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White House Holds Secret Meeting with OpenAI, Google, Meta on AI Review Process The White House is holding a closed-door meeting on August 4 with representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta to discuss a government review process for advanced AI models before their release.According to a report by CNN on August 3, this meeting comes just days after OpenAI and Anthropic reported hacking incidents involving their AI agents. This gathering is seen as a response to increasing calls for AI regulation from both industry and Washington.The pre-release review system for AI was outlined in an executive order signed by President Trump in June. It allows the government to review advanced AI models up to 30 days before their public release. While the U.S. government has stated that participation is voluntary, CNN reported that there have been instances in recent months where the release of AI models has been delayed or put on hold due to security concerns.A White House official told CNN, "The voluntary system from the June 2 executive order has been finalized, and we are discussing the next steps with the industry."While OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta are expected to attend the meeting, Anthropic, Google, and Meta did not respond to CNN's request for comment. Instead, OpenAI's Chief External Affairs Officer, Chris Luhain, addressed the matter through a blog post, urging Congress to establish national AI standards.The executive order does not disclose specific details and classifies much of the information as confidential, leaving the definitions of advanced AI models and whether open-weight models are included unclear. There is currently no designated agency to lead the review process. Although Sean Kincross, the National Cyber Director, Treasury Secretary Scott Vestant, and Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick have been involved in the executive order, the White House has yet to identify the agency that will oversee the review, CNN reported.The U.S. government's stance on Anthropic has also been inconsistent. Earlier this year, the Department of Defense designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk company due to disagreements over the safety features of its AI models, preventing U.S. military agencies from using Anthropic products. However, the White House has continued to collaborate with Anthropic amid ongoing legal disputes. President Trump stated in June that Anthropic has "acted very responsibly" and does not pose a national security threat.Despite this, calls for regulation have intensified. OpenAI and Anthropic disclosed that their AI agents had infiltrated other companies' systems during security testing. Last week, over 1,200 executives and employees from major AI companies, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, signed an open letter urging the U.S. government to establish regulatory measures that could slow the pace of AI development.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman mentioned in a podcast released last week that society may need to adjust the pace of AI development to allow time for adaptation to new capabilities.Meanwhile, the European Union's AI Act came into effect on August 2, allowing the EU Commission to require pre-release reviews of AI models and imposing fines of up to 7% of annual revenue for violations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 17:40:00 -
Bloomberg warns volatile South Korean stock market is 'becoming uninvestable' SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - South Korea's stock market is becoming "uninvestable" as extreme volatility erodes investor confidence in the KOSPI, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. In a column headlined "South Korea Is Becoming Uninvestable, Too," the daily's columnist Shuli Ren warned, "In recent years, global asset managers have complained that China is uninvestable, mainly over two issues - the government's policy failures and its disregard for investors. Unfortunately, similar concerns are surfacing over South Korea." "South Korea is home to the world's hottest and most volatile stock market this year," Ren wrote. "The KOSPI's near 40% tumble in just 27 trading days is comparable to China's market crash in 2015." "But with an easing of the global AI stock rout, it's natural to ask if the benchmark index is destined for a rebound. Bulls might argue that unlike China a decade ago, Koreans are free to invest in whichever market they fancy," she wrote, forecasting that discouraged South Korean investors "might just pack up and never return" to the KOSPI. 2026-08-04 17:36:16 -
Three Temple Toilets Designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on August 4 that it has proposed the designation of three temple toilets, including the Suncheon Seonamsa Chikgan, the Yeongwol Bodeoksa Haewuso, and the Haeinsa Gukilam Haewuso, as national folk cultural heritage.These three sites are traditional toilets that have clear construction dates and original forms, still in actual use today, showcasing the rarity and historical value of temple lifestyle culture. The term 'haewuso' was first used by Monk Gyeongbong of Tongdosa's Geunrakam after the Korean War, symbolizing the act of letting go of worries. It later became a common term for temple toilets.The construction dates of the three haewuso are confirmed through inscriptions on the roof beams. The Bodeoksa haewuso was built in 1882, the Gukilam haewuso in 1910, and the Seonamsa Chikgan before the 1920s. All three have