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Reunification becomes a distant dream as living divided feels like the norm for South Koreans SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - "Our wish is reunification. Even in our dreams, we wish for reunification." For South Koreans who attended elementary school in the 1970s and 1980s, these lyrics are etched in memory — a childhood chorus once sung with conviction. But eight decades after the peninsula was divided in 1945 following liberation from Japanese rule, that wish has all but faded. A growing majority of South Koreans now regard reunification with the North as unnecessary. According to the 2025 Unification Survey released this week by the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), 51 percent of respondents said unification is "not necessary," compared with nearly 70 percent expressing similar skepticism in 2014. Support for reunification remains weakest among those born between 1991 and 2000, at just 38 percent. Even among those who experienced the Korean War firsthand, the sentiment has declined — with 70 percent now skeptical of unification, compared with 62.1 percent a decade ago. The data reflect a generational and emotional divide. "We are too different now," said 57-year-old Lee Chun-mi. "The cost and time it would take to unify and integrate both sides would be enormous, and I’m not sure the outcome would be worth it." Others, however, continue to hold on to the hope of peaceful reconciliation. "I wish to see it before I die — but only through a peaceful process, not absorption," said another 57-year-old, Son Chun-ae. Younger South Koreans express similar divisions, oscillating between empathy and indifference. "Yes, unification could help North Koreans find better jobs and create a larger, more talented nation. I want them to live better," said Kim Gi-ri, 27. But Park Sun-min, 25, disagreed: "South Korea is doing well already. We're walking entirely different paths — I don't feel reunification is necessary." Another respondent, Kim Jae-hyun, also in his 20s, added, "Too much time has passed. The economic, political, and social disconnect is now too deep to bridge without major sacrifices." According to Min Tae-eun, a senior research fellow at KINU, the shift in perception is part of a natural evolution. "For many, division has become a normalized reality," she said. "It's not natural — but it's something people have lived with for nearly 80 years, and that familiarity has made it feel normal." For younger South Koreans, daily concerns such as jobs, housing, and economic stability now take precedence over questions of national unity. In the latest survey, 63.2 percent — the highest figure yet — responded that "if South and North can coexist peacefully without war, unification is not necessary." 2025-10-21 17:53:20 -
Korean defense firms join forces to boost KF-21 fighter jet exports SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Tuesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and LIG Nex1 to strengthen the export competitiveness of the KF-21 fighter jet, the country’s 4.5-generation aircraft. Under the agreement, the companies will cooperate to reduce production costs, stabilize supply chains, and jointly market the aircraft overseas. The collaboration also includes sharing technology and market intelligence to reinforce trust and coordination across the defense sector. The KF-21, developed as a cornerstone of South Korea’s ambitions to become a major defense exporter, is viewed as a major milestone in the nation’s aerospace industry. Its success in securing overseas buyers is seen as critical to sustaining the program and boosting the country’s standing in the global arms market, KAI said. Hanwha Aerospace specializes in aircraft engines and power systems, Hanwha Systems develops avionics and radar technologies, and LIG Nex1 produces guided weapons and electronic systems. KAI, which leads the KF-21 program, said the partnership will help “maximize global competitiveness and create export synergy.” “The KF-21 will benefit from strengthened networks with major domestic defense companies, paving the way for securing initial export customers and expanding overseas,” a KAI spokesperson said. “This collaboration is expected to enhance the competitiveness of South Korea’s aerospace defense industry and set a new benchmark for supply chain innovation.” The collaboration marks the latest in a series of government- and industry-led efforts to position the KF-21 as a viable alternative to Western-made jets, particularly in markets seeking advanced but cost-effective fighter options. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 17:14:49 -
