OPINION: The hidden genius in our pockets SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Last October, I had the pleasure of visiting the Korea University Museum at the invitation of its director, Professor Song Wan-beom. The visit was organized by the second graduating class of the ‘Creative CEO’ program, originally established by the National Museum of Korea in 2010. Among the many treasures on display, the Honcheonui (National Treasure No. 230) was the most striking. Created by Song Yi-yeong in 1669, this armillary astronomical clock is a marvel of technical synthesis; it masterfully integrates Western pendulum-based clockwork with traditional Korean astronomical systems. It stands as a profound testament to the innovative spirit of the Joseon Dynasty. Remarkably, it was completed only thirteen years after the Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens introduced the pendulum clock to Europe. Despite its scientific significance, a modern paradox persists: although the Honcheonui is depicted on the reverse of the 10,000-won banknote, the image is frequently overlooked in daily use. We carry this symbol of historical mastery in our pockets every day, yet the story of the brilliant artisan-scientists who created it remains largely forgotten. The evolution of horological innovation in Joseon began in 1631, when the diplomat Jeong Doo-won returned from Ming China with scientific instruments and texts acquired from the Portuguese Jesuit missionary João Rodrigues. Initially, the Joseon court greeted these tools with deep skepticism. While King Injo expressed a flickering interest, conservative officials dismissed foreign clocks as mere “ornaments.” They cited an alleged incompatibility between Western 24-hour cycles and traditional Korean time systems, viewing these mechanisms as curiosities rather than apparatuses worthy of serious study. However, a generation of pioneers saw beyond mere aesthetic intrigue. Figures like Lee Min-cheol (1613–1715) practiced what we now recognize as reverse engineering. Historical records describe how Lee would isolate himself with imported artifacts, painstakingly dismantling and reassembling their intricate gears until he decoded their inner logic. This endeavor demanded immense intellectual and financial audacity. At the time, an alarm clock cost significantly more than renting a house in Seoul. Dismantling such an object was akin to staking one’s life on a gamble. These artisans sought knowledge wherever it could be found, even traveling clandestinely to Waegwan—the Japanese trading settlement in Busan—to acquire the technical skills needed to bridge foreign theory with local application. In doing so, they moved beyond political sensitivities in an uncompromising pursuit of learning. Through these efforts, Joseon moved from a consumer of technology to an active innovator. Other masters pushed these boundaries further: Choi Cheon-yak became Joseon’s first professional clockmaker after repairing King Yeongjo’s personal clock, and later, Na Kyung-jeok collaborated with the scholar Hong Dae-yong to construct the Nongsugak observatory in 1762. This represented a rare, potent intersection of mechanical craftsmanship and theoretical astronomy. Today, we must do more than carry their work on our currency; we must learn from our ancestors’ struggle. Their legacy teaches us that true innovation requires a social framework that respects technical mastery. This lesson is vital as we navigate the 21st century. While AI can process data at incredible speeds, it still requires the human eye to find value in the margins. In the AI era, we must pay particular attention to seemingly trivial scientific matters, for they often lead to the developments that most benefit human life. Ultimately, Joseon’s horological history is a cautionary tale of social stratification. Despite their brilliance, these masters were marginalized by a Neo-Confucian hierarchy that dismissed technical skill as "vulgar" labor. Lacking the structural support to turn individual genius into a national industry, the momentum of this renaissance evaporated. By honoring the "hidden genius" of forerunners like Lee Min-cheol and Song Yi-yeong, we ensure that the spirit of inquiry is finally given the credit it deserves. ----About the Author--- Choe Chong-dae is a prominent columnist and a longstanding member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea. An enthusiast of international cultural and historical affairs, he has contributed regular opinion columns to The Korea Times for more than four decades. He also serves on the editorial board of the Newsletter of the Korea-America Association and is the founding director of the Korea–Swedish Association. In 2010, he was awarded Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the country’s most prestigious honors. 2026-04-10 15:53:29

Hundreds of booths showcase latest tech convergence at expo in southern Seoul SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - An expo featuring the latest technologies and trends in electronics and automotive manufacturing is being held at COEX in southern Seoul, with about 250 domestic and foreign companies participating. The three-day expo with more than 400 booths which kicked off Wednesday are showcasing a wide range of equipment and solutions in the fields of automotive electronics and smart factory systems, allowing visitors to explore automated production lines and advanced manufacturing technologies. The tech expo has evolved into a convergence exhibition with the inclusion of automotive electronics manufacturing since its 2017 inaugural event, further broadening its scope in 2022 to cover eco-friendly vehicle technologies and lightweight solutions. 2026-04-10 15:25:26

