Rise in vaping keeps smoking rate from declining further, survey finds SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - Although conventional cigarette smoking has decreasing, the rising use of e-cigarettes means that overall tobacco consumption is not declining as much as it could be, a new survey suggests. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency surveyed 230,000 adults between May and July and released its findings on Monday. According to the survey, the smoking rate for traditional cigarettes dropped to 17.9 percent, down 1 percentage point from the previous year. But the proportion of e-cigarette smokers rose 0.6 percentage points to 9.3 percent, causing overall tobacco consumption to fall by only 0.5 percentage points to 22.1 percent. By region, North Chungcheong Province had the highest rate of tobacco smokers, while Sejong had the lowest. Alcohol consumption showed a slight decrease as well. The proportion of people who drink at least once a month dropped 1.2 percentage points to 57.1 percent. The proportion of high-risk drinkers, those who consume seven or more drinks (for men) or five or more (for women) at least twice per week also fell slightly to 12 percent. Obesity rates, however, continue to rise. The proportion of people with a BMI of 25 or higher increased 1 percentage point to 35.4 percent. Despite more people trying to lose or maintain weight, those efforts have failed to curb rising obesity rates. Walking and moderate physical activity have seen a slight decline, with walking at 49.2 percent and moderate activity at 26 percent, suggesting a drop in daily activity levels. More people were diagnosed with chronic diseases such as hypertension (21.2 percent) and diabetes (9.6 percent), although treatment rates have remained stable at around 93 percent. More than half of respondents were aware of the symptoms of heart attacks and the signs of strokes, though the agency stressed the need for enhanced public education to further boost awareness. Those suffering from depression dropped to 5.9 percent, a slight decrease from last year, while stress levels saw a slight increase to 23.9 percent. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 17:20:31

As U.S. and China drop denuclearization language, Seoul downplays shift SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - The United States and China have both subtly or explicitly backed away from the long-held principle of "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, yet Seoul appears largely unconcerned — a stance that is raising alarms among security watchers. Analysts say the shift is not abrupt but rather an unmistakable acknowledgment of a transformed strategic landscape. North Korea is now a constitutionally protected nuclear-armed state; the United States is drifting toward a more transactional alliance centered on burden-sharing; China has effectively deprioritized denuclearization; and Russia has deepened military cooperation with Pyongyang, including missile transfers. Against this backdrop, Seoul remains committed to a framework designed for a very different era — one in which denuclearization seemed at least theoretically possible, major powers worked in loose alignment, and North Korea still engaged in negotiations. Dr. Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute's Center for Korean Peninsula Strategy, said recent signals from Washington and Beijing represent not a policy reversal but a public recognition of this structural shift. "North Korea is developing multiple-warhead ICBMs and a strategic nuclear submarine. Expecting Pyongyang to give up nuclear weapons at this stage is unrealistic," he told AJP in a phone interview Monday, stressing that any meaningful window for rollback "closed long ago." Washington's new National Security Strategy, released last week, reflects that recalibration. The document makes no mention of North Korea and drops the familiar phrase "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," instead focusing on deterring China and maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. It also excludes the term "extended deterrence," a shift many interpret as a sign that allies are expected to shoulder more of their own defense burdens. China has also moved further from the denuclearization agenda. Since March 2024, Beijing has omitted the term from its external statements and again avoided it in its September summit readout with Pyongyang. For the first time in nearly two decades, China removed "complete denuclearization" from its arms-control white paper. Russia, meanwhile, has strengthened military ties with North Korea, trading weapons and technology in ways that further undercut the conditions that once sustained a denuclearization framework. Despite these changes, the South Korean government maintains that nothing fundamental has changed. National Security Director Wi Sung-lac on Sunday downplayed the meaning of the NSS language, telling reporters that the omission of North Korea stemmed from structural choices in drafting rather than reduced American interest. "There is no need to view this as meaning the U.S. has no interest in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue or in resuming U.S.–North Korea dialogue," he said. Wi explained that the NSS was organized around an "America First" framework, with detailed regional content expected in subordinate documents. He added that Seoul has "strengthened its international connections" with neighboring countries and intends to build on that groundwork to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang. Asked whether joint military exercises might be adjusted as part of that effort, Wi said "many possible cards" exist, but stressed the government is "not directly considering reduction of joint drills." Speculation about a shift in Seoul's own phrasing emerged after President Lee Jae Myung used the term "a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula" during a press conference with foreign correspondents in Seoul on Dec.2. At a briefing Monday, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yoon Min-ho clarified that "a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula" and "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" carry the same meaning. He added that South Korea will continue working with key countries toward denuclearization, regardless of how other governments frame the issue in their internal documents. Cheong of Sejong argues that Seoul's current framework is increasingly misaligned with the strategic environment. "If North Korea has made clear it will never give up nuclear weapons, then a policy that depends on asking Pyongyang to do so will not lead to dialogue," he said. He believes South Korea should adopt a deterrence-centered approach while leaving room for negotiations built on a balance of power rather than expectations of disarmament. One option he highlighted is building nuclear latency comparable to Japan's — strengthening industrial and technological capacity to enable rapid nuclear armament if circumstances require it. With full state mobilization, he estimated, weaponization could be technically achievable in about a year. He also pointed to the recent U.S.–South Korea agreement allowing reprocessing and enrichment of used nuclear fuel, which enhances low-enriched uranium capability and reduces barriers to future high enrichment. 2025-12-08 17:09:28

