Latest by
-
Arco Ensemble to Perform at European Parliament Korean classical music will resonate in Brussels, Belgium. The Arts Council Korea (Arco) announced that its affiliated group, the Arco Ensemble, will perform at a special invitation event at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels on June 11 at 1 p.m. local time. This concert is organized at the official invitation of the European Parliament's Secretariat. It will take place in the 'Esplanade Solidarność 1980' lounge, a central hub for European politics and diplomacy, with around 100 attendees, including Members of the European Parliament, diplomatic representatives, parliamentary officials, and visitors. The performance will feature a special program requested by the Parliament, including Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57.' This piece is recognized for its musical narrative that embodies tension and reconciliation, anguish and hope. The deep ensemble created by the piano and string quartet aims to convey values of empathy and solidarity that transcend boundaries. Founded in 2024, the Arco Ensemble is a project-based group composed of young Korean classical musicians active around the world. The ensemble promotes a self-governance model where members take the lead in operations and creative processes. As Arco supports the next generation of musicians in gaining diverse experiences on international stages, the Arco Ensemble has engaged in various cultural diplomacy activities across North America and Europe, including a successful performance at the opening of the 'World AI Film Festival (WAIFF 2026)' in Cannes, France, in April. Arco stated, "We will convey a message of unity through the language of music at a key hub of the European Union, and we expect this will expand the pan-European artistic network and create sustainable opportunities for Korean artists in Europe."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:42:00 -
South Korea Disbands Military Intelligence Agency After 49 Years The South Korean government has decided to disband the Military Intelligence Agency (MIA), which played a crucial role during the December 3 martial law, and redistribute its key functions to various agencies. Established in 1977 as the Military Security Command, the MIA has wielded significant power for 49 years before its dissolution. On June 10, Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyu-baek announced the "disbandment and restructuring plan for the Military Intelligence Agency" at the Ministry's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul. The MIA was found to have performed essential tasks during the December 3 martial law, including deploying troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and operating arrest teams for politicians. The government identified the excessive concentration of power and the lack of democratic oversight as issues, prompting a review of fundamental reform measures. Based on recommendations from an advisory committee released in January, the government finalized its restructuring plan after five months of deliberation. The government will transfer the MIA's functions, including intelligence activities related to counterintelligence and defense, security investigations, and security audits, to other agencies. Counterintelligence and defense-related intelligence activities, along with defense and cybersecurity tasks, will be assigned to the newly established "Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters," while security investigation functions and joint investigation authority during martial law will be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense's Investigation Headquarters. Additionally, a new "Defense Security Support Unit" will be created to handle central security audits and security incident investigations at the corps level and above. The MIA's personnel will be reduced to one-third of its current size. Half of the current personnel will move to the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, while about 200 security investigation personnel will transition to the Investigation Headquarters, and the Defense Security Support Unit will be organized with approximately 200 members. Functions related to trend analysis, personnel intelligence, and illegal or corrupt information collection, which have been criticized as foundations for the MIA's power within the military, will be completely abolished. A Ministry official stated, "The MIA collected information even during peacetime, and the scope of background checks was extensive. In the future, data will only be collected during personnel seasons, and multi-faceted evaluations will be conducted." Along with the disbandment of the MIA, the government plans to strengthen democratic oversight of the newly established Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters through internal audits and oversight by the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense. An external senior audit official will be appointed to the position of Chief of the Audit Office at the Counterintelligence Headquarters, and a dedicated organization at the director level will be established to oversee counterintelligence, intelligence, and security agencies within the Ministry of National Defense. To enhance external oversight, a "Compliance Audit Committee" composed of civilian experts will be established under the Minister of National Defense, and basic guidelines for counterintelligence activities will be formulated and reported to the National Assembly regularly. Additionally, a proposed law titled "Military Counterintelligence Personnel Duty Performance Act," which will specify the scope of counterintelligence activities and penalties for illegal actions, is set to be enacted in the second half of the year. The government also aims to break away from the MIA's previous closed and authoritative organizational culture, stating that it will integrate the personnel management system of the MIA into a "common system for the entire military" to enhance transparency and fairness in personnel operations. The Ministry of National Defense plans to appoint a general officer at the rank of major general or a second-level civil servant as the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters. The Ministry intends to complete the establishment of the new organization by the end of July or early August through amendments to related unit regulations. A preparatory team will be launched to facilitate the transfer process. A Ministry official explained, "The regulations will include not only the scope of counterintelligence but also methods for challenging unjust orders and penalties for executing such orders." Ahn Kyu-baek stated, "The disbandment of the MIA and the restructuring is a solemn promise that the military will focus solely on the Constitution and the people, fulfilling its original duties. The Ministry of National Defense will reflect on the painful historical lessons of the past and build a counterintelligence organization and system suitable for a new era with a transformative approach." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:36:00 -
