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Lee Kyung-min

Korea Times AI content 2 team Reporter

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Global biomedical summit to convene in North Jeolla Province, drawing top scientists

Jeonbuk National University and North Jeolla Province said they will host the 16th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Polymers (FBPS) from June 7 to 11 next year at the university’s International Conference Hall. FBPS 2027 is expected to attract between 500 and 700 participants from 20 to 30 countries, organizers said. It will mark the second time Korea has hosted the symposium after its inaugural turn in 2017. Founded in 1995, the conference has been held every two years in a format modeled after the Gordon Research Conferences, a structure known for fostering intensive, high-level academic exchange. The symposium spans a wide range of disciplines shaping the future of medicine, including stem cells, regenerative medicine, organoids, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, biomaterials, 3D printing, gene therapy and bioimaging. Organizers said the breadth of topics reflects the growing convergence of biology, engineering and data science. The conference will be co-chaired by Khang Gil-son and Lee Dong-won, professors at Jeonbuk National University, along with Kim Ch

Mar 19, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Global biomedical summit to convene in North Jeolla Province, drawing top scientists
Others

Self-driving hub opens in Hwaseong, bringing autonomous tech into daily life

A stretch of suburban roads southwest of Seoul is being turned into a real-world laboratory for self-driving technology, as the government moves to push autonomous vehicles out of test tracks and into everyday life. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it will open an “AI (artificial intelligence) autonomous driving hub” Friday in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where self-driving services will be tested not just for transportation but also for a range of city management tasks. The project is part of a broader government initiative to accelerate future mobility and build so-called “K-AI cities,” integrating AI into urban infrastructure. The testing zone spans 36.13 square kilometers in western Hwaseong with a total road network of 46.5 kilometers. Within the area, autonomous systems will be deployed to support mobility for vulnerable groups, carry out street cleaning, monitor road conditions and even transport emergency patients. The ministry said the hub will serve as a control center built on an intelligent transportation system, designed to address the limitati

Mar 19, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Self-driving hub opens in Hwaseong, bringing autonomous tech into daily life
South Korea

Kookmin Univ. study maps gap between AI hype and bureaucratic reality

As governments around the world move to integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI) into the machinery of public decision-making, a new study suggests that confidence in the technology may be lagging behind its promise. A research team led by professor Kim Do-hyung of Kookmin University proposed a framework to measure what it describes as a critical disconnect: the gap between the actual maturity of AI systems and the expectations placed on them by stakeholders. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Technovation, argues that this divide could help determine whether the technology advances or falters in high-stakes public research and development programs. Seeking a more systematic approach, Kim and his co-authors devised what they call the “Maturity-Expectation Gap,” or MEG, framework. The model draws on survey responses from experienced evaluators and pairs them with a machine learning analysis of academic research, aiming to measure both how ready the technology is and how much is expected of it. Their findings point to a notable divergence. Different groups — i

Mar 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Kookmin Univ. study maps gap between AI hype and bureaucratic reality
Entertainment

K-pop superstars signal bold new era with ‘BTS: The Return’ trailer

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has signaled the start of a new chapter with the release of the first trailer for “BTS: The Return,” a behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making of the group's upcoming fifth studio album, “Arirang.” In the preview, the seven-member group reflects on finding their way back to where they “were always meant to return,” heightening anticipation for the long-awaited comeback of BTS. The film, which will premiere on Netflix on March 27, promises an intimate look at the band’s creative process as it reunites after years of solo projects and mandatory military service. The teaser, released on BTS’ official social media channels at 8 a.m. (KST), unfolds like a time capsule of the group’s past, present and future. It weaves together footage from past world tours and scenes from the members completing their mandatory military service with quieter moments — songwriting sessions in Los Angeles, studio recordings and candid glimpses of everyday life — featuring BTS. For the members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — the fi

Mar 17, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
K-pop superstars signal bold new era with ‘BTS: The Return’ trailer
Economy

Will Korea's extra budget cushion slowdown in domestic demand?

Korea is preparing an emergency supplementary budget to counter an oil price shock triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as policymakers race to prevent rising energy costs and financial market volatility from weakening domestic demand, market watchers said Sunday. The move comes as the country faces growing downside risks to growth from the surging oil prices. Korea is one of the world’s most import-dependent energy consumers, which is why the shock is raising concerns that higher fuel costs could dampen consumer spending, raise business costs and erode economic sentiment. President Lee Jae Myung ordered officials to move quickly on the extra budget, prompting the government to begin drafting the package immediately. The government worked through the weekend to collect proposals from ministries, with the aim of submitting its plan to the Cabinet and then the National Assembly as soon as possible. While the final size has not been set, policymakers and analysts expect the supplementary budget to range between 10 trillion won ($6.6 billion) and 20 trillion won. Many say

Mar 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Will Korea's extra budget cushion slowdown in domestic demand?
Others

