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Ferry runs aground after navigator distracted by phone, initial investigation suggests SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The navigator of a passenger ferry carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members was distracted by his phone, causing the vessel to run aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight coastguards said Thursday. Initial investigations revealed that he failed to switch from autopilot to manual control while passing through a narrow passage, leading to the accident. The 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II departed from the southern resort island of Jeju at 4:45 p.m. the previous day and ran aground near Sinan in South Jeolla Province at around 8:17 p.m., becoming stranded. Preliminary findings indicate that the navigator's negligence caused the ferry to miss a critical turn, leading to its collision with the islet. Vessels usually do not rely on autopilot in the area, as it requires extra caution. Authorities plan to pursue criminal charges against those responsible for the accident. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 10:49:55 -
Naver-Dunamu merger heads to board vote, poised to form fintech powerhouse SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Naver’s planned merger with Dunamu, the operator of cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, is gaining traction amid a shifting regulatory climate — potentially clearing the way for one of the most significant tie-ups in Korea’s fintech history. According to industry officials, Naver Financial and Dunamu will convene board meetings on Nov. 26 to approve a proposed stock swap that would effectively combine the two companies under a single corporate structure. Once the boards sign off, the merger will be finalized at an upcoming shareholders’ meeting. Under the proposed terms, one Dunamu share would be exchanged for three Naver Financial shares, making Dunamu a wholly owned subsidiary of Naver Financial. Naver would serve as the new parent company. Dunamu Chairman Song Chi-hyung is expected to emerge as the largest shareholder of the combined entity, with Naver becoming the second-largest. The merger is designed to leverage Naver’s vast platform ecosystem and Song’s leadership in digital finance to drive global fintech expansion, signaling Dunamu’s growing weight in Naver’s long-term financial strategy. The deal initially raised questions over whether it would violate Korea’s “separation of finance and cryptocurrency” principle. However, regulators are reportedly inclined to view Naver Financial as a big-tech fintech operator rather than a conventional financial institution, a distinction that could allow the merger to proceed. The government’s broader shift toward easing cryptocurrency regulations to strengthen global fintech competitiveness is also seen as supporting the transaction. If completed, the merger could produce one of South Korea’s most comprehensive digital finance platforms by integrating Naver Pay’s large-scale payment network with Upbit’s cryptocurrency trading services and blockchain capabilities. The combined entity would span payments, investments, digital asset management, and crypto custody services. Naver’s ambitions in stablecoin issuance and unlisted stock trading — recently signaled through regulatory filings — could also accelerate through Dunamu’s blockchain expertise and Naver’s global footprint, including platforms such as Line. Significant hurdles remain. The merger must secure approval from two-thirds of shareholders and pass scrutiny from the Fair Trade Commission, which is expected to examine potential market dominance issues. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 10:30:16 -
Passenger ferry pulled off after running aground SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - A passenger ferry that ran aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight was brought to a nearby port early Thursday morning, about nine hours after the accident. According to coastguards, the 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II, was pulled off by four tugboats at around 5:40 a.m. in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, after all 246 passengers and 21 crew members on board were safely rescued. The vessel departed from the southern resort island of Jeju at 4:45 p.m. the previous day and ran aground near Sinan in the province at around 8:17 p.m., becoming stranded but sustaining no hull damage. All passengers were safely rescued, though some complained minor injuries or stress and were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported. Coastguards suspect negligence by the captain or crew may have caused the accident and plan to investigate using CCTV footage and voyage data recorders. Ferry operator Seaworld said it has suspended all services until the investigation and safety inspections are completed. 2025-11-20 10:11:08 -
