Journalist

Baek Seo-hyun
  • Kraftons Subnautica 2 Surpasses 2 Million Sales in 12 Hours
    Krafton's Subnautica 2 Surpasses 2 Million Sales in 12 Hours Krafton's creative studio Unknown Worlds has launched its new title, 'Subnautica 2,' which is experiencing global success. Krafton announced on May 15 that 'Subnautica 2' surpassed 2 million in cumulative sales just 12 hours after its early access release. The game recorded a peak concurrent player count of 651,000 across Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox platforms. Of this, Steam alone accounted for a peak of 467,000 concurrent players. Initial player feedback has been positive, with Steam user reviews rated as 'very positive.' The game also met high expectations, having accumulated 5 million wishlists prior to its launch. Previously, 'Subnautica 2' achieved 1 million sales on its early access launch day and reached the top of the global revenue rankings on Steam. User reviews highlight several key features, including realistic underwater visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, the series' first four-player co-op multiplayer, a survival and crafting system, and immersive storytelling. 'Subnautica 2' is the official sequel to the acclaimed 'Subnautica' series, known for its marine survival genre. Set on an alien planet, it utilizes Unreal Engine 5 graphics to vividly portray an unknown marine ecosystem. Additionally, for the first time in the series, it supports up to four players in cooperative gameplay, allowing users to strategize survival and share exploration achievements. Jin-hyung Lee, CEO of Krafton, stated, "The early access release is the first step in responding to our players' support. We will continue to listen to user feedback and work together to complete the game."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 21:54:25
  • KakaoTalk Expands Message Reaction Feature, Supports 114 Types
    KakaoTalk Expands Message Reaction Feature, Supports 114 Types Kakao has significantly enhanced the message reaction feature and revamped user convenience functions through a regular update to KakaoTalk. On May 15, Kakao announced the expansion of its existing reaction feature and the introduction of new functionalities, including improvements to open chat and call features. The core of this update is the enhancement of the reaction feature. Users can now leave up to 30 different reactions on KakaoTalk message bubbles, with the total number of reaction types increasing to 114. Notably, the range of mini emoticons that users can utilize as reactions has been broadened. Users can now tap on reactions left by others, even if they do not own those mini emoticons, allowing for a more natural and diverse expression of emotions during conversations. The emoticon store has also been revamped. The 'Emoticons' menu under the More tab now includes new and popular sections, making it easier for users to explore a variety of emoticon products and the latest trends. Users can save their favorite items using the 'like' feature, and enhanced search functionality allows them to quickly view popular styles and emoticon rankings. Improvements have also been made to the open chat feature. Users can now reply to specific comments, facilitating a more natural flow of conversation. Additionally, a new 'Call' folder has been added at the top of the chat tab, where users can view recent call records for voice and video calls in one place. KakaoTalk's regular updates typically occur on a monthly basis. The new features are available in KakaoTalk version 26.4.0 and above.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:15:41
  • Tmap Launches Real-Time Traffic Reporting Feature for Drivers
    Tmap Launches Real-Time Traffic Reporting Feature for Drivers Tmap Mobility is enhancing its participatory traffic platform by introducing a feature that allows drivers to share real-time road conditions. On May 15, Tmap Mobility announced the launch of its real-time road information sharing feature, called 'social reporting.' The 'social reporting' feature enables drivers to share road conditions they encounter while driving with other users in real-time. Users can instantly report various information, including accidents, road closures, construction, hazards, and speed cameras, through the 'Report' button on the driving screen. To improve the accuracy and reliability of the information, Tmap Mobility has implemented a user-participation verification system. Drivers passing by the reported location can respond with options such as 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Resolved' to verify the report. Additionally, users can acknowledge helpful reports by selecting 'Helpful.' Reports that do not receive updates for a certain period or are marked as resolved will be automatically closed to maintain current information. Users can also track the impact of their reports. In the 'My' tab under 'Driving Report Management,' they can view the status, number of views, and reactions to their reports in real-time, enhancing user engagement. Jeon Chang-geun, Chief Product Officer of Tmap Mobility, stated, "The importance of real-time information sharing among drivers is increasing in situations where unexpected accidents or sudden road closures cause inconvenience. Through social reporting, we aim to provide faster and more accurate road information and expand a trustworthy driving experience created with our users." Meanwhile, Tmap Mobility is expanding its business focus on mobility data and AI-based services. In the first quarter of this year, the company reported a 4.3% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, strengthening its competitiveness as a daily mobility platform.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 09:48:00