Half of Korea's AI startups fail within three years, report shows SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Nearly half of South Korean artificial intelligence startups fail to survive beyond three years, underscoring structural weaknesses in funding and commercialization, according to a report released on Monday by the Korea Industrial Technology Association. The association said the three-year survival rate of AI startups stood at 56.2 percent as of the end of 2023, well below the 72.7 percent survival rate of general AI companies and the 68.8 percent average across all industries. The report found that AI startups remain highly dependent on external funding, with 22.9 percent of their research and development budgets coming from government grants and subsidies. “Government grants and subsidies are essential for sustaining AI startup R&D,” the report said, adding that heavy reliance on external capital reflects weak internal financial capacity. While average R&D spending by AI startups grew at an annual rate of 15.4 percent over the past three years, the amount reached only 590 million won in 2023, lagging behind other industrial sectors. “Bold R&D support and a stronger innovation ecosystem are needed for our AI startups to build global competitiveness,” said Ko Se-gon, executive vice president of the association. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 16:32:16

Comedienne Park Na-rae suspends activities amid mounting allegations SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - A slew of allegations from verbal abuse and tantrums to illegal medical practices that emerged last week has led comedienne Park Na-rae to suspend all activities. In a message posted on social media on Monday, Park said, "I have decided to stop all activities until everything is resolved," adding, "I cannot continue to burden my colleagues on the programs ." In response, the shows and programs she had regularly appeared on soon parted ways with her, confirming her departure. MBC's long-running reality show "I Live Alone" said, "Considering the gravity of the situation..... we have decided to halt her appearance on the show." The broadcaster also canceled altogether a planned travel-themed reality show that was set to feature Park along with her colleagues Jang Do-yeon, Shin Ki-ru, and Heo Anna, scheduled to air sometime in January. Cable channel tvN's "Amazing Saturday" also said, "We respect Park's decision to suspend her activities and will allow her to leave the show." Following a decade of obscurity, the 40-year-old, who had enjoyed a spectacular rise by striking a chord with viewers through her cheerful and candid character while leading a seemingly fun-filled life, became embroiled in controversy last week when two former managers accused her of verbal abuse, physical assault, and forcing them to run personal errands, among other allegations. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 16:12:57

