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Quotes of the Day:
"Belief in the truth commences with the doubting of all those 'truths' we once believed."
– Friedrich Nietzsche
"Civilization is not destroyed by wicked people; it is not necessary that people be wicked but only that they be spineless."
– James Baldwin
"The only way to deal with the unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is a nact of rebellion.
– Albert Camus
1. The Defector: Inside North Korea & Global Issues: RED LINE | Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights from Col. David Maxwell
2. Fans Are So Obsessed With ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ They Are Learning Korean
3. Saving North Korean POWs targets heart of Pyongyang's system of erasure
4. Korea and Germany go head-to-head in pursuit of Canada’s $42B submarine deal
5. South Korea Exports Off to Strong Start in 2026
6. A dispute over drones between North Korea and South Korea could threaten one of Asia's last natural refuges, where bears, deer, and cranes survive amid mines and barbed wire
7. Ruling party vows passage of U.S. investment bill by late Feb. or early March: lawmaker
8. N. Korea's premier highlights leader Kim's regional development drive as top priority
9. ED Korea on US currency monitoring list
10. AI Translation Beats Human in Korean Literary Contest
11. AI is upon us. So why is Korea still fixated on rote-learning?
12. Only One Who Will Smile at 9·19 Military Agreement Restoration
1. The Defector: Inside North Korea & Global Issues: RED LINE | Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights from Col. David Maxwell
My latest contribution to a podcast. This is a new project by my good friend and colleague from north Korea, Hyunseung Lee. he is the leader of the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly, helping Korean escapees prepare for and contribute to the pursuit of a free and unified Korea. We spend an hour discussing strategic issues on the Korean peninsula.
I think his title slide is the best description: "A Conversation shaped by dictatorship, power, and freedom."
RED LINE | Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights from Col. David Maxwell
https://youtu.be/rLp8ql779iY?t=1
Title: Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights from David Maxwell
Introduction: In the latest episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the intricate world of North Korean strategy and international relations with expert David Maxwell. With years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, Maxwell sheds light on the critical issues facing South Korea and its allies today.
1. Understanding North Korea's Strategic Landscape
David Maxwell, with his extensive background in military strategy, emphasizes the importance of comprehending North Korea's approach to warfare and international relations. He points out that the North's strategy involves a blend of conventional and unconventional warfare, which complicates the geopolitical landscape. For example, he highlights that North Korea has been actively engaging in social warfare tactics, which aim to undermine the moral and political fabric of its adversaries.
2. The Recent Pentagon Report and Its Implications
Recently, the Pentagon released a significant report outlining international policies that could shape future military strategies. Maxwell discusses the initial reactions to this report, noting that it has sparked a debate among national security experts. He argues that understanding the implications of this report is crucial for South Korea, especially as it navigates its relationship with North Korea and the United States. He notes, "The focus must be on strengthening alliances and ensuring that South Korea is prepared for any potential threats."
3. The Role of Alliances in Regional Security
Maxwell stresses the importance of alliances in maintaining regional stability. He explains that the perception of the United States as a 'freeloader' among allies can undermine collective defense efforts. He elaborates, "Our allies must invest adequately in their defense to bolster our mutual security. This includes South Korea, which has a significant role in the security architecture of the region."
4. Addressing Financial Contributions to Defense
Another critical point raised by Maxwell is the financial aspect of defense spending. He calls for a reassessment of how countries allocate their GDP towards defense, suggesting that South Korea should evaluate its contributions in light of its strategic responsibilities. He argues for a fair distribution of defense burdens, stating, "Countries must contribute equitably to ensure collective security and resilience against threats."
5. The Future of South Korea's Security Strategy
Looking ahead, Maxwell emphasizes that South Korea must adapt its security strategy to evolving threats, particularly from North Korea. He advocates for a proactive approach that includes strengthening military capabilities and enhancing partnerships with other nations. He mentions, "To counter North Korea effectively, South Korea needs to be prepared both militarily and strategically."
