OPINION: Religion is not sanctuary For centuries, religion has served as a moral compass, illuminating the inner lives of individuals and offering communities a shared ethical horizon. Through faith, people have asked the most enduring human questions—about meaning, suffering, and responsibility to one another. At its best, religion has nurtured solidarity and restrained power. But something changes when religion begins to orbit power and capital. Faith loses its sacred gravity, and institutions begin to mistake themselves for sanctuaries beyond scrutiny. Recent allegations of church–state entanglement in South Korea are not merely about one group or another. They raise a deeper and more uncomfortable question: how has society allowed religion to drift from conscience into privilege? One point must be stated plainly. Religion is not a sanctuary. Religious institutions are human institutions. They operate in society, influence politics, shape public opinion, and mobilize resources. As such, they cannot be exempt from the basic principles that govern any public actor—transparency, accountability, and equality before the law. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right, but it exists to protect the inner freedom of belief, not to shield opaque governance, financial secrecy, or political leverage. The moment a religious organization steps into the public sphere, it must also submit to public standards. This is not hostility toward faith. It is the foundation of a democratic order. The controversies surrounding certain religious movements—often criticized for doctrinal exclusivity, organizational opacity, and social conflict—bring this tension into sharp relief. Not every accusation is necessarily true, and vigilance against prejudice or moral panic is essential. Yet it is equally unconvincing to dismiss sustained and credible concerns as mere persecution. The answer lies neither in witch hunts nor in blind deference, but in calm fact-finding and the rule of law. If religion is to reclaim moral authority, it must first apply to itself three basic principles. The first is truth. Truth withers in secrecy. Beliefs may contain mystery, but governance, finances, and public engagement must be open to scrutiny. The second is freedom. Faith must be chosen, not coerced. Any religion that suppresses questions or disciplines doubt has already departed from the essence of belief. The third is justice. Religion must stand closer to the vulnerable than to power. The moment faith begins to bargain with political authority, it forfeits its moral credibility. These principles are not aimed at one denomination or tradition. They are questions every religious community must ask of itself. Whether church, temple, cathedral, or shrine, the path to restored trust is not complicated: openness, self-examination, and humility. Looking ahead, this challenge becomes even more urgent. In an age of artificial intelligence—where machines increasingly replace human labor and even cognitive tasks—the role of religion may grow, not shrink. Technology delivers efficiency, but it cannot explain meaning or purpose. Here, religion could once again become a refuge for human dignity. But only if it is open rather than authoritarian, spiritual rather than institutional. Korea, in this respect, holds a distinctive cultural asset. The ancient ideals of Hongik Ingan—to benefit humanity—and Jaesei Ihwa—to harmonize the world—express a universal ethic rooted in Korean tradition. They do not belong to any single faith. When combined with Christian love, Buddhist compassion, Confucian benevolence, and Taoist respect for nature, they suggest the possibility of a shared moral language—a Korean model of spirituality oriented toward maturity rather than expansion. Such spirituality would measure success not by numbers, but by depth. Not by conversion, but by healing. Not by institutional size, but by the quality of human life it helps sustain. Religion is not a sanctuary. But the values religion exists to protect—truth, freedom, and justice—remain sacred. A faith rebuilt on transparency and responsibility, one that bridges humanity, nature, technology, and meaning, is not only a task for Korean religion. It is an invitation to the world. *The author is the President of Global Economic and Financial Research Institute (GEFRI) 2026-01-09 09:48:44