maintained their original locations and forms for over a century, underscoring their historical significance. Additionally, traditional haewuso are rapidly disappearing, making these proposed designations particularly valuable as they represent endangered cultural heritage.The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This proposed designation is significant as it expands the scope of national heritage to include not only sacred spaces like temples and pagodas but also areas that reflect the lifestyle culture of the monastic community. We expect this will serve as a foundation for preserving lifestyle folk heritage closely tied to the lives of the people."After a 30-day public comment period, the final decision on the designation as national folk cultural heritage will be made following a review by the National Heritage Committee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 17:36:10
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Busan Education Office Launches Year-Round College Admissions Counseling Recent amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act have restricted the commercial use of school records, raising concerns among students and parents about a lack of college admission information.In response, the Busan Education Office is implementing a comprehensive support system for college admissions counseling that does not rely on private education.The system includes in-person counseling available year-round and online counseling that guarantees responses within one hour, including weekends, tailored to the needs of users.Concerns have been raised that the current schedule of 16 daily one-on-one in-person counseling sessions (10 during the day and 6 at night) is insufficient to meet demand among all students in Busan. To address this, the Busan Education Office plans to operate flexibly based on demand to alleviate bottlenecks.During the upcoming vacation period, leading up to the early September application for early admissions, the number of counseling sessions will be significantly increased to 30 per day for about four weeks. Additionally, in December and early January, prior to the regular admissions application, the number of sessions will also be expanded for about two weeks. A college admissions camp will be held in July, providing concentrated counseling for 400 to 500 students over two days. To prevent booking congestion, reservations for the following month are released sequentially at midnight on the 20th of each month.The online counseling service, known as e-College Admissions Pathway, operates year-round and prioritizes speed and accuracy. Users can submit questions on the website and receive responses within one hour, including weekends. However, for sensitive issues that may have significant implications, the support team will review the responses, which may take additional time.All college admissions counseling programs are offered free of charge. To protect the opportunities of waiting students, a penalty of a two-month counseling ban is imposed on individuals who fail to show up for their reserved sessions.The education office expressed strong confidence in the quality of its public education counseling services.A representative from the Busan Education Office stated, "We are confident that the quality of counseling provided by our admissions support team is not inferior to that of private education consulting. It is unfortunate that many parents are unaware that all counseling is completely free. Anyone can receive high-quality counseling for free with just a reservation."The education office is also making efforts to support students who have difficulty accessing college admissions information due to geographical conditions. To bridge the information gap between regions, the office is operating mobile counseling classrooms based on requests from schools in underserved areas.While being careful to avoid stigmatization by not explicitly distinguishing specific regions or groups, the office is quietly prioritizing schools that have had fewer opportunities for college admissions counseling. In the first semester of this year, 561 students from 32 schools received in-person counseling at their schools.Additionally, from March to May, when overall counseling demand is relatively low, the office is actively guiding students from multicultural families and out-of-school youth, who require tailored support, to ensure they can access counseling services.As part of the current education superintendent's pledge to expand college admissions counseling, the education office plans to actively consider increasing counseling staff and expanding related programs if demand continues to grow.Kim Seok-jun, the Superintendent of Busan Education, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that everyone can obtain reliable college admissions information through public education without relying on private education and can develop a college admissions strategy that aligns with their aptitudes and career paths. We will continue to expand our counseling support system to eliminate barriers of time, location, and social class, ensuring that no student is left without access to counseling."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 17:32:00