Remains of Victims Found at Muan Airport in Tragic Airline Disaster In April, many of the objects recovered during the search for remains at the site of the April 12.29 Jeju Air disaster are believed to be the remains of victims. On June 10, Yonhap News reported that the Family Association of the victims of the 12.29 Muan Airport Jeju Air disaster stated that genetic testing results on 233 objects collected from the site between April 13 and 16 revealed that 195 of them were identified as remains belonging to 64 victims. The remaining 38 items were classified as non-remains or did not yield detectable DNA. These results pertain to the first week of the 1,446 objects collected from the site between April 13 and May 11. Results from the analysis of objects collected later have not yet been released. Previously, over 1,000 remains were recovered shortly after the disaster, prompting family members to raise concerns about the adequacy of the recovery process. As a result, additional investigations were conducted in February, leading to the discovery of 38 remains that had been left behind behind the Muan Airport fire station. Family members have since suggested that there may still be uncollected remains at the disaster site, prompting search authorities to begin operations on April 13. However, on May 11, the search was halted after carcinogenic substances were detected in the soil. Search authorities plan to resume operations on June 15 after reviewing soil treatment and safety procedures. A representative from the Family Association stated, "The recovery of nearly 200 remains in just one week is clear evidence that the initial recovery process was inadequate. We must ensure that every single piece is thoroughly checked and recovered during the resumed search."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:33:00 -
Korea's Small Business Agency Partners with NH Bank to Enhance Savings Support for Employees The Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA) announced on June 10 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NH Bank at the bank's Jeju headquarters to strengthen regional cooperation. This agreement aims to establish a practical collaboration framework focused on supporting asset formation and long-term employment for employees of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Starting from Jeju, SMBA and NH Bank plan to expand the enrollment of SME employees in the savings support program and enhance nationwide support for local SMEs. Through this partnership, the two organizations will collaborate on several initiatives, including joint promotion of the savings support program, identifying and connecting with outstanding local SMEs, and providing financial products and loan support to promising SMEs. The "Savings Support Program for SME Employees" is a policy financial product designed to assist in asset formation and long-term employment for employees in SMEs. It is operated in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, SMBA, and the financial sector. Employees who save between 100,000 to 500,000 won per month receive an additional 20% contribution from their employer, while banks offer preferential interest rates of up to 4.5%. For employees saving 500,000 won monthly, the total payout at maturity after five years, based on a 4.5% interest rate, would be approximately 39.8 million won. Jo Han-kyu, Director of Human Resources Growth at SMBA, stated, "This agreement is significant as it lays the groundwork for the local expansion of the savings support program through a collaborative model. We will continue to enhance our cooperation with partner banks to strengthen support for SME employees."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:27:00 -
Review of Kyowon's AiCANDO Tablet Learning Tool for Kids When parents hand a tablet learning tool to their child, their primary concern is often whether the child will become too absorbed in the screen. However, after trying out Kyowon's AiCANDO NuriKids, the first thing that stood out was not its flashy features but rather how easily the child engaged with the learning interface. AiCANDO NuriKids is a tablet-based learning program aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners. Kyowon operates AiCANDO in two segments: NuriKids for younger children and a curriculum for elementary students. NuriKids is divided into three levels and a kids stage, offering Korean language, math, exploration, and integrated activities for children aged 3 to 7 based on the latest curriculum standards. The dedicated AiCANDO tablet left a clear impression of being designed for young users. Its mint-colored protective case features rounded edges and a character-shaped protrusion at the top, with a slot for a stylus at the bottom. Upon seeing it, the child immediately asked, "Is this mine?"