Korean big techs toughen data-protection systems, Coupang faces lawsuits in U.S. and at home SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Major South Korean digital-tech companies are scrambling to revisit their data-protection posture and reinforce security protocols after Coupang's colossal data breach put the personal information of more than 30 million shoppers at risk, triggering tougher regulatory scrutiny and a wave of litigations. The incident has laid bare the vulnerability of Koreans' private data in a society where virtually every aspect of daily life — banking, shopping, communication, mobility — runs through digital platforms, while exposing corporate and government complacency in safeguarding privacy. Kakao, operator of the country's dominant messaging platform, said it is upgrading its internal security response processes after this year's repeated data leaks. "With so many security breaches this year, including Coupang's case, we are re-examining and advancing our overall internal security response processes. We are expanding mock drills based on actual incident scenarios and strengthening monitoring to identify and respond to potential risks earlier," a Kakao spokesperson in charge of security told AJP. With nearly the entire Korean population relying on KakaoTalk for communication and business transactions, the company is conducting scenario-based infiltration training by hiring white-hat hackers and expanding company-wide security drills to bolster practical preparedness. Kakao is also stepping up user-side protection. Through its KakaoTalk Wallet, it has been sending cautionary alerts to help prevent secondary damages linked to the Coupang breach. Its government-notification service — which alerts users when overseas direct purchases are made under their name — is designed to detect early signs of identity theft. Viva Republica, operator of the financial super-app Toss, said it is conducting regular mock hacking exercises, vulnerability scans, and penetration-based safety checks. "We are meticulously reviewing our security systems across all services. We operate a 24-hour monitoring and response system for detecting anomalies and are prepared to respond immediately if additional measures are needed," a Viva Republica spokesperson said. Naver, the country's largest internet portal, declined to comment on its latest response measures. The company already maintains dedicated security personnel in its commerce and shopping divisions, overseeing personal data protection from service design to operation. It has also allocated resources to address security vulnerabilities and misuse issues — and stands to benefit from an influx of users if trust in the leading e-commerce platform continues to erode. While major platforms are tightening internal defenses, the government is also accelerating regulatory updates. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is expected to revive efforts to pass the Online Platform Act once ongoing non-tariff negotiations with the United States conclude, according to industry sources. The bill would classify major platform operators — including Naver and Coupang — as dominant market players subject to stricter Fair Trade Commission oversight. The legislation stalled earlier this year after U.S. officials raised concerns it would disproportionately target American firms such as Google and Meta. But the Coupang breach has given lawmakers fresh political momentum. President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger penalties and punitive damages mechanisms in the wake of the breach. "We need to strengthen fines and make the punitive damages system a reality," Lee said, referring directly to Coupang. Coupang has maintained there is no evidence of direct secondary damages so far. But the Korean National Police Agency has urged heightened vigilance, warning of persistent phishing and smishing attempts exploiting the situation. Authorities said they are receiving reports of new scam schemes — including fake delivery-delay notifications and credit card fraud alerts referencing the Coupang leak to instill urgency. The agency urged users to avoid clicking unknown links and to report suspicious activity to the 112 hotline. Meanwhile, Coupang faces class-action lawsuits both in the United States and Korea. SJKP, the U.S. affiliate of Korea's Daeryun Law Firm, held a press conference in Manhattan on Monday announcing plans to file a punitive damages suit in U.S. courts against the company, which is based and publicly traded in the U.S. while earning money through retail business in Korea. Unlike in Korea, American law allows punitive damages that could yield significantly larger compensation. Daeryun said it will pursue litigation simultaneously in both countries and is examining whether Coupang properly disclosed the breach to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as listed companies are required to report major cybersecurity incidents within four business days. 2025-12-08 15:45:38

Hana Financial expands India network with new Mumbai, Devanahalli branches SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Hana Financial Group said Monday it has opened new branches in Devanahalli and Mumbai in India. The branches opened on Dec. 3 and Dec. 5, completing the group's “One India” network, which already includes operations in Chennai and Gurugram, launched in 2015 and 2019, respectively. India’s young population, large domestic market and rapid digital transformation have helped sustain annual economic growth of six to seven percent in recent years, boosting demand for cross-border financial services from South Korean companies investing in manufacturing, information technology, energy and infrastructure, the group said. Hana said the new branches are designed to provide faster, customized services for corporate clients and improved digital retail offerings. The Devanahalli branch, located near Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s technology hub, will focus on supporting advanced manufacturing and research and development companies. The Mumbai branch will concentrate on investment banking, trade finance and capital markets services. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 15:44:02

Starlink's entry into S. Korea triggers push for independent satellite networks SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - SpaceX’s Starlink has formally entered the South Korean market, prompting domestic space and defense companies to reassess strategy amid growing concerns over dependence on foreign low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks for communications and military operations. Industry sources said Monday that Hanwha Systems, a major South Korean space and defense contractor, is reviewing its satellite communications plans as Starlink’s commercial rollout gathers pace. In June, the company sold its stake in European satellite operator OneWeb for 120 billion won, after acquiring the shares in 2021 for about 300 billion won, citing weak investment returns. Despite retaining exclusive rights to operate a military satellite network linked to OneWeb until 2030, the long-term viability of the partnership remains uncertain, underscoring pressure on South Korea to build an independent LEO satellite capability. The strategic value of LEO constellations has been highlighted by the Russia–Ukraine war, where Starlink terminals have been used to support Ukrainian military operations, including drone control and battlefield communications. “Dependence on foreign core technologies can create structural vulnerabilities,” said Park Joo-hong, a professor in the IT Convergence Engineering Department at POSTECH. “Independent satellite development is especially critical for defense applications, where secure control and data management are essential.” Starlink operates more than 8,000 satellites and provides download speeds of up to 500 megabits per second. The service now has more than 8 million users across roughly 150 countries, and its low-latency connections have driven rapid adoption by commercial customers. In South Korea, Starlink has signed a supply agreement with Hanjin Group. Five affiliated airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, plan to replace existing geostationary satellite services from Panasonic with Starlink-based in-flight Wi-Fi by the third quarter of next year. Industry experts warn that reliance on foreign networks could pose long-term security and sovereignty risks. They say South Korea needs to develop a private sector-led satellite ecosystem combining domestic launch capabilities and satellite manufacturing to reduce strategic dependence. Analysts estimate that at least 100 LEO satellites would be required to establish a viable independent network. The South Korean government is accelerating efforts to build domestic capacity. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to invest 320 billion won by 2030 to develop a national LEO satellite communications system, including two satellites and ground infrastructure. Hanwha Systems is also expanding work on space-grade semiconductors and related infrastructure, including facilities at the Jeju Space Center. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 14:57:29

