News

OpenAI might produce own AI chips by 2026 to reduce reliance on NVIDIA

2025/09/05 19:40

OpenAI the developer of ChatGPT is reportedly exploring prospects of producing its own AI chips. This is according to the Financial Times citing sources familiar with the plan that may go into practice next year. In fact OpenAI reportedly aims to co-design its chips with semiconductor giant Broadcom to meet soaring internal demand and to reduce reliance on NVIDIA. Broadcom's CEO, Hock Tan, for his part has confirmed a 10-billion-U.S.-dollar custom AI chip order but did not name OpenAI.

U.S. Immigration enforcement raids Hyundai plant in GA, detaining 450 people

2025/09/05 19:40

U.S. authorities raided a Hyundai Motor plant in Georgia on Thursday. This according to ATF Atlanta's X post. Some 4-hundred-50 people have been detained including about 30 South Korean nationals. The raid has also halted construction work at the site for a car battery factory that Hyundai is partnering with LG Energy Solution. The raided site is one of Georgia's largest manufacturing sites employing about 12-hundred people and where Hyundai Motor Group makes EVs.

Industrial AI EXPO showcases uses of AI to develop industry

2025/09/04 23:36

An inaugural exhibition to share the application of AI technologies in industrial settings is underway here in Seoul. Our business correspondent Park Jun-han tells us more. Under the phrase “The Convergence of AI and Industry: A New Industrial Revolution,” the first industrial AI EXPO opened in Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and organized by the Korea Industry Intelligentization Association, some hundred companies and thousands of exhibitors were present to experience and learn how AI could be used to benefit the country's industries. “The current Lee Jae Myung administration places a strong emphasis on using AI to drive industrial innovation, and here you can see technologies ranging from autonomous systems and AI-driven manufacturing to humanoid robots. Right now, AI robots like this one can do simple tasks such as folding your laundry, but with more AI training, they could have a wide range of industrial uses. The CEO of Large Language Model stated that with repeated training, AI technologies are now ready for real-world use. “I believe most AI technologies can already be implemented for real-world use. Unlike traditional technologies built for a clear purpose, generative AI prepares the tools even before the goal is fully defined.” Once considered a futuristic concept, AI is now part of our daily lives, effectively connecting people and industries. “AI helps predict what people want to buy in e-commerce and provides personalized healthcare recommendations. It also optimizes factory automation, enhances education, and improves energy management by using collected data to make smarter decisions and deliver better services.” From physical robots to personalized agents, AI is already part of our daily lives. In fact, AI still holds tremendous potential to be used anywhere and everywhere to help people around the world. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Industrial AI EXPO showcases uses of AI to develop industry

2025/09/04 19:37

An inaugural exhibition to share the application of AI technologies in industrial settings is underway here in Seoul. Our business correspondent Park Jun-han was there. Under the phrase “The Convergence of AI and Industry: A New Industrial Revolution,” the first industrial AI EXPO opened in Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and organized by the Korea Industry Intelligentization Association, some hundred companies and thousands of exhibitors were present to experience and learn how AI could be used to benefit the country's industries. “The current Lee Jae Myung administration places a strong emphasis on using AI to drive industrial innovation, and here you can see technologies ranging from autonomous systems and AI-driven manufacturing to humanoid robots. Right now, AI robots like this one can do simple tasks such as folding your laundry, but with more AI training, they could have a wide range of industrial uses. The CEO of Large Language Model stated that with repeated training, AI technologies are now ready for real-world use. “I believe most AI technologies can already be implemented for real-world use. Unlike traditional technologies built for a clear purpose, generative AI prepares the tools even before the goal is fully defined.” Once considered a futuristic concept, AI is now part of our daily lives, effectively connecting people and industries. “AI helps predict what people want to buy in e-commerce and provides personalized healthcare recommendations. It also optimizes factory automation, enhances education, and improves energy management by using collected data to make smarter decisions and deliver better services.” From physical robots to personalized agents, AI is already part of our daily lives. In fact, AI still holds tremendous potential to be used anywhere and everywhere to help people around the world. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Google not required to sell Chrome or Android, judge rules in win for tech giant

2025/09/03 11:39

A federal judge in the United States ruled on Tuesday that Google will not be required to sell its Chrome browser or Android operating system. This decision rejects a part of a broader antitrust effort by the Justice Department, which aimed to challenge Google's market dominance. Instead, the court has mandated that Google must share certain search data with competitors, to foster competition in online search engines. The judge also prohibited Google from entering exclusive search distribution deals, but allowed continued payments to partners, such as Apple and AT&T, to set Google as the default, citing concerns that cutting this off would harm both partners and consumers.

