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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Speak on AI Innovation at Samsung Electronics Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is visiting South Korea to discuss the application of artificial intelligence (AI) with employees of Samsung Electronics. This comes as Samsung plans to expand the use of external generative AI services across its operations, with the DX division leading the charge in AI-driven workplace innovation. According to the Chosun Ilbo on June 11, Samsung Electronics announced that Altman will participate in a "DX Insight Talk" at its Suwon facility on the morning of June 15. This event is timed with Samsung's formal introduction of external generative AI services, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, into its business processes. Samsung has previously taken a cautious stance on using external generative AI due to security concerns. However, with the recent official launch of its AX initiative, aimed at transforming workplace operations through AI, the company is broadening its scope for utilizing external AI services. The Chosun Ilbo reported that starting June 12, Samsung's DX division will allow employees to use three types of enterprise AI, including ChatGPT, Gemini Enterprise, and Claude, enabling them to leverage multiple AI models based on their work needs. Samsung's own "Gauss AI" will also be used alongside these external services. The company plans to utilize Gauss for its specialized functions tailored to internal tasks, adopting a dual-track approach with both external generative AI and its in-house solution. Industry observers note a growing trend among companies to adopt a multi-model strategy, utilizing various AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini according to specific business needs, rather than relying on a single AI model. Through the introduction of external generative AI, Samsung aims to enhance productivity and decision-making speed. No Tae-moon, head of Samsung's DX division, has indicated that the adoption of external generative AI will mark a turning point in how work is conducted and the pace of execution. The DS division, responsible for semiconductors, plans to gradually expand its use of external AI. According to the Chosun Ilbo, the DS division is currently using Anthropic's Claude and will begin using ChatGPT on June 12, with plans to introduce Google's Gemini later this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:36:00 -
Woori Bank Develops Digital Wallet for Foreign Tourists Woori Bank announced on June 11 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with fintech startup CrossHub to improve payment convenience for foreign visitors and develop joint services.The agreement aims to reduce the inconveniences foreign tourists face when using domestic financial and payment services. The two companies plan to jointly develop a 'digital wallet exclusively for foreigners,' targeting a launch in the second half of the year. This service will allow foreign customers to register their passport information and payment methods just once, enabling easy payments across major domestic platforms for transportation, delivery, and shopping without additional authentication. Additionally, they plan to introduce a prepaid card specifically for foreigners that can be loaded with their home currency for use in South Korea.They will also conduct tests of a domestic payment environment utilizing foreign currency-based stablecoins. This initiative aims to verify the feasibility of building a payment infrastructure that enhances convenience for foreign customers. CrossHub is a participant in Woori Financial Group's startup collaboration program, 'DinoLab,' and has been recognized as a 'Global ICT Future Unicorn' by the Ministry of Science and ICT after winning the CES 2026 Innovation Award.Woori Bank intends to expand practical collaboration with companies nurtured through DinoLab and continuously explore new financial service models in partnership with innovative startups.Lee Chang-hwan, head of Woori Bank's Digital Innovation Division, stated, "This collaboration aims to enhance financial accessibility and payment convenience for foreign visitors. We will continue to expand partnerships with innovative startups and strengthen our digital financial competitiveness through the validation of future financial technologies."Meanwhile, Woori Bank is expanding its specialized services for foreigners, including new financial and communication services and prepaid cards.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:30:00 -
BNK Busan Bank Launches Mobile-Based Retirement Pension Enrollment Service BNK Busan Bank has introduced a mobile-based retirement pension enrollment service, becoming the first in the financial sector to do so. This service allows corporate clients to complete the enrollment process entirely via smartphone without visiting a branch. The bank announced on June 11 that it has officially launched this service. It enables corporate clients to carry out the entire process—from application to agreement on terms and registration of investment products—on their mobile devices. During the enrollment process, bank staff can monitor clients' progress in real-time, providing remote consultation and support. This hybrid approach combines simple online registration with personalized assistance. To enhance the security and internal control of corporate financial transactions, Busan Bank has implemented a delegation process that allows only designated representatives of the company to proceed with the enrollment. With this new service, Busan Bank aims to improve convenience for corporate clients while also reducing the paperwork burden on branch offices, thereby increasing operational efficiency. The bank believes it can effectively respond to the government's initiatives to promote retirement pension systems and the growing demand for non-face-to-face financial services. Choi Jae-young, head of the WM/Pension Group at Busan Bank, stated, "With the launch of the mobile-based retirement pension enrollment service, we have enhanced accessibility and convenience for our corporate clients. We will continue to expand differentiated digital pension services to drive customer-centric financial innovation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:30:00 -
