Why Korea should benchmark Japan in tweaking retirement age and managing super-aged society SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Korea, under strong pressure from labor unions, is moving to extend the statutory retirement age to 65 as it enters a super-aged demographic structure, but the shift could strain public finances and the national pension system if it fails to draw voluntary participation from the private sector, responsible for most hiring. Korea's two largest umbrella unions are urging the progressive government and ruling party to mandate a "blanket, unconditi November 12, 2025

Survey shows Deepfake crimes seen as growing threat to young people in South Korea SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Nine out of ten South Koreans believe deepfake crimes pose a serious threat to society, a recent survey showed, underscoring escalated alarm over the abuse of artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit or manipulated content. Deepfake refers to synthetic media generated using artificial intelligence to alter or replace a person's likeness in photos or videos. The technology is increasingly being abused to produce non-consensual sexual mate November 12, 2025

Homegrown space rocket set for first nighttime launch late this month SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's homegrown space rocket Nuri is scheduled for liftoff later this month. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said Wednesday that the rocket, dubbed KSLV‑II, will be launched at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province on Nov. 27 unless unexpected problems occur, in which case there will be further launch windows between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4. The liftoff has been tentatively set for between 12:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m., November 12, 2025

KOSPI extends gains for second day; tech stocks lag as SOX declines SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Asian shares turned higher on Wednesday, with South Korea’s benchmark index rising for a second consecutive session. Semiconductor stocks, however, underperformed after overnight losses in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) and the Nasdaq. The KOSPI gained 1.07 percent to close at 4,150.39. Institutional investors drove the advance, purchasing 912.1 billion won ($620 million), while retail investors and foreigners sold 446 billion won and 4 November 12, 2025

France and Korea to celebrate 140 years of ties with nationwide events SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - A yearlong celebration marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea will take place across both countries in 2026. France and Korea have long maintained a comprehensive partnership, engaging closely in diplomacy, defense, economy, science, and technology. The upcoming anniversary will commemorate more than a century of partnership and friendship while showcasing a shared vision for the future. A wide ran November 12, 2025

Korea's KakaoTalk admits to feed pratfall and will return to original format by December SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - KakaoTalk, bowing to massive backlash and acknowledging the failure of its largest redesign to date, will restore its original interface by the end of the year after a clumsy attempt to introduce an Instagram-like picture feed to a platform used by virtually all South Koreans. A KakaoTalk spokesperson told AJP on Thursday that the company is "working to restore the original layout by year-end" in response to negative "user feedback," November 12, 2025

Korean firms scale back UAM plans amid delays in commercialization SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Major South Korean companies are retreating from the once-hyped Urban Air Mobility, or UAM, market as delays in commercialization and regulatory hurdles cloud the industry’s near-term prospects. The technology, envisioned as a new mode of eco-friendly urban transport that could ease traffic congestion, has been touted globally as a growth industry worth more than $60 billion by 2035. But with commercialization timelines slipping and profitability November 12, 2025

Samsung expands Galaxy XR use to corporate training, moving beyond gaming and entertainment SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Samsung is taking its extended reality (XR) headset beyond gaming and entertainment, introducing immersive corporate training programs that blend artificial intelligence with XR through its “Galaxy XR” device. Starting this month, Samsung Human Resources Development Center began using the Galaxy XR for employee education programs, covering meditation, company history, leadership, language, and debate sessions. About 20,000 employees—fro November 12, 2025

South Korea maintains support for UN resolution on North Korean human rights abuses SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea will continue to support a UN General Assembly resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses and violations. According to the resolution disclosed on Wednesday, South Korea remains a co-sponsor, dispelling speculation that Seoul would soften its stance toward North Korea to avoid provoking Pyongyang under President Lee Jae Myung's rapprochement. After co-sponsoring the resolution from 2008 to 2018, South Korea withdrew un November 12, 2025

Korea's G-Star 2025 loses earlier glow and star names as industry falls into doldrums SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - G-Star 2025, South Korea's annual expo once celebrated for showcasing the country's global gaming prowess, opens Thursday in Busan in a visibly downscaled form that reflects a stagnating blockbuster pipeline and weakening earnings across the industry. The event at Bexco will feature about 3,010 booths, down from 3,359 last year, and will notably miss major players such as Nexon, Pearl Abyss and Smilegate. The subdued tone follows the game indust November 12, 2025