South Korea fostering skilled IT workers, quality jobs in Uzbekistan

2025/09/02 19:41

Up next we share with you the second installment in our series of stories on South Korea's development assistance initiatives. in Uzbekistan. And today we touch upon the role of vocational training centers set up by the Korea International Cooperation Agency in the Central Asian nation. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young reports from the ground. Makmudov Mansur was a disillusioned dental trainee-turned-taxi driver earning 100 dollars a month. In his late 20s, he enrolled in a vocational program run by South Korea's foreign aid agency. For the last 8 years, Mansur's been running a publishing and IT firm, earning 8-hundred to a thousand dollars a week. "I came with no background in IT and worked as a taxi driver. What I learnt at the center enabled me to run a 40-person business. Based on 8 months of study and two months of internships, two of my classmates and I founded a company. With our new factory, I expect to hire 120 more workers and hope to continue creating quality jobs." One of five vocational schools set up in Uzbekistan by Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Samarkand Vocational Training Center nurtures young professionals in mechanics, electrical engineering, IT, computer graphics, and more. After completing a year in Samarkand, plus two years at a South Korean university, graduates go into business or land high-quality jobs, with their acquired skillsets and Korean language skills. "I'm currently learning the basics of machinery. If I continue my studies in Korea, I hope to receive more advanced training there and eventually secure a good job." Inspired by Korean online lecturers, this 30-year-old student aspires to become a mechanics professor. "Many of us had never seen such machines before. But Koreans brought these over and showed us. We were blown away. With this training, we can earn more than in jobs like driving buses or taxis, construction, or teaching." With a population of 35 million, six in ten Uzbeks are under 30 years old, meaning there's a huge demand for work. Around half a million enter the job market each year. KOICA's vocational centers have together produced 11 thousand graduates, with a 92 percent employment rate. "When the Tashkent and Samarkand centers first opened, no other institution could provide even short-term vocational training. By showing what our center can do, we've set a shining example. So today, the Uzbek government now operates 65 vocational schools nationwide on top of the five KOICA vocational centers." Beyond technology and skill training, it's crucial for young firms to acquire the know-how and connections to scale their businesses. Here in Tashkent,.. KOICA is backing the growth of young Uzbek IT specialists and companies, training professionals, and linking businesses to build a high-tech ecosystem. Since 2021, KOICA provided funding, training, and hardware support for IT Park, a tech hub set up by the Uzbek government in 2019, to foster digital export businesses and attract global IT firms to Uzbekistan. IT Park offers business-to-business matchmaking, education in areas like Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, as well as further networking opportunities for resident companies. (AI) "We could learn about new trends and also network with Korean companies, so I'm recommending this program to others in the industry." The capacity-building program has trained over 630 students to date. Once the center of global commerce, as a major Silk Road hub, Uzbekistan is working with Korea to produce young technicians sporting new tricks of trade. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Tashkent.

[Kulture Issue] APEC members' young scientists explore solutions to climate crisis and more

2025/09/02 15:34

In less than two months, APEC Korea takes place in Gyeongju. Ahead of the main event, a special contest was held where young people from APEC member countries explored science-based solutions to the climate crisis and other global challenges at the 2025 APEC Youth STEM Conference. Let’s hear more from a person involved in this project, Kim Do-yeong, Senior Researcher of the APEC Mentoring Center for the Gifted in Science, who is now connected with us. Hello Do-yeong! Q1. Let’s start by introducing the APEC Mentoring Center for the Gifted in Science as well as the 2025 APEC Youth STEM Conference. Q2. APEC is known as an economic cooperation body. What’s the background behind hosting a science conference alongside the other APEC events and what is its purpose? Q3. I heard that various ideas for addressing the climate crisis and environmental issues emerged at the contest. From your perspective, were there any ideas that stood out? Q4. Let’s talk about the winning team then. Which team received the award and what kind of idea did it come up with? Q5. The fact that teams were formed by mixing nationalities seems quite unique, rather than competing by country. What significance do you think this collaborative experience held for the youth of APEC member nations? Q6. What opportunities might these innovative ideas lead to in the future? Also, if there are any upcoming events being prepared at your center, please share them with us. Q7. Finally, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is just two months away. What are your expectations for cooperation in the field of science and technology? Thank you very much Do-young for connecting with us today. Thank you Walter as always. See you again tomorrow.