Anthropic Calls for Mandatory AI Safety Testing and Job Market Preparedness Anthropic, the developer of the AI model Claude, has called for robust regulations and labor market measures in response to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). On June 10, the company stated that unless Congress establishes strict federal laws addressing "catastrophic AI risks," state-level AI regulations should not be blocked. Previously, President Donald Trump urged Congress to replace state-level AI regulations with federal standards. In response, Anthropic argued that independent safety testing should be mandated for the most powerful AI models to set federal benchmarks. Anthropic also emphasized the need to prepare for potential disruptions in the labor market due to AI proliferation. The company urged Congress and state governments to modernize unemployment benefit systems in anticipation of large-scale layoffs caused by AI. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, reiterated the need for more binding regulations in a blog post titled "Policy on Exponential AI Development." He noted that the rapid pace of AI advancement could lead to capabilities akin to a "nation of geniuses in data centers" within one to two years, indicating that existing discussions around "transparency" are insufficient. "It is time to implement stricter and binding regulations on AI beyond transparency," Amodei stated, advocating for a regulatory framework similar to that of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees aircraft safety. He also warned of the potential for widespread unemployment due to AI, asserting that long-term job displacement is not only undesirable but also dangerous. He suggested that income support measures, such as universal basic income and employment incentives, may be necessary. Amodei called for reliable accountability regulations for fully autonomous weapon systems, advocating for a ban on their use within the United States. In a Bloomberg interview on the program "The Circuit with Emily Chang," he stressed the need for human involvement in the military applications of AI. Amodei clarified that while using Claude in military operations is not inherently problematic, technology companies should not have the authority to permit or prohibit specific military actions. "Military policy should ultimately be left to military decision-makers," he said. He explained that AI models' ability to identify security vulnerabilities is rapidly improving, which contributed to the decision to delay the release of some top models. "While the ability of models to find vulnerabilities has steadily improved, this time the leap has been particularly significant," he noted, mentioning that some companies requested delays due to the models' strong performance. When asked if he sees parallels between his leadership in AI development and J. Robert Oppenheimer's role in developing the atomic bomb, Amodei responded, "Oppenheimer is viewed as a failure, a case that should not exist. To achieve a good outcome, there must be checks and balances everywhere."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:30:00 -
Iran Responds to U.S. Airstrikes with Drone Attack on Bahrain's Navy Base Iran has launched attacks on U.S. military positions in the Gulf region, including the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain, in response to two consecutive days of American airstrikes, according to reports from foreign media outlets. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on June 10 that it had targeted the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with drones. The IRGC also claimed to have designated other U.S. military bases in the region, including the Azraq Air Base in Jordan, as targets for long-range missile strikes. The Associated Press reported that Iran fired missiles and drones at countries where U.S. forces are stationed, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Air defense systems in Kuwait and Bahrain responded to incoming projectiles, while Jordan reportedly intercepted several missiles aimed at the Azraq Air Base. These attacks followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military facilities for the second consecutive day. The U.S. military had previously targeted air defense and radar facilities along Iran's southern coast after claiming that Iran shot down a U.S. helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated that Iran was responsible for the helicopter's downing, and Iran characterized the U.S. airstrikes as acts of aggression, warning of retaliation. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, oversees maritime operations in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz. By targeting the Fifth Fleet and U.S. military bases in Jordan and Kuwait, Iran has expanded the scope of its conflict with the U.S. from its own territory and the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. military installations in the Gulf region. The extent of the damage from these attacks has not been immediately confirmed. Some reports indicate that most of the projectiles were intercepted, and there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage. Official damage assessments from U.S. and Bahraini authorities remain limited.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:30:00 -
