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Lee Gyu-lee

Korea Times Business Reporter

Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.

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Tech & Science

KT unveils Korean-specialized, GPT-4o-powered SOTA K

KT has launched SOTA K built on GPT-4o, a Korean specialized artificial intelligence (AI) model developed in a strategic partnership with U.S. tech giant Microsoft. The new model will incorporate the Korean language and its social and cultural context on GPT-4o by collecting high-quality Korean-specific datasets and working with Microsoft to adapt the advanced AI model to the Korean context. “SOTA K is an innovative model that combines world-class technology with Korean-specific AI specialization. The technical expertise we have gained through our collaboration with Microsoft will be applied across KT’s future AI developments,” Yoon Kyung-a, head of KT’s Agentic AI Lab, said Monday. “This will not only revitalize the domestic AI ecosystem but also lead innovation in both the public and private sectors, boosting Korea’s overall AI competitiveness.” SOTA K embodies four key principles of Korean AI — data sovereignty protection, cultural relevance, a two-track model strategy to choose between its own models and cooperative, open models, and reliable and responsible AI. It can

Sep 29, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
KT unveils Korean-specialized, GPT-4o-powered SOTA K
Tech & Science

OpenAI taps ex-Google Korea chief to spearhead Seoul office

OpenAI has appointed Kim Kyoung-hoon, the former country head of Google Korea, as the inaugural head of OpenAI Korea. The company announced the new head for its regional office on Monday, noting that Kim will be leading OpenAI Korea with the aim of supporting a major artificial intelligence (AI) transformation in the country, drawing on his extensive experience in global strategy and innovation. This appointment comes as the company has been facing growing demand for its technologies in Korea. Over the past year, the number of weekly active users of the company’s ChatGPT has increased more than fourfold. “By combining Korea’s strong capacity for innovation with OpenAI’s technology, I hope to help position Korea as a global leader in AI,” Kim said in a press release. “With the rapid growth in the use of ChatGPT and OpenAI’s application programming interface platform, I plan to work closely with the industry, developer community, academia and government to establish responsible AI practices and create positive and sustainable change across Korean society.” Kim served as the

Sep 29, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
OpenAI taps ex-Google Korea chief to spearhead Seoul office
Environment & Animals

Jeju targets 2035 carbon neutrality with green hydrogen, V2G expansion

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Jeju is accelerating its push to become Korea’s leading hub of clean energy transition, with Gov. Oh Young-hun unveiling plans to expand green hydrogen production and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) commercialization while laying the groundwork for exporting the island’s integrated model abroad. “The core of V2G commercialization is a vehicle capable of bidirectional charging. Right now, the EV9 is the eligible vehicle. Jeju surpassed a 10 percent electric vehicle (EV) rate in July, nearly five times the national average,” the governor said during a press conference held during the 2025 Green Hydrogen Global Forum in southern Jeju, Friday. “Most of the cars cannot be used for bidirectional charging. That is why future distribution must expand around vehicles such as (Kia’s) EV9. With higher subsidy ratios and various incentive policies being introduced, we expect adoption to rise.” Oh shared that Jeju plans to expand hydrogen production fivefold, noting ongoing partner projects such as the newly signed agreement with Hyundai Motors Group. “Currently, about

Sep 28, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Jeju targets 2035 carbon neutrality with green hydrogen, V2G expansion
Companies

Jeju gov't, Hyundai Motor team up to drive global green hydrogen transition

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Jeju is joining forces with Hyundai Motor Group to push forward its carbon-neutral vision set for 2035, forming a partnership to lead the global energy transition with green hydrogen and distributed energy. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province signed the partnership agreement with the carmaker on Thursday during the 2025 Green Hydrogen Global Forum at Jeju International Convention Center on Jeju Island. Under the agreement, the two will work together on eight major projects across the fields of green hydrogen and distributed energy. “Through this partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, we plan to raise Jeju’s renewable energy production ratio to 70 percent by 2035 and accelerate the shift to a hydrogen and distributed energy–based system to lead the way in achieving global carbon neutrality,” Jeju Gov. Oh Young-hun said during the signing ceremony. In green hydrogen, the projects include developing cost-effective production technologies, making a hydrogen vehicle–friendly environment throughout the island, building community support in introducing hydrog

Sep 26, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Jeju gov't, Hyundai Motor team up to drive global green hydrogen transition
Environment & Animals

Jeju's Green Hydrogen Global Forum spotlights clean energy transition, global cooperation

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — The 2025 Green Hydrogen Global Forum kicked off on Wednesday, bringing together global energy leaders, experts and industry officials to explore pathways for a clean energy transition and carbon neutrality through green hydrogen and distributed energy solutions. The annual forum, co-hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Green Hydrogen Glocal Leading Research Center, serves as a platform to share Jeju’s successful models of green hydrogen and distributed energy while seeking ways to accelerate carbon-neutral initiatives for global corporations. The forum, which continues through Friday, invited 55 institutions and associations, 42 companies and nine universities across China, Norway, Germany, Denmark, Austria, India, Thailand, Namibia and Japan, to take part in sessions and exhibitions. More than 60 local and international experts in the energy sector are participating in discussions on carbon neutrality over the three days of the event. During the opening ceremony on Thursday at Jeju International Convention Center in Seogwipo, Jeju Gov. Oh Y