JCS chief inspects security and military readiness ahead of next week's APEC summit SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - The final inspection of key military installations and other security facilities was conducted on Tuesday in preparation for next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which is set to take place in southern South Korea. Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Jin Young-seung flew over the East Sea in a P-8 patrol aircraft and inspected a Marine unit in Pohang, emphasizing military readiness ahead of the multilateral gathering, which is scheduled to take place in the historic city of Gyeongju from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. He instructed soldiers and personnel to stay on alert and be prepared for various scenarios to ensure security, while emphasizing the importance of information sharing and coordination among relevant agencies to respond promptly to any emergencies. The Ministry of National Defense has also been preparing to support the summit since July, with plans to deploy 2,660 personnel in Gyeongju and nearby areas to assist with maintaining order, providing interpretation services, VIP protection, and other security-related duties. The ministry pledged to maintain vigilance and take all necessary measures to ensure the summit's success. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 17:12:36 -
Naver, Kakao to deliver stronger Q3 as they bet on AI to defend Korean turf SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - South Korea's leading platform operators Naver and Kakao are expected to post improved third-quarter earnings as they double down on artificial intelligence initiatives to defend their home market from global AI giants. Naver is embedding AI across its search, commerce and fintech operations, while Kakao is weaving the technology into its messenger, content and advertising services to boost data-driven profitability. The two are taking distinct approaches: Naver builds on homegrown technologies, while Kakao leverages partnerships with foreign AI developers to accelerate its catch-up. "In terms of operational stance, Naver puts more weight on business-to-business operations, while Kakao focuses on individual user interaction and feedback, making it stronger in everyday AI use," said Lee Seung-man, professor of artificial intelligence at Seoul Cyber University. "It's hard to compare the two directly, but both are taking different directions in AI integration." Naver's data management arm, Naver Cloud, recently partnered with SK hynix to secure next-generation memory chips aimed at improving AI service response times and reducing costs. The collaboration marks another step in linking software and hardware development across Korea's AI ecosystem. For its flagship search service, Naver introduced AI Briefing, a generative search assistant similar to Google's AI features, and Smart Lens, an image-based exploration tool launched in July to strengthen visual search capabilities. Naver also unveiled HyperCLOVA X Think, an agentic AI model built on its proprietary large language model, HyperCLOVA X. The model has scored higher than domestic peers and leading open-source alternatives in reasoning benchmarks. Its fintech arm, Naver Financial, plans to merge AI with blockchain through a partnership with Dunamu, proposing the issuance of stablecoins on Dunamu's Giwa Chain, which could link directly to Naver Pay. The company is expected to unveil a full roadmap of its AI integration across search, commerce, content and cloud services at its DAN25 conference next month. Kakao, by contrast, has chosen a faster and safer route — integrating OpenAI's GPT-5 into its flagship messaging app KakaoTalk, marking the first direct collaboration of its kind worldwide. Beyond chatbot features, the latest overhaul introduces Instagram-style feeds, new chat-room folder functions, extended message editing up to 24 hours, and AI-powered voice call summaries. In addition, Kakao is deploying its own lightweight on-device AI model, Kanana, with 1.3 billion parameters, reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure and enabling context-aware user experiences. Complementing its OpenAI partnership, Kakao plans to launch its own AI agent features by November. Industry watchers believe Kakao's 49.1 million monthly active users position the firm to scale globally and strengthen its data competitiveness through ChatGPT integration. "KakaoTalk is poised to grow meaningfully as the world's first messenger-based AI super app," said Choi Seung-ho of DS Investment & Securities. As the search market rapidly shifts from portals to conversational interfaces, Kakao aims to build an AI learning ecosystem around KakaoTalk, evolving into a commerce and content hub powered by user data. Its ultimate goal is to connect AI agents with its in-house and partner platforms, gaining network and first-mover advantages. If fully implemented, users could soon request music through AI agents and receive curated playlists from Melon, Kakao's music streaming unit, without leaving KakaoTalk. "Starting from 2026, the integration of KakaoTalk and AI could create new subscription or ad-based business models," said Jung Ho-yoon, analyst at Korea Investment & Securities. "AI benefits will cascade from hardware to cloud services and eventually to consumer-facing companies. The long-term business potential remains broad." Lee added that government support is likely, noting President Lee Jae Myung's repeated emphasis on sovereign AI, with Naver's HyperCLOVA X serving as Korea's representative model. "All IT technologies operate within government regulatory sandboxes, and both Naver and Kakao are adept at aligning with policy directions. Both are on strong growth trajectories," he said. Naver and Kakao are scheduled to release their third-quarter results on November 5 and 7, respectively. Their shares are trading 7.29 percent and 4.57 percent higher over the past three months, reflecting investor confidence in their AI drive. 2025-10-21 16:39:58 -