South Korea fostering skilled IT workers, quality jobs in Uzbekistan

2025/09/02 11:38

This year marks 30 years since Korea set up an office of its foreign aid agency in Uzbekistan for development assistance. Upon this milestone, a team of reporters explored how Korea is supporting high-quality skill sets and jobs for Uzbekistan's burgeoning young population. Our Oh Soo-young brings us part two of our series. Makmudov Mansur was a disillusioned dental trainee-turned-taxi driver earning 100 dollars a month. In his late 20s, he enrolled in a vocational program run by South Korea's foreign aid agency. For the last 8 years, Mansur's been running a publishing and IT firm, earning 8-hundred to a thousand dollars a week. "I came with no background in IT and worked as a taxi driver. What I learnt at the center enabled me to run a 40-person business. Based on 8 months of study and two months of internships, two of my classmates and I founded a company. With our new factory, I expect to hire 120 more workers and hope to continue creating quality jobs." One of five vocational schools set up in Uzbekistan by Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Samarkand Vocational Training Center nurtures young professionals in mechanics, electrical engineering, IT, computer graphics, and more. After completing a year in Samarkand, plus two years at a South Korean university, graduates go into business or land high-quality jobs, with their acquired skillsets and Korean language skills. "I'm currently learning the basics of machinery. If I continue my studies in Korea, I hope to receive more advanced training there and eventually secure a good job." Inspired by Korean online lecturers, this 30-year-old student aspires to become a mechanics professor. "Many of us had never seen such machines before. But Koreans brought these over and showed us. We were blown away. With this training, we can earn more than in jobs like driving buses or taxis, construction, or teaching." With a population of 35 million, six in ten Uzbeks are under 30 years old, meaning there's a huge demand for work. Around half a million enter the job market each year. KOICA's vocational centers have together produced 11 thousand graduates, with a 92 percent employment rate. "When the Tashkent and Samarkand centers first opened, no other institution could provide even short-term vocational training. By showing what our center can do, we've set a shining example. So today, the Uzbek government now operates 65 vocational schools nationwide --on top of the five KOICA vocational centers." Beyond technology and skill training, it's crucial for young firms to acquire the know-how and connections to scale their businesses. Here in Tashkent,.. KOICA is backing the growth of young Uzbek IT specialists and companies, training professionals, and linking businesses to build a high-tech ecosystem. Since 2021, KOICA provided funding, training, and hardware support for IT Park, a tech hub set up by the Uzbek government in 2019, to foster digital export businesses and attract global IT firms to Uzbekistan. IT Park offers business-to-business matchmaking, education in areas like Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, as well as further networking opportunities for resident companies. "We could learn about new trends and also network with Korean companies, so I'm recommending this program to others in the industry." The capacity-building program has trained over 630 students to date. Once the center of global commerce, as a major Silk Road hub, Uzbekistan is working with Korea to produce young technicians sporting new tricks of trade. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Tashkent.

South Korea helps Uzbek locals build climate-smart farming success in desert land, after Aral Sea crisis

2025/09/01 23:42

This year marks 30 years since Korea set up an office of its foreign aid agency in Uzbekistan for development assistance. Celebrating this milestone, a team of reporters explored how Korea is helping build resilience against the harsh impact of climate change. Our Oh Soo-young was there. Formerly the world's fourth largest lake with a vibrant fishing industry, the once vast waters of the Aral Sea are now known as the "Ship Cemetery." Over 60 years, due to Soviet cotton farming projects that consumed its rivers, the Aral Sea is now just a tenth of what it was. Trade and livelihoods dried up with the ecosystem. "There used to be plenty of food here. There were many sturgeon, and we could get caviar. After the Aral Sea dried up, many moved away." The surrounding Republic of Karakalpakstan constitutes over a third of Uzbekistan's land mass, but less than 6 percent of the population lives here. Desertification has led to frequent salt, sand, and dust storms, making it broadly inhospitable for people and vegetation. "Heavily salinated and covered in sodium flying in from the Aral Sea, this is now basically a wasteland. Even weeds are unable to grow here." But recently, sprigs of hope are changing the barren landscape. Since 2021, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has funded the Global Green Growth Institute to help four districts of Karakalpakstan overcome the impact of climate disasters. Under the four-year program, nearly 18-thousand people have been trained in climate-smart farming methods, with six targeted models designed by the GGGI. One solution is planting windbreak trees, to shield fields and crops from salt-laden winds. Drip irrigation, and new hose-reel sprinkler systems provided through Korean funds save water and improve soil quality. "We've been farming the same way for the last 45 years. The Aral Sea's growing impact has been long known, but until now, there wasn't enough interest in finding a solution. " His field is now part of that solution, growing over 600 thousand windbreak seedlings to help other farms prosper across the region. Korean support has also helped new farmers set up shop. Partnering with Nukus City's Monocenter, GGGI developed training for 40 unemployed residents, with 1.2 billion Uzbek Som, or over 96-thousand dollars, funding greenhouse crop production. One graduate in her thirties has scaled her home farm to a 1-hectare greenhouse business, producing tomatoes and cucumbers for export. "As much as my knowledge grew tenfold, my revenue's grown tenfold too. I was able to expand my business. Now I have 70 to 80 employees." Separately, the GGGI provided training and equipment for 16 women with disabilities to help them set up small greenhouse spaces in their homes. Looking ahead, KOICA and GGGI are ensuring sustainable finance for future projects nationwide, working with two major local banks to issue over 1 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds, listed on the London Stock Exchange "We supported the creation of a Green Finance framework where funds can only be used for designated purposes. This ensures that the capital will be invested long-term in Uzbekistan's green sectors, including Climate-Smart Agriculture." Helping increase climate resilience, and the quality of life and jobs, South Korea is working on the ground to bring winds of change for a sustainable future. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Nukus.