Foreign investors' appetite for South Korean stocks recovers SEOUL, Jan. 9 (AJP) - Foreign investors returned to the South Korean stock market, net purchasing over 9 trillion won in December alone, according to data released by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on Friday. Foreigners snapped up 1.52 trillion Korean won (US$1 billion) in stocks and 7.89 trillion won in bonds, marking a decisive return after a brief retreat in November last year. The appetite was concentrated on the KOSPI, with net purchases totaling 1.67 trillion won, even as the tech-heavy KOSDAQ saw a modest net outflow of 149 billion won. The renewed interest lifted the total value of foreign-held stocks to 1,326.8 trillion won by the end of the year, up 134 trillion won from the previous month. Foreign holdings now account for 30.8 percent of the total market capitalization of the South Korean stock market. European investors led the buying spree with a net 1.6 trillion won, followed by North American and Asian investors at 400 billion won and 300 billion won, respectively. By country, France and the U.K. were the most aggressive buyers, with net purchases of 1 trillion won and 800 billion won. Conversely, Singapore and the Cayman Islands offloaded 900 billion won and 600 billion won. The U.S. remains the largest stakeholder, holding 546 trillion won worth of stocks or 41.2 percent of all foreign-owned shares. European investors follow with 417 trillion won, while Asian and Middle Eastern holdings stand at 182.4 trillion won and 22.9 trillion won. The bond market also saw a robust influx of capital with foreign investors purchasing a net 17.53 trillion won. Even after 9.64 trillion won in matured holdings, net investment amounted to 7.89 trillion won. This pushed total foreign bond holdings to 328.5 trillion won, up 6.9 trillion won from November, accounting for 11.9 percent of all outstanding listed debt. European investors led foreign bond inflows with 2.5 trillion won, followed by the Americas at 1.7 trillion won and Asia at 1.1 trillion won. In terms of total holdings, Asian investors maintain the largest share at 135.9 trillion won, followed by European holders at 120.6 trillion won. Most of the investment went into government bonds and Monetary Stabilization Bonds (MSBs), which saw net purchases of 3.7 trillion won and 1.9 trillion won, respectively. As of the end of last year, foreign investors held 297.1 trillion won in government bonds and 31.4 trillion won in other bonds. 2026-01-09 09:38:15

CES 2026: Hyundai Motor Group unveils in-house AI chips for robotics LAS VEGAS, January 09 (AJP) -South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group has developed an in-house artificial intelligence chip for its mobility platform, extending its ambitions in robotics and so-called “physical AI.” Hyundai Motor and Kia said they have completed development of an on-device AI chip for robots and are preparing for mass production, marking a strategic shift toward greater vertical integration in next-generation mobility technologies. The automakers’ Robotics Lab said Thursday, local time, that the chip was co-developed with Korea-based AI semiconductor startup DeepX and unveiled at CES 2026 Foundry in Las Vegas. CES Foundry is a newly introduced program at this year’s CES, designed to foster broader discussion around artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum technologies. According to the lab, the on-device AI chip consumes less than 5 watts of power and is capable of real-time data processing for recognition and decision-making. Unlike cloud-based AI systems, it operates independently of network connectivity, allowing robots to function reliably in environments where connections are unstable or unavailable, such as underground parking garages and logistics centers. The architecture also enables faster response times and offers security advantages. Hyundai Motor–Kia said the chip supports the development of robots optimized for specific services, rather than a one-size-fits-all design. By embedding intelligence directly on the device, the companies aim to improve reliability while reducing dependence on external infrastructure. Hyun Dong-jin, managing director and head of the Hyundai Motor–Kia Robotics Lab, said the lab is pursuing a vision of “robotizing space” to realize physical AI — intelligent machines that can perceive, reason and act autonomously in real-world environments. An internally developed AI controller has already been applied since June 2024 to facial-recognition systems and the DAL-e delivery robot at the Factorial Seongsu complex in Seoul to validate performance and quality. The automakers said the partnership combines the Robotics Lab’s AI and software capabilities with DeepX’s semiconductor expertise, allowing them to balance cost efficiency, performance and supply-chain stability. Securing an optimized chip solution early is expected to support large-scale robot production and reduce exposure to external supply risks. Hyundai Motor–Kia emphasized that robots must ultimately operate in everyday settings to address structural challenges such as population aging, industrial safety risks and labor shortages. The new on-device AI chip is expected to serve as a core building block for a stable physical AI infrastructure. The group is seeking to leverage the automotive value chain it has built over decades to enable mass production of robots, while deepening cooperation with South Korea’s battery industry. Pilot projects are also under way in environments such as airports and hospitals, as part of efforts to expand applications and strengthen the country’s robotics ecosystem. “Hyundai Motor–Kia Robotics Lab is not simply making robots; we are building a sustainable robotics ecosystem,” Hyun said. The aim, he added, is to deliver efficient, low-power robots that create tangible value for users at the final stage of the physical AI pipeline. 2026-01-09 07:45:23

