Korea Music Copyright Association disputes audit criticism over AI works registration The Korea Music Copyright Association, known as KOMCA, on Tuesday rejected a recent audit finding and related reports on artificial intelligence, calling them an interpretation that overlooks the specific nature of music copyright and the group’s response efforts. The Board of Audit and Inspection said in a March 24 announcement that 11 copyright collective management organizations, including KOMCA, were registering works and collecting and distributing royalties without separately verifying whether AI had been used. KOMCA responded in a statement Tuesday that it has reviewed internal policy while operating an AI task force team since 2023 and has officially implemented a “registration hold policy” for AI-used works since March. Under the policy, members seeking to register songs must check whether AI was used, and any work reported as AI-assisted is put on hold, the association said. KOMCA said the measure is a temporary management step meant to prevent confusion in the creative ecosystem and distortions of rights in the absence of legal standards. It said it is not denying copyright for AI-used works across the board, but taking a preemptive step to reduce disputes. The association also said there is no widely trusted technology worldwide that can perfectly determine whether AI was used. Given those technical limits, it said, the system inevitably relies on creators’ self-reporting, and a small number of false filings should not be treated as overall negligence by the association. As alternatives, KOMCA said its new chairman, Lee Si-ha, had proposed verification steps even before taking office, including requiring submission of DAW (digital audio workstation) files that can help show the actual creation process. It added that the association is accelerating development of a “Korean-style AI detection program.” KOMCA said it is also strengthening after-the-fact monitoring, including screening suspected AI-use cases found on platforms such as YouTube Shorts and withholding royalty payments while conducting additional analysis. The association said it is discussing national-level standards through the “K-Music Rights Organizations Coexistence Committee,” launched in February under Lee’s leadership. Topics include requiring transparency in AI generation processes and establishing clear criteria to distinguish human-created works from AI-generated works. “Even though management systems have not been established globally, the association has responded proactively,” a KOMCA official said. The official added that KOMCA will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to help establish a fair copyright order.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 17:45:57

Suzy fronts Longines 2026 event in Seoul SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) -Singer and actress Suzy, global ambassador of Swiss watch brand Longines, takes part in a photo call at the brand’s 2026 new product presentation on Wednesday at The Westin Seoul Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul. Dressed in a dark navy suit with a white shirt and black tie, she completed the look with long, softly waved hair and understated accessories. 2026-03-25 17:39:18

Spring is finally here, heralded by first blossoms SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Spring arrives a little earlier in one corner of Seoul. Each year, Eungbongsan Mountain turns into a wash of yellow as forsythia blooms blanket the entire hillside. Located in Seongdong-gu, Eungbongsan is a well-known sunrise and scenic spot in Seoul, attracting crowds each year as warmer weather brings the season’s first blossoms. Climbing to the observation deck, visitors paused to photograph the hillside bathed in yellow, where forsythia blooms stretched across the view. Few places better capture the flower’s symbolism of hope, expectation and new beginnings. Seoul also offers a spot where visitors can fully take in another hallmark of spring — plum blossoms. Cheonggyecheon Hadong Plum Street in Seongdong-gu, the same district as Eungbongsan, has become a favored destination for viewing the delicate blooms. Plum trees bursting with buds line the Cheonggyecheon Stream, creating a striking springtime scene. Visitors of all ages paused to take photos, exchanging remarks such as “It’s beautiful” and “It feels like spring has arrived.” The street was formed after Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province donated the plum trees. Spring is unfolding across Korea as the flowering season begins, with blooms spreading northward from warmer southern regions such as Jeju and Busan. Magnolia, red plum blossoms, forsythia and rapeseed are now in full display. In Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, a cornel cherry blossom festival is underway. Various spring flower festivals are approaching, including the azalea festival in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province in 3 days, the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in Seoul in 9 days, and the rapeseed flower festival in Jindo County, South Jeolla Province in 15 days. 2026-03-25 17:37:28