Employment Declines for First Time in 17 Months Amid Middle East Conflict As the impact of the Middle East conflict intensifies, the number of employed individuals has decreased for the first time in 17 months. Despite ongoing growth in exports, particularly in semiconductors, the job market remains sluggish. According to the "May 2026 Employment Trends" report released by the National Data Agency on June 11, the number of employed individuals fell by 40,000 from the same month last year, totaling 29.12 million. This marks the first decline since December 2024, when the number dropped by 52,000 following the declaration of a state of emergency. The increase in employment this year peaked at 108,000 in January, but fell to the 70,000 range by April after maintaining around 200,000 in February and March. Notably, significant declines were observed in manufacturing (-140,000), agriculture, forestry, and fishing (-121,000), and professional, scientific, and technical services (-89,000). The drop in manufacturing employment is the largest since February 2019, when it decreased by 151,000. Bin Hyun-jun, head of the Social Statistics Bureau at the National Data Agency, stated, "As the Middle East conflict prolongs, supply and demand disruptions have occurred in certain sectors, and high oil prices have impacted various industries, leading to an overall decline in employment. Notably, the automotive and industrial plastics sectors have seen significant job losses within manufacturing." While semiconductors have driven export growth, they have not contributed significantly to employment increases. The agency noted that semiconductors account for a relatively small share of total employment. Bin explained, "In regional employment surveys, semiconductors represent about 4% of total employment. According to Bank of Korea data, semiconductors are classified as having a relatively low employment multiplier compared to other manufacturing sectors, indicating their limited impact on job creation relative to industrial production increases." The retail sector's struggles are attributed to long-term trends such as online shopping, automation, and unmanned services. Last month, the employment rate for individuals aged 15 to 29, as per OECD standards, was 70.2%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the previous year. The overall employment rate for those aged 15 and older saw its largest drop in over five years since February 2021. The youth employment crisis persists, with 255,000 fewer employed individuals aged 15 to 29 compared to last year, the largest decline since January 2021, when it fell by 314,000. The employment rate for this age group also dropped by 2.4 percentage points from May of last year, settling at 43.8%. Bin noted, "The recent shift from public recruitment to on-demand hiring, along with a growing preference for experienced hires, appears to have contributed to the decline in youth employment. Particularly, sectors where young people typically find jobs, such as information technology and hospitality, have experienced reductions, leading to a drop in the employment rate." Last month, the total number of unemployed individuals reached 878,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous year, with the unemployment rate rising by 0.1 percentage points to 2.9%. The economically inactive population increased by 264,000, with those on leave rising by 47,000. The government's support measures for high oil prices and the youth New Deal initiatives have yet to show significant effects. A Ministry of Finance and Economy official stated, "To improve youth employment, we will expedite the implementation of key tasks under the 'Youth New Deal' and establish a basic plan for employment stability amid industrial transitions as soon as possible." 2026-06-11 09:27:00 -
International Media Highlights Lee Jae-myung Administration's Pragmatic Diplomacy and K-Culture International media portray the Lee Jae-myung administration as characterized by pragmatic diplomacy, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, and K-culture. Over the past year, South Korea has been redefined as a key player in shaping diplomatic order and global supply chains, as well as a leader in the global cultural industry, moving beyond its previous image shaped by nuclear threats and geopolitical risks. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on June 11 that an analysis of 64,827 articles related to South Korea published by 67 major foreign media outlets across 19 countries from June 4, 2025, to May 4, 2026, indicates a positive shift in the country's national image. Using various AI analysis techniques, the ministry comprehensively assessed the tone of foreign media coverage and changes in national image. The most covered area by foreign media was politics and diplomacy, which accounted for 54.3% of the total articles. This was followed by business and industry at 43.1%, economics at 40.4%, culture at 27.8%, and technology and information technology (IT) at 23.9%. A notable aspect of the diplomatic coverage was the focus on the Lee administration's pragmatic approach. The Washington Post noted that "Seoul is attempting a delicate balancing act in its diplomacy," while the Financial Times described it as a "diplomacy of restraint and pragmatism," and The Economist reported on a "more balanced diplomatic policy." Contrary to concerns raised during the election about pro-China and pro-North Korea tendencies, the administration has maintained the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan while pragmatically managing economic relations with China. The Global Times in China analyzed that the Lee administration emphasizes rational and practical diplomacy in its China policy. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju at the end of October 2025, media coverage surged by over 50% compared to the average, highlighting South Korea as a focal point in the U.S.