—a clear indication that it felt more like a toy than a learning device. The home screen was also user-friendly. Within the "Learning Map at a Glance," subjects like Korean, math, exploration, and integrated activities were represented by star-shaped icons. Initially, I suggested, "Shall we try math?" but after a couple of touches, the child independently pressed the star-shaped button to enter. The interface felt more like choosing a location on a game map than navigating a complex menu, lowering the entry barrier. In the math section, a small character presented problems. For example, when asked to choose the number that fills in the blank for '7+8=', options like 13, 14, 15, and 16 appeared in large circles. The child initially selected 14, but instead of immediately confirming the answer, the program prompted them to reconsider. After selecting 15, the screen responded brightly, making it easy for even a child still mastering finger coordination to tap the correct answer. The most satisfying aspect was the Korean writing exercise. It did not merely require the child to trace letters; if the stroke order was incorrect, they could not proceed to the next step. Initially, the child attempted to write from bottom to top or started with the middle stroke, but each time they were prompted to follow the correct order from top to bottom and left to right before moving on. This approach effectively reinforced learning. In traditional paper worksheets, parents often need to remind children of the correct order, but AiCANDO's screen took on that role. The child, initially puzzled by the lack of progress, soon realized, "Oh, I need to do it this way," becoming more aware of the correct sequence. This distinction is significant for beginners learning Korean. The video content was generally calm. Many preschool programs feature loud sound effects or rapid transitions, but AiCANDO maintained a relatively steady pace. The character voices were not overly animated, making it comfortable for parents watching alongside. The child would pause to watch when the character spoke and would reach for the screen when questions arose. Engagement levels were notably high. In previous experiences with other tablet learning tools, the child would show interest for only a few minutes before losing focus or pressing random buttons. However, AiCANDO provided a more natural flow from solving problems to moving on to the next screen. The process of selecting an answer, observing the character's reaction, and transitioning to the next question was seamless, preventing the child from drifting away. The user interface was another strong point. The buttons were large and brightly colored without being overwhelming. The rounded design of the entire screen reduced the pressure felt when a child made a mistake. When the child selected an incorrect answer in math, the feedback encouraged retrying rather than startling them with loud sound effects, which helped avoid frustration. This aspect is crucial in early childhood learning, as negative feelings about mistakes can lead to a rejection of the learning process altogether. Exploration and integrated activities felt more like play than study. The child initially pressed the math icon but later explored the exploration and integrated buttons as well. The experience of choosing activities independently, without parental direction, was beneficial. While it may not be complete self-directed learning, it certainly reduced resistance to the idea of "let's study." Of course, there are some drawbacks. As a tablet learning tool, if parents do not set time limits, children may want to continue using it indefinitely. Additionally, for younger children, it is often better for parents to guide them through the button locations and learning sequences during the first few uses rather than leaving them entirely on their own. Nevertheless, the most significant impression left after using AiCANDO was that it is a learning tool that children want to revisit. I witnessed the child turning on the tablet, pressing the math star, and reaching for the screen to try writing Korean again. The greatest challenge in tablet learning is not the features but rather motivating children to engage. AiCANDO NuriKids effectively lowers that initial barrier.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:24:00 -
South Korea Launches Administrative Investigations to Combat Fraud in Healthcare In response to ongoing concerns raised by healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups, the South Korean government is launching a comprehensive administrative investigation to eliminate improper and illegal practices in the medical field. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 10 that it will activate the "Administrative Investigation Team for Abnormal and Fraudulent Medical Practices" starting June 15. This team will focus on investigating improper and illegal activities within healthcare. The team will prioritize cases that have generated public controversy. Specifically, it will investigate instances where patients are admitted under conditions involving ineffective treatments, such as injections deemed ineffective by experts, and where excessive medical fees are charged. It will also target the excessive prescription of narcotics and psychotropic drugs without medical justification, as well as other unethical practices by medical professionals. Under current medical laws, prescriptions and medical actions are based on the professional judgment of healthcare providers, which has limited regulatory oversight. To address this, the Ministry plans to actively enforce violations of the "prohibition of unethical medical practices" as outlined in Article 66 of the Medical Law and Article 32 of its enforcement decree. Article 32 defines academically unrecognized medical practices, unethical treatment, and unnecessary tests, prescriptions, or surgeries as actions that damage the dignity of medical professionals. If violations are identified, the Minister of Health and Welfare can impose administrative penalties, including license suspensions of up to one year. The Ministry will maintain a cooperative framework with medical associations during the investigation process to ensure that expert opinions are respected when assessing abnormal practices. This approach aims to establish a system that allows for swift sanctions, such as license suspensions, even for actions that may not yet be legally defined as violations but are deemed unethical by professional ethics committees. Additionally, if any illegal activities, such as operating unlicensed clinics or issuing false documents, are suspected during the investigations, the Ministry plans to report these to law enforcement agencies for further action. Kwak Soon-hun, head of the Administrative Investigation Team for Abnormal and Fraudulent Medical Practices, stated, "We will do our utmost to create a healthcare environment where the public can feel secure, ensuring that hospitals and clinics engaging in abnormal practices are not recognized as legitimate."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:24:00 -