Callaway Golf Korea Opens Brand Pop-Up at Shinsegae Gangnam Callaway Golf Korea said it is operating an experiential brand pop-up, “Nothing Beats This Park,” based on its 2026 brand campaign “Golf, Nothing Beats This,” through April 5 at the Open Stage on the first floor of Central City at Shinsegae Department Store’s Gangnam branch. The pop-up, which opened March 24, was planned as an interactive space themed “golf’s best moments.” The company said it is designed to let visitors experience Callaway’s innovation and brand story and explore their own golf style. The space is laid out as a journey toward a “best moment.” Visitors receive a stamp-tour mission on entry and move through the zones in order; those who complete the missions receive various rewards. A smart waiting system is also in place to reduce lines, the company said. The “Callaway Driver History” zone introduces the company’s innovation and brand philosophy. In the “360-degree photo zone,” visitors can try Callaway apparel and clubs in a tour-locker-themed setting and record their performance style with 360-degree video. A “Putting Challenge” zone lets visitors test their touch using Odyssey putters, with programs also offered for families. A “Scoreboard photo zone” is set up for visitors to record and share their experience. A Callaway Golf Korea official said the pop-up goes beyond a product display and was designed as a brand space where visitors can experience what the company means by “Golf, Nothing Beats This.” The official said the company hopes visitors will discover and share their own “best moments.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 17:36:22

Asian stocks climb as easing Middle East tensions push oil prices lower SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - Asian stock markets rose broadly on Wednesday as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz were somewhat eased, pushing oil prices lower, lifting sentiment across the region. The move followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump the previous day, signaling progress in peace negotiations with Iran, raising expectations for a possible end to the conflict in the Middle East and also reducing fears of disruptions to global energy supplies. Brent crude hovered near US$100 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded around $93, providing relief to energy-importing economies. Across Asia, markets moved in tandem. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.9 percent, Taiwan's TAIEX climbed 2.54 percent, while China's Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.3 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, reflecting a renewed appetite for risk assets. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 1.6 percent to close at 5,642.2 points, extending gains after fluctuations throughout the day's trading session. Institutional investors drove the rally, buying 2.32 trillion won ($1.5 billion), while foreign investors sold 1.29 trillion won and retail investors offloaded 1.33 trillion won. The divergence showed that offshore investors are still cautious, while domestic institutional investors supported the market, meaning the rebound was driven more by local liquidity than a full return of foreign investors. Technology shares showed mixed. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.4 percent to 189,000 won, while SK hynix edged up 0.9 percent to 995,000 won, supported by expectations of continued strength in AI-driven memory demand. Technology shares were mixed. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.4 percent to 189,000 won, while SK hynix edged up 0.9 percent to 995,000 won, supported by expectations of continued strength in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven memory demand. Autos and platform stocks moved higher, with Hyundai Motor rising 1.8 percent to 501,000 won, NAVER gaining 0.9 percent to 215,500 won and Kakao advancing 1.8 percent to 49,050 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution added 0.4 percent. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed, jumping 3.4 percent to 1,159.6 after touching a high of 1,160.1. Foreign investors led buying on the secondary board, purchasing 373.4 billion won, as institutions added 12.3 billion won, while retail investors sold 381.1 billion won. Gains were concentrated in high-beta and growth-oriented names. Samchundang Pharm surged 19.3 percent on continued optimism over its oral insulin development, while Pearl Abyss jumped 23.3 percent following strong global sales momentum for its new releases. Hanwha Systems also rose 7.3 percent on expectations of expanding aerospace and defense cooperation. Despite the broad rally overall, underlying risks remained. The Korean won stayed near the 1,500 level against the dollar, while the VIX, a real-time market indicator that measures the market's expectation of 30-day forward-looking volatility, rose to 26.95, signaling elevated market volatility. Despite the broad rally overall, underlying risks remained. The Korean won stayed near the 1,500 level against the dollar. The VIX, a real-time indicator that measures the market's expectation of 30-day volatility, rose to 26.95, suggesting lingering geopolitical concerns and continued global uncertainty. 2026-03-25 17:29:23