OPINION: Why FX stability is a must for South Korea South Korea is one of the world’s most open economies, with trade accounting for roughly 75% of GDP, and it depends entirely on imports for energy. In this structure, exchange-rate stability is not merely an economic policy issue but a matter of national resilience. When the won weakens, import prices rise, energy and raw-material costs surge, and pressure mounts on both corporate competitiveness and household finances. The won–dollar exchange rate has recently steadied around 1,440 won, but volatility remains elevated. When the rate surged to 1,480 won not long ago, fears of a renewed foreign-exchange crisis spread quickly among policymakers and the public alike. The government responded by adjusting the pace of the National Pension Service’s overseas investment, managing capital flows and taking steps to stabilize dollar supply and demand. These measures helped restore short-term calm, but they were closer to stopgap interventions than lasting solutions. Over the long term, South Korea’s exchange rate has followed a structurally upward path. The won traded around 200 to the dollar in the 1970s, approached 2,000 during the 1997 foreign-exchange crisis, and climbed to roughly 1,600 during the 2008 global financial crisis. The recent return toward the 1,480 level has revived public anxiety that another crisis could emerge, a reminder that without structural reform, external shocks have a tendency to repeat. Foreign-exchange crises are not unique to South Korea. Argentina is now facing its 10th such crisis, and as of January around 10 countries — including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Argentina — were receiving bailout support from the International Monetary Fund. Currency instability remains a recurring vulnerability for open economies that lack sufficient buffers. South Korea’s risk of a foreign-exchange crisis can be placed at roughly 30%, which means both the government and the National Assembly must pursue structural measures to stabilize the currency. Foreign-exchange reserves — the country’s last line of defense — should be expanded to at least $930 billion. South Korea currently holds about $430 billion, equivalent to roughly 22% of GDP. Taiwan, by contrast, holds around $600 billion, or about 77% of GDP. Ample reserves were a key reason Taiwan weathered the 1997 Asian financial crisis with relative stability. Currency swap lines with Japan and the United States should also be expanded, as they provide a critical financial backstop that allows rapid access to foreign currency during periods of stress. During the 2008 global financial crisis, the South Korea–U.S. swap line was expanded to $60 billion and the South Korea–Japan swap line to $70 billion, playing a decisive role in stabilizing the exchange rate. International financial markets reward preparation and punish complacency. Fiscal discipline is equally essential. South Korea’s official national debt ratio stands at 52%, but when military and civil-service pensions and public-enterprise debt are included, the effective burden is estimated at around 130%. Even on a central-government bond basis, the ratio is projected to approach 60% by 2029. The International Monetary Fund classifies non-reserve-currency countries as risky once debt exceeds 60% of GDP, underscoring that fiscal soundness is a core condition for exchange-rate stability. Exchange-rate stability is not solely the government’s responsibility. Individuals must also prepare by holding dollar-denominated assets. A portfolio weighted toward high-quality U.S. equities, complemented by exposure to leading South Korean companies, can help hedge against a weaker won and the risk of a foreign-exchange crisis. Exchange-rate stability underpins confidence in South Korea’s economy and its long-term sustainability. Structural preparation, not crisis management, is the only durable defense. * The author is a business administration professor at Sejong University. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-09 07:35:27

OPINION: The won's slide is about confidence, not crisis The won traded around 1,360 per U.S. dollar when the Lee Jae Myung government took office in early June 2025. It weakened into the 1,470s in November and the 1,480s in December. Although it has since eased back to the 1,440s, the exchange rate — along with real estate — has emerged as one of the most visible risk factors confronting the new administration. A high exchange rate itself is not new. The won remained weak throughout the Yoon Suk Yeol government. What requires explanation is why, under the Lee government, the depreciation has been framed as a sudden surge — and why it has reignited fears of a foreign-exchange crisis. Several explanations have been offered: the widening U.S.