SK hynix to test Samsung's shock earnings as AI memory boom deepens SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - After Samsung Electronics’ mind-blowing first-quarter numbers, its memory-focused rival SK hynix will be closely watched to see whether its three-month earnings can match — or even eclipse — expectations when it reports January–March results next week. According to financial data tracker FnGuide, the consensus among domestic brokerages estimates SK hynix’s operating profit for the period at 34.9 trillion won ($24.8 billion), with quarterly revenue projected to reach a record 50.13 trillion won. The heightened expectations follow Samsung Electronics’ preliminary estimate of 57.2 trillion won in first-quarter operating profit — a figure that surpassed its full-year 2025 earnings of 43.6 trillion won and reset the bar for the sector. Investors are now watching whether SK hynix can deliver a similar upside surprise, particularly given its heavier exposure to memory chips. Its full-year income for 2025 was record 47.2 trillion won. For the fourth quarter, it reported quarterly high of 19.17 trillion won in operating profit on revenue of 32.83 trillion won. SK hynix has emerged as a dominant player in high bandwidth memory (HBM), commanding nearly 57 percent of the market as of the fourth quarter of 2025. HBM, a critical component for AI accelerators such as Nvidia chips, has seen explosive demand from hyperscale data centers. That surge has strained cleanroom capacity, as HBM production requires roughly three times the resources of standard DRAM. The resulting supply constraints, combined with aggressive stockpiling, have pushed memory prices sharply higher — rising an estimated 90 to 95 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter. Brokerages have been quick to revise target prices and earnings forecasts upward, citing tighter-than-expected supply of conventional memory and SK hynix’s pricing power in HBM. Mirae Asset Securities maintained its target price at 1.54 million won, projecting a higher first-quarter operating profit of 36.7 trillion won. “Elevated price levels are expected to persist due to irreversible specification upgrades in smartphones, polarized supply-demand conditions, and structural limits to capacity expansion,” said Kim Young-gun, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities. “This should support sustained high returns on equity.” Analysts say the AI boom is now lifting the broader memory portfolio, not just premium HBM products. Pak Yu-ak of Kiwoom Securities raised his target price to 1.3 million won, noting that strong AI-driven demand is spilling over into mobile memory, including LPDDR5X and UFS. Still, he cautioned that the cycle may be entering a new phase. “As the memory semiconductor cycle shifts from price increases to shipment growth, the stock’s trajectory over the next six months could differ from the past half-year,” Pak said. Shares of SK hynix closed Thursday up 1.7 percent at 1,155,000 won. Some analysts argue the current rally reflects more than a typical cyclical upswing, pointing instead to a structural shift in the industry. “Robust growth is highly likely to continue amid limited supply increases,” said Ryu Young-ho of NH Investment & Securities. He added that SK hynix’s partnership with TSMC would be key to developing next-generation, high-efficiency memory solutions. With earnings projections reaching unprecedented levels, internal expectations are also rising. Under SK hynix’s profit-sharing structure — which allocates roughly 10 percent of operating profit to bonuses — employees are bracing for potentially record payouts if the current upcycle holds. SK hynix will release its first-quarter earnings and hold a conference call on April 23. 2026-04-16 16:02:51

Into the void: sinkhole response drill Gyeonggi, April 16 (AJP) -The ground opens without warning. Asphalt fractures, steel buckles, and in seconds, what was solid becomes void. On Wednesday, fire authorities staged that moment. At the Gyosan public housing development site in Hanam, 77 rescue personnel moved through a carefully choreographed collapse — a large-scale sinkhole scenario designed to mirror one of the most unpredictable urban hazards. The three-day drill, running from April 15 to 17, brought together teams from the Gyeonggi Fire Services, Hanam Fire Station and the elite 119 Special Rescue Team. The scenario was stark. A sudden ground subsidence swallows vehicles and destabilizes nearby structures. Victims are trapped below — unseen, unreachable, and running out of time. Rescue teams worked vertically and blindly. Ladders dropped into the void. Ropes tightened against unstable edges. Aerial ladder trucks hovered overhead, lowering rescuers into fractured terrain where every step risked further collapse. Above ground, crews sealed off the perimeter, scanning for cracks that could widen without notice. Underground rupture can release toxic gases from damaged sewage lines. Crews rehearsed ventilation protocols, deploying detection equipment before entering confined spaces — a reminder that in sinkhole disasters, what cannot be seen can be just as lethal. South Korea’s sinkholes are not rare anomalies. They are a recurring risk, often tied to rapid urban development and aging subterranean infrastructure. In Gyeonggi Province alone, such incidents have accounted for roughly a fifth of the national total over the past decade, according to rescue officials. Seasonality compounds the threat. The spring thaw loosens soil. Summer monsoon rains saturate it. What appears stable can, under pressure, simply give way. For the rescuers, the drill is repetition under controlled conditions. Because when the ground collapses, response is measured not in plans — but in seconds. 2026-04-16 15:52:26