Korea's relative 'under-globalized' may underpin Korean Inc. strength SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - South Korea’s financial sector may look under-globalized next to the country’s export-driven industrial giants, but that is not necessarily a weakness, former Bank for International Settlements (BIS) General Manager Agustín Carstens said Wednesday. Speaking at the 19th Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) 2026 in Seoul, Carstens said Korea’s financial system has played a strategically effective role by channeling resources into the country’s strongest industries rather than simply pursuing international expansion for its own sake. “The fact that it does not internationalize so much doesn’t mean that it’s a failure of the Korean banking system,” Carstens said at the forum hosted by Aju Business Daily and ABC at The Plaza Seoul. “Basically, what the financing strategy of Korea has done is concentrating on the winner sectors, and you chose very well who the winners would be — the automobile industry, the appliance industry, the shipping industry, the building industry, semiconductors, and so on.” This year’s forum, held under the theme of why Korean finance remains largely domestic while non-financial Korean companies have expanded aggressively abroad, drew banking leaders, policymakers and lawmakers, including Aju Business Daily President Lim Kwu-jin, Reform Party leader Rep. Lee Jun-seok, and People Power Party lawmakers Rep. Yoon Han-hong and Rep. Kang Myung-gu. Carstens, who previously served as governor of Mexico’s central bank before leading the BIS, said the domestic focus of Korean finance should be understood in the broader context of its economic role. “The financial system plays a tremendously important role in the economy and it basically transforms savings into investment,” he said, stressing that finance serves as the foundation for industrial growth. He also said global supply chains are no longer being shaped solely by economic efficiency. “Supply chains are being reorganized along geopolitical lines, not purely economic lines,” he said. That shift, he added, is part of a broader structural transformation in which manufacturing will gradually lose its dominance as the main engine of employment. “Manufacturing will be less important in the economy and will not be the main source of employment,” he said. In a dialogue session that followed, Carstens spoke with Kim Jun-san, senior researcher at the KB Financial Group Research Institute, on the future of Korean finance, deglobalization and digital money. On trade fragmentation, Carstens argued that deglobalization should be seen less as a breakdown than as a reshuffling of existing patterns. “Deglobalization means reorganization of trade,” he said, describing the return of protectionism as a restructuring of the global order rather than its collapse. On digital finance, Carstens reiterated his skepticism toward stablecoins, saying, “stable coins by themselves are not stable,” and instead laid out a vision centered on central bank digital currencies. He said the future financial system should enable “transactions with anybody at any time in any currency immediately,” underscoring the need for an integrated system built around central bank-backed digital infrastructure. Carstens also briefly noted that Shin Hyun-song, the former BIS Monetary and Economic Department chief and a longtime colleague, is an expert in digital finance. The forum then turned to artificial intelligence and digital assets. Kim Jun-san described AI as more than a tool for efficiency, calling it “core infrastructure reshaping entire industries.” He said finance has moved beyond simple digital transformation into what he called an era of “intelligent transformation,” in which AI fundamentally changes business models and customer experiences. Citing JPMorgan as an example, Kim said AI adoption should not be limited to automation, but should be approached as a force capable of reshaping the business itself. He argued that South Korea should focus less on competing head-on with the United States and China in foundation models and more on embedding AI quickly and deeply across existing industries. “Korea is not so much a country that makes AI best, but a country that adopts and utilizes it fastest,” he said. “In the AI era, data, organization, and usage methods determine competitiveness more than technology.” Park Jung-pil, head of the Digital Innovation Office at the Bank of Korea, echoed that view, saying the success of AI adoption at a central bank depends less on the technology itself than on data governance and institutional readiness. “Data governance is most important in the process of adopting AI,” Park said, emphasizing that data must be reorganized into a form AI systems can effectively use, rather than merely accumulated. He added that cultural and human factors remain a critical obstacle. “There is also cultural resistance from users who do not want to use AI,” he said, calling for parallel efforts to reshape organizational culture and strengthen workforce capability. Kim Min-seung, head of the Korbit Research Center, closed the session with an overview of the digital asset market, describing the current phase as a shift “from regulation-centric to institutional integration.” He said virtual assets, once viewed negatively by political and financial circles, have gained legitimacy following exchange-traded fund approvals and policy changes, particularly in the United States. “The market has continuously grown despite political and institutional pressure,” Kim said, adding that digital assets are increasingly being seen as strategic national assets. Still, he said, regulatory refinement remains essential as on-chain finance moves closer to becoming part of the broader financial system. 2026-03-25 17:29:16