Conclusion:
In conclusion, David Maxwell's insights provide a valuable perspective on the complexities of North Korean strategy and regional security dynamics. Key takeaways include the importance of understanding North Korea's unconventional warfare tactics, the need for robust alliances, the necessity of equitable defense spending, and the importance of proactive security strategies for South Korea. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, staying informed and prepared is essential for navigating these challenges.
#NorthKorea #DavidMaxwell #SouthKorea #internationalrelations #militarystrategy #defensespending #geopoliticalanalysis #alliances #securitystrategy #USA
2. Fans Are So Obsessed With ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ They Are Learning Korean
Summary:
Americans are increasingly learning Korean because of the pull of K-pop and Korean media, with the film “KPop Demon Hunters” and its hit song “Golden” driving pronunciation and lyric-explainer videos with millions of views. Universities are expanding Korean language and culture offerings, and Duolingo reported 22 percent growth in U.S. Korean learners over a year. The article frames this surge against a broader decline in foreign-language enrollment, citing a 16 percent drop from 2016 to 2021, while Korean rose 38 percent. Instructors note beginners arrive with slang, but advanced attrition remains high because fluency is hard.
Comment: Korean soft power. It works. Remember how important American jazz and rock and roll were during the Cold War behind the Iron Curtain and the influence they had on people's views of America and their quest for freedom. And what a reversal from Koreans learning English from families at Yongsan Garrison.
Some strategic questions for the US and Korea: If Korean language study is rising as other languages fall, how should U.S. institutions harness this demand to build durable regional expertise, not just fandom?
As more Americans learn Korean through pop culture, what narratives and civic education should accompany that pathway so learners grasp history and politics, not only entertainment?
I guess I will have to watch "KPop Demon Hunters" now. I did not have any interest in it before.
Fans Are So Obsessed With ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ They Are Learning Korean
NY Times · Amy Qin · January 31, 2026
A K-pop dance team at Duke is a sign of the Korean cultural wave.Credit...Video by Jeremy M. Lange
Across the country, Americans who love K-pop and K-dramas are flocking to Korean language classes.
A K-pop dance team at Duke is a sign of the Korean cultural wave.Credit...Video by Jeremy M. Lange
Listen to this article · 8:14 min Learn more
By
Amy Qin wrote this article while listening to the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack on repeat.
To properly sing along to “Golden,” the inescapable hit song from the movie “KPop Demon Hunters,” it helps to know Korean, which is sprinkled into the lyrics.
The internet, apparently, agrees. The song, which is up for four Grammys on Sunday, is the subject of many YouTube and TikTok videos breaking down the pronunciation of its Korean words and lyrics. Combined, the clips have millions of views.
The U.S. obsession with Korean pop culture has now reached the point where more and more Americans, with little personal connection to the country, are learning the Korean language or alphabet, or hangul.
Demand is so high that universities from California to Arkansas are expanding their courses in Korean language and culture. Duolingo, a language learning app, saw a 22 percent growth in Korean learners in the United States over a one-year period last year. Language institutes are recruiting teachers to accommodate what they say is a surge in demand.
“We are limited only by our own capacity,” said Tammy Kim, the executive director of the Korean American Center, a nonprofit language institute in Irvine, Calif.
Brecken Hipp wanted to watch Korean shows without relying on subtitles.Credit...Jenna Schoenefeld for The New York Times
Brecken Hipp, 35, was watching a Korean game show on Netflix and eating Korean takeout with his wife one night when he got frustrated with the subtitles. He decided to start studying Korean.
“I just thought, ‘Boy, it’d be a lot easier if I knew what they were saying,’” recalled Mr. Hipp, who works at a gaming company in Irvine. He now spends about six to eight hours a week on it.
Known in Korean as “hallyu,” the Korean cultural wave crashed into America in 2012 when the rapper Psy’s galloping hit “Gangnam Style” became the first YouTube video to surpass one billion views.