  • Big Techs AI Power Struggle Intensifies Among Companies, Government, and Security
    Big Tech's AI Power Struggle Intensifies Among Companies, Government, and Security The global AI industry is escalating beyond mere model competition, with a focus on corporate, security, and platform dominance. On May 14, developments included Anthropic's rapid expansion in the corporate AI market, tensions between OpenAI and Apple, and increased AI oversight by the U.S. government. Anthropic Surpasses OpenAI in Corporate AI Market Anthropic is quickly establishing its presence in the corporate AI sector. According to market data firm Ramp's AI index, Anthropic's adoption rate of AI in businesses has reached 34.4%, surpassing OpenAI's 32.3% for the first time. This shift is attributed to a surge in demand for automation in coding, legal, and financial tasks based on the Claude model. On the same day, Anthropic announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with PwC. PwC plans to train 30,000 U.S. employees on the 'Claude Code' and aims to extend AI utilization throughout its global organization. The two companies will also establish a separate AI Center of Excellence (CoE) to jointly pursue corporate AI transformation projects. Industry experts suggest that Anthropic is evolving from a simple generative AI company into an 'enterprise operating platform.' The rapid increase in demand for AI agent-based task automation is reshaping the corporate market landscape, which has traditionally been dominated by OpenAI. OpenAI-Apple Tensions Rise Over Platform Control Tensions between OpenAI and Apple are also escalating. According to Bloomberg, OpenAI is considering legal action regarding its AI collaboration agreement with Apple. Initially, the two companies planned to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and the iOS ecosystem, but conflicts have arisen as Apple expands its adoption of other AI models, including Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude. Particularly, Apple is exploring options that would allow users to select their preferred AI models in its next operating system, potentially diminishing OpenAI's influence within the platform. Industry analysts have noted that "the search engine wars of the AI era are now shifting to operating systems and personal assistant platforms." U.S. Government Strengthens AI National Security Oversight The U.S. government's moves to regulate AI are accelerating. Major companies, including Google, Microsoft, and xAI, have agreed to pre-submit next-generation AI models to agencies under the U.S. Department of Commerce. This initiative aims to verify the security and risks of models before they are publicly released. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Defense has signed contracts with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and AWS to enhance military AI collaboration through secure networks. In contrast, Anthropic continues to express concerns over the use of surveillance and autonomous weapons, leading to ongoing tensions with the Defense Department. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 09:13:18
  • SK Shieldus Highlights Importance of Continuous Security for SMEs Amid Cyber Threats
    SK Shieldus Highlights Importance of Continuous Security for SMEs Amid Cyber Threats SK Shieldus announced on May 14 that it has analyzed major cyber threat trends affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on data accumulated over the past five years, coinciding with SME Week. The analysis revealed that SMEs take an average of 106.1 days to recognize and investigate security incidents after they occur. In some cases, the delay reached as long as 700 days, with 32.6% of incidents taking more than 90 days to address. As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) expands, the complexity of corporate systems increases, placing a greater burden on SMEs, which often have limited security personnel and infrastructure. According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), approximately 89.4% of ransomware reports last year came from SMEs. This analysis was conducted by SK Shieldus' incident response team, Topsert, using data from domestic corporate incident responses between 2021 and 2025. Over the past five years, the primary types of incidents affecting SMEs were ransomware (44.9%) and data breaches (42.9%), followed by cryptocurrency mining attacks. The main infiltration routes for attacks were application vulnerabilities (20.8%), file upload vulnerabilities (18.9%), and