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Art Center Nabi Reopens with 'A Pregnant Pause' Exhibition "The butterfly has flown here," Noh So-young, director of Art Center Nabi, said during the opening ceremony of the reopening exhibition 'A Pregnant Pause' held on June 11 in Sagandong, Seoul. At the event attended by dozens of art community members, Noh expressed her excitement about the reopening, stating, "We are preparing ourselves to nest and seek new intersections between art and technology, nature and humanity." Referring to the exhibition's title, Noh remarked, "To create a delicious meal, one needs to let it rest. Great things do not happen instantly." She added, "I believe that time, patience, and letting things rest are essential, making 'A Pregnant Pause' a relevant theme for our era. This will prompt us to reconsider the role of art in an age where everything unfolds at our fingertips due to AI." Noh also emphasized her commitment to supporting active artists, expressing gratitude for the community's support and encouragement. Founded in 2000, Art Center Nabi is Korea's first media art institution. It has previously been located in the SK Group's headquarters, the Serin Building. Following the confirmation of Noh's divorce from SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, the center has moved to a new independent building in Sagandong, marking a new chapter in its 26-year history. In a press release, Noh highlighted the concept of a 'next chapter.' She stated, "This event marks the closing of 26 years and the reopening in Sagandong is a time for the next chapter to grow from within, yet to be fully revealed." She further noted that the 'embryonic vitality' found in the works of artist Han Jin-soo, who explores the slow fermentation of time between machines and nature, resonates deeply with the moment of reopening. The new space, designed to operate as a self-sufficient art museum, is expected to enhance Art Center Nabi's unique identity. It aims to unfold a new chapter as a future-oriented cultural platform where technology, nature, art, and urban environments intersect. The exhibition 'A Pregnant Pause' showcases constant transformation. Bubbles of food float in the wind, spreading across a white background, while small feather brushes move busily, creating different forms moment by moment. The process of one breaking and another being filled continues, moving forward without pause. At the opening ceremony, Han Jin-soo explained, "My works do not progress toward a clear purpose or outcome. Instead, they create opportunities for each individual to express their unique stories." He added, "I hope viewers take the time to experience their uniqueness and have their own moments of pause." The exhibition runs from June 12 to August 1. 2026-06-11 16:54:00 -
Korea's ruling front humbles as approval rating droops in election aftermath SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The honeymoon period had been unprecedentedly longer for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung compared with past leaders, but it eventually came to an end. Just before departing for a European tour on Wednesday, Lee took time for a moment of self-reflection. In a post on X, he apologized to the public and pledged to "work harder" with greater modesty and openness after a string of polls showed his approval ratings falling sharply in the aftermath of the June 3 local elections. The remarks echoed the contrite tone Lee adopted days earlier during a news conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, when he described the ruling party's disappointing local election performance as "a warning from the people." Lee's approval rating, which had remained comfortably above 60 percent throughout much of his first year in office, has fallen rapidly since the local elections exposed growing voter fatigue with the ruling camp and signaled a revival of the conservative opposition. A survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute on Monday and Tuesday and released Wednesday showed Lee's approval rating falling 9.4 percentage points from late May to 50.4 percent. Negative assessments rose 10.5 percentage points to 45.7 percent, narrowing the gap between approval and disapproval to within the survey's margin of error for the first time since he took office. Support for the governing Democratic Party slid in tandem, dropping 4.7 percentage points to 38.6 percent, while the opposition People Power Party climbed 6.5 points to 38.1 percent. The decline was particularly pronounced among younger voters and in the southeastern industrial belt. Disapproval reached 62.3 percent among voters in their 20s and 59.9 percent among those in their 30s, while negative views also surged in the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang region. A separate survey released Wednesday suggested the political momentum may be shifting even more dramatically. The poll, conducted by Cho Won C&I for Straight News from June 6 to June 8, showed support for the PPP at 41.6 percent, edging past the DP at 40.4 percent. It marked the first time the conservatives outpaced the liberals since Yoon's martial-law stunt and impeachment. The same survey showed Lee's approval rating dropping 13.3 percentage points to 50.6 percent, while disapproval climbed 12.5 percentage points to 45.5 percent. Taken together, the polls suggest the June 3 local elections may have served as a watershed moment — one that has shaken what once seemed an iron DP grip on power and clouded the party's once-comfortable path to extending its rule into another term. Rep. Park Sun-won of the DP told AJP the waning numbers were "deeply distressful." Lawmakers from both parties cited a combination of factors behind the shift in public opinion, including the ballot paper shortage