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Heat Wave and Tropical Nights Persist Nationwide; Rain Expected in Jeju Mountains On Wednesday, August 5, a heat wave and tropical nights are expected to continue across most of the country. Rain is forecasted in the mountainous and midland areas of Jeju starting in the afternoon. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning low temperatures will range from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, while the daytime highs are expected to reach between 31 and 38 degrees Celsius. The perceived temperatures in most regions will rise to around 35 degrees, making it extremely hot, and many areas will experience tropical nights. In the mountainous and midland regions of Jeju, rainfall of 5 to 10 millimeters is anticipated from the afternoon. Sea conditions will see wave heights of 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and South Seas, while the West Sea will have waves around 0.5 meters. Offshore wave heights are expected to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and West Seas and 0.5 to 2.0 meters in the South Sea. Regionally, Seoul will see temperatures between 27 and 38 degrees Celsius, Incheon will range from 27 to 37 degrees, and Suwon will be between 26 and 37 degrees, all under clear skies. In Gangwon Province, Chuncheon will have temperatures from 25 to 37 degrees, while Gangneung will range from 25 to 31 degrees, with more clouds in the morning but clearing in the afternoon. In the Chungcheong region, Cheongju (26 to 35 degrees), Daejeon (25 to 36 degrees), and Sejong (25 to 36 degrees) will all experience sunny weather. In the Honam region, Jeonju (26 to 36 degrees) and Gwangju (26 to 36 degrees) will generally be clear. In the Yeongnam region, Daegu will see temperatures from 26 to 36 degrees, while Busan (26 to 33 degrees), Ulsan (25 to 33 degrees), and Changwon (26 to 34 degrees) will also be mostly clear. Jeju will have temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees, generally clear, but occasional rain is expected in the mountainous and midland areas in the afternoon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 17:28:00
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KOSDAQ continues to outperform KOSPI after tightened rules on leveraged ETFs SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - South Korea's junior KOSDAQ outperformed the benchmark KOSPI for a third straight session on Tuesday, extending its broad rally. Tighter regulations on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reduced trading in chip stocks, broadening gains to biotechnology, robotics and other growth stocks. The KOSDAQ closed at 780.72 points, up 5.88 percent, while the KOSPI gained 1.62 percent to 6,358.95. The latest gain marked the third consecutive session of KOSDAQ outperformance since stricter rules on single-stock leveraged products took effect on July 31. The KOSDAQ closed at 780.72 points, up 5.88 percent, while the KOSPI gained 1.62 percent to 6,358.95. The latest advance marked the third consecutive session of KOSDAQ outperformance since stricter rules on these EFFs took effect on July 31. Under the revised rules, the minimum cash deposit required to trade them was raised to 30 million won (US$21,600) from 10 million won, and investors can no longer use stock or ETF holdings to meet the requirement. The measures followed sharp volatility in leveraged products linked to the country's two chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Turnover in the 16 leveraged and inverse ETFs tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell from 12.45 trillion won on July 30 to 1.39 trillion won on Monday, down 88.9 percent from the day before the new rules took effect. Despite sharp intraday swings, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both finished higher. Samsung Electronics, which briefly fell as much as 4.80 percent after opening 2.09 percent higher, recovered late in the session to close up 0.21 percent at 240,000 won. SK hynix also rebounded from an intraday decline of as much as 5.36 percent after rising more than 4 percent earlier in the day, ending 0.64 percent higher at 1,577,000 won. Elsewhere on the KOSPI, Hanwha Aerospace surged 9.25 percent to 1,004,000 won, LG Energy Solution climbed 3.96 percent to 328,500 won, Samsung Biologics advanced 3.72 percent to 1,476,000 won and SK Square rose 3.41 percent to 1,060,000 won. While the slowdown does not necessarily mean money has flowed directly into the junior stocks, market participants said reduced concentration in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix has created room for investors to rotate into previously overlooked sectors. Foreign investors also reinforced the shift by buying KOSDAQ shares before the new rules took effect. They were net buyers for four consecutive sessions from July 28 through July 31, despite two circuit breakers during the market selloff, favoring growth stocks such as Rainbow Robotics, Alteogen, EcoPro, PharmaResearch, Techwing and Robotis. The rotation remained evident on Tuesday. Alteogen jumped 9.29 percent to 347,000 won, HLB gained 11.17 percent to 34,350 won, ABL Bio soared 13.24 percent to 80,400 won and LigaChem Biosciences climbed 15.20 percent to 109,900 won. Robotics shares also advanced, with Robotis rising 7.89 percent to 232,500 won and Rainbow Robotics adding 1.85 percent to 467,000 won, while battery materials makers EcoPro and EcoPro BM gained 5.94 percent to 82,000 won and 5.89 percent to 102,500 won, respectively. Still, some analysts cautioned against assuming money leaving leveraged ETFs has flowed directly into individual KOSDAQ stocks. According to Hyundai Motor Securities, retail investors' net purchases of domestic equity ETFs excluding single-stock leveraged products rose from 2.2 trillion won between May 27 and the end of June to 4.7 trillion won in July, suggesting many simply switched to other ETF products rather than individual shares. Nevertheless, institutional investors bought a net 543.4 billion won worth of KOSDAQ shares on Tuesday, offsetting net sales of 277.2 billion won by foreign investors and 258.7 billion won by retail investors, helping extend its rally. Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.32 percent to close at 63,957.53, extending strength in technology-related shares. China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.33 percent to 3,822.28, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.77 percent to 25,807.95 as investors locked in recent gains. 2026-08-04 17:25:58 -
