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  • As AI Models Surge, South Korea Struggles with Safety Evaluations
    As AI Models Surge, South Korea Struggles with Safety Evaluations Top executives from major U.S. tech companies have been warning about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), leading to increased demands for safety evaluations of frontier models. In South Korea, the AI Safety Research Institute is responsible for these evaluations, but it is struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of models due to insufficient infrastructure.According to the AI Safety Research Institute, it is currently using 16 NVIDIA H200 graphics processing units (GPUs) to assess the safety of AI models introduced in the country.The latest AI models undergo safety verification after being subjected to approximately 900 to 1,500 complex tasks. With the 16 H200 units available, evaluating a single model takes 7 to 10 days. The token cost for running a benchmark once amounts to 50 to 60 million won.In March, the institute evaluated six models, including Claude, but this number increased to 11 last month. The pace of new frontier models being released exceeds 10 per month, making it difficult to keep up.Kim Myung-joo, head of the AI Safety Research Institute and a professor at Seoul Women's University, stated, "There is a surge in demand for evaluations," adding that they are renting commercial cloud sessions to secure additional computing resources when needed.Due to the lack of infrastructure, the institute is prioritizing the evaluation of models that are sensitive to security and safety. There are increasing instances of AI models being used in the domestic market without proper safety verification.Currently, the model prioritized for evaluation is the frontier-level model 'GLM 5.3' developed by China's Zhipu AI. The recent circulation of a modified version of GLM 5.3, which has had its safety mechanisms removed, has raised concerns about potential misuse.Models with removed safety features could generate software vulnerabilities or attack codes that a normal AI should refuse to answer. This poses risks not only for cyberattacks but also for disseminating dangerous information in the fields of chemistry and biology. The institute is examining how far these models respond to hazardous requests.The safety institute has also begun evaluating the frontier model 'Astra,' recently released by OpenAI. Kim noted, "Multiple model evaluations are underway simultaneously, so it may take time for results to emerge."Experts point out that relying solely on 16 H200 units limits the comprehensive assessment of the safety of Astra-level frontier models. They argue that to conduct red teaming and real-time monitoring beyond simple question-and-answer evaluations, models and computing resources at a similar level to the evaluation targets are necessary.Choi Byung-ho, a research professor at Korea University’s AI Research Institute, emphasized, "Safety research requires as many resources as research aimed at improving model performance," adding that not only GPUs but also the power and space to operate them, along with evaluation frameworks, are essential. He further stated, "Since it is difficult to evaluate with just one model, a multi-model evaluation utilizing available resources such as APIs and open-source models is also necessary."Meanwhile, the debate over the speed of AI development and safety continues in the global AI industry. According to reports, senior officials from the Trump administration met with senior executives from Anthropic on September 15 to discuss AI safety issues.Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, argued that the pace of AI development should be slowed to allow time for enhancing safety measures, while former President Donald Trump opposed this view, citing competition with China as a reason to maintain speed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:32:10
  • National Railroad Corporation Unveils BASE Management Policy for Future Planning
    National Railroad Corporation Unveils 'BASE' Management Policy for Future Planning The National Railroad Corporation is set to embark on initiatives aimed at becoming a leading agency in future transportation systems.On September 16, the National Railroad Corporation announced its new management policy, 'BASE' (Building the future with Basics and Principles), reflecting the management philosophy of Chairman Jeong Jin-hyeok.'B·A·S·E' stands for Best Safety, Accountable Fairness, Systematic Field, and Evolving Mobility.This policy encapsulates the vision emphasized by Chairman Jeong during his inauguration on September 1, where he pledged to prioritize safety as the foremost value while ensuring the agency operates based on fundamentals and principles.The National Railroad Corporation plans to make safety the top criterion in all decision-making processes, utilizing AI and data to predict and respond to potential risks. A comprehensive safety information-sharing system will be established throughout all phases of railroad operations.By building a decision-making framework based on principles, procedures, and systems, the agency aims to enhance fairness across its operations and foster a transparent organizational culture free from favoritism and exceptions, thereby practicing accountable management.The agency will incorporate feedback from stakeholders into its decision-making processes and will oversee the timely execution of railroad projects from planning to launch. It also plans to develop infrastructure for future mobility hubs and proactively advance new technologies.Chairman Jeong stated, "Establishing the basics and principles is the first step toward creating a railroad that earns the trust of the public. Based on this management policy, we will enhance the agency's execution capabilities and strive to deliver results that the public can feel."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:32:00