VPN vulnerabilities (15.4%). Additionally, malicious emails, watering hole attacks, and externally exposed URLs were identified as significant attack vectors. This year, notable incidents included data breaches from malicious emails and watering hole attacks, ransomware infections through brute force attacks, and cryptocurrency mining attacks stemming from supply chain breaches. Notably, the initial infiltration times were concentrated during nighttime and early morning hours (6 PM to 5 AM), accounting for 53.2% of all attacks. SK Shieldus highlighted the potential response gaps during these hours but noted that attack attempts continue throughout the day, underscoring the need for a 24/7 monitoring system. By industry, the manufacturing sector accounted for the highest proportion of incidents at 47.4%, followed by information services (15.8%) and finance (10.5%). Incidents were also reported across various sectors, including education and retail, indicating that security threats are spreading across industries. SK Shieldus explained that in manufacturing, the close connection between production equipment and operational systems means that security incidents can lead to production line shutdowns, delivery delays, and disruptions in the supply chain. In response, SK Shieldus is supporting the establishment of continuous security response systems for SMEs through its managed detection and response (MDR) service, which offers threat detection, analysis, and response 24/7, available on a subscription basis. A representative from SK Shieldus stated, "As AI technology spreads, cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult for limited personnel to respond to all threats. We will continue to expand support for SMEs to help them build professional security response systems while alleviating their burdens."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 17:55:57
  • Megazone Cloud Turns Profit, Accelerates Growth in AI and Security
    Megazone Cloud Turns Profit, Accelerates Growth in AI and Security Megazone Cloud is leveraging its recent profitability to accelerate its expansion in artificial intelligence (AI) and security services. As demand for AI transformation among businesses surges, the company aims to evolve from a simple cloud management provider to an 'AI orchestrator' that integrates and manages various AI services. With an initial public offering (IPO) on the horizon, Megazone is positioning AI and security as key drivers of future growth to enhance its corporate value. At a press conference on May 14 in Seoul, Yum Dong-hoon, CEO of Megazone Cloud, stated, "We are entering an era of multi-agent systems where companies operate hundreds of AI software-as-a-service (SaaS) and agents simultaneously. The ability to manage these AI environments is crucial to prevent chaos." AI orchestration refers to the concept of connecting and controlling multiple AI models, services, and agents to function as a cohesive workflow, similar to a conductor leading an orchestra. As companies increasingly adopt generative AI, the need for diverse AI models and cloud environments has gained attention as a next-generation AI infrastructure strategy. Yum highlighted the company's strength in its diversity, noting, "While large system integrators focus on specific groups, Megazone Cloud is not tied to any particular conglomerate, allowing us to gain experience across various industries and data environments. Our experience with over 8,000 clients and more than 200 partners forms the foundation of our AI orchestration competitiveness." Last year, Megazone Cloud recorded its first annual operating profit since its founding. The company's revenue reached 1.7496 trillion won, a 27.9% increase from the previous year, with overseas sales surpassing $100 million for the first time. Notably, AI and security sectors have emerged as new growth engines. AI-related revenue exceeded 370 billion won, while security revenue surpassed 70 billion won. The company plans to continue its growth trajectory this year, focusing on AI, cloud, and security sectors. Publicly available data from the company's chief AI officer, Gong Seong-bae, revealed significant achievements among major clients. JB Woori Capital reduced its processing time by approximately 80% through AI-based review operations, while GC Green Cross cut report preparation time by 80%. Amorepacific is advancing IT service management (ITSM) automation, and Hana Tour reported a 432% increase in consulting customers following the implementation of an AI consultation system. Megazone anticipates that the importance of security will grow alongside the expansion of AI. Wi Soo-young, head of the security division HALO, remarked, "AI is accelerating security threats. The increase in multi-cloud environments and autonomous AI agents makes it difficult to rely solely on existing security systems." He identified key threats as the growing complexity of multi-cloud security, asymmetric threats from autonomous AI, internal authority management issues, and increased third-party risks. In response, the company is establishing an integrated security system based on multi-cloud infrastructure. Megazone's security business has grown by 400% compared to the previous year. Megazone Cloud is considered one of the most anticipated IPOs this year. The company plans to invest funds raised from the IPO into strengthening its AI and security businesses. Yum stated, "We are accelerating our IPO preparations and expect even better results this year compared to last."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 16:12:51