–South Korea interest-rate gap, money-supply growth linked to expansionary fiscal policy, prolonged export weakness and domestic political instability. Yet most of these factors predate the current administration. The Bank of Korea’s rate cuts and the resulting rate gap began under Yoon, and export weakness has been a persistent issue. Blaming money-supply growth on a government barely six months into office is also a stretch. Some have singled out so-called “Seohak ants” — South Korean retail investors buying overseas stocks — as a culprit. But the KOSPI has surged under the Lee government, weakening the claim that capital flight by retail investors is driving the won lower. That leaves political and economic uncertainty — and declining confidence in policy direction — as the more persuasive explanation. Context matters. South Korea holds net dollar assets of roughly $1.3 trillion, including more than $400 billion in foreign-exchange reserves and over $900 billion in net external dollar assets. These figures include overseas stock holdings by retail investors. This is nowhere near the 1997–98 situation, when dollars were scarce. A foreign-exchange crisis driven by liquidity shortages is, for now, effectively off the table. Nor is there evidence of a fundamental rupture in the won–dollar relationship. The dollar had been strengthening even before the U.S.–South Korea rate gap widened, and it has remained strong against major currencies such as the euro and the yen. Still, the late-2025 jump from the low-to-mid 1,400s into the high 1,400s — flirting with 1,500 — was problematic. It reflected an episode of “overshooting,” in which small changes triggered outsized market reactions. That points to shortcomings in short-term management rather than a structural collapse. Three factors stand out. First are political and economic tensions surrounding the change of government. Some market participants appear to view the new policy direction as weakening fundamentals and have positioned for a softer won. Uneven media coverage of the exchange rate and a rise in domestic dollar-deposit balances suggest a shift in sentiment toward defensive positioning. Second is perceived instability among economic authorities, particularly the so-called F4 — the deputy prime minister and finance minister, the Bank of Korea governor, the Financial Services Commission chairman and the Financial Supervisory Service chief. Doubts persist about both expertise and coordination. Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong is nearing the end of his term, while the other three face criticism for limited experience in international finance. As a result, short-term measures have had limited impact. Controversies over retail investors, the National Pension Service’s hedging practices and pressure on major exporters to sell dollars have done little to stabilize expectations. In currency markets, credibility matters more than reserves: when authorities’ words carry weight, they rarely need to deploy “ammunition.” Third are longer-term structural issues, which call for a broader perspective — including lessons from Japan. Japan once had its own version of retail investors, the so-called “Mrs. Watanabe.” On April 1, 1998, it overhauled its foreign-exchange regime through the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law, sharply liberalizing capital transactions and easing restrictions on overseas investment. Those “Mrs. Watanabe” yen-carry trades did contribute to yen weakness. But Japan also gained something else: as the yen became more internationalized and trading deepened, volatility declined. With yen bonds, spot and futures trading occurring in real time in markets such as New York and London, exchange-rate swings moderated. When carry-trade returns rose, they often helped stabilize the currency rather than destabilize it. In an era of financial globalization, there is no realistic way to block retail investors’ overseas investment. The more constructive approach is to sharply ease — or even abolish — foreign-exchange regulations so retail flows help deepen the market and potentially exert stabilizing effects. That would be a step toward internationalizing the won. South Korea has yet to join the group of 28 countries with fully convertible currencies. Aside from limited liberalization imposed by the International Monetary Fund after the 1998 crisis, its foreign-exchange market has remained largely closed for nearly three decades. The result is a distorted structure, exemplified by the outsized role of the offshore non-deliverable forward market. This also helps explain why South Korea remains excluded from the MSCI developed-market index — a constraint that ultimately undermines ambitions such as “KOSPI 5000.” *The author is a columnist for the Aju Business Daily. About the author: ▷International economics, Seoul National University College of Social Sciences and graduate school ▷Ph.D. in economics, University of Missouri ▷CEO of MaeKyung TV and MaeKyung Publishing; Washington correspondent and editorial writer at Maeil Business Newspaper ▷Visiting professor, Seoul National University Department of Economics ▷CEO, Yeonwoo Consulting * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-09 07:27:54