  • Kyeryong Construction Donates 100 Million Won to Support Veterans Housing
    Kyeryong Construction Donates 100 Million Won to Support Veterans' Housing Kyeryong Construction has provided funding to improve the living conditions of veterans who have dedicated their lives to the nation.On September 16, Kyeryong Construction Chairman Lee Seung-chan presented a donation of 100 million won to Major General Lee Woo-hun, the Army Personnel Command, during a ceremony held at the Mugunghwa Hall in Gyeryong City, South Chungcheong Province.The "Love for the Country Housing Project" aims to enhance the living conditions of veterans from the Korean War and the Vietnam War who are living in poor housing environments. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Army, welfare organizations, and private companies. Kyeryong Construction was the first private company to participate in this initiative in 2011 and has contributed 100 million won annually.This year, the project will support the construction and renovation of homes for four domestic veteran families. Additionally, it will assist two Ethiopian veterans of the Korean War in improving their living conditions. The program will also provide monthly rent support to 114 low-income veteran families residing in rental housing.Chairman Lee expressed his happiness in being able to assist the national heroes, stating, "I am glad to provide some help to the veterans who have dedicated themselves to the country. I hope that respect and recognition for national veterans will spread widely in our society, leading to increased social interest and support."In addition to the Love for the Country Housing Project, Kyeryong Construction also participates in the "Hope Sharing Campaign," which donates funds to help those in need each year, provides scholarships to nurture local talent, and offers support for recovery efforts during disasters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:32:00
  • Former Edison Motors Chairman Kang Young-kwon Acquitted of Fraud Charges
    Former Edison Motors Chairman Kang Young-kwon Acquitted of Fraud Charges 100 billion won fraud charges against Kang Young-kwon, former chairman of Edison Motors, have been dismissed.According to legal sources on September 16, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 14-2, presided over by judges Lee Hyun-woo, Jeong Kyung-geun, and Lee Hyung-geun, upheld the not guilty verdict for Kang, who faced charges of violating the Specific Economic Crimes Act (fraud), similar to the first trial. A former director of Edison Motors, Cha, who was also indicted, was acquitted.The ruling was finalized on August 21 after the prosecution chose not to appeal.Kang and others were accused of defrauding a total of 10 billion won from the Small and Medium Business Corporation and venture capital firms between 2018 and 2022 under the pretense of launching electric trucks and developing new motors.The first trial found them not guilty, stating, "Edison Motors had been planning mass production of electric trucks since around 2017 and had made concrete efforts to secure the market by collaborating with a Chinese company possessing relevant technology. The estimated sales figures and revenue projections could vary due to various future circumstances, so failing to achieve them does not necessarily indicate fraud."The court further explained, "There is no evidence of deceptive conduct, and considering the defendants' actions and the progress of the business, it is difficult to establish intent to deceive."The second trial also deemed the original ruling valid and rejected the prosecution's appeal.Meanwhile, Kang is separately facing charges for allegedly inflating Edison Motors' stock price through false disclosures while pursuing the acquisition of Ssangyong Motor, resulting in a profit of 162.1 billion won. He received a three-year prison sentence in the first trial and is currently appealing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:28:00
  • SK hynix Selects Five Outstanding Inventions to Enhance Next-Generation Memory Technology
    SK hynix Selects Five Outstanding Inventions to Enhance Next-Generation Memory Technology SK hynix has selected five outstanding inventions from joint research with universities that can enhance the competitiveness of next-generation memory technology. The aim is to discover industry-academia research achievements that can lead to actual product development, such as high-speed memory interfaces and next-generation memory electrodes, to secure future technologies.On September 16, SK hynix held the '2026 Industry-Academia Research Project Outstanding Invention Awards' at its Icheon campus. Since 2013, the company has awarded inventions with high technological performance and patent value from joint research projects each year. This year, it reviewed 26 industry-academia patents filed last year, selecting one grand prize, one excellence award, and three encouragement awards.The grand prize was awarded to Professor Choi Woo-seok of Seoul National University for his patent on 'Circuit Design for Next-Generation Multi-Level Signal Transmission.' This technology reduces power noise that occurs during the rapid and efficient data exchange between operational chips and memory, enhancing the stability of high-speed data transmission. Its potential has been recognized as memory interface speeds become increasingly important with the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.The excellence award went to Professor Kim Hyung-jun of Yonsei University for his technology on controlling the characteristics of electrode materials and devices for next-generation memory. This technology allows