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  • Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Man Charged with Killing High School Student
    Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Man Charged with Killing High School Student Prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Jang Yoon-ki, 23, who is charged with murdering a high school student for the purpose of sexual assault.According to Yonhap News, the Gwangju District Prosecutor's Office made the request during the fourth hearing of the case under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, held on August 31 at the Gwangju District Court's Criminal Division 13, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-ho.The prosecution cited the risk of recidivism as a key reason for seeking the death penalty, stating, "There is a high risk of reoffending, including murder and sexual assault, if he returns to society." During his final statement, Jang expressed remorse, saying, "I am sorry to the victim and will carry the burden of my crime for life." The charge of murder with intent to commit sexual assault carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.The family of the victim, the late Lee Chae-won, urged for severe punishment ahead of the hearing. Lee was a second-year high school student at the time of the incident. The family submitted a petition for harsh punishment signed by over 50,000 citizens and conducted a one-person protest demanding the maximum sentence.A legal representative for the family stated, "The victim's family and those close to her, as well as the entire community, are suffering. Considering the social impact, we urge the court to impose a severe sentence on the defendant."Jang was arrested and indicted for allegedly killing Lee on May 5 at around 12:10 a.m. in a secluded walkway in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, while attempting to commit a sexual crime. He is also accused of wielding a weapon when a high school student nearby heard Lee's screams and rushed to help.The prosecution believes Jang's criminal activities extend beyond this murder. The charges include allegations of raping a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, a co-worker, two days before the murder, and secretly filming a young woman while serving as a social service worker.According to Yonhap, the prosecution has requested the death penalty based on the assessment that Jang poses a significant risk of committing similar crimes if he is released. The court's decision on the prosecution's request for the death penalty is expected to be announced on September 30.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 18:16:00
  • South Korea Requests Search Assistance from Nepal Amid Flood Crisis
    South Korea Requests Search Assistance from Nepal Amid Flood Crisis South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Kunal on August 31 to discuss the ongoing search and rescue efforts for flood victims in Nepal. This marked the second conversation between the two ministers regarding the severe flooding, following their initial discussion on August 27.Minister Cho expressed gratitude to the Nepalese government for successfully rescuing ten South Koreans who had been stranded in the affected area.He also requested the Nepalese side's special cooperation to expedite the search and rescue operations for nine South Koreans who remain uncontacted. Cho emphasized the need for concentrated search efforts, particularly around the areas where contact has been lost, and urged support from the Nepalese military.Additionally, he expressed hope for smooth coordination between the South Korean government’s rapid response team dispatched to the area and the Nepalese authorities.Minister Kunal thanked the South Korean side for their condolences and solidarity, providing updates on the damage and ongoing search operations, including tunnel rescues.Cho noted that the South Korean government is reviewing support measures focused on areas where Nepal needs assistance.The two ministers agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation regarding the rescue of victims, including South Koreans, and the recovery efforts in the flood-affected regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 18:12:00