In the years since, South Korea has become a hit factory. BTS, the boy band juggernaut, has sold out football stadiums and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” Blackpink, the K-pop girl group, headlined at Coachella. “Parasite” became the first non-English movie to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
The first season of “Squid Game” became the most watched show in the history of Netflix. And “KPop Demon Hunters,” which was nominated this month for two Oscars, is now Netflix’s most popular film ever, with more than 325.1 million views.
That animated movie is mainly in English, but many of the other shows and films were offered in Korean with subtitles. And the K-pop songs are mostly in a mix of Korean and English.
“Korean language is cool now,” said Joowon Suh, director of the Korean language program at Columbia University. “That’s been very noticeable.”
Language institutes are recruiting teachers to accommodate what they say is a surge in demand.Credit...Jenna Schoenefeld for The New York Times
Students in a beginning language class at the Korean American Center in Irvine, Calif.Credit...Jenna Schoenefeld for The New York Times
The booming demand is striking given the eroding interest in foreign languages. Between 2016 and 2021, university enrollment in such courses dropped by 16 percent, according to the latest report from the Modern Language Association.
Only three languages saw increased interest. Korean had by far the sharpest uptake, spiking by 38 percent. (American Sign Language had a slight uptick and biblical Hebrew grew by 9 percent.)
What stories should be told about Asian American communities?
Amy Qin, the Times reporter who wrote this article, wants to hear from Asian American readers: What other stories should The Times be covering? What are the issues that matter most in your community? Share your thoughts | More about Amy Qin
Two decades ago, the University of California, Berkeley, offered two Korean classes for what are known as nonheritage learners and four for heritage learners, meaning they had some prior exposure to Korean, said Junghee Park, who oversees the Korean language program. Today, the school now has nine introductory Korean classes, with eight for nonheritage students.
“I couldn’t have imagined that 20 years ago,” Dr. Park said.
Bob Huh, who teaches Korean at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md., said that many of his students, who are mostly Black and Latino, come into the introductory classes already knowing basic phrases and slang.
“Even though I grew up in Korea, they know more about K-pop than I do,” Mr. Huh said. “Now I listen to K-pop every day because I have to be up-to-date.”
Getting started with Korean can seem easy. It can take just a few hours to learn the alphabet, which is regarded as the most logical writing system in the world.
Attrition at the more advanced levels remains a problem, instructors said. It can take years of dedicated study to become fluent. Korean has a different sentence structure compared to English, and grammar and words change depending on the people in the conversation. Ages and familial relationships matter. The State Department has designated Korean as one of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers, alongside Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.
Lisa Hunt, 20, a junior at Brown University, has studied Korean for five semesters.Credit...Ann Hermes for The New York Times
Lisa Hunt, 20, a junior at Brown University, has studied Korean for five semesters. She marvels that she now understands K-pop performers when they speak at concerts.
“I do like to joke that it is always my hardest class every semester,” said Ms. Hunt, who is majoring in applied math-economics. “You have to practice your grammar, your vocabulary, every single day in order to stay on track.”
Those who push through say that studying Korean — as with any language — has helped them discover an entire world.
Angel Huang, who grew up speaking Mandarin and English at home, studied Korean as a high schooler in her spare time in part to better connect with other K-pop fans. Now a senior at Duke University, Ms. Huang, 22, said that she has developed a deeper appreciation of Korean history and politics, too.
She even worked with North Korean refugees at a study abroad program in Seoul. In addition to her computer science major, she is minoring in Korean language.
“I honestly think that without getting into K-pop and Korean media, I probably would not have taken the same path at all,” Ms. Huang said.
Duke University’s K-pop dance team. Learning Korean can lead to a deeper understanding of the country’s history.Credit...Jeremy M. Lange for The New York Times
For many aspiring Korean speakers, visiting or living in South Korea could be next.Credit...Jeremy M. Lange for The New York Times
For many aspiring Korean speakers, visiting South Korea is often the next step.
Max Abrams, 27, an influencer with the social media handle “MaxNotBeer,” gained 1.3 million TikTok followers by chronicling his life in Seoul, often shocking locals by speaking their language.
