News

MWC 2025: Here are the S. Korean startups to pay attention to at 4YFN

2025/03/05 17:00

Over in Spain. An event just for startups on the margins of the Mobile World Congress is attracting quite a bit of attention this year as well especially on efforts by Korean companies to enhance public comfort and convenience. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin files this report from Barcelona. Small business are competing to make their mark at this dedicated space nestled within the world's largest mobile event. This is where innovation begins. "4 Years From Now is a startup event on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress, where inventors showcase their latest creations some award-winning, some intriguing, all with the goal of making it to the main event 'four years from now.'" And those award-winning startups generating buzz at the event include ones from South Korea. "Doctorpresso," an AI-powered mental health app, is the only Korean startup nominated this year for MWC's Global Mobile Awards, often called the "Oscars" of the mobile industry. I tested its AI by pretending to feel down. "I don't know what's wrong and nothing seems to change. I'm starting to lose hope." The technology quickly analyzed my voice, offering personalized recommendations about what I can do. Another South Korean startup, Sakak , was named a Top 20 finalist at the 4YFN Awards for its AI-powered platform, which provides customized responses based on sensitive data in industries like healthcare and insurance. "Our biggest challenge has been gaining global recognition. We hope to use this opportunity to find business opportunities abroad." And as 4YFN showcases cutting-edge startup innovations, it attracts industry leaders seeking promising startups for collaboration. "We're interested in startups with innovative AI technology. One of the biggest challenges that startups face is finding the right industry to apply their technology and that's where big corporations like us come in." One of the 15 startups SK Telecom is working with is "Tuat," an AI-powered visual assistance app that won GLOMO awards in 2022 and 2024. The app gives real-time voice descriptions for visually impaired users when they take a photo of their surroundings or objects. "A person's hand is visible on the monitor holding a cellphone and English is written on the screen." Another startup, "Hudson AI," uses AI to provide dubbing that captures nuances like tone and emotion. The company, like the other startups, is also optimistic about the new opportunities and connections that 4YFN will bring as they take their first steps toward the global market. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News, Barcelona.

MWC 2025: World's biggest mobile and telecom companies go all in on AI

2025/03/05 10:00

Over in Spain. Artificial Intelligence is once again taking the spotlight at this year's Mobile World Congress, with global tech firms showing off their own upgraded versions of AI that are practical, handy and affordable. Our Lee Soo-jin reports from Barcelona. Thousands have once again made the annual pilgrimage to Barcelona for the latest innovations in mobile devices and telecommunications. And at the 2025 Mobile World Congress, one theme dominates: artificial intelligence. "Basically every booth that you are crossing is the one about AI integration so it's all about AI mostly." One such booth where AI is taking center stage is South Korean telecom giant LG Uplus's first-ever solo exhibition at MWC, where visitors are greeted not just by staff, but by the humanoid robot Alice. But it's not just about eye-catching AI technology, as LG Uplus is showcasing AI innovations that are secure. "As AI develops so there are more crimes related to AI, so the criminals use the AI-generated voices. Basically there are many generated AI defects such as personal information leakages." LG Uplus's AI-powered technology "Anti-DeepVoice" is designed to detect voice phishing and fraud by distinguishing between real human voices and deepfake voices. After my voice was recorded it was turned into a deepfake to test the technology. The AI technology successfully detected that my voice was a deepfake. The focus on secure AI is also evident in the mobile industry, particularly in Samsung Electronics' latest mid-range smartphones, unveiled for the first time at this year's convention. "The Galaxy AI is providing you this new way of interacting with the device also in a secure way. So it can be trusted that this information is never going to be compromised." And the more budget-friendly prices are set to make secure and advanced AI-powered features, such as AI-enhanced photography once limited to high-end models, more accessible. AI-enhanced photography features were also what drew large crowds to Chinese smartphones. Huawei showcased the world's first commercial tri-fold smartphone, utilizing AI to enhance zoom capabilities for photography, while Xiaomi debuted its 15 Ultra, featuring AI-driven extreme zoom and image clarity enhancements for photos. "From AI-driven security solutions to AI-powered smartphones, this year's MWC is making one thing clear: artificial intelligence is no longer an option but a necessity for telecom and mobile innovation." Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News, Barcelona.