controversy during the local elections, growing unease over the ruling party's legislative agenda, and the emergence of new conservative leadership figures. The ballot shortage incident, which forced some polling stations to suspend voting temporarily and left voters waiting for extended periods, sparked nationwide criticism and allegations that citizens' voting rights had been compromised. "The decisive cause was the infringement of citizens' voting rights resulting from the ballot paper shortage incident," said PPP lawmaker Park Sung-hoon. Park also cited a range of factors that fueled public resentment toward what he described as the ruling camp's growing arrogance, including its push for the special prosecutor bill on canceled prosecutions, the politicization of the Starbucks controversy and the consolidation of conservative voters during the local elections. The legislation, championed by the DP, seeks to investigate allegations of politically motivated prosecutions under the previous Yoon administration. Critics, however, argue that parts of the bill could effectively grant a special prosecutor authority to nullify existing indictments, making it one of the most contentious legislative proposals in recent months. "Through the local elections, the public warned that the Lee Jae Myung administration and the DP were acting too arrogantly and doing whatever they wanted," said PPP lawmaker Ahn Sang-hoon. Calling the bill a symbol of overreach, Ahn said voters were bewildered that the ruling party appeared determined to revive the proposal immediately after the election. Ahn also cited concerns over housing policy and efforts to support the stock market through the National Pension Service, while attributing the PPP's improving fortunes to growing expectations surrounding Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. Their victories in the local elections were widely viewed as strengthening the reform-minded wing of the conservative party and broadening its appeal among moderate voters. PPP lawmaker Woo Jae-jun similarly argued that public expectations for change within the opposition had helped boost the party's support. "I think expectations that our party will change before the DP have been reflected in the PPP's approval ratings," he said. Even within the ruling party, some lawmakers acknowledged growing public frustration."The ruling party must be humble and inclusive," a three-term DP lawmaker said on condition of anonymity. "During this local election, we became complacent." The lawmaker also criticized what he described as excessive enthusiasm for stock market promotion by the government and ruling party, arguing that many ordinary investors had not benefited from recent market gains while foreign capital continued to leave Korean equities. He added that the party must use its upcoming national convention to reorganize its leadership and reconnect with voters before public dissatisfaction hardens into a more lasting political trend. 2026-06-11 16:53:18 -
K-Beauty Platform Whaekai Global Accelerates AI Transformation Whaekai Global, the operator of the beauty platform Whaekai, is rapidly innovating its operations through artificial intelligence (AI). The company aims to apply AI agents across its organization, moving beyond simple automation of repetitive tasks, and to leverage its verified technological capabilities to support the growth of its partner brands. According to industry sources on June 11, as AI transformation (AX) emerges as a new growth strategy across various sectors, Whaekai Global is pushing for a shift to an 'AI native organization' based on its data utilization capabilities. The company plans to foster a culture where employees actively use AI tools and redesign their workflows. A notable example is the in-house developed AI data analysis assistant, 'DAHAE.' Previously, when data analysis was needed, teams had to submit requests to the data analysis department and wait for results. However, since the introduction of DAHAE in February, users can input questions in natural language via the collaboration tool Slack, allowing the AI to search for relevant data and generate necessary queries to provide results. Since its launch, DAHAE has quickly increased its usage within the organization. In just three months, it processed over 7,500 analysis requests, reducing the burden of repetitive data analysis tasks by more than 90%. The data strategy team has also shifted from handling simple inquiries to focusing on high-value tasks such as service improvement and business strategy development. Whaekai Global emphasizes that its AI utilization is not limited to specific development teams but aims for a company-wide transformation. Non-development roles, such as product owners and designers, are encouraged to create and apply necessary systems, thereby changing the organizational culture. Lim Kwang-bin, head of product at Whaekai Global, stated, "We have moved beyond simple technology adoption to a stage where employees systematize repetitive tasks and design their own tools. The experience of implementing automation will provide us with a competitive edge to respond flexibly to the rapidly changing market environment." The scope of AI utilization is also expanding. Whaekai Global is strengthening its structure to connect brands with sales channels based on vast beauty data. By automating some processes that previously required manual review and judgment, the company has improved both operational speed and efficiency. AI transformation is also underway in global marketing. The processes for discovering and vetting influencers on global social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been automated, creating a foundation for the sales team to share necessary information in real-time. The benefits of improved operational efficiency