South Korea helps Uzbek locals build climate-smart farming success in desert land, after Aral Sea crisis

2025/09/01 19:39

This year South Korea marks three decades since it began development assistance for Uzbekistan. And in light of this occasion a press pool including our correspondent Oh Soo-young was in the Central Asian country to witness firsthand the fruits of the joint labor. Formerly the world's fourth largest lake with a vibrant fishing industry, the once vast waters of the Aral Sea are now known as the "Ship Cemetery." Over 60 years, due to Soviet cotton farming projects that consumed its rivers, the Aral Sea is now just a tenth of what it was. Trade and livelihoods dried up with the ecosystem. "There used to be plenty of food here. There were many sturgeon, and we could get caviar. After the Aral Sea dried up, many moved away." The surrounding Republic of Karakalpakstan constitutes over a third of Uzbekistan's land mass, but less than 6 percent of the population lives here. Desertification has led to frequent salt, sand, and dust storms, making it broadly inhospitable for people and vegetation. "Heavily salinated and covered in sodium flying in from the Aral Sea, this is now basically a wasteland. Even weeds are unable to grow here." But recently, sprigs of hope are changing the barren landscape. Since 2021, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has funded the Global Green Growth Institute to help four districts of Karakalpakstan overcome the impact of climate disasters. Under the four-year program, nearly 18-thousand people have been trained in climate-smart farming methods, with six targeted models designed by the GGGI. One solution is planting windbreak trees, to shield fields and crops from salt-laden winds. Drip irrigation, and new hose-reel sprinkler systems provided through Korean funds save water and improve soil quality. "We've been farming the same way for the last 45 years. The Aral Sea's growing impact has been long known, but until now, there wasn't enough interest in finding a solution. " His field is now part of that solution, growing over 600 thousand windbreak seedlings to help other farms prosper across the region. Korean support has also helped new farmers set up shop. Partnering with Nukus City's Monocenter, GGGI developed training for 40 unemployed residents, with 1.2 billion Uzbek Som, or over 96-thousand dollars, funding greenhouse crop production. One graduate in her thirties has scaled her home farm to a 1-hectare greenhouse business, producing tomatoes and cucumbers for export. "As much as my knowledge grew tenfold, my revenue's grown tenfold too. I was able to expand my business. Now I have 70 to 80 employees." Separately, the GGGI provided training and equipment for 16 women with disabilities to help them set up small greenhouse spaces in their homes. Looking ahead, KOICA and GGGI are ensuring sustainable finance for future projects nationwide, working with two major local banks to issue over 1 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds, listed on the London Stock Exchange "We supported the creation of a Green Finance framework where funds can only be used for designated purposes. This ensures that the capital will be invested long-term in Uzbekistan's green sectors, including Climate-Smart Agriculture." Helping increase climate resilience, and the quality of life and jobs, South Korea is working on the ground to bring winds of change for a sustainable future. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Nukus.

