Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Lee Jae-lim and read by an artificial voice. Samsung Electronics said Monday that it has once again received the highest grade in a government-led compliance certification for the export of strategic goods, including semiconductors and network equipment. The company has continuously maintained its top AAA rating under the Internal Compliance Program since the system was introduced in 2014, with certification renewed every three years. The program, administered by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, evaluates companies managing exports of strategic items that are subject to national security regulations and require export licenses. Ratings are assigned on a three-level scale - A, AA and AAA - based on the strength of internal controls and compliance procedures. Assessment criteria include strategic goods classification, internal oversight mechanisms, export review processes, information security, and employee training. Companies with certification benefit from streamlined administrative procedures, such as shorter export license processing times and reduced documentation requirements. "Samsung Electronics will continue its efforts to stabilize the global supply chain and solidify its position as a responsible trading partner that meets the requirements of the international community," the company said in a statement.

This article is by Yoon Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. In a push to create a new group of elite "national scientists," President Lee Jae Myung has stated his intention to boost support for local scientific talent and recruit 2,000 researchers from abroad by 2030. The government will launch a "National Scientist" program to support 100 leading scientists and engineers with globally recognized research achievements, selecting 20 a year until 2030, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced during a public report chaired by President Lee on Friday in Daejeon. The program comes as the Lee administration aims to rebuild the country's research power and global standing after years of budget cuts and brain drain. "Throughout history, nations that invested in and valued scientific civilization have thrived, while those that disparaged or ignored science have collapsed," Lee said at the event, held at the National Science Museum. He pledged to restore and further expand the national research and development (R&D) budget, emphasizing that the government will channel more national resources into science and technology. "We have decided to give our researchers the freedom and right to fail," Lee said. "One of the most shocking things I've heard from researchers is that Korea's R&D success rate exceeds 90 percent. If success were that easy, what would be the point? Failure builds the foundation for success," he added. The government plans to establish the selection criteria for national scientists in the first half of next year and to name the first 20 National Scientists in the second half. Details on funding and privileges will also be finalized during that period. Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, said the program's design will "draw from global examples such as China's Academician system to develop the most suitable model," adding that the government aims to "create an environment where future Nobel laureates can emerge." The plan also includes establishing AI science high schools in regional areas, which will connect with national science and technology institutes to fast-track Ph.D.-level talent development. To attract overseas experts, the government will bring in 2,000 new foreign researchers by 2030 and support top international students with settling in Korea. Officials said the initiative also seeks to capitalize on rising U.S. H-1B visa costs, making Korea a more attractive destination for global researchers. Lee underscored the scale of the government's investment, saying the upcoming R&D budget was expanded "to an almost unimaginable level." According to the 2026 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly, R&D funding will increase 19.3 percent year-on-year to 35.3 trillion won ($24.3 billion), marking the largest rise ever. Lee also took a jab at the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration's R&D budget cuts, referring to a 2023 incident at KAIST when a student protesting those cuts during a commencement ceremony was escorted out by presidential security. "Isn't this the place where someone was dragged out for speaking up?" Lee asked. "I was curious to see if that person might be here today. How unfair that must have been." The remark drew laughter from the audience. Before the forum, Lee visited the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (Kstar) facility for its fusion nuclear power reactor at the National Fusion Research Institute in Daejeon. In a related development, President Lee appointed Lee Han-joo, a longtime confidant and former head of the State Affairs Planning Committee, as chairman of the National Research Council For Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, which oversees 26 state-funded think tanks. The Prime Minister's office described Lee Han-joo as "a macroeconomist and policy expert with extensive experience in national planning and governance, and a deep understanding of President Lee's policy philosophy." His term runs through November 2028. ...

This article is by Park Lin and read by an artificial voice. SKT T1's Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok reaffirmed his status as a legend after his team won the League of Legends (LoL) World Championship, the world's biggest esports tournament, on Sunday. T1, led by Faker, beat KT Rolster 3-2 in the finals held on Sunday at Dong'an Lake Sports Park in Chengdu, China. LoL, developed by U.S.-based Riot Games, is a five-on-five online video game in which each player selects one of 171 champion characters to try and destroy the opposing team's base. T1 was down 2-1 after the third game but came back to win the fourth and fifth to take the title. SKT T1 and KT Rolster are run by two of Korea's largest telecommunications companies, which have been longtime rivals since the early 2000s StarCraft era. They met once again this year in what's often dubbed the "telecom derby" of LoL - a rivalry in which T1 has continued to dominate. Faker extended his record for the most championship titles to six, with wins in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025 - becoming the first player to win three in a row. Even when facing elimination in the fourth game, Faker smiled and stayed composed throughout the match, strategically using his skills to stop KT's advances and lead his team to victory. T1 qualified for the global tournament as the fourth seed from Korea's domestic league, the LCK, and advanced steadily from the play-in stage. Playing as a mid laner, Faker proved to be a killer against the Chinese teams during the previous stages. China's Anyone's Legend and Top Esports (TES), both from the Chinese LPL league, were knocked out by T1 in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Faker, who holds a perfect record of 13 wins and no losses against LPL teams, said, "I didn't have time to go see pandas, which are the symbol of Chengdu. I was too busy practicing." Most esports players retire by age 25, when their reaction speed starts to decline. But Faker, dubbed the "Lionel Messi of esports" among countless other nicknames of acclaim, is still at the top at 29 - just like Messi, now 38, is in football. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, praised Faker during a recent visit to Seoul, saying his name three times during an event at Coex and noting that without Korea's PC bang culture and esports, Nvidia wouldn't be what it is today. Gwak "BDD" Bo-seong, who led KT to its first-ever World Championship final, is also known for switching to the mid lane position after idolizing Faker. Korean teams have now won the title four years in a row - DRX in 2022, followed by T1 from 2023 through 2025. The semifinal between T1 and TES drew more than 3.59 million concurrent viewers online. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice. Of all the targets for redevelopment by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, few have experienced as many fits and halts as Nodeul Island, a small artificial island in the middle of the Han River that the city is now transforming into what it anticipates will be a "global cultural landmark." The 370.4 billion won ($259 million) "Nodeul Global Art Island" project, which is being led by British architect Thomas Heatherwick and is due for completion in 2028, will add new walkways and elevated gardens to the existing cultural complex on the island's western end. The plan by Heatherwick, who designed Coal Drops Yard in London and the Vessel in New York, divides the island into two main zones: the "Sky Art Garden," featuring seven elevated pavilions that bear more than a passing resemblance to his previous work on Little Island in Manhattan, and the "Waterside Cultural Zone," a venue for concerts and art exhibitions. Seoul officials say the design aims to balance architecture and ecology - a hallmark of Heatherwick's work - while reconnecting the island with city life. The ongoing reinvention of Nodeul Island marks another change in the small island's century of flux, reflecting the capital's larger struggle to decide what, exactly, the Han River should be. Island of constant transformation For residents and visitors to Seoul, Nodeul Island is a rare oasis of tranquility, even among the many parks along the Han River. Its unique location in the middle of the river, with a lawn facing the skyscrapers of Yeouido to the west, has made it a popular gathering place, as well as a prime spot to watch the Seoul International Fireworks Festival in the autumn. Park So-min, a 32-year-old graduate student who "occasionally" goes to Nodeul Island for weekend picnics, said, "There isn't another place on the river that has a better view of the sunset. Some afternoons, it can be tricky to find a spot on the grass to lay out a mat." However, the island wasn't always such a gathering place. In the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the bank of the Han River south of the modern island's location was known as Nodeul or Nodol, meaning "the stepping stones where egrets play" in Korean. A ferry dock called Nodeulnaru, whose existence in the area was first recorded in the 15th century, gave rise to the modern name of Noryangjin, located on the southern side of the river. Meanwhile, the northern riverbank by modern-day Yongsan District was little more than a sandbar, a natural resting point on the Han's wide waters. That peace ended in 1917, during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, when engineers dredged the sand and built stone embankments to create an artificial island called Nakanoshima, or "Middle Island" in Japanese, to support the Hangang Bridge connecting Yongsan and Noryangjin. After liberation in 1945, the island became known as Jungji Island based on the Korean reading of the Chinese characters that made up its colonial name. The island was famously struck by tragedy in the early hours of June 28, 1950, when the bridge running through it was bombed by South Korean troops in an attempt to slow down invading North Korean forces, killing some 500 to 800 people fleeing the capital. The bridge was restored after the 1953 armistice and later widened to accommodate vehicles. Through the 1950s and 60s, the island was a popular fishing and swimming spot in warmer weather and host to ice skating when the river froze over in winter. It began to take its modern form in the late 1960s, when a private company called ChinHung bought the island with plans to create a fee-paying park and expanded it from 33,060 square meters (8 acres) to 148,760. Though ChinHung did not carry out these plans, it did build tennis courts, which became the main attraction of the island after the beach was closed for sanitary reasons. Ownership shifted in 1986 to the construction giant Kunyoung, whic...

This article is by Ha Nam-hyun and read by an artificial voice. Big-screen stars are flooding back to the stage, from Hwang Jung-min in "Mrs. Doubtfire" to Kim Byung-chul in "Waiting for 'Waiting for Godot,'" blurring the lines between Korea's film, television and theater worlds. "Failure makes you a traitor. Success makes you a revolutionary!" This line from the 2023 film "12.12: The Day" - delivered by the character Chun Doo-gwang, played by Hwang - had audiences holding their breath in anticipation in theaters, and Hwang's iconic performance helped the film draw in more than 13 million viewers. But when Hwang ad-libbed the line on stage, he brought laughter instead of suspense. Hwang, known for box-office hits like "Ode to My Father" (2014) and "Veteran" (2015), is one of the more prominent names returning to the stage. He currently stars in the musical "Mrs. Doubtfire," which opened on Sept. 27 at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul. While Hwang has been on stage recently in plays like "Richard III" in 2022 and "Macbeth" last year, "Mrs. Doubtfire" marks his first musical in a decade since "The Orchestra Pit" (2015-16). Based on the 1993 Hollywood film, "Mrs. Doubtfire" follows Daniel Hillard, a divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly nanny, the titular Mrs. Doubtfire, to be close to his children. Hwang plays both Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire, switching between characters with comical flair. Not only must Hwang act, but he must also sing, dance, rap and even undergo 20 rapid costume changes onstage. Audience members laugh the loudest when the musical weaves in references to Hwang's most famous film lines, such as "Come on in!" from "New World" (2013) and "I may be broke, but I've still got pride" from "Veteran." "Hwang delivers a performance on stage worthy of his reputation," said musical critic Choi Seung-yeon. The role of Daniel is also played by veteran actors Jung Sung-hwa, who starred in the first Korean run of the musical, and Jung Sang-hoon, who is known for his comedic work in "SNL Korea" (2011-). "Mrs. Doubtfire" ranked No. 1 in musical ticket sales for October, according to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (Kopis). The show runs until Dec. 7. Theater actor Kim Byung-chul, known for his television roles in "Sky Castle" (2018-19) and "Doctor Cha" (2023), also made his long-awaited return to the stage with "Waiting for 'Waiting for Godot,'" which opened on Sept. 16 at Yes24 Stage in Daehangno, central Seoul. This marks Kim's first stage appearance in nine years since "Come See Me" (translated) in 2016. Inspired by Samuel Beckett's absurdist tragicomedy "Waiting for Godot" (1952), "Waiting for 'Waiting for Godot'" centers on two understudies, Esther and Bell, who wait backstage in the dressing room of a Godot production, hoping for a chance to perform. Kim shares the role of Esther with veteran actor Park Geun-hyung. "Kim's passion and energy really came through, especially in scenes involving conflict with the younger actors," wrote one audience member in a review. Despite being staged in a small, 255-seat theater, the play ranked fourth in September and third in October for total ticket sales in the play category, according to Kopis. It runs through Nov. 16. Other stars are preparing to return to the stage. Jeon Hye-jin will appear in "Laius," the second installment of the five-part "Anthropolis" series by the National Theater Company of Korea. "Anthropolis" explores generational conflict and moral dilemmas through the lens of ancient Greek myths about the Theban royal family. "Laius," named after Oedipus's father, will feature Jeon in 18 roles and is her first stage performance in 10 years since "The Korisom Tales" (translated). Jeon has starred in numerous films, including "The Merciless" (2017) and "Hunt" (2022), as well as television dramas such as "Misty" (2018) and "Stranger 2" (2020). "Audiences will see a completely new side of Jeon, different from an...