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young Meets Sports Council Chief Yoo Seung-min on Supplementary Budget Follow-Up Choi Hwi-young, minister of culture, sports and tourism, met with Korea Sports Council President Yoo Seung-min on the 16th at the council’s headquarters in Seoul to discuss follow-up measures for major new and expanded sports projects totaling 23.2 billion won in the first 2026 supplementary budget. The ministry said the funding will be used for projects including an expanded youth sports infrastructure program (up 9.5 billion won); disability sports class vouchers (up 6.2 billion won) that can be used at about 9,500 facilities; and increased sports-activity incentives (up 4.0 billion won) usable at about 86,000 affiliated sports and health merchants. It also includes additional funding for building training facilities for winter sports (up 3.0 billion won) and rewards for reporting sports ticket scalping (up 500 million won), the ministry said. Choi said he hopes the supplementary budget will help expand jobs in the sports sector and spur consumption, but added that he was disappointed the sports budget did not reflect the sector’s expectations. He said the ministry will work with the sports community, including the council, to identify needed projects and persuade fiscal authorities so the sports budget can be increased in the 2027 main budget.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 15:51:00

South Korea eyes role in Europe-led Hormuz security push after Gulf war SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) -South Korea is moving to join Europe-led multinational talks aimed at restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once the Gulf conflict subsides, signaling a cautious but deliberate step toward postwar maritime security operations. The presidential office said Thursday that President Lee Jae Myung is “positively” considering participation in a video summit set for Friday, bringing together 70 to 80 countries and international organizations with stakes in the strategic waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of global energy shipments. “It is in our interest to work with like-minded states to ensure the free and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” a senior official said. The meeting, led by the United Kingdom and France, is expected to focus on postwar plans to restore freedom of navigation in the chokepoint. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told a parliamentary hearing earlier this week that London and Paris are spearheading discussions on forming a multinational maritime force, adding that Seoul has already signaled its willingness to take part. “As a responsible member of the international community, we are preparing step-by-step plans,” Ahn said, noting that a four-phase strategy has been drawn up in coordination with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Ministry. Military officials say options under review range from dispatching personnel to a multinational command structure to providing remote or logistical support without a direct deployment to the strait. French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the initiative would take the form of an international security mission excluding parties directly involved in the conflict — namely the United States, Israel and Iran. The European-led framework aims to ensure safe navigation through the strait even after active fighting subsides, though officials cautioned that restoring full maritime operations could take time. Germany, historically cautious about overseas deployments, is also likely to participate, according to a senior official. Its involvement would broaden the scope of the mission, given Berlin’s financial resources and key military capabilities. Seoul has already taken part in online consultations led by the UK and France. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Jin Young-seung joined videoconference discussions on March 26 and again on Wednesday, alongside parallel vice foreign minister-level talks. With limited allied support to reopen the chokepoint — where traffic has dwindled under tight Iranian control — Washington has moved unilaterally. U.S. forces began a “reverse blockade” on Iranian activities over the water corridor since earlier this week. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the United States had begun “clearing out” the strait “as a favor” to countries including China, Japan, South Korea, France and Germany, while criticizing them for failing to act. Despite a ceasefire, uncertainty persists over when the strait can fully reopen. A report by The New York Times said Iran has been unable to locate or remove naval mines it previously deployed, complicating efforts to resume maritime traffic. Citing U.S. officials, the report added that Tehran may not have recorded the precise locations of all the mines, some of which were designed to drift with ocean currents. While Iran has released maps indicating safe routes, those corridors are considered limited. Analysts say South Korea could be assigned mine-clearing duties if it joins the mission. “Possible roles would likely include mine removal, securing the strait and escorting oil tankers,” said Jeong Kyung-woon, a researcher at the Korea Association of Military Studies. He added that even the formation of a multinational naval force could itself serve as pressure on Iran by narrowing its strategic options. Ahn emphasized that any deployment would only take place after the war ends. Experts urged caution. “While South Korea is allied with the United States, it is important to avoid being drawn into a conflict that is not directly our own,” said Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University. Separately, top naval commanders from South Korea, the United States and Japan held talks in Seoul on Wednesday — the first such trilateral meeting since 2022 — fueling speculation that Washington may seek broader allied support for Hormuz-related operations. 2026-04-16 15:33:22

