gangdong-gu, a report was filed claiming that ballots were printed in duplicate, but the election commission confirmed it was a simple mistake by an election worker. At a polling place in Gochon-eup, a woman in her 60s caused a scene, claiming her preferred candidate was not on the ballot, and subsequently assaulted the election official who intervened. In Gwangju, a man in his 70s reported to police that he received only two ballots when he should have received three, alleging that fraudulent activity was occurring. However, a system check confirmed that three ballots had indeed been printed, leading to the conclusion that it was a misunderstanding. An assault incident was also reported in Guro-gu, where a man in his 60s, having arrived at the wrong polling place, struck and pulled the arm of an election official who was trying to guide him to the correct location. Police are set to investigate potential violations of the law. Additionally, there were reports of conflicts between observers and voters at some polling places, attempts to photograph inside polling locations, and public displays of ballots, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding election order. Authorities have classified election-related emergency reports as a top priority and have deployed personnel around polling places to manage the situation. Yonhap News reported that police stated they would respond strictly to any actions that disrupt voting or undermine election order, maintaining a state of emergency response until the election concludes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:18:00

[[WNMC 2026]] AJP Director Seo Hye-seung: 'AI Native News Agency is the Answer' – Korean Model Unveiled in Marseille Seo Hye-seung, the editor-in-chief of Aju Media Group (AJP), participated as a panelist in the session titled "How AI Is Transforming the News Experience" at the 77th World News Media Congress (WNMC) held on June 3 in Marseille, France. The session was moderated by Dmitry Shishkin, a former BBC World Service journalist, and featured media leaders from Germany's Ippen Digital, dpa, and India's Scroll.in. During the discussion, Seo highlighted AJP's strength as a latecomer in the English news agency market, emphasizing that it was designed from the ground up with AI in mind. She explained that Aju Economy produces around 300 articles daily, some of which are selected by their in-house system, 'AI Pick,' for automatic distribution in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English. This automation has resulted in a tenfold increase in publication volume for those languages and a 30% rise in English traffic. Seo defined AJP's identity as conveying "Asian substance in English," noting that while language has traditionally been tied to regions, the advent of AI is reversing that trend. "AI is changing not only how news is created but also how readers experience it," she emphasized, stating that readers are the best judges of this transformation. Aju Media Group operates as a multilingual, AI-native media organization, centered around its Korean-language Aju Economy, the English news agency AJP, and the AI Business Channel (ABC), offering international editions in five languages. 2026-06-03 16:18:00

Court Orders South Korea to Compensate Victim of Re-education Camp A South Korean court has ruled that the government must compensate a victim of the re-education camp known as Samcheong Education Center approximately 200 million won (about $150,000). On June 3, the Seoul High Court's Civil Division 33, led by Judge Lee Chang-hyung, partially upheld the victim A's claim for damages against the state in a recent appellate ruling. A was forcibly taken to the Samcheong Education Center in August 1980 for re-education. After completing the program in September of the same year, A was sent to a labor service unit where he was subjected to forced labor. In January 1981, he received a two-year protective detention sentence. In March 1981, A escaped from the detention facility but was recaptured and sentenced to four months in prison. He was released in May 1983 after completing his protective detention. In May 2022, A filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the government. The first trial ruled that the state must pay A over 220 million won. The court stated, "A was significantly deprived of his dignity as a human being and his constitutional rights to personal freedom and residence due to unlawful arrest and detention without legal procedures. The state has a duty to protect the basic rights of its citizens and is responsible for compensating all damages resulting from its unlawful actions against A." The court determined that A's lost income should be calculated for the 33 months from his arrest in August 1980 until his release in May 1983. Regarding A's escape, the court noted that while the exact duration of his escape is unclear, it should be considered a period of unjust detention due to the unlawful actions against him, and thus included in the calculation of damages. The appellate court also recognized the government's liability for damages, ruling that A, who had received a supplementary military service designation, should receive an additional payment of over 3 million won for his military service. Both parties did not appeal the ruling, finalizing the appellate court's decision.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:15:00