-China strategic competition and supply chain restructuring. Reuters commented that "South Korea's diplomatic role in the region is growing increasingly significant." In the economic sector, the booming stock market centered on AI and semiconductors was identified as a strong positive factor. Reuters reported that "Asian tech giants like Samsung and SK Hynix are forming a new axis in the AI bull market." Bloomberg and CNBC noted that investor confidence has quickly recovered following political uncertainties, with the Korean stock market showing some of the best performance among major global markets, driven by growth in the AI and semiconductor industries. A particularly noteworthy point was the overwhelming influence of 'K-culture.' For 10 out of the 12 months, the most positively covered topics in foreign media included BTS, K-pop, Blackpink, and other aspects of the Korean Wave. Foreign Policy described 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' as having "opened a new chapter in the Korean Wave," while Al Jazeera highlighted BTS's spectacular return, stating that it demonstrates the success of South Korea's strategy to cultivate its cultural industry as a national competitive advantage. The strongest identity that foreign media associate with South Korea is that of a 'global cultural powerhouse.' The Guardian noted that "Korea's influence is changing the direction of global life beyond music," while CNN produced a four-part documentary series titled 'K-Everything,' spotlighting K-pop, K-food, K-movies, and K-beauty industries. In the political realm, positive evaluations of democratic resilience were prominent. The Associated Press stated that "Korea's resilient democracy has passed yet another significant test," while the BBC remarked that "Korean democracy has reassembled." However, foreign media also highlighted negative aspects affecting South Korea's national image, including investigations related to the previous president's military coup, political polarization, the Cambodia fraud case, and the Coupang incident. They pointed out environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, along with labor and industrial safety concerns, as structural weaknesses in South Korea. This analysis, utilizing AI, may contain a certain level of classification errors. Given the physical impossibility of human analysts reviewing over 64,000 articles, the results should be interpreted at the level of averages and aggregated statistics rather than individual article accuracy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:27:00 -
Naver Cloud Unveils Defense AX Strategies at National Defense Seminar Naver Cloud announced on June 11 that it held a seminar focused on the application and strategies for defense AI, which can be executed on the battlefield, as part of the Sovereign AI-based Defense AX Development Strategy Seminar. The seminar took place on June 10 at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) during the 'InLEX Korea Defense Industry Development Exhibition,' attended by officials from the defense, military, and ICT sectors. During the seminar, Naver Cloud presented its core defense AI sovereignty strategy, featuring an omnimodal AI model that integrates text, voice, video, and maps into a single operational context, along with a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) system that places engineers in the field. This vision aims to go beyond simple development to achieve operational readiness in real-world scenarios. Yoo Kyung-beom, Executive Director of Naver Cloud, discussed the topic 'Completing Defense AX with Sovereign AI: Naver Cloud's Next-Generation Full-Stack Battlefield Operations Strategy.' He highlighted how the full-stack capabilities of Sovereign AI, encompassing data centers, cloud infrastructure, AI models, and services, can be applied to the defense sector. "The 'HyperCLOVA X Omnimodal' model can understand various battlefield data as a unified situation and can convert it into intelligible intelligence for commanders through a world model that predicts changes in the battlefield environment," he emphasized. He also pointed out the advantage of providing a dedicated AI Data Center (AIDC) for defense. This includes a central data center that integrates and enhances learning from the data of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with edge data centers that can respond even in communication-disrupted situations, such as forward command posts and naval vessels. Naver Cloud proposed a unified defense AI infrastructure that connects seamlessly from central to battlefield edge. The company has experience operating hyperscale data centers and has established cloud infrastructure in a containerized modular format within customer-specific closed network environments. Additionally, the FDE organizational structure, which deploys engineers to the field, was presented as a differentiating factor for Naver Cloud. This approach allows for rapid prototyping and validation, providing close support in actual operational environments to enhance capabilities. Naver Cloud aims to build an AI empowerment ecosystem applicable to real-world operations, leveraging Sovereign AI and defense-specific vertical AI. Jung Nak-soo, Executive Director of Naver Cloud, presented on the essential conditions for building dedicated defense AI: a constructed cloud and ontology-based knowledge system. He proposed connecting siloed data from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps through an ontology-based approach to transform simple data into a knowledge system that understands meaning and context, thereby implementing a military decision-making support system based on clear inference pathways. He also referenced international defense AX and ontology application examples, including the U.S. Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Israel's AI-based target selection systems, Lavender and Gospel, and recent U.S.