KB Kookmin Card Enhances AI Chatbot for Improved Customer Service KB Kookmin Card announced on June 10 that it has introduced a hybrid chatbot integrated with generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its digital consultation services.The new chatbot combines the reliable operational capabilities of existing chatbots with the natural language understanding and generation abilities of generative AI, improving consultation quality and customer convenience.KB Kookmin Card has implemented the upgrade in three phases. First, the generative AI automatically corrects typos and unconventional expressions in customer inquiries, which has improved the response rate to questions previously misunderstood by the existing chatbot. As a result, the chatbot can now handle 68.9% of previously difficult customer inquiries effectively.Additionally, when customers input multiple questions at once, the generative AI analyzes and categorizes the inquiries for response. The company has also introduced technology to minimize AI hallucinations, achieving over 99% accuracy in responses. The remaining 1% is managed through standard guidance methods to enhance service reliability.Looking ahead, KB Kookmin Card plans to apply generative AI to its voice consultation service, known as the call bot. The company also intends to implement a 'Customer Needs Preliminary Analysis System' to automatically analyze and categorize customer consultation intents, providing tailored responses from the initial stages of consultation.A representative from KB Kookmin Card stated, "Based on the AI technology capabilities accumulated through this upgrade, we will continue to expand related features to ensure that customers can utilize consultation services more conveniently and naturally."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:21:00 -
North Korea's nuclear spending rises as global focus on denuclearization fades SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - North Korea spent an estimated $656 million on its nuclear weapons program last year, according to a new report that underscores Pyongyang's steady advance toward a larger nuclear arsenal as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with intensifying great-power rivalry, push denuclearization further down the global agenda. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, said in its latest report that the world's nine nuclear-armed states spent a record $119 billion on their nuclear arsenals in 2025, up $16.8 billion, or 19 percent from a year earlier. The figure means the nine countries spent $3,768 every second on nuclear weapons last year, according to the report titled Premeditated: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2025. The United States accounted for the largest share, spending $69.2 billion, more than all other nuclear-armed states combined. China came second with $13.5 billion, followed by the United Kingdom with $12.6 billion, Russia with $9.5 billion and France with $7.7 billion. North Korea's estimated spending was the smallest in absolute terms among the nine nuclear-armed states, but the figure carries particular significance for South Korea because Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal remains the most immediate security threat on the Korean Peninsula. ICAN estimated North Korea's nuclear weapons spending at $655.8 million, or 590 billion North Korean won, in 2025, up about $26 million from the previous year. The group said North Korea spent roughly $1,248 every minute on its nuclear program. The report noted that there is very little public information about North Korea's nuclear or military spending. ICAN based its estimate on assumptions that North Korea allocates about 35 percent of its gross national income to the military and about 6 percent of its military budget to its nuclear program. The estimate highlights how Pyongyang continues to channel resources into nuclear weapons despite years of international sanctions and persistent economic hardship. According to the report, North Korea spent 3,854 times its assessed contribution to the United Nations on its nuclear arsenal in 2025. ICAN also estimated that the amount devoted to nuclear weapons could have helped save the lives of some 4 million people facing acute food insecurity. For every North Korean citizen, the regime spent about $25 on its nuclear arsenal last year, the report said. One hour of nuclear weapons spending would have covered the annual salaries of 62 state workers. The findings come as North Korea appears increasingly confident in advancing its nuclear ambitions. Pyongyang has deepened military cooperation with Russia since supplying troops, artillery shells and weapons systems to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. The relationship is believed to have provided North Korea with additional financial resources, technological assistance and diplomatic backing, easing some of the pressure that years of international sanctions sought to impose. The growing nuclear burden also comes as China appears less willing to publicly emphasize denuclearization in its dealings with Pyongyang. During this week's summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, Chinese and North Korean state media highlighted stronger bilateral ties and expanded cooperation but made no public mention of denuclearization. The omission has fueled concerns among some analysts that Beijing may be moving closer to tacitly accepting North Korea's nuclear status, or at least prioritizing strategic competition with the United States and regional stability over renewed pressure on Pyongyang. That shift could further complicate Seoul's diplomatic approach. South Korea has long viewed China as an important stakeholder in efforts to restrain North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Beijing's silence on denuclearization at the summit, however, suggests such expectations may be increasingly difficult to sustain as geopolitical alignments harden across Northeast Asia. Asked at Tuesday's briefing whether China's omission signaled a shift in Beijing's approach, the Foreign Ministry said Seoul's position remains unchanged. "The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a consistent goal of the international community confirmed by multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said. "Our government will continue to uphold that goal without wavering." The long-term outlook raises concerns in Seoul, where North Korea's expanding nuclear and missile capabilities have fueled calls for stronger deterrence measures. The government has launched plans to pursue nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons, arguing they would strengthen South Korea's ability to counter North Korea's growing submarine-based nuclear and missile threats. Experts say Pyongyang's nuclear buildup is increasingly tied to a broader military modernization effort. "North Korea is using the maritime domain as a core battlefield to advance and operationalize its nuclear weapons," said Ban Kil-joo, assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. "South Korea now needs a multilayered diplomatic and security strategy based not only on its own capabilities and the South Korea-U.S. alliance." 2026-06-10 17:19:48 -
