Moon Urges Kim Jong Un to Meet Boldly With Trump as Panmunjom Declaration Turns 8 Former President Moon Jae-in urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to “boldly sit down” with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying dialogue remains the quickest and safest way to break the current stalemate. Moon made the remarks in a commemorative speech on April 27 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building during an event marking the eighth anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, hosted by the Democratic Government Korean Peninsula Peace Inheritance and Development Council and the Ministry of Unification. “True security cannot be guaranteed by building up military power and raising higher walls of isolation and severance,” Moon said. He said he hoped that, as eight years ago, improved inter-Korean ties could again serve as a bridge to U.S.-North Korea talks. “Inter-Korean dialogue will be the fastest and safest breakthrough to resolve the current deadlock,” he said. Moon also called on Trump to show “his unique decisiveness and wisdom” to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table. “Establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula is an especially difficult and arduous journey,” Moon said. But he argued that if the two Koreas overcome those challenges and build a “model of coexistence and peace” on the peninsula, it could become a major milestone for repairing a fractured world order. Moon said “the role of the Lee Jae-myung government is clear,” urging it to strengthen and carry forward past achievements while wisely overcoming earlier limits by starting a new “peace relay.” He said he “sincerely hopes” the stalled peace process will be restarted so the Korean Peninsula can become a place of sustainable peaceful coexistence and prosperity rather than confrontation. On April 27, 2018, Moon and Kim adopted the “Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula” at an inter-Korean summit in Panmunjom, centered on improving inter-Korean relations and building a peace regime. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:14:14

Daeryuk & Aju, Lin Begin Merger Process, Signaling Shake-Up in Midtier Law Firms Daeryuk & Aju and Lin have begun formal steps toward a merger, a move that could accelerate a reshuffle among South Korea’s midtier law firms. If completed, the combined firm would jump into the top tier by both revenue and headcount. According to the legal community on the 27th, the firms plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on the 29th at Daeryuk & Aju’s main conference room in Donghun Tower in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul’s Gangnam district. The agreement would bring into the open merger talks that have been underway behind the scenes and start full integration procedures. The MOU follows more than a month of working-level discussions. The firms have been in talks since last month, and an MOU had initially been expected by late March before the schedule was adjusted. By scale, the merger would be significant. Based on National Tax Service value-added tax filings, Daeryuk & Aju reported 102.7 billion won in revenue last year and Lin reported 41.0 billion won. Combined, that would total 143.7 billion won, exceeding Jipyong, which ranks eighth by revenue. Headcount would also rise. As of last year, Daeryuk & Aju had 247 lawyers and Lin had 137, for a combined 384 — more than HwaWoo’s 369. Industry observers describe the deal as largely complementary. Daeryuk & Aju is known for litigation and overseas work, while Lin has grown quickly in corporate advisory services and mergers and acquisitions. The combination is widely seen as likely to strengthen competitiveness. Lin’s role has drawn attention because it recently reset its merger strategy. Lin previously pursued a merger with Barun and reached detailed negotiations, but the deal fell through over issues including organizational culture and conflicts of interest. Lin then sought a new partner, and talks with Daeryuk & Aju gained momentum. A Lin official said trust remains central in the legal market and added, “As a midtier firm, we judged there are limits to survival and growth, so we decided to pursue a merger.” Daeryuk & Aju has expanded through mergers before. After the 2009 integration of “Daeryuk” and “Aju,” it settled into the top 10 and has recently broadened into growth areas such as international work and major industrial-accident cases. Lin, founded in 2017 by lawyers largely from Kim & Chang, has rapidly built its presence in the corporate advisory market. Analysts said the push could signal broader consolidation among midtier firms as competition with large firms intensifies and as firms seek scale and combined expertise. If the merger is finalized, it could alter competition not only among midtier firms such as Jipyong and Barun but also with higher-ranked firms, with the possibility of additional mergers or strategic alliances. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:09:30