Voter Disruptions and Misconduct Reported During Local Elections On June 3, as the 9th nationwide local elections took place, numerous disruptions and false reports were reported at polling stations across the country. According to the National Police Agency, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., a total of 312 election-related calls were received nationwide. Of these, 53 involved disruptions or interference with voting, 3 were related to assaults, and 14 concerned traffic issues. Additionally, 242 other reports included false alarms. Incidents of varying severity occurred at polling places in different regions. At a polling station in Sejong City, a man in his 40s was stopped from showing his completed ballot to others instead of placing it in the ballot box. In Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, a man in his 60s attempted to leave the polling station with his ballot uncast and was restrained by election officials, subsequently shouting in protest. In Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, a woman in her 70s caused a disturbance, claiming that her ballot was already marked. In Gwanak-gu, a voter was reported to have shouted after being stopped from taking a photo of his ballot in the voting booth. In Busan, police received 25 election-related calls between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Of these, one involved disruption, while 24 were categorized as other reports. At a polling station in Bupyeong-dong, Jung-gu, a man in his 50s was reported to have disrupted voting while intoxicated, prompting police intervention. He was issued a strong warning and sent home at the request of election officials. In Seogwipo City, Jeju, an incident was reported where a voter was found to have one extra ballot than allowed. The election commission invalidated the excess ballot. Reports indicate that this voter had six ballots instead of the five they were entitled to, including two for the Seogwipo City congressional by-election. Outside polling stations, election-related incidents also occurred. In Uijeongbu City, a man in his 60s was arrested for vandalizing 20 election guidance banners. Police stated that he had removed the banners from around polling stations between the evening of May 30 and June 2, claiming he mistook them for illegal banners after early voting had concluded. The election commission has reminded voters that taking photos of ballots or intentionally revealing them is prohibited. Disruptions or actions that undermine the voting process at or near polling stations can also lead to issues. Police are investigating the reports to determine if any violations of the Public Official Election Act occurred.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:12:00

[[WNMC 2026]] 'No Map in the Age of AI'... Media Outlets Must Chart Their Own Course On the second day of the World News Media Congress (WNMC) hosted by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in Marseille, France, global media executives and editors confronted a shared reality: no one knows exactly where artificial intelligence (AI) will lead journalism. Ezra Eman, WAN-IFRA's AI Media Director, diagnosed the uncertainty facing the media industry in a keynote session on June 2, stating, "No media outlet has a map." In the internet era, there was a clear direction toward digital transformation, and during the mobile age, a common goal of mobile-first strategies emerged. The social media era also had relatively clear strategies for platform utilization. However, the AI era is different. The fundamental restructuring of how information is produced, distributed, and consumed means that existing formulas for success are no longer applicable. Eman remarked, "The new world cannot be explained by existing maps," emphasizing that the challenge lies not merely in adopting AI tools but in figuring out how journalism can survive and thrive in an era where AI becomes the gateway to information for people. In fact, global media companies are choosing different paths. According to a survey presented by Eman, 56% of media outlets have adopted defensive strategies to block crawling bots from AI companies, while 31% are negotiating or have signed licensing agreements with AI firms. He noted, "There is no right answer to which strategy is correct; choices may vary based on the size and circumstances of each media outlet." What is clear, however, is that media organizations must determine their own positions within the AI ecosystem. Eman stressed, "Without control, there is no market, and no way to secure value." Whereas media companies once competed for readers' attention, they are now competing to maintain their presence within AI systems. He warned that journalism must not be reduced to mere 'ingredients' within the AI ecosystem. As generative AI summarizes, explains, and recommends article content, there is a growing risk that media content will be consumed as components of AI services. Eman stated, "We must be a destination, not just an ingredient." If media outlets limit themselves to supplying content to AI, they risk losing their relationships with readers, subscription revenue, and advertising income. However, by providing differentiated services and experiences that readers actively seek, they can maintain competitiveness even as distribution methods change. He advised, "Understand AI usage patterns, avoid commoditized content, and secure scarcity. We must accumulate unique knowledge and capabilities to respond to the age of AI agents." Ultimately, as AI proliferates, the demand for exclusive information, reliability, and authenticity will become even more critical. "The market will prefer exclusive, specific, and authentic content," he predicted. During a panel discussion, global media executives shared their various approaches to navigating this 'mapless era.' Fabrice Bakhouche, CEO of the French group Ouest-France, stated, "The impact of AI on roles, workflows, and management structures is just beginning to emerge, and no one can clearly outline its influence yet." He emphasized the importance of field-based experimentation over excessive caution. "A bottom-up approach is essential; we must not be too conservative," Bakhouche said, indicating that answers should be sought through real-world experiments rather than waiting for uncertainties to resolve. Sky News in the UK is grappling with similar challenges. Jonathan Levy, CEO of Sky News, diagnosed the media industry as undergoing changes that are "simultaneously, constantly, and accelerated." He quoted former Washington Post editor Marty Baron, describing the current situation as a "rapidly changing media consumption landscape." Sky News is pursuing a strategy of transitioning to a digital and video-centric newsroom while maintaining the essence of journalism. Levy remarked, "We are providing trusted journalism while remodeling an aircraft mid-flight." He also emphasized the importance of honest leadership that does not pretend to have all the answers, stating that providing direction and trust to team members is a key role for management during the transformation process. Reuters has opted for