Korea's Feb job growth led by elderly and service, AI substitution hits entry jobs SEOUL, Mar. 18 (AJP) — South Korea’s labour market showed a deceptive resilience in February, with headline employment rising for the second consecutive month, but the underlying data reveals a deteriorating quality of jobs and a deepening structural crisis, as high-value industries shed workers and youth unemployment surged to its highest level in years. The number of employed people rose by 234,000 (0.8 percent) from a year earlier to 28.41 million, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday. While this marks a modest rebound from January's 194,000 (0.7 percent) gain, it remains significantly lower than the 300,000-plus levels seen late last year. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 stood at 69.2 percent, up 0.3 percentage points on-year. Youth employment hit by "hiring freeze" and automation The headline growth failed to hide a grim reality for the younger generation. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 29 plummeted by 1.0 percentage point to 43.3 percent, marking the sharpest decline in recent years. Simultaneously, the youth unemployment rate jumped 0.7 percentage points to 7.0 percent. In stark contrast, job gains were almost entirely driven by the elderly. Employment among those aged 60 and above surged by 284,000 (4.5 percent), indicating that the nation’s job growth is currently sustained by government-led welfare positions and roles for senior citizens rather than private-sector hiring for the youth. The impact of AI-driven automation is a significant factor in this shift. According to a Bank of Korea report released last October, 98.6 percent of the 211,000 youth jobs lost over the past three years were in occupations with high exposure to AI. This underscores a rapid structural displacement in the entry-level job market. High-value sectors in retreat A particularly concerning trend is the ongoing contraction in knowledge-intensive industries, a sector previously identified as a key engine for high-quality job creation. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector—which includes R&D and specialized consulting—shed 105,000 jobs (7.8 percent) in February. This marks a second consecutive month of decline following a loss of 107,000 jobs (8.0 percent) in the previous month. This follows a broader trend of weakening demand in high-value services, compounded by a decline of 42,000 jobs (3.2 percent) in the information and communications sector. The combination of high interest rates and reduced corporate investment has led to a noticeable contraction in quality employment opportunities within these knowledge-based industries. Service sector bloat and shorter hours The concentration of job growth in the service sector further underscores the fragile nature of the recovery. The health and social welfare sector added 284,000 jobs (9.9 percent), effectively accounting for more than the total increase in headline employment. Meanwhile, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector saw a sharp decline of 90,000 jobs (8.2 percent), the largest drop since 2017. Furthermore, the quality of employment is shifting towards precarious, short-term roles. The number of people working less than 36 hours a week rose by 281,000 (4.6 percent), while the headcount for those working 36 hours or more fell by 94,000 (0.4 percent). Average weekly working hours dropped by 0.4 hours to 37.7 hours, signaling a softening in overall labor demand despite the increase in headcount. Rising unemployment and inactivity The total number of unemployed reached 993,000, up 54,000 (5.8 percent) on-year, with the overall jobless rate rising to 3.4 percent, up 0.2 percentage points. As inflation persists, more individuals are entering the job market, yet the economy is failing to absorb them into productive roles. While the economically inactive population decreased slightly by 39,000 (0.2 percent), the number of people who reported they were simply "taking a break"—not seeking work despite being capable—remains a persistent concern, particularly among those in their 20s and 30s. The February data confirms that while the quantity of jobs is being propped up by an aging population and welfare demand, the structural core of the labor market is facing increasing fragility. 2026-03-18 09:21:53

Doosan Enerbility Wins First U.S. Order for Large Combined-Cycle Steam Turbines Doosan Enerbility said it has won a U.S. contract to supply steam turbines for data center power generation, expanding its footprint in the North American electricity market serving AI data centers. The company said March 18 that it recently signed a supply agreement with a U.S. company for two 370-megawatt steam turbines and two generators to provide electricity for data centers. It said this is its first steam turbine supply deal in North America. Doosan Enerbility said the contract demonstrates its ability to deliver combined-cycle solutions that pair gas turbines with steam turbines. In combined-cycle generation, steam turbines use waste heat from gas turbines to produce additional power, improving overall efficiency. The company said AI data centers, which consume large amounts of electricity around the clock, require highly efficient and reliable generation equipment. Doosan Enerbility said it plans to use the order as a springboard to accelerate exports of its combined-cycle model to utility companies and independent power producers in North America. "This order once again confirms that the North American power generation market has strong trust in Doosan's power generation technology," said Son Seung-woo, head of Doosan Enerbility's Power Service BG. "We will further strengthen cooperation with customers in North America and solidify our position as a comprehensive supplier covering both gas turbines and steam turbines."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 09:21:34