This article is by Kim Yeon-joo and read by an artificial voice. Extending the retirement age is a question of balance, as the government has to juggle filling the wage gap, increasing youth employment rates and minimizing any burden on corporations. Though the Democratic Party (DP) launched a task force in April to address this issue, progress has remained slow. Labor and management continue to stand on opposing sides, and discussions within the DP have stalled due to the issue's complexity, despite mounting pressure from the country's two largest labor unions. Timeline: A key sticking point The task force is leaning toward a plan that combines extending the legal retirement age and expanding the re-employment system, according to the JoongAng Ilbo on Thursday. Under this plan, the statutory retirement age would rise gradually - with re-employment programs doing the same in parallel - until a target year. For instance, if the legal retirement age is raised to 61 starting in 2027, those born in 1967 would be guaranteed job security until they are 61 years old. They would then be able to continue working under re-employment contracts until they turn 63, the pension eligibility age. However, most experts agree that achieving a retirement age of 65 by 2033 - the target year stated in a national policy goal - is unrealistic. "Even if legislation is passed this year, there still needs to be a preparation period, so the earliest possible implementation date would be January 2027," a task force member said. "To raise the legal retirement age to 65 by 2033, it would have to increase by one year every year, which is practically impossible." An earlier target year would expand the number of workers eligible for extended retirement, while a delayed one would broaden the scope of those subject to re-employment instead. Similarly, an early implementation would increase labor costs for companies, while a delayed one could widen income inequality among workers, depending on whether they qualify for the extension. At one point, the task force considered setting 2029 as the starting year and completing the 65-year goal by 2041, but the plan was dropped amid strong opposition from unions. The key point of contention now lies in the completion date - between 2033 and 2041. Laborers want negotiation, but businesses seek exceptions Another challenge is determining how to adjust the wages of workers whose retirement would be pushed back. Businesses argue that under the current seniority-based pay system, extending the retirement age without reforming the wage structure would be too heavy a financial burden. Labor unions have told the task force they are open to discussing reforms to the system, but only within the scope of collective bargaining. Analysts say large unions believe they have enough leverage to negotiate favorable terms. In contrast, businesses are demanding that the "disadvantageous changes" to workplace regulations be eased. Under existing law, changing a wage system requires the consent of a majority of employees or union representatives. Employers want this requirement relaxed so they can introduce new pay structures without prior agreement. They are also calling for legal revisions that would allow broader wage reform across the workforce - not just for older workers - though such changes would require amending the Labor Standards Act, which makes them unlikely to happen anytime soon. As a compromise, the task force is considering adding a clause to Article 19 (2) of the Act on Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment and Elderly Employment Promotion, which currently stipulates that "companies must take necessary measures, such as adjusting the wage system." The new clause would specify that wages may be adjusted in proportion to job duties or working hours, but blanket pay cuts would remain prohibited. Re-employment: Obligation or encouragement? Labor and management are also divided on whether re-employment should be...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. For decades, semiconductors and automobiles have dominated Korea's exports, driving growth and defining its global trade identity. But as shifting global dynamics and mounting uncertainty over U.S. tariffs unsettle traditional trade patterns, a new industrial order is taking shape. Sectors such as shipbuilding and defense are emerging as the next engines of growth. In our "Next Chip" series, we examine the rise of these industries and their potential to reshape Korea's economic future. As Korea channels billions of dollars into U.S. investments year after year, a Korean electrical equipment company has been quietly accruing comparable profits with understated precision while it prepares for the next shift in the market. LS Electric commands over 90 percent of Korean firms' North American orders for switchgears, which are panels or assemblies equipped with circuit breakers, disconnectors and other protective devices used to control, protect, measure and distribute electricity safely within power systems. The Korean switchgear makers' orders in the United States are surging, driven by the recent boom in AI and ensuing spike in data centers that fuel the demand. LS Electric's switchgear order backlog stood at 70 percent for the first half of the year. In the second quarter alone, switchgear sales grew 45 percent year-on-year, outpacing transformers, which rose 30 percent. Fortunately for the company, alternatives have been scarce in the U.S., a market worth roughly 30 trillion won ($20 billion). LS Electric stands out as the only Korean electrical equipment firm to hold UL certification, making it virtually indispensable for domestic companies establishing factories stateside when it comes to switchgear supply. While switchgear is less costly than transformers, which other Korean firms concentrate on, its applications are far broader, making it essential in virtually every building. Switchgear is also not subject to 50 percent tariffs, in contrast to what transformers face under Donald Trump's new tariff policies. "LS Electric has been preparing for its North American expansion for over a decade by securing UL certification for this mature and highly regulated market, which also comes with formidable barriers to entry," said Lee Chung-hee, senior vice president leading LS Electric Americas, a division responsible for all U.S. operations, in a written interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. From Texas to the whole U.S. Based in Texas, a recognized tech hub, LS Electric has set its sights on luring U.S. Big Tech firms, as the state is already home to mega-scale data centers by Microsoft, Google and Meta. Its Texas Bastrop campus, completed in April and spanning 3,300 square meters, is slated to commence full-scale production of medium- and low-voltage electrical equipment and switchgear destined for local data centers operated by Big Tech. "LS Electric plans to invest an additional $240 million in the United States by 2030 to expand its U.S. production facilities and strengthen its capacity to support local projects," Lee said. "Recently, we have succeeded in supplying power infrastructure for 'microgrid' systems that use distributed energy to serve data centers." LS Electric is also open to mergers and acquisitions, following the history of its successful acquisition of MCM Engineering, a California-based switchgear manufacturer. Acquired in 2022, LS plans to invest 350 billion won by 2030 to expand its plant's capacity. "We are keeping several options open and conducting a wide-ranging review regarding the acquisition of local power equipment companies and the expansion of our sales subsidiaries," Lee said. LS Electric operates a Western office in California, a Chicago-based subsidiary in Illinois and a subsidiary dedicated to energy storage system business in North Carolina, along with a sales and distribution network covering about half of the United States....