  • Hanwha Group Moves Forward with Plans for Korean SpaceX
    Hanwha Group Moves Forward with Plans for 'Korean SpaceX' The Korea Fair Trade Commission has approved Hanwha Group's acquisition of shares in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), paving the way for the establishment of an integrated defense platform across land, sea, and air, with aspirations to become the 'Korean SpaceX.' Hanwha aims to enhance its existing defense portfolio, which includes Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, by incorporating KAI's comprehensive aircraft capabilities to compete with global defense giants.According to the defense industry on August 31, the merger of Hanwha and KAI is expected to create a formidable defense conglomerate capable of competing in the global market. Hanwha Aerospace brings ground defense systems and propulsion technologies, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and K239 Chunmoo, while Hanwha Systems possesses advanced defense technologies such as satellites, space systems, radar, and command and control systems. The addition of KAI's aircraft systems and medium-to-large satellite technologies will enable the establishment of a complete weapons value chain, covering everything from aircraft engines and avionics to armament systems and satellite and space technologies.The global aerospace and defense market is rapidly shifting from competition based on individual weapon systems to providing integrated solutions. In the United States, over 50 major defense companies have consolidated into five key players: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman. In Europe, Airbus was formed through the merger of French Aerospatiale, German DASA, and Spanish CASA to counter U.S. dominance in defense and aerospace.Many analysts suggest that to survive in this competitive landscape, companies must scale up. Hanwha's decision to increase its stake in KAI to a total of 15.89% is seen as a move aimed at fostering a more substantial partnership beyond short-term collaboration. While Hanwha is recognized as South Korea's largest defense company, it ranks around 20th globally in terms of revenue, with KAI positioned around 70th.Notably, the global space market is valued at $300 billion, yet South Korean companies account for only 3.5 trillion won, or less than 1% of the total. The government's space budget of 1 trillion won is also a mere 1% compared to the U.S. budget of 115 trillion won. There are calls for increasing corporate scale to narrow the gap with global firms, which is seen as essential for revitalizing the domestic defense and space ecosystem.A defense industry insider noted, 'While there are concerns that the merger of Hanwha and KAI could lead to the creation of a monopoly, it is a necessary step to compete with global companies. The combination of Hanwha's launch vehicle technology and KAI's satellite development and data analysis capabilities will allow a domestic private company to establish a space value chain that includes 'launch-satellite-data-service' for the first time.' They added, 'The success of the space industry hinges on building infrastructure for repeated launch experiences, which is crucial for ushering in a true new space era.'However, some analysts caution against assuming complete integration is imminent. The Fair Trade Commission has indicated that if Hanwha were to acquire additional shares in KAI to become the largest shareholder or gain substantial control through executive positions, it may trigger new merger notification requirements. This would necessitate a reevaluation by the Fair Trade Commission. The government's intent regarding KAI's privatization also remains a variable. Currently, the major shareholders of KAI include the Korea Export-Import Bank at 26.41% and the National Pension Service at 8.20%, meaning government ownership effectively exceeds 30%. Hanwha has stated it will consider acquiring shares if the government decides to sell its stake in the Export-Import Bank.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 18:08:10
