AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Market Preview: Investors Await U.S. CPI; Will Semiconductor Stocks Provide Support?
    Market Preview: Investors Await U.S. CPI; Will Semiconductor Stocks Provide Support? As investors await the release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July, global markets are exhibiting a cautious stance. Domestic markets are expected to be influenced by rising international oil prices and weakness in major U.S. tech stocks. However, the increase in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and ongoing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure may limit downward pressure on the domestic market, which is also experiencing reduced volatility.On August 11, U.S. stocks fell as caution grew ahead of the CPI announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.34% to close at 53,791.85. The S&P 500 fell 0.32% to 7,728.20, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.60% to finish at 26,445.45. In contrast, the Russell 2000 index, which focuses on small-cap stocks, rose by 0.32%.Market sentiment was cautious ahead of the inflation data. Following disappointing employment figures last week, interest in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory has increased, making this CPI report a key variable for the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in September.The consensus for the July CPI is a year-over-year increase of 3.4% for the headline figure and 2.5% for core inflation. Month-over-month, a rise of 0.1% for the headline and 0.2% for core inflation is anticipated. After a 0.4% decline in the headline CPI in June and a flat core CPI, a normalization of prices is expected for July.Rising international oil prices pose a burden in terms of inflation and interest rates. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have shown little progress, leading West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to rise by $1.07 (1.30%) to $83.20 per barrel. Brent crude increased by $1.23 (1.40%) to $88.91.The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note fell by 1.8 basis points to 4.6883%, but remains at a high level. If oil prices continue to rise, concerns about future inflation may increase, limiting the potential for interest rate declines and putting pressure on risk assets.According to Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, “This consumer price index could lead to changes in monetary policy, making it highly relevant for the short-term bond, foreign exchange, and stock markets. If a higher-than-expected core CPI is reported, it could reignite concerns about interest rate hikes, especially in light of recent inflation warnings from Fed officials.”He added, “Conversely, if lower-than-expected inflation is confirmed, it could ease interest rate pressures. However, the persistence of high international oil prices suggests that concerns about future inflation will remain, potentially limiting stock market gains.”Despite the declines in the U.S. stock market, the relatively small drop is seen as a positive sign. While major tech stocks struggled, the Russell 2000 index rose, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index increased by 0.87%. Notably, Micron Technology gained 0.87%, and AMD rose by 1.01%. The American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of SK Hynix, closely tied to the domestic market, surged by 4.70%.The rise in SK Hynix ADRs was bolstered by news of increased stakes in Kioxia and the reopening of its factory in Dalian, China. The expectation that SK Hynix could become the largest shareholder in Kioxia, thereby expanding its influence in the global NAND market, along with the resumption of construction and investment at its subsidiary Solidigm's Dalian plant, was positively received.Investment demand for AI infrastructure remains strong. Nvidia has formalized a financial consortium for AI infrastructure worth up to $500 billion, involving firms such as Apollo Global Management, Blackstone, BlackRock, Brookfield Asset Management, Goldman Sachs, and KKR. This indicates that AI investments are expanding beyond semiconductors and AI model development to include data center and power grid construction, highlighting the importance of large-scale funding.While Nvidia's stock dipped by 0.02%, related power infrastructure stocks performed well. Constellation Energy rose by 2.93%, Eaton by 3.22%, and Vertiv Holdings by 4.34%. Oclaro and NuScale Power also saw increases of 5.66% and 7.73%, respectively. The growing demand for power due to the expansion of AI data centers is driving investment momentum in related sectors.AI-related companies such as CoreWeave and Supermicro have shown strong performance in after-hours trading, with gains exceeding 13% and 6%, respectively, following their earnings reports, which is a favorable factor for the domestic AI and semiconductor value chain.Additionally, the reduction in volatility in the KOSPI is seen as a positive development. According to Kiwoom Securities, the VKOSPI, which indicates future expected volatility for the KOSPI, averaged around 85 points in June and July, peaking at 95 points during a sharp decline at the end of June. However, it has dropped to the 70-point range in August, reaching a low of 61 points on August 11, the lowest since May 8.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, noted, “While a VKOSPI in the 60-point range is still relatively high, the recent decline in VKOSPI during the market recovery suggests that the supply stress that led to the volatility spike in July is easing. It is important to recognize that abnormal volatility is normalizing ahead of stock prices.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:32:10