Kim Bong-ryeol The author is an architect and former president of Korea National University of Arts. When Alexander the Great reached the Taxila region of present-day Pakistan in 326 B.C., his forces grew weary of the fierce resistance from local inhabitants and the oppressive heat. He turned back toward Babylon, but many Greeks who had followed the campaign settled in the area. In 180 B.C., Demetrius I of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom founded the city of Sirkap as its major center. The city flourished as an international hub until the Kushan Empire conquered it in the third century. Archaeological investigations that began in the 1930s revealed only about one-fifth of the site. The fortified city was surrounded by walls stretching 4.8 kilometers (2.98 miles), with an interior laid out in a rigid grid plan following the Hippodamian system, first developed in the Aegean city of Miletus. This Hellenistic urban planning was realized on South Asian soil. The excavated section runs roughly 1.2 kilometers north to south and 400 meters (1,312 feet) east to west, forming the main urban corridor. Shops were lined along the straight central avenue, interspersed with various temples. A large building at one end of the main road is believed to have been a royal palace. Numerous Buddhist stupas were constructed across the site. An Ionic-style structure near the main gate is thought to have been a Zoroastrian temple. Relics also include a large temple comparable in size to the Parthenon, remains of a Jain temple and a mysterious "Double-Headed Eagle Temple." A massive sundial has led scholars to suggest links to the sun-worshipping Mithraic cult. Alongside Buddhist and Jain structures stood temples of Greek paganism, Roman Mithraism and Persian Zoroastrianism. These diverse faiths coexisted along the main boulevard, making Sirkap a true cosmopolis of its time. The architectural base structures were Greek, while the upper elements of stupas showed Indian influence. Excavations uncovered Greek-style furniture alongside Indian ivory carvings, Greek coins with Indian jewelry and household objects blending artistic techniques from multiple civilizations. A dish inscribed in Hebrew, Greek and Sanskrit was also found. Apollonius of Tyana, a Greek philosopher who visited the site, wrote that the city was "as large as Nineveh," praising its size and cosmopolitan character. Today, the vast ruins of Sirkap stand as living proof of a Hellenistic civilization that stood at the crossroads of the East and West. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Choi Chang-yong The author, a professor at Seoul National University's Graduate School of Public Administration, is an advisory board member of the JoongAng Ilbo Reset Korea campaign. The world is entering a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Civilizational shifts are not new, but what distinguishes this moment is the emergence of "digital humans," entities that blur the boundary between machines and life. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's pledge to supply 260,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) to Korea and his informal chimaek - a Korean portmanteau of chicken and beer - dinner created headlines beyond typical economic news. President Lee Jae Myung underscored AI and national competitiveness in his policy speech at the National Assembly. This technological shift is reshaping global power structures, bringing attention not only to AI capabilities and alliances but to AI sovereignty. In researching comparative administration and public policy, I have often asked why Korea repeatedly misses critical opportunities during moments of historical transition. The answer lies not in caution but in self-imposed limits - mental and institutional boundaries reinforced by external constraints we accept without question. Debate over sovereign AI, as with many national strategies, is divided between optimism, pessimism and pragmatism. When assessed using the five competitive forces - competition, market entry barriers, substitutes, buyer power and supplier power - traditionally applied by companies when entering new markets, sovereign AI appears both risky and commercially uncertain. Yet, history suggests transformative decisions rarely follow analytical models. Korea has repeatedly defied expectations. The commercialization of CDMA (code-division multiple access) technology, the independent development of the KF-21 fighter jet, submarine systems learned discreetly in Germany and the Aegis-class destroyer King Sejong the Great were not justified by economic feasibility studies, and neither were the successes of the automotive and semiconductor industries. These achievements, often labeled "miracles" or "myths," are in fact expressions of national capability, not accidents. Britain's Industrial Revolution, America's rise to global power, Japan's Meiji Restoration and China's reforms under Deng Xiaoping were not called miracles. They were the outcome of bold leadership in moments of crisis. Korea must shed its mindset as a peripheral, secondary or latecomer nation and prepare for a future in which humans and AI coexist, compete, and potentially redefine human roles. Sovereignty does not imply isolation or exclusivity. It means securing strategic autonomy in shaping the future. Jake Sullivan, former U.S. national security adviser under President Joe Biden, and Princeton scholar John Ikenberry wrote in Foreign Affairs that America's enduring strength rests on three pillars: its ability to set global rules, attract global talent and cultivate an entrepreneurial culture that tolerates failure. From this perspective, Korea's sovereign AI initiative - which seeks to develop a domestic foundation model, legislate an AI framework and establish AI talent and education systems - holds significant meaning. Even if Korea does not fully achieve sovereign AI, the effort could position the country not as a passive receiver of technological standards but as an active designer. If it can attract global talent and build a broader, more resilient AI ecosystem by embracing failure, today's debate about feasibility could evolve into a discussion of leadership. To reach that point, Korea must tackle real challenges, such as technological gaps, commercialization hurdles and global competition. More importantly, it must move beyond narratives of miracles and myths that imply accidental success rather than deliberate strategy. The government is expected to invest more than 100 trillion won in sovereign AI. The burden on researchers and companie...

Lee Ha-kyung The author is a senior columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo. Heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman borrowed the line to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric in a column titled "Trump's Hot Mess of a China Policy." The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Beijing hit back, and it is hard to see what the United States gained from tariffs." China has been preparing carefully for its economic confrontation with the United States. Chinese engineers linked 384 domestically developed low-performance AI chips to build an advanced server comparable to Nvidia's. Despite U.S. sanctions, China has achieved technological self-reliance. Its exports to the United States fell 16.8 percent this year, but overall exports grew 6.1 percent. The United States, meanwhile, relies on Chinese rare earths for defense and advanced manufacturing. Even with a full-scale effort like the Manhattan Project, it would take five to seven years to build a reliable supply chain. When China hinted at restricting rare earth exports, Trump backed down, saying cooperation could make America "bigger, better, stronger than ever before." Still, Washington is pressuring its allies to shoulder the cost of its trade and fiscal deficits. Whether this is fair practice is a question worth asking. Korea avoided the worst outcome in its tariff negotiations with the Trump administration, but the situation demands vigilance. When the first agreement was announced on July 1, the government said only up to 5 percent - about $17.5 billion - of the agreed $350 billion in investment would be in cash, with the rest coming in loans and guarantees. The second round of negotiations in October revealed a different picture: Korea must send as much as $20 billion in cash annually for 10 years, totaling $200 billion. A separate $150 billion will go to the MASGA shipbuilding cooperation project. Presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom said "commercial rationality" was the top priority, but the final decision lies with the U.S. investment committee chaired by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a former Wall Street currency broker. If decisions are made for political reasons, the consequences for the Korean economy could be severe. In 2013, Korea's foreign direct investment in the United States totaled $21.5 billion. Under the current plan, more than $40 billion will flow annually into the U.S. economy. Questions arise over the impact on domestic investment, employment and fiscal and monetary stability. Foreign reserves serve as emergency funds to stabilize the currency and address balance-of-payments crises. They have never been used for large-scale overseas direct investment. The government says reserves, now at $420 billion, will be maintained through interest earnings, dividends and external financing if needed. But the possibility of a foreign exchange crisis, however unlikely, must be considered. Japan ensured the phrase "respect for both countries' domestic laws" was included in its agreement with the United States. The presidential office argues that the Korea-U.S. memorandum of understanding is not a treaty and does not require parliamentary ratification. That is a dangerous claim. Under the Constitution, the National Assembly holds the power to review and approve spending. The Trade Treaty Act requires submission of funding plans and measures to protect domestic industries. The prime minister and finance minister have already acknowledged the need for parliamentary consent. If tariffs continue to harm Korean companies, bipartisan approval could proceed swiftly. Massive cash investment in the United States may create jobs there but could fuel unemployment in Korea. If foreign exchange management falters, the economy could deteriorate rapidly. Alliances must be based on cooperation, but Korea must assert its national interest when necessary. Like China's rare earth levera...