AI unsettles game workforce in Korea as industry peaks out SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - The artificial intelligence scare has caught up with the game industry, once a top career choice for software programmers in South Korea, with as many as three in four feeling threatened by the new technology in a sector now past its heyday. A survey of 1,078 unionized employees at major publishers including Nexon, NC and Netmarble found that 77.3 percent were anxious about their jobs, according to results presented Wednesday at a National Assembly policy forum hosted by the ruling Democratic Party's game industry task force. The poll, conducted from March 27 to April 10 by the IT branch of the Korean Chemical Textile Food Workers' Union, underscores a growing disconnect between rapid AI adoption and limited institutional response. While 65.6 percent of respondents said they already use AI tools regularly at work and 80.3 percent acknowledged tangible efficiency gains, only 26.7 percent reported that formal discussions between management and labor had taken place. A majority — 82.3 percent — called for clear guidelines on how AI-driven productivity gains should be shared. Their anxiety stands in contrast to the industry's strong financial performance. Meritz Securities projected that the combined operating profit of the country's seven largest game publishers would reach about 937.2 billion won ($635.7 million) in the first quarter, exceeding market consensus by 20 percent and surging 64.1 percent from a year earlier. Combined revenue was estimated at 3.57 trillion won, up 33.7 percent. Still, publishers are aggressively trimming payroll. NC cut its workforce by 35.1 percent — from about 4,886 to 3,170 — between 2024 and late 2025 through voluntary retirement programs and spinoffs. Krafton accepted about 200 voluntary resignations since last November, while Nexon froze new hiring and reassigned developers in what industry observers describe as indirect restructuring. Research and development spending has also declined. NC's R&D outlays fell 22.9 percent to 325.1 billion won last year, with Netmarble, Pearl Abyss and Kakao Games also scaling back investment. Rising labor costs have accelerated the shift toward automation. Average annual pay at Krafton rose to 129 million won last year from 109 million won in 2024. Pearl Abyss saw its per-capita figure jump to 134.1 million won from 98.5 million won. Similar increases were recorded at NC, Netmarble and Kakao Games. At the same time, the domestic market is nearing saturation. Total industry revenue grew 3.9 percent to 23.85 trillion won in 2024, only a marginal improvement from 3.4 percent growth in 2023 and a sharp slowdown from the 21.3 percent surge recorded in 2020. Analysts say the AI-driven shift reflects a broader structural change across the IT sector. "Front-end interfaces once required large numbers of lower-skilled workers, while back-end systems relied on highly skilled engineers. Now, a client module can be handled by one or two senior engineers supported by AI," said Im Chung-jae, a professor of game software at Keimyung University. "From a company's standpoint, there is little reason to turn down a tool that delivers faster and more flexible results." President Lee Jae Myung echoed that view, urging labor leaders on April 10 to focus on adapting to technological change rather than resisting it. Even so, human creativity remains a critical variable as the industry evolves. "Games and animation have always been creative domains, so AI's impact is different from live-action production," Im said. "If AI produces flawed results, the issue is no longer the tool itself but the capability of the person designing the system and giving the commands." As development shifts beyond coding toward planning and creative direction, demand is likely to grow for talent that blends technical expertise with design and humanities-based thinking. 2026-04-16 15:20:43

FM seeks Mexico's help in securing stable crude oil imports in phone call SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun talked with Mexico's new Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco over the phone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Congratulating him on his inauguration last week, Cho said the two countries should further expand economic cooperation, stressing that the Latin American country is South Korea's top trade and investment partner in the region. He then asked for help in ensuring a stable supply of crude oil for South Korean companies, as Mexico is a key oil producer in the Spanish-speaking continent. "It is deeply concerning that the prolonged conflict in the Middle East is affecting global security and economic stability," Cho was quoted as saying. He also expressed hope that peace in the region would be "restored as soon as possible." Cho also emphasized the need to lay the groundwork to resume talks on a free trade agreement and other relevant issues, as the two ministers agreed to work together to address global challenges within multilateral frameworks such as MIKTA, a cross-regional consultative group established in September 2013, consisting of five countries: Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, and Türkiye. Cho and Velasco also agreed to broaden cooperation in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence and space technology. 2026-04-16 15:06:11