  • Youth job drought deepens, fall largest in 5 years
    Youth job drought deepens, fall largest in 5 years SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) -South Korea's youth employment fell for a 45th straight month in July and the youth jobless rate posted its sharpest rise in more than five years, as hiring droughts in manufacturing and professional services deepened despite booming exports, government data showed Wednesday. The number of employed people aged 15 to 29 fell by 191,000 from a year earlier to 3.44 million, while their employment rate dropped 1.6 percentage points to 44.2 percent, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The youth unemployment rate rose 1.3 percentage points to 6.8 percent, the steepest increase since January 2021. Employment among people in their 20s alone fell by 204,000. The headline labor-market numbers were better. The total number of employed people aged 15 and older increased by 108,000 from a year earlier to 29.136 million, accelerating from a gain of 63,000 in June. The improvement, however, continued to bypass sectors that traditionally provide a large share of regular jobs. Manufacturing shed 68,000 jobs, extending its decline to a 25th consecutive month, while construction lost 57,000 jobs for a 27th straight month. Professional, scientific and technical services cut another 44,000 jobs, marking an eighth consecutive monthly decline. The weakness in manufacturing employment has persisted even as South Korea's export engine has accelerated. Semiconductor exports surged 179 percent in July from a year earlier and total outbound shipments jumped 62.8 percent to $98.89 billion. The age breakdown exposed an equally stark divide. Employment among people aged 60 and older increased by 231,000, more than twice the economy's overall net job gain, while employment among those in their 40s fell by 31,000 in addition to the 204,000 decline among people in their 20s. Health and social welfare services led job creation with an increase of 173,000, while agriculture, forestry and fisheries lost 80,000 jobs. Non-wage employment, including the self-employed and unpaid family workers, increased by 119,000. The overall employment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier to 63.3 percent. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage point to 2.6 percent, with the number of unemployed increasing by 50,000 to 776,000. The economically inactive population increased by 99,000 to 16.103 million. Among them, the number of people classified as simply "resting" fell by 62,000 to 2.518 million, while discouraged job seekers declined by 18,000 to 378,000. The ministry said it will begin publishing additional employment indicators for people aged 15 to 34 from its September employment report due in October, reflecting a revision to the Special Act on the Promotion of Youth Employment that expands the statutory definition of youth. 2026-08-12 08:32:09
  • Allegations of Pro-Japanese Collaboration Surround Actor Ha Youngs Ancestor
    Allegations of Pro-Japanese Collaboration Surround Actor Ha Young's Ancestor Amid growing allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration surrounding actor Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, a post from 2013 has resurfaced online. The post claims that Ahn was a physician suspected of poisoning Emperor Gojong.On August 12, a post from May 2013 was shared on an online community. The author, identified as A, stated, "Our great-grandfather was a physician suspected of poisoning Emperor Gojong. I first learned about this four years ago. His name was briefly mentioned on TV."A continued, "To be honest, my family has been well-off for generations. I don't know much, but I've heard we've always lived well. Given that we thrived during the Japanese occupation, it seems likely that my great-grandfather and grandfather were pro-Japanese as well." A also expressed frustration, saying, "It's disgusting that I was born into this family."After this post gained attention, netizens questioned whether Ha Young was unaware of this family history, especially following her father's recent interview addressing the pro-Japanese allegations. Some users noted that Ahn Sang-ho reportedly had multiple children, suggesting that Ha Young might be a cousin of the post's author.However, the identity of the post's author and their actual familial relationship to Ahn Sang-ho has not been confirmed with the available information. The speculation about their kinship remains unverified.The renewed interest in this post coincides with the pro-Japanese allegations against Ahn Sang-ho and a recent interview with Ha Young's father, A. In the interview released on August 11, A stated, "I have never connected my great-grandfather's marriage to a Japanese woman with pro-Japanese sentiments."Despite this clarification, reactions online suggested that A's comments missed the point. The controversy centers not on Ahn's marriage but on his actions during the Japanese occupation and how they should be evaluated. A's use of the term "Japan-Korea annexation" instead of "national humiliation" also sparked debate, as the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has stated that such terms were