  • Homebuyers at Magok District 17 Can Transfer Ownership Before Final Payment
    Homebuyers at Magok District 17 Can Transfer Ownership Before Final Payment Homebuyers at Magok District 17 will be able to move in and transfer ownership without having to make the final payment. Those who have already moved in and paid the defense fee of 55 million won will receive a refund of that amount.The Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) announced on August 31 that, at the request of the Seoul city government, it has established special agreement procedures to reduce delays in moving in and financial burdens for homebuyers, which will take effect on September 1.This measure follows the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's announcement on August 25 regarding the 'New Home Exclusive Mortgage Application Plan.' SH realized during discussions with the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) that it could take more than a month to execute loans due to the exemption from the defense fee. Considering that homebuyers at Magok District 17, who began moving in on August 28, might not be able to secure the final payment within the moving period, SH devised this solution.Magok District 17 is a land lease housing project that conducted pre-applications in September 2023, followed by a public announcement for the main application in February this year, with move-ins starting in August. During the main application process, changes in housing mortgage policies reduced the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio from 80% at the time of pre-application to 60%, and the so-called 'defense fee' of 55 million won was deducted from the total loan amount, causing difficulties for homebuyers in securing the final payment.SH has been seeking solutions by proposing improvements to the housing mortgage policy to the Ministry of Land and holding joint meetings with the city of Seoul. Homebuyers had requested a deferral of the final payment equivalent to the defense fee, but it was determined that it would be difficult to continue deferring payments indefinitely without a confirmed loan standard.After the Ministry of Land finalized the exemption from the defense fee on August 25, SH coordinated with relevant agencies, including the city of Seoul and Gangseo District Office, to establish procedures allowing for moving in and ownership transfer before the final payment is made.The new procedures will take effect on September 1. Notably, homebuyers who paid the defense fee of 55 million won out of pocket between August 28 and 31 can receive a refund if they enter into the special agreement. To eliminate disadvantages among homebuyers based on the timing of the special agreement, SH included those who had already made payments in the refund eligibility.Homebuyers wishing to utilize the 'stepping stone' loan with the defense fee exemption must visit SH's headquarters to enter into individual special agreements between September 1 and 18. Those moving in between August 28 and September 4 can also enter into special agreements at the Magok District 17 Move-In Support Center.SH President Hwang Sang-ha stated, “We have prepared follow-up procedures with relevant agencies to ensure that the Ministry of Land's 'New Home Exclusive Mortgage Application Plan' is smoothly reflected on-site. We will continue to provide guidance and support to ensure that homebuyers at Magok District 17 can move in without any issues due to changes in loan policies.”Meanwhile, Bang Seung-hyun, vice-chairman of the New Home Sharing Land Lease Emergency Response Committee, expressed relief that “families, parents, and friends are all happy that the issues have been resolved and we can move in safely,” adding that there is a celebratory atmosphere among those preparing to move in.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 18:00:00
