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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
Sale of Sang Sang In Savings Bank Uncertain as KBI Group Withdraws Approval Request The sale of Sang Sang In Savings Bank has become uncertain. KBI Group, the intended buyer, has withdrawn its request for stock acquisition approval from financial authorities, prompting both Sang Sang In and KBI to reconsider the maintenance of their contract and the possibility of changing its terms. On August 31, Sang Sang In announced that it has postponed the scheduled date for the disposal of its shares in Sang Sang In Savings Bank from today to September 21. However, the revised date is not the final transaction date but rather a time for discussions between the buyer and seller regarding the maintenance of the contract and potential changes to its terms. Last October, Sang Sang In entered into a stock purchase agreement to sell 12,241,000 shares of Sang Sang In Savings Bank to KBI Group's subsidiary, KBI National Industry, for 110.7 billion won. This represents 90.01% of the total issued shares. If the transaction is completed, Sang Sang In's ownership stake will decrease from 100% to 9.99%. The sale price consists of a down payment of 11.07 billion won and a remaining balance of 99.63 billion won. Sang Sang In has been pursuing the sale to comply with a stock disposal order from the Financial Services Commission and to secure investment funds. However, KBI's recent withdrawal of its stock acquisition approval request has prevented the transaction from being finalized by the originally scheduled date. According to the contract, if the Financial Services Commission does not grant approval by August 31 or if it is confirmed that approval is not possible, either party can notify the other in writing to terminate the contract. Instead of confirming the termination of the contract, Sang Sang In plans to negotiate with KBI regarding the maintenance of the contract and any changes to its terms by September 21. Depending on the outcome of these discussions, the sale process may either be resumed or the contract may be terminated. KBI Group stated, “With the change in the scheduled disposal date for the stock purchase agreement of Sang Sang In Savings Bank, we will actively engage in close consultations and cooperation moving forward.” 2026-08-31 17:52:00
K-Bio: Preparing for the Next Phase of Technology Exports Technology exports have become a familiar term in the K-Bio sector. The size of contracts, upfront payments, and milestone payments are now seen as benchmarks for success.Since the government announced its intention to foster the pharmaceutical and biotech industries as future growth sectors in 2017, technology exports have established themselves as key performance indicators for domestic companies. The fact that the scale of technology exports from domestic pharmaceutical and biotech firms exceeded 13 trillion won in the first half of this year reflects this changed status.There are valid reasons for this shift. Domestic companies face significant challenges in fully developing a new drug. The third phase of clinical trials, which is the most critical stage, typically involves 1,000 to 3,000 patients to verify the drug's efficacy and safety. Few companies have their own global sales networks.Choosing to export technology at the early stages of clinical trials has been a practical strategy for domestic firms to continue their research and development (R&D). However, it is always disappointing that the greatest added value generated during the commercialization process goes to the global pharmaceutical companies that acquire the technology.While the total contract amount announced during technology exports garners attention, the actual upfront payment often amounts to only 2-3% of the total, depending on the contract structure.Although technology exports are undoubtedly a necessary strategy, the industry's competitiveness should not be limited to this. Creating conditions that allow domestic companies to choose longer-term development will be crucial for long-term competitiveness.Experts suggest that expanding capital communication through initiatives like the National Growth Fund, success-based loans, and mega funds is essential. The aim is to create an environment where companies do not have to abandon development due to financial burdens or transfer technology too early.The recent government initiative to expand support for the biotech sector is a welcome change. However, the success of these policies depends more on how and where the budget is allocated than on its size. Given that global big pharma invests tens of trillions of won in R&D each year, the limited policy funding must prioritize direction over scale.Distributing small amounts to multiple companies or focusing support on relatively safe late-stage projects will not effectively change the industry's structure.A representative from the biotech industry noted, "The recent National Growth Fund tends to concentrate funding on areas with relatively lower risks, such as late-stage clinical trials or commercialization, rather than sharing high-risk burdens. Public funds should play a role in filling gaps in areas that the private sector cannot manage effectively."Policy funding should focus on bridging gaps that the private sector cannot cover. It is necessary to create a foundation for early startups to validate their technologies during the proof of concept (PoC) stage and to share R&D risks during critical phase three clinical trials. This will enable private capital to engage in follow-up investments and allow domestic companies to secure the capacity to choose paths beyond technology exports.If policy funding operates under the same criteria as private investment, its purpose becomes unclear. As support increasingly concentrates on relatively safe late-stage projects or large companies, early-stage innovative firms that desperately need funding will lose their ability to survive in the market.Technology exports represent a significant achievement for K-Bio. The next challenge is not merely increasing the number of contracts but creating an industry structure where technology exports are not the only option. Establishing an environment where domestic companies can fully pursue development is the task that must be addressed following technology exports.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:48:10