Hana Bank Rolls Out Generative AI for Corporate Credit Reviews, Cutting Draft Time to 10 Seconds Hana Bank said on March 18 it has developed an in-house generative AI-based “corporate credit review opinion generation system” and deployed it across all branches. The system analyzes a range of data — including financial statements, company information and industry trends — and automatically produces a draft review opinion needed in the credit rating process for audited and non-audited companies. Hana Bank said staff previously spent an average of more than 30 minutes analyzing indicators and writing narrative opinions, but the new system can generate a draft in about 10 seconds. The bank expects the rollout to save more than 27,000 working hours a year across roughly 70,000 annual credit rating cases for audited and non-audited companies. Hana Bank said the tool is an in-house model, with algorithms designed and implemented independently. Through collaboration among internal departments, it incorporated evaluation guidelines used by loan specialists to standardize review opinions more precisely and improve effectiveness. The bank described an in-house model as one planned, developed and operated directly using a company’s own staff and technology. Hana Bank said it plans to expand automation across household and corporate loan reviews to accelerate the AI transformation of its lending operations. A Hana Bank official said the project is intended to maximize efficiency through AI, raise productivity and help employees better understand customers and companies. The official said the bank will continue to reflect feedback from the field, apply AI to more work areas and develop the system in ways that provide practical help to branches and customers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 09:18:49

Eastar Jet Expands Co-Marketing With Doosan Bears to Reach Younger Baseball Fans Eastar Jet said Tuesday it will continue co-marketing with KBO team the Doosan Bears. The airline and the Bears have expanded their brand collaboration for a third straight year since signing a “strategic business agreement for joint marketing” at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in August 2024. Under the agreement, Eastar Jet provides prizes such as airline tickets for events aimed at fans attending the Bears’ home games, while the Bears support promotion of the carrier through advertising placements at Jamsil. With the start of the 2026 KBO League regular season, the partners will roll out additional promotions, including a ticket giveaway tied to the in-stadium cheering event known as “Bravo Time.” Eastar Jet will also hold an “Eastar Jet Brand Day” event next month. “We decided to continue joint marketing with the Doosan Bears this year as well to communicate more closely with pro baseball fans,” an Eastar Jet official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 09:12:51

Porsche Korea Opens First Official Showroom in Jeju Porsche Korea said Tuesday it has opened Porsche Center Jeju, an official showroom for the Jeju region. The center opened Monday, marking the first official Porsche showroom on Jeju since the company operated the “Porsche Now Jeju” pop-up store in 2021. It will be run by Porsche Korea’s authorized dealer, Deutsche Auto. Porsche Center Jeju spans 3,944.54 square meters (about 1,193 pyeong) from one basement level to three stories above ground. The company said the facility features an interior concept using basalt stone and a space design reflecting Jeju’s local character. Customers can receive one-stop service on site, from consultation and test drives to contracts and vehicle delivery. The center includes 15 work bays and charging equipment, and will provide integrated services ranging from routine maintenance to accident repairs, including bodywork and painting. “Based on a value-driven growth strategy with a long-term perspective, Porsche continues to expand the brand experience nationwide,” Porsche Korea CEO Mathias Busse said. “Through Porsche Center Jeju, the first official hub in the Jeju region, we will provide the expertise and differentiated service expected of a premium brand.” Bae Hyun-seok, CEO of Deutsche Auto, said the company will offer a brand experience that fits with Jeju’s natural environment while improving service and convenience for customers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 08:57:18

Kookmin University professor develops AI framework for public R&D evaluation SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - A research team led by Professor Kim Do-hyung of the KMU International Business School (KIBS) at Kookmin University (KMU) has developed a generative artificial intelligence framework to enhance decision-making in public research and development (R&D) evaluations, the university said Tuesday. The study introduces a systematic approach to bridging the gap between technical capabilities and stakeholder expectations. The research paper, titled "Bridging the maturity-expectation gap: Generative AI in strategic decision-making for public R&D interim review," was published in the international journal Technovation. It addresses the limitations of current public R&D interim reviews, which often depend on the subjective judgment of experts. These traditional methods frequently face criticism for lacking consistency and being prone to evaluation bias. To resolve these issues, the team proposed the Maturity-Expectation Gap (MEG) framework. This model analyzes the difference between the actual maturity of generative AI technology and the performance levels expected by stakeholders. By combining survey data from experts with machine learning-based literature analysis, the researchers quantified how perceptions of AI vary across different groups. The findings revealed that significant discrepancies between expectations and technical maturity can reduce trust and the willingness to adopt AI tools. The study also categorized evaluation areas where generative AI could be easily integrated, as well as those that require additional preparation. This provides a clear roadmap for public sectors to build data-driven decision-making systems. "Generative AI has the potential to increase efficiency and consistency in the public R&D evaluation process," said Professor Kim Do-hyung. "However, if the gap between expectations and actual technical maturity is not managed, it can lead to distrust and resistance during implementation. The MEG framework proposed in this study can be used to diagnose these gaps and establish phased introduction strategies." The project was a collaboration between lead author Professor Kim Do-hyung, co-author Professor Kang Song-hee of the Tech University of Korea, and corresponding author Professor Hong Ah-reum of Kyung Hee University. The researchers expect the framework to contribute to more consistent and objective R&D management in the future. (Reference Information) Journal/Source: Technovation Title: Bridging the maturity-expectation gap: Generative AI in strategic decision-making for public R&D interim review Link/DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2024.103110 2026-03-18 08:43:19