  • Rain Expected Nationwide Tomorrow; Showers in Southern Regions
    Rain Expected Nationwide Tomorrow; Showers in Southern Regions Rain is expected to fall across the country on Tuesday, September 1.Precipitation will occur in various parts of the central region until noon, with rain forecasted for eastern Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces until the afternoon. Additionally, showers are expected in the southern regions and Jeju Island from the afternoon into the evening.The anticipated rainfall amounts are as follows: Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi 30-80mm (over 120mm in southern Gyeonggi), Gangwon 30-80mm (over 120mm in southern inland and mountainous areas), Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungnam 80-150mm (over 200mm), and Chungbuk 50-100mm (over 150mm).For the showers, expected rainfall is 5-40mm in Jeollabuk-do, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, and 5-30mm in Jeju Island.Morning low temperatures are forecasted to be between 20-26 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are expected to range from 25-33 degrees Celsius.Wave heights in the sea are expected to be 0.5-1.5m in the East Sea and 0.5-1.0m in the West and South Seas. In the offshore waters (about 200km from the coastline), wave heights are predicted to be 0.5-2.5m in the East Sea and 0.5-2.0m in the West and South Seas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:56:10
  • India brings Odissi dance, film festival to Korea for Sarang 2026
    India brings Odissi dance, film festival to Korea for Sarang 2026 SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - The Embassy of India in Seoul will bring traditional dance performances, workshops and Indian cinema to cities across South Korea this fall as part of Sarang 2026, its flagship annual cultural festival. Indian Ambassador to South Korea Gourangalal Das introduced this year’s program during a media briefing at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Seoul on Monday, saying the festival is designed to expose Korean audiences to different traditions from across India each year. Now in its 12th edition, Sarang - The Festival of India in Korea has been held annually since 2015 and serves as one of the embassy’s main platforms for promoting Indian culture and strengthening people-to-people exchanges. This year’s centerpiece will be Odissi, one of India’s major classical dance traditions originating in the eastern state of Odisha. A visiting troupe led by renowned Odissi artist Madhulita Mohapatra will tour South Korea from Sept. 15 to 22, giving performances and conducting workshops for Korean audiences. The tour will open at Samsung Hall at Ewha Womans University in Seoul on Sept. 15 before traveling to Busan, Gimhae, Miryang, Gwangju and Nami Island. The group will then return to Seoul for the final event on Sept. 22. Das described Odissi as an ancient dance form deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage, characterized by graceful movements, sculptural poses, rhythmic patterns and expressive gestures. “Sarang has been there for the last 11 years,” Das said during a question-and-answer session. “The fact that we bring cultural elements from different parts of India makes every Sarang festival unique in its own way.” He said this year’s Odissi troupe is well known in India and has previously performed in Korea, adding that Sarang would provide an opportunity for a broader Korean audience to experience the group’s performances. The festival’s cultural program will extend into November with the 14th edition of the Indian Film Festival. Six Indian films, Queen, Newton, Manjhi – The Mountain Man, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Sui Dhaaga and Sardar Udham, will be screened with Korean subtitles under the theme “Against the Odds: Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Courage.” The screenings will take place from Nov. 3 to 29 in Seoul, Yangsan, Gwangju, Miryang, Incheon and Busan. Das said the films were selected around the common theme of ordinary people confronting difficult circumstances and