SpaceX halts launch of its starship rocket due to last minute issues

2025/03/05 10:00

SpaceX's massive Starship rocket was set to launch on Monday, local time but the launch was called off due to technical issues just 40 seconds before liftoff. The rocket was scheduled for a test flight from South Texas, carrying four mock satellites. SpaceX said another launch attempt could be made as early as Tuesday if the issue is resolved quickly. In its previous test flight in January, Starship exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. NASA plans to use Starship for future crewed moon landings, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sees the rocket playing a key role in colonizing Mars.

S. Korea's intel agency warns of software supply chain attacks by N. Korean hackers

2025/03/04 20:00

South Korea's intelligence agency has warned of hacking attacks from North Korea, saying increasingly sophisticated techniques are being used to steal classified information and key technologies from government agencies and tech companies. The National Intelligence Service said Tuesday that North Korean hacking groups have been focusing on "software supply chain attacks," using methods such as hacking IT service providers to bypass security, exploiting software vulnerabilities, and targeting security system weaknesses. The agency is now urging companies and institutions to apply software security patches and block internet access for administrator accounts. It also says it's important to create a checklist of basic security protocols and enhance employee security awareness through training.

MWC 2025: World's biggest mobile and telecom companies go all in on AI

2025/03/04 20:00

Over in Spain, the world's largest mobile device showcase has opened its doors with of course AI taking center stage. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin files this report from Barcelona. Thousands have once again made the annual pilgrimage to Barcelona for the latest innovations in mobile devices and telecommunications. And at the 2025 Mobile World Congress, one theme dominates: artificial intelligence. "Basically every booth that you are crossing is the one about AI integration so it's all about AI mostly." One such booth where AI is taking center stage is South Korean telecom giant LG Uplus's first-ever solo exhibition at MWC, where visitors are greeted not just by staff, but by the humanoid robot Alice. But it's not just about eye-catching AI technology, as LG Uplus is showcasing AI innovations that are secure. "As AI develops so there are more crimes related to AI, so the criminals use the AI-generated voices . Basically there are many generated AI defects such as personal information leakages." LG Uplus's AI-powered technology "Anti-DeepVoice" is designed to detect voice phishing and fraud by distinguishing between real human voices and deepfake voices. After my voice was recorded it was turned into a deepfake to test the technology. The AI technology successfully detected that my voice was a deepfake. The focus on secure AI is also evident in the mobile industry, particularly in Samsung Electronics' latest mid-range smartphones, unveiled for the first time at this year's convention. "The Galaxy AI is providing you this new way of interacting with the device also in a secure way. So it can be trusted that this information is never going to be compromised." And the more budget-friendly prices are set to make secure and advanced AI-powered features, such as AI-enhanced photography once limited to high-end models, more accessible. AI-enhanced photography features were also what drew large crowds to Chinese smartphones. Huawei showcased the world's first commercial tri-fold smartphone, utilizing AI to enhance zoom capabilities for photography, while Xiaomi debuted its 15 Ultra, featuring AI-driven extreme zoom and image clarity enhancements for photos. "From AI-driven security solutions to AI-powered smartphones, this year's MWC is making one thing clear: artificial intelligence is no longer an option but a necessity for telecom and mobile innovation." Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News, Barcelona.