South Korea to Launch Farm Energy Transition Task Force; NH Reform Plan Due in June Song Mi-ryeong, South Korea’s minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, said April 27 the government will launch an agriculture and rural “energy transition” task force this week to prepare for a prolonged war in the Middle East. She also underscored the need for reform at NongHyup, citing survey results showing broad support for a government-led overhaul. Speaking at a briefing for reporters at the government complex in Sejong, Song said that if the conflict continues, “leaving the energy issue unattended or responding only with the existing fossil-fuel system” could threaten the country’s food security. She said agricultural waste could be converted into energy through solid-fuel production and biogas, and then used as “meaningful fertilizer,” turning what is discarded into a resource. She added that farmland could also become a key asset because solar panels can be installed there. On NongHyup reform, Song said the ministry has continued to gather views in the field amid criticism that input was insufficient. She said a second reform package, including measures to revitalize its economic businesses, will be announced in June, and that needed legislation will be processed quickly. A Korea Rural Economic Institute survey released that day found 94.5% of cooperative members and 95.1% of the general public supported the need for NongHyup reform. The most common reason cited was the need to eradicate misconduct by executives, including the chairman and local cooperative heads. Addressing opposition, Song said she was aware of concerns that direct elections by members could strengthen the central chairman’s authority and that expanded government oversight could undermine autonomy. She said giving members voting rights while expanding government supervisory authority would help NongHyup secure democratic legitimacy while correcting problems. On worries about farm input supplies due to the Middle East war, Song said the latest assessment showed the country has secured enough raw materials for urea to avoid disruptions in fertilizer supply through the end of August. She said raw materials for plastic film have been secured through June, and the government is working to increase supply to some areas facing shortages. Song also said there has been some misunderstanding about the recent jump in rice prices. She said that compared with other prices over the past 20 years, the rise in rice prices has not been large, and that balancing producers and consumers is important. Rice is currently about 62,000 won per 20 kilograms, about 15% higher than a year earlier. On rising egg and broiler chicken prices, Song pointed to increased imports of hatching eggs as a response. She said livestock infectious diseases have affected not only laying hens but also broilers, raising concerns ahead of Chobok, and that imports are being expanded in anticipation of higher broiler demand during Chobok and Jungbok. 2026-04-27 16:08:36

Korea’s Discount Policies Shift Costs to Insurers and Card Issuers As policy-driven benefits expand — including a vehicle five-day rotation discount rider and broader gasoline discounts — insurers and credit card companies are facing rising costs. While the discounts are billed as support for household finances, critics say the structure repeatedly leaves financial firms to absorb the expense. According to financial authorities on the 27th, the five-day rotation rider offers private auto insurance customers a 2% annual premium discount. Drivers limit use of their cars on designated weekdays based on license plate numbers, then receive a refund at policy expiration for the period they complied. For an annual premium of 700,000 won, the refund is about 14,000 won. Insurers, not the government, pay for the discount. Because the program is policy-driven, participation is effectively unavoidable for insurers, and the burden grows as more customers enroll. The industry warns the effect of premium hikes implemented earlier this year could be offset, or turn into added costs. Signs of weakening profitability are also emerging. The first-quarter auto insurance loss ratio at major nonlife insurers — Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, DB Insurance and KB Insurance — rose to 85.9%, up 3.4 percentage points from a year earlier. Auto insurance is estimated to have posted a deficit of about 130 billion won over the same period. Additional costs tied to operating the rider are another variable. Insurers say they must build and manage systems to verify whether customers drove on restricted days and assign staff to run them, while disputes and complaints over driving records are also possible. Some in the industry have raised the possibility that insurers may need to pay automakers separately to obtain driving data. Limits of similar policies have surfaced before. A “weekday driving discount rider” introduced around 2008 offered a higher discount rate, but was widely seen as a failure due to low enrollment. Credit card companies face a similar squeeze. In line with the government’s inflation response, issuers have expanded gasoline discounts, but card companies are bearing much of the cost. Unlike general co-branded cards, they have less ability to split expenses with merchants, pushing up marketing costs. Profit pressure is intensifying as issuers add fee waivers, cashback and points on top of fuel discounts. Some gasoline discount cards could end up in a “reverse margin” structure, where losses grow as more cards are issued. With higher bond yields raising funding costs, broader discounts add to the strain. The burden goes beyond the discount itself. Card companies also shoulder added expenses for system overhauls, staffing and building infrastructure to link benefits to prices. Market response has also fallen short. One card company said new issuance of its gasoline discount card rose by less than 10% from the previous month even after benefits were expanded, suggesting the bigger discounts are not generating enough demand amid weak consumption. An industry official said, “We agree with the goal of stabilizing people’s livelihoods, but the cost burden is accumulating,” adding, “With funding rates rising as well, management pressure is growing.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:07:23