overcoming challenges, adding that the stories could resonate particularly strongly with younger audiences in both India and Korea. The ambassador also said the embassy is seeking to take Indian cultural events beyond Korea’s largest cities. Explaining the inclusion of Miryang, Das said the goal of the festival is “not just to go to the usual suspects” but to broaden its network and bring Indian culture closer to people across the country. He pointed to Miryang’s connection with yoga as another reason for the city’s inclusion. Dance workshops held alongside the performances will be open to the public through registration systems operated by local partner organizations, embassy officials said. Das placed the festival within a broader effort to deepen cultural ties between India and South Korea, saying the two countries’ leaders have emphasized the long history of cultural exchanges and the need to showcase those links more prominently. The name “Sarang” itself reflects that connection: “sarang” means “love” in Korean, while in Hindi it can refer to a “medley of colours,” according to the embassy. 2026-08-31 17:53:12
  • Japan beckons as SK hynix weighs next memory-chip hub
    Japan beckons as SK hynix weighs next memory-chip hub SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - SK hynix, fresh from breaking ground on a more than $4 billion HBM packaging plant in the United States, is weighing Japan as a possible next overseas production base as surging AI demand pushes the South Korean memory giant to widen its manufacturing footprint. "We are in the process of studying. As soon as we finish, I'll let you know," SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won told reporters in Japan on Monday when asked about potential investment in a Japanese semiconductor plant. Chey, who doubles as the head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been in Japan to attend the 15th Korea-Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chairmen’s Meeting in Sendai, where business leaders discussed cooperation in supply chains, energy security and future industries. His remarks followed growing speculation that SK hynix was considering memory-chip production in Japan, including reports pointing to Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan as a possible candidate. An SK hynix official told AJP that Chey's remarks were a general reference to the company's review of potential production locations and should not be taken as confirmation of a specific joint venture or investment project in Japan. Japan nevertheless presents a compelling backdrop for the search. The country accounted for around half of the global semiconductor market around 1990 before losing ground to South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Its share has since fallen to around 10 percent, according to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Tokyo is spending heavily to reverse that decline, seeking to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity and strengthen semiconductor supply chains increasingly regarded as critical to economic security. Kumamoto has become the most visible symbol of that push. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. established Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, or JASM, in the southwestern prefecture, restoring advanced logic-chip production capacity that Japan had largely lost. The Japanese government has already budgeted up to 732 billion yen in support for TSMC's second Kumamoto fab. Taiwanese authorities in March approved a revision of the project toward production of advanced 3-nanometer chips. Tokyo has said the specific investment amount, timetable and any additional government support remain under discussion. Japan is also rebuilding its position in memory, an area that provides a more direct connection to SK hynix. Kioxia, one of Japan's largest remaining semiconductor manufacturers, produces NAND flash memory from plants including Yokkaichi in Mie Prefecture. Tokyo has supported capacity expansion there as part of its drive to secure domestic