used by Japan to justify its occupation.A explained that his initial dismissal of the pro-Japanese allegations as "groundless" was influenced by family stories about Ahn Sang-ho's relationship with the Yi family. He referenced a book titled "Pioneers of Korean Medicine," authored by Jeong Gu-chung, which allegedly includes stories Ahn shared with Yi.However, this reference has led to further controversy. Jeong Gu-chung is listed in the "Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators" compiled by the Institute for Korean Historical Studies, and records of his activities during the late Japanese occupation are noted in medical history research. To substantiate Ahn's actions, it is necessary to examine not only the book's content but also the sources and testimonies Jeong used.The controversy surrounding Ha Young's great-grandfather has intensified as she has previously mentioned his legacy in interviews and broadcasts. Ha Young has stated that her family has been in the medical profession for four generations, noting that her great-grandfather studied medicine in Japan and opened a Western medicine clinic in Hanyang, where he treated Emperor Gojong.Following this, claims that Ahn Sang-ho is indeed Ha Young's great-grandfather have spread online, prompting a reevaluation of his actions during the Japanese occupation.Ha Young's agency confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho is her great-grandfather but stated that the allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration are "groundless." As the controversy continues, A's interview has sparked additional debate over the expressions and evidence he presented.Online reactions to the interview included comments like, "This interview is worse than not doing one at all," and "It misses the point entirely. Who has ever said that marrying a Japanese woman is pro-Japanese?" The resurfacing of the 2013 post has also led to questions about why Ha Young claimed ignorance of information that other descendants are aware of.As of now, there is no objective evidence confirming the familial relationship between the post's author and Ha Young. Therefore, it is difficult to assert the validity of the kinship speculation and the content of the post as representative of Ha Young's family statements or factual circumstances.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:32:00
  • Military: North Korean Missile Flies Over 700 km; Blue House Urges Immediate Halt
    Military: North Korean Missile Flies Over 700 km; Blue House Urges Immediate Halt North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area into the East Sea on the morning of August 12, with the missile flying over 700 kilometers. The military is analyzing the missile's specifications while maintaining readiness, and the Blue House has directed follow-up measures following an emergency security meeting. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in a press release that they detected the missile launch at around 6 a.m. from the Wonsan area. The Joint Chiefs stated, "The detected North Korean missile flew over 700 kilometers," adding that South Korean and U.S. forces are conducting a detailed analysis of its specifications. Specific details regarding the missile type, altitude, and speed were not disclosed. Intelligence agencies from both countries have been tracking developments related to the launch from the outset and sharing information. The military is also sharing information about North Korean ballistic missiles with Japan. Military authorities, including the Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are closely monitoring the possibility of further launches by North Korea. The Joint Chiefs emphasized, "Under the solid South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, we are closely watching various trends from North Korea and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocations." The National Security Office at the Blue House also held an emergency security meeting with relevant agencies, including the Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in response to the missile launch. During the meeting, the security office reviewed the military's detection and tracking capabilities and assessed the impact of the launch on national security, directing necessary measures to relevant agencies. The security office expressed concern over North Korea's missile launch, which occurred six days after a previous launch on August 6. It stated, "North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a provocative act that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions," urging an immediate halt. Notably, this series of provocations from North Korea comes ahead of the upcoming U.S.-South Korea joint exercise, 'Ulchi Freedom Shield,' scheduled to begin on August 17. On August 6, North Korea also launched short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea from the Wonsan area. At that time, the security office convened a meeting to direct immediate readiness and assess the impact of the launch on national security. Earlier, on April 8, North Korea launched ballistic missiles twice from the Wonsan area, with one missile flying over 700 kilometers. On April 19, multiple ballistic missiles were launched into the East Sea from the Sinpo area in South Hamgyong Province, and on May 26, several short-range ballistic missiles were fired into the West Sea from the Jeongju area in North Pyongan Province, continuing its show of military force.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:32:00