South Korea Science Ministry, Google DeepMind Sign MOU for Joint AI Research and Talent Training South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT said it has signed an agreement with Google DeepMind to build a cooperation framework for the government’s “K-Moonshot” initiative and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. The ministry said it signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Google DeepMind on Sunday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. The partnership centers on joint AI research, talent development and expanding the adoption of responsible AI. Google DeepMind is the company behind the Go-playing AI AlphaGo. It is also a global AI research organization that developed AlphaFold, demonstrating AI’s potential in science and technology. The ministry noted that CEO Demis Hassabis won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024 for solving the long-standing challenge of predicting protein structures. The ministry said the agreement was signed at a symbolic moment marking the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo matches, aiming to turn a decade of AI achievements into momentum for science and technology innovation. Under the MOU, the two sides plan to seek practical cooperation across technology, infrastructure and researcher exchanges. They said they will work together in areas including life sciences, weather and climate, and “AI scientists.” They also plan to expand joint research and researcher exchanges around the National Science AI Research Center, which is scheduled to begin operations in May. Cooperation is expected to include developing and validating AI models and tools, using scientific data, and exploring collaboration centered on an AI bio-innovation research hub. The ministry said it will look for internship opportunities so top AI talent can experience Google DeepMind’s research environment. Google, it said, will establish an AI campus in South Korea and expand cooperation with academia, researchers and startups. The AI campus is expected to serve as a base for AI-driven science and technology cooperation with Google DeepMind linked to “K-Moonshot.” The two sides also agreed to cooperate on AI safety and governance. They plan joint research on safety frameworks and safeguards for AI models to support responsible development of AI technology. They also said they will hold discussions, in connection with an AI Safety Institute, on building safety frameworks and testing methodologies. Bae Kyung-hoon, deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said the MOU will be “a key opportunity” for the two sides to work together to accelerate AI innovation in science and technology centered on “K-Moonshot,” while spreading safe and responsible AI research and best practices. Hassabis said Google DeepMind will contribute as a partner in building safeguards to help AI advance responsibly. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:06:21

K-Musical Industry Urges Overhaul of Outdated Standard Contracts to Protect New Creators "Too many young people don’t know how much they can earn before a premiere, how long it will take, or what they’ll be responsible for. We’re still using a standard contract from more than 10 years ago, and there aren’t even specific amounts or average rates," writer Han Jeong-seok said. At the second meeting of the Musical Theater Subcommittee of the Arts and Culture Policy Advisory Committee on April 27 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, participants repeatedly said revising standard contracts is urgent for the sustained growth of K-musicals. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young and musical-theater experts discussed ways to strengthen the industry, including improving standard contracts, building dedicated space for original productions, developing talent and supporting overseas expansion. Han criticized what he called a “black-box” contracting environment that he said has become a barrier to entry. He said webtoons, screenplays and films have standard rates for new creators, allowing them to plan their lives, but musical theater does not. He added that creators often sign first because it is hard to judge whether terms are fair, only to realize later the deal was unfavorable. Producers also voiced concern. Lee Seong-hoon, CEO of Show Note, again stressed the need to update the standard contract, saying the musical industry has changed rapidly while a contract drafted 10 years ago is still treated as the standard. He said the very concept of “standard” needs to be strengthened. Choi asked detailed questions about conditions in the field, including whether rates vary widely and whether they differ sharply by work, individual or production company. He said it is necessary to build a solid ecosystem. "When people decide to invest their lives, youth and talent, and when they challenge a dream, uncertainty and unpredictability are not signs of a healthy ecosystem," Choi said. "It seems important to help talented people enter the musical-theater field. I will gather opinions and consider what the government can do to help." Participants also raised the need to expand infrastructure for original premiere musicals, described as seeds for the industry’s future. They proposed using sites such as the Seogye-dong complex cultural space under development or idle land at the Danginri power plant to create a dedicated theater for original premieres. Choi said it is true that premiere productions have difficulty renting theaters and promised active support so more original premieres can be staged.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:04:47