MWC 2025: World's biggest mobile and telecom companies go all in on AI

2025/03/04 17:00

We take you now to Spain where the world's largest mobile device showcase has opened its doors with of course AI taking center stage. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin files this report from Barcelona. Thousands have once again made the annual pilgrimage to Barcelona for the latest innovations in mobile devices and telecommunications. And at the 2025 Mobile World Congress, one theme dominates: artificial intelligence. "Basically every booth that you are crossing is the one about AI integration so it's all about AI mostly." One such booth where AI is taking center stage is South Korean telecom giant LG Uplus's first-ever solo exhibition at MWC, where visitors are greeted not just by staff, but by the humanoid robot Alice. But it's not just about eye-catching AI technology, as LG Uplus is showcasing AI innovations that are secure. "As AI develops so there are more crimes related to AI, so the criminals use the AI-generated voices . Basically there are many generated AI defects such as personal information leakages." LG Uplus's AI-powered technology "Anti-DeepVoice" is designed to detect voice phishing and fraud by distinguishing between real human voices and deepfake voices. After my voice was recorded it was turned into a deepfake to test the technology. The AI technology successfully detected that my voice was a deepfake. The focus on secure AI is also evident in the mobile industry, particularly in Samsung Electronics' latest mid-range smartphones, unveiled for the first time at this year's convention. "The Galaxy AI is providing you this new way of interacting with the device also in a secure way. So it can be trusted that this information is never going to be compromised." And the more budget-friendly prices are set to make secure and advanced AI-powered features, such as AI-enhanced photography once limited to high-end models, more accessible. AI-enhanced photography features were also what drew large crowds to Chinese smartphones. Huawei showcased the world's first commercial tri-fold smartphone, utilizing AI to enhance zoom capabilities for photography, while Xiaomi debuted its 15 Ultra, featuring AI-driven extreme zoom and image clarity enhancements for photos. "From AI-driven security solutions to AI-powered smartphones, this year's MWC is making one thing clear: artificial intelligence is no longer an option but a necessity for telecom and mobile innovation." Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News, Barcelona.

TSMC to invest US$ 100 bil. to build semiconductor facilities in U.S.

2025/03/04 17:00

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC has pledged an additional one hundred billion U.S. dollar investment into plants in the U.S. The announcement was shared at the White House on Monday following a meeting between the company's CEO C.C. Wei and U.S. President Donald Trump who claimed the investment would boost chip production on American soil and bolster national security as Washington seeks to reduce its reliance on chips made here in Asia. This latest pledge of investment by TSMC follows its earlier pledge of 65 billion U.S. dollars in recent years with plans for a third factory in Arizona by the year 2030.

U.S. company Firefly Aerospace achieves moon landing with Blue Ghost spacecraft

2025/03/04 10:00

U.S. space company Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its uncrewed lunar lander, Blue Ghost, on the moon, becoming the second private company to successfully land on the moon. Blue Ghost, about the size of a compact car and equipped with four legs, carried 10 scientific payloads. It landed in the northeastern region of the moon in the early hours of Sunday, U.S. time. Firefly claims it is the first to achieve a "fully successful" soft landing. Previously, Intuitive Machines landed its Odysseus lander last year, but it touched down at an angle, causing many of its onboard instruments to malfunction.

MWC 2025: What to expect at the world's largest mobile and telecomm event

2025/03/04 10:00

Over in Barcelona, the annual Mobile World Congress is in full swing The 38th edition is all about AI as well as its power that bridges all fields and industries. Lee Soo-jin is there. The world's largest and most influential mobile telecommunications event, the Mobile World Congress, is opening its doors once again. The 2025 edition of the MWC, held every year in Barcelona, kicks off on Monday, local time. The theme for this year's four-day event is "Converge. Connect. Create." emphasizing the event's focus on uniting industry leaders to shape the future of technology. The more than 2-thousand-7-hundred companies from over 2-hundred countries set to attend are expected to draw a record 101-thousand attendees. South Korea's Big Three Telecom companies, SK Telecom, KT Corp., and LG Uplus, will all be participating, with LG Uplus marking its first solo attendance at the event by unveiling AI security solutions. And SK Telecom will feature advanced AI data center technologies, while KT showcases how AI technologies can be integrated into daily life at its "K-Street" pavilion. Chinese mobile companies are also attracting attention, with Xiaomi unveiling its latest flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Huawei, the world's first triple-foldable smartphone. But it's not just the big names that are aiming to make a splash. "At MWC, many cloud service providers and GPU-heavy companies ---our core clients ---are present. We've designed our new technology to seamlessly switch to local processing if an issue arises in the cloud, ensuring no disruptions." This technology further enhances the company's flagship product, Backend.AI, an AI platform software that maximizes GPU utilization for high-performance AI workloads. It's also the only software in Asia officially validated by NVIDIA to run efficiently on DGX systems, or AI supercomputers. Yet another domestic startup, making its MWC debut at the Daejeon Technopark pavilion, is showcasing how it is using AI to enhance brain tumor diagnosis. "Our technology converts 2D MRI scans into 3D, which makes it easier for neurosurgeons to carry out precise and efficient diagnosis." He added that the company hopes to leverage MWC to expand into hospitals worldwide. With participants from tech giants to startups, this year's MWC promises new opportunities and industry collaboration for business growth and global partnerships. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