Kim Seung-won Nominated as Minister of Justice Amid Controversy President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Kim Seung-won, a member of the Democratic Party representing Suwon Gap, as the new Minister of Justice. A re-elected lawmaker and former judge, Kim is known for his strong advocacy for prosecutorial reform. However, this reputation is overshadowed by his role as co-chair of a group pushing for the cancellation of indictments against President Lee. The potential impact of such cancellations is significant, as it has been cited as a reason for the resignation of former Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho. Although Jeong denied the allegations until his last day in office, many do not take his claims at face value. The issue of indictment cancellation has become a 'black hole' threatening to engulf all Justice Ministers under the Lee administration.As the gravitational pull of indictment cancellation intensifies, the push for 'prosecutorial and judicial reform' by both Kim and the Lee administration is likely to face increasing resistance. If the president's unresolved criminal cases are dismissed under the guise of reform, the principle of 'political independence of the criminal justice system' will suffer a severe blow.Therefore, if the leader of the indictment cancellation group becomes the Minister of Justice, his primary responsibility should not be to erase the president's trial but to separate the Ministry of Justice from the president's legal issues. Kim must clarify his commitment to distinguishing prosecutorial and judicial reform from the personal judicial risks faced by President Lee during his confirmation hearings. A definitive step would be for Kim to propose that President Lee state, 'I will faithfully undergo any trials that are suspended during my presidency after leaving office.'Additionally, the indiscriminate personnel changes and disciplinary actions against prosecutors involved in cases related to President Lee must be revoked. The Ministry of Justice demoted Prosecutor Jeong Yu-mi, who criticized the decision to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment case, to a lower rank. However, on June 11, the court ruled that this was an 'extremely unusual personnel decision' that constituted an abuse of discretion, leading to its cancellation. The court recognized the action as 'political personnel,' but the Ministry of Justice has appealed the ruling.In the investigation of the North Korean remittance case involving President Lee, Prosecutor Park Sang-yong faced what was described as an 'Indian rain dance' style of inspection. However, in a key matter concerning the 'salmon liquor party,' the former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee Hwa-young, was sentenced to four months in prison for perjury, while Prosecutor Park was cleared of wrongdoing by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's inspection committee.Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice has sought disciplinary action against prosecutors from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office who collectively left the courtroom during the trial of Lee Hwa-young. This case drew attention as President Lee himself mentioned the need for disciplinary measures. Although the Supreme Prosecutors' Office later cleared the prosecutors of wrongdoing, the Ministry of Justice reopened the inspection committee to impose sanctions. In response, Prosecutor Gong Bong-sook criticized on August 15 via the internal network (Epros) that 'if Lee Hwa-young is acquitted, it will benefit the president, and everyone knows that the prosecutors were doing their best to maintain the indictment, ultimately leading to a request for the disqualification of the trial judges.'On August 30, Kim stated on social media, 'I will fulfill my responsibilities for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.' He added, 'South Korea is on the brink of a major transformation in its criminal justice system that has lasted for 70 years,' and pledged to do his utmost to ensure that the new system is trusted and stabilizes based on his experiences. However, all eyes remain on the issue of 'indictment cancellation.' There is hope that Kim's vision for the success of the Lee administration does not hinge on the cancellation of indictments related to the president's cases.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:48:10
Nepal Floods Highlight Climate Inequality Amid Global Warming Crisis The warning signs from the Himalayas are growing louder. Severe flooding along the Nepal-China-Tibet border has resulted in over 800 deaths and left more than 3,000 people missing. Villages, roads, and bridges have been buried under mud, and countless residents have lost their homes. As search efforts for the missing continue, the death toll may rise further. This disaster cannot be dismissed as a mere natural calamity; it serves as another warning from the rapidly melting Himalayas about the impacts of global warming.The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the collapse of glaciers and rock formations in the highlands, releasing massive amounts of water and debris into the valleys. Scientists note that global warming is melting glaciers and weakening permafrost, contributing to geological instability in mountainous regions. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the rate of glacier loss in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region has accelerated by 65% from 2011 to 2020 compared to the previous decade, with about one-third of Nepal's glacier volume disappearing in the last 30 years.Most painfully, this catastrophic flooding underscores the issue of climate inequality. Nepal is a country with minimal responsibility for global warming, contributing only 0.05% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions in 2024. In contrast, China accounts for over 30% and the United States for more than 10% of global emissions. Together, these two countries exceed 40% of total carbon emissions worldwide.Greenhouse gases do not recognize borders. Regardless of where coal and oil are burned, the consequences accumulate in the atmosphere. However, the impacts are not distributed equally. Countries that have amassed significant wealth through industrialization and continue to emit large amounts of carbon possess the capital and technology to build disaster prevention facilities, weather monitoring systems, and early warning systems. Meanwhile, nations with minimal emissions, like Nepal, find themselves on the front lines, losing lives and homes to melting glaciers, torrential rains, droughts, and rising sea levels. This creates an unjust scenario where the benefits of carbon emissions are enjoyed by some, while the costs are borne by others.Of course, it is not fair to place the entire blame for this disaster on specific countries like China or the United States. Nepal must also assess its own indiscriminate development, infrastructure near rivers, and weak disaster prevention systems. In regions like the Himalayas, where rapid climate change is occurring, it is crucial to establish continuous monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes and to expedite the development of early warning systems using satellites and sensors. Information sharing among neighboring countries such as China, India, and Nepal, which face similar risks, should also be strengthened.However, this alone will not resolve the issue. If the costs of adapting to the climate crisis are entirely shifted onto poorer nations, the international community's response to climate change cannot be deemed just. Developed countries and major emitting nations must ensure that their promises to reduce carbon emissions translate into real action. They should provide technology and financial support to help vulnerable countries build disaster prevention infrastructure and early warning systems. The reality that Nepal, with its minimal carbon emissions, stands at the forefront of climate disasters must not be ignored by the international community.The rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers and the onset of landslides is not just a problem for specific mountainous nations. What is happening in Nepal today could manifest as floods, wildfires, and droughts in other countries tomorrow. The questions posed by the collapsing glaciers of the Himalayas are clear: Who is responsible for the climate crisis, and who is paying the price? If powerful nations do not respond to these questions with action, Nepal's tragedy may only be the beginning of a new era of climate inequality. 2026-08-31 17:48:00
FIFA to Assess K-Football as a Step Toward Reform Principles The International Football Federation (FIFA) will visit the Korea Football Association (KFA) next month. Three officials, including the director of the FIFA Member Associations Division, will arrive in South Korea for a three-day visit in the second week of September to review the activities of the K-Football Innovation Committee. Earlier, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sent a joint letter on August 21 requesting information on the discussions and progress of the Innovation Committee. The letter reportedly included FIFA's regulations stating that sanctions could be imposed if a third party improperly interferes with the independence of the football association.FIFA's request for written materials, followed by an on-site visit, indicates the seriousness of the matter. FIFA maintains that member football associations must operate independently, free from undue external influence, including from the government. In the past, the All India Football Federation and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka faced suspensions due to issues of third-party or government interference.However, it is important not to overinterpret FIFA's visit as a precursor to sanctions against Korean football. So far, the confirmed agenda includes a request for information on the Innovation Committee's activities and an on-site inspection. There is no evidence to suggest that FIFA has deemed the Innovation Committee's activities as government interference or that disciplinary procedures have been initiated.Instead, this inspection should serve as an opportunity to clearly establish the principles of reform that Korean football is pursuing.The K-Football Innovation Committee was established in July amid increasing calls for reform following the North and Central America World Cup. Co-chaired by FIFA committee member Park Ji-sung and Korea Sports Council President Yoo Seung-min, the committee is discussing various challenges facing Korean football, including governance, youth development, and the introduction of advanced technology systems. The method for the upcoming KFA presidential election is also a key topic, with efforts underway to improve the system, including expanding the electorate, rather than following the existing election process.There is likely broad consensus on the need for change in Korean football. Regardless of the national team's performance, controversies surrounding the KFA's decision-making, administration, and electoral system have persisted. The establishment of the Innovation Committee was a response to these issues. The demand has been strong for systemic changes rather than merely replacing a few individuals whenever problems arise.What matters is the process. No matter