Banks Keep Selling Equity-Linked Deposits Despite Regulator Warning on Mis-Selling Risk Rising stock-market volatility amid external uncertainty, including the Iran war, is fueling consumer complaints about equity-linked deposits, or ELDs. Financial regulators have warned banks to tighten controls because the products could be mis-sold, but banks have opted to keep selling them rather than shut the window. The move reflects a balancing act: staying mindful of regulators while trying not to give up fee-based income. According to the financial sector on the 16th, the Financial Supervisory Service on April 9 called in vice presidents from major banks and urged stricter management of sales limits for investment products such as ELDs by risk rating. The watchdog said that if sales of high-risk products rise in a period of heightened volatility, it could lead to mis-selling. The FSS views ELDs and exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, as having potential mis-selling risks similar to the Hong Kong H-index equity-linked securities, or ELS, episode. ELDs advertise maximum rates in the 10% to 14% range, but actual returns can vary widely depending on the performance of the KOSPI 200. If the index moves outside a set range, the return can be fixed at around 2%, widening the gap between expected and realized returns when markets swing sharply. As a result, more investors who signed up expecting principal protection and high yields are ending up with rates lower than regular time deposits, the report said. Complaints have also continued from customers who said they joined without fully understanding that early cancellation triggers fees and that interest is not paid. Even so, banks have not closed ELD sales channels. KB Kookmin Bank recently launched a similar product while strengthening customer guidance and staff training. Shinhan Bank has responded by revising product brochures, and NH NongHyup Bank is preparing internal steps to improve brochures and non-face-to-face guidance. Rather than cut sales, banks are seeking to limit liability by strengthening explanations. Some in the industry say the burden has grown. As regulators emphasize risk controls for investment-product sales, pressure has increased, while the need to secure non-interest income remains. A commercial bank official said, “Risk-management demands have grown, but with alternative products available, it is difficult to completely stop selling investment products.” For now, banks appear set to keep searching for a balance between regulatory warnings and revenue, maintaining sales while trying to reduce responsibility through tighter disclosures and controls. 2026-04-16 14:57:41

Woljeongsa abbot urges new path in AI era through Odaesan Buddhist masters "We're in an era where established religions are bound to weaken, with people leaving religion and spirituality becoming secular and commercialized," Venerable Jeongnyeom said. "But if we reflect carefully on what came before, we can always open a new path." Jeongnyeom, 70, abbot of Woljeongsa Temple on Mount Odaesan in Gangwon Province, made the remarks at a press briefing on April 14 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul for the publication of <Great Monks of Odaesan>. Saying most established religions are losing influence, he urged closer attention to the legacy of eminent monks. He said the public should be able to understand the monks' practice, ideas and the broad Buddhist culture of Odaesan. He described the series as a biographical project planned to prepare for the artificial intelligence era and to produce new cultural content that future generations can use easily. <Great Monks of Odaesan> compiles the lives and teachings of eight eminent monks who passed through Mount Odaesan over about 1,400 years, from the Silla period to modern times. The project totals 10 volumes: eight on individual monks, one general history volume and one reference volume. Three volumes have been released first, with the remaining seven to be published sequentially within the year. The series highlights figures including Jijang Yulsa, Beomil Guksa, Naong Seonsa, Tanheo Seonsa and Manhwa Seonsa, presenting continuity in the Korean Buddhist lineage centered on Odaesan. The project began with Jeongnyeom's idea. He has led efforts to systematically organize the monks' practice, thought and cultural legacy, but much of the work had accumulated mainly in academic papers, limiting access for general readers. Determined to finish his term as abbot well, Jeongnyeom approached publisher Minjoksa. He said he sought an unconventional format written in modern language so readers could engage with it more easily. The books are based on documented research but add about 20% fictional elements. Minjoksa asked writers to produce a format that even middle and high school students could understand, without leaning too heavily toward a novel or a conventional biography. Participating authors revised and supplemented drafts repeatedly before completing the volumes. Throughout the briefing, Jeongnyeom stressed what he called an "AI transformation," voicing concern about "a situation where machines become humanlike and humans become machine-like." He said society is facing a civilizational shift marked by a loss of meaning and confusion over values, and urged Korean Buddhism to renew its sense of purpose and serve as a source of wisdom in a time of transition. He also described the monks featured in the series as people who illuminated Odaesan and did their best to overcome turmoil in Korean society. Citing a sense of crisis over an approaching "AI tsunami," he said Buddhism, too, must move forward with new hope. Asked about reporters' questions related to the Buddhist order's election for its chief administrator, he emphasized leadership, calling for change, hope and unity. "In an uncertain era where change never stops, the most important quality of leadership today is to see the future and set direction," he said. "Many parts of the order's culture fall short in building the public's affection for Buddhism. A forward-looking design is important." 2026-04-16 14:45:18