Insurers urge reforms to dementia trusts as aging fuels need to manage 'dementia money' As South Korea’s population ages and dementia cases rise, calls are growing to better manage patients’ assets — often referred to as “dementia money.” Experts and insurers say reforms to the trust system and a larger private-sector role in insurance and long-term care are needed to protect assets in a more structured way. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 27th, the dementia prevalence rate among people 65 and older is about 9.25%, and it exceeds 20% among those 85 and older. Dementia is increasingly viewed not only as a medical condition but as a social risk that can affect nearly every part of life for patients and their families. As a result, there is a growing recognition that dementia-related assets should be managed systematically to help pay for care and stabilize household finances. Specialists point to wider use of trusts as a key solution. They say the scope of assets eligible for trusts should be expanded, and standards and sales rules for managed trusts should be revised to ensure stable oversight of assets held by older adults with dementia. While such assets can include deposits, real estate, insurance and pensions, the range of property that can be placed in trust remains limited. Critics say public and private pensions and insurance claim rights — major sources of retirement income and care costs — should also be included. Access is also limited. Because dementia trusts are classified as financial investment products, enrollment procedures can be complex, and there is a lack of sales infrastructure. A uniform fee structure is also cited as an area for improvement. The industry also points to a structure centered on wealthy clients and narrow sales channels. Some have proposed easing qualification requirements for investment solicitation agents so insurance agents can recommend dementia trusts. Supporters say agents, who have frequent contact with older adults, could also help expand coverage by linking trusts with dementia insurance. A life insurance industry official said, “If efforts to expand dementia insurance and improve the trust system move forward together, it will be possible to manage the assets of older adults with dementia more safely and systematically.” 2026-04-27 15:57:19

KB Goodjob Job Fair Draws Crowds as Young Koreans Face AI-Era Hiring Squeeze “Even when job postings go up these days, most are for experienced hires. Companies don’t hire many entry-level workers, so I’m trying anything I can. AI makes me uneasy, but I have to work to become someone who can keep up with it.” Jeong Mi-ju, 26, said that Monday at the “2026 First KB Goodjob Excellent Companies Job Fair” at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Dressed for an interview, she carried a backpack filled with resumes and a portfolio. Preparing since January for an IT job, Jeong said she was ready to interview if she got the chance at the fair. Now in its 29th year, the KB Goodjob fair has drawn about 6,200 companies over time and provided jobs to 45,000 job seekers, organizers said. About 250 companies participated this year. The venue was packed from the 10 a.m. opening, with attendees ranging from vocational high school students to college students, soon-to-be graduates and troops nearing discharge. Many young visitors said they felt hiring had become tougher as AI spreads, and that they came to secure any opportunity they could. Na In-chae, 29, who worked two years on a contract in public relations and marketing and is now seeking a new job, said, “You can definitely feel there are fewer openings and the competition is higher.” She added, “At work, it feels like AI is required, so I’m trying to earn at least one more certificate. Still, I’m relieved I’ll be interviewing with two companies here today.” Kim Ye-rin, 28, preparing for a job in electronics and IT, said, “As AI’s role grows, I think every day about what I can do.” She said she visited the booth of a company that had rejected her application to ask what she lacked and to get feedback. “Even if I don’t get a good opportunity, I hope they see this kind of initiative in a positive way,” she said. Programs aimed at helping job seekers use AI drew especially heavy interest. A recruiting briefing titled “Job-hunting strategies in the AI era” was crowded even before it began. When speakers explained prompts for writing cover letters with generative AI, some attendees held up phones to record the screen. As seats filled, others stood outside on tiptoe to listen. The AI-based “Career Solution Zone,” which offers customized job counseling, was also crowded. The program provides comprehensive consulting tailored to each job seeker’s readiness and supports training to strengthen job-search literacy using AI. Organizers said that 1 hour and 50 minutes after opening, 99 people had taken waiting tickets. A 19-year-old identified by the surname Kim said after a session, “I’m very interested in robotics, and it helped to get detailed, personalized advice on whether to work right away or go to college.” Kim said they planned to look around more, using the counseling as a guide, noting that many related companies had booths at the fair. KB Kookmin Bank said it plans to continue supporting participating companies after the fair, including by offering specialized talent-matching services linked to KB Goodjob partner institutions. If participating companies hire full-time employees, the bank will provide hiring support funds of 1 million won per person, up to 10 million won per year. KB Kookmin Bank CEO Lee Hwan-joo said he hopes the event will be “a place of challenge and opportunity” where young job seekers can fully demonstrate their abilities. He said the bank will continue a range of social contribution activities alongside KB Goodjob to “do our best to establish ourselves as a lifelong financial partner for the public.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 15:54:16