how urgent the need for reform, direct government involvement in the KFA's decision-making could conflict with FIFA's principle of independence. Conversely, prioritizing independence while leaving existing problems and practices unchanged is also inappropriate. Independence is not a privilege to avoid external interference but a principle that requires self-determination and accountability for the outcomes.The Innovation Committee has been aware of this issue since its inception. Initially announced as a co-chair, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Hwi-young stepped down to participate as a member during the first meeting, with Yoo Seung-min taking over as co-chair. Minister Park emphasized that the KFA's independence must be guaranteed and that the government should not interfere beyond the legal limits. Yoo also stressed the need to clarify whether the discussions within the Innovation Committee are recommendations, proposals, or require follow-up actions.It is now time to demonstrate these principles through actual activities. The Innovation Committee must transparently explain to FIFA what it has discussed and the procedures it has followed, as well as the roles of the government, the Innovation Committee, and the KFA. If the committee's proposals are necessary, it is also important to ensure they are implemented through the KFA's legitimate processes.There is no reason to view FIFA's inspection as a burden. It is essential to correct any wrong practices while maintaining the KFA's autonomy, and for the government to provide necessary support without taking over football administration. If there are issues, they can be corrected immediately; if not, they should be explained as they are.The reform of Korean football and the independence of the KFA are not mutually exclusive. A proper reform should be able to uphold both. FIFA's visit should not hinder innovation but rather strengthen the principles and processes involved. This way, the current reform will not be a one-time fix but will establish a system that allows Korean football to operate independently.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:48:00
When the crowd becomes the court SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - The Korean social media audience can be punishing and unforgiving toward celebrities and public figures. Its frenzied, vindictive pile-ons persist despite tragic casualties such as actor Lee Sun-kyun. The latest target is South Korean YouTuber Park Wi. The controversy began after Park, a wheelchair user who runs the popular YouTube channel Weracle, fell while getting off a KTX train on Aug. 14. A week later, he uploaded CCTV footage showing his wheelchair overturning as he descended a portable ramp and came into contact with the foot of a social service agent assisting him. The footage quickly became the subject of online debate. Critics accused Park of using his platform to direct anger toward a worker who had been trying to help him. Park deleted the video and apologized the following day, saying he had failed to sufficiently consider the agent's position. Then the scrutiny turned on Park himself. "Most people watching Park Wi's videos are probably his fans or people who are already interested in him," said Park Jung-woo, a 34-year-old office worker in Bundang, south of Seoul. "I wondered whether that kind of crowd mentality could make the other person receive even more criticism." "If someone clearly did something wrong, bringing it to public attention can be important," he added. "But cases like this show how dangerous social media can be when one person's account can quickly turn someone into the bad guy." Complaints were soon filed with the Seoul city government over Park's role as one of its promotional ambassadors. On Aug. 27, the city said Park had offered to step down from the position, which he had held since June 2025. No criminal investigation, trial or court judgment was involved. Yet the sequence reflected a pattern increasingly visible on social media: an incident is made public, users gather and interpret fragments of evidence, a collective judgment forms, and pressure moves offline toward employers, sponsors or public institutions. The consequences can be substantial even when no formal authority has imposed a penalty. In Park's case, the same online machinery he used to publicize his experience soon turned back on him. For Kim Jung-min, a 28-year-old freelancer in Seoul's Seocho District, the issue is not whether people should be allowed to raise grievances online, but how far that process should go. "Bringing an incident into the public eye can sometimes be useful," Kim said. "But it should not go beyond that and turn one person into the bad guy and invite mass condemnation." "When someone has such a large following, the way that person explains what happened carries a lot of weight." When exposure becomes punishment The debate is hardly new in South Korea. One of the country's best-known cases involved Bad Fathers, a website that published the names and personal information of parents accused of failing to pay child support. Supporters argued that public exposure succeeded where legal procedures had failed by pressuring parents to meet their obligations. A lower court initially acquitted the site's operator on public-interest grounds, but an appeals court reached a different conclusion. In 2024, the Supreme Court upheld a guilty verdict, drawing a legal boundary between public-interest disclosure and punishment through public shaming. Other cases have demonstrated the risks when online accusations are wrong. Digital Prison, a website that published personal information about people it accused of sexual offenses and other serious crimes, falsely identified a university medical professor as having purchased sexually exploitative material. Police later found the allegation to be untrue. In 2024, YouTube channels also began publishing the identities of people