semiconductor production. The company also provides an existing financial link between Japan and SK hynix. The Korean memory giant participated in the Bain Capital-led acquisition of the former Toshiba Memory business and retains an indirect connection to Kioxia through Bain-linked investment vehicles and convertible rights. That relationship has gained renewed attention as SK hynix expands beyond conventional memory to capture the AI infrastructure boom. The company has become the dominant supplier of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, stacked memory used alongside AI accelerators, while also seeking additional capacity to meet demand that executives expect to remain tight for years. Japan offers another attraction. Even after losing much of its global chipmaking share, the country retains formidable positions in semiconductor materials, components and manufacturing equipment. METI itself has identified equipment, parts and materials as areas where Japanese companies continue to hold a competitive edge. That combination of suppliers, government incentives and an aggressive push to restore advanced semiconductor manufacturing puts Japan among the plausible candidates as SK hynix studies the next stage of its overseas expansion. Tokyo has increasingly relied on both domestic and foreign chipmakers to rebuild the ecosystem. Alongside TSMC and Kioxia, the government has backed projects spanning advanced logic, memory and image sensors. In April, METI approved subsidies of up to 60 billion yen for a new Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing image-sensor plant under construction in Kumamoto. Any Japanese investment by SK hynix would follow a major expansion in the United States. The company last week broke ground on an advanced HBM packaging facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, with investment expected to exceed $4 billion. The plant is scheduled to begin mass production of next-generation HBM in the second half of 2029, using wafers produced in South Korea for packaging and testing in the United States. Japan would represent a different proposition: a potential memory-chip production base in a country that was once the center of global semiconductor manufacturing and is now spending heavily to reclaim part of that position. For now, SK hynix is keeping its options open. The company stressed that no specific Japanese joint venture or investment has been decided and that Chey's comments referred to its broader study of potential production locations. AJP Takeaways • SK hynix is studying additional overseas production locations after breaking ground on its $4 billion-plus HBM packaging plant in Indiana, with Japan emerging as a potential candidate. • Japan's global semiconductor share has fallen from around 50 percent around 1990 to roughly 10 percent, prompting Tokyo to pour resources into rebuilding domestic chip production. • TSMC's Kumamoto fabs, Kioxia's memory operations and Japan's strength in semiconductor materials and equipment provide an established ecosystem as SK hynix considers its next manufacturing move. 2026-08-31 17:52:15
  • Korean Womens Football Association Responds to Referees Inappropriate Comments Toward Ji So-yeon
    Korean Women's Football Association Responds to Referee's Inappropriate Comments Toward Ji So-yeon The Korean Women's Football Association has initiated an investigation and follow-up actions regarding inappropriate comments made by a referee toward Ji So-yeon during a recent women's professional football WK League match.On August 28, during a match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall at Suwon Sports Complex, the association confirmed it would verify the facts surrounding the referee-related incident and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.The controversy arose when Ji So-yeon received a warning after protesting to the referee about the match situation around the 30-minute mark of the first half, leading to a four-minute stoppage in play.It was reported that Ji So-yeon heard the referee's crew use slang terms 'girl's