South Korea helps Uzbek locals build climate-smart farming success in desert land, after Aral Sea crisis

2025/09/01 11:37

This year marks 30 years since Korea set up an office of its foreign aid agency in Uzbekistan for development assistance. Celebrating this milestone, a team of reporters explored how Korea is helping build resilience against the harsh impact of climate change. Our Oh Soo-young was there. Formerly the world's fourth largest lake with a vibrant fishing industry, the once vast waters of the Aral Sea are now known as the "Ship Cemetery." Over 60 years, due to Soviet cotton farming projects that consumed its rivers, the Aral Sea is now just a tenth of what it was. Trade and livelihoods dried up with the ecosystem. "There used to be plenty of food here. There were many sturgeon, and we could get caviar. After the Aral Sea dried up, many moved away." The surrounding Republic of Karakalpakstan constitutes over a third of Uzbekistan's land mass, but less than 6 percent of the population lives here. Desertification has led to frequent salt, sand, and dust storms, making it broadly inhospitable for people and vegetation. (Stand-up) "Heavily salinated and covered in sodium flying in from the Aral Sea, this is now basically a wasteland. Even weeds are unable to grow here." But recently, sprigs of hope are changing the barren landscape. Since 2021, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has funded the Global Green Growth Institute to help four districts of Karakalpakstan overcome the impact of climate disasters. Under the four-year program, nearly 18-thousand people have been trained in climate-smart farming methods, with six targeted models designed by the GGGI. One solution is planting windbreak trees, to shield fields and crops from salt-laden winds. Drip irrigation, and new hose-reel sprinkler systems provided through Korean funds save water and improve soil quality. "We've been farming the same way for the last 45 years. The Aral Sea's growing impact has been long known, but until now, there wasn't enough interest in finding a solution. " His field is now part of that solution, growing over 600 thousand windbreak seedlings to help other farms prosper across the region. Korean support has also helped new farmers set up shop. Partnering with Nukus City's Monocenter, GGGI developed training for 40 unemployed residents, with 1.2 billion Uzbek Som, or over 96-thousand dollars, funding greenhouse crop production. One graduate in her thirties has scaled her home farm to a 1-hectare greenhouse business, producing tomatoes and cucumbers for export. "As much as my knowledge grew tenfold, my revenue's grown tenfold too. I was able to expand my business. Now I have 70 to 80 employees." Separately, the GGGI provided training and equipment for 16 women with disabilities to help them set up small greenhouse spaces in their homes. Looking ahead, KOICA and GGGI are ensuring sustainable finance for future projects nationwide, working with two major local banks to issue over 1 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds, listed on the London Stock Exchange "We supported the creation of a Green Finance framework where funds can only be used for designated purposes. This ensures that the capital will be invested long-term in Uzbekistan's green sectors, including Climate-Smart Agriculture." Helping increase climate resilience, and the quality of life and jobs, South Korea is working on the ground to bring winds of change for a sustainable future. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Nukus.

2025 World Climate Industry Expo explores how AI and energy can benefit each other

2025/08/28 19:40

Back here in South Korea. We turn now to the southern port city of Busan where government officials and industry experts are turning to AI to come up with productive energy solutions. Our Park Jun-han was there. With AI on the rise, can the world keep up with the soaring demand for energy? The 2025 World Climate Industry Expo in Busan is tackling that very question — showcasing how far we've come, and how much work still lies ahead. "Today, in the world, there is a big race among the major economic powers in terms of being a leader for AI. AI can help us in order to maximize the utilization rate of the grids through optimization. There is no AI without energy, but AI can also help the energy." During the interview, Regional President of RWE's Asia-Pacific Division Jens Orfelt shared his vision about the growing demand for energy for AI, and ways to sustainably acquire energy. "It (AI) is very energy intensive, and therefore if we use conventional energy resources to power AI, there's a significant risk that AI becomes part of the problem from an energy transition point of view. It's very important that we also advance the technologies that will ensure that it's based on sustainable energy consumption." The company also mentioned that creating energy can help solve the Korean government's and companies' high dependency on energy imports. "A major advantage is also domesticating your energy production, making yourself less vulnerable to imports and thereby increasing your energy security, which is a very important point in the current geopolitical environment as well." And some exhibitions are doing just that as they showcase their newest technology to produce cleaner energy. As you can see here, turbines like this use only natural gas to generate electricity. The company said it plans to develop hydrogen-powered turbines by 2028, which have zero carbon emissions. It's not only the energy producers that are concerned with the global climate crisis. Tech giants like NVIDIA, Google, and Microsoft were present to demonstrate their vision of addressing energy security concerns and adopting AI to combat climate challenges. "So our goal is to deliver more and more performance for each block that our customers use. AI is here, it's inevitable, and it requires energy. The way we tackle those is, number one, to make sure that we have access to energy for the AI so that we can utilize AI for the public good as soon as possible." The application of AI and its technology is reshaping not only how we live and work, but also how we power our world. It's the ultimate chicken-and-egg question: AI needs energy, and energy needs AI, to be sustainable. Park Jun-han, Arirang News, Busan.