Young K tops Hanteo chart with second solo album 'YOUNGEST' SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - DAY6’s Young K topped a weekly album chart with his second solo studio album, “YOUNGEST,” a 15-track record built around questions about his identity as a singer-songwriter. The album and its title track, “Shut The Door,” were released July 27, nearly two years and 10 months after his first full-length solo album, “Letters with notes.” “YOUNGEST” ranked first on Hanteo Chart’s weekly album chart for the July 27-Aug. 2 period, according to JYP Entertainment. Young K, whose real name is Kang Young-hyun, has written or co-written many of DAY6’s best-known songs since the band’s debut in 2015. In a behind-the-scenes video posted on DAY6’s official YouTube channel, he said the new album grew out of questions about his own tastes and identity. “I thought about what I like and what kind of person I am now,” he said. Young K said the title combines his stage name with the English superlative suffix “-est,” representing both the music that is most characteristic of him and who he is at the youngest point of his life. He also described the album’s unusually long track list as part of that identity. “A full-length album usually has 10 to 12 songs, but I think adding something extra is more like Young K,” he said. “I wanted it to contain different textures that might make people say, ‘He is changing again?’ or ‘He does this kind of music too?’” Young K also addressed recurring feedback that his music lacked a darker or more abrasive edge. “I’ve heard that I’m ‘nice’ or ‘good’ and that my music is missing some ‘badness,’” he said. “Rather than expressing bad as bad, I borrowed the concept of good and evil. Since evil is already clearly expressed, I thought it would be better to make good feel more clearly like good.” That approach is reflected in “Shut The Door,” which deals with exhaustion toward the world and the pain of being hurt by someone once trusted. Rather than expressing those emotions through outright anger, the song places them over an upbeat rhythm and incorporates Young K’s characteristic wit and humor. The 15 tracks run for about 44 minutes and move across a range of musical styles and emotional tones, reflecting what Young K described as an effort to include everything he wanted to explore musically. Young K will open his solo tour, “YOUNGEST,” with three sold-out concerts at INSPIRE Arena in Incheon from Aug. 14 to 16. The tour will continue in Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Kuala Lumpur 2026-08-04 17:24:29 -
Great Books Series Surpasses 200 Titles, Emphasizing Slow Reading "I sometimes felt it was an order to create unreadable books," said Kim Eon-ho, CEO of Hangilsa, during a press conference on August 4 at the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University in Seoul, marking the release of the 200th title in the Hangil Great Books series.Kim described the Hangil Great Books as "books made slowly and meant to be read slowly," emphasizing that they are published with the belief that they convey important messages that remain relevant.Founded in 1976, Hangilsa has worked to produce quality books under the belief that "one book can change a person and a society." This philosophy led Kim to ponder what ideas are necessary for today, prompting the launch of the long-term project Hangil Great Books in 1996.The series features faithful translations and commentaries of classics and significant works from various cultures and eras. It began with Alfred North Whitehead's The Adventure of Ideas and has included notable titles such as The Transformation of the Ordinary, Jerusalem's Eichmann, The Human Condition, Sad Tropics, Wild Thinking, and Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms. Translations have taken anywhere from three to over ten years.After years of dedicated effort, the series reached its 200th title last month with the publication of Capitalism in the Age of the Anthropocene, a milestone achieved 30 years after the first volume was released. In total, 1 million copies have been published.Kim noted, "Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye," adding that the achievement of 200 titles reflects not just the capabilities of a single publisher but the strength of society as a whole. He credited the consistent efforts of Hangilsa, the dedication of translators, and the readers who embraced the classics.Some books have gained renewed attention in light of contemporary issues. Jerusalem's Eichmann garnered significant interest during the candlelight protests in 2016-2017 for its exploration of the "banality of evil." Additionally, during a time when translations from Japanese were common, key classics like Feudal Society were translated directly from the original texts.However, many titles in the Hangil Great Books series are not commercially viable. Kim acknowledged that publishing such works posed business risks, yet