day' and 'sensitive' during their wireless communication, which she interpreted as inappropriate comments directed at her. In response, she protested vigorously, throwing water bottles and other items. Referee Bae Sun-young displayed a red card but did not issue an ejection. Initially, Bae denied making the comments but later acknowledged that they were part of a conversation among the referees.However, the Korea Football Association's referee team stated that the term 'menstruation' was not used in their communication and that Ji So-yeon was not specifically identified.According to reports, Ji So-yeon's team, Suwon FC Women, raised concerns about the inappropriate remarks made by the referees during the match and formally requested the association and the football federation to verify the facts and take action on August 30.Following the match, the association listened to the club's feedback and reviewed relevant documents, including the referee's report and the match supervisor's report. On August 31, the association requested an official statement from the Korea Football Association's referee operations team regarding the circumstances of the comments made during the match and the specific facts, along with future handling plans.The association stated, "Since the player recognized that there were inappropriate expressions directed at her during the referees' wireless communication and raised the issue, we take this matter seriously as it relates to the dignity and respect of the player, mutual respect and trust among league members, and the fair operation of the WK League."It added, "Once the facts are confirmed, necessary actions must follow, and practical improvement measures should be established to prevent recurrence. However, since the referees are also important members of the WK League, we plan to use this incident as an opportunity to review the overall culture of match operations and communication within the league rather than approaching it as a blame game against specific individuals."To facilitate this, the association plans to hold a meeting with WK League referees, relevant personnel from the Korea Football Association, and participating clubs. The meeting will discuss the positions of each party and explore ways to address potential conflicts and communication procedures related to refereeing in the WK League.The association aims to reassess the operation of the WK League and continue efforts to create a respectful and trustworthy environment for all participants, including players, coaches, referees, and clubs.Earlier, the Korea Professional Football Players Association characterized the incident as a serious human rights violation and abuse of power by the referee, rather than a mere dispute over a decision. Lee Geun-ho, who co-chairs the players' association with Ji So-yeon, strongly criticized the behavior of the referee, who should protect players but instead caused humiliation and used cards as a weapon.Additionally, the players' association has demanded the establishment of an emergency response committee by the football association to reform the refereeing system and called for the dismissal of the referee involved in this incident.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:52:10
  • GS Retails Kim Hak-min: AI Should Assist Human Decision-Making
    GS Retail's Kim Hak-min: AI Should Assist Human Decision-Making 김학민 GS리테일 AI데이터부문장은 인공지능 전환(AX) 핵심으로 'AI와 사람의 역할 분담'을 꼽았다. 반복 업무는 AI에 맡기되 복합적인 판단이 필요한 영역에서는 사람이 최종 의사결정을 내려야 한다는 것이다. 김학민 부문장은 "사람이 책임을 지고 여러 맥락을 고려해 최종 판단해야 하는 중요한 영역은 여전히 사람의 몫"이라며 "사람 간 관계나 다양한 사업적 맥락을 함께 살펴야 하는 의사결정이 대표적"이라고 말했다. 이어 AI는 사람의 판단을 대체하기보다 의사결정을 돕는 조력자 역할을 해야 한다고 강조했다. 그는 "AI가 다양한 의견과 선택지를 제시하고, 이를 토대로 사람이 더 나은 결정을 내릴 수 있도록 지원하는 것이 바람직하다"고 설명했다. 반면 일정한 기준에 따라 반복적으로 이뤄지는 업무는 AI 비중이 점차 커질 것으로 내다봤다. 아울러 AI 도입 과정에서는 모델 성능만 좇아서는 안 된다고 지적했다. 김 부문장은 "무조건 성능이 가장 좋은 모델을 사용하는 게 답은 아니다"라며 "업무 특성과 비용 등을 고려해 해당 업무를 수행하는 데 가장 적합한 모델을 선택하는 것이 중요하다"고 말했다. AI 확산으로 일자리가 줄어들 것이라는 우려에 대해서도 선을 그었다. AI가 업무 시간을 단축하더라도 남는 시간이 곧바로 '유휴 시간'으로 이어지는 것은 아니라는 설명이다. 그는 "과거 30분 걸리던 업무가 AI를 통해 5~10분으로 줄었다고 해서 나머지 시간에 아무 일도 하지 않는 것은 아니다"라며 "생산성 한계로 그동안 하지 못했거나 뒤로 미뤄왔던 다른 업무를 하게 된다"고 말했다. 이어 "현장에서도 AI를 적극적으로 활용할수록 기존에는 시간과 인력 부족으로 시도하지 못했던 업무까지 수행하는 모습을 확인하고 있다"고 덧붙였다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:52:10
