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AI Welding and Robotic Dogs: A Breakthrough for the Manufacturing Industry "When manufacturing 'lugs,' which are essential for moving ship blocks, six workers could produce about 100 units a day by hand. Recognizing that this is the only product that can be mass-produced in shipyards, we established an autonomous manufacturing system where robots create lugs without human intervention, significantly enhancing productivity. The need for artificial intelligence (AI) is growing to maintain competitiveness and increase productivity," said Yoon Dae-kyu, an executive at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. As domestic manufacturing faces challenges from intensified price competition from China, a labor shortage due to an aging workforce, and a global supply chain reshuffle, AI is paving the way for solutions. The transition to manufacturing AI (M.AX) is becoming a necessity rather than an option. During a meeting on June 12 at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' medium-sized shipbuilding division in Ulsan, Yoon noted that industrial robots were continuously welding and producing or recycling lugs, which are essential components in ship manufacturing. Lugs connect blocks to lifting equipment when cranes lift or move ship blocks. They are produced in various specifications but are used in large quantities throughout the shipbuilding process, necessitating a production system that can supply diverse lugs promptly. Additionally, since lugs can be reused two to three times, a recycling and management system is essential. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has established a lug autonomous manufacturing system based on eight industrial robots and two autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This system has transitioned from a manual welding-based production method to an unmanned production system, enhancing the continuity and stability of the production flow, according to Yoon. Production efficiency has also improved. Since implementing the lug autonomous manufacturing system, production has increased by 87.5%. The automation equipment performs repetitive tasks reliably, boosting production efficiency and allowing for flexible supply of various lugs. Variability due to worker skill levels has decreased, reducing the physical strain on workers and minimizing the risk of industrial accidents. The use of collaborative robots is also increasing on-site. In the second shipbuilding plant, welding collaborative robots are utilized during the assembly process of flat blocks. Previously, repetitive welding tasks in confined spaces posed significant risks and discomfort for workers, increasing the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders. The collaborative robots, which incorporate the expertise of skilled workers, are performing the work of two experienced operators with 5 to 10 years of experience each, resulting in a productivity increase of about 70%, according to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Looking ahead, the challenge lies in developing non-standard AI technologies. Yoon stated, "Currently, we can handle standard parts to some extent, but non-standard parts vary by design and product. We are developing humanoids that can be used in the shipbuilding dock, utilizing AI not only for components inside the ship but also externally." M.AX is also being utilized in the steel industry. POSCO is implementing autonomous robot technology for predictive maintenance and high-risk tasks in steel production. Predictive maintenance involves collecting data and using AI to monitor the condition of machinery in real-time, predicting failure points. A notable example is the use of Boston Dynamics' Spot robot to inspect wind boxes in the second blast furnace at the Pohang Steelworks. Inspecting the external temperature and gas leaks of the 30 wind boxes is crucial, but periodic checks have been challenging due to the limited number of workers managing the entire furnace. The extreme heat exceeding 1,100 degrees poses risks of burns and gas exposure for workers. To address this, the company is deploying robotic dogs to inspect the wind boxes based on accumulated data. This allows for real-time monitoring through anomaly detection capabilities derived from data analysis. The continuously gathered data has also enabled the implementation of monitoring functions based on digital twin technology. AI is expected to be utilized for inspecting rollers on belt conveyors and manual steelwork. By detecting anomalies based on voice data from the belt conveyor, robots can be deployed for replacements. The plan is to minimize the involvement of workers in high-risk areas by having humanoid robots perform tasks near molten metal. The technologies developed through this initiative are expected to be applicable in similar industries in the future. Choi Yong-jun, a researcher at POSCO, stated, "After enhancing the diagnostic performance of key equipment, we will expand robot demonstrations and plan to create an integrated platform for predictive maintenance packages to facilitate technology transfer." 2026-06-14 13:33:00 -