Hana Financial strengthens partnership with SC Group in digital, global biz

Hana Financial Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Standard Chartered Group to expand cooperation in global finance and digital assets, as the Korean lender seeks to strengthen its international business and tap new growth areas, it said Sunday. The agreement seeks to combine the two groups’ overseas networks and financial capabilities to create new opportunities and enhance global competitiveness, Hana Financial said. The signing ceremony was held Friday at Hana Bank’s headquarters in Seoul, attended by Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo and Standard Chartered Group CEO Bill Winters. Under the partnership, the firms will broaden collaboration across global financial businesses including investment banking, capital markets and foreign exchange, while exploring cooperation in emerging areas such as digital assets. “The partnership built on our global networks and financial expertise will strengthen competitiveness in global finance,” Ham said, adding that the two groups will seek new growth opportunities in future financial sectors including digital assets. Win

Mar 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Hana Financial strengthens partnership with SC Group in digital, global biz
Others

Citi Korea reinforces support for Yanolja's global expansion

Citi Korea has strengthened its global business-to-business (B2B) payments collaboration with Yanolja, a global leisure and travel technology platform, by expanding the deployment of Citi’s Virtual Card Account (VCA) to Yanolja's enterprise solution member, the lender said Thursday. The collaboration was formalized at the Citi Asia Digital Leaders Summit held in Shenzhen, China, where senior executives from Citi and Yanolja, including Marc Luet, head of Citi's cluster and banking for Japan, Asia North and Australia (JANA) and Yanolja founder Lee Su-jin. Yanolja will integrate Citi’s global B2B payments solutions into its enterprise solution member, enabling consistent operational standards and controls across multicountry transaction platforms. As digital companies expand into multiple markets, payments infrastructure has evolved to become a core enabler of operational resilience and scalable global growth. Citi’s VCA solution enables clients to expand into new markets without large-scale system overhauls while maintaining their existing operating models. The solution allows corpora

Mar 13, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Citi Korea reinforces support for Yanolja's global expansion
Others

Delivery drivers, couriers squeezed by fuel price surge

Kim Moo-ho, a parcel delivery worker in his 30s, feels like the best way to save money is to not work at all. “Last week’s spike in fuel prices changed everything. Among drivers doing long distance deliveries, people are joking that the only way to make money is to stop driving,” he said. Unlike large logistics companies, many couriers and riders shoulder fuel expenses themselves while delivery fees remain largely unchanged. “Fuel keeps going up but the delivery rates don’t. Every extra won just comes out of my pocket. Some drivers are thinking about taking time off until prices calm down.” Some truck drivers say they will have to spend more than 1.6 million won ($1,080) extra per month due to the Middle East tensions. As operating costs rise, drivers doing long-distance routes are feeling it the most, according to Park Sung-chang, a truck driver in his 50s. “For many subcontracted drivers like me, higher oil prices translate directly into lower income. I have to refuel frequently, so it means I have to cut other costs,” he said. Many truck drivers say diesel is no longer th

Mar 12, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Delivery drivers, couriers squeezed by fuel price surge
Others

Calls grow for extra budget amid Middle East crisis

The government is moving closer to drafting a supplementary budget, as escalating tensions in the Middle East drive up global oil prices amid slowing domestic demand, market analysts said Wednesday. President Lee Jae Myung said the government may need to push ahead with an early supplementary budget to help cushion households and businesses from the economic fallout, particularly if energy prices remain elevated. “If we are to provide fiscal support for small merchants and struggling companies, additional funding will be necessary,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, adding that “it seems inevitable that an early supplementary budget will be required.” The remarks effectively formalized growing discussion within the government about expanding fiscal support to mitigate the impact of the Middle East crisis on the domestic economy. Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol also signaled readiness to mobilize additional fiscal tools. Speaking at an emergency economic ministers’ meeting Wednesday, Koo said the government would consider all available policy measures, incl

Mar 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Calls grow for extra budget amid Middle East crisis
Others

Mirae Asset Securities launches global pension desk as Korea’s retirement market grows

Mirae Asset Securities has launched the industry’s first dedicated service platform for multinational corporations operating in the country as Korea’s retirement pension market rapidly approaches 400 trillion ($272 billion) in assets, the company said Wednesday. The brokerage said the newly established global pension desk is designed to support global companies that must navigate both Korea’s retirement pension regulations and the stricter risk management and compliance standards imposed by their overseas headquarters. The initiative reflects the growing demand from multinational firms operating in Korea for specialized pension services that can address complex regulatory requirements while aligning with global corporate governance and risk frameworks. To support the initiative, Mirae Asset Securities earlier this year created a new global corporate solutions division focused exclusively on multinational corporate clients. The desk is supported by a specialist network consisting of experts from multiple disciplines. Through this network, the firm provides integrated consulting servi

Mar 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Mirae Asset Securities launches global pension desk as Korea’s retirement market grows
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