are becoming evident. An AI-powered system for detecting abusive reviews has reduced review processing time by 89%, while the automation of photo review checks has decreased processing time by 94% without compromising quality. The company has also seen revenue growth, with consistent increases in sales from its global advertising operations and improved performance from brands and edit shops. Beyond internal efficiency, Whaekai Global plans to provide AI-based growth infrastructure for brands on the Whaekai platform. The company is currently preparing a self-serving partner system that allows partner brands to manage everything from product operations to marketing. This system aims to leverage Whaekai's database of over 10 million reviews and AI capabilities as tools for brand growth. Lim added, "Our next goal is to expand the verified capabilities of our AI agents as a growth infrastructure for brands on the Whaekai platform. We aim to enable K-beauty brands to grow more rapidly based on Whaekai's data and AI capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:51:00 -
Startup Agency Strengthens Network Between AI Tech Startups and Demand Companies The Startup Promotion Agency is enhancing its network between AI transformation (AX) technology startups and demand companies, including large, medium, and small enterprises, public institutions, and hospitals. On June 10, the agency announced it hosted the 'Link-Up Four Domain AX Program Startup-Demand Company Meetup Day' in Seoul. This event served as a collaborative platform to combine the AI capabilities of leading startups with the infrastructure of prominent domestic and international demand companies, facilitating the swift application of cutting-edge technology for demand companies and providing startups with opportunities for practical experience and market access. Over 150 participants, including selected demand companies and startups, attended the event. This year, demand companies were selected through evaluations based on four key technology domains: manufacturing (robots, drones, automobiles, factories, ships), finance, content, and bio-health. A total of 47 companies applied, resulting in a competitive ratio of 1.6 to 1, with 27 companies ultimately selected (10 large enterprises, 7 medium enterprises, 1 small enterprise, 3 hospitals, and 6 public institutions). Additionally, 37 startups with AI technology were chosen after evaluations. The event included a session on operational schedules, technology protection, and fair collaboration, followed by individual networking activities where demand companies and startups discussed collaboration directions and the proof of concept (PoC) methods for applying AX in industrial settings. Earlier in April, the Startup Promotion Agency recruited demand companies for its open innovation program 'InnoWave,' which supports joint proof of concept and commercialization between leading startups and large, medium, and public sector companies. Through this initiative, the agency aims to expand participation not only to leading startups but also to TIPS-selected companies, helping demand companies discover technology partners and increasing participation from public institutions and local governments to enhance the potential for proof of concept and public procurement connections using public infrastructure and services. Yoo Jong-pil, head of the Startup Promotion Agency, stated, "This is a powerful opportunity for startups with unique technologies and demand companies willing to solve industry challenges to lead the AI transformation of core industries through collaboration. We will fully support the ambitious cooperation between these companies to achieve successful outcomes and enhance international competitiveness."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:48:00 -
Government to Increase Policy Funding for Local Businesses with Lower Interest Rates The government is accelerating the expansion of 'local preferential finance,' which provides lower interest rates and higher limits for policy funding to local businesses. With the participation of the Korea Eximbank and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation in the local supply target program, the scale of policy funding for non-capital regions is expected to reach 164 trillion won annually by 2028. The Financial Services Commission announced on June 11 that it held the inaugural 'Policy Finance Partnership' event in Daejeon with six policy finance institutions, including the Korea Development Bank, Industrial Bank of Korea, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Korea Eximbank, and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation. The event was attended by representatives from the Daejeon, Sejong, and Cheongju chambers of commerce, along with over 70 local businesses, who shared insights on the current state of the regional economy and financial challenges. To promote the expansion of local preferential finance, the Financial Services Commission has decided to increase the number of institutions participating in the policy finance local supply target program from four to six, now including Korea Eximbank and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation. As a result, the scale of policy finance supply for non-capital regions is projected to increase by 34 trillion won, from 130 trillion won last year to 164 trillion won by 2028. During the same period, the proportion of non-capital region supply is also planned to rise from 40.0% to 45.0%. The government is also pushing for an expansion of private financial supply in the regions. Since April, the Financial Services Commission has lowered the weight of loan-to-deposit ratios for banks lending to businesses and individual entrepreneurs in non-capital regions. In the second half of the year, it will consider designating new innovative joint loan services for small and medium-sized enterprises through local and internet banks. Additionally, plans are in place to gradually increase loan limits and preferential loan-to-deposit ratios for non-capital region borrowers in savings banks and mutual finance. A pilot project aimed at improving access to regional finance will also commence. Starting in July, the Financial Services Commission will begin a first-phase pilot operation allowing loan services from four major banks at 20 local post offices. Lee Ok-yeon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated, "Achieving balanced national development is a historical mission that must be accomplished for a new leap in our economy. We will mobilize all resources from the government and the six policy finance institutions to ensure that local businesses can access funds at lower interest rates and higher limits."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:48:00 -
Vietnamese Food Companies Target South Korean Market at Seoul Food 2026 Twenty-eight Vietnamese food companies are participating in Seoul Food 2026, marking a significant push into the South Korean market. Amid growing trends toward health, eco-friendliness, and convenience, these companies aim to expand exports and discover new partnerships by showcasing high-value products. According to Vietnamese media reports on June 10, Seoul Food 2026 opened on June 9 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea, and runs until June 12. The event features around 1,800 booths, attracting food companies, importers, distributors, and retail chain representatives from various countries. Organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) since 1983, this expo is recognized as the largest food exhibition in South Korea and a leading event in Asia. The Vietnamese exhibitors are showcasing a range of products, including coffee, beverages, processed fruits, cashews, pepper, natural spices, processed seafood, nutritional foods, organic products, and tropical agricultural goods. This shift reflects a move away from a focus on raw materials and semi-processed goods toward deeper processing, brand development, and increased value addition. During his visit to the booths, Ambassador Vu Ho met with company representatives to discuss product promotion, partnership opportunities, and the potential for market expansion in South Korea. He noted that while there is a high demand for quality, food safety, and sustainability in the South Korean market, it also presents significant potential for agricultural products, food, and beverages. He further mentioned that South Korea's experience in growing its food industry alongside K-culture offers valuable insights. "Combining product quality, processing technology, modern packaging, cultural storytelling, and national branding strategies is worth considering," he said. Seoul Food has evolved beyond a mere event to become a crucial platform for business connections. Through B2B programs, participating companies can engage directly with South Korean importers, distribution systems, and major retail networks. This setup not only facilitates short-term orders but also fosters long-term collaboration opportunities. Buyers from Japan, China, ASEAN, the Middle East, and North America are also participating, broadening trade connections. South Korea ranks as the fourth-largest economy in Asia, with its food and beverage market being one of the largest in Northeast Asia. Due to limitations in agricultural land and natural conditions, the country has a high dependency on imports for tropical agricultural products, processed foods, seafood, and food raw materials. According to the Vietnamese Trade Office, the current trends in the South Korean food market can be summarized into three main categories: health orientation, eco-friendliness and sustainability, and convenience. Following the pandemic, there has been a rapid increase in interest in functional foods, low-sugar and low-fat products, and natural ingredient items. Additionally, considerations such as ESG, carbon emissions, eco-friendly packaging, and traceability have increasingly influenced purchasing and procurement criteria. The rise of single-person households and accelerated urban living have also driven demand for ready-to-eat meals, frozen foods, and convenience-packaged products. These changes present new opportunities for key Vietnamese products, such as processed tropical fruits, coffee and beverages, spices, nutritional foods, and processed agricultural goods. There have been numerous instances where companies have secured long-term partners through past Seoul Food events, expanding exports not only to South Korea but also to other markets. Meanwhile, Vietnam and South Korea have set a goal to increase bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030. As electronics, manufacturing, and investment sectors grow, agricultural products and food and beverages are emerging as new growth drivers. The participation of Vietnamese food companies in Seoul Food 2026 is seen as a test to enhance the international competitiveness of Vietnamese food and expand participation in the global supply chain. 2026-06-11 16:48:00 -