S. Korean startups urged to rethink global scale-up as a process of repetition and trust LAS VEGAS, January 08 (AJP) - “Global-ready is not about translating slides into English,” one Silicon Valley investor said. “It is about proving demand, again and again.” That message shaped discussions on Korean startups’ global expansion at the AJP Global Innovation Growth Summit 2026 (GIGS 2026), held on Jan. 7 (local time) at the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas. Investors stressed that success in overseas markets is determined less by technology or vision than by execution, validation, and credibility built over time. The discussion session brought together Silicon Valley investors to explain how global capital evaluates early-stage companies in practice. Tomasz Kolodziejczak, former head of innovation initiatives at Samsung Research, said Korea has no shortage of strong technical talent, but that advantage often weakens outside the domestic market. Global investors, he noted, place greater weight on founders’ execution and decision-making than on sector or technology labels. Business models that work at home frequently need to be abandoned and rebuilt from scratch to fit overseas markets. A sector-level perspective came from healthcare investor Cheryl Campos, former head of the Republic Venture Growth Partnership, who pointed to femtech and silver tech as areas where large populations remain underserved. The challenge, she suggested, is rarely technological. Instead, it lies in weak problem definition and a limited understanding of real customer needs. That focus on fundamentals was reinforced by Mitchell Weinstock, a venture partner at HP Tech Ventures. Being global-ready, he warned, is often misunderstood. Translating pitch materials into English does little on its own. What matters is repeated demand validation, built through sustained customer engagement and constant verification. Investor-founder dynamics also emerged as a key theme. Campos cautioned against approaching venture capital firms from a position of weakness, arguing that startups should present opportunities rather than requests for funding. Overstated market claims or selective disclosure, participants agreed, undermine trust and damage long-term credibility. Across the session, investors consistently framed global expansion not as a single leap driven by ambition, but as a cumulative process shaped by repetition, disciplined execution, and trust earned over time. 2026-01-08 18:45:33

Seoul opens 'climate shelters' for rest during extreme weather SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Seoul has rolled out a network of “Climate Companion Shelters” to protect residents from extreme weather, offering rest and evacuation spaces during cold waves and heat waves. The program aims to reduce weather-related health risks by providing easily accessible refuges across the city. The city has established 450 shelters in partnership with the private sector, focusing on facilities commonly used in daily life, including convenience stores, banks and mobile phone retail outlets. The locations include 34 convenience stores, 192 Shinhan Bank branches and 224 KT retail stores. Residents can enter the facilities during normal business hours to warm up or cool down, or to take a short break. Some locations also offer seasonal amenities, such as hand warmers during winter and umbrellas during the rainy summer months. 2026-01-08 17:59:19

Busan revives as a global tourist magnet SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city after Seoul, is enjoying a tourism revival as its beach-rich coastline draws a record number of foreign visitors and the city rolls out a packed calendar of international events to sustain the momentum. According to the Korea Tourism Organization and Busan metropolitan, 3,349,219 foreign tourists visited Busan in the first 11 months of 2025, surpassing the 3-million mark for the first time. Foreign visitors spent a combined 962.8 billion won (663 million) through non-Korean credit cards, the largest amount recorded outside Seoul. Events power the rebound A fully booked events calendar has played a decisive role in drawing overseas visitors. One highlight—featured by CNN—was the sight of more than 3,000 cyclists riding across the Gwangandaegyo Bridge in 2025. The “Seven Bridge Tour,” held for the first time in September, challenged participants to cross seven ocean bridges, including Gwangandaegyo, Busanhangdaegyo and Eulsukdodaegyo. Early-bird tickets sold out in one minute, while general sales were gone in five. Sixty percent of participants came from outside Busan, and domestic visitors on the event day reached 53,418—up 21.9 percent from the previous year. Tourism spending tied to the event rose by 36 billion won, a 12.3 percent increase year on year. Images of thousands of bicycles racing across Gwangandaegyo were broadcast to 50 countries worldwide by CNN. Another driver was “Festival October,” a mega-festival combining 26 events, including the Busan International Film Festival and the Busan International Rock Festival. During its run from September 21 to 30, the number of foreign visitors rose 25 percent