2025 World Climate Industry Expo explores how AI and energy can benefit each other

2025/08/27 22:41

This Energy Super Week is not just about making the world greener; it's also about ensuring energy becomes more sustainable. And with artificial intelligence, there could be infinite possibilities for achieving this. Park Jun-han reports Busan. With AI on the rise, can the world keep up with the soaring demand for energy? The 2025 World Climate Industry Expo in Busan is tackling that very question — showcasing how far we've come, and how much work still lies ahead. "Today, in the world, there is a big race among the major economic powers in terms of being a leader for AI. AI can help us in order to maximize the utilization rate of the grids through optimization. There is no AI without energy, but AI can also help the energy." During the interview, Regional President of RWE's Asia-Pacific Division Jens Orfelt shared his vision about the growing demand for energy for AI, and ways to sustainably acquire energy. "It (AI) is very energy intensive, and therefore if we use conventional energy resources to power AI, there's a significant risk that AI becomes part of the problem from an energy transition point of view. It's very important that we also advance the technologies that will ensure that it's based on sustainable energy consumption." The company also mentioned that creating energy can help solve the Korean government's and companies' high dependency on energy imports. "A major advantage is also domesticating your energy production, making yourself less vulnerable to imports and thereby increasing your energy security, which is a very important point in the current geopolitical environment as well." And some exhibitions are doing just that as they showcase their newest technology to produce cleaner energy. As you can see here, turbines like this use only natural gas to generate electricity. The company said it plans to develop hydrogen-powered turbines by 2028, which have zero carbon emissions. It's not only the energy producers that are concerned with the global climate crisis. Tech giants like NVIDIA, Google, and Microsoft were present to demonstrate their vision of addressing energy security concerns and adopting AI to combat climate challenges. "So our goal is to deliver more and more performance for each block that our customers use. AI is here, it's inevitable, and it requires energy. The way we tackle those is, number one, to make sure that we have access to energy for the AI so that we can utilize AI for the public good as soon as possible." The application of AI and its technology is reshaping not only how we live and work, but also how we power our world. It's the ultimate chicken-and-egg question: AI needs energy, and energy needs AI, to be sustainable. Park Jun-han, Arirang News, Busan.

Prime minister says S. Korea has started national energy transition project, at WCE in Busan

2025/08/27 22:39

It's the Energy Super Week down in Busan city. International energy events are taking place to explore ways to make the world greener. Our Kim Do-yeon tells us more. The World Climate Industry Expo, a key 2025 Energy Super Week event, kicked off on Wednesday, drawing together global leaders and top companies to tackle the world's pressing climate challenges. In his opening address, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced South Korea's ambition to lead the global green transition by developing infrastructure like "energy highways." "The new South Korean government has launched a national energy transition project. We are leading the way by building 'energy highways,' expanding our power grid, and shifting our focus to renewables. Through these efforts, we will achieve carbon neutrality, strengthen our energy security, and drive economic growth all at the same time." The opening ceremony saw government representatives from 32 countries, as well as top executives from tech and energy giants like Google, Microsoft, Siemens, and Hyundai Motor. And in front of the crowd, the prime minister also highlighted the expo's central theme: the critical link between the energy sector and artificial intelligence. "This expo's theme is 'AI for Energy, and Energy for AI.' Developing artificial intelligence requires a stable energy supply, and in turn, AI technology is essential for energy innovation. This fusion of energy and AI will be the breakthrough we need to overcome the climate and energy crisis." But the expo is just one part of the Super Week in Busan. Happening in parallel is the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, where top energy officials from the 21 member economies are gathered. For the next two days, they will be tackling critical issues like strengthening energy security, modernizing power grids, and finding stable energy solutions to power the world's growing demand from data centers. Officials say these ministerial talks are a crucial stepping stone, with South Korea's energy minister calling them a "strong bridge" that will help set the agenda for the main APEC Leaders' Summit this October. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Prime minister says S. Korea started national energy transition project at WCE in Busan