  • GS Retail Advances AI Integration for Enhanced Operations
    GS Retail Advances AI Integration for Enhanced Operations 허서홍 GS리테일 대표이사와 각 사업부장은 매달 한자리에 모여 인공지능(AI)을 공부한다. 3개월째 이어지고 있는 'AI 리터러시' 교육에는 허서홍 대표를 비롯해 10~12명이 참여한다. 수십년간 쌓아온 유통 현장 경험에 AI를 어떻게 접목할지가 핵심 주제다. 교육 콘셉트는 '자녀가 알려주는 AI 리터러시'다. 어렵게 느껴질 수 있는 AI의 문턱부터 낮추자는 취지다. 해당 교육을 진행하는 곳은 GS리테일 AI데이터부문으로, 김학민 부문장은 지난해 9월 GS리테일에 합류했다. 허 대표와 자주 만나 인공지능 전환(AX)을 논의하면서 '인공지능 전환(AX)은 무엇일까'라는 근본적인 질문부터 'AI 시대에 사람은 어떤 역할을 해야 하는지'까지 논의의 범위도 확대됐다. 서울 강남구 역삼동 GS타워에서 김 부문장을 만나 GS리테일이 그리는 AX의 모습을 들어봤다. -지난해 9월 GS리테일에 합류했다. 가장 먼저 살펴본 것은 무엇인지. "그간 AI와 데이터 분야에서 계속 일해왔기 때문에 GS리테일에서 어떤 부분을 기여할 수 있을지 먼저 고민했다. 직원이 약 7000명인 조직인 만큼 현장에서 나오는 생각과 요구도 굉장히 다양했다. 따라서 △회사가 원하는 AX는 어떤 모습인가 △현장에서 가장 답답해하는 것은 무엇인가 △실제로 해결하고 싶은 문제는 무엇인가를 우선 들여다봤다. 초기에는 허서홍 대표와 매주 만나 AX를 논의했다. 새로운 기술의 도입이 AX인지, 의사결정 방식을 바꾸는 것이 AX인지 등을 많이 고민했다. 지금은 한 달에 한 번 정도 만나 이 같은 주제를 계속 논의하고 있다." -GS리테일에서 AI를 가장 적극적으로 적용하려는 영역은 어디인가. "유통업은 다른 산업보다 속도가 빠르고, 조직 곳곳에서 수많은 의사결정이 이뤄진다. 따라서 AX 역할은 빠르고 다양한 의사결정을 어떻게 지원하느냐에 있다고 봤다. 먼저 업무를 크게 세 종류로 나눠봤다. 첫째는 반드시 사람이 집중해야 할 일, 둘째는 반복적으로 발생하면서 시간이 많이 드는 일, 셋째는 굳이 하지 않아도 되는 일이다. 이 중 반복적이거나 불필요한 업무에 시간을 더 많이 쓰고 있지는 않은지 찾는 것이 중요했다. 반복적이고 시간이 많이 드는 업무를 AI가 대신하도록 해 중요한 일에만 집중할 수 있도록 하는 것이다." -대표적인 사례가 신선식품(FF) 자동발주인가. "그렇다. 편의점에서는 김밥·도시락·샌드위치·햄버거 같은 신선식품을 FF라고 부른다. 매일 점주는 오늘 고객이 얼마나 올지, FF 상품이 얼마나 팔릴지를 판단해 발주해야 한다. 상당히 어려운 숙제이면서 동시에 매일 반복되는 업무다. 하지만 경영주에게 더 중요한 일은 고객을 응대하고, 더 좋은 서비스를 제공하는 것이다. 이에 반복되는 발주 업무를 AI가 지원할 수 있지 않을까 고민했고, FF 자동발주 연구를 시작했다. 연구는 약 3년 전부터 해왔다. 실제 실행과 테스트는 지난해부터 진행하고 있다. 현재도 새로운 모델을 만들어 테스트 중이다. 올해 연말께는 AI가 발주 의사결정을 어떤 방식으로 지원할 수 있을지 구체적인 윤곽이 나올 것으로 본다." -모든 점포에 하나의 자동발주 모델을 적용하기는 어렵지 않나. "처음에는 하나의 모델을 만들어 전체 점포로 확대하고 싶었다. 그런데 실제 현장에 적용해보니 점포마다 상황이 모두 달랐다. 사람마다 성향과 환경이 다른 것과 비슷하다. 예를 들어 학원가 점포는 10대 고객 비중이 높고, 건설현장 인근 점포에서는 현장 근로자의 간편식 수요가 크다. 또 주택가와 오피스 상권도 다르고 대학가 역시 시험 기간인지 아닌지에 따라 수요가 달라진다. 이 과정에서 모델 정확도를 높이는 것 못지않게 현장 요구와 불편을 얼마나 빨리 파악하느냐가 중요하다는 사실을 배웠다. 일종의 시행착오였다." -현장 직원이 직접 AI를 활용해 업무 도구를 만든 사례도 있나. "AI로 점포별 영업 활성화를 돕는 '점포 진단 사이트'가 대표적이다. 과거에는 필요한 시스템이 생기면 외주 개발부터 고민했을 것이다. 하지만 처음에만 편리할 뿐, 수정할 일이 생길 때마다 요구사항을 다시 설명하고 결과를 기다려야 한다. 시간도 걸리고 비용도 발생하는 셈이다. 하지만 현장 담당자가 AI를 활용하면 본인에게 필요한 기능을 직접 설명하고, 결과도 즉시 확인할 수 있다. 며칠씩 걸리던 일이 불과 몇분 만에 구현되는 것이다. 특히 만들어진 결과물을 가까운 점포에서 바로 테스트하고, 부족한 부분을 다시 AI에 요청해 수정할 수도 있다. 결국 GS리테일의 상황과 현장 문제를 가장 잘 이해하는 사람은 내부 직원이라는 결론을 내렸다. 그래서 시작한 것이 현장 밀착형 엔지니어(FDE) 육성이다. 현장 직원이 스스로 문제를 발견하고, AI를 이용해 직접 해결할 수 있도록 만드는 것이 핵심이다." -재고관리에도 AI와 데이터를 활용하고 있다고 했는데. "상품기획자(MD)는 어떤 신상품을 들여와야 고객이 좋아할지 고민하는 데 많은 시간을 쓴다. 반면 예상만큼 판매되지 않아 쌓이는 재고는 상대적으로 놓치기 쉽다. 그래서 MD와 물류 담당자가 함께 데이터를 보면서, 재고를 바라보는 방식을 바꿔봤다. 예를 들어 잘 팔리지 않아 재고가 쌓인 상품 중 유통기한이 임박한 상품을 빠르게 찾아내고 프로모션을 통해 다시 판매 기회를 만드는 식이다. 물류 담당자에게는 재고 효율의 문제지만, MD에게는 반드시 팔아야 할 상품의 문제다. 같은 데이터를 직무별 목적에 맞춰 다르게 활용하는 것이다. 앞으로는 제품 디자인, 개발, 실제 운영 등 한 사이클을 직원들이 이해할 수 있도록 교육하는 것이 필요하다고 보고 있다." -GS리테일이 보유한 점포·상품·고객 데이터는 어떤 경쟁력이 있나. "데이터가 많다고 꼭 좋은 것만은 아니다. 실제 현장에서 잘 활용할 때 가치가 생긴다. 임직원들이 매일 어떤 데이터를 쓰는지 살펴봤다. 편의점 관련 데이터만 해도 데이터 묶음이 약 7500개에 달한다. 이 중 실제로 매일 활용되는 데이터 묶음은 30개 이내였다. 그렇다면 AI가 7500개에 달하는 데이터 묶음을 모두 이해하도록 하는 것보다 실제 업무에서 자주 활용되는 30개 안팎의 핵심 데이터를 사람과 AI가 모두 깊이 이해할 수 있도록 만드는 편이 훨씬 중요하다고 판단했다. 따라서 이같은 '한 줌의 데이터'를 제대로 정비하고, 현장에서 누구나 쉽게 활용할 수 있도록 만드는 데 집중하고 있다." -AI가 앞으로 GS리테일의 점포 운영과 상품 업무를 어떻게 바꿀 것으로 전망하는지. "가장 큰 변화는 직원 한명 한명이 자신의 문제를 스스로 발견하고, 해결할 수 있게 된다는 점이다. 핵심은 의사결정이다. 직원이 데이터를 기반으로 더 빠르게 의사결정을 하고, AI가 그 과정을 쉽게 지원하도록 만드는 것이 목표다. 문제를 직접 해결하려는 직원이 늘고, 그 모습을 본 주변 직원들이 AI를 활용하기 시작하는 방식으로 조직 전체에 확산돼야 한다. 몇몇 전문가만 AI를 잘 사용하는 회사보다는 현장의 많은 직원이 AI를 자연스럽게 활용하는 것. 이게 바로 우리가 지향하는 모습이다." -앞으로 1년 동안 AX 조직의 목표는 무엇인가. "AX 조직의 성적표는 AI 기술을 몇 개 개발했는지로 결정되지 않는다. 현장 직원들의 손에 AI가 실제로 얼마나 쥐어졌는지가 더 중요하다. 단순히 AI를 도입해 매출이 몇 퍼센트 늘었는지만 볼 것이 아니다. AI를 통해 의사결정 속도가 얼마나 빨라졌는지, 사람의 역할과 일하는 방식이 얼마나 달라졌는지, 직원들이 자신의 문제를 얼마나 직접 해결하게 됐는지를 봐야 한다는 뜻이다. GS리테일이 얼마나 'AI 네이티브 회사'로 변화하고 있는지를 확인하는 것이 앞으로 1년간 가장 중요한 과제다." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:52:00