from the previous year. Global conferences add lift Major international conferences have also boosted arrivals and spending. In 2025, Busan hosted 62 large-scale global events, including the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting on the United Nations Plastics Treaty, which drew about 4,000 participants from 170 countries, and the Our Ocean Conference, attended by roughly 2,300 delegates from more than 100 countries. Looking ahead, the city is scheduled to host several high-profile events in 2026, including the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. Busan aims to attract 5 million foreign tourists and generate 1.5 trillion won in tourism spending by 2028. As of September 2025, cumulative sales of the “Visit Busan Pass” reached 600,000, while Festival October drew 930,000 visitors—up 39.6 percent from the previous year. Lee Jung-sil, president of the Busan Tourism Organization, said the city is focusing on digital transformation to improve the visitor experience. “Through digital transformation, we will provide AI-based hyper-personalized services and continuously inspect systems so that foreign tourists can enjoy traveling in Busan comfortably, including in areas such as information and payment,” Lee said, adding that the goal is to attract 5 million foreign visitors by 2028. Expanding beyond the coast Local politicians also see room for further growth. Jung Sung-kook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party representing a Busan constituency, said infrastructure upgrades will broaden the city’s appeal. “We are promoting the development of Bujeon Station—near the traditional Bujeon Market and Busan Citizens Park—into a multimodal transportation center,” Jung said. “Once established, it will create a transport environment conducive to attracting more tourists, alongside expanded infrastructure such as department stores, cinemas and hotels.” He added that Busan’s only zoo is preparing to reopen. “There are no large zoos in Busan, Ulsan or South Gyeongsang Province, so once Busan’s zoo reopens, it will draw more family-unit foreign tourists,” Jung said. “When people think of Busan, they usually think of the sea,” he added. “Until now, attractions like Gwangalli and Haeundae beaches have been concentrated along the coast. Going forward, Busan’s famous tourist destinations will become geographically broader and more numerous.” 2026-01-08 17:58:44

North Korea's Rodong Sinmun becomes accessible in South Korea SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, has been reclassified from "special materials" to "general materials," making it accessible without identity verification or special procedures. The newspaper, classified as subversive publication in 1970, can now be viewed at the National Assembly Library, National Library of Korea, national university libraries, and the Ministry of Unification's North Korean Materials Center. Copying is also freely permitted. 2026-01-08 17:58:08

Growing strawberries year-round, even in desert with Korea's smart farming SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Strawberries are no longer a spring fruit in Korea. They have become seasonless — and in fact, their peak arrives in icy-cold winter. From strawberry cakes to lattes, the fruit dominates winter menus. "Orders are pouring in because it's winter strawberry season. We go through 10 kilograms of strawberries a day," said the owner of a café in downtown Seoul. Winter strawberries grown in greenhouses are known to be especially sweet. From winter staple to export powerhouse Korea-grown strawberries have also gained global popularity. Strawberry exports surpassed the 100-billion-won ($70 million) mark in 2023, becoming the country's top agricultural export item by value. Their appeal lies in freshness and sweetness — the result of advanced breeding technology. Only Korea, Japan and China possess premium strawberry varieties with high sugar content that are widely recognized in global markets. Among them, Korea has secured a competitive edge by developing proprietary varieties such as Seolhyang, Maehyang and Geumsil, establishing what industry officials describe as "sovereignty" in strawberry farming. Since Seolhyang — a low-acid, juicy variety developed by the Nonsan Strawberry Research Institute under the Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services — entered the market, Korea's domestic strawberry variety adoption rate has reached 96.3 percent. Between 2005 and 2020, the country saved an estimated 35 billion won in royalty payments by replacing foreign varieties. The strawberry "family" has continued to expand, with Maehyang introduced in 2010, Kingsberry in 2012, Sunnyberry in 2016, Vitaberry in 2017 and Geumsil in 2019. Currently, 18 Korean strawberry varieties are registered with the Rural Development Administration. More than half of Korea's strawberry exports are shipped to Southeast Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore. To maintain freshness, shipments rely on air freight and short-haul routes — a limitation that has capped further export growth. "If they