His interest in the language began in high school, he said, when he first heard Girls’ Generation, a K-pop group. After graduating from college with a double major in international affairs and Korean, Mr. Abrams moved to South Korea where he taught English and then became a full-time content creator.
Even for foreigners fully conversant in Korean, he said, building a sustainable life there can be challenging, partly because of visa issues and cultural barriers.
“The vibrancy that comes with learning Korean comes on a sociocultural level,” said Mr. Abrams, who recently moved back to the United States. “In terms of professional stuff, it’s less promising.”
In interviews, some Americans emphasized that their interest in the language did not make them a “Koreaboo,” a pejorative term for people seen as overly obsessed with Koreans and their culture.
Andy Ko, 21, said he found the term troubling. After moving from South Korea to the Chicago suburbs, he had been teased, he said, for talking about Korean dramas or K-pop. Now, as a junior in college, he will sometimes pepper Korean words into conversations with other students — no problem.
“I feel proud, honestly,” he said.
Angel Huang added Korean language as a minor.Credit...Jeremy M. Lange for The New York Times
Amber Guidry, 37, seems to live a very Korea-centric life, even though she lives in Seattle.
Enthralled by Korean dramas, Ms. Guidry, a scientist with no Korean background, started studying the language two years ago. Now, Ms. Guidry shops at H Mart, the Korean grocery chain. She cooks dishes like tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) or kimchi jjigae (a spicy stew). Her bathroom vanity is littered with Korean beauty products.
With girlfriends, she went to see “KPop Demon Hunters” on a big screen. The theater was packed with children and adults, some dressed up in costumes. As the movie played, virtually everyone sang along to “Golden.”
Oh-oh-oh, up, up, up with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는 (Unbreakable forever)
Gonna be, gonna be golden.
Ms. Guidry is planning her first trip to Seoul this spring.
Adeel Hassan contributed reporting.
Amy Qin writes about Asian American communities for The Times.
See more on: Grammy Awards, BTS (Music Group)
3. Saving North Korean POWs targets heart of Pyongyang's system of erasure
Summary:
My good friend Youngjun Kim argues the world has pursued denuclearization while leaving north Korea’s core engine untouched: a domestic terror system designed for total erasure through political prison camps. It says the nuclear program is also psychological, framed by indoctrination as a “sacred sword” tied to pride and survival, making sanctions-only pressure unrealistic. He centers on two captured north Korean soldiers in Ukraine, Lee Chol-nam and Baek Kwang-il, who reportedly want resettlement in South Korea and fear execution or lifelong camp “erasure” if returned. He warns they lack clear non-refoulement protection and could be traded in swaps, urging UNHCR and ICRC action and third-country resettlement options to strike the regime’s fear-based control.
Comment: Human rights upfront, always. If Lee and Baek are not formally protected under non-refoulement, what concrete steps must South Korea, the US, and the international community take now to prevent their use as bargaining chips?
If the regime’s control depends on fear and information isolation, how would widely known “protected defections” by captured soldiers alter loyalty dynamics inside the military and society? Can we use this effectively for information and influence activities?
Voices Jan. 31, 2026 / 3:14 PM
Saving North Korean POWs targets heart of Pyongyang's system of erasure
By Youngjun Kim
https://www.upi.com/Voices/2026/01/31/korea-voices/2141769887123/
Two North Korean soldiers captured on the battlefield of the war between Ukraine and Russia could be a litmus test for global human rights actions and a strategic opening to disrupt the Pyongyang's Gulag system used to disappear people who runafoul of Kim Jong Il's regime. File Photo by Maxym Marusenko/EPA
Jan. 31 (UPI) -- For decades, the international community's approach to North Korea has been a monolithic pursuit of denuclearization.
While the West has largely fixated on satellite images of nuclear test sites, a more fundamental engine of the Kim Jong-un regime has remained unchallenged: A domestic system of terror that differs fundamentally from historical systems such as the Soviet Gulag.