At a national forum on science and technology hosted by President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 7, the government unveiled plans to cultivate and attract scientific talent. A new "National Scientist Program" will select 20 researchers next year and 100 within five years, each receiving an annual research grant of 100 million won ($68,682). The government also aims to attract 2,000 outstanding or early-career researchers from overseas by 2030. The initiative is welcome in principle. Korea's future growth is impossible without advanced science and technology. But the question remains whether this plan addresses the structural flaws of the research environment. The shortage of scientific talent and stagnation in innovation stem not simply from a lack of people but from institutional and systemic constraints that prevent researchers from focusing on research. Korea's research ecosystem prioritizes equal distribution over excellence and regulation over autonomy. Salaries are controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, staffing by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Researchers are burdened with performance evaluations and administrative paperwork. Presidents of government-funded research institutes serve only three-year terms, and less than 10 percent of their budgets can be used at their discretion. The retirement age for researchers at such institutes is 62, lower than the 65 for university professors. The once-prestigious salaries at institutions like the Korea Institute of Science and Technology are now a thing of the past. Universities face similar conditions. Chinese universities recently sent recruitment emails to 149 KAIST professors, offering up to 400 million won in annual salary and generous research autonomy. If domestic conditions remain unchanged, designated "national scientists" or recruited foreign researchers will have little reason to stay. During the industrialization era of the 1960s and 1970s, Korea treated science and technology as a national survival strategy. Leaders set a vision, and researchers were given trust and autonomy. That spirit is what is needed today. A strategy for nurturing scientific talent must begin with reforming the broader research ecosystem. Patchwork solutions will not secure the future of Korean science and technology. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Park Eun-jee and read by an artificial voice. When the benchmark Kospi index surged past the psychologically significant 4,000 mark last month, the Democratic Party (DP) was quick to credit the governing party and the Lee Jae Myung administration. But when it plunged back below the threshold over the past days, the party urged reporters to avoid using the word "collapse" - a reaction critics say reflects the risks of politicizing market movements. "Using the word 'collapse' simply because the index fell below a certain number does not reflect reality. I believe [reporters] should be cautious about that." DP chief spokesperson Park Soo-hyun told reporters on Wednesday. "Today's sharp drop can be seen as a market correction. It's a fluctuation that naturally follows a rise - a sufficiently predictable trend," he added. The day's Kospi saw a 2.85 percent decline, during which the index touched 3,867.81 before closing at 4,004.42. The bourse continued to slip on Friday, falling 1.81 percent to close at 3,953.76 - breaking an 11-day streak of finishes above the 4,000 mark. Against the downbeat Kospi backdrop, the People Power Party (PPP) slammed Park for cherry-picking market movements. "Not long ago, they were patting themselves on the back, calling the uptick the 'Korea Premium,' but now that the index has dropped below 4,000, they're telling reporters not to use the word 'collapse.' It is absurd how far they're going to try and control the press," the party said in a statement. "It is equally irrational to treat stock index fluctuations as political achievements," it critiqued. 'Borrow to invest' flashpoint The wrangling over the Kospi is not new under President Lee, who is aggressively pushing to achieve his campaign pledge of the index reaching 5000 during his term. Kwon Dae-young, vice chair of the Financial Services Commission, found himself at the center of controversy after he endorsed taking on debt to invest in stocks. "Up until now, we have viewed debt-based investing too negatively, but it can also be seen as a form of leverage," he said in the radio program "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on Tuesday as he answered a question about the growing number of young investors borrowing to buy stocks. While some may agree that the comment is technically defensible, it struck a nerve with the public and the PPP because it came from a high-ranking official from the country's top financial regulatory agency who is expected to warn against risky retail borrowing, not normalize it. The public pounced on Kwon's remark, with one comment on a Yonhap News article contrasting debt for stocks and housing. "Why is borrowing for stocks seen as leverage, but borrowing for housing treated like a crime?" a comment said. Korean investors - especially younger generations - are already taking on significant levels of risk. Margin loan balances - a key indicator of debt-fueled stock investment - reached 25.88 trillion won ($17.7 billion) as of Thursday, marking an all-time high, according to the Korea Financial Investment Association. Margin loans refer to funds borrowed by investors from securities firms to purchase stocks, for which the purchased stocks serve as collateral. Stocks over bricks The president has openly expressed the need to calm the real estate market in justifying the administration's strict regulation on mortgage loans while promoting the importance of boosting the Kospi. The rationale is that too much money is locked into mortgages, which could trigger speculation and distress domestic demand - an arrangement often cited by economists as the key factor suppressing Korea's growth potential. "There is a lot of money in Korea, but where is it going?" Lee said during a meeting with executives of securities firms on Sept. 18. "So far, it has mostly been concentrated in real estate investment and speculation, which I believe is making the national economy unstable." Still, brokerages at home and abroad continue t...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. Ever heard of "sushi on wheels?" It's a funny little meme floating around in Korea - people joke that with so many white and black cars on the road, driving here sometimes feels like watching a line of sushi plates rolling by. If you ever take a close look at Korean roads, you'll get the joke right away. Almost every car you see is some shade of white, black or gray - a sea of neutral tones gliding through the streets. White, in particular, completely dominates. You'd be hard-pressed to spot those punchy reds or deep blues that pop up so often in Europe. In fact, a whopping 76 percent of all cars sold in Korea in 2024 were painted in achromatic shades such as white, black, gray or silver. White alone accounted for 33 percent, outpacing Europe's 25 percent and even the global average of 31 percent, according to a recent color popularity report from auto tracker Axalta. Gray came in second at 26 percent, also higher than the global average of 23 percent. That figure even topped North America's 20 percent, Japan's 11 percent, and Europe's 24 percent. So why do Koreans seem to have such a love affair with neutral-colored cars? Is it somehow linked to the old Korean nickname of "land of white clothing?" Or simply because white has become the most common choice by default? Cars aren't just rides - They're assets Koreans tend to see a car not just as a ride, but as an asset. The moment they buy it, they're already thinking about its resale value down the line. When it comes to buying a car, Korea might be the only country where dealers openly discourage customers from choosing colorful vehicles, citing resale depreciation as the reason. In fact, colorful cars in Korea actually take longer to sell and lose value faster than neutral ones. For example, pre-owned neutral-colored Genesis G80s took about 60 days to sell last year, while colorful versions lingered for around 65 days, according to data from Encar, Korea's largest used car platform, collected on the request of the Korea JoongAng Daily. When it comes to price, G80s in neutral hues dropped roughly 16 percent from their original registration price, compared to 17 percent for their colorful counterparts. Likewise, in the case of neutral-colored Kia K5s, these were resold in 40 days, while colorful ones took 51 days to find a new buyer. Price-wise, neutral cars saw a 14 percent overall drop from their original registration price, compared to 21 percent for colorful variants. Imported cars demonstrate a similar pattern. It took an average of 46 days for neutral-colored Mercedes-Benz E-Class models on Encar to sell, while colorful models took around 51 days. "High-chroma colors in today's used car market are immediately discounted, which also means that if your car isn't a neutral shade, its value as an asset drops," said Suk Hyeon-jeong, an industrial design professor at KAIST, who also researches color psychology. "The trend began to show in the 1990s. Choosing a neutral-colored luxury car is widely seen as a rational asset purchase, so individuals may hesitate to stand out with a bold color." Suk, who once bought a secondhand orange-colored Sportage SUV, ended up selling it for about 10 percent less than the same model with similar specs in white. "Europeans generally regard cars as nothing more than a means of transportation. That's why they don't pay much attention to color or smaller sizes," said a source at a German auto brand. But perhaps there are more fundamental reasons? Culturally, Koreans have long been a people who prefer not to stand out, shaped by Confucian values, which tend to favor modesty and conformity - even when it comes to choosing a car. It could also be linked to an old nickname for Korea, "land of white clothing," as historically, Koreans favored wearing white, a color associated with purity, sacredness and brightness. This differs from places like Europe, where a freer, more individualis...