Samsung Biologics Joins DCAT Week 2026 in New York to Boost Global Contracting Samsung Biologics said March 25 it is taking part in DCAT Week 2026, being held March 23-26 (local time) in New York, to step up global contract-winning efforts. With more than 130 years of history, DCAT Week is a global pharmaceutical and biotech networking event that began in 1890 under the New York Chamber of Commerce. Samsung Biologics has attended the event for 11 consecutive years since 2016, except in 2020 when it was not held because of COVID-19. The company said it set up a dedicated meeting room in a main location at the venue and plans to hold more than 50 business meetings with global drugmakers. CEO John Rim is also attending to discuss strategic partnerships with key industry figures. On the first day of the event, March 23, Kevin Sharp, vice president in charge of sales and operations at the company’s sales center, spoke at a member company presentation forum. Only companies selected through DCAT screening can participate, and just 20 companies were given a chance to present this year. Sharp shared recent results under the theme of expanding production capacity and developing networks, including the acquisition of a plant in Rockville, the purchase of land for a third Bio Campus, an open innovation partnership with Eli Lilly, and a vaccine manufacturing partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI. Samsung Biologics also worked to raise brand awareness. It joined a presentation session on March 24 as a co-sponsor and promoted its CDMO capabilities before and after the session. The company also installed banners and promotional materials at the venue. At DCAT’s main gala dinner on March 26, Samsung Biologics will participate as a sponsor alongside global CDMO companies including Lonza and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The company said it plans to expand networking and build business partnerships with industry leaders attending the dinner. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 17:18:00

Korea unveils first domestically built KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - South Korea rolled out the first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae fighter jet on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the country’s decades-long push to develop the domestically built 4.5-generation supersonic fighter. President Lee Jae Myung, who attended the ceremony at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, described the rollout as a historic step toward strengthening self-reliant defense capabilities. “South Korea has finally secured weapons developed with our own technology and determination to protect peace not only on land and sea, but also in the skies,” Lee said. “This marks a proud achievement for self-reliant national defense,” Lee said, calling the moment a “historic milestone” for the nation. About 500 attendees joined the ceremony, including test pilots of the KF-21, defense industry officials, air force cadets, students from the aviation science high school and diplomatic representatives from 14 countries. The KF-21 Boramae is a 4.5-generation supersonic fighter jet developed by KAI in cooperation with the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Agency for Defense Development under the KF-X (Korea Fighter eXperimental) program. Lee emphasized that the KF-21 represents decades of national ambition. “This fighter, designed with our own technology and built by our own hands, embodies our long-standing aspiration for self-reliant defense,” he said. He also highlighted the long development process, noting that the project dates back to 2001 when then-President Kim Dae-jung first announced plans to develop a domestically produced fighter jet. “This historic achievement did not come easily,” Lee said. “For 25 years, our researchers and military personnel overcame countless challenges and turned what once seemed impossible into reality.” He added that the KF-21’s success goes beyond strengthening national defense saying that the jet has already drawn strong interest from overseas even before its rollout. Lee also noted that South Korea has already demonstrated its defense capabilities through exports such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Cheongung air defense missile system. The KF-21 is expected to be deployed to the South Korean Air Force later this year. According to government and industry officials, the fighter jet is drawing interest from several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Poland, in addition to Indonesia, which has already signed on as a development partner. With the KF-21 rollout, South Korea has become the eighth country or region to successfully develop a 4.5-generation or higher supersonic fighter jet, joining the United States, China, Russia, Japan, France, Sweden and a European consortium. 2026-03-25 17:14:46