he reflected that titles like Jerusalem's Eichmann provided crucial insights for observing today's society, which allowed the series to continue.In light of the rise of artificial intelligence, Kim emphasized the importance of humanities and reading. He remarked, "There are claims that AI will solve everything, but to creatively navigate the AI era, reading physical books becomes even more important." He predicted that the ability to ask questions will become increasingly vital in the AI age, stating that "developing the power to question is possible through reading."Choi Myung-yong, who attended the event as a representative of readers, shared that the Great Books series has helped him develop a deeper understanding of social issues. He expressed that the journey of thought from the first volume, The Adventure of Ideas, to the 200th title has been moving, allowing him to encounter fragments of thought that traverse both Eastern and Western philosophies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 17:24:00
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Cheap currencies bring two neighbors closer than ever SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Cheap currencies, short flights and a growing fascination with each other's culture are bringing South Koreans and Japanese closer than at any time in decades, quietly reshaping one of Asia's most complicated relationships one weekend trip at a time. For 23-year-old South Korean college student Kim Yi-hyun, the favorite destination over the past year has been Japan. "As a student, I don't have much money," Kim said. "Japan is close, affordable and has so many things I like." Across the Korea Strait, 33-year-old Tokyo resident Takuya Emonato has been making the journey in the opposite direction. He has visited Seoul, Busan and Jeju and frequently travels to South Korea with his girlfriend for its nightlife, cosmetics and food. They are already planning another trip this winter for a ski holiday. "Korea is fun, joyful and very lively," Emonato said. "A lot of places stay open late, and the cosmetics scene is crazy. My girlfriend goes wild." Historical grievances have long defined relations between South Korea and Japan. Colonial-era disputes, wartime history and competing claims over the Dokdo islets still periodically inflame politics, while sporting contests often rekindle old rivalries. Yet those tensions are increasingly absent from the travel experiences of younger generations, who are crossing the Korea Strait in record numbers. Several forces have converged this year. Weak exchange rates have made travel more affordable on both sides, while higher fuel costs have pushed up long-haul airfares. At the same time, Japan's shopping, food and anime culture and South Korea's K-pop, beauty products and nightlife have given young travelers more reasons than ever to cross the narrow stretch of sea separating the two countries. To a growing share of younger people, the neighboring country is becoming less defined by politics and history than by restaurants, concerts, cosmetics, character stores and weekend getaways. A Korea-Japan public opinion survey released Aug. 3 by the East Asia Institute and the International House of Japan found that 54.3 percent of South Koreans held a favorable view of Japan, the highest level since the survey began in 2013 and up from 52.4 percent a year earlier. Japanese favorability toward South Korea remained lower but rose much more sharply, climbing 10.5 percentage points from 24.8 percent to 35.3 percent. The survey covered 3,099 adults in the two countries between July 17 and 21. The figures do not show equal levels of affection. Only about one in three Japanese respondents viewed South Korea favorably. What stands out is that sentiment improved simultaneously on both sides. A separate survey by Hankook Ilbo and Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun found that respondents aged 18 to 29 held the most favorable views of the other country in both nations, suggesting younger generations are driving much of the change. The same poll also found relatively unfavorable views of South Korea among supporters of Japan's emerging right-wing parties, underscoring that the improvement is neither universal nor immune to political tensions. The shift in sentiment has coincided with a tourism boom. South Koreans made 5.68 million visits to Japan in the first half of 2026, up 18.6 percent from a year earlier and the largest number among all foreign visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Travel in the opposite direction is also rising. South Korea welcomed about 940,000 Japanese visitors in the first quarter, up 20.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Currency has helped fuel the trend, particularly for South Koreans. The cost of 100 yen briefly fell below 890 won in late July, reinforcing Japan's appeal as an inexpensive destination just a short flight away. But exchange rates alone cannot explain why travelers keep returning. Lee Hoon, a professor at Hanyang University's Graduate School of International Tourism, said travelers generally choose destinations in two stages. Affordability, safety and cleanliness determine whether a country is considered a realistic destination, while food, culture, entertainment and distinctive neighborhoods determine whether people actually want to visit. "Exchange rates and travel costs create the basis for choosing a country people can afford to visit," Lee said. "But a destination needs cultural content and tourism appeal to become somewhere people genuinely want to