a more systematic approach. Jane Barrett, head of AI strategy at Reuters, assessed that the key to AI implementation lies more in the organization than in technology. "10% of change is AI, 20% is technology, and 70% is about people and processes," she said. Reuters is establishing guidelines for AI use, a governance committee, and data security systems—what she referred to as 'scaffolding'—to ensure that experimentation and innovation do not compromise trust. Barrett emphasized, "Failure is learning," highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation at the organizational level. Eman concluded his presentation by reiterating, "No media outlet has a map." Instead, what is needed now is not a perfect answer but experimentation, observation, and collaboration. He urged, "We must share signals with each other and exchange experiences of failure." While media organizations are heading toward the same destination in the age of AI, they must carve their own paths to get there. The conclusion from Marseille was clear: the absence of a map is no reason to remain stagnant.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:09:00

[[WNMC 2026]] Global News Organizations Embrace AI for Economic Growth "For the past 15 years, we have created content for Google. Now, we may need to design content for AI." On June 2, during the second day of the World News Media Congress (WNMC) in Marseille, discussions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) have moved beyond threats and experimentation. News organizations worldwide are unveiling different strategies on how to utilize AI and what kind of relationship to establish with it. India's The Hindu is using AI as a tool to solve article discovery issues, while Sweden's Bonnier News is focusing on AI-driven personalization and interactive news archives. In contrast, Austria's Kleine Zeitung is redefining its news distribution strategy by viewing AI as a new audience. "There are too many articles that readers have not seen" Pundi Srirami, Chief Product Officer (CPO) and business head of The Hindu Group, identified 'discovery' as AI's most significant role. "Our site is overflowing with articles that subscribers have never seen," he said. The Hindu has approximately 35 million monthly users and around 1 million app users, but expanding its paid readership remains a challenge. Srirami diagnosed the issue as not a lack of content but rather that readers are not reaching the right articles. To address this, The Hindu is reprocessing a single article into various formats. Readers can choose from AI-generated summaries, Q&A formats, short articles of 200 words, or expanded articles of 300 words. As a result, the usage rate of AI-based content formats increased from 6% to 36%. Personalization also focused more on 'exposure space' rather than the content itself. Through AI-driven trend recommendations, customized notifications, and personalized app screens, about 15% of current app page views come from personalized areas, with some areas reaching up to 30%. Audio content was not applied indiscriminately. Srirami explained, "We only apply it where it adds value." Notably, audio content providing current affairs commentary for civil service exam candidates recorded a 24% conversion rate. He noted that about half of the increase in app engagement over the past year came from AI-based features. From Search to Conversation Sweden's Bonnier News is changing the way news is searched using AI. CPO Jan Helin explained that AI enables much more sophisticated personalization than existing recommendation algorithms. A key area of focus is the interactive archive. Instead of entering keywords to search, readers can ask questions in natural language, and AI will provide answers based on years of accumulated article data. Helin stated, "The conversion rate for users using the conversational interface is 60%." This is seen as evidence that readers are increasingly turning to conversation windows for information rather than search boxes. "AI is a new reader" The most striking claim came from Sebastian Krause, digital head of Austria's Kleine Zeitung. He assessed that for the past 15 years, media companies have focused on increasing clicks and search engine visibility. However, he noted that a new type of visitor has emerged in the AI era. That visitor is the AI bot. These bots read and summarize articles but rarely click on them. Krause interpreted this not as a threat but as a new opportunity. "AI is a new reader," he said. "Do not fight against a great product; AI is an excellent product," he added. Kleine Zeitung is even considering building separate sites for humans and AI agents. The strategy is to provide content in a format that machines can easily read and utilize, while the conditions will be determined by the media company. "Summaries can be made. But they must pay for it." Krause stated that in the AI era, distribution is no longer a bottleneck. In the internet age, how widely content is distributed was crucial, but in the future, unique content that cannot be found elsewhere will be the key competitive advantage. He emphasized, "In the AI era, the bottleneck is not distribution but originality and scarcity." In the AI Era, Competitiveness is 'Exclusive Content' Toshi Panigrahi, co-founder of Tolbit, pointed out that AI companies are currently collecting content in real-time. He argued that media companies need to understand which AIs are reading their content, what topics they are seeking, and which journalists' content holds influence in the AI environment. As AI agents evolve beyond simply reading content to performing actual actions, media companies must also establish systems to measure and monetize AI utilization. AI is no longer just a tool to enhance newsroom productivity. It is establishing itself as a new media environment that changes how news is discovered, consumed, and distributed. Global news organizations are moving beyond viewing AI as a source of fear and caution, seeking to leverage it to expand the value of journalism and create new reader touchpoints.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 16:09:00