Flower-themed festival underway as spring in full bloom GANGNEUNG, April 10 (AJP) - A cherry-blossom-themed festival is underway along Gyeongpo Lake in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, welcoming visitors hoping to enjoy a spring outing at the peak of seasonal flowers. The weeklong festival, which kicked off last weekend and runs until Saturday, offers various programs including a singing contest, music performances, sporting events, and other activities in the surrounding areas. A roughly 4-kilometer-long trail lined with cherry blossoms along the scenic lake dazzles visitors with beautiful scenery by day and night, decorated with illuminated tunnels and other light displays. 2026-04-10 15:00:59

OPINION: Hwanwha's Kim Dong-kwan faces crossroads as Hanwha Solutions expansion hits financial limits SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan stands before two divergent paths: one that persists with relentless expansion and another that recalibrates for structural stability. While neither choice offers a simple resolution, the window for delaying this decision has slammed shut. Under the leadership of Kim Dong-kwan, Hanwha Solutions has moved with unparalleled speed, pivoting toward solar energy and expanding its manufacturing footprint across North America. Yet this velocity now threatens to outpace the internal capacity of the firm to sustain it. In capital-intensive industries where first-mover advantage is everything, speed is a weapon, but it is one that can just as easily turn against its wielder when the balance sheet begins to buckle. All strategies rely on a single prerequisite: the strength to see them through to the end. The current reality for Hanwha Solutions raises uncomfortable questions about whether that strength exists. While the expansion was achieved, the internal structures required to manage that growth appear fragile. This is the core of the skepticism currently radiating from the capital markets in Seoul. Perils of aggressive expansion The recent controversy surrounding the 2.4 trillion won rights offering has brought these issues into sharp relief. More important than the scale of the capital raise is what that money represents. Debate has intensified over whether these funds are destined for future growth or are simply being used to cover existing burdens. The market has leaned toward the latter interpretation, viewing the move as a reactive repair rather than a proactive investment. This represents a failure of signaling. When a company is unable to clearly communicate its intent, the market fills the void with its own fears. Hanwha Solutions is currently sending conflicting messages: it emphasizes a commitment to growth while simultaneously struggling to manage a massive debt load. This ambiguity leaves investors unsure if they are backing a high-growth energy leader or a firm in the midst of a painful restructuring. Mixed signals and market confusion What is required now is not necessarily a change in direction, but a newfound clarity in decision-making. If expansion is to continue, the firm must establish and disclose clear financial limits. Investors need to know exactly where the investment ceiling sits, how much debt the balance sheet can realistically absorb, and precisely when these expenditures will translate into meaningful profit. Conversely, if a slowdown is necessary, that pivot must be explained as a strategic recalibration rather than a retreat. The problem to date is that the response from leadership has occupied a murky middle ground. By attempting to maintain the appearance of rapid growth while quietly scrambling to reduce financial pressure, Hanwha Solutions has created a climate of uncertainty. For an entrepreneur, the most vital tool is not just the will to act, but the criteria by which they judge success and failure. Shift toward accountable leadership This is the moment where the brand of entrepreneurship associated with Kim Dong-kwan must evolve. If his previous reputation was built on being a first-mover, his future reputation will depend on his ability to be a responsible steward of capital. Courage is required to lead, but capability is required to take responsibility for the long-term consequences of that leadership. Expansion is a relatively simple task for those with access to capital and a clear mandate. However, sustaining that expansion, converting it into cash flow, and maintaining the trust of the market is an entirely different challenge. History in the global renewable energy sector is littered with companies that collapsed because they could not reconcile their debt with their rate of expansion. Those that survived were the ones that balanced investment with cash flow. Hanwha Solutions is now at that same inflection point. The question for the firm is simple: how much growth can it actually afford? Until a clear answer is provided, market confidence is unlikely to return. The most difficult moment for any leader is not when they must abandon a failing path, but when they must redesign a path they believe to be correct to fit the harsh realities of the present. Hanwha Solutions currently remains the primary driver of solar investment in South Korea. 2026-04-10 14:28:05

Statue honoring wartime sex slavery victims accessible without barricade on Wednesdays SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - A barricade that prevented people from approaching a statue honoring the victims of sexual enslavement during World War II in central Seoul was removed last Wednesday. The statue of an unsmiling girl symbolizing former sex slaves forced to serve Japanese soldiers during the war stands in front of the Japanese Embassy, where victims and their supporters have held protests every Wednesday for decades. It was the first time in about six years that the barricade installed for safety concerns was removed, as police decided to do so during the protesters' gathering hours. Marking the 1,000th weekly protest, the statue was first erected on Dec. 14, 2011, with more statues set up in South Korea and overseas including the one in Glendale, California to spread awareness of Japan's wartime atrocities. 2026-04-10 14:26:17

KB Kookmin Bank Expands Mobile Rate-Reduction Requests for Sole Proprietors KB Kookmin Bank said Thursday it will expand the scope of its non-face-to-face service for sole proprietors seeking lower loan rates, aiming to reduce interest burdens and improve access. Under South Korea’s “right to request an interest rate reduction,” borrowers can ask a financial company to cut their rate when their credit profile improves, such as through employment, higher income or better credit. With the change, sole proprietor customers can apply and check results through KB Corporate Star Banking and internet banking without visiting a branch, regardless of loan type. The bank also introduced a new “credit improvement guidance” service for cases in which a request is not approved. It provides five categories of information — personal details, bank transaction data, loan transaction data, card usage data and delinquency information — to help customers manage their credit. A company official said the move is intended to help busy small business owners use financial services more conveniently and benefit from lower rates, adding that the bank will continue expanding inclusive finance services to protect consumer rights and ease financing costs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-10 14:21:00

YouTuber Kwak Tube Addresses Postpartum Care Center Sponsorship Involving Civil Servant Wife Travel YouTuber and TV personality Kwak Jun-bin, known as Kwak Tube, said his wife received a sponsored room upgrade and some services at a postpartum care center despite her status as a civil servant, prompting debate over whether it could violate South Korea’s anti-graft law. Kwak posted a lengthy statement on his YouTube channel on April 10. “As a public official’s family member, I deeply realize I should have acted more cautiously,” he wrote, acknowledging that after his wife gave birth, the facility provided a room upgrade and some services. He said he disclosed the sponsorship on social media at the time but later edited the post after realizing the details could be misunderstood. After the controversy emerged, he said he sought legal advice and was told the sponsorship was a private contract between him and the facility and was unrelated to his wife’s official duties. Kwak said he would cooperate if any procedural steps are required. He also said he plans to donate 30 million won to support single mothers, an issue he said he has long wanted to help address. He added that he has already paid the postpartum care center the full price difference for the sponsored benefits. “I will think more deeply about social responsibility, not only legal standards, and put it into practice,” he wrote. After his statement, online debate continued over whether there was any connection to official duties. Some commenters criticized the arrangement as a “loophole” and questioned whether such benefits are allowed if there is no job-related link. Others said the matter was settled because he paid the difference and legal advice found no issue, calling the criticism excessive. Kwak previously posted several photos on April 1 showing his wife staying at a postpartum care center, with the post labeled “sponsored.” The facility is known to charge about 25 million won for two weeks in its top-tier Presidential Suite and about 45 million won for four weeks. Some observers raised questions about a possible violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act, because his wife is a civil servant. His agency said it was not a full sponsorship and that only a room upgrade was provided. 2026-04-10 14:18:16

Seo Seung-man Named CEO of National Jeongdong Theater The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Seo Seung-man was appointed CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater foundation, effective April 10. His term is three years. Seo is a performing arts and content planner with experience in broadcasting, stage production and theater operations, the ministry said. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater, film and visual media at Kookmin University and a doctorate in public administration. His past roles include head of the theater troupe Sangsan Naneum, head of the small theater Sangsan Naneum Theater, president of the Korea Safety Culture Association, publicity committee chair of the Korean Association for Public Management, and a public relations ambassador for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. He has directed productions including the madangnori works “Ondal-a, Pyeonggang-a” and “Ppaengpa-jeon,” and the musicals “Nono Story” and “Tunnel.” The National Jeongdong Theater foundation was established in 1997 to promote the restoration ideal of Wongaksa, described as Korea’s first modern-style theater, and to produce and stage traditional performing arts while expanding exchanges at home and abroad. More recently, it has presented works rooted in Jeongdong-gil’s modern cultural heritage — including traditional performance, theater and musicals — contributing to tourism in central Seoul. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said he expects Seo to strengthen the theater’s role as a tourism asset in the Jeongdong-gil area and to play a key role in promoting high-quality performances to audiences worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-10 14:12:15