MWC 2025: What to expect at the world's largest mobile and telecomm event

2025/03/03 18:00

This week is an especially exciting one for the tech world as global tech leaders connect in Barcelona, Spain, for the annual Mobile World Congress, or "MWC," hailed as the world's largest connectivity event. With MWC 2025 powering on today, our Lee Soo-jin, who will be covering the event on the ground, breaks down what to watch out for this year. The world's largest and most influential mobile telecommunications event, the Mobile World Congress, is opening its doors once again. The 2025 edition of the MWC, held every year in Barcelona, kicks off on Monday, local time. The theme for this year's four-day event is "Converge. Connect. Create." emphasizing the event's focus on uniting industry leaders to shape the future of technology. The more than 2-thousand-7-hundred companies from over 2-hundred countries set to attend are expected to draw a record 101-thousand attendees. South Korea's Big Three Telecom companies, SK Telecom, KT Corp., and LG Uplus, will all be participating, with LG Uplus marking its first solo attendance at the event by unveiling AI security solutions. And SK Telecom will feature advanced AI data center technologies, while KT showcases how AI technologies can be integrated into daily life at its "K-Street" pavilion. Chinese mobile companies are also attracting attention, with Xiaomi unveiling its latest flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Huawei, the world's first triple-foldable smartphone. But it's not just the big names that are aiming to make a splash. "At MWC, many cloud service providers and GPU-heavy companies our core clients are present. We've designed our new technology to seamlessly switch to local processing if an issue arises in the cloud, ensuring no disruptions." This technology further enhances the company's flagship product, Backend.AI, an AI platform software that maximizes GPU utilization for high-performance AI workloads. It's also the only software in Asia officially validated by NVIDIA to run efficiently on DGX systems, or AI supercomputers. Yet another domestic startup, making its MWC debut at the Daejeon Technopark pavilion, is showcasing how it is using AI to enhance brain tumor diagnosis. "Our technology converts 2D MRI scans into 3D, which makes it easier for neurosurgeons to carry out precise and efficient diagnosis." He added that the company hopes to leverage MWC to expand into hospitals worldwide. With participants from tech giants to startups, this year's MWC promises new opportunities and industry collaboration for business growth and global partnerships. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