LG Energy Solution, GM JV to Start LFP Battery Cell Production for U.S. Energy Storage LG Energy Solution and General Motors’ joint venture, Ultium Cells, will begin producing LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery cells for energy storage systems at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant, the company said.    LG Energy Solution said it is investing about $70 million to convert part of an existing electric-vehicle battery line to ESS production, with mass production set to start in the second quarter. Cells made at the Tennessee plant will be supplied through LG Energy Solution’s North American ESS system integration unit, Vertech. The company said the batteries are expected to be used in grid-stabilization projects, renewable energy-linked ESS installations and power infrastructure for AI data centers. LG Energy Solution said the shift is a strategic move to raise line utilization and improve operating efficiency as growth in the EV market slows. It said converting some EV equipment to ESS production could also strengthen job stability. Ultium Cells is converting equipment at the Tennessee plant and retraining workers to meet requirements for ESS-grade LFP cell production. The company said 700 employees who were temporarily laid off in January will return to support line construction and new product output. Park In-jae, head of Ultium Cells, called the move the plant’s first large-scale conversion and said it shows Ultium Cells is evolving into a more diversified battery cell manufacturer. He said the company will upgrade its production system in line with shifts in demand and strengthen its position as a core player and technology leader in the U.S. battery industry. LG Energy Solution said the conversion gives it a total of five ESS production sites in North America. An LG Energy Solution official said the company will seek to solidify its leading position in the North American market after securing what it described as an overwhelming level of production capacity in the ESS business.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 08:39:52

US no longer needs help from allies including South Korea, Trump blasts SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his country no longer needs naval assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, as well as Australia, Japan, and South Korea, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and secure. "Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance - WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump wrote on his own social medial platform Truth Social. He then fumed, "In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE." In an abrupt reversal, the remarks came just days after Trump had urged allies to dispatch warships to the strategically important waterway, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East which began with U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran late last month and now in its third week. The outburst appeared to reflect his frustration and anger after most NATO members declined to get involved, while others remained cautious. "I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street - We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," he also wrote, criticizing NATO for "making a foolish mistake." South Korea has remained cautious, saying it is "in close consultation with Washington," since Trump singled out the country, along with several others earlier in the week. 2026-03-18 08:32:58