South Korea's AI startups post strong growth under science ministry program SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT announced that AI and digital companies backed by its K-Global Project program posted broad gains in revenue, investment and employment last year, as the initiative celebrated a decade of nurturing the country's startup ecosystem. According to its press release on Thursday, the ministry surveyed 397 firms that participated in the program, drawing responses from 290 companies. Combined headcount at the end of 2025 reached 10,221 employees, up 450 from the prior year, with about 65 percent of respondents reporting increase in hiring. Total revenue of the firms rose about 8.1 percent year on year to 1.86 trillion won($1.26 billion), outpacing the 6.7 percent average growth rate recorded by KOSDAQ-listed companies over the same period. Investment raised by participating firms surged 53.9 percent to 875.1 billion won, while patent applications climbed 12.8 percent to 4,106 filings. The K-Global Project, launched as an umbrella brand for the ministry's AI and digital support programs, has produced several high-profile success stories. Chipmakers Rebellions and Furiosa AI, both alumni of the program, have since reached unicorn status, while AI medical-imaging firm Vuno and AI compression specialist Nota AI have completed KOSDAQ listings. "AI and digital startups are emerging as the central drivers of industrial innovation, and the companies introduced today are prime examples of that," said Park Tae-wan, Director General of the ICT Industry Policy at the ministry. Park added that the government would refine the program based on industry feedback and work to ensure Korean firms can compete in global markets. 2026-04-16 14:39:28

Why Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan Keeps Trying to Say the “Right” Thing Shinhwa member Kim Dong-wan weighed in on comedian Lee Su-ji’s parody video about a kindergarten teacher, saying it "simply exposed the contradiction of expecting good education without respecting educators." He said he was concerned that discipline is being discouraged and that children are losing social experience. Many found the point understandable. But the public increasingly hears his comments not as a single opinion, but as part of a familiar pattern of "Kim Dong-wan-style" speaking out. Kim is someone who chooses to speak rather than stay silent. People like that often treat public commentary as part of their identity, driven by a strong inner belief that "someone has to say it." Public moral arguments can also become tied to self-validation or status, and at times can deepen conflict. That does not mean his remarks should be dismissed as showmanship or hypocrisy. Still, his repeated interventions in social controversies can be read as an urge to "correct" the world and an inability to hold back what he believes is right — a posture that can look more like certainty than self-restraint. His critical perspective has often stayed within reasonable bounds and at times has served as a warning bell. The problem, the article argues, is that audiences judge the messenger as much as the message. Even when his words sound rational, past controversies and allegations can prompt a different question: Does he have the standing to say it? This year alone, Kim drew criticism in February for a post that mentioned the need to legalize prostitution. Last month, he was criticized for a supportive message to MC Dingdong, who was embroiled in allegations involving assaulting a female BJ and drunk driving. Then a person claiming to be Kim’s former manager made allegations about his character. Kim called them "false claims" and said he would take legal action. He later apologized, saying, "I deeply apologize to those who may have felt uncomfortable because of recent events." People tend to react more strongly to perceived hypocrisy than to mistakes. A 2017 study by psychologist Jillian J. Jordan and others said people dislike hypocrites in part because condemning others can send a "false signaling" message about one’s own morality. Related research suggests that when someone who preaches morality fails to meet that standard, others may see the person as self-righteous and respond with stronger resentment and distrust. The article says the harsher view of Kim is not because he is saying the wrong things, but because he tries too often — too clearly and too easily — to occupy the position of being right. As the weight of his comments grows, earlier carelessness, incomplete explanations and even his conduct after apologizing are pulled back into view. In that moment, conviction can be mistaken for habit, and courage can be read as superiority. Speaking up when something seems wrong can be brave and can help move society in a better direction. But the article argues that what the public wants now is not another correct answer, but self-reflection from the person delivering it — words that come after confronting one’s own contradictions. 2026-04-16 14:27:19