Sep 25, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Jeju's Green Hydrogen Global Forum spotlights clean energy transition, global cooperation
Companies

Mongolian economy minister seeks investment, cooperation in AI, energy with Korea

Amid the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Mongolia and Korea, cooperation between the two nations is more critical than ever as rising geopolitical tensions around the world underscore the need for resilient partnerships. With Mongolia accelerating its efforts to attract global investors, Nyam-Osor Uchral, the country’s first deputy prime minister and minister of economy and development, underscored the country’s determination to deepen economic ties with Korea in sectors ranging from mining and energy to advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting its drive to create a more transparent and investor-friendly climate. “Last year, foreign direct investment in Mongolia increased significantly, by about 75 percent. However, Korea’s share accounted for only 1.4 percent, which still feels quite insufficient,” the minister said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul on Monday. “The Mongolian government recognized the need to further expand the two countries’ ties, holding rounds of discussions for an economic partnership agreement …

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Mongolian economy minister seeks investment, cooperation in AI, energy with Korea
Companies

SK Broadband marks 28th anniversary with volunteer cleanup

SK Broadband conducted a volunteer activity Tuesday at the Mount Gaewoong Trail in Guro-gu to commemorate its 28th anniversary. The event, which combined walking with environmental cleanup in a “plogging” format, was joined by CEO Park Jin-hyo and employees. Grouped into teams of three, participants collected fallen leaves and litter along the trail to create a more pleasant environment for visitors. “We will continue to hold volunteer activities on our anniversary each year to create greater social value and deliver positive impacts for customers and the local community,” a company official said. The company is also advancing eco-friendly management by introducing hybrid cooling systems at its data centers and securing low-carbon certification for its “Smart3” set-top box. The company also hosts a music festival to foster the talents of children and young people, highlighting its commitment to creating social value.

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
SK Broadband marks 28th anniversary with volunteer cleanup
Tech & Science

KakaoTalk meets ChatGPT: Korean messenger unveils major updates to flagship app

Tech giant Kakao is rolling out major updates to its flagship messenger service KakaoTalk for the first time since its launch 15 years ago, integrating ChatGPT and self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) model, Kanana, to the platform, along with personalization and expanded communication features. The company unveiled the updates at its annual if(Kakao)25 conference on Tuesday at Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, outlining its ambitious road map to bring AI to its users. “Over the past 15 years, Kakao has pursued a single goal to make everyday life easy and convenient for everyone. Now, Kakao seeks to prepare for the next 15 years in the way it does best,” Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a said during the conference. “And the starting point of this is the renewal of KakaoTalk. A change of this scale is the first in its history. This renewal reflects KakaoTalk's commitment to focus on users’ voices and behaviors while closely responding to the changing era.” The key highlight of this update is the deployment of OpenAI’s GPT-5-powered ChatGPT next month through a strategi

Sep 23, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
KakaoTalk meets ChatGPT: Korean messenger unveils major updates to flagship app
Companies

Korea pushes mineral cooperation with Mongolia

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Monday called for deeper cooperation with Mongolia in the minerals sector during the Mongolia-Korea Critical Minerals & Mining Investment Forum 2025 in Seoul. The forum brought together government officials, business leaders and industry stakeholders from the two countries to discuss bilateral cooperation in critical minerals and promote sustainable investment, aiming to reshape the global supply chain. “Recently, amid global instability in critical mineral supply chains from the U.S.-China strategic rivalry and China’s export controls, as well as major transformations in the energy market, Korea and many other countries are accelerating efforts to strengthen the security of critical minerals,” Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon, who oversees energy policy, said at the forum. He noted that the two countries share mutually beneficial opportunities as Mongolia holds abundant reserves of minerals such as molybdenum, nickel and tin, while Korea has skilled professionals and advanced technologies in industries such

Sep 22, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Korea pushes mineral cooperation with Mongolia
Companies

Dongsuh Foods' pop-up brings tradition, modernity to Gyeongju

Dongsuh Foods is offering a unique brand experience with a new pop-up store at a hanok, reinterpreting the traditional Korean house with a touch of modernity to turn it into a space where the past and present coexist. Since opening its first pop-up store in 2015, the instant coffee giant has drawn consumers’ attention with a succession of pop-ups. This time, it has turned to distinctly Korean elements to deliver a warm welcome to its customers. The latest pop-up store, Maxim Gaok, is nestled in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, under the themes of happiness and hospitality. Maxim Gaok, which opened on Aug. 28, will operate until Friday. Under the catchphrase "Come on in happiness," the tranquil hanok harmonizes traditional sentiment with modern sensibility. Visitors can enjoy Maxim coffee and various activities through different spaces with the hanok, each decorated with a special concept, to experience a Korean-style welcome. "We are conducting pop-up stores with various concepts to share Maxim's unique brand sentiment of the leisure and happiness that a cup of

Sep 21, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Dongsuh Foods' pop-up brings tradition, modernity to Gyeongju
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