MWC 2025: What to expect at the world's largest mobile and telecomm event

2025/03/03 12:00

This week is an especially exciting one for the tech world as global tech leaders connect in Barcelona, Spain, for the annual Mobile World Congress, or "MWC," hailed as the world's largest connectivity event. With MWC 2025 powering on today, our Lee Soo-jin, who will be covering the event on the ground, breaks down what to watch out for this year. The world's largest and most influential mobile telecommunications event, the Mobile World Congress, is opening its doors once again. The 2025 edition of the MWC, held every year in Barcelona, kicks off on Monday, local time. The theme for this year's four-day event is "Converge. Connect. Create." emphasizing the event's focus on uniting industry leaders to shape the future of technology. The more than 2-thousand-7-hundred companies from over 2-hundred countries set to attend are expected to draw a record 101-thousand attendees. South Korea's Big Three Telecom companies, SK Telecom, KT Corp., and LG Uplus, will all be participating, with LG Uplus marking its first solo attendance at the event by unveiling AI security solutions. And SK Telecom will feature advanced AI data center technologies, while KT showcases how AI technologies can be integrated into daily life at its "K-Street" pavilion. Chinese mobile companies are also attracting attention, with Xiaomi unveiling its latest flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Huawei, the world's first triple-foldable smartphone. But it's not just the big names that are aiming to make a splash. "At MWC, many cloud service providers and GPU-heavy companies our core clients are present. We've designed our new technology to seamlessly switch to local processing if an issue arises in the cloud, ensuring no disruptions." This technology further enhances the company's flagship product, Backend.AI, an AI platform software that maximizes GPU utilization for high-performance AI workloads. It's also the only software in Asia officially validated by NVIDIA to run efficiently on DGX systems, or AI supercomputers. Yet another domestic startup, making its MWC debut at the Daejeon Technopark pavilion, is showcasing how it is using AI to enhance brain tumor diagnosis. "Our technology converts 2D MRI scans into 3D, which makes it easier for neurosurgeons to carry out precise and efficient diagnosis." He added that the company hopes to leverage MWC to expand into hospitals worldwide. With participants from tech giants to startups, this year's MWC promises new opportunities and industry collaboration for business growth and global partnerships. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Samsung Electronics' latest Galaxy S25 series hits 1 million domestic sales in fastest time

2025/02/28 17:00

Sales of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series hit one million in 21 days. Company officials point out this is the shortest time frame as compared to the previous record set by the Galaxy Note 10 series which hit the one million mark in 25 days back in 2019. Meanwhile with regard to the reason behind the purchase of this latest series most consumers touched upon the new smartphone's "performance".

[Econ & Biz] The future of remote warfare: DSK 2025 showcases S. Korean military drone technology

2025/02/27 20:00

Korea's southern port city of Busan is hosting an annual drone show, the largest in Asia, celebrating its 10th anniversary. This year, drones for defense took center stage. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon joins us in the studio to share more about the future of that particular technology. Hye-ryeon, tell us about what you saw at Drone Show Korea. As drones become increasingly more autonomous and able to carry out a variety of functions, they're beginning to change the face of future warfare. Let's take a look at some examples. When you think of a drone, what image comes to mind? For many, it's a small, four-propeller device hovering in the air. But what truly defines a drone is not its shape or size—it's the fact that it operates without a pilot on board. This makes drones invaluable across various sectors — a point underscored at Drone Show Korea 2025, Asia's largest drone exhibition. Marking its tenth anniversary this year, the event placed a strong emphasis on the growing role of drones in defense and security, as these unmanned systems become increasingly central to modern warfare. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have underscored the growing importance of drones in modern warfare, and South Korea is also ramping up its use of drone technology within its military. The Republic of Korea Army showcased surveillance drones designed for reconnaissance missions, while the Republic of Korea Navy unveiled unmanned underwater vehicles capable of navigating restricted and high-risk areas. The Air Force showed its vision for unmanned systems integrated with artificial intelligence, where drones can reduce casualties and address manpower shortages with the country's declining birth rate. "This manned and unmanned combat aircraft system enhances pilot survivability, maximizes operational efficiency, and enables a single aircraft to carry out the missions of six or seven units. As a result, it is considered a game-changer in future warfare. Recognizing its strategic importance, South Korea is investing significant effort and resources into its development." South Korean drones are also gaining popularity around the world — such as in Southeast Asia, as they search for alternatives to cheap Chinese drones with security issues becoming more prominent. This company not only develops surveillance and attack drones for the Korean army but also exports smaller drones to the Philippines where they're used to make the streets safer. Delivery drones that are capable of lifting heavy equipment to high altitudes are also popular overseas, with this company supplying them to film sets in 할리우드 and to the Jordanian Armed Forces. You mentioned that other countries are beginning to look to South Korea for drone technology — can you tell us more about this? Speaking to industry insiders during the event, I found that many Korean drone firms are exporting their products overseas. Rising demand was reflected in South Korea's drone exports, which saw a surge of more than 260 percent last year – according to trade data from the Korea International Trade Association. This comes as the U.S. government seeks to tighten regulations on drone components and technology with the intensifying U.S.-China tech war. "One thing that sets South Korean drones apart is our advanced technology in secure communications. We've developed systems that can block unauthorized signals, prevent external intrusions, and neutralize potential threats. In this area, we're ahead of many other countries." Citing security concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security has warned that China's dominance in the global drone market poses "significant risks," particularly in areas related to data security and potential misuse. In that case, what can be done to foster this growing sector? Despite the growth in exports recorded last year, South Korea's drone industry remains relatively small in the global drone market. Thus far, local governments have taken the lead in regulatory reforms. In July last year, the city of Seongnam established dedicated drone parks and expanded anti-drone countermeasure protections, while the city of Pocheon began administrative procedures to reclaim a former military base to transform it into a hub for drone manufacturing. To foster further growth and expand exports, industry experts stress the need for regulatory reforms and government support, particularly as South Korea's drone sector is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises and startups rather than large conglomerates. Alright, thank you for your report, Hye-ryeon. Thank you for having me.