  • Eugene Investment & Securities Lowers GKL Target Price Amid Casino Tax Concerns
    Eugene Investment & Securities Lowers GKL Target Price Amid Casino Tax Concerns Eugene Investment & Securities has assessed that concerns over GKL's performance due to an increase in casino tax rates are excessive. The firm maintained a 'buy' rating but adjusted its target price down by 18.8% to 13,000 won.In a report on August 12, analyst Lee Hyun-ji noted that GKL's second-quarter revenue rose 19.3% year-on-year to 120.5 billion won, while operating profit increased by 30.5% to 20.8 billion won. However, these figures fell short of market consensus, as rising labor and marketing costs, including comp expenses, weighed on profits.Despite this, Lee stated that GKL's recent growth trend continues, suggesting that the stock price decline due to fears over the tax increase is unwarranted. Earlier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a reform plan to raise the tax rate on casino revenue exceeding 10 billion won from 10% to 15%. This led to a sharp drop in the stock prices of foreign casino companies. However, discussions have since included the possibility of establishing a new top tier for each business location, applying the 15% rate only to revenue exceeding that tier.Considering the revenue scale of foreign casino operators as of last year, Lee projected that only the Gangnam COEX location would be affected by the tax increase by 2028. Given that the single location Inspire's casino revenue is also below 300 billion won, the previously feared 20% drop in operating profit appears to be an overestimation.Lee stated, "Reflecting the revised earnings estimates and lower multiples, we adjust the target price to 13,000 won," while also noting that the 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) stands at 8.8 times, indicating that the valuation is at a historical low level.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:28:20
  • Bitcoin Fluctuates Around $63,000 Amid Hormuz Uncertainty
    Bitcoin Fluctuates Around $63,000 Amid Hormuz Uncertainty 6,500-dollar Bitcoin has been fluctuating around the 63,000-dollar mark. The investment sentiment appears to have cooled due to increasing uncertainties stemming from stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and rising international oil prices. According to CoinMarketCap, as of 8 a.m. on August 12, Bitcoin was trading at $63,580, down 0.56% from the previous day. After recovering to the $65,000 level on August 10, Bitcoin has since dropped back to the $63,000 range and has struggled to find clear upward momentum. Major altcoins also showed little movement. At the same time, Ethereum rose 0.27% to $1,879.03, while Solana increased by 0.15% to $76.24. Ripple (XRP) was up 1.00%, trading at $1.02. Market analysts suggest that the renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz have significantly dampened investor sentiment. According to Reuters and Iran's state-run IRNA, Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on August 11 that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen unless the U.S. changes its stance and accepts Iran's conditions. Expectations for a swift agreement between the U.S. and Iran to normalize oil transport have weakened, leading to rising international oil prices. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.4% to $88.91 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 1.3% to $83.20. The S&P 500 energy sector index also jumped 1.1%. Meanwhile, at the same time on the domestic exchange Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 89,716,000 won ($63,470), down 0.19% from the previous day, breaking below the 90 million won mark. The so-called 'Kimchi premium,' where domestic prices are higher than international prices, was recorded at -0.18%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:28:00
  • BTSs SWIM Enters Billboard Hot 100 for 20 Consecutive Weeks, Matching Butter Record
    BTS's 'SWIM' Enters Billboard Hot 100 for 20 Consecutive Weeks, Matching 'Butter' Record Group BTS's 'SWIM' has entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 20 consecutive weeks. According to the latest chart released by Billboard on August 15, BTS's title track 'SWIM' from their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' ranked 91st on the Hot 100. 'SWIM' first debuted at number one on the Hot 100 chart dated April 4 and has maintained its position for 20 weeks. This achievement ties 'SWIM' with BTS's hit song 'Butter,' which also spent 20 weeks on the Hot 100. The song has also shown strong performance on global charts. 'SWIM' ranked 4th on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, which tracks streaming and digital sales from over 200 countries and regions, and 12th on the Global 200 chart. Notably, 'SWIM' has remained in the top 10 of the Global Excl. U.S. chart for 20 consecutive weeks. Another track from the album, 'NORMAL,' has also made its mark on the charts. 