Analyst: OpenAI may develop an 'AI agent phone,' with mass production eyed for 2028 OpenAI may be moving toward developing its own smartphone, as the competition around ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools spreads from apps and services into hardware. The key question is whether it can build a new device architecture centered on an AI agent, rather than simply adding AI features to existing phones. According to China’s Kechuangban Daily on Sunday, TF International Securities IT analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for tracking Apple’s supply chain, said OpenAI is pursuing development of its own smartphone. In a post on X, Kuo said OpenAI is developing smartphone processors with MediaTek and Qualcomm, and he forecast that Luxshare would serve as the exclusive partner for joint system design and manufacturing. He projected mass production in 2028. Kuo described the concept as an “AI agent phone,” differing from the current model in which users open and operate apps themselves. In his view, the phone would understand a user’s situation and context, and an AI agent would carry out needed tasks on the user’s behalf. He said OpenAI’s motivation is to gain control over the operating system and hardware, arguing that offering a comprehensive AI agent service would be limited if it relied only on a ChatGPT app running on existing smartphones. Smartphones also hold large amounts of real-time user information, including location, schedules, conversations and usage habits. OpenAI’s hardware push has already taken shape. The company acquired io, a hardware startup co-founded by Jony Ive, who led iPhone design. After the acquisition, the io team joined OpenAI, and Ive’s side has continued to take part in OpenAI product design work. If Kuo’s forecast is correct, OpenAI’s aim would be to make the smartphone a primary gateway for its AI models and agent services. That could introduce a new variable for ecosystems dominated by Apple and Samsung Electronics, which are built around iOS and Android and the App Store and Google Play. If OpenAI releases an AI agent device, it could accelerate a shift toward AI calling apps and services in the background to deliver results, rather than users selecting and launching apps themselves. Still, the report remains an analyst’s projection, and uncertainty is high. OpenAI, Qualcomm, MediaTek and Luxshare have not officially confirmed the details. Challenges before any mass production include technical readiness, handling personal data, and securing an operating system and app ecosystem. 2026-04-27 15:52:07

Defense Vice Minister Lee Doo-hee Pledges Major Upgrades to Navy Shipboard Living Conditions “To ensure sustained operational capability in wartime and peacetime, it is important to quickly relieve crews’ operational fatigue. We will make major improvements to shipboard living conditions,” Defense Vice Minister Lee Doo-hee said. Lee visited the Navy’s 2nd Fleet Command on April 27 to inspect shipboard living conditions and barracks facilities for sailors and to encourage service members, the Ministry of National Defense said. The on-site inspection was arranged to push ahead with tasks recommended by a joint civilian-government-military special advisory panel to improve living conditions for troops’ physical and mental recovery, and with defense reform efforts to improve barracks conditions, the ministry said. Lee toured crew sleeping quarters aboard the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (DDH-I), which was docked at the 2nd Fleet naval base, and reviewed areas needing improvement. He also checked conditions at an onshore dormitory used by enlisted sailors assigned to fast patrol craft and other vessels. “We will continue improving conditions so that, while ship crews are waiting on shore, the onshore dormitory is a place for adequate rest and recovery,” Lee said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 15:51:17