Samsung narrowly steals back No. 1 DRAM rank from SK hynix Q3- CFM SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Samsung Electronics has narrowly reclaimed its No. 1 rank in global DRAM sales in the third quarter after yielding the position to its home rival SK hynix in the first half for the first time amid the surge in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand. The shift underscores rapidly strengthening DRAM prices due to frantic stockpiling of memory chips that power servers and a wide range of electronic devices, driven by fears of supply shortages as manufacturers prioritize output for AI servers, a latest market study showed. According to China Flash Market (CFM) data posted earlier this week, Samsung Electronics accounted for 34.8 percent of global DRAM sales in the third quarter, up 29.6 percent on quarter and edging SK hynix at 34.4 percent, whose quarterly gain slowed to 12.4 percent. Micron also logged a big of 27.1 percent, closely trailing in third place with a 22.4 percent share. The latest DRAM data mirrors a cut-throat market without the clear, decisive winner seen in past cycles, as AI reshapes the DRAM segment amid structural output shortages from hyperscale servers to laptops, intensified by growing demand for high-performance chips and sanctions on Chinese producers of legacy memory. The global DRAM market expanded 24.7 percent on quarter and 54 percent on year to $40.037 billion in the third quarter, while the NAND Flash market grew 16.8 percent to $18.422 billion. Combined, the semiconductor memory market reached a record $58.459 billion and is expected to continue its record-setting streak in the fourth quarter, the Chinese market watcher said. Both DRAM average selling prices and bit shipments increased in the past quarter, lifting quarterly revenues for all suppliers. Samsung returned to the No. 1 position, driven by an 85 percent quarter-on-quarter surge in HBM bit shipments and strong pricing in conventional DRAM, pushing its total DRAM revenue to a historic high. Chinese memory suppliers also accelerated capacity to offset the supply gap left by some competitors exiting older product lines, expanding their market presence amid rising prices. Samsung Electronics, which also produces smartphones, comfortably retained the top spot in the sales of NAND Flash powering mobile devices with a 29.1 percent share, followed by SK hynix at 19.2 percent and Japan’s Kioxia at 16.5 percent. Global NAND Flash revenue reached $18.422 billion in the third quarter, rising 16.8 percent on quarter but declining 3.1 percent on year. Although bit shipments continued to increase, rapid inventory reductions and migration to more advanced nodes have constrained output for some suppliers heading into the final quarter, the report said. 2025-11-20 10:07:19 -
AI becomes centerpiece of South Korea's military strategy SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s defense industry is increasingly positioning itself at the forefront of the global arms race, leaning heavily on artificial intelligence to offset shrinking troop numbers and to adapt to fast-changing warfare technologies. The shift has drawn in some of the country’s most powerful semiconductor companies, deepening ties between its tech and defense sectors. Industry officials say the military has begun widening its defense strategy by accelerating the adoption of advanced AI, with unmanned aerial vehicles accounting for nearly a third of all AI-related applications. Defense contractors are moving aggressively into next-generation unmanned combat systems. Those ambitions were on full display at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, known as ADEX 2025, where companies unveiled a slate of AI-driven systems. Kim Min-seok, vice president of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association, said the event marked a turning point, positioning South Korean AI technology as “a new trend in global defense.” Korea Aerospace Industries introduced its multipurpose unmanned aerial platform, known as the AAP, in its first public appearance. The aircraft demonstrated autonomous flight powered by “K-AILOT,” an AI pilot system that the company plans to integrate into major platforms, including the KF-21 fighter jet. KAI expects to conduct flight demonstrations with the AAP next year. The project is supported by Samsung Electronics, which is working on AI and radio-frequency semiconductors to advance so-called “K-on-device” AI chips. On the ground, militarized robotics are moving closer to operational use. LIG Nex1, which acquired the U.S.