Hanwha's stealth KAI stake signals opening salvo in battle for Korea's fighter SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - The widening Gulf conflicts have caused disruption across markets but are simultaneously delivering a windfall for South Korea’s defense sector, galvanizing acquisition appetite around Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the country’s sole aircraft platform maker. Adding to its renewed strategic appeal, KAI rolled out its first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae fighter jet on Wednesday. Hanwha Aerospace disclosed in its latest business report that it holds a 4.41 percent stake in KAI, or 4.86 million shares. Including an additional 0.58 percent held by affiliate Hanwha Systems, the group’s total stake stands at 4.99 percent — just shy of the 5 percent threshold that would trigger stricter disclosure requirements. The precision of that stake has fueled market speculation. By stopping short of the reporting threshold, Hanwha appears to be pursuing a calculated strategy to secure influence while avoiding early scrutiny. Industry officials describe the move as a classic case of “stealth accumulation,” often seen as a prelude to a larger acquisition attempt. The market widely interprets the stake as an opening move toward a potential takeover. If realized, such a deal would allow Hanwha to build an integrated defense structure spanning platforms and core systems — a long-standing gap in its portfolio. Hanwha has steadily expanded its defense footprint in recent years. It has built strength in land systems through Hanwha Aerospace, precision-guided munitions and radar through Hanwha Systems, and naval capabilities through its 2023 acquisition of Hanwha Ocean. Yet aircraft platforms remain the missing piece — an area dominated by KAI. As the country’s only aircraft platform manufacturer, KAI produces the KF-21 fighter, FA-50 light combat aircraft and Surion helicopters. Hanwha, by contrast, has largely remained a component supplier, providing engines and radar systems while relying on KAI for system integration and export negotiations. “Securing a stake in KAI could transform this dependence into a partnership and, over time, allow Hanwha to internalize platform technologies,” said Jeong Kyung-woon of the Korea Association of Military Studies. However, Hanwha is unlikely to move unchallenged. LIG Nex1 is also reviewing participation in a potential KAI acquisition and has reportedly formed a task force, including options for a consortium with LS Group, both of which tracing their origin to LG Group family tree. The combination would bring together missile systems, radar and communications with LS’s strengths in armored vehicle components. Still, financial capacity remains a key differentiator. LIG Nex1, despite record sales exceeding 4 trillion won ($2,667 billion) in 2025, holds roughly 1 trillion won in cash, compared with more than 10 trillion won held by Hanwha Aerospace — underscoring a clear gap in acquisition firepower. KAI itself remains effectively state-controlled despite being publicly listed. The Export-Import Bank of Korea holds a 26.41 percent stake, while the National Pension Service owns 8.20 percent. Privatization has been discussed for decades but repeatedly delayed due to political sensitivities and valuation concerns. Hanwha’s current position could make it a leading contender should the government decide to divest. Although the policy bank has said it has no immediate plans to sell, it has left open the possibility of consultation with the government — keeping the door ajar. Recent moves suggest Hanwha may already be preparing. Hanwha Systems’ sale of its stake in Hanwha Ocean, reportedly worth about 1.7 trillion won, is seen as a step to secure funding for a larger strategic acquisition. The intensifying competition reflects broader shifts in the defense industry, where demand for advanced aircraft, missiles and space-based capabilities is rising alongside geopolitical tensions. As warfare expands beyond traditional domains, control over aerospace platforms is increasingly emerging as the decisive factor shaping the next generation of defense power. Hanwha Aerospace rose 4.9 percent to close at 1,400,000 won, while LIG Nex1 jumped 14.5 percent to 734,000 won. 2026-03-25 17:01:22

South Korea ranks fourth in global gaming market SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - South Korea's gaming industry ranks fourth in the global market, remaining one of the fastest-growing tech sectors, with developers vying to attract users through increasingly engaging online and mobile games. With the global gaming market estimated at $220.07 billion, South Korea accounted for 7.2 percent, ranking fourth behind China, the U.S, and Japan, according to a joint report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) on Wednesday. The cumulative revenue of the domestic game industry stood at 23.85 trillion won in 2024, up 3.9 percent from a year earlier. Exports also rose by 1.3 percent to US$8.50 billion, with China taking the largest share at 29.7 percent, followed by Southeast Asia at 20.6 percent, North America at 19.5 percent, and Japan at 8.3 percent. Mobile games accounted for more than half of total revenue at 59 percent, followed by PC games at 25.2 percent, console games at 5 percent, and arcade games at 1.2 percent. "The report offers insight to closely assess the industry and develop future strategies," said KOCCA's acting President Yu Hyeons-seok, adding that the agency will continue to provide "systematic, data-based support" so that the country's gaming industry can continue to prosper while staying competitive globally." 2026-03-25 16:55:39