go." Geography reinforces both factors. Neighboring countries naturally generate large tourism flows because they are easier and cheaper to reach, Lee said, pointing to travel among the United States, Canada and Mexico. The recent acceleration between South Korea and Japan, however, is also being driven by younger travelers and growing Japanese interest in Korean culture. BTS is one part of that attraction, Lee said, but only one element of a broader ecosystem that includes Korean music, food, cosmetics, television dramas and digital entertainment. Both countries' reputations for safety, efficient public transportation and digital convenience have also made travel easier and more appealing for young visitors. Kim initially chose Japan because it was close and affordable, but she kept returning for its character stores, food and sense of safety. Although she had heard reports of Korean tourists facing hostility, she said she had never experienced it herself. Restaurant staff often handed her Korean-language menus after realizing where she was from, making her feel welcome. Emonato recalled a similar experience in South Korea. During one visit, his phone battery died while he was trying to find a railway station. A stranger walking in the opposite direction stopped, walked him to the station and recommended other places to visit along the way. "I don't think he helped me because I spoke English," Emonato said. "I think he was just genuinely kind." He also said he felt comfortable walking around Seoul late at night with his girlfriend because of the city's busy streets and visible police presence. For South Koreans, Japan's appeal extends beyond sightseeing to character goods, anime merchandise, model kits and the vast selection at retailers such as Don Quijote, which has no real equivalent in South Korea. For Japanese consumers, South Korea has become synonymous with beauty products and digital entertainment. Korean cosmetics accounted for 30.8 percent of Japan's imported cosmetics market in 2025, keeping South Korea in first place for a fourth consecutive year after overtaking France in 2022, according to the Japan Cosmetic Importers' Association. Korean brands captured 43.3 percent of Japan's imported skincare market. Japan is also South Korea's largest overseas market for webtoons, accounting for 49.5 percent of exports, ahead of North America at 21 percent and Greater China at 13 percent, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency. The numbers do not prove that tourism alone has improved public sentiment, nor do warmer opinion polls erase historical and territorial disputes that can quickly return to the center of bilateral relations. But they do point to a quieter transformation beneath official diplomacy. Increasingly, young South Koreans and Japanese are discovering each other not through history textbooks or political rhetoric, but through weekend flights, cosmetics counters, anime shops, K-pop concerts, neighborhood restaurants and ordinary acts of kindness. Sometimes the shortest distance between two countries is not measured in kilometers, but in curiosity. 2026-08-04 17:23:24 -
From princesses to students, conscription makes a global comeback SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, together with growing doubts about U.S. security guarantees, are driving a global revival of military conscription as governments conclude that technology alone cannot supply enough soldiers for a prolonged conflict. Royalty is no exception. Princess Isabella, second in line to the Danish throne, made international headlines on Monday when she reported to a military barracks in Slagelse to begin 11 months of military service, joining about 1,600 recruits in the first intake under Denmark's expanded conscription system. The 19-year-old princess will serve with the Guard Hussar Regiment as Denmark lengthens compulsory military service from four months to 11 months and extends conscription liability to women for the first time. Copenhagen plans to increase annual conscription from about 5,000 recruits to 7,500 by 2033. The new recruits will undergo five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service. Denmark is also introducing specialized tracks, including a drone platoon under its Special Operations Command, illustrating how modern militaries are pairing advanced technology with larger manpower requirements. Later this month, Denmark plans to deploy conscripts to Greenland for the first time. More than 100 soldiers are expected to spend a month there performing operational duties previously handled by professional troops. The move reflects growing concern over Russia and Arctic security, while also highlighting tensions with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in bringing the semi-autonomous Danish territory under U.S. control. Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea. Europe has become the epicenter of the broader shift. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has forced governments to reconsider whether the relatively small professional militaries built after the Cold War can generate enough troops and reserves to sustain a prolonged war. An analysis by the European Parliamentary Research Service found that conscription has increasingly returned to European and global policy debates since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The war has exposed a hard lesson for military planners: drones, artificial intelligence and precision weapons can transform the battlefield, but they cannot replace soldiers. "Lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine have shown that technology cannot replace head counts," Carnegie Endowment researchers Sophia Besch and Katrine Westgaard wrote, noting that Ukraine has struggled to recruit enough troops to match Russia's mobilization while European militaries have long grappled with recruitment and retention problems. The scale of the conflict underscores the challenge. A July 2026 estimate by the Center for Strategic and International Studies put combined Russian and Ukrainian military casualties at more than 2 million, while Ukraine sought around 2 million large-caliber artillery rounds for 2025 alone. NATO's renewed emphasis on territorial defense has only intensified demand for manpower. Unlike the smaller overseas missions that shaped many European militaries after the Cold War, the alliance's regional defense plans assume a prolonged conflict requiring substantially larger numbers of active-duty personnel and reservists. "We are in collective defense and likely in an attrition war that requires way more manpower than we currently have," a senior NATO official told The Associated Press. Questions over the future scale of U.S. military support have added further urgency. A joint study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute estimated that Europe would need roughly 50 additional brigades to replace the combat capability the United States could provide during a major conflict. The researchers estimated Europe could require 300,000 additional troops and at least 250 billion euros in extra annual defense spending to deter Russian aggression in the near term. Public interest in military service also appears to be recovering in parts of Europe. All 1,600 recruits entering Denmark's new 11-month program this month volunteered, according to the Danish military. Germany received about 56,000 military-service applications in 2025, up 9 percent from a year earlier, while new enlistments rose 23 percent to around 25,000, the strongest result since conscription was suspended in 2011. The Netherlands has likewise reported growing interest in reserve service, helped by the highly publicized participation of Crown Princess Amalia. South Korea presents a different challenge. Unlike much of Europe, it never abandoned conscription. Instead, the country is confronting a rapidly shrinking pool of military-age men as its record-low birth rate collides with growing security demands. South Korea has maintained compulsory military service for more than seven decades, beginning with the Military Service Act of 1949 and reinforcing the system during and after the Korean War. Men are registered for military service in the year they turn 18 and generally undergo physical examinations at 19 before being assigned to active duty or other forms of service based on their physical classification. Army service currently lasts 18 months. The demographic squeeze has fueled debate over a more selective volunteer system, greater reliance on technically skilled noncommissioned officers and whether women should eventually be included in compulsory service. The Defense Ministry is simultaneously pursuing a more manpower-efficient force built around artificial intelligence, manned-unmanned teaming, professional personnel and stronger reserve forces. Yet Ukraine's experience has underscored the limits of relying on technology alone. For many young South Korean men, military service is also a career decision. Male students in medicine, dentistry, Korean medicine and veterinary medicine who postpone enlistment may later serve for about three years as commissioned medical or veterinary officers. Because ordinary Army service lasts 18 months, some choose to enlist before graduation to complete their obligation sooner. Kim Jae-hyun, a 26-year-old veterinary medicine student at Kangwon National University, was one of them. "I entered university after taking the college entrance exam three times, so I felt that graduating and then serving another three years as a veterinary officer would set me back too much," Kim said. "My parents agreed. I knew enlisted service might be more physically demanding, but I wanted to finish my obligation as quickly as possible." Even then, he questioned the cost. "Even though I served only a year and a half, it still felt like lost time," he said. "It felt like a waste." That tension between recognizing the need for national defense and accepting its personal cost extends well beyond South Korea. A 2025 Ipsos survey across 30 countries found that 52 percent of respondents supported mandatory military service for young people. Yet only 48 percent said they would personally participate in formal military training to prepare for a foreign invasion. Support for compulsory service reached 76 percent in Malaysia, 73 percent in Singapore and 68 percent in South Korea, but fell to 35 percent in the United States and just 17 percent in Japan. South Koreans also showed relatively strong personal willingness to train, at 62 percent, compared with 39 percent in the United States and 32 percent in Japan. The findings highlight the dilemma confronting governments across the world. After decades of shrinking armies while investing heavily in increasingly sophisticated weapons, prolonged wars are reminding defense planners that deterrence ultimately depends not only on drones, missiles and artificial intelligence, but also on having enough people willing—or required—to fight. Governments are rediscovering the value of manpower. Whether their citizens are equally prepared to make the sacrifice remains the more difficult question. 2026-08-04 17:23:08