Kia opens assembly plant in Kazakhstan to boost Central Asia presence SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Kia said on Tuesday that it has opened a new automobile assembly plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan. Built with an investment of about $310 million, the facility spans 630,000 square meters and can produce up to 70,000 vehicles annually. The plant has begun assembling the Sorento SUV and plans to add production of the Sportage model in 2026. Kia said the new plant would serve as a hub for meeting rising regional demand and advancing localization efforts in the fast-growing Central Asian market. “The Kazakhstan plant is part of Kia’s global vision to create sustainable value through customer-centric innovation and electrification,” Kia President Song Ho-sung said in a statement. The company added that it plans to expand its model lineup based on local market trends and strengthen its supply chain in the region. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 15:25:30 -
South Korea's finance chief urges focus on AI transition at APEC ministers' meeting SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s Finance Minister, Koo Yun-cheol, called on Asia-Pacific nations on Tuesday to channel resources into artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic growth, urging policymakers to foster innovation and strengthen private-sector participation. “In the era of AI transformation, we must create an innovation-friendly environment and support the private sector,” Koo said at the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance and Structural Reform Ministers’ Meeting in Incheon. “South Korea prioritizes AI across all sectors to boost potential growth.” The three-day meeting, held until Oct. 23 at the Inspire Resort, brings together finance ministers and senior officials from 21 APEC economies. It marks the first time in two decades that South Korea has hosted the forum. This year’s agenda, themed “Innovation, Finance, and Fiscal Roles for Sustainable Growth,” centers on shaping a new five-year framework known as the Incheon Plan — a successor to the 2015 Cebu Action Plan. The initiative aims to strengthen innovation, fiscal resilience, and financial inclusion across the region. Discussions this week are expected to address how artificial intelligence can reshape productivity and innovation, along with policies to promote digital finance, fiscal sustainability, and access for vulnerable populations. “The Incheon Plan will be the most significant outcome of this year’s APEC finance track,” Koo said, expressing hope that the talks would help “set a clear direction for the region’s shared prosperity.” More than 2,000 participants — including representatives from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — are attending the sessions. China and Japan dispatched vice ministers, while the United States is represented by a deputy assistant secretary. The first day’s discussions focused on global and regional economic trends, digital finance, and fiscal policy. Joint sessions on innovation and digitalization are scheduled for Wednesday, followed by a meeting with the APEC Business Advisory Council. The conference will conclude Thursday with a joint press briefing outlining the group’s commitments. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 15:13:56 -
Kim Sei-young soars to 13th in women's golf rankings after ending five-year title drought last week SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Golfer Kim Sei-young moved up eight spots to 13th in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings released on Monday. The sharp rise in rankings came after she won the BMW Ladies Championship, which concluded in Haenam, South Jeolla Province last week. The victory was her 13th career LPGA title and her first win since the Pelican Women's Championship in Florida in November 2020, ending a five-year drought. Kim has been impressive so far this season, finishing in the top 10 seven times in 18 tournaments including three third-place finishes. Meanwhile, the top three in the rankings remain unchanged, with Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Nelly Korda of the U.S., and Minjee Lee of Australia. The highest-ranked South Korean was Kim Hyo-joo at eighth, followed by Kim Sei-young and Yoo Hae-ran at 14th. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 15:02:20 -