2025/08/27 19:36

The southern port city of Busan is playing host to a series of energy-related forums this week and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok took to the podium at one of the main events to affirm South Korea's commitment to sustainable green initiatives. Kim Do-yeon has details. The World Climate Industry Expo, a key 2025 Energy Super Week event, kicked off on Wednesday, drawing together global leaders and top companies to tackle the world's pressing climate challenges. In his opening address, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced South Korea's ambition to lead the global green transition by developing infrastructure like "energy highways." "The new South Korean government has launched a national energy transition project. We are leading the way by building 'energy highways,' expanding our power grid, and shifting our focus to renewables. Through these efforts, we will achieve carbon neutrality, strengthen our energy security, and drive economic growth all at the same time." The opening ceremony saw government representatives from 32 countries, as well as top executives from tech and energy giants like Google, Microsoft, Siemens, and Hyundai Motor. And in front of the crowd, the prime minister also highlighted the expo's central theme: the critical link between the energy sector and artificial intelligence. "This expo's theme is 'AI for Energy, and Energy for AI.' Developing artificial intelligence requires a stable energy supply, and in turn, AI technology is essential for energy innovation. This fusion of energy and AI will be the breakthrough we need to overcome the climate and energy crisis." But the expo is just one part of the Super Week in Busan. Happening in parallel is the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, where top energy officials from the 21 member economies are gathered. For the next two days, they will be tackling critical issues like strengthening energy security, modernizing power grids, and finding stable energy solutions to power the world's growing demand from data centers. Officials say these ministerial talks are a crucial stepping stone, with South Korea's energy minister calling them a "strong bridge" that will help set the agenda for the main APEC Leaders' Summit this October. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Nvidia Releases Smarter Robot Brain Called Jetson Thor

2025/08/26 11:34

American chipmaker Nvidia has officially launched its new robotics chip module called Jetson Thor. Dubbed the "robot brain," the chip module is designed to drive growth in robotics. The Jetson Thor offers 7.5 times more processing power and 3.5 times greater energy efficiency than its predecessor. This is essential for running generative AI models in real-time, as well as for large AI models. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described it as the "supercomputer for the age of general robotics." The developer kit is now available for 3,499 U.S. dollars, and the production-ready Jetson T5000 modules are priced at 2,999 dollars.

Global energy leaders gather in Busan for Energy Super Week

2025/08/25 19:39

Starting today until Friday Busan is hosting a series of energy events that's bringing together relevant authorities industry insiders and related pundits. From Monday through Wednesday the Clean Energy Ministerial 16 and Mission Innovation 10 are underway promoting dialogue and productive partnership for sustainable clean energy solutions. On Wednesday and Thursday the 15th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting will address grid infrastructure and energy security. Also from Wednesday to Friday the 2025 World Climate Industry Expo hosted by the Korean government the International Energy Agency and the World Bank Group will take place as the week's main event showcasing AI-based energy innovations.

Seoul unveils new economic blueprint for 'super-innovation,' eyeing 'Korea Premium'

2025/08/22 21:38

Staying with South Korea's growth strategy. Our Moon Ji-young now delves into details of this development plan for some of the key industries. "We will select 30 leading projects in AI-driven transformations and the super-innovation economy, and immediately begin preparations starting from the second half of this year." These pivotal technology-driven initiatives directly propel South Korea's ambitions for technology-led growth. Central to this vision of a super-innovation economy is a concentrated effort in advanced materials and components. A key focus is on silicon carbide semiconductors. Currently heavily reliant on imports, the Korean government has set ambitious targets for SiC power semiconductors. It aims to raise self-sufficiency from 10-percent to 20-percent and increase domestic production from below 5 percent to 10-percent by 2030. Beyond these, Korea is also pushing for the localization of LNG cargo tank technology, a critical component of LNG carriers that currently account for over half of shipbuilding revenue, with about 5-percent of the vessel cost being paid to overseas companies as technology fees. Significant efforts are also to be directed towards climate change and future energy response. These include securing core technologies for next-generation solar cells and promoting solar glass. Regarding small modular reactors, technology development projects are underway to obtain standard design approvals by 2028. Harnessing the global success of the Korean Wave, the government is intensifying support for K-Wave industries across the bio, content, beauty and food sectors. For K-Content, including games and webtoons, AI integration will span the entire cycle from planning to distribution to boost exports from 13-point-2 billion US dollars in 2022 to 25 billion dollars by 2030. In the beauty industry, which ranked third globally in exports last year, the goal is to cultivate one customized K-Beauty integrated cluster to propel it to become one of the top two global leaders. The government is poised to fundamentally redirect capital flows, which have been overly concentrated in real estate, towards productive sectors like corporate investment. This move aims to address the chronic undervaluation of the domestic stock market that has resulted in the "Korea Premium." The government has also unveiled measures to strengthen the livelihoods of small businesses and the self-employed. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