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. After clocking out of work at an office in Gyeonggi on a recent Friday, Juliena Seong rushed to Gwanghwamun in central Seoul for a late work meeting, followed by a hoesik (work dinner). While her colleagues kept the drinks flowing, Seong held back - in just a few hours, she would be boarding a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Saying her goodbyes around midnight, she hurried to Incheon International Airport, dragging the suitcase she had been carrying since morning. A few short hours later, she was more than 30,000 feet in the air. As soon as she landed in Malaysia's capital after a seven-hour flight, her whirlwind 48-hour escape began. She slurped laksa (spicy coconut noodle soup), snapped photos beneath the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, went shopping and even managed to get her hands on a few Labubu dolls. But soon came the time to return to reality. After a final plate of nasi lemak (a coconut milk rice dish) late Sunday night, she hopped on a flight back to Incheon, landing at 7 a.m. Monday. And that was only the start of the long day ahead of her. She went home for a quick shower, got dressed and headed straight back to the office. "I've taken short overseas trips like this several times," said Seong, now in her third year at a 9-to-6 job. She has flown to nearby destinations such as Kota Kinabalu and Nha Trang - each about five hours away - on similar schedules: finish work on Friday, fly overnight and return late Sunday or early Monday morning. Despite the tight schedule, she says the benefits far outweigh the fatigue. "I mean, I'd love to take longer vacations, but with limited leave days, I try to make the most of the weekends. I can visit various countries in those spare times, and traveling between work gives me energy - both by recalling past trips and looking forward to the next one." Like Seong, a growing number of workers, especially younger ones, are heading overseas for weekend escapes, using as few vacation days as possible. According to data from travel platform Trip.com, round-trip flight bookings by Korean travelers departing on Friday nights and returning on Sunday nights or Monday morning increased by more than 88 percent from January to October this year, compared to the same period last year. The data also showed that China was the most popular weekend getaway destination, followed by Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand - all of which take between an hour and a half to six hours to reach. Not long ago, traveling abroad was considered a big undertaking, something that required planning and a fair amount of willpower, even for nearby destinations. But these days, for many young workers - who have stable incomes but little time off - short, high-efficiency overseas trips have become a common weekend activity. For some, such quick overseas getaways have practically become a lifestyle. Rather than using all her vacation days on one long trip, she plans them strategically to travel as often as possible, taking short but smart vacations that require only one or two days off each time. The growing flexibility in working hours since Covid-19 has also helped. "My company has flexible working hours, so leaving early or starting late is fine," said Choi, who also runs the Instagram account jjjoah0, where she introduces herself as a "vacation-day traveler" and shares tips on traveling while making the most of limited leave. "That makes short trips much less tiring. Also, to make the most of my limited vacation days, I have to put up with the fatigue." On social media platforms like Instagram, posts featuring office workers taking weekend trips abroad without using vacation days have become increasingly common and popular. In the video, she takes an 8:30 p.m. Friday flight to Cebu after finishing work at 6 p.m. Upon landing around midnight, she changes into a swimsuit at the airport, heads to Oslob to see whale sharks at 3 a.m., visits Tumalog Falls...

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice. Blackpink's Rosé and Netflix's smash hit "KPop Demon Hunters" earned nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, according to the Recording Academy's announcement livestreamed on Saturday, alongside HYBE's global girl group Katseye. Rosé's viral megahit "APT." (2024), a collaboration with Bruno Mars, earned three nominations in total, and "KPop Demon Hunters" - as well as "Golden," the ever-present chart-sweeping anthem from the animated film - received five. "APT." and "Golden" are now competing against each other for the Song of the Year. Other nominees in the category include Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," Doechii's "Anxiety," Bad Bunny's "DtMF," Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" (2024), Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" and Billie Eilish's "Wildflower" (2024). Both songs are also competing for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance against Katseye's "Gabriela," "Defying Gravity" from the musical film "Wicked" (2024) and "30 for 30" by SZA and Kendrick Lamar. "APT." is also up for the Record of the Year award, while "Golden" earned nominations for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best Remixed Recording, and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. This marks the first time that songs considered to be in the broader K-pop genre have reached the final nomination round for the Grammy's Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories in the General Field, the non-genre-specific awards widely considered as the most prestigious honors of the ceremony. The Grammys' General Field consists of six major awards that are not genre-specific: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical. K-pop megaband BTS, which until now had been the first and only K-pop act ever nominated for a Grammy, received nods for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and for Best Music Video in 2023. The septet was also credited as a featured artist when Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres" was nominated in the Album of the Year category for their collaboration on "My Universe" (2021). Meanwhile, multinational girl group Katseye, under K-pop powerhouse HYBE, was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while the Tony Award-winning Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending" will compete for Best Musical Theatre Album at next year's ceremony. The Recording Academy, organizer of the annual Grammy Awards, will begin the final vote for nominees from Dec. 12 through Jan. 5. The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles. In September, Rosé made history at the MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year. Updated, Nov. 8: Added two additional nomination categories for "KPop Demon Hunters" and "Golden"