for the control of electrode and device characteristics by adjusting process conditions without the need for separate materials or complex additional processes. It has been evaluated for its high level of completeness, having been validated at the actual device level for application in product development.The encouragement awards were given to Professor Hwang Cheol-seong of Seoul National University for his vertical SOM cell deposition process, Professor Choi Byung-jun of Seoul Tech for his precursor and process for next-generation memory, and Professor Han Jae-deok of Hanyang University for his patents on UFS 5.0 and next-generation M-PHY high-speed interface circuits.Cha Seon-yong, head of SK hynix's Future Technology Research Institute, stated, "We expect that the outstanding patents discovered through industry-academia collaboration will contribute to enhancing the technological competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry. We will continue to provide active support to ensure that challenging and innovative research can be conducted actively."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:28:00
  • Indonesia Faces Worst Wildfires in 11 Years, Disrupting Air Travel
    Indonesia Faces Worst Wildfires in 11 Years, Disrupting Air Travel Indonesia is experiencing widespread wildfires exacerbated by the dry season and El Niño. The thick haze generated by the fires is causing a surge in respiratory illnesses and disrupting air travel. The haze has spread beyond neighboring Malaysia and Singapore to the Philippines.According to Yonhap News Agency, the Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that approximately 12.5 million people have been exposed to smoke from wildfires in seven provinces on Borneo and Sumatra. The number of respiratory illness cases rose from 50,891 on September 1 to 113,336 on September 9, more than doubling in just eight days.The scale of the wildfire damage is significant. The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry stated that from January to July this year, 202,000 hectares of land were burned, roughly three times the area of Seoul. Local environmental groups estimate that an additional 600,000 hectares burned in August alone.Reuters reported that this year's wildfire situation is the worst in 11 years, attributed to the effects of a so-called 'super El Niño' since 2015. The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry explained that drought caused by El Niño and human-induced ignition are the main causes of the surge in wildfires.In fact, the thick haze is disrupting daily life. According to the Associated Press, Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan on Borneo, has been shrouded in thick haze since September 11, with visibility dropping below 1 kilometer. Flight operations have been disrupted for several days due to the haze, and firefighting efforts are also facing challenges due to poor visibility.The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry recently reported a significant decrease in hotspots related to wildfires in Central and West Kalimantan. However, wildfires continue in various areas of Kalimantan, and the haze has thickened in Pontianak due to smoke drifting in from other regions.The haze has crossed Indonesia's borders. Yonhap News Agency reported that Singapore recently recorded unhealthy air quality levels for the first time since September 2019. The Associated Press also noted that smoke has traveled over 800 kilometers to the Philippines, while Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo declared a state of emergency due to deteriorating air quality.The Indonesian government is providing 1 million masks and hundreds of oxygen concentrators to affected areas and deploying medical personnel. Countries including Japan, the United States, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine are also assisting firefighting efforts with aircraft and equipment. 2026-09-16 17:24:10
  • From Reactive Support to Universal Prevention: Integrating Student-Centered Support in Schools
    From Reactive Support to Universal Prevention: Integrating Student-Centered Support in Schools The Student-Centered Integrated Support (SCIS) system is evolving from reliance on individual teacher dedication to a comprehensive approach focused on universal prevention and data-driven systems. On September 16, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held a consulting session titled '2026 Student-Centered Integrated Support Leading Schools Consulting,' attended by over 40 teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools in Seoul. The event aimed to share practical insights and experiences from leading schools, moving away from one-sided guidance to a collaborative exploration of systematic models addressing real concerns in school settings.Seoul Education Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik: "SCIS is a key system for revitalizing classrooms and supporting teacher fulfillment"Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of leading school staff and emphasized the importance of sustaining the policy. He stated, "Unlike various policies that have previously struggled to connect with school realities, SCIS is a system that can restore classroom culture facing collapse and drive meaningful change in schools. I am grateful for the three years of operation at leading schools and will continue to support growth through consulting and community collaboration."Teacher Jang Min-kyung: "From case-based support to a systematic approach... the foundation of tailored support is strong universal assistance and school transformation"As the first presenter in the 'SCIS Seminar: Adding Depth' session, Jang Min-kyung from Singok Elementary School highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in support systems. Jang noted, "As we enter the second year of leading schools, the increased recognition has led to an overwhelming number of requests, with one school receiving up to 100 cases, causing staff overload. We need to transition from merely widening the intake funnel to a multi-layered system (universal support, additional intervention, intensive support) that remains consistent even with personnel changes." She pointed out that the bottleneck in SCIS exists not only after referrals but also before them, proposing universal prevention at the classroom level as a solution. Jang emphasized, "The more we stress customization, the more we think of individual support, but the most sustainable tailored support begins in schools with strong universal assistance," highlighting the importance of social-emotional education for all students. She added, "Leading schools create roles not outlined in job descriptions, connect dispersed individuals, and elevate 'individual teacher issues' to 'organizational issues.' Schools must transition from case-based to systematic support, from individuals to processes, from post-referral to pre-referral, and from reactive support to prevention."Teacher Shin Chang-yong: "Establishing behavior rules and accumulating K-ODR data... school violence cases reduced from 26 to 5"As the second presenter, Shin Chang-yong from Chungam Middle School shared specific outcomes from implementing positive behavior support (SWPBS) and data-driven practices. Shin described a crisis situation before the introduction of SWPBS in 2024, where Chungam Middle School (with 843 students across 30 classes) faced 26 incidents of school violence, and teachers managed an average of 8.9 parent contacts daily. In 2025, the school adopted a multi-layered prevention model, establishing three classroom rules and three space-specific rules through class meetings and voting with all students. These rules were visually shared throughout the school via 48 banners, newsletters, and a music video featuring AI-generated rules. Additionally, the school implemented the Korean-style problem behavior recording system, K-ODR, to meticulously track specific situations, student responses, teacher interventions, behavioral patterns, and time and place. Weekly self-assessments and individual and group reinforcement were also conducted. The 'Character Sports League,' linked to eligibility criteria (fewer than 8 penalty points, fewer than 2 K-ODR incidents), and small group mediation programs for the bottom 20% of students were also initiated. According to Shin, as a result, the number of school violence cases plummeted from 26 to 5, and repeat offenses by the same students significantly decreased. He added that this year, students are encouraged to self-assess their status daily and track their growth through points and levels, with cumulative data linked to the newly developed 'Jaram App' enhancing the system further.Following the presentations by the two teachers, group discussions by school levels took place, leading to in-depth discussions on tailored support and the development of SCIS. 2026-09-16 17:24:00
  • Council Member Lee Jeong-woon Calls for Review of Budget Cuts Affecting Resident Participation
    Council Member Lee Jeong-woon Calls for Review of Budget Cuts Affecting Resident Participation The Gwangju Integrated Special City has faced criticism for completely cutting local funding for the 'Citizen Participation Policy Group' due to the central government's suspension of national funding. This decision may weaken the initial function of gathering resident feedback during the integration process.On September 15, Lee Jeong-woon, a council member representing Muan 2, questioned the appropriateness of the budget cuts and the transition of the policy group to a non-budgeted project during a review of the supplementary budget by the Administrative Safety Committee.The Citizen Participation Policy Group is a resident participation system aimed at identifying inconveniences faced by citizens in their daily lives and suggesting policy improvements.Lee stated, "The Citizen Participation Policy Group is not merely a group that uses public facilities; it plays a crucial role in monitoring citizens' real-life inconveniences and directly reflecting them in policies. At this critical time for discovering various initiatives and gathering resident opinions following the launch of the integrated special city, it is necessary to reconsider the decision to cut related budgets and neglect its operation."He specifically criticized the administration's response of cutting local funding solely because national funding was halted.Lee Jeong-woon emphasized, "We need to examine whether it is appropriate to convert projects to non-budgeted status or halt them without securing even a small amount of local funding just because national funding has ceased. If necessary, we should allocate city funds to ensure that the participation group can effectively operate and enhance its functions."In response, Kim Dong-hyun, the Director of Autonomous Policy, explained that the project is a nationwide initiative led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and is currently being operated in a non-budgeted form.Kim stated that the city will comprehensively review the potential for collaboration with similar citizen participation groups, the possibility of functional overlap, and the effectiveness of the project before deciding on its inclusion in next year's main budget.Lee reiterated the need for a communication channel to convey the diverse opinions of residents from Jeonnam and Gwangju, especially during the early stages of the integrated special city.He asserted, "To gather various voices from different regions and strengthen communication during the initial integration phase, the role of citizen participation organizations like the Citizen Participation Policy Group must be maintained, and practical operational measures should be established."Additionally, during the review of the budget and supplementary budget at this regular session, Lee is ensuring that the administrative changes following the launch of the integrated special city do not lead to inconveniences for residents by examining the necessity of projects and their impact on the community.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:24:00
  • Korean Bar Association Hosts Symposium on Tailored Legal Aid
    Korean Bar Association Hosts Symposium on Tailored Legal Aid The Korean Bar Association, led by President Kim Jung-wook, and the Korean Bar Association Legal Aid Foundation, chaired by Lee Moon-han, announced that they will co-host a symposium on September 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the third seminar room of the National Assembly. The event, titled 'Strengthening the Public Role of Legal Aid Foundations and Development Tasks,' will feature lawmakers Kim Han-kyu of the Democratic Party and Kwak Kyu-taek of the People Power Party.This symposium aims to highlight the unique significance and strengths of private legal aid foundations in light of the growing demand for diverse legal support and the need for specialized legal assistance. It will also explore the differentiated roles of these foundations compared to public legal aid institutions and seek sustainable development directions.The symposium will be chaired by attorney Kim Sung-woo, the research director of the Legal Aid Foundation. Professor Jang Bo-eun from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will present on 'Establishing the Role and Development Plans of Private Legal Aid Foundations for Tailored Legal Aid.'Additionally, attorney Kim Ki-young, the first planning director of the Korean Bar Association, will discuss 'Essential Conditions for Activating Private Legal Aid: Recommendations for Establishing a Fair Compensation System and Training Professionals.' This presentation will assess the direction and development plans for private legal aid foundations and strategies for enhancing private legal aid.Following these presentations, a panel discussion will feature attorney So Ra-mi, a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission; attorney Yeom Hyung-guk, chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Seoul Bar Association; attorney Oh Seung-yeon, secretary-general of the Legal Aid Foundation; attorney Kim Ki-won, senior vice president of the Seoul Bar Association; and attorney Jeong Soo-kyung from the law firm Jihyero. They will engage in in-depth discussions centered on insights and challenges derived from past legal aid activities.President Kim Jung-wook stated, 'Recently, the demand for legal aid in our society has diversified, and there is a growing call for more specialized legal support. I will take the valuable insights presented at this symposium to heart, further solidifying the public mission of lawyers and diligently fulfilling our responsibilities.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 17:24:00
  • Coupang rejects proposal to compensate data breach victims
    Coupang rejects proposal to compensate data breach victims SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korea's e-commerce giant Coupang has rejected a proposal by the country's consumer watchdog to compensate customers affected by a massive data breach last year. According to industry sources on Wednesday, Coupang notified the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission under the Korea Consumer Agency last Friday that it would not accept the proposal. In a reccomdation which is not leggoiung bining, the commission in late July urged that Coupang should pay 100,000 won (US$70) in compensation to each of the 50 consumers who filed a collective action in December last year over the breach, which exposed the sensitive personal information of tens of millions of users. In a nonbinding recommendation in late July, the commission urged Coupang to pay 100,000 won (US$70) in compensation to each of the 50 consumers who filed a collective action in December last year over the breach, which exposed the sensitive personal information of tens of millions of users. Coupang said it carefully reviewed the proposal and concluded that it would be difficult to accept. The company said accepting it could require compensation for all affected users including those who did not participate in the collective action, meaning that its total payout could reach about 3.7 trillion won based on the estimated 37.56 million people affected by the breach. Consumer groups and other activists held a press conference later in the day criticizing Coupang's decision, saying affected customers would seek additional compensation through civil lawsuits. Coupang suffered a massive data breach in November last year that exposed personal information from about 37.56 million users. The leaked data included names, email addresses, home addresses and sensitive information such as order histories. AJP Takeaways - Coupang rejected a nonbinding compensation recommendation from South Korea's Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission to pay 100,000 won (US$70) to each of 50 consumers who filed a collective action over the data breach. - Accepting the recommendation could have led to a much larger payout, as Coupang said it could be required to compensate all affected users, potentially bringing the total to about 3.7 trillion won based on 37.56 million affected users. - The November data breach exposed sensitive customer information, including names, email addresses, home addresses and order histories, while consumer groups said affected customers would seek additional compensation through civil lawsuits. 2026-09-16 17:23:08