[[WNMC 2026]] How AI is Transforming News Consumption AI is not only changing how news is produced but also how readers experience it. The era of searching for keywords and clicking links is fading, giving way to a time when content is delivered based on predictions of what readers want before they even ask. On June 3, at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille, the 77th World News Media Congress (WNMC) hosted a session titled "How AI Is Transforming the News Experience." The congress, which ran from June 1 to 3, attracted around 1,000 participants representing over 450 media organizations from more than 60 countries. The session was moderated by Dmitry Shishkin, former digital development editor at BBC World Service and now an independent media consultant. Panelists included Markus Knall, content chief and editor-in-chief at Ippen Digital in Germany; Astrid Maier, deputy editor and strategy chief at dpa in Germany; Sannuta Raghu, executive producer at Scroll.in in India; and Seo Hye-seung, editor-in-chief at AJP, a media group in South Korea. The central theme of the session was "liquid content," which refers to the concept that a single piece of reporting can change its form based on the context of the reader, reaching them in the appropriate format at the right moment. This contrasts sharply with the traditional model of waiting for readers to visit the media outlet. Shishkin's "user needs" model served as the theoretical foundation for the discussion. This model starts from the premise that readers consume news not just for information but also for various intents: to know, to understand, to feel, and to act. Shishkin has emphasized, "Tell the story you want to tell, but frame it from the angle that adds value for the reader." AI takes this model further by analyzing data to determine what a reader currently wants to understand or feel, automatically generating content in the appropriate form. The session also posed the fundamental question: "What does it mean to be a news agency in the AI era?" Traditionally, news agencies have acted as wholesalers, producing articles for other media outlets. However, as AI automates translation, curation, and distribution, the boundaries of what agencies can deliver are expanding. In this context, AJP's approach, led by Seo Hye-seung, gained attention. Aju Media Group operates as a multilingual, AI-native media organization, publishing content in five languages, including Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese, through its platforms Aju Economy, AJP, and AI Business Channel (ABC). Seo identifies AJP's identity in the AI era, stating, "In the age of search, language was tied to regions, but in the AI era, that equation is flipped. All major language models are fundamentally built around English, and Asia is increasingly described by AI trained on Western data. We have discovered the role of an Asian English news agency that writes in the language AI can best understand. This is the 'Asian substance in English.'" Seo elaborates on the paradox of being a latecomer designed as an AI-native. Although AJP is a latecomer in the English news agency market, its foundation built on AI has offset the disadvantages of starting late. He shared that Aju Media Group's founder, Kwon Young-gil, 72, adopted the principles "AI or Die" and "Start now, perfect later" after attending AI lectures at KAIST during the pandemic. Seo emphasized that while AI serves as a supportive tool, the role of journalists has become even more crucial. He stated, "Our motto is clear: to become journalists that AI can learn from and keep up with," noting that at AJP, reporters with less than two years of experience are producing in-depth features, interviews, and analysis articles of 5,000 words. In practice, AJP selects a portion of the approximately 300 articles produced daily by Aju Economy through a system called "AI Pick" and automatically distributes them in four additional languages. This automation has increased the publication volume in those four languages tenfold, and English traffic has reportedly risen by 30%. This session naturally connected with the previous day's discussion on "Discovery: How to Rethink Search in the AI Era." While the June 2 session addressed the evolution of search strategies from SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), this session looked ahead to a stage where readers experience news even before they search for it. This shift suggests that the long-standing question in the media industry is changing. Whereas publishers once asked, "What is the best journalism?" the new question is, "What is the best experience?" However, both sessions emphasized a common message: the fundamentals remain more important than technology. Algorithms and platforms may change constantly, but the direct relationship with readers endures. The third key point was how AI is rapidly expanding the reporting scope of local publishers. Sannuta Raghu from Scroll.in has led experiments using AI to cover broader communities with limited resources, demonstrating that local media with significant resource constraints can greatly benefit from AI automation. AJP shares similar findings. A small AI video and essay contest conducted last year with the Indian Embassy in Korea started with a mere $220 marketing budget but garnered around one million impressions, laying the groundwork for building India-focused content. Seo cited the example of BTS, explaining how the time saved by AI translates into enhanced reader experiences. Earlier this year, a BTS concert was live-streamed 24/7 for two months in Gwanghwamun, transforming into a platform for the global fandom, known as ARMY, in five languages. He stated, "We cannot wait for readers to come to us. We must go out and understand what they want to experience." Ultimately, the session converged on a single conclusion: while AI is shaking the foundations of news production, distribution, and consumption, the reader remains at the center. Technology is merely a tool, and the goal of 'predictive journalism' is to ensure that content finds its way to readers, enhancing their experience. Seo and the other panelists shared the vision that regardless of where readers are or what format they prefer, the aim is to deliver stories at the right moment, reinforcing that the media's competitiveness in the AI era lies in creating reasons for readers to return. 2026-06-03 16:09:00