FSS blocks 2.4 trillion won hike as Hanwha trust wavers The Financial Supervisory Service has effectively frozen a 2.4 trillion won rights offering by Hanwha Solutions, demanding a revised registration statement on the grounds that existing disclosures are insufficient and lack clarity. The regulatory intervention suspends the validity of the filing immediately; should the company fail to provide adequate supplements within three months, the offering will be deemed withdrawn. This friction in Seoul is not merely a procedural hiccup. It represents a fundamental test of corporate accountability and the legitimacy of the attitude Hanwha Solutions has adopted toward its investors. While the firm justifies the capital hike as a means to shore up its financial structure and secure investment resources, the market has responded with cold skepticism. With over 60 percent of the proceeds earmarked for debt repayment, the move looks less like a leap toward future growth and more like a desperate defensive maneuver to patch a sinking balance sheet. The financial strain on the energy giant has reached a critical mass. Net debt currently hovers around 12 trillion won, with annual interest expenses estimated at 600 billion won. Despite self-help efforts including asset divestitures and the issuance of perpetual bonds, the pressure on its credit rating remains unrelenting. In this context, the decision to launch a massive rights offering feels like an admission that internal financial management has gone off the rails. Debt relief masked as strategic investment The execution of this plan is particularly galling for the investing public. By issuing new shares equivalent to more than 40 percent of its total outstanding stock, Hanwha Solutions has made massive equity dilution a certainty. It is no coincidence that the share price plummeted immediately following the announcement, or that minority shareholders are now mobilizing for an extraordinary general meeting. There is a glaring ethical deficit in asking shareholders to shoulder the burden of management's miscalculations. While companies inevitably face risks in volatile global sectors like solar power—ranging from shifting policies in Washington to chronic oversupply—those external factors do not justify the opaque manner in which losses are being socialized. The current crisis exposes a breakdown in the balance between investment speed and financial capacity, compounded by a total lack of transparent communication. Erosion of shareholder equity and trust The fact that the rights offering was announced immediately following a general shareholders' meeting, without prior explanation, suggests a calculated avoidance of scrutiny. Furthermore, the FSS has designated this case for intensive review, specifically questioning the urgency and necessity of the funds. The high proportion of debt repayment distinguishes this from standard growth-oriented capital raises and suggests that management risks are being unfairly dumped on external investors. Credibility is the currency of the capital markets, and Hanwha Solutions is currently bankrupt in that regard. Confusion was further stoked by internal claims of prior consultations with the FSS—claims that proved false and led to subsequent internal disciplinary actions. When decision-making processes are this murky, the very foundation of capital raising begins to crumble. Regulatory shift toward market accountability The market's reaction to the regulatory intervention speaks volumes: share prices rebounded on the news that the rights offering was halted. This bounce reflects investor relief that the threat of dilution has been paused, highlighting exactly what the market fears most. The Hanwha Solutions saga illustrates the limits of the traditional growth model used by companies in South Korea, which relies on heavy borrowing during expansion and shareholder bailouts when the tide turns. In an era of high interest rates and rigorous investor oversight, the market no longer accepts growth at any cost. It demands growth that is explainable and responsible. A rights offering is a legitimate corporate tool, but it must be earned through accountability. Sufficient explanation is required for any fund procurement that threatens shareholder value. Hanwha Solutions has ignored this reality, and the current deadlock serves as a warning. 2026-04-10 14:10:21

Korean Banks Shift Small-Business Lending to Sales-Based Credit Scores South Korean banks are moving to expand financing for small business owners by adopting credit-scoring models that factor in nonfinancial data such as sales and local market conditions. The shift aims to improve access to credit by moving beyond assessments centered on collateral and past borrowing history and by weighing growth potential. Major lenders including KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank are taking part in a pilot program for the Financial Services Commission’s Small Business Specialized Credit Scoring Model, known as SCB, the financial industry said Thursday. SCB is designed to evaluate future growth potential using nonfinancial indicators including sales, industry type, commercial district conditions and business capability, in addition to traditional measures. Banks plan to use SCB to identify small business owners with strong growth prospects and offer tailored support such as higher loan limits and preferential interest rates. The model is also expected to provide more precise assessments for sole proprietors with limited credit histories by focusing on business competitiveness. Woori Bank said it plans financial support totaling about 300 billion won and will pilot SCB in reviews for new loans to sole proprietors starting in the second half of the year. Shinhan Bank said it will apply preferred review standards — including higher limits and rate benefits — for new sole-proprietor loan applicants with strong SCB grades. KB Kookmin Bank said it will run the pilot with the commission for about a year and provide rate and limit benefits mainly through its business-loan products, including KB Ilsacheonri Loan and KB Together Loan. The SCB model was developed by combining existing business credit grades with growth grades calculated by the Korea Credit Information Services using alternative data such as technology capability, sales and online platform information. The Financial Services Commission previously identified the SCB rollout as a key task at a task force meeting on overhauling the credit evaluation system and asked financial institutions to join the pilot. Seven banks, including major commercial lenders, are participating. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-10 14:03:00