Today, this system faces an unexpected challenge on the battlefields of Ukraine. The fate of two captured North Korean soldiers, Lee Chol-nam and Baek Kwang-il, has become a litmus test for global human rights and a strategic opening to disrupt Pyongyang's tyranny.
The nuclear myth: A shield of twisted pride
In a recent interview, Jang Seyul, the head of the Korean Unification Solidarity (KUS), provided a sobering assessment that challenges the conventional wisdom of Washington and Seoul.
Jang, who escaped North Korea in 2007, now leads the KUS in its mission to bridge the information gap by disseminating outside news into the North and advocating for the rights of the displaced.
He argues that for the North Korean people, the nuclear program is a psychological asset as much as a military one.
Through relentless state indoctrination, the regime has branded its arsenal as a "sacred sword" for survival, convincing the population it is the only defense against foreign invasion.
"To the average North Korean, the bomb is tied to national pride and personal survival," Jang explains. "When nuclear possession is framed as the only barrier to colonization, expecting the regime to abandon it through sanctions alone becomes a geopolitical impossibility."
A system more brutal than history: The machinery of erasure
If nuclear weapons are the regime's external shield, its political prison camp system is its internal sword.
However, the North Korean system differs from its historical predecessors not in scale alone, but in purpose. While the Soviet Gulag system was designed primarily to punish and exploit, North Korea's system aims for total erasure.
Estimates suggest between 130,000 and 200,000 people are held in these camps -- not for criminal acts, but for perceived political disloyalty or exposure to outside information.
Once designated a political offender, an individual is effectively removed from society. Confined to zones of total isolation, their legal identity and social existence are systematically extinguished.
For Jang, this is a living tragedy: According to his testimony, all of his siblings -- his elder sister, younger brother, and younger sister -- disappeared into these camps after his own escape. This total erasure functions as the core mechanism enforcing submission across a population of 25 million.
The Ukraine POWs: A high-stakes legal limbo
The reach of this terror has now met the international legal system in Ukraine. Captured soldiers Lee Chol-nam and Baek Kwang-il have stated their desire to resettle in South Korea, expressing a clear intention not to return to North Korea.
Under the regime's military code, the mere act of being captured renders them "traitors" destined for execution or lifelong erasure in the camps.
A comprehensive report by the KUS and the Emergency Committee for the Free Repatriation of North Korean Soldiers revealed a dangerous reality.
These men have not yet been formally designated as protected persons under the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits forcible repatriation to a country where they face death, torture, or severe persecution.
In the chaos of the Russia-Ukraine war, there is a looming risk that they could be used as "bargaining chips" in prisoner swaps -- a death sentence signed by the international community.
Prioritizing liberty: The need for diverse options
While the soldiers hope to reach South Korea, the primary objective must be the absolute guarantee of their freedom, transcending geopolitical boundaries. Given the sensitivity of inter-Korean relations, the international community must broaden its scope.
The United States and other democratic nations should cooperate to provide diverse resettlement options, including the United States or other third countries.
Providing a "third path" secures these lives while alleviating the political burden on involved parties, making a successful extraction more feasible.
A Strategic pivot: Breaking the spell of fear
The successful resettlement of Lee and Baek -- regardless of the specific country -- would strike at the regime's psychological foundation.
The strategy for the international community is clear:
- Immediate international Intervention: The UN Refugee Agency and the International Committee of the Red Cross must conduct immediate Refugee Status Determinations to prevent Lee and Baek from being traded back to North Korea or Russia.
- Multilateral cooperation for resettlement: The United States and its allies should lead a coalition to offer asylum, ensuring a secure path to freedom independent of the volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula.
- The information breach: If the North Korean military and the general public learn that their comrades chose freedom and were protected by the international community, the fear-based loyalty sustaining the regime will begin to crumble.
Conclusion: Saving lives to shatter a system
The United States and its allies must realize that while the nuclear program is the regime's shield, the system of internal suppression is its lifeblood.
By championing the cause of Lee Chol-nam and Baