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Lee Kyung-min

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Books

Korea takes K-book export drive to Southeast Asia as demand surges

Korean books are finding a growing audience far beyond Seoul, and now the government is betting that Southeast Asia could become the next major frontier for K-book exports. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday it would hold traveling book fairs in Hanoi and Bangkok this week as part of a broader push to expand the overseas market for Korean publishing content. The Hanoi event runs Sunday through Monday at the Grand Vista Hanoi Hotel, while the Bangkok fair will take place Wednesday through Thursday at the Amari Bangkok Hotel. The ministry said 20 Korean publishers, including MiraeN, Woori School, Woongjin Thinkbig and Hansol Soobook, will participate in export consultations with local publishers and media companies from Vietnam and Thailand. In total, 51 companies from Vietnam and 39 companies from Thailand are expected to join the meetings, alongside consultations involving 102 additional Korean titles represented through copyright agencies. The government said interest in Korean publishing content has risen sharply across Southeast Asia in recent years. In Vietnam, Ko

May 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea takes K-book export drive to Southeast Asia as demand surges
Companies

Theborn Korea expands presence in Mongolia with noodle franchise

Theborn Korea, a prominent Korean food service company led by celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won, opened its first Korean-Chinese restaurant franchise in Ulaanbaatar on May 9, marking a major push into the Mongolian market. The new outlet, operating under the brand name Paik’s Noodle, specializes in Korean-style Chinese dishes such as "jjajangmyeon" (black bean noodles) and "jjambpong" (spicy seafood noodle soup). The restaurant experienced an immediate surge in demand, with revenue doubling on its second day of operation. The unexpected rush prompted management to temporarily restrict entry to maintain service quality. Local television networks also heavily covered the launch, highlighting it as the first franchise of its kind in the country. The expansion is part of a broader strategy by Theborn Korea to leverage its multibrand portfolio in high-growth regions. The company said it chose Ulaanbaatar because it serves as Mongolia's primary consumer market, home to more than 70 percent of the nation's 3.5 million residents. Additionally, local consumer interest in Korean food cultur

May 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Theborn Korea expands presence in Mongolia with noodle franchise
Companies

Korea’s top whisky maker eyes Japan, one of world's toughest markets

For decades, Japan has reigned as one of the undisputed titans of the global whisky industry, celebrated for its meticulous craft and world-class distilleries. Now, a Northeast Asian neighbor is betting that Japanese drinkers are ready for a taste of Korean whisky. Golden Blue, Korea’s top-selling domestic whisky maker, announced Monday its first-ever export expansion into the Japanese market. The company is introducing two of its flagship steady-sellers: Golden Blue The Sappirus and Golden Blue The Diamond. The move is a daring gambit. Japan is not only one of the world's "Big Five" whisky-producing nations, but it also possesses a highly sophisticated consumer base with notoriously strict quality standards. For Golden Blue, entering this crowded and discerning arena is viewed less as a standard export deal and more as a mandatory rite of passage to prove its mettle as a legitimate global brand. To drum up anticipation before the official launch, the Korean distiller showcased its spirits earlier this month at the prestigious Tokyo Bar Show. The strategy targeted local industry inside

May 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea’s top whisky maker eyes Japan, one of world's toughest markets
South Korea

Korea enters global AI copyright fray with English guidebook

As tech giants and creators worldwide clash over how artificial intelligence (AI) absorbs human creativity, Korea is stepping onto the global stage with its own playbook. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday released an English version of its "Guidebook on Fair Use Concerning Copyrighted Works in Generative AI." First published in Korean in February, the guidelines aim to steer the contentious international debate over when AI companies can legally scrape copyrighted material without paying for it. The guidelines arrive at a critical juncture. Globally, courts are flooded with lawsuits from authors, artists and media outlets arguing that tech companies are committing mass copyright infringement. Korea’s new framework provides a structured approach to these disputes, breaking down the evaluation of AI training into four distinct pillars: the purpose of the usage, the nature of the copyrighted work, the portion used and the ultimate impact on the original work's market value. Crucially, Seoul is taking a pragmatic stance. The ministry clarified that commercial AI develop

May 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea enters global AI copyright fray with English guidebook
Defense

Korea, US formalize ‘drone alliance’ to counter evolving regional threats

Korea and the United States moved Friday to tighten military cooperation on drones and counter-drone systems, signaling a new phase in the alliance as both countries race to adapt to rapidly changing battlefield technologies shaped by modern conflicts. The two governments signed a letter of intent on drone and counter-drone cooperation and market participation during a ceremony at Korea’s Ministry of National Defense in Seoul. The agreement was signed by Jeon Jun-beom, director general of the ministry’s Defense AI Planning Bureau, and Patrick H. Mason, deputy assistant secretary for defense exports and cooperation for the U.S. Army. Under the agreement, the two sides said, they will work to establish a joint supply chain and develop shared standards for drone and counter-drone systems used by allied forces. One major focus will be the inclusion of Korean-made products on a drone and counter-drone online marketplace platform the U.S. Department of Defense plans to launch later this year. Defense officials said the initiative could allow both countries to purchase and operate Korean-mad

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea, US formalize ‘drone alliance’ to counter evolving regional threats
South Korea

Korea expands cultural footprint in Russia at high-profile Asia festival

K-pop dance battles, instant ramen tastings and traditional Korean games are set to fill one of Russia’s largest Asian culture festivals this weekend as Korea steps up efforts to expand its cultural reach across Russian-speaking markets. The Korean Cultural Center in Russia said Friday it is operating a large-scale Korea pavilion during the “VK Asia Dragon Fest” from Friday to Saturday in partnership with VK, Russia’s largest social networking platform. The annual festival draws roughly 5,000 offline visitors and more than 2.6 million online views, according to organizers, making it one of the largest Asian cultural events in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States region. This year’s event carries added significance because festival organizers approached the Korean Cultural Center directly to develop a broader promotional partnership focused on both traditional and contemporary Korean culture. The pavilion will feature a “K-Food Spot” created in cooperation with Korean food companies Lotte Wellfood and Nongshim. Visitors will be able to sample Korean snacks and i

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea expands cultural footprint in Russia at high-profile Asia festival
Companies

Naver turns all of Seoul into 3D digital map experience

Naver, Korea’s dominant search engine and web portal, is expanding its push to blur the line between physical and digital space, transforming all of Seoul into an interactive three-dimensional landscape that users can explore from the sky with a swipe of their fingers. Naver said Friday that its Naver Map platform has expanded coverage of its “Flying View 3D” service across the entire capital, allowing users to virtually navigate Seoul’s landmarks, neighborhoods and natural scenery in high-resolution 3D imagery. The feature combines aerial perspectives with detailed digital twin technology developed by Naver Labs, offering what the company describes as a more immersive way to explore real-world locations. Users can access the service by selecting image markers placed on major Seoul destinations within the Naver Map app, including 63 Square in Yeouido, Jamsil Sports Complex and the National Assembly building. Naver first launched Flying View 3D in October with coverage focused on 10 major tourist destinations across Korea, including Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, Coex in southern Seou

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Naver turns all of Seoul into 3D digital map experience
Companies

Hanwha showcases battlefield robots in Europe as NATO's interest grows

Hanwha Aerospace showcased its unmanned combat vehicles on a Romanian battlefield this week, offering European military officials a glimpse of how future wars could be fought by coordinated fleets of armored vehicles, robots and drones operating side by side. The company said Friday it successfully completed a live demonstration of its manned-unmanned teaming combat system during “Demo Day,” an event linked to the BSDA 2026 defense exhibition in Romania. Hanwha Aerospace was the only Korean company invited to participate in the event, which took place Monday at an outdoor tactical training ground near Bucharest. The demonstration featured the company’s TIGON wheeled armored vehicle operating in coordination with unmanned ground vehicles, including Hanwha’s GRUNT platform and the THeMIS vehicle developed by Estonia-based Milrem Robotics. Among those in attendance were Lt. Gen. Ciprian Marin, chief of staff of the Romanian Army; Maj. Gen. Mircea Gologan, deputy chief of defense for resources; and Maj. Gen. Daniel Pop, deputy chief of the Romanian Army Staff, along with defense indu

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Hanwha showcases battlefield robots in Europe as NATO's interest grows
South Korea

Seoul targets Europe’s lucrative MICE market with global partnership push

The Seoul city government is taking an aggressive new swing at Europe’s lucrative meetings and conventions market, dispatching a coalition of hotels, convention operators and travel agencies to Germany next week in a bid to attract more international events to the Korean capital. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization said Friday they will operate a standalone Seoul promotional pavilion during IMEX Frankfurt 2026, Europe’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) trade show, from Monday through Wednesday in Frankfurt, Germany. The city plans to strengthen direct marketing to global event organizers while deepening partnerships with international meeting planners and convention networks. Twelve members of the Seoul MICE Alliance will participate under the banner “TEAM SEOUL,” including Coex, Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, The Westin Seoul Parnas, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Hotel Shilla, MNC Communications, Kims M&T, Travel Easy, Sally Tour, Golden Tour Korea DMC, HNT and E TourisM. The Seoul pavilion will focus heavily on

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul targets Europe’s lucrative MICE market with global partnership push
South Korea

Korean farm tech finds growing market in Uzbekistan

Korea moved to deepen agricultural ties with Uzbekistan this week, advancing exports of Korean dairy breeding technology and expanding cooperation on high-yield rice cultivation projects that officials said could help modernize farming in Central Asia. The Rural Development Administration said Friday that Administrator Lee Seung-don visited Uzbekistan Wednesday and Thursday to strengthen the spread of Korean dairy and rice farming technologies through joint projects with the Uzbek government. During a field demonstration at Sultan Farm in the Syrdarya region Wednesday, Korean embryo exporters and the Uzbek farm signed a letter of intent on the export and import of Korean dairy cattle embryos, formalizing plans for broader cooperation. According to the administration, pregnancy success rates for cattle implanted with Korean dairy embryos reached 50 percent, compared with 30 percent for other imported embryos. Dairy cows treated with Korean veterinary medicines also produced an average of 2.4 kilograms more milk per day. Lee later visited Uzbekistan’s Rice Research Institute, where he me

May 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korean farm tech finds growing market in Uzbekistan
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