can't go far, why not grow them overseas?" That question has led Korea's strawberry industry toward smart-farm experiments in the Middle East. Smart farms take strawberries to the desert Smart farming offers solutions to those logistical constraints. Water usage is reduced to roughly one-tenth of traditional agriculture, farms can be built in deserts or city centers, and production is shielded from climate volatility. These advantages have drawn strong interest from Middle Eastern countries pursuing food self-sufficiency. Heating is the key challenge for winter farming in temperate climates — while cooling is the main hurdle in desert regions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped both. "Everything is automated based on environmental conditions that replicate natural growing environments through sensors," said Lee Sang-hun, CEO of Agro Solution Korea. Lee has been running a vertical farm in Abu Dhabi's Al Khatm South district since January 2025. Sensors collect real-time data on temperature, humidity and soil moisture, which AI systems analyze to automatically maintain optimal growing conditions. Early signs of pests and diseases are detected, while LED light spectra are adjusted according to growth stages to boost energy efficiency. Manual monitoring is largely replaced by data. Smart farms precisely control temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels and lighting. Vertical farms, in particular, achieve high productivity in confined spaces using multi-tier shelf structures. In conventional setups, fixed growing beds waste 30 to 40 percent of floor space on permanent walkways. The "Moving Bed" system addresses that inefficiency. Beds glide left and right on floor-mounted rails, remaining tightly packed during normal operation. When workers need access, pathways open only where necessary. "Vertical farms require more than 5 million won per pyeong in upfront investment for a four-tier structure," Lee said. "That's heavy capital, but the Middle East has the financial capacity." Lee added that while talks are underway with the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, large-scale expansion in Southeast Asia is challenging due to high humidity, unstable electricity and limited corporate investment. "The Middle East is more attractive," he said. Growing strawberries in Abu Dhabi Lee's smart farm in Abu Dhabi uses a "Double Bed" system. Unlike conventional single-row planting, two beds are connected to increase planting density and maximize yield per square meter. With this setup, 12,000 strawberry plants can be grown in a 75-pyeong (248-square-meter) facility, producing about one ton of strawberries per month. The potential is significant in a region where food self-sufficiency rates hover around 10 percent. Locally grown strawberries are virtually nonexistent, with imports arriving mainly from Europe and the United States. Long-haul logistics push prices into luxury territory. "In desert climates where temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius and annual rainfall falls below 100 millimeters, traditional agriculture is nearly impossible," Lee said. Strawberries reach optimal flavor at sugar levels above 10 Brix, he explained, requiring temperature swings between a maximum of 24 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10 degrees. "Strawberries are cold-climate plants, so heating isn't necessary," Lee said. "In vertical farms, we mainly focus on cooling. Even in winter, indoor temperatures remain stable — winter is actually ideal." Although desert heat suggests heavy cooling costs, Lee said insulation makes the difference. "We use double-layer sandwich panels to block external heat and maintain internal temperatures. There's minimal heat loss." Electricity costs also favor the Middle East. In the UAE, power for data centers costs about 73 won per kilowatt-hour — less than half Korea's average commercial rate of 172.99 won. Lee's company is also working with the Korea Institute of Energy Research on a proof-of-concept project to capture waste heat from LEDs. Since LEDs emit only 20 percent light and 80 percent heat, recovering that heat could significantly cut cooling demand. Automation and the road ahead Automation is also reducing labor costs. While strawberry harvesting still requires human hands, Lee said progress is being made. "Starting this January at our Iksan farm, robots patrol the facility to identify pest and disease outbreaks and apply treatments only where needed," he said. Full automation of harvesting is expected to take several more years. K-strawberry exports, which approached 100 billion won again in 2024, are projected to expand further. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has set a target of $21 billion in K-food exports by 2030 and identified the Middle East as a key growth market for fresh fruit. The Middle Eastern fruit and vegetable market is expected to grow from $17.9 billion in 2025 to $25.8 billion by 2032 — and Korea's smart-farm technology may offer the blueprint for growing strawberries where none could grow before. 2026-01-08 17:55:42