they said were involved in the 2004 Miryang group sexual assault case. The disclosures revived public anger over the case, but the Korean Sexual Violence Relief Center said the victim and her family had not agreed in advance to the releases and had asked for the videos to be removed. The episode exposed another problem with online punishment: action taken in the name of a victim does not necessarily reflect the victim's wishes. South Korea's National Human Rights Commission examined the broader phenomenon in a 2024 report on private disclosure of personal information. It cited distrust of investigations and trials, financial incentives built into online platforms and an internet culture that rewards anger and hostility as factors behind the spread of private exposure campaigns. The commission also warned that private individuals conducting online investigations typically rely on tips, searches and fragments of publicly available information without the investigative powers or verification procedures available to authorities. Once false information spreads widely, correcting the damage can be difficult. Institutional distrust provides part of the backdrop. According to the OECD's latest trust survey, based on polling conducted in 2025, 47 percent of South Koreans expressed high or moderately high trust in the police and 41 percent in the courts. The OECD averages were 63 percent and 54 percent, respectively. The figures do not establish that distrust causes online vigilantism. But they illustrate the environment in which alternative forms of public accountability can gain support. From internet users to investigators The phenomenon extends far beyond South Korea. One of the best-known failures came after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Reddit users began examining photographs from the scene in an effort to identify suspects. Their amateur investigation instead helped spread the names and images of innocent people, including missing Brown University student Sunil Tripathi. Reddit later apologized for helping fuel what it described as online witch hunts and dangerous speculation. Crowdsourced investigations, however, do not always end in failure. Social media users have documented conduct that later became the subject of official investigations. In the United States, the Instagram account Public Lands Hate You tracked influencers whose posts appeared to show illegal or environmentally damaging behavior in national parks and other public areas. Social media posts documenting violations have prompted official investigations, while some brands ended partnerships with influencers after their behavior attracted public attention. More recently, ordinary users have moved beyond scrutinizing photographs and videos. After the U.S. Justice Department released nearly 3.5 million pages of material related to Jeffrey Epstein in early 2026, TikTok creators began searching the records, cross-referencing names and presenting their findings to large audiences. The practice showed how publicly available documents can now be examined collectively by thousands of people, performing work once concentrated among journalists, lawyers and investigators. It also exposed the limits of that model. The Justice Department warned that the released material included information submitted by members of the public and could contain false or fabricated claims. An official document can be genuine while an allegation contained within it remains unverified. A video can accurately capture an incident while revealing little about intention or legal responsibility. Those distinctions can disappear quickly once fragments of information begin circulating online. Justice without due process Researchers have described part of the phenomenon as "digital vigilantism." Daniel Trottier, a researcher who has studied online vigilantism, has described digital platforms as enabling a "parallel form of criminal justice," in which visibility itself becomes a form of pressure. Unlike official criminal justice systems, however, online judgment has no fixed rules governing who investigates, what evidence is reliable or how severe the consequences should be. Courts move slowly in part because evidence must be examined, opposing arguments heard and responsibility established through set procedures. Social media operates under different incentives. The version of an event that attracts the strongest reaction can spread before competing accounts emerge. Individual users may contribute only a comment, a complaint, an unfollow or a message to an employer, but thousands of such actions can collectively produce serious reputational, economic or institutional consequences. No single person decides the penalty. There is also no clear point at which it ends. South Korea's human rights commission has warned that private disclosure can spill over to family members and associates and create public pressure before investigators or courts have reached their own conclusions. That does not mean social media exposure has no public value. Online platforms can give victims and whistleblowers a way to reach the public when institutions fail to respond. Citizen-recorded footage has exposed abuse and misconduct, while public pressure has forced authorities and organizations to revisit cases that might otherwise have received little attention. The dividing line becomes less clear when disclosure moves beyond drawing attention to a problem and begins deciding who is guilty and what consequences they should face. Park Jung-woo said that distinction was what troubled him about the KTX controversy. "If someone really did something wrong, letting people know can be important," he said. "But in cases like this, I think the danger can be greater." Social media has given ordinary people unprecedented power to make alleged wrongdoing visible. Increasingly, that visibility can produce real-world punishment before any formal institution reaches a conclusion. The