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

Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan Weighs In on Lee Soo-ji’s Kindergarten Teacher Parody Shinhwa member Kim Dong-wan has shared his views on comedian Lee Soo-ji’s content parodying a kindergarten teacher. In a post on social media on the 15th, Kim wrote, “Comedian Lee Soo-ji’s kindergarten teacher content. It may simply have laid bare the contradiction of expecting good education without respecting educators.” He added that it appeared to have “rubbed more people the wrong way than expected,” saying the word “discipline” itself has become increasingly sensitive and schools have grown more constrained. As events such as sports days, picnics and school trips disappear or are scaled back, he said, children are instead pushed to face relationships and conflict outside school. “What they should experience with fewer injuries within the fence of education, they end up confronting defenseless in a harsher society,” he wrote, adding that children bear the greatest harm. “Unless the authority of educators is protected, the education we need — and the educators themselves — may gradually disappear,” he said. Lee drew widespread attention on April 7 with a video titled “Kindergarten Teacher Lee Min-ji’s Never-Ending 24 Hours — Human Documentary: A Real Extreme Job,” parodying the reality of a kindergarten teacher burdened by excessive work and complaints from parents. The video logged 4.93 million views in eight days after its release. 2026-04-16 14:18:14

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Hosts Nabota Master Class, Highlights Safety Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Wednesday it held a global academic program for medical professionals, the “Nabota Master Class (NMC) Spring in Korea.” The 2-night, 3-day event ran from April 13-15 for 74 medical professionals from 13 countries, including Thailand, Brazil and Chile. Sessions were held at Mercure Seoul Magok, COEX Magok, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital and Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Hyangnam plant. The NMC program is designed to strengthen clinicians’ capabilities and promote academic exchange as the global botulinum toxin market expands. The first day’s lectures covered trends in botulinum toxin procedures and safety, differences in diffusion and duration by product, and examples of combination treatments. An anatomy session, a key feature of the program, was designed to improve accuracy and safety in botulinum toxin injections. Using cadaver-based training and face painting, instructors explained facial anatomy and injection points, followed by a live demonstration via two-way broadcast and one-on-one hands-on training. Daewoong said sessions sharing know-how and experience with Nabota’s signature techniques, including Nabolift and Naboglow, drew strong interest. Participants also toured the Hyangnam plant, where the company introduced its aseptic processes, production facilities and automated logistics system, highlighting Nabota’s manufacturing capabilities. “Daewoong Pharmaceutical will continue to strengthen brand competitiveness through a global academic platform that expands Nabota’s proprietary techniques and clinical experience,” said Yoon Jun-su, head of the company’s Nabota Business Division.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 14:06:00

Kim Won Wins Grand Prize at 59th Yuhan Medical Award Yuhan Corp. said Wednesday it held the 59th Yuhan Medical Award ceremony with the Seoul Medical Association on April 15 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul’s Sogong-dong neighborhood. Attendees included Hwang Gyu-seok, president of the Seoul Medical Association, and Kim Yeol-hong, CEO of Yuhan Corp. The grand prize went to Kim Won, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center. The Young Medical Scientist Award was presented to Yoo Seung-chan, an associate professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, and Ahn Yu-ra, an assistant professor at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine’s Asan Medical Center. Kim was recognized for analyzing genetic regulatory patterns in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, laying groundwork for personalized diagnosis and the development of treatment targets. Organizers said the selection process considered research achievements across internal medicine, surgery, basic medicine and other supporting fields. The grand prize carries 50 million won, and each Young Medical Scientist Award carries 15 million won. “We are grateful for the dedication of medical staff, and we hope these research achievements will lead to advances in medicine,” Kim Yeol-hong said. 2026-04-16 14:03:08

Hugel Launches China Medical Aesthetics Symposium Tour With Beijing Event Hugel said Thursday it will step up academic exchanges with local medical professionals by holding regional symposiums in major medical aesthetics hubs across China. Starting in Beijing, the company plans events this year in six cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Wuhan. Hugel held its first event, the “Letybo Regional Symposium and Hands-on Training,” in Beijing on April 15. Kim Jeong-hwan, director of Dr. Evers Myeongdong, was invited as a speaker, and about 30 local medical professionals attended. The symposium was organized to raise awareness and trust in Hugel’s botulinum toxin product, Letybo. Participants discussed combined treatment cases using Letybo, their effects and potential future applications. “We will build a medical aesthetics exchange network based on academic events linking China’s key hub cities,” Hugel Vice President Ji Seung-uk said. He added the company aims to expand practical exchanges with local medical professionals and strengthen Hugel’s brand presence and credibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 13:57:00