POSCO Holdings to test direct lithium extraction in US SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - POSCO Holdings will build and operate a demonstration plant in the United States to extract battery-grade lithium more quickly and efficiently, the South Korean steelmaker said, marking the first such venture abroad by a Korean company. The company announced Wednesday it had agreed with Australian resources developer Anson Resources to construct the direct lithium extraction (DLE) demonstration facility in Green River, Utah, with POSCO overseeing design, construction and operation, and Anson supplying the site, infrastructure and brine. The plant is targeted for completion in 2027, with technical validation using actual brine to be finished by 2028, laying the groundwork for commercial production, POSCO said. DLE recovers lithium economically from low-concentration brine, offering higher recovery rates and shorter production times than conventional evaporation ponds. POSCO has been developing the technology since 2016. The project is the first overseas test of POSCO's proprietary process and a foothold for expanding its lithium business in North America, where automakers and battery firms are racing to secure supplies of the metal. "This demonstration is a strategic investment to secure next-generation technology early and seize the global lithium market," POSCO Holdings President Lee Ju-tae said, adding that the company would strengthen its competitiveness in North America and beyond. 2026-06-10 17:18:03 -
Semiconductor Contract Programs Become Job Guarantees in AI Era With the explosive growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, there is a heightened societal interest in the semiconductor sector, a key component of the nation's advanced strategic industries. A recent survey conducted by JinHakSa revealed that high school students ranked semiconductors as the top major that remains exceptionally stable even in the AI era. As the 2027 college admissions process approaches, a clear trend toward early admission centered around programs partnered with global companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix is emerging, prompting students to develop tailored admission strategies. On June 10, JinHakSa analyzed the 2027 college admission plan, reporting that a total of 460 students will be selected for semiconductor contract programs at major universities in South Korea. This marks a decrease of 60 students compared to the previous year. While other universities maintained their selection numbers and methods, the significant reduction in the admissions quota for KAIST's semiconductor systems engineering program—from 100 to 40 students—was a major factor in this decline. Although the overall admissions quota, which had been steadily increasing due to government policies promoting advanced programs, has temporarily stabilized, the demand for practical talent from companies continues to elevate the status of these programs to unprecedented levels. A key point for the 2027 semiconductor contract programs is that 377 out of the 460 total admissions, or 82.0%, will be through early admission. In contrast, only 83 students (18.0%) will be admitted through regular admission based solely on standardized test scores, creating a significant barrier for students focused solely on the college entrance exam. Among the 377 students admitted early, 319, or 84.6%, will be selected through the comprehensive student record evaluation (holistic admissions), while only 29 students (7.7%) will be admitted through subject-specific evaluations and another 29 (7.7%) through essay evaluations. This trend is reflected in the admissions guidelines of individual universities. At Sungkyunkwan University's semiconductor systems engineering program, which is partnered with Samsung Electronics, 45 out of 55 early admissions will be through holistic evaluation. Similarly, Yonsei University's system semiconductor engineering program, in partnership with SK Hynix, will select 43 out of 75 students through holistic evaluation. Notably, specialized science and engineering universities like KAIST and POSTECH select all their students through early admission, further raising the bar for regular admissions in semiconductor contract programs. Given the strong indicators of job guarantees and scholarship benefits, the holistic evaluation structure emphasizes assessing students' suitability for the major beyond just quantitative academic performance. Admission experts agree that to gain acceptance into these highly competitive semiconductor contract programs, students must demonstrate their academic capabilities in math and science throughout their high school careers. Woo Hyun-cheol, head of the admission strategy research institute at JinHakSa, stated, "While the regular admission rate at top universities hovers around 40%, semiconductor contract programs exhibit a different structure. Even excluding specialized science and engineering universities like KAIST, five universities have an early admission rate of 75%, with over 70% selected through holistic evaluation." He added, "This indicates that semiconductor contract programs prefer a selection method that evaluates students comprehensively, considering their academic and research capabilities, as well as their interest and potential in the field. It will be crucial for students to effectively showcase their mathematical and scientific inquiry skills in their student records."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 17:09:00