question is no longer simply whether the public should be allowed to speak, but how to preserve that power without allowing public scrutiny to become punishment without procedure. AJP Takeaways • South Korean YouTuber Park Wi's KTX controversy shows how social media scrutiny can quickly turn into real-world consequences without any formal legal process. • Cases including Bad Fathers, Digital Prison and the Miryang disclosures have intensified debate in South Korea over the boundary between public-interest exposure and online punishment. • Researchers and human rights authorities warn that digital vigilantism can bypass normal standards of evidence, verification and due process even when it begins as an attempt to expose wrongdoing. • Social media can help victims, whistleblowers and the public hold institutions accountable, but its growing power raises a harder question over who decides when exposure becomes punishment. 2026-08-31 17:41:18
Sky Labs cuts IPO price ahead of KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - South Korean digital healthcare company Sky Labs will make its KOSDAQ debut Friday after setting its offering price at the bottom of its proposed range, with more than 60 percent of institutional orders coming in below the minimum price sought by the company. The company is scheduled to list on Sept. 4 at an offering price of 10,000 won ($7.20) per share, with Korea Investment & Securities serving as the lead underwriter. Retail subscriptions were held on Aug. 26 and 27, drawing an overall competition ratio of 2.85 to 1. The subdued response comes as several newly listed companies have struggled in their first sessions, weighing on sentiment toward upcoming offerings. KIDO Industrial, an industrial safety equipment maker, Nearthlab, a drone technology company, and Haechitech, a semiconductor equipment maker, all ended their first trading day below their respective IPO prices. Sky Labs develops wearable devices that allow users to measure health indicators through a ring worn on the finger. Its flagship product, Cardio Tracker (CART), is an artificial intelligence-powered, ring-shaped cuffless blood pressure monitor designed to continuously monitor blood pressure without a conventional arm cuff. According to the company, CART has undergone clinical validation and received regulatory approvals in South Korea, Europe and Britain. It is used to collect blood pressure data in hospitals and patients' daily lives. The company plans to use the technology to measure a broader range of health indicators, including pulse, respiratory rate and body temperature. It also plans to track blood oxygen levels and expand its medical data business. AJP Takeaways • Sky Labs is scheduled to list on the KOSDAQ on Sept. 4, 2026, with an offering price of 10,000 won per share. • More than 60 percent of institutional investors' bookbuilding orders for Sky Labs were submitted below the lower end of the proposed price range. • Sky Labs develops a ring-type wearable that measures blood pressure and plans to expand into broader health monitoring and medical data services. 2026-08-31 17:38:03
Korean Shipbuilders Expand Global Production Bases Beyond the U.S. Korean shipbuilders are accelerating efforts to secure overseas production bases. Moving away from the traditional model of exporting ships built domestically, they are establishing production facilities in key markets or engaging in joint construction with local companies.According to industry sources, HD Hyundai is pushing to build a large new shipyard in India while also considering the acquisition of local shipyards and equity investments in the United States.HD Hyundai's intermediate holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, has recently decided to halt plans for a joint venture to establish a block manufacturing plant with the state-owned Cochin Shipyard in India. Instead, it will focus on constructing a large new shipyard in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The decision is based on the belief that securing a large-scale production base capable of performing pre-shipbuilding processes will be more advantageous for penetrating the Indian market. In December 2022, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish the new shipyard, followed by an additional MOU in April 2023 to pursue the establishment of a joint venture with local port-related special purpose companies.The Indian government has proposed a shipyard production capacity of 2.5 million gross tons per year, with an estimated 15,000 direct jobs expected once fully operational. While specific investment amounts and equity structures have yet to be finalized, industry speculation suggests potential investments could reach up to $4 billion.In the United States, HD Hyundai is also exploring options to secure local production bases directly. Key choices include acquiring local shipyards and equity investments linked to the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project, known as MASGA.HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering established a local investment firm, HD Hyundai USA, in May. With the U.S. government accelerating efforts to rebuild its shipbuilding industry, the importance of local production bases has increased, indicating a strategic move to expand direct investments through acquisitions and equity stakes.Hanwha is also taking proactive steps in the U.S. and Australian markets. After acquiring the Philadelphia Shipyard in 2024, it is now pursuing the acquisition of Austal USA to further expand its local production capabilities.Austal USA, a subsidiary of Australia's Austal established in 1999, is headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, and has key production facilities there. The company employs approximately 3,500 people and currently has a backlog of around $10 billion, much of which is reported to be for the U.S. Navy.If the acquisition is successful, Hanwha will secure a foothold