'NORMAL' reached 24th on the Global Excl. U.S. chart and 49th on the Global 200 chart. Following the release of its music video and Korean version on July 17, 'NORMAL' has been climbing the Billboard charts again. It also debuted at 40th on the Pop Airplay chart. The consistent success of the tracks from the fifth album 'ARIRANG' continues. In addition to 'SWIM' and 'NORMAL,' six songs including 'Body to Body,' '2.0,' 'Hooligan,' and 'Aliens' have made it onto the Global Excl. U.S. chart. Additionally, 'Dynamite,' which was performed during the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup final, has remained on the chart for three consecutive weeks. On the main album chart, the Billboard 200, 'ARIRANG' climbed one spot from 15th to 14th. The album previously reached number one for three consecutive weeks and has spent a total of 13 weeks in the top 10, the longest for any album by a Korean artist. Further chart achievements include 'ARIRANG' ranking 7th on the Top Album Sales chart, 25th on the Top Streaming Albums chart, and 11th on the Vinyl Albums chart. Meanwhile, BTS's mini album 'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1' title track 'I NEED U' surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify as of August 8. 'I NEED U' blends lyrical Eastern sentiments with a gritty hip-hop sound and was the song that earned BTS their first win on a terrestrial music show.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:24:00
  • Results of the Independent AI Foundation Model Evaluation Approaching as LG AI Research Center Maintains Lead
    Results of the Independent AI Foundation Model Evaluation Approaching as LG AI Research Center Maintains Lead The second phase evaluation of the Independent AI Foundation Model (Dukpamo) project, led by the Ministry of Science and ICT, has been completed. All four teams participating in the evaluation have been recognized as 'notable models' by global AI research institutions, increasing interest in which teams will advance to the next stage.According to industry sources on August 11, the results of the second phase evaluation are expected to be released as early as this week. The evaluation included LG AI Research Center, SK Telecom, Upstage, and Motif Technologies, which was selected through an additional application process, resulting in a four-way competition.In the first phase evaluation, LG AI Research Center ranked first in both benchmark and expert/user assessments. Subsequently, LG AI Research Center unveiled 'K-Exa One 2.0,' SK Telecom introduced 'A.X K2,' and Upstage released 'Solar Open 2' last month on Hugging Face. Motif also launched 'Motif-3' earlier this month.According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, all four teams' models developed in the first half of this year have been listed as notable models by Epoch AI, a U.S. nonprofit AI research organization. Epoch AI selects models that have significantly impacted AI development based on factors such as computational load and performance.Last year, the U.S. had the highest number of notable models at 59, followed by China with 35 and South Korea with 8. This year, the countries producing notable models include the U.S., China, and South Korea.In the past month, download statistics from Hugging Face show that Upstage's 'Solar Open 2' recorded 25,870 downloads. Motif's beta version, 'Motif-3 Beta,' had 5,062 downloads, while SK Telecom's 'A.X K2' had 2,844 downloads, and LG AI Research Center's 'K-Exa One 2.0' had 1,462 downloads.There is keen interest in how evaluations from global research institutions and responses from the open-source market will influence the results of the second phase evaluation. Attention is focused on whether LG AI Research Center, which ranked first in all categories in the first phase, will maintain its lead, whether SK Telecom and Upstage, which have released new models, will catch up, or whether Motif, which joined through the additional application process, will advance to the next stage.Notably, for the first time, 200 citizens will directly use the models to assess their performance. If the benchmark scores among the models are close, the perceived performance experienced by general users in various situations could become a decisive factor in the evaluation results.Bon Kang-ho, a researcher at the Software Policy Research Institute, stated, "Just because a model scores high in benchmarks does not necessarily mean it offers good user benefits or convenience. If around 200 users apply the models to various cases that suit them and reflect the benefits they perceive in the process, it can yield valid results."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:16:00
  • Hanwha Investment Cuts Target Price for Shinsegae Amid Consumer Concerns
    Hanwha Investment Cuts Target Price for Shinsegae Amid Consumer Concerns Hanwha Investment & Securities assessed on August 12 that concerns over domestic consumption are growing due to recent stock market adjustments affecting Shinsegae. As a result, the firm lowered its target price from 870,000 won to 690,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Lee Jin-hyup, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, stated, "The recent stock market correction has dampened the wealth effect, raising the possibility of a slowdown in domestic consumption. In particular, the deceleration in fashion growth rates serves as an indicator of this potential decline in domestic spending."However, Lee believes that the current concerns about consumption slowdown are likely to be temporary. He noted, "These worries could dissipate starting in the fourth quarter when the income effect becomes more pronounced. Once short-term concerns are alleviated, two growth factors for department stores—expansion of domestic consumption driven by structural income growth and the structural increase in foreign tourists—could come to the forefront again."Shinsegae reported