  • Krafton Reports Success of Parental Support Program, Births Nearly Double
    Krafton Reports Success of Parental Support Program, Births Nearly Double Krafton has revealed the results of its parental support program after one year, reporting that the number of births among employees has nearly doubled, and employee satisfaction has increased. The creation of a family-friendly work environment has been linked to changes in perceptions about childbirth and improved employee morale. On May 14, Krafton announced that from January to April, 46 babies were born to employees, a nearly twofold increase compared to the same period last year. Since January 1 of last year, Krafton has provided up to 100 million won (approximately $85,000) per child to employees who give birth. This includes a birth incentive of 60 million won and annual childcare support of 5 million won until the child turns eight, totaling 40 million won. As of April, Krafton has distributed birth incentives to about 150 employees. Last year, approximately 400 employees received childcare support. The company has also focused on enhancing non-cash benefits. Initiatives include remote work for child care, extending parental leave to a maximum of two years, providing leave for prenatal checkups for spouses, and automating the hiring of substitute staff during parental leave, all aimed at creating a better work-life balance. Krafton is currently conducting joint research with the Population Policy Research Center at Seoul National University to analyze the practical effects of its programs. The study indicates that cash incentives, such as birth bonuses, serve more to convey the company's sincerity in addressing low birth rates rather than being direct factors in the decision to have children. About 83.4% of survey participants felt the company's family-friendly message was genuine. In contrast, non-cash support measures, such as remote work for child care and expanded parental leave, have been found to reduce psychological burdens related to childbirth and parenting while enhancing work engagement. Choi Jae-geun, Krafton's General Executive Officer, stated, "This research confirms that when companies actively participate in solving social issues, they can create tangible changes. We will continue to foster an organizational culture that supports both work and family through our parental support programs." Krafton plans to further enhance its parental support initiatives and actively engage in addressing the low birth rate issue while strengthening its commitment to corporate social responsibility. 2026-05-14 14:48:21
  • Korean Privacy Commission Fines Boram Group 540 Million Won for Data Breach
    Korean Privacy Commission Fines Boram Group 540 Million Won for Data Breach The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), an independent administrative agency established to oversee the handling and protection of personal data, has imposed a total fine of 542.5 million won ($540,000) and an additional penalty of 11.4 million won ($11,400) on Boram Development and six other affiliates of the Boram Group for violating the Personal Information Protection Act. On May 13, during its ninth plenary session, the PIPC approved the fines and corrective measures against Boram Development and its six affiliates, which include Boram Leaders, Boram Life, Boram People, Boram Anycall, Boram Siloam, and Boram Plus. The PIPC began its investigation after receiving a report of a data breach from Boram Development in May 2024. The investigation revealed that Boram Development had been managing customer personal information from six affiliates as part of its customer relationship management (CRM) operations. However, it was found that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures, such as access control management and security vulnerability assessments, during the operation of its systems. The PIPC determined that hackers exploited vulnerabilities on the company's website through an SQL injection attack, gaining access to the database and leaking customer information, including names, mobile phone numbers, and email addresses. As a result, the PIPC imposed a fine of 531 million won ($530,000) on Boram Development for failing to comply with safety measures. An additional penalty of 11.4 million won was levied for delays in notifying affected customers and for not destroying personal data that was retained beyond its retention period. Furthermore, the six affiliates were fined a total of 11.5 million won ($11,500) for neglecting their responsibilities in managing and supervising the handling of personal data. The PIPC ordered these companies to publicly disclose the details of the sanctions on their websites. In addition, the PIPC issued a corrective order requiring the Boram Group to review its overall personal data handling practices and management systems, as well as to enhance transparency in its contractual relationships with service providers. This is aimed at improving the overall level of personal data protection across the Boram Group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 12:25:21