EcoPro Aims to Regain Leadership in Battery Market with AI-Driven Dark Factory Song Ho-jun, CEO of EcoPro, stated that South Korea's secondary battery industry, which once held a leading position globally, has recently fallen behind due to fierce competition from China. He emphasized that the company plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to regain its competitive edge against Chinese rivals. During a meeting with reporters from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on June 11 at EcoPro's Pohang campus, Song remarked, "The secondary battery industry is not led by a few geniuses but by many excellent material and process developers working together to optimize processes." He noted that China is rapidly producing results by heavily investing in battery-related personnel. He added, "I believe AI is the best solution to respond to this challenge. It can replace the work of dozens of people and minimize trial and error." He stressed the importance of both corporate and government efforts to enhance the national competitiveness of South Korea's secondary battery sector. This shift comes as the cathode materials market has evolved. Cathode materials are crucial components that determine the capacity and voltage of batteries by releasing or absorbing lithium ions during charging and discharging. EcoPro's market share in the nickel-cobalt-manganese cathode materials sector dropped from first place in 2023 to sixth in 2024. China is leveraging its cost competitiveness and a supply chain that extends from mining to cathode materials. South Korea currently faces disadvantages in terms of initial investment costs and operational expenses. EcoPro believes that enhancing productivity through AI-based autonomous operations is essential to address these challenges. EcoPro's subsidiary, EcoPro BM, is developing an AI-driven autonomous manufacturing system aimed at improving the quality prediction and productivity of battery electrode materials. The goal is to establish an innovative autonomous manufacturing line that reduces processing costs by 30% and achieves 50% automation in administrative tasks. To achieve this, the company plans to implement automated planning, production progress management, anomaly detection, and autonomous actions based on an AI Integrated Control Center (ACC). In terms of quality, AI will autonomously manage raw materials and key recipes. In the equipment sector, the use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) will facilitate routine inspections and predictive maintenance of key equipment, while safety and environmental measures will include the use of CCTV and sensors to preemptively address risks. Data is at the core of this initiative. Manufacturing cathode materials involves high-temperature kilns and dust environments, making real-time quality management challenging. EcoPro BM has begun building a data platform to consolidate previously scattered manufacturing data. The ultimate goal is to establish the first dark factory for cathode materials. EcoPro BM aims to create a closed AI system that does not rely on external generative AI, integrating ACC, AMRs, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and humanoids to automate input and packaging processes and achieve manufacturing automation by 2030. Song stated, "We plan to increase EcoPro BM's global market share in the nickel-cobalt-manganese sector from about 5% to 20%. By optimizing autonomous operations based on AI, we aim to secure over 300% productivity compared to China and capture market share." 2026-06-14 13:33:00 -
Trump says Iran deal could be signed Sunday, reopening Hormuz Strait SEOUL, June 14 (AJP)- U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace and nuclear agreement with Iran could be signed as early as Sunday, potentially ending months of conflict in the Middle East and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to global shipping. "The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL," Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, describing the prospective agreement as a complete break from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord negotiated under former President Barack Obama. Trump said Iran had agreed to permanently abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and pledged that no U.S. funds would be transferred as part of the arrangement. The announcement marked Trump's strongest indication yet that negotiations are approaching a conclusion after weeks of intermittent talks involving regional mediators and direct contacts between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan, which has played a central mediating role in the negotiations, also signaled that an agreement may be imminent. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X that finalization of the deal was expected within 24 hours and that the accord would likely be signed electronically. He added that technical-level negotiations were expected to begin next week to work through implementation details. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry separately said preparations were underway for a Sunday signing. Iran struck a more cautious tone. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier Saturday that a signing would "not be tomorrow" but acknowledged that an agreement in the coming days remained possible. The emerging accord appears aimed at ending one of the most disruptive geopolitical crises of the year. Since the outbreak of war earlier this year, Iran has restricted access through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil trade normally passes. Tehran has required ships to obtain authorization from Iranian authorities and established new oversight mechanisms and transit charges, while the United States responded with restrictions targeting Iranian ports. Although negotiators have not released details of the final text, reopening the strait appears to be one of the central pillars of the agreement. The issue remains highly contentious. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran intended to retain authority over the waterway and described the strait as one of Iran's principal deterrence tools. Washington has repeatedly rejected any arrangement that would leave global shipping vulnerable to future disruptions. Even as optimism grew, tensions remained evident. U.S. Central Command said Saturday that American forces intercepted multiple Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump condemned the attacks as "totally unacceptable," underscoring the fragile nature of the negotiations. Another major unresolved issue involves Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The United States and Israel have insisted that Iran must permanently surrender nuclear materials capable of being used in a weapons program. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful and has argued that any remaining enriched material should be diluted domestically rather than removed from the country. Trump reiterated Saturday that Washington would ultimately take possession of what he called "Nuclear Dust" buried beneath Iran's mountainous terrain following earlier U.S. airstrikes. "When all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust ... and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States," Trump wrote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Trump assured him that any final agreement would include the removal or destruction of Iran's enriched nuclear material. The prospective agreement comes as leaders prepare to gather for the Group of Seven summit in France, where developments in the Middle East are expected to dominate discussions. In a separate post later Saturday, Trump uploaded a photograph from his 2018 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore without explanation, a move that drew attention because it followed his announcement of a possible Iran denuclearization deal and revived memories of his earlier leader-to-leader diplomacy over nuclear weapons. 2026-06-14 13:22:52 -
Fukushima study traces spread of radioactive cesium particles amid discharge disruptions SEOUL, June 14 (AJP) -Researchers have for the first time reconstructed how highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles released during the Fukushima nuclear disaster spread across northeastern Japan, uncovering a previously hidden contamination pathway that may reshape how future nuclear accidents are assessed. The findings, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, come from an international research team led by scientists from National Taiwan University and the University of Tsukuba. The study focuses on cesium-rich microparticles, or CsMPs — microscopic glass-like particles formed inside the Fukushima Daiichi reactors during the 2011 core meltdowns. Measuring only a few micrometers in diameter, the particles contain highly concentrated radioactive cesium and are largely insoluble in water. Scientists have long considered CsMPs a unique concern because they can remain intact in the environment and potentially become lodged in human lungs if inhaled. While radioactive contamination from Fukushima has been extensively mapped over the past 15 years, the distribution and release mechanism of CsMPs remained poorly understood. To address the gap, researchers analyzed soil samples collected from 100 locations across Fukushima Prefecture before July 2011. Using a quantitative cesium particle method originally developed in 2018, the team measured both the abundance of CsMPs and their contribution to total radioactive contamination. The results revealed substantial regional differences. Researchers found between zero and 52.3 cesium microparticles per gram of soil, while in some locations CsMPs accounted for as much as 61.9 percent of total radioactive cesium contamination. The study showed that contamination patterns from CsMPs differed significantly from those of conventional soluble radioactive cesium. By combining field measurements with atmospheric dispersion simulations generated by Japan's WSPEEDI emergency radiation forecasting system, researchers reconstructed the particles' release and transport history. The team concluded that large quantities of CsMPs were emitted between approximately 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on March 15, 2011, during one of the most critical phases of the Fukushima accident. A radioactive plume carrying the particles moved in a broad clockwise arc from south to southwest and then northwest across Fukushima Prefecture, dispersing contamination over a far wider area than previously recognized. At peak concentrations, researchers estimated that the plume contained up to 4,700 cesium microparticles per cubic meter of air near the plant, with roughly 2,070 particles per cubic meter transported southwestward. The study also found that radioactive materials released after midnight on March 16 contained virtually no cesium microparticles and instead consisted primarily of water-soluble forms of cesium. Rainfall played a crucial role in determining where the particles ultimately accumulated. Areas experiencing precipitation while contaminated plumes passed overhead recorded significantly greater concentrations of CsMPs than would have been predicted from total radiation levels alone. "The findings provide important insights into how radioactive microparticles released during nuclear accidents disperse in the environment," said Satoshi Utsunomiya, a professor at National Taiwan University and the