S. Korean tech giants Samsung and LG Electronics sweep iF Design Award 2025

2025/02/27 17:00

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics dominated this year's iF Design Award one of the most prestigious events in the global design industry. Organized by Germany's International Forum Design since 1953 the award evaluates nine categories including product design packaging and user experience. Samsung won 58 awards including two gold awards for an AI home robot and for a reusable packaging cloth. "Ballie" the robot helps with scheduling and controlling household appliances among other tasks. "Bojagi" is a reusable packaging cloth inspired by traditional Korean wrapping allowing products of different shapes to be wrapped easily. LG won 36 awards including the gold award for the world's first wireless transparent-screen television the "LG Signature OLED T."

Surgical robots precisely assist interventional treatment for cardiovascular diseases

2025/02/25 10:00

Up next we share with you some promising advances in the use of surgical robots in interventional treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cha Yun-kyung tells us more. Researchers have been using a surgical robot, nicknamed a "catheter robot," to perform venous and arterial catheterization for the removal of blood clots. A guide wire is moved through blood vessels, controlled by the robot and overseen by a certified surgeon who can take control using a joystick, to locate and treat blockages in, for example, the carotid arteries. The success rate of treatment using the catheter robot has been 100-percent in clinical trials due to its ' precise control and accuracy, and it also reduces operation times by assisting the surgeon effectively. It also lowers a patient's exposure to radiation by cutting the time needed for real-time X-ray imaging. The robot is currently undergoing further clinical trials before commercialization, after acquiring the New Excellent Technology(NET) certification from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in Korea's surgical robot industry. "We will start using catheter robots in five designated hospitals from July this year. We can lower the operation time by controlling the robot precisely, 1 millimeter at a time " Surgical robots are being welcomed by patients as they raise the accuracy of surgery and lower the error range. Eyes are on whether catheter robots can be successfully commercialized. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Over 2 million hybrid cars registered in S. Korea

2025/02/25 10:00

The number of hybrid cars registered in South Korea has surpassed two million units. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Tuesday as of December 2024 over 482-thousand hybrid vehicles were registered, pushing the cumulative figure above two million. Hybrid cars first appeared in South Korea in 2008, with the number of units reaching one million in 2022. The proportion of eco-friendly vehicles, including electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles, also surpassed ten percent for the first time in 2024.