Court Holds Daejeon City Liable in Kim Ha-neul Murder Case, Family Wins Partial Compensation The family of Kim Ha-neul, a student murdered by a teacher at an elementary school in Daejeon, has won a partial victory in their compensation lawsuit against the perpetrator and Daejeon City. The court ruled that both Myung Jae-wan, the assailant, and Daejeon City share liability for damages. On June 11, the Daejeon District Court's Civil Division 20, presided over by Judge Song Hyun-jik, issued a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs in their lawsuit against Myung Jae-wan, Daejeon City, and the school principal. The court ordered Myung Jae-wan and Daejeon City to jointly pay 100.9 million won to Kim's parents and 18 million won to her sibling. However, the claim against the school principal was dismissed. The family had filed a lawsuit seeking over 400 million won in damages in April of last year. They argued that both Myung Jae-wan and the school principal, as well as Daejeon City, which oversees the school, should be held accountable. The family pointed out that Myung's abnormal behavior had been observed prior to the incident, yet no appropriate measures were taken to prevent the crime. They sought to hold Myung liable for tortious acts and Daejeon City liable for state compensation. In contrast, Daejeon City contended that the unique circumstances of the case warranted a separate assessment of state compensation liability, claiming that compensation paid by the School Safety Mutual Aid Association had already covered a significant portion of the damages. The court accepted some of the family's claims, recognizing the joint liability of Myung Jae-wan and Daejeon City, but dismissed the claims against the school principal. Kim Ha-neul was fatally stabbed by Myung Jae-wan near the audiovisual room of her school in Daejeon’s Seo-gu after finishing her after-school program in February of last year. Myung was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court in April of this year. He was dismissed from his position following the incident, and the police disclosed his personal information, including his name, age, and photograph, after a review by the Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee last year. Additionally, it has been reported that Myung did not attend court during the compensation lawsuit proceedings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:45:00 -
Sookmyung Women's University startup develops ultra-lightweight, snow-melting solar panels SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A technology startup founded by a mechanical engineering professor at Sookmyung Women's University has developed and commercialised a new line of lightweight solar modules designed to melt snow and integrate seamlessly into electric vehicles. The prominent university in Seoul said Thursday. ACE Inventor, founded by Joung Young-soo, a professor at Sookmyung Women's University's School of Mechanical Systems Engineering, has been receiving research and development support from the university since 2019. The startup is currently building a mass-production system capable of combining multiple cells into large-area modules measuring up to 3.75 (2.5m x 1.5m) square meters. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce up to 50 megawatts of the lightweight modules annually. The company has also secured funding from several South Korean government initiatives, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Traditional solar panels rely on thick glass covers to protect the internal solar cells, making them heavy, rigid, and prone to shattering. The heaviness of the panels limits where they can be installed, often making the solar panel structure difficult to be put on older buildings, large logistics warehouses, or curved architectural structures that cannot support heavy loads. ACE Inventor replaced the standard glass with a specialized fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). This material reduces the total weight of the solar panel by up to 70 percent while providing the flexibility to bend around curved surfaces. One of the company's primary products is an FRP solar module equipped with an internal heating film. In regions that experience heavy snowfall, winter weather poses two major problems for solar energy generation. First, accumulated snow physically blocks sunlight, halting electricity production entirely. Second, the sheer weight of heavy snow combined with heavy glass solar panels frequently causes the roofs of agricultural greenhouses, barns, and older factories to collapse. The new heating module detects freezing conditions and uses a small amount of electricity to raise the surface temperature of the panel. This melts the snow before it can accumulate into a dangerous, light-blocking hazard. Because the system clears the panels efficiently using minimal power, it restores power generation quickly during winter months and prevents costly structural damage to vulnerable agricultural and industrial buildings. The company also introduced a vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) sunroof module aimed at the electric vehicle market. Range anxiety remains a significant hurdle for electric vehicle adoption, and adding solar panels to a car's roof, hood, or trunk can provide auxiliary power to extend driving range. However, traditional glass panels add significant weight to the vehicle, which paradoxically drains the battery faster. "In the electric vehicle era, vehicle weight and energy efficiency are directly linked to driving range, making lightweight and safe automotive modules a core technology for the future mobility market," ACE Inventor's chief executive Professor Joung Young-soo said. The new FRP automotive module weighs approximately 2.8 kilograms, which is more than 70 percent lighter than traditional double-sided glass modules. Its flexible nature allows it to mold seamlessly to the aerodynamic curves of modern car roofs. Because it contains no glass, it also eliminates the risk of dangerous glass shards scattering in the event of a traffic collision. "The modules released this time are a meaningful case where original technologies from the laboratory met the university's startup support system and led to actual product launches," Joung said, adding: "Moving forward, we will lead the market for domestic aging industrial facilities and zero-energy buildings, and expand into the global mobility market and heavy snowfall regions to write a success story as a university-originated deep tech company." 2026-06-11 16:44:20 -
Debate Over Delivery App Fees Heats Up as Baemin Sale Looms As the June 3 local elections conclude, discussions surrounding the regulation of delivery platform fees are reigniting. The push from small business owners for legal caps on fees is intensifying, coinciding with the upcoming announcement of the Fair Trade Commission's sanctions and the impending sale of Baemin, valued at over 8 trillion won, which is just a month away. On June 11, industry sources reported that the Democratic Party's Euljiro Committee, delivery app companies, and small business associations are discussing the resumption of social dialogue regarding delivery platforms, which had been effectively stalled. Although they convened in April for a cooperative meeting, internal disagreements among the participating organizations and the election period have left discussions in limbo for over a month. In the meantime, delivery platform associations are actively campaigning for a national petition in the National Assembly to legislate a cap on delivery app fees. They are accelerating efforts to shape public opinion on this issue. Market observers are closely watching the Fair Trade Commission's ongoing review of agreements involving Baemin and Coupang Eats. The Commission is currently conducting a detailed examination of potential violations of fair trade laws by these delivery platforms, with a key point of interest being whether the self-correction measures proposed by the companies will include significant fee reductions that small business owners can feel. The outcome of the Fair Trade Commission's review and the level of legislative regulation are expected to significantly impact the future landscape of the domestic delivery platform market, especially in light of the major merger and acquisition (M&A) activity anticipated. The issue of delivery app fees is a campaign promise made by President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party, raising the possibility of legislation if self-regulation is deemed insufficient. Delivery Hero (DH), the parent company of Woowa Brothers, which operates Baemin, is in the process of selling its stake, with the main bidding scheduled for July 21. Reports indicate that DH is seeking a sale price of approximately 8 trillion won. Market reactions are cautious. To justify the 8 trillion won valuation, a sustainable revenue model must be assured, as the results of the government's review and the National Assembly's moves toward fee regulation pose judicial and policy risks that could diminish Baemin's future revenue value. An industry insider stated, "As the main bidding approaches in July, the most sensitive point of focus is the government's regulatory threshold for platform fees. The results of the Fair Trade Commission's review and the legislative pace in the National Assembly could affect Baemin's valuation, making the forthcoming social dialogue on platforms a crucial compass for the success of the sale."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:42:00 -
Seong-tae Jeon Declares Ambitious AI Hospital Vision at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital Bundang Seoul National University Hospital has announced its goal to become a global leader in future healthcare, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI). Seong-tae Jeon, the newly appointed director, presented this vision during his inauguration ceremony held on June 10 at the hospital's Healthcare Innovation Park. In his inaugural address, Jeon outlined three key objectives to achieve this vision: becoming a center for future healthcare innovation, establishing a comprehensive public healthcare system, and fostering a culture of collaborative growth within the hospital. "Bundang Seoul National University Hospital is evolving into a true intelligent AI hospital, enhancing its infrastructure with real-time smart resource management systems and precision medicine platforms integrated into all aspects of patient care," Jeon stated. He emphasized the hospital's commitment to not just adapt to changes but to lead the direction of future healthcare innovation. Jeon also expressed a strong commitment to the hospital's social responsibilities as a national central hospital, particularly in strengthening essential and public healthcare. He noted, "For patients with severe, rare, or difficult-to-treat conditions who have nowhere else to turn, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital must be their last resort." He promised to establish a comprehensive care system that encompasses diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and ongoing care. Furthermore, Jeon highlighted the importance of completing the 'Metropolitan Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital' without delay, ensuring it serves as a reliable support system during national infectious disease crises. Jeon's vision for an AI hospital goes beyond mere technological implementation; it signifies a comprehensive transformation in patient care. The real-time smart resource management system will optimize medical resources such as beds, intensive care units, and operating rooms, while the precision medicine platform will aid in developing personalized treatment strategies. This AI-driven infrastructure is expected to enhance both the efficiency of care and the quality of healthcare, positioning Bundang Seoul National University Hospital as a competitive player in the global healthcare market. Jeon reiterated his commitment to being a leader in future healthcare innovation, contributing to the establishment of Korea's leadership in global healthcare.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 16:42:00