Son Heung-min's first goal for LAFC nominated for 'MLS Goal of the Year' SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC has been nominated for Major League Soccer (MLS)'s "Goal of the Year" with a goal he scored in August. It was his first MLS goal after his record-breaking transfer to LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he had spent more than a decade as one of Spurs' key players. The goal came from a stunning free kick just six minutes into an away match against FC Dallas in Texas on Aug. 23, in just his third appearance for the American club. Along with his teammate and French forward Denis Bouanga and Argentine forward Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, Son was named among 16 nominees. The winner will be decided by a fan vote, which closes later this week. If he wins, Son will be the first Asian player and the first LAFC player to receive the award since its inception in 1996. Son wrapped up his MLS debut season with 10 appearances, scoring nine goals and three assists. LAFC, which finished third in the regular season, will face Austin FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs next week. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 14:22:21 -
Epson unveils new 'Lifestudio' projectors to tap booming home entertainment market SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Epson introduced a new line of home projectors on Tuesday, betting that South Korea’s growing appetite for streaming and large-screen entertainment will help sustain demand for high-end home viewing devices. At a press event in Seoul, Jun Morohoshi, head of Epson Korea, announced the launch of the Lifestudio Series, which features nine new projector models designed to blend functionality with lifestyle appeal. “South Korea is a key market with growing demand for OTT services and home entertainment,” Morohoshi said. “We aim to usher in a new era of home projectors with our latest products.” The Lifestudio brand, Epson’s latest push in the home entertainment sector, seeks to position projectors not merely as display tools but as central lifestyle devices. The domestic projector market — which surged during the pandemic as consumers spent more time at home — is regaining momentum with the expansion of streaming services and a renewed preference for cinematic viewing experiences. Epson currently holds a 51.7 percent share of the global projector market, maintaining the top spot for 24 consecutive years, and leads in South Korea with a 42 percent share, according to company data. The new Lifestudio Series includes both compact mini projectors and ultra-short-throw models, available in five colors with adjustable stands. A key feature of the lineup is Epson’s new Triple Core Engine technology, which provides enhanced brightness and color accuracy. The system broadens the visible color spectrum while minimizing brightness loss, producing vivid and realistic images even in well-lit environments. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 14:04:33 -
Samsung weighs new 'control tower' as leadership reshuffle nears SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is considering reestablishing a central management body to coordinate its sprawling business divisions, as the conglomerate prepares for a major executive reshuffle next month. The move comes as Chairman Lee Jae-yong marks his third year at the helm with the company riding a resurgent semiconductor boom. Industry sources say Samsung plans to accelerate both its annual personnel reshuffle and a broader organizational restructuring. At the center of speculation is the possible revival of a corporate “control tower,” a strategic management hub that Samsung has lacked since it dismantled its powerful Future Strategy Office in 2016 amid a high-profile political scandal. Since then, the conglomerate has operated with smaller task forces dedicated to business support and financial competitiveness but without a central coordinating structure. Pressure to restore such a unit has grown in recent months. Lee Chan-hee, head of Samsung’s compliance committee, recently underscored the need for “responsible and unified management” through a more formalized control system — a comment interpreted by observers as an endorsement of the idea. Attention is also turning to Samsung’s semiconductor division, the company’s primary profit driver, as it seeks to capitalize on soaring demand for advanced memory chips. Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun is expected to retain oversight of the semiconductor unit, while the company’s HBM4 research and development team, established last year, is set to expand. Samsung is also reportedly reallocating DRAM developers from its foundry and system semiconductor teams to reinforce its leadership in high-performance memory. In the device experience (DX) division, Roh Tae-moon — who has been serving in an acting capacity — is widely expected to be formally appointed as division head. If confirmed, he is likely to hand off his responsibilities in the mobile experience business to a successor. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 13:53:18