Half of Korea's AI startups fail within three years, report shows

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Nearly half of South Korean artificial intelligence startups fail to survive beyond three years, underscoring structural weaknesses in funding and commercialization, according to a report released on Monday by the Korea Industrial Technology Association. The association said the three-year survival rate of AI startups stood at 56.2 percent as of the end of 2023, well below the 72.7 percent survival rate of general AI companies and the 68.8 perc

December 8, 2025

Comedienne Park Na-rae suspends activities amid mounting allegations

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - A slew of allegations from verbal abuse and tantrums to illegal medical practices that emerged last week has led comedienne Park Na-rae to suspend all activities. In a message posted on social media on Monday, Park said, "I have decided to stop all activities until everything is resolved," adding, "I cannot continue to burden my colleagues on the programs ." In response, the shows and programs she had regul

December 8, 2025

Korean big techs toughen data-protection systems, Coupang faces lawsuits in U.S. and at home

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Major South Korean digital-tech companies are scrambling to revisit their data-protection posture and reinforce security protocols after Coupang's colossal data breach put the personal information of more than 30 million shoppers at risk, triggering tougher regulatory scrutiny and a wave of litigations. The incident has laid bare the vulnerability of Koreans' private data in a society where virtually every aspect of daily life — banking, shop

December 8, 2025

Hana Financial expands India network with new Mumbai, Devanahalli branches

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Hana Financial Group said Monday it has opened new branches in Devanahalli and Mumbai in India. The branches opened on Dec. 3 and Dec. 5, completing the group's “One India” network, which already includes operations in Chennai and Gurugram, launched in 2015 and 2019, respectively. India’s young population, large domestic market and rapid digital transformation have helped sustain annual economic growth of six to seven percent

December 8, 2025

Starlink's entry into S. Korea triggers push for independent satellite networks

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - SpaceX’s Starlink has formally entered the South Korean market, prompting domestic space and defense companies to reassess strategy amid growing concerns over dependence on foreign low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks for communications and military operations. Industry sources said Monday that Hanwha Systems, a major South Korean space and defense contractor, is reviewing its satellite communications plans as Starlink’s commercial roll

December 8, 2025

Hundreds evacuated after Korean War-era bomb found in Pocheon

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - About 440 students and teachers were evacuated after a World War II-era bomb was found at an elementary school in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. According to police, the bomb, believed to be from the Korean War (1950~1953), was discovered at a construction site at the school at around 10:13 a.m. Students were evacuated to a nearby gymnasium and later sent home after the bomb was safely removed. The heavily rusted bomb, about 1 meter long, was

December 8, 2025

One in 20 in South Korea is of migrant origin

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Migration backgrounds spanning naturalized Koreans, foreigners, second-generation immigrants, and North Korean defectors – counted for the first time - made up 5.2 percent of South Korean population as of November 2024, according to the first comprehensive dataset tracking the rise of multicultural diversity in the traditionally homogenous society. According to the 2024 Migration Background Population Statistics published by the Ministry of Data

December 8, 2025

US envoy reaffirms Washington's commitment to denuclearization of North Korea

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Monday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in collaboration with South Korea. After a closed-door meeting in Seoul earlier in the day with South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, Kim said U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung "reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea,&q

December 8, 2025

PHOTOS: College admissions rush

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Following the release of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores, a fierce and highly competitive strategic maneuver is unfolding in South Korea. Students and parents are intensely calculating their optimal university and major applications based on their results. The high-stakes nature of this post-exam period was dramatically illustrated on the afternoon of Dec. 7 when a massive crowd descended upon an admissions briefing session hosted by a

December 8, 2025

South Korea's economy shows gradual recovery as consumption improves: KDI

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy is showing signs of gradual improvement, driven by stronger consumer spending, but risks remain from a prolonged construction downturn and persistent global trade uncertainties, the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in a report published on Monday. In its December economic assessment, KDI said the delayed effects of interest rate cuts and continued government support were lifting household consumption, helping

December 8, 2025