Hundreds evacuated after Korean War-era bomb found in Pocheon SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - About 440 students and teachers were evacuated after a World War II-era bomb was found at an elementary school in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. According to police, the bomb, believed to be from the Korean War (1950~1953), was discovered at a construction site at the school at around 10:13 a.m. Students were evacuated to a nearby gymnasium and later sent home after the bomb was safely removed. The heavily rusted bomb, about 1 meter long, was identified as an aerial bomb used by the South Korean Air Force during the war. The bomb was handed over to the military for further analysis and disposal. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 14:50:32

One in 20 in South Korea is of migrant origin SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Migration backgrounds spanning naturalized Koreans, foreigners, second-generation immigrants, and North Korean defectors – counted for the first time - made up 5.2 percent of South Korean population as of November 2024, according to the first comprehensive dataset tracking the rise of multicultural diversity in the traditionally homogenous society. According to the 2024 Migration Background Population Statistics published by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, 2.715 million people living in Korea as of last November last year were either not originally from South Korea or had at least one parent of a migration background. The figure represents 5.2 percent of the total population and marks a 0.3 percentage-point increase from a year earlier. About a quarter are Korean citizen and the rest registered as foreign nationals who have stayed in the country for more than three months. The demographic profile skews distinctly young. Youth and working-age individuals dominate the group, with 2.223 million (81.9%) in the 15–64 age bracket, 344,000 (12.7%) aged 14 or under, and only 148,000 (5.5%) aged 65 or older. Men outnumber women at 52.5 percent, producing a sex ratio of 110.7 men for every 100 women. The 20s and 30s make up the largest cohorts, at 21 percent and 24.3 percent respectively. Compared with the overall Korean population, this group is markedly younger with a much smaller share of elderly,” said Kim Seo-young, head of the Population Census Division. Migration-background residents are heavily concentrated in the greater capital area, with Gyeonggi Province alone accounting for 32.7 percent, followed by Seoul (17.5%) and Incheon (6.6%). The cities with the largest absolute populations are Ansan, Hwaseong and Siheung, while Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province and Eumseong County in North Chungcheong Province record the highest ratios relative to their total populations. Children and adolescents under 24 account for 738,000 people — 27.2 percent of the migration-background population — reflecting Korea’s accelerating demographic diversification. Among this group, domestic nationals grew 3.4 percent from last year to make up 49.7 percent, while foreign residents increased 12.8 percent to 50.3 percent. The nationality of parents shows Vietnam as the most common origin at 27.2 percent, followed by China (16.5%) and Korean-Chinese (12.0%). Among naturalized citizens, 34.5 percent trace their origin to China, while 33.3 percent of second-generation immigrants come from Vietnam. Kim noted that the agency included North Korean defectors in the data set for the first time to ensure “no group is overlooked in policy planning,” adding that the rise in foreign workers, international students, and marriage immigrants continues to expand Korea’s migration-background population. 2025-12-08 14:39:50

US envoy reaffirms Washington's commitment to denuclearization of North Korea SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Monday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in collaboration with South Korea. After a closed-door meeting in Seoul earlier in the day with South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, Kim said U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung "reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea," which remains "our current Korea policy." His comments appear intended to counter concerns raised after a recent U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) report omitted the customary phrasing. The report, released last Friday, also does not contain any mention of North Korea. Kim then highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two allies on various issues, citing his recent meetings with Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek. He added that talks with South Korean officials will continue. When asked about any talks or progress in revising the bilateral nuclear energy pact, Kim said discussions are under way, but it still remains to be seen. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-08 14:30:51