study's corresponding author. He said the research would contribute to future environmental risk assessments and help establish what he described as a new scientific field, "Advanced Radioactive Particle Science." The findings arrive as scrutiny of Fukushima remains intense more than 15 years after the disaster. On Friday, South Korea's government said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) had temporarily halted the 20th discharge of ALPS-treated water from Fukushima Daiichi for the second time this week after an alarm was triggered during the water transfer process. According to Kim Young Soo, First Vice Minister for Government Policy Coordination, the discharge automatically stopped at approximately 5:04 p.m. Friday while TEPCO investigated the cause. The utility had already suspended the same discharge operation on June 10 following a separate alarm linked to a faulty valve between a treated-water storage tank and a transfer pump. Operations resumed on June 11 after repairs were completed, only to be interrupted again two days later. TEPCO later said no abnormalities were found in the discharge facilities and attributed the latest alarm to a temporary reduction in the volume of seawater used to dilute the treated water before release. The company subsequently resumed operations after confirming the system's safety. Japan began releasing ALPS-treated water from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean in August 2023 as part of the decades-long decommissioning process. 2026-06-14 13:02:35 -
Olive Young Opens Second Store in California to Boost K-Beauty Presence CJ Olive Young is accelerating its entry into the U.S. K-Beauty market with the opening of its second store in California.On June 13, Olive Young announced the launch of its Century City store in Los Angeles. The store spans 250 square meters (approximately 2,700 square feet) and is located in the Westfield Century City, a prominent shopping mall in LA. It is situated just a 5 to 10-minute drive from the affluent Beverly Hills and the luxury shopping district of Rodeo Drive. Within a 10-kilometer radius, there are upscale residential areas such as Bel Air, Brentwood, and Westwood, making it a premium retail location.Reflecting local consumer preferences, the Century City store is designed as a K-Skincare-focused outlet. To cater to the high interest in K-Skincare among American consumers, the skincare product display has been expanded to 1.5 times the size of standard stores in Korea.The opening event was attended by Olive Young employees involved in preparing the Century City location, as well as key local figures. Saul Martinez, the store manager, stated, "All team members have been preparing for the opening by learning about K-Beauty, representing Olive Young."Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky and Nancy Wood, president of the Century City Chamber of Commerce, were also present. Yaroslavsky expressed hope that Olive Young's entry would strengthen cultural exchange and partnerships between the two countries, stating, "The innovative K-Beauty that Olive Young presents will create a new shopping experience at Westfield Century City."Olive Young plans to enhance its store operations and product curation to align with local consumer expectations in the U.S. Similar to its membership benefits in Korea, which extend beyond discounts to include experiential services and partnership events, the company aims to cultivate an 'Olive Young fandom' in the U.S. An Olive Young representative said, "We are preparing various services and events in the U.S. to nurture the Olive Young fandom, localizing store operations, product curation, and promotions to meet American consumer standards."Meanwhile, the first U.S. store in Pasadena opened on May 29. The opening event featured Olive Young CEO Lee Sun-jung and Kwon Ga-eun, head of Olive Young's U.S. subsidiary, along with local employees who performed to BLACKPINK's hit song 'APT.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-14 12:57:00 -
KOSPI Hits 8000 Amid Market Polarization with Record Highs and Lows The KOSPI, South Korea's main stock index, is experiencing unprecedented highs, but the performance of individual stocks is sharply divided. The number of stocks reaching 52-week highs is nearly equal to those hitting 52-week lows. According to statistics from the Korea Exchange, as of June 12, out of 2,875 listed stocks, 1,508 have recorded 52-week highs since the beginning of the year, including 545 on the KOSPI. Large-cap stocks have driven the index's rise, with major players like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading the way. Most of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, including SK Square, Samsung Electronics Preferred, Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung C&T, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, reached new 52-week highs between late last month and early this month, with the exception of LG Energy Solution. Conversely, during the same period, 1,763 stocks recorded 52-week lows, surpassing those that achieved highs. Among these, 530 were KOSPI stocks and 1,172 were KOSDAQ stocks. Notably, 587 stocks, or 20.4% of all listed companies, have experienced both highs and lows this year. This means that one in five listed companies has faced significant fluctuations. The volatility was particularly pronounced among small and mid-cap stocks, with 192 KOSPI stocks and 383 KOSDAQ stocks affected. Samsung Biologics is a prime example among large-cap stocks. It reached a 52-week high on January 15 but subsequently fell, hitting a low on June 8. The company's market capitalization briefly rose to fourth place after announcing a presentation at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, but it later relinquished those gains. Theme stocks have also shown high volatility. SJ Group, which gained attention as a theme stock related to the Seoul mayoral election, reached a high in February but fell to low levels after the election as investor sentiment waned. In contrast, Seoul Semiconductor, which recorded a 52-week low in January, rebounded to a new high last month amid improving expectations for the semiconductor market. Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Yuanta Securities, stated, "The current volatility has not been fully resolved. Next week’s meetings of major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan, could contribute to market fluctuations." However, he added, "As long as the upward trend driven by AI remains intact, a focused response centered on earnings stocks will continue. Unless major central banks take sudden, aggressive hawkish actions, market sentiment is likely to transition smoothly into the second quarter, which is showing strong export and price growth results."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-14 12:51:00 -
Mexican Man Apologizes for Racist Gesture During World Cup Match A Mexican man has publicly apologized following a racism controversy. The incident began when YouTuber Inonyang, who has 6.6 million subscribers, posted a video on June 12 after attending the World Cup group stage match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at Estadio Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. The video shows Inonyang filming the atmosphere in the stands with a selfie camera. As nearby spectators waved at the camera, a man seated behind him made a gesture by placing his fingers at the corners of his eyes and pulling them outward, an act commonly referred to as 'eye-squinting' that mocks Asian features. Inonyang captioned the video, "I came all the way to Mexico to watch the World Cup, am I being too sensitive?" As the video spread on social media, viewers both domestically and internationally criticized the gesture as "blatant racism." Mexican netizens expressed their shame, with comments like, "As a fellow Mexican, I am embarrassed," and "I apologize on his behalf." Mexican media outlets Mediotiempo and Infobae reported that the man in the video is Ulysses Fernando Bernal Miramontes, who is identified as the president of the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics. As the controversy escalated, Bernal Miramontes issued an apology on his social media. He stated, "I sincerely regret everything that has occurred due to this situation," adding that he has taken time to reflect on the incident and understands the responsibility he must bear at this moment. He emphasized, "I do not wish to make excuses or engage in debates over interpretations; I acknowledge that this situation has caused discomfort and I want to sincerely apologize. I have always tried to live my life, both personally and professionally, with respect for others, and I will continue to strive to ensure my actions reflect those values." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-14 12:39:00 -
Korea's employment insurance deficit stretches amid record unemployment benefit SEOUL, June 14 (AJP) -South Korea's labor market weakness is increasingly spilling into public finances, with rising unemployment benefit payments and a growing economically inactive population exposing cracks beneath an economy still buoyed by semiconductor exports. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 2025 Employment Insurance Fund settlement report, benefit expenditures surged to a record 20.94 trillion won ($15.3 billion) last year, up 12.3 percent from a year earlier and exceeding the 20 trillion won mark for the first time since the height of the pandemic-triggered job crisis in 2021. Unemployment benefit payments alone reached an all-time high of 17.48 trillion won as layoffs increased in manufacturing and construction while minimum wage hikes pushed up benefit calculations. As result, the Employment Insurance Fund recorded a deficit of 592 billion won last year. The fund's financial position has become increasingly fragile. While year-end reserves stood at 7.8 trillion won on paper, the actual reserve balance excluding borrowings from the Public Capital Management Fund was only 79.6 billion won, effectively leaving the fund close to depletion. Current regulations require unemployment insurance reserves equivalent to 1.5 to 2 times annual expenditures to prepare for large-scale employment shocks. Last year's reserve ratio stood at just 0.1 times annual spending. The Board of Audit and Inspection warned in a recent report that the fund's sustainability could be at risk if South Korea faces another major employment crisis. The warning comes as labor market conditions continue to deteriorate. Slowing job creation threatens premium income while rising unemployment pushes benefit payments higher, creating a widening structural gap between inflows and outflows. According to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of employed people aged 15 and older fell by 40,000 from a year earlier to 29.12 million in May, marking the first year-on-year decline in 17 months. The employment rate dropped 0.5 percentage point to 63.3 percent, the steepest decline since February 2021. The deterioration was concentrated in sectors traditionally