Film Review: Lee Dong-hwi’s ‘Method Acting’ Finds Pathos Beneath the Laughs “It feels romantic — this lighting, the temperature, the humidity …” a guest once said on a variety show. The point was that place, weather and even how you feel can combine to create a mood. Movies are no different. Your mood that day, and your own experiences, can become part of how you judge what you see. “Choi’s Review” introduces films through the writer’s perspective and lived experience, in a more relaxed, everyday tone. There is a clear gap between the craft of making people laugh and the humiliation of becoming the joke. If a planned laugh is a professional win, being laughed at by accident can feel like a private defeat. The comedy film “Method Acting” follows a man determined to be seen as a serious actor, even as everyone around him keeps consuming “funny Lee Dong-hwi.” Lee Dong-hwi plays an actor who built a name on the mega-hit comedy “Algae-in.” Loved for comedy, he stops working because he no longer wants to be remembered only as “the funny actor,” and waits for a chance to break out. When he is finally cast in the traditional historical drama “Gyeonghwa Suwol,” he treats method acting — total psychological identification with a role in pursuit of extreme realism — as both an escape hatch and his last line of proof. The reality of serious drama, however, does not cooperate. From the first day of shooting, mistakes pile up. His older brother Dong-tae (Yoon Kyung-ho), filling in as a stand-in manager, creates new problems with unpredictable moves. Tensions also rise with Taemin (Kang Chan-hee), a younger top star whose status has overtaken his senior’s, turning their relationship into a contest for control as the set slides toward chaos. Director Lee Gi-hyeok, himself an actor, expands his short film of the same name into a feature, widening the lens to the private life behind the idea of “method acting.” The film’s strength lies beyond the slapstick of a man trying to shed a comic persona. It is in his decision to face his limits head-on, and in the isolation that pushes him toward a truth he can live with. The performance he reaches at the edge of collapse is, ironically, not fully captured by the camera. What follows is a quieter daily life — and only after accepting ordinary reality does he return, on and off set, to his own version of “method acting.” The family life shown beyond the unruly shoot provides the film’s firmest foundation. Against the noisy struggle in front of the camera, the film lingers on small, plain images — a mother’s back, a silent living room — to show loneliness without forcing it. Those moments make clear this is not a comedy aimed only at laughs. The characters’ growth invites viewers to recognize pieces of themselves and draws empathy and comfort from that recognition. Performances complete the film’s tone. Lee Dong-hwi uses his own name and image, turning himself into the target while pulling pathos from behind the jokes. Yoon moves between easy humor and heavy sincerity as the brother, steering the audience’s emotions. Kim Geum-soon, as the mother, anchors the film’s emotional center as a grounded parent who loves her son’s comedy more than anyone. Kang, as top star Jeong Taemin, stands out with a character who is irritating but not easy to hate, showing a broader acting range than before. Viewers may enter expecting familiar Lee Dong-hwi comedy, but what they leave with is the idea that everyone has a kind of “method acting” that holds up daily life. On the stage of life, the film suggests, people wear their masks and endure the roles they have been given. By playfully twisting the line between reality and fiction, “Method Acting” highlights the comedy and tragedy behind laughter and offers a quiet pat on the back to anyone who made it through the day. It opens in theaters March 18. Running time is 92 minutes. The rating is for ages 12 and up. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 00:05:03

BTS comeback project turns Seoul into citywide 'THE CITY ARIRANG' festival Ahead of BTS’ comeback, Seoul is set to be washed in what organizers call a “purple Arirang.” Beyond a standard album release, the plan is to turn the capital into a monthlong, citywide festival space tied to the group’s return. HYBE on March 16 released details on Weverse for its urban project “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL.” The events will run from March 20, the release date of BTS’ new album “ARIRANG,” through April 19 across central Seoul. “THE CITY” is HYBE’s in-house format that layers exhibitions, pop-up stores, hotel packages and other tie-ins around concerts or album releases. BTS previously staged “THE CITY” in Las Vegas and Busan. Organizers said the Seoul edition expands the concept with comeback messaging, large-scale media displays and hands-on programs spread across the city. The biggest concentration of events is planned for March 20. At 7 p.m., media facade shows are set for landmarks including Sungnyemun and N Seoul Tower. At 8:30 p.m., a 15-minute drone light show is scheduled over Ttukseom Hangang Park. Gwanghwamun Square will also be filled with comeback content. From 7 p.m. March 20 to midnight March 21, related videos will run on large screens around the square. Music-and-light shows tied to the new album are planned at Dongdaemun Design Plaza and at Banpo Bridge’s Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. The DDP program is scheduled to continue through April 12. Beyond watching, fans will be able to take part in experience-based programs, including a “stamp rally” linking major sites such as Yeouido, DDP and Shinsegae Square. Participants collect stamps at each location while moving through the city. An event plaza at Yeouido Hangang Park will be turned into a “Love Song Lounge” for three days starting March 20, featuring busking and photo zones tied to the album campaign phrase, “WHAT IS YOUR LOVE SONG?” Beginning April 6, DDP Exhibition Hall 1 will be decorated as “ARMY Madang,” and media installations using light and video are planned for areas including Cheonggyecheon and Yongsan Station under the name “Love Quarter.” Organizers said the project is also designed to connect with commercial and tourism spaces. HYBE said it is partnering across sectors including mobility, finance and food and beverage, as well as the hotel industry. Major hotels in Seoul will offer BTS-themed packages aimed at demand from global fans. HYBE described “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL” as a test and showcase of how BTS’ intellectual property can combine with a city’s tourism offerings. It said areas stretching from Gwanghwamun to Cheonggyecheon and the Han River are being repositioned as places to see, hear and experience the group’s music, not simply pass through. Detailed information is available on Weverse and the project’s official website. Some programs will operate by advance reservation. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 00:03:29