This article is by Noh Yu-rim and read by an artificial voice. Korea's three major department store chains - Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai - have all reported their third-quarter earnings, showing signs of recovery after a sluggish first half. Lotte Shopping and Shinsegae disclosed their third-quarter results on Friday. Lotte Shopping reported 3.41 trillion won ($2.34 billion) in consolidated revenue, down 4.4 percent from the same period in 2024, and operating profit of 130.5 billion won, a 15.8 percent decrease. The company also swung to a net loss of 48.7 billion won. Despite the overall decline, Lotte's department store division performed well. Lotte Department Store recorded 734.3 billion won in revenue, up 0.7 percent year-on-year, and 79.6 billion won in operating profit, a 9 percent increase. The division has posted year-on-year profit growth for three consecutive quarters. Shinsegae posted consolidated revenue of 2.81 trillion won in the third quarter, a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year. Overall operating profit rose 7.3 percent to 99.8 billion won. The department store division saw revenue edge up 0.5 percent to 622.7 billion won, but operating profit fell 4.9 percent to 84 billion won. These figures exclude the performance of Shinsegae Simon's premium outlets. A Shinsegae spokesperson attributed the dip in profit to "strategic investments aimed at future growth," such as the renovation of the food hall at its Gangnam branch, which was completed in August, and updates to fashion sections at the main and Centum City branches. Industry insiders say a key driver of the third-quarter rebound was a rise in foreign tourist traffic. Lotte Department Store noted strong sales at flagship locations such as the Myeong-dong main branch and Jamsil branch, both of which are popular with foreign shoppers. "At our main branch in central Seoul, foreign customer sales rose 39 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, with international visitors accounting for 19 percent of all foot traffic," a Lotte Department Store official said. "The Jamsil branch also posted a 13 percent jump in sales from foreign shoppers." Hyundai Department Store, which had reported its earnings previously, also cited a boost from international tourists, driven by the fever for Korean content and China's visa-free policy for Korean visits. Hyundai's department store division posted 89.3 billion won in operating profit for the third quarter, up 25.8 percent from a year earlier. With the holiday shopping season approaching, department stores are planning to maximize customer engagement through themed events and tourist-oriented promotions. "In the fourth quarter, we'll complete a revamp of The Reserve section at our main store and relaunch SSG Food Market in Cheongdam with a premium grocery selection and trendy content," said a Shinsegae spokesperson. "Starting Nov. 20, we'll launch a Christmas market at Lotte Town in Jamsil, offering a range of experiences to attract foot traffic," said a Lotte Department Store spokesperson. "With both the peak shopping season and year-end holidays ahead, we'll focus on maximizing customer turnout." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola Källenius's potential meeting with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong next week is heightening expectations of the two companies' collaboration to expand into the battery and display sectors. The meeting has drawn particular interest as Samsung has yet to supply batteries to Mercedes, despite being a longtime supplier to other German premium brands like BMW and Audi. Källenius is reportedly arranging a meeting with Lee during his visit to Korea to attend a press conference for local media set for Nov. 14, according to multiple reports. Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-sun and Samsung Display CEO Yi Chung are reportedly to join the meeting. The meeting, if realized, is expected to focus on chips and batteries, areas where their partnership has yet to take concrete shape. Samsung and Mercedes have historically collaborated on display technologies, including tablet PCs installed in the rear seats of the S-Class and infotainment monitors used in select models. Samsung has also supplied its Samsung Wallet digital key for major Mercedes models, allowing drivers to unlock and start their vehicles without a physical key. Mercedes currently uses batteries supplied by only LG Energy Solution and SK On for its EVs. The two titans' meeting will also likely give fresh momentum to the ongoing talks over Samsung supplying organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels for Mercedes vehicles. Meanwhile, Källenius is also expected to hold meetings with LG Energy Solution, the country's largest battery maker. In March, he reportedly met privately with major LG affiliates, including LG Electronics, LG Energy Solution, and LG Display. Lee has been rapidly expanding his engagement with global EV firms recently, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, and BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, signaling a clear strategy to position the automobile sector as its next growth engine. One of the most notable examples is the longstanding battery alliance between Samsung SDI and BMW, which has spanned nearly two decades. The partnership began in 2009, when BMW selected Samsung SDI as its exclusive supplier of EV batteries. The two companies also signed a 2.9 billion euros ($3.35 billion) battery supply contract covering the period from 2021 to 2031. Chairman Lee held a meeting with BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse during his visit to Korea in December 2022 at the BMW Driving Center in Incheon.

This article is by Noh Yu-rim and read by an artificial voice. As K-beauty continues to grow in global popularity, counterfeiters are capitalizing - with damages mounting to $15 million so far this year. Documents provided by the Korea Customs Service through an information disclosure request by the JoongAng Ilbo show that from January to September, violations of intellectual property rights related to domestic beauty brands amounted to 22 billion won ($15.1 million) - more than 24 times the 900 million won recorded in 2024. These counterfeit products were falsely labeled to appear as Korean beauty brands. The damage has surged sharply from around 100 million won in 2020. China accounted for the largest number of counterfeit shipments, with 99 percent of counterfeit beauty products detected this year through September originating from China, followed distantly by Thailand at 0.1 percent. "This year saw an unusually high number of counterfeit cosmetics shipped from China to the United States before being imported to Korea," a Korea Customs Service official said, the monetary value of which constituted "81 percent, or 17.8 billion won, of all counterfeit cases." Counterfeiters target a wide range of Korean beauty brands, from luxury names to affordable, mass-market products. Most fake cosmetics imitate Korean beauty brands' product designs and names so closely that they are nearly impossible for consumers to distinguish with the naked eye. Fake versions of its Mediheal brand's collagen masks replaced the word "collagen" with "gollagen," while the packaging and size were identical to the genuine product - misleading consumers into believing they were authentic, according to beauty tech company APR. Counterfeit versions of Amorepacific's Sulwhasoo brand were the most frequently detected fake cosmetics manufactured overseas in 2024, with 541 cases, according to data submitted to Rebuilding Korea Party Rep. Cha gyu-geun by the Korea Customs Service. In 2025, counterfeits of affordable brands surged. Fake products imitating Manyo Factory - a leading budget-friendly brand - topped the list with 952 cases as of September, followed by Sulwhasoo with 812. Industry insiders are increasingly concerned about the risks of fake cosmetics. "Counterfeit products pose health risks because their ingredients cannot be verified," said a spokesperson for APR. "They not only violate companies' intellectual property rights but also undermine global consumer trust in K-beauty as a whole." Companies say they are stepping up monitoring efforts and cooperating with authorities to crack down on counterfeit goods. "We are working closely with overseas customs agencies to block counterfeit products at the import clearance stage and are taking strong legal action against those involved in their production and distribution," said an Amorepacific spokesperson. The government is also considering launching a joint task force with private companies to better protect K-beauty brands abroad. "We are producing and distributing a guidebook to help customs and related agencies identify K-beauty intellectual property infringements," a customs official said. "We plan to strengthen cooperation with the Korean Intellectual Property Office and overseas direct-purchase platforms and establish a public-private working group next year to protect Korean brands." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Seo Ji-eun and read by an artificial voice. [EXCLUSIVE] Even as global sanctions aim to choke Russia's access to high-precision manufacturing equipment, a new investigation found that several South Korean machine-tool brands were on display at Russia's largest metalworking exhibition - highlighting the risk that these dual-use technologies could aid Russia's defense industry. The Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU), a Kyiv-based think tank tracking sanctions evasions, said that products from at least three South Korean precision toolmakers were displayed at the annual Metalloobrabotka-2025 in May in Moscow. The event, often attended by Kremlin defense industry figures, showcased hundreds of foreign machine tools, including items subject to EU and U.S. dual-use export restrictions. "The key issue is not simply covert shipments," Olena Yurchenko, director for analysis and investigations at ESCU, told the Korea JoongAng Daily. "What we find alarming is that products made by South Korean brands, which are de facto banned from Russia [since 2022], are now being openly advertised and promoted in Moscow." Often, the products are delivered to Russia through third-country channels. When supplied in quantity, they can be used to manufacture critical parts for missiles, drones and other weapon systems. Experts say this underscores the need for Seoul to strengthen its enforcement capacity and raise corporate awareness of compliance obligations. Behind these trade fair appearances lies a trail of recent shipments from South Korea to Russia, funneled through third countries to apparently evade the government's sanctions. The ESCU's latest analysis of customs filings indicates that between 2024 and 2025, more than $3.7 million worth of Korean-made cutting tools and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery entered Russia through complex transshipment networks involving China, Turkey, India, Uzbekistan, Lithuania and Thailand. The analysis estimates that machinery included $2.19 million in threading, drilling and milling tools from a Berkshire Hathaway-owned Korean firm, $1.31 million in cutting and machine-tool accessories from a mid-sized manufacturer, and $211,000 in CNC horizontal lathes from a Kosdaq-listed company. The Korea JoongAng Daily confirmed with ESCU the data on the three South Korean companies that either participated in the exhibition directly or through a Russian dealer's representative. One company executive, however, strongly denied any direct involvement in the Moscow fair. "We stopped all sales to Russia in early 2024 and told our Russian dealer not to use our logo or display our machines," the executive, who asked for anonymity, told the Korea JoongAng Daily. "They acted independently." The firm said it has severed ties with suspicious intermediaries and is strengthening internal compliance to prevent future breaches. The company director said that such associations could unfairly harm small- and medium-sized suppliers like his. The other two companies have yet to respond to the Korea JoongAng Daily's request for comments. Aiding Russia's war production Advanced cutting tools are essential for shaping hardened alloys used in military hardware, including artillery gun barrels, rocket and missile casings and drone engines. CNC lathes, on the other hand, are capable of high-precision machining of metal parts - for example, engine housings, shafts, nozzles, and mounts - with micron-level tolerances, critical for aircraft engine production and other aerospace applications, thereby directly contributing to Russia's ability to build fighter jets and cruise missiles. Last year, DN Solutions' CNC machines were found to have reached Russia through Chinese intermediaries, and some of the equipment was later confirmed to have been installed inside Russian defense production facilities. South Korea, though not part of the EU sanctions framework, has aligned itself with the U.S. and Group of 7 export-...

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. Why do Korean hotels charge extra for guests to use their pools and place limits on the number of times guests can use them? That was the question one frustrated Reddit user posted recently - and it quickly turned into a debate. Some 40 comments poured in, with some users defending the policy, while others were absolutely baffled by it. "Some high-end places charge for pool access because people only go there for the photos," one user wrote in the comment, earning 19 upvotes. But many pushed back, with one commenter saying the hotels are "wring more cash out of you. ... spa should be free so anyone justifying this money grab is not used to staying at proper hotels. If you are not staying in the hotel naturally you need to pay for everything however if you are boarding at the hostelry..." Someone else wrote, "Because people here are willing to pay the extra. I'm finding hotels to be a terrible value in Korea in general." This frustration isn't something only foreign travelers are finding controversial. Similar complaints have appeared on Korean online forums - including SLRClub, Naver Cafes and Quora - where many users described the fees as excessive and unfair. Yet even after paying such high room rates, guests at some of these high-end hotels must still purchase a pool-inclusive package or pay an additional fee - sometimes over 100,000 won - to access the outdoor pool. Access to their indoor pools is typically free, but these tend to be plain - often resembling fitness-center swimming pools with lanes rather than spaces for leisure or relaxation. Outdoor facilities, on the other hand, are often much larger and fancier, with some even featuring infinity pools, which makes them particularly desirable. As a result, guests who want to enjoy the more scenic, more entertaining outdoor pools have no choice but to pay extra on top of already premium accommodation costs. The Shilla Seoul hotel, for example, charges hotel guests up to 125,000 won per adult during peak summer to access its outdoor Urban Island pool. IIf a family of four with two children under 13 were to book a weekday stay, a business deluxe room with two double king-sized beds starts at around 1.2 million won, according to the hotel's website as of Wednesday. With pool access costing an additional 600,000 won during peak season, the total comes to nearly 1.8 million won for just one night. At Grand Walkerhill Seoul hotel's "River Park," pool access costs around 90,000 won during peak season for hotel guests - nearly double the weekday price of 40,000 won when it first opened in 2019. The fee now rises to 150,000 won if combined with a buffet. The Mondrian Seoul Itaewon charges up to 80,000 won during busy season. The pricing feels particularly unfair when compared to other branches under the same hotel brand that do not charge extra for pool use. For instance, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul requires guests to pay up to 80,000 won to access the outdoor pool, whereas many other Banyan Tree properties include pool access as part of the stay. Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, managed by Bayan Tree and Banyan Tree Bangkok, for example, offers rooftop pool access as a complimentary amenity for overnight guests, while Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto provides free access to its indoor and outdoor natural hot spring baths. The trend is not limited to the capital. Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo charges as much as 45,000 won for access to its infinity pool. Lotte Hotel in Busan charges hotel guests 40,000 won per adult to use its indoor and outdoor pools during its peak season. While many hotel outdoor pools offer discounted rates for staying guests, the costs remain high - especially for families of three or four, who are often the main users of these facilities. Even some luxury hotels with only indoor pools have adopted more restrictive policies. At Sofitel Ambassador Seoul hotel, guests must book a pool time slot upon check-...