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Yi Whan-woo

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.

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Politics

New PM vows to fast-track Korea's AI push on 1st day in office

Newly appointed Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Wednesday vowed to help the government accelerate its push for artificial intelligence (AI) transformation to ensure Korea takes the lead in the rapidly evolving AI era. "Korea is no longer simply catching up in an era of sweeping transformation but is instead emerging as a country that leads such transformation,” Han told reporters on her first day in office after the National Assembly endorsed her appointment late Tuesday. She made the remarks while referring to the government's recent announcement of three megaprojects focused on semiconductors, AI and AI data centers to meet surging global demand for AI. The announcement was led by President Lee Jae Myung, reflecting his administration’s sense of urgency to position Korea at the forefront of the AI era. "The government must move more quickly to ensure necessary policies are implemented in a timely manner," Han said. The prime minister went on to say that “we will make bolder investments in AI and advanced industries while actively pursuing regulatory reform to remove barriers to i

Jul 1, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
New PM vows to fast-track Korea's AI push on 1st day in office
Politics

Soon-to-be PM Han carries high expectation for AI transformation

Han Seong-sook, Korea’s soon-to-be prime minister, arrives at the post with high expectations that she will leverage her technological expertise to help accelerate the country's artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. The parliamentary confirmation hearing committee approved a report, Tuesday, clearing Han as qualified for the post, with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leading the approval after she was nominated on June 7. Han is now just one step away from officially taking office, with her appointment to be finalized once the National Assembly approves the confirmation motion at a plenary session. The process leading to Han’s likely appointment comes as President Lee Jae Myung pushes to position Korea among the world's top three AI powers, alongside the United States and China. The blueprint has become increasingly concrete since Lee outlined the vision last year, with initiatives such as the government's allocation of a record 9.9 trillion won ($6.3 billion) for AI this year and public-private plans to build four new semiconductor plants in southwestern Korea to m

Jun 30, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Soon-to-be PM Han carries high expectation for AI transformation
South Korea

Samsung, SK hynix pledge $519 bil. for southwestern chip hub

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will invest 800 trillion won ($519 billion) to establish a semiconductor complex in the country's southwestern region, as part of government-private sector plans to strengthen Korea's position as one of the world's leading semiconductor powerhouses amid a boom in artificial intelligence (AI) industries. SK Group, GS Group and Naver will also spend 550 trillion won to set up AI data centers to increase the total capacity to 18.4 gigawatts by 2035. The government, Samsung Electronics, SK Group and other large businesses announced the massive investment plans Monday, as part of the government's three flagship megaprojects focusing on semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, designed to meet surging demand for AI infrastructure as the technology reshapes the global industrial landscape. The projects are also intended to promote high-tech investment across the country's southwestern, central and southeastern regions as part of a broader push for balanced regional development, while relevant plants and infrastructure are currently concentrated around t

Jun 29, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Samsung, SK hynix pledge $519 bil. for southwestern chip hub
Society

PHOTO Beach welcomes summer visitors

Beachgoers cool off at Haeundae Beach in Busan, Sunday, the first weekend after the beach officially opened Friday for the summer season. Other beaches in the city and those in other parts of the country will gradually start official operations over the coming week. Hot weather is expected to continue throughout the week, with midday highs in Seoul and western parts of the country forecast to surpass 30 degrees Celsius. Newsis

Jun 28, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[PHOTO] Beach welcomes summer visitors
Politics

Nvidia CEO's daughter thanks Seoul police for crowd management during Korea visit

The daughter of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has thanked Seoul police in an email for safely managing unexpectedly large crowds during her father's visit to Korea earlier this month, according to the police, Sunday. It said Madison Huang, senior director of product marketing for Nvidia Omniverse and Robotics, emailed the chief of the public safety intelligence division at Mapo Police Station to thank the officers who coordinated crowd control throughout her father's stay in Korea from June 5-9. Mapo Police Station oversaw public safety during Jensen’s visit to Hongdae, a bustling neighborhood in Seoul's Mapo District, where he visited an internet gaming cafe and later attended a widely publicized dinner with Korean business leaders. Madison accompanied her father on the trip, along with other Nvidia representatives. In the email, she expressed the family's gratitude for "the way the Seoul police managed our visit.” She also praised officers for providing "excellent technical assistance" despite larger-than-expected crowds and thanked them for their close cooperation with the family's secur

Jun 28, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Nvidia CEO's daughter thanks Seoul police for crowd management during Korea visit
Defense

EXPLAINER What Lee Jae Myung's selective enlistment plan means for Korea's shrinking military

Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world and a mandatory military service requirement that has shaped the lives of virtually every man in the country for generations. Now those two facts are on a collision course. Every able-bodied Korean man between the ages of 18 and 38 is required by law to serve in the military. Most undergo a physical examination around age 19 and complete their service in their 20s, typically spending 18 months as rank-and-file personnel in the Army or Marine Corps, or slightly longer, in the Navy for 20 months or the Air Force for 21 months. Those who qualify and apply can serve instead as noncommissioned officers (NCOs) — a rank between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers — or as commissioned officers, with initial commitments of four and three years, respectively. But because the rank-and-file route is relatively shorter and requires no selection process, most conscripts take it, despite the limited personal freedom, a strict environment and a long history of hazing and violence within military units. The system was designed for a country

Jun 27, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[EXPLAINER] What Lee Jae Myung's selective enlistment plan means for Korea's shrinking military
Politics

Jeolla region eyed for new semiconductor cluster: presidential policy chief

The government and chip companies are planning to establish a massive semiconductor cluster in the Jeolla region, separate from the current one near the capital, the presidential policy chief said Wednesday, citing abundant electricity and water in the southwestern provinces. He also stressed the need to start public discussion on how to share the benefits of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, saying the issue comprises social networks, labor policy and excess tax revenue generated by the booming AI-related industries. Speaking at a forum hosted by Kwanhun Club, an association of senior journalists, presidential adviser for policy Kim Yong-beom said the AI boom presents an opportunity to redraw Korea's industrial geography, drawing a parallel with how a manufacturing cluster in the southeastern region transformed Korea into an industrial powerhouse decades ago. He said the demand for chips has skyrocketed and companies are being pressed to advance their plans to construct relevant plants and facilities. While Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are currently building massive semiconduct

Jun 24, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Jeolla region eyed for new semiconductor cluster: presidential policy chief
Politics

President ramps up regional growth blueprint, putting AI, chips at center

President Lee Jae Myung will introduce a sweeping growth strategy next week to spur balanced regional development in collaboration with the private sector, according to multiple officials from Cheong Wa Dae and business circles, Tuesday. The strategy will be presented at a public briefing on Monday set to be attended by business leaders from Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG and other major conglomerates. The plan is expected to serve as the Lee administration's first concrete blueprint for fostering artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor and other cutting-edge industries beyond the Seoul metropolitan area, under a broader national transformation agenda for Lee's second year in office. The conglomerates are likely to outline domestically focused investment plans tied to their core businesses, including AI, semiconductors, data centers, future mobility, batteries and advanced materials. The government is expected to announce a package of support measures, including tax incentives, regulatory easing and assistance in securing electricity, water supplies and skilled workers for regional

Jun 23, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
President ramps up regional growth blueprint, putting AI, chips at center
Politics

Outgoing PM pledges to revive party ratings, prepares for party leadership race

Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pledged efforts to lift public support for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as he prepares to leave his post and focus on party affairs, signaling his intention to run for the party leadership. He implied that current DPK leaders, including Chairman Jung Chung-rae, were responsible for the disappointing results in the June 3 local elections and the downward trend in approval ratings for both the party and President Lee Jae Myung. Kim offered his evaluation of the party’s situation on Monday at a press conference, during which he also reviewed his experience as prime minister over the past year, which he is set to leave as soon as his successor is appointed. He is widely believed to be preparing to run in the party’s leadership race, in a national convention set for August. “Now is the time for the party and the administration to show perfect alignment and cooperation, and for the party to do more than it did before the elections to support the president's governance and work to raise overall support for both the party and the administration,

Jun 22, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Outgoing PM pledges to revive party ratings, prepares for party leadership race
Politics

Lee looks to rebuild political momentum following diplomatic trip

President Lee Jae Myung appears to be trying to restore political momentum after returning from a 10-day diplomatic tour of Europe, Thursday, amid declining approval ratings and tensions within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). On Friday, the president convened a press briefing on the outcome of diplomatic trip, which concluded Thursday, and also a meeting with senior presidential secretaries. The briefing was held amid speculation that the president believed the achievements of his trip had been overshadowed by domestic political issues, leading him to personally present the results instead of delegating the task to aides, as is customary. Meanwhile, Friday's meeting with senior presidential secretaries followed a previous gathering with corresponding aides in Seoul, Sunday, while Lee was in Italy for a state visit. Such a meeting was unprecedented, prompting speculation that Lee remained focused on developments at home even while abroad amid the fallout from the June 3 local elections. The DPK won most of the mayoral and gubernatorial races nationwide but lost the Seoul mayora

Jun 19, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Lee looks to rebuild political momentum following diplomatic trip
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