-Iran conflict cases, to illustrate that the transition to defense AI is a key competitive advantage for future command and control systems. Jung emphasized that to implement the latest AI capabilities while completely preventing the external leakage of military secrets and operational data, a constructed cloud that guarantees perfect data control is essential. He proposed that the combination of Naver Cloud's constructed cloud and HyperCLOVA X could serve as the foundation for a defense AI integrated architecture. Meanwhile, Naver Cloud established a dedicated organization for Defense AX on June 1, led by CEO Kim Yoo-won. The company's entry into the defense AI market is driven by the growing demand for Sovereign AI and public AX. Given the sensitive nature of security and regulations in the defense AI sector, this presents an opportunity for domestic companies, as applying foreign cloud or AI technologies may be challenging.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:27:00 -
Spiritual Asia (9): Why Buddhist scriptures matter in the AI age This is the ninth 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 Buddhism’s most influential scriptures — the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Lotus Sutra and Korea’s Tripitaka Koreana — and examines why their teachings may be more relevant than ever in the age of artificial intelligence. Looking back at the history of civilization, every great civilization left behind great texts. India produced the Vedas. China gave the world the Analects and the Tao Te Ching. Korea preserved its own ancient spiritual traditions through texts such as the Cheonbugyeong and Samil Singo. Across East Asia, however, one body of literature illuminated the spiritual landscape for centuries: the Buddhist scriptures. Buddhism is more than a religion. It is one of humanity’s most profound inquiries into suffering and happiness, life and death, desire and freedom, ignorance and enlightenment. That is why Buddhist scriptures remain a living source of wisdom even today, when artificial intelligence has begun to imitate aspects of human intelligence itself. Humanity is living in perhaps the most materially abundant age in history. A smartphone provides access to the world's information. Artificial intelligence can draft documents in seconds. Scientific advances continue at a pace that would have seemed unimaginable only a generation ago. Yet paradoxically, the human mind appears increasingly restless. Depression and anxiety are rising. Loneliness has become one of the defining ailments of modern life. Many people possess more material comforts than any previous generation, yet feel a persistent sense of emptiness. Information has multiplied, but wisdom has not necessarily kept pace. Connectivity has expanded, but relationships often feel shallower. At precisely this point, Buddhist scriptures confront us with enduring questions. What is the purpose of human life? Where does true freedom reside? Does happiness come from external circumstances or from the condition of the mind itself? Among Buddhist texts, the most widely known is undoubtedly the Heart Sutra. Remarkably brief at only a few hundred Chinese characters, it nevertheless contains the essence of Mahayana Buddhist thought. Its most famous teaching is encapsulated in a single phrase: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form." At first glance, the statement appears abstract and philosophical. In reality, it is deeply practical. Human beings instinctively treat visible things as permanent realities. We believe our possessions belong to us. We imagine power will endure. We assume youth will last longer than it does. Yet the Heart Sutra reminds us that nothing is permanent. Flowers bloom and wither. Seasons change. People age and depart. Everything exists in a state of continual transformation. The more tightly we cling, the greater our suffering becomes. Freedom begins when attachment loosens. The concluding mantra of the Heart Sutra is equally famous: "Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha." Often recited without reflection, it carries a powerful meaning: "Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, awakening, hail." It is not merely a sacred formula. It is a declaration of the human spirit's journey—from ignorance to wisdom, from desire to freedom, from suffering to liberation. In many ways, it may be one of the most relevant messages for our own era. We are crossing extraordinary technological frontiers, yet many of us have not crossed the inner frontier of the mind. The Diamond Sutra offers another dimension of wisdom. Its name derives from the diamond-like insight capable of cutting through illusion. At its heart lies the famous instruction: "Abide nowhere and let the mind arise." Most people live anchored either in the past or the future. Some remain attached to former triumphs. Others remain imprisoned by old failures. Many are consumed by anxieties about what lies ahead. The present moment slips away. The Diamond Sutra offers a radical alternative. Do not cling. Let the mind move freely, like flowing water. Observe thoughts as passing clouds rather than permanent realities. Do not grasp them. Let them pass. In doing so, freedom emerges. Another celebrated passage in the Diamond Sutra deepens this lesson: "All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew or a flash of lightning; thus should they be contemplated." The verse teaches humility. Success provides no reason for arrogance. Failure offers no reason for despair. Wealth does not last forever, nor does hardship. Change is woven into the fabric of existence itself. The Diamond Sutra teaches how to remain free amid that change. If the Heart Sutra teaches non-attachment and the Diamond Sutra teaches non-abiding, the Lotus Sutra proclaims perhaps Buddhism's most uplifting vision: the inherent dignity of every human being. The Lotus