in the supply chain for U.S. Navy submarine construction while significantly enhancing its shipbuilding capacity in the U.S. The combination of Austal USA's experience in building naval vessels and Hanwha's design, production technology, and shipyard management expertise could facilitate further expansion in local naval projects.Hanwha's earlier move to become the largest shareholder in Austal was also aimed at leveraging synergies in its U.S. operations.Korean shipbuilders' focus on securing overseas production bases is a proactive response to anticipated increases in global orders.Although India currently holds less than 1% of the global shipbuilding market share, the government is intensively promoting the industry with a support plan worth approximately 697.25 billion rupees, aiming to rank among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top 5 by 2047. The current shipbuilding production capacity of 50,000 gross tons is planned to expand to 600,000 gross tons by 2030 and 4.5 million gross tons by 2047.The U.S. is also investing heavily in rebuilding its shipbuilding industry. Despite operating the world's largest navy, the country has faced long-standing challenges with shipyard production capacity and skilled labor shortages, making the expansion of its shipbuilding base a critical issue.An industry insider noted, "In the past, the focus was on delivering ships built in domestic shipyards to overseas owners. Now, the production scope is expanding through direct utilization of overseas shipyards or joint construction with local companies. However, since shipbuilding relies on skilled labor, supply chains, and productivity, the key will be how effectively domestic shipyards can maintain their competitiveness in local markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:36:10
Busan Education Office Launches Integrated Cloud and AI Platform 'PENZ' The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education will officially launch the integrated cloud and AI service platform 'PENZ' on September 1, targeting 330,000 students and staff in the region's elementary, middle, and high schools. This initiative is the first of its kind among regional education offices in South Korea, allowing students and staff to access paid digital tools from Google, Microsoft, and Adobe using a single account.While other local education offices, such as Gyeonggi Province, have implemented similar systems combining Google, Microsoft, and Hangul, Busan's platform also includes Adobe's design-specific tools in its cloud and AI service offerings.The project, which cost over 400 million won, primarily aims to address the 'digital gap.' An official from the education office stated, "We designed this to ensure that all students in Busan can use high-quality tools with the same license, regardless of their economic conditions or their school's budget." PENZ is based on the National Education Information System (NEIS) and is accessible only to staff and students affiliated with the Busan Education Office. Those interested can register for the Education Digital One Pass starting September 1, and after signing up on the PENZ website, they can immediately access approved educational cloud and AI tools.A significant immediate benefit of PENZ is the reduction of administrative tasks for teachers. Previously, teachers had to issue and manage up to 2,000 accounts each year for student promotions within the same domain. With the introduction of PENZ, account processing will be automated, significantly decreasing administrative workload.To address security concerns, the education office has allocated approximately 200 million won to establish its own server. Only minimal information, such as student IDs and names, will be shared with external services like Google, while sensitive data, including registration and access logs, will be securely managed on the education office's internal server through duplication and encryption.To ensure a smooth implementation of the system, the Busan Education Research and Information Institute will hold informational sessions for school administrators, information department teachers, and account managers. Four sessions will be conducted, divided between elementary and secondary education, accommodating around 500 participants. These sessions will provide detailed guidance on site access, linking to the Digital One Pass, utilizing the school administrator mode, and the available edtech services.However, PENZ's commitment to '12 years of continuity' has its limitations. While it allows students to accumulate learning materials on cloud services like OneDrive from elementary school through high school, this is restricted to schools within Busan, including private institutions. Since this is not a nationwide initiative led by the Ministry of Education, students transferring to other cities or provinces will need to manually download and transfer their accumulated materials.Securing a budget for ongoing sustainability post-implementation is also a critical challenge. Approximately 1.2 billion won will be required annually for the renewal of paid licenses for each service. Given that these services are provided by foreign companies, fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate or changes in corporate pricing policies could impact budget stability. Additionally, support for low-income students lacking devices relies on programs from other welfare departments, necessitating close collaboration between departments to effectively narrow the practical usage gap.Education Superintendent Kim Seok-jun stated, "With the launch of PENZ, we have enhanced access to digital tools in schools and established a foundation for teachers and students to safely engage in AI education. We will carefully support administrators and teachers to ensure they can utilize the system without inconvenience through the informational sessions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 17:36:00