-based Ghost Robotics in 2023, has expanded into robotic “military dogs.” Hyundai Rotem, another major industrial player, delivered a quadruped robot to the Army last year and introduced the “Black Veil,” a hydrogen fuel cell-powered unmanned vehicle, at the exhibition. Hyundai Wia, meanwhile, showcased an AI-enabled remote weapons system designed to improve the efficiency of tactical vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group is also broadening its ambitions, aiming to assemble a defense portfolio that spans land, air and space. During the APEC summit in Gyeongju, the conglomerate secured 50,000 Nvidia GPUs to bolster its AI capabilities— resources that officials say could accelerate unmanned systems development across its defense subsidiaries. Hanwha Systems is working to strengthen synthetic aperture radar technology and is developing mobile ground-station shelters that can improve command resilience in the event of an attack. South Korean defense officials say these advances reflect a broader shift in military planning. Park Heung-soon, head of infrastructure operations at the Defense Computing Information Agency, warned that the future battlefield will be shaped by pandemics, geopolitical competition and rapid technological change. AI, he said, will play an essential role across software, data, drones and robotics. The global market appears to be moving in the same direction. According to Global Growth Insights, the military AI sector is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to more than $23 billion by 2034 — an annual increase of roughly 11 percent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 09:37:17 -
Putin's obsession with empire must end History occasionally presents moments when the world can see, with exceptional clarity, who is pushing it toward chaos and who is pulling it back from the brink. Today, that contrast is unmistakable. Donald Trump—despite the controversies surrounding him, despite the anger his tariff wars still provoke—has stunned the world by helping open a path toward a calmer Middle East. His aggressive pressure on Iran’s proxies and his unflinching stance against Hamas have done what years of diplomatic half-steps could not: they have exposed the militants’ brutality, disrupted their networks, and given the region its first glimmer of quiet in years. Even his willingness to explore mediation in the Ukraine war shows a recognition that global leadership demands engagement, not retreat. And while Trump is—undeniably—one of the most polarizing figures in the West, he has demonstrated something rare in the current geopolitical landscape: the capacity to force adversaries to recalculate. He has shown that unpredictability, when paired with resolve, can sometimes create openings where conventional diplomacy repeatedly failed. But there is one man who refuses to recalculate anything: Vladimir Putin. Putin’s war in Ukraine is not strategy. It is obsession. A futile, backward-looking attempt to resurrect the ghost of a Soviet empire that even Russians no longer genuinely desire. He has chained his nation to a fantasy—one built on stolen territories, silenced dissent, and the cynical rewriting of history. While Trump attempts to pull volatile regions toward negotiation, Putin drags Europe toward a darker era. While much of the world searches for a formula for peace, Putin clings to a delusion of conquest. His ambitions are not merely outdated; they are reckless, corrosive, and utterly detached from the needs of the Russian people. Under his rule, Russia has become a nation in decline - isolated by sanctions, drained by demographic collapse, censored into intellectual stagnation, dependent on China in ways unthinkable twenty years ago. Empires die slowly. But fantasies of empire die violently. The tragedy is that Russia could have chosen a different path. This is the country of Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky, of groundbreaking physicists, of pioneers who sent humanity into space. A nation this gifted does not need to steal land to prove its worth. It needs leadership that believes in its future instead of worshipping its past. Putin has become the single greatest obstacle to that future. The world has seen the contrast: Trump, whatever his faults, has shown a willingness to push adversaries toward de-escalation. Putin has shown a willingness to sacrifice the lives of Ukrainians and Russians alike merely to satisfy his personal mythmaking. This is a moment of stark choice for Moscow. Russia can continue down Putin’s path—a path of isolation, militarism, and irreversible decline. Or it can step back from the abyss and reclaim its place as a constructive global power. The Middle East’s fragile opening proves that even the most entrenched conflicts can shift when leaders decide that peace is a strength, not a concession. Putin still has a narrow window to choose peace. But every day he refuses, Russia’s future grows smaller. And history’s judgment grows harsher. The author is the chairman of Asia-Pacific Economic and Culture Association. 2025-11-20 09:29:11 -
Lee arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after wrapping up his itinerary in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this week. Lee is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and the two leaders are expected to discuss expanding trade and cultural cooperation as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. Lee will then deliver a speech at Cairo University, where he will outline South Korea's policy and vision for the Middle Eastern country. With the growing popularity of South Korean dramas and films among young Egyptians, cultural exchange is also likely to be included among the topics of discussion. After meeting with South Korean expatriates there, he will head to Johannesburg to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which will be held in South Africa this weekend. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 09:03:25 -
OPINION: How Korea's medical obsession is undermining its AI aspirations As the era of artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, one reality has become impossible to ignore: South Korea is falling behind in the race for talent. While other nations aggressively cultivate scientists, engineers and researchers, South Korea continues to funnel many of its brightest students into medical schools — an imbalance that risks undermining the country’s long-term competitiveness. The contrast was laid bare in a KBS documentary that aired in July, which compared China’s systematic investment in engineering talent with South Korea’s overwhelming emphasis on medicine. The documentary struck a nerve, prompting the release of a book in November that further examined the nation’s deep-rooted talent bottleneck. The public shock it generated was not misplaced. South Korea’s university system has struggled for years to keep pace with global peers, and international rankings reinforce that concern. In the QS 2026 list, only three Korean universities — Seoul National University at 38th, Yonsei University at 50th, and Korea University at 61st — placed in the top tier. The Times Higher Education 2026 rankings put SNU at 58th, KAIST at 70th, Yonsei at 86th, and Sungkyunkwan at 87th. ARWU’s 2025 table placed SNU 81st. These results tell a sobering story: English-speaking countries and China dominate the global academic landscape, while South Korea’s best institutions struggle to break into the very top ranks. The weakness is not simply reputational. A report by THE and Elsevier found that SNU’s College of Natural Sciences lags significantly in research impact when compared with institutions like UC Berkeley and Cambridge. The report cited uneven research performance among faculty, limited international collaboration and an overall lack of scale — issues that cannot be solved by rhetoric alone. Meanwhile, China continues to expand its lead in AI and engineering, producing vast numbers of specialized graduates each year. Compounding the problem is the steady loss of homegrown talent. A Bank of Korea survey found that nearly 43 percent of domestic STEM workers are considering leaving the country, drawn by better pay and clearer career pathways abroad. South Korea trains promising researchers, only to watch them depart for environments that value their expertise more. The Lee Jae Myung administration has acknowledged these shortcomings, proposing a “National Scientist” program to support top researchers and attract 2,000 foreign experts in AI and semiconductors over the next five years. But unless this initiative offers more flexibility and long-term stability than China’s well-established program, it risks becoming another symbolic policy rather than a transformative one. The urgency is evident. Despite receiving 260,000 NVIDIA GPUs from CEO Jensen Huang at the 2025 APEC summit — a windfall most countries could only dream of — South Korea still faces a critical shortage of AI specialists capable of putting those processors to meaningful use. Hardware without talent is simply infrastructure waiting to be wasted. If South Korea truly wants to compete in the tech talent war, it must reorient its priorities. That means elevating science and engineering to the same status — socially and economically — as medicine. It means building a research ecosystem that can withstand political cycles. And it means ensuring that gifted students do not see their greatest opportunities in foreign labs and multinational companies. Otherwise, the country risks watching the AI era unfold from the sidelines — not for lack of resources, but for lack of people empowered to use them. About the author -B.A. in English Education, Seoul National University -Ph.D. in Education, Seoul National University -Senior Researcher, Korea Educational Development Institute -Research Professor, University of Texas at Austin -President, Korean Society of Elementary English Education * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 08:52:06 -
Blue Dragon Awards: Power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin make history with dual acting wins SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) -South Korea’s star couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin made history at the 46th Blue Dragon Awards, becoming the first married pair to win Best Actor and Best Actress on the same night. Their milestone moment lit up the ceremony at KBS Hall in Seoul on Wednesday, where actors Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon served as hosts for the live broadcast. The night otherwise belonged to “No Other Choice,” which swept major categories including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, and Best Technical Achievement. The black-comedy thriller, directed by Park Chan-wook, is also South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Park won Best Director, though he was unable to attend due to overseas commitments; actor Lee Sung-min accepted the trophy on his behalf. Hyun