Sutra teaches that all people possess Buddha-nature. A king can become a Buddha. A farmer can become a Buddha. A child can become a Buddha. An elderly person can become a Buddha. Its message is fundamentally one of human dignity. No person is beyond redemption. No life is without value. Every individual possesses the capacity for awakening. This teaching feels particularly significant in the age of artificial intelligence, when human worth is increasingly measured through productivity, efficiency and measurable output. The Lotus Sutra offers a different perspective. Human value does not arise from utility. It arises from being. Every life possesses inherent worth. Every person carries the possibility of enlightenment. The wisdom of these scriptures was preserved and transmitted through one of humanity’s most remarkable cultural achievements: the Tripitaka Koreana. Housed at Haeinsa Temple in South Korea, the Tripitaka Koreana is far more than a collection of religious texts. It represents the intellectual and spiritual achievement of an entire civilization. During the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century, the Goryeo Kingdom undertook an extraordinary project. Between 1236 and 1251, artisans and monks carved Buddhist scriptures onto more than 81,000 wooden printing blocks. Together they contain over 52 million characters, making them one of the largest and most comprehensive repositories of premodern knowledge ever created. In modern terms, it was a medieval knowledge archive on a civilizational scale. What continues to astonish scholars is its accuracy. Rather than merely copying existing editions, Goryeo scholars compared multiple versions from China and neighboring states to establish the most reliable texts. The result was not simply a religious undertaking but one of the greatest scholarly editorial projects in world history. The craftsmanship was equally extraordinary. Wood was carefully selected, soaked in seawater, boiled in saltwater and dried over many years to prevent warping. The storage halls of Haeinsa were designed with natural ventilation systems capable of regulating humidity and temperature with remarkable effectiveness. Eight centuries later, the woodblocks remain largely intact. It is no surprise that UNESCO has recognized both the Tripitaka Koreana and its repositories as treasures of world heritage. Whenever I stand before the Tripitaka Koreana, I am struck by an unavoidable comparison. Today humanity is constructing vast AI data centers. We build enormous server farms. We accumulate unprecedented quantities of data. We train algorithms on oceans of information. The people of Goryeo also built a great repository of knowledge eight centuries ago. Yet there is a crucial difference. Modern data centers are repositories of information. The Tripitaka Koreana is a repository of wisdom. Information can make people knowledgeable. Wisdom can make them free. Artificial intelligence can process information. It cannot attain enlightenment. It can perform calculations. It cannot practice compassion. It can analyze patterns. It cannot experience liberation. For that reason, spirituality may become more important, not less, as technology advances. The Heart Sutra teaches us to let go of attachment. The Diamond Sutra teaches us not to cling. The Lotus Sutra teaches us the dignity inherent in every human being. The Tripitaka Koreana preserves these teachings across eight centuries and carries them into the present. Ultimately, the Buddhist scriptures convey a simple yet profound truth. Human beings were not born merely to possess things. They were born to awaken. In the age of artificial intelligence, the final frontier remains the human mind. And among the oldest mirrors through which we may examine that mind are the Buddhist scriptures. The Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Lotus Sutra and the Tripitaka Koreana are not relics of a distant past. They may, in fact, be messages from the future. *The author is a senior columnist of AJP. 2026-06-11 09:26:49 -
KOSPI Plummets Over 4% Amid Increased Foreign Selling The KOSPI and KOSDAQ are experiencing significant declines in early trading. The KOSPI has dropped over 4% as foreign selling intensifies, while the KOSDAQ shows a decline of more than 3%. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:10 a.m., the KOSPI was trading at 7,403.38, down 327.44 points (4.24%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 7,509.62, down 221.20 points (2.86%), and continued to fall. Individuals are net buying stocks worth 230.9 billion won, and institutions are purchasing 68.3 billion won worth, while foreigners are net selling 306.1 billion won. Most of the top market capitalization stocks are in the red. Samsung Electronics fell 4.46%, SK Hynix dropped 3.37%, SK Square decreased by 8.11%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics declined 5.76%, Hyundai Motor fell 6.15%, LG Energy Solution dropped 4.28%, Samsung Life Insurance decreased by 5.71%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 4.21%, Samsung C&T dropped 5.03%, and Kia fell 4.88%. At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 922.74, down 28.89 points (3.04%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 937.17, down 14.46 points (1.52%), and also saw its losses widen. Individuals are net buying stocks worth 26.5 billion won, while foreigners and institutions are net selling 25 billion won and 2.3 billion won, respectively. Most of the top KOSDAQ stocks are also declining. Alteogen fell 3.97%, EcoPro BM dropped 5.17%, EcoPro decreased by 5.29%, Rainbow Robotics fell 6.52%, Juseong Engineering dropped 7.84%, Rino Technology decreased by 0.32%, HLB fell 2.99%, and Samchundang Pharmaceutical dropped 5.80%. In contrast, Kolon TissueGene rose by 0.70%, and Wonik IPS increased by 1.20%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-11 09:24:00