  • Kakao Enhances AI National Assistant with Voice Feature for Public Service Reservations
    Kakao Enhances AI National Assistant with Voice Feature for Public Service Reservations Kakao has enhanced its AI National Assistant service, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, by adding a voice feature to improve the convenience of public services via KakaoTalk. On May 14, Kakao announced the integration of a voice interface into its AI National Assistant pilot service. Launched in March, this service allows users to handle public tasks through a conversational AI agent within KakaoTalk. Users can access services such as issuing electronic certificates and reserving public facilities through the KakaoTalk channel "National Assistant Gukpi." Kakao explained that the service is built on its proprietary AI model and incorporates the "Kanana Safeguard," a generative AI safety verification model, to ensure the reliability and stability necessary for public services. The Kanana Safeguard is an AI guardrail model designed to detect harmful content and risks, supporting the operation of generative AI in the public sector. The key feature of this update is the voice-based interface. Users can now utilize services simply by issuing voice commands like "issue my resident registration" or "reserve a tennis court," making the process more intuitive for tasks ranging from electronic certificate issuance to public facility reservations. The reservation process for public facilities has also been streamlined. Previously, users had to navigate to separate pages or external services during the reservation process, but now they can complete everything from searching for facilities to finalizing reservations within the KakaoTalk chat window. Kakao AI Connect's Performance Leader stated, "Since its launch, the AI National Assistant has been continuously enhanced to improve user convenience. We aim to create an environment where everyone can easily and naturally access public services by expanding the service range from text to voice and from simple guidance to actual execution."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 09:57:00
  • CJ OliveNetworks Begins Development of Orions Next-Generation Quality Control System
    CJ OliveNetworks Begins Development of Orion's Next-Generation Quality Control System CJ OliveNetworks, a specialist in artificial intelligence transformation within CJ Group, has officially commenced the development of a next-generation quality control system for global food company Orion. On May 14, CJ OliveNetworks announced that it will implement a quality control system based on Statistical Process Control (SPC) to monitor and analyze Orion's production equipment and process data in real time. This initiative aims to enhance the early detection of quality anomalies in the manufacturing process and strengthen proactive response systems. The new system will advance beyond the previous method of merely detecting when values exceed set thresholds. It is designed to analyze changes in equipment and process data patterns to identify potential issues before they arise, while also improving the efficiency of quality management tasks through various analytical charts and customized reporting features. Additionally, the system will ensure a stable transition from the existing setup, incorporating an intuitive user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to enhance convenience for on-site users and maintain operational continuity. CJ OliveNetworks has a wealth of experience and expertise in executing projects in the smart factory and manufacturing AX sectors, particularly within the food and beverage, beauty, and bio-pharmaceutical industries. The company is expanding its AX business across various sectors, leveraging its capabilities in manufacturing and logistics data analysis, process automation, and AI-based operational optimization. The company plans to apply its specialized knowledge in the food manufacturing industry to support Orion in enhancing its quality competitiveness and productivity. Song Won-cheol, head of smart logistics and factory at CJ OliveNetworks, stated, "The establishment of this quality control system for Orion is a case of enhancing quality management in manufacturing based on data and strengthening proactive response systems. We will continue to improve our clients' productivity and quality competitiveness based on our manufacturing and logistics AX capabilities." Meanwhile, CJ OliveNetworks has been expanding its AX business across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, distribution, finance, and media, and is continuously launching customized digital innovation projects for enterprises.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:24:00