Bin earned Best Actor for his performance in Harbin. After hearing his name announced, he shared a brief embrace with his son—a moment that instantly ignited social media. In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to those who have served the country and thanked his wife and young son for their support. Son Ye-jin, honored with Best Actress for her role in No Choice, reflected on her first Blue Dragon win at age 27. She said she hoped to continue growing as both an actor and a parent. The couple also picked up the Popular Star Award, with Son calling it “an unforgettable day,” while Hyun Bin expressed gratitude to longtime fans. The pair married in March 2022 after co-starring in the global hit drama Crash Landing on You, and their dual wins added a rare personal narrative layer to one of Korea’s most-watched film events. Other major awards included Best New Actor for Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) and Best New Actress for Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary). Kim Hye-young won Best New Director for It’s Okay, It’s Okay, It’s Okay!. Best Supporting Actor went to Lee Sung-min (No Choice), while Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face). Performances by Lee Chan-hyuk, Choi So-yul, La Poem, BoyNextDoor, and Hwasa added flair to the evening. Actor Park Jung-min also made a surprise appearance during Hwasa’s stage set. The Blue Dragon Film Awards reviewed films released across theaters and major OTT platforms from October 2024 to October 2025, announcing winners in 18 categories. Winners List Best Film: No Choice Best Actor: Hyun Bin (Harbin) Best Actress: Son Ye-jin (No Choice) Best Director: Park Chan-wook (No Choice) Best Supporting Actor: Lee Sung-min (No Choice) Best Supporting Actress: Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face) Best New Actor: Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) Best New Actress: Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary) Best New Director: Kim Hye-young (It's Okay, It's Okay, It's Okay!) Best Screenplay: Kim Hyung-joo & Yoon Jong-bin (The Match) Best Music: Cho Young-wook (No Choice) Best Technical Achievement: Cho Sang-kyung (No Choice) Best Editing: Nam Na-young (High Five) Best Cinematography and Lighting: Hong Kyung-pyo & Park Jung-woo (Harbin) Best Art Direction: Lee Na-gyeom (Jeon, Ran) Popular Star Award: Park Jin-young, Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Lim Yoon-a Best Short Film: A Season of Rotary Most Audience Award: Zombie Daughter * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 07:42:48 -
Saewol ferry-like tragedy avoided as no casualties reported in a South Korean ferry disaster SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - All 267 passengers and crew aboard the Queen Jenuvia II were safely rescued by 11 p.m. Wednesday, within hours after the 26,546-ton ferry ran aground near an uninhabited rock islet off South Korea’s southwestern coast as the Coast Guard rushed to the scene, mindful of preventing any repeat of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people. The ferry, carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members, struck Jok Islet near Jangsan Island in Sinan County, 366 kilometers south of Seoul, at around 8:16 p.m., according to the Coast Guard. The vessel had departed Jeju at 4:40 p.m. bound for Mokpo before its bow rode up onto the rocky outcrop, shutting down the engines and leaving the ship listing more than 15 degrees to the left. Half of the hull was said to have climbed onto the islet. No serious injuries were reported, though 27 people complained of pain from the impact, including a pregnant woman and several elderly passengers. All passengers were transported to Mokpo via Coast Guard vessels and a coastal rescue craft. Rescue operations involved 17 patrol ships, four coastal rescue vessels, a fixed-wing plane and special response personnel. Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin said human error was suspected but emphasized that a full investigation was needed. President Lee Jae Myung, currently traveling in the Middle East, ordered an all-out rescue response and instructed officials to keep the public updated in real time. Passengers described a sharp, sudden jolt when the ferry ran aground. One reported that “the bow climbed onto the island,” prompting the initial emergency call. Photos and videos posted online showed tilted interiors and items scattered across floors. Despite the impact, officials said there were no signs of flooding, fire or fuel leakage on board. Experts noted that the accident occurred during low tide, when reefs around Jokdo rise closest to the surface, increasing the likelihood that the crew may not have detected the obstruction in time. Authorities will inspect the hull for punctures or flooding and question the crew, including the captain, to determine the cause of the grounding. The Queen Jenuvia II, formerly operating as the Beyond Trust on the Incheon–Jeju route, had faced service suspensions in the past before being reassigned to the Jeju–Mokpo corridor. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 05:52:18