Surgical robots precisely assist interventional treatment for cardiovascular diseases

2025/02/24 17:00

Up next we share with you some promising advances in the use of surgical robots in interventional treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cha Yun-kyung explains. Researchers have been using a surgical robot, nicknamed a "catheter robot," to perform venous and arterial catheterization for the removal of blood clots. A guide wire is moved through blood vessels, controlled by the robot and overseen by a certified surgeon who can take control using a joystick, to locate and treat blockages in, for example, the carotid arteries. The success rate of treatment using the catheter robot has been 100-percent in clinical trials due to its precise control and accuracy, and it also reduces operation times by assisting the surgeon effectively. It also lowers a patient's exposure to radiation by cutting the time needed for real-time X-ray imaging. The robot is currently undergoing further clinical trials before commercialization, after acquiring the New Excellent Technology(NET) certification from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in Korea's surgical robot industry. "We will start using catheter robots in five designated hospitals from July this year. We can lower the operation time by controlling the robot precisely, 1 millimeter at a time." Surgical robots are being welcomed by patients as they raise the accuracy of surgery and lower the error range. Eyes are on whether catheter robots can be successfully commercialized. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] The sweet story of Korean strawberries

2025/02/24 14:00

What do you have for us today? Here in Korea, it's not the cherry on top. It's the strawberry. This time of year, they're everywhere, piling up in markets, topping off desserts, and filling bakery shelves. But Korean strawberries aren't just a seasonal favorite anymore. They're making their way beyond our tables and into markets around the world. For this week, I looked into the story behind Korean strawberry's success. From cakes and tarts to canapes and salads and even sandwiches, strawberries dominate bakeries and restaurants across Korea this time of year. But their appeal isn't just local. While Southeast Asia has long been a key market, Korean strawberries are now expanding into new regions. Compared to 2021, exports to the Middle East jumped 40 times last year, while U.S. exports increased threefold. "Until the early 2000s, Japanese strawberries dominated exports to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. But in 2002, Korea developed the Maehyang variety, which has firmer flesh, a longer shelf life, and a sweeter taste, ideal for export. That was the turning point." It all started here. "The Strawberry Research Institute in Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province, about a two-hour drive from Seoul is where Korea's signature strawberry varieties are developed. So far, researchers here have cultivated over a dozen unique varieties." This institute introduced the internationally popular Maehyang and then Seolhyang in 2005, which holds an 80-percent share of the domestic market. It's also home to trending varieties like King's Berry, as large as a fist, and Vita Berry, known for its high vitamin content. Developing new strains is a rigorous process, typically taking five to seven years. "We do it through selective breeding, with a focus on taste and yield. The flavor must stand out to attract consumers, and a high-yield variety ensures stable supply." This commitment has shaped the iconic flavor of Korean strawberries. "Korean strawberries offer a unique sweet-tart balance, which is different to many tropical fruits, for example. They also have a juicy texture and softer bite, which makes them especially popular among international consumers." But the journey doesn't stop here, with researchers working to develop the breakthrough variety. "We're developing new varieties with improved durability for the sake of distribution. At the same time, as climate conditions change, we're also focusing on breeding disease-resistant strawberries." It's a success story that's getting sweeter, and it looks like the best is yet to come. Yoo-jin, while strawberries are in peak season here in Korea, they're typically known as a summer fruit in many other parts of the world. What makes Korea different? That's right. Strawberries used to peak in early summer here as well, around May. But thanks to advancements in farming technology, such as greenhouse cultivation with precise temperature control, farmers can now harvest strawberries even in the cold winter months. What's interesting is that winter strawberries take a little over two months from flowering to harvest, compared to just one to one-and-a-half months for summer varieties. This slower growth at lower temperatures allows the fruit to develop a denser, firmer texture and accumulate more nutrients, resulting in a sweeter, more flavorful berry. And there's also a strategic shift in marketing. With fewer fruit options available in winter, producers began focusing on the colder months to meet consumer demand. That's fascinating. And for our viewers who might want to try some, do you have any recommendations from the many K-strawberry varieties out there? Absolutely. According to the Strawberry Research Institute, Korea has developed around 60 to 70 varieties, though only about 10 are available in the market. For those looking for a classic favorite, researcher Yang, who appeared in my report, recommends Seolhyang, loved for their soft texture and sweetness. A newer variety to look out for is Joy Berry, which was introduced in 2023 They're firmer and even sweeter than Seolhyang. And for something unique, there's Doorihyang, known for its distinctive fragrance. They actually went viral after BTS member Jin posted about them on social media. So many varieties to explore. Thank you Yoo-jin for your report today. My pleasure.