responsible for creating stable jobs. Manufacturing employment fell by 140,000 to 4.295 million, while agriculture, forestry and fisheries lost 121,000 jobs. Professional, scientific and technical services shed another 89,000 positions. Youth employment weakened particularly sharply. The number of employed people aged 15 to 29 dropped by 255,000 from a year earlier to 3.427 million, pushing the youth employment rate down 2.4 percentage points to 43.8 percent. The youth unemployment rate rose 0.6 percentage point to 7.2 percent. The economically inactive population increased by 264,000 to 15.986 million, suggesting a growing number of people are abandoning job searches altogether amid deteriorating labor market conditions. The Ministry of Employment and Labor launched a task force last November to examine reforms aimed at improving the employment fund's financial health, but concrete measures have yet to emerge. 2026-06-14 12:25:59 -
Spiritual Asia (10): Zoroaster and the moral questions of the AI Age This is the tenth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series exploring the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. This chapter turns to Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest living faiths, and examines how its teachings on truth, free will and moral responsibility continue to resonate in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Humanity is once again asking where civilization is headed. Artificial intelligence can now understand language, generate knowledge, imitate human reasoning and increasingly perform tasks once reserved for human judgment. Yet while technology advances at extraordinary speed, human wisdom does not necessarily advance with it. Economies have expanded, but communities have weakened. Information has become abundant, yet truth often seems more elusive. Wars continue to rage across continents, while hatred, disinformation and polarization spread effortlessly through digital networks. The challenge confronting humanity today is not merely technological. It is moral. What is good? What is evil? Why should human beings choose truth over falsehood, justice over power and responsibility over convenience? To follow these questions to their historical roots is to encounter one of the most influential figures in the spiritual history of humanity: Zoroaster, known in ancient Persia as Zarathustra. Today, Zoroastrianism is a relatively small religion. Yet its influence on world civilization far exceeds its numbers. Many of the moral concepts that later became central to Judaism, Christianity and Islam — including the struggle between good and evil, free moral choice, divine judgment, heaven and hell, salvation and the ultimate triumph of truth — were profoundly shaped by ideas first articulated within the Zoroastrian tradition. Long before the rise of the great monotheistic religions, Zoroaster sought to answer one of humanity's most enduring questions: How should human beings live? At the center of his teaching stood Ahura Mazda, the "Wise Lord," the source of truth, wisdom and cosmic order. Human beings, Zoroaster taught, are not passive creatures carried by destiny. They possess freedom. They can choose between truth and falsehood, justice and corruption, compassion and cruelty. And because they are free, they are responsible. This was a revolutionary idea. The world, in Zoroaster's vision, was not governed solely by divine decree or blind fate. Human beings themselves became participants in a moral struggle. Every choice mattered. Every action carried consequences. The popular description of Zoroastrianism as a "religion of fire" captures only part of the story. \ Zoroastrians do not worship fire itself. Fire serves as a symbol of purity, truth and divine illumination. It dispels darkness, reveals what is hidden and consumes what is false. For that reason, Zoroastrianism may be more accurately understood as a religion of light. Its ethical teaching can be distilled into three simple principles: Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds. The simplicity is deceptive. These principles form not merely a religious code but a philosophy of civilization. Distorted thinking eventually produces distorted speech. Distorted speech leads to destructive actions. In time, institutions weaken, trust erodes and societies descend into confusion. Few teachings seem more relevant in the age of artificial intelligence. AI systems can generate words, images and decisions on a scale never before imagined. Yet they remain dependent upon the values of those who design and use them. Technology can amplify human intentions, but it cannot determine whether those intentions are moral. Algorithms can calculate probabilities. They cannot define virtue. Machines can process information. They cannot provide wisdom. The influence of Zoroastrianism extended beyond religion and into the realm of politics. Perhaps no figure embodied its ideals more clearly than Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire and one of history's most admired rulers. After conquering Babylon in the sixth century BCE, Cyrus did not seek to erase the identities of conquered peoples. Instead, he permitted them to preserve their traditions and religious practices. Most famously, he allowed exiled Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. For this reason, Cyrus occupies a unique place in Jewish history. He is remembered not as a conqueror but as a liberator and is one of the few non-Jewish rulers mentioned favorably in the Hebrew Bible. The encounter between Persian