From a follower to a leader: Lee administration to overhaul economic model centering on AI

2025/08/22 21:37

The Lee Jae Myung administration has laid out its economic growth strategy for the next five years. The centerpiece is artificial intelligence. We have two-part coverage of this strategy today and our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. At least 60 times is how often 'AI' was mentioned on Friday as five of the nation's top economy-related ministers unveiled a new economic roadmap for the Lee Jae Myung administration. The mission: become a top-three global AI power, raise the potential growth rate to three percent, and rank among the world's top five nations. AI Voice "Our past success stories were written in an era of being a follower economy. Now, our competitors are the top ten advanced nations. To win, we must transform all our national systems, designed for a follower economy, into a model for a super-innovative leading economy." To fuel this vision, a "National Growth Fund" of over 100 trillion won, or roughly 75 billion U.S. dollars, will be established. Comprised of a total of 30 projects 15 are related to fostering AI capacity in what the government calls the "AI Great Transformation." The 15 flagship projects are put into three categories. Physical AI with seven projects focuses on merging AI with South Korea's strong manufacturing base to strengthen robotics and auto industries, among others. Public Sector AI with three projects involves integrating AI into government services to improve efficiency for areas such as welfare, employment, and tax administration. Foundational AI Initiatives with five projects aimed at creating an underlying ecosystem for AI to flourish with talent cultivation and AI education accessible to earlier ages and all citizens. To execute this, each ministry has a role. The Minister of Science and ICT has outlined plans for an "AI Highway," securing over 50-thousand advanced GPUs by 2030, and developing proprietary Korean AI models to ensure digital sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has pledged to reignite the investment scene. "We will make the recovery of the contracted venture investment ecosystem our top priority, and expand the venture investment market to over 40 trillion won annually by 2030, more than three times its size in 2024." The strategy extends across the board, with the Agriculture Ministry set to integrate AI into farming, and the Industry Ministry supporting the new high-tech manufacturing projects. Meanwhile, the government hopes this innovation-led approach will secure long-term growth, but it remains focused on the present as well. It forecasts a modest point-nine percent expansion this year, before rising to one-point-eight percent next year. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

From a follower to a leader: Lee administration to overhaul economic model centering on AI

2025/08/22 19:44

The Lee Jae Myung administration has laid out its economic growth strategy for the next five years. The centerpiece is artificial intelligence. We have two-part coverage of this strategy today and our correspondent Kim Do-yeon starts us off. At least 60 times is how often 'AI' was mentioned on Friday as five of the nation's top economy-related ministers unveiled a new economic roadmap for the Lee Jae Myung administration. The mission: become a top-three global AI power, raise the potential growth rate to three percent, and rank among the world's top five nations. "Our past success stories were written in an era of being a follower economy. Now, our competitors are the top ten advanced nations. To win, we must transform all our national systems, designed for a follower economy, into a model for a super-innovative leading economy." To fuel this vision, a "National Growth Fund" of over 100 trillion won, or roughly 75 billion U.S. dollars, will be established. Comprised of a total of 30 projects 15 are related to fostering AI capacity in what the government calls the "AI Great Transformation." The 15 flagship projects are put into three categories. Physical AI with seven projects focuses on merging AI with South Korea's strong manufacturing base to strengthen robotics and auto industries, among others. Public Sector AI with three projects involves integrating AI into government services to improve efficiency for areas such as welfare, employment, and tax administration. Foundational AI Initiatives with five projects aimed at creating an underlying ecosystem for AI to flourish with talent cultivation and AI education accessible to earlier ages and all citizens. To execute this, each ministry has a role. The Minister of Science and ICT has outlined plans for an "AI Highway," securing over 50-thousand advanced GPUs by 2030, and developing proprietary Korean AI models to ensure digital sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has pledged to reignite the investment scene. "We will make the recovery of the contracted venture investment ecosystem our top priority, and expand the venture investment market to over 40 trillion won annually by 2030, more than three times its size in 2024." The strategy extends across the board, with the Agriculture Ministry set to integrate AI into farming, and the Industry Ministry supporting the new high-tech manufacturing projects. Meanwhile, the government hopes this innovation-led approach will secure long-term growth, but it remains focused on the present as well. It forecasts a modest point-nine percent expansion this year, before rising to one-point-eight percent next year. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.