total sales of 3.1 trillion won in the second quarter, a 9% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit surged 122% to 167.1 billion won, exceeding market expectations of 152.6 billion won.In the department store sector, same-store sales rose 27% year-on-year in the second quarter, resulting in an operating profit of 108.8 billion won, a 53% increase from the previous year. Among the same-store growth, domestic customers contributed 22 percentage points, while foreign customers added 5 percentage points.In contrast, the duty-free shop segment saw a 10% decline in sales to 542.6 billion won year-on-year in the second quarter, although operating profit improved by 348 million won to 33.3 billion won. Despite a reduction in scale due to the withdrawal from DF2, profitability improved significantly due to lower rental costs and reduced wholesale discount rates.Central City reported an operating profit of 14.9 billion won, a 52% increase from the previous year, bolstered by strong performance from the Marriott Hotel. Subsidiaries such as Shinsegae International and Casamia also continued to show signs of recovery.Lee noted, "Shinsegae International has indicated that the operating environment in the third quarter is improving compared to the second quarter, expressing strong confidence in fashion growth. The recent slowdown in fashion growth rates is likely a temporary phenomenon rather than a signal of declining domestic consumption."He added, "Shinsegae is also estimated to have same-store sales growth of over 20% year-on-year in the third quarter. Once short-term concerns are resolved, a long-term reassessment of corporate value based on the expansion of domestic consumption and the increase in foreign tourists could be possible."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:16:00
  • AI Transforms Search Landscape: Naver App Surpasses Google App
    AI Transforms Search Landscape: Naver App Surpasses Google App In the early 2000s, as the internet began to gain traction, Google made a significant impact on the global search market. While Yahoo eventually fell, leading to Google's dominance worldwide, the situation was different in South Korea, where Naver maintained a stronghold.In response to Google's keyword-based search, Naver developed a rich ecosystem of user-generated content (UGC) and communities through platforms like Knowledge iN, blogs, cafes, and premium content. Their patriotic marketing slogan, "Korean portals answer Korean questions," also contributed to their success. Despite the challenges, Naver managed to hold its ground.As smartphones became prevalent, Naver faced a second challenge. Google, leveraging the Android operating system, initially monopolized search. Users had to install a separate app or set their homepage in a web browser, which was inconvenient. Nevertheless, Naver remained the 'homepage' for many smartphone users in South Korea.Moreover, Naver's ecosystem, which integrated various lifestyle services like maps, shopping, webtoons, and blogs into mobile apps, successfully countered Google's challenges, resembling a fortress. For over 20 years, as the internet evolved into the smartphone era, Naver held a dominant position in the South Korean search market.However, change has arrived in this seemingly unbreakable market due to a fundamental shift in 'search grammar' brought about by artificial intelligence (AI) technology.According to data from AIGAWORKS' Mobile Index as of July, the Google app recorded 47,022,854 monthly active users (MAU), ranking first in the productivity app category. In contrast, the Naver app had 46,845,017 MAU, falling short by 177,837 users. This marks the first time since the Mobile Index began tracking in March 2021 that Google has surpassed Naver in mobile user numbers.So, have Naver users switched en masse to Google? Not exactly; rather, more users are turning to the Google app to access the AI service Gemini.Notably, the rise of generative AI has coincided with a surge in Google's ecosystem. Google Chrome, with 42,457,506 users, ranks third among productivity apps. The deep integration of Google's AI model Gemini and AI search features into the Chrome browser and the Google app has naturally drawn users into the AI search environment. Significant shifts are also occurring in the portal market, with OpenAI's ChatGPT recording 16,456,151 MAU in July, comfortably surpassing Daum, a major portal in South Korea, which had 6,307,395 MAU.The implications of these figures are clear. While past search competition revolved around connecting as many blogs and internal portal contents as possible, the search landscape in the generative AI era has shifted to accurately understanding user intent and providing immediate, relevant answers and productivity.Users now prefer AI to summarize conclusions rather than manually clicking through multiple blog links. Google is maximizing this user experience by integrating Gemini across the Chrome browser and the Android OS ecosystem.However, the game is not over. Naver is also enhancing its AI search technology based on its own large language model (LLM). In this newly initiated AI-driven search era, relying solely on existing content and community strategies will not suffice to retain users. Traditional strategies are no longer effective, and patriotic marketing has lost its impact. The landscape has changed, and the only solution lies in advancing technology.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 08:12:00