The story behind Korean strawberry's sweet success

2025/02/21 17:00

In Korea it's not the cherry on top. It's the strawberry. And advances in farming technology here have made it possible for us to indulge in them all year round as their popularity also takes them from our tables to those beyond borders. Our Song Yoo-jin has this tasty tale. From cakes and tarts to canapes and salads and even sandwiches, strawberries dominate bakeries and restaurants across Korea this time of year. But their appeal isn't just local. While Southeast Asia has long been a key market, Korean strawberries are now expanding into new regions. Compared to 2021, exports to the Middle East jumped 40 times last year, while U.S. exports increased threefold. "Until the early 2000s, Japanese strawberries dominated exports to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. But in 2002, Korea developed the Maehyang variety, which has firmer flesh, a longer shelf life, and a sweeter taste, ideal for export. That was the turning point." It all started here. "The Strawberry Research Institute in Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province, about a two-hour drive from Seoul is where Korea's signature strawberry varieties are developed. So far, researchers here have cultivated over a dozen unique varieties." This institute introduced the internationally popular Maehyang and then Seolhyang in 2005, which holds an 80-percent share of the domestic market. It's also home to trending varieties like King's Berry, as large as a fist, and Vita Berry, known for its high vitamin content. Developing new strains is a rigorous process, typically taking five to seven years. "We do it through selective breeding, with a focus on taste and yield. The flavor must stand out to attract consumers, and a high-yield variety ensures stable supply." This commitment has shaped the iconic flavor of Korean strawberries. "Korean strawberries offer a unique sweet-tart balance, which is different to many tropical fruits, for example. They also have a juicy texture and softer bite, which makes them especially popular among international consumers." But the journey doesn't stop here, with researchers working to develop the breakthrough variety. "We're developing new varieties with improved durability for the sake of distribution. At the same time, as climate conditions change, we're also focusing on breeding disease-resistant strawberries." It's a success story that's getting sweeter, and it looks like the best is yet to come. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, Nonsan.

S. Korean gov't pledges to develop its own ChatGPT with elite AI task force

2025/02/21 10:00

AI ambitions are heating up globally one being China's introduction of DeepSeek. South Korea is also jumping into the AI race with a goal of developing its very own AI model. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The South Korean government is launching an elite AI task force to develop a world-class large language model like ChatGPT or DeepSeek, aiming to compete with global leaders like the United States and China. "The global AI race is intensifying, but this is our opportunity. Now is the time for the public and private sectors to unite and fast-track South Korea's rise as a top-three AI powerhouse." On Thursday, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok announced the "AI Computing Infrastructure Expansion Plan" as he hosted the third AI committee meeting, outlining a three-pronged strategy: advancing next-generation AI models, expanding AI computing infrastructure, and accelerating AI-driven transformation. As part of the initiative, the government will establish a "World Best LLM" project, which will bring together top experts and provide high-performance computing resources to develop a world-class LLM within a short time frame. To support AI growth, the government is expanding computing infrastructure, with plans to acquire 18 thousand graphic processing units by next year and increase the use of domestic AI semiconductors in national AI centers by 2030 to 50 percent. One trillion Korean won – around 700 million U.S. dollars – will be committed to AI research to secure core technologies, and a global AI competition will be launched to attract talent. Beyond research, AI will be applied across a wide range of sectors, with the government planning to boost AI adoption among small businesses by 2027. To further encourage AI innovation, the government will offer tax credits for investments in research and development and AI infrastructure. Additionally, incentives will be provided for building AI data centers outside the Seoul metropolitan area, including priority access to power grid evaluations and diversified site options such as port and airport facilities. Acting President Choi stated that the government is committed to making South Korea a global AI powerhouse – and the country has the potential to be one. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.