and Jewish civilizations would leave a lasting mark on the development of religious thought throughout the Middle East and, ultimately, on the spiritual traditions of much of the world. History often demonstrates that acts of tolerance can reshape civilizations more profoundly than acts of conquest. Although Zoroastrianism declined following the spread of Islam, its followers did not disappear. Many migrated to India, where they became known as the Parsis. Despite their small numbers, the Parsis exerted extraordinary influence on modern India. Among them was Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, founder of the Tata Group, one of the country's most important industrial enterprises. The story of the Parsis demonstrates how a religious minority can preserve its spiritual identity while contributing profoundly to education, philanthropy, science and economic development. The influence of Zoroaster also extended into philosophy and literature. In the nineteenth century, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche chose Zarathustra as the symbolic protagonist of Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Nietzsche's figure was not the historical prophet. Yet the choice itself was revealing. More than two millennia after his death, Zoroaster remained a powerful symbol through which modern thinkers sought to explore morality, freedom and the future of humanity. Today, the number of Zoroastrians worldwide is small. Yet the religion's legacy cannot be measured by demographics alone. Its ideas continue to echo through many of the world's major religious traditions. Even modern popular culture bears traces of its influence. Freddie Mercury, the legendary lead singer of Queen, was born into a Parsi family rooted in the Zoroastrian faith. Yet the enduring significance of Zoroaster lies not in historical influence but in the questions he posed. The AI age grants humanity unprecedented power. It enables individuals and societies to reshape economies, cultures and even human knowledge itself. But power alone does not provide direction. The fundamental challenge facing humanity remains the same as it was three millennia ago: how to use freedom wisely. Zoroaster's answer was remarkably simple. Good Thoughts. Good Words. Good Deeds. In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, these ancient principles may sound modest. Yet they remind us that civilization ultimately depends not on technological sophistication but on moral clarity. The followers of Zoroaster did not worship fire. They sought the light that fire represented — the light of truth. And perhaps that is the lesson ancient Persia still offers the modern world. As machines become more intelligent, the question that matters most is not whether technology can think like humans. It is whether humans can continue to think, speak and act with wisdom. More than 3,000 years after Zoroaster first posed the challenge, humanity is still searching for the answer. *The author is a senior columnist of AJP. 2026-06-14 12:09:55 -
Energy Voucher Program to Begin Cash Support for Vulnerable Groups Starting this year, vulnerable groups who previously found it difficult to use vouchers due to energy costs being included in rent or management fees will be able to receive cash support. The government plans to fully implement the energy voucher program beginning in July.The Climate Energy Environment Ministry announced on June 14 that applications for the 2026 energy voucher program will be accepted from June 15 to December 31 at local administrative welfare centers and through the WelfareNet website.The energy voucher program is designed to assist vulnerable groups with their energy bills, including electricity, city gas, and district heating. Eligible households include those receiving basic living, medical, housing, and educational benefits under the National Basic Living Security Act, specifically targeting seniors, infants, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and single-parent families that meet certain criteria.Beneficiary households will have their electricity, city gas, and district heating bills automatically deducted or can use the National Happiness Card to purchase necessary energy sources like kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) directly.This year, tailored support for beneficiaries will be enhanced, particularly for households that cannot directly use vouchers due to energy costs being included in rent or management fees. A new 'pre-exception payment' system will provide cash support for energy costs during the program period.Support for vulnerable groups using briquettes will also be expanded. The government plans to launch the 'Briquette Conversion Energy Voucher' program through the Korea Energy Foundation, which will assist in replacing existing briquette boilers with non-briquette boilers and cover the costs of purchasing energy needed for heating fuel conversion.To improve accessibility for vulnerable groups, the government will strengthen on-site support.The Climate Ministry plans to expand its 'visiting welfare service,' where postal workers and social workers will directly visit households experiencing difficulties after applying for the energy voucher.Lee Kyung-soo, director of climate energy policy at the Climate Ministry, stated, "In the face of an energy crisis, we will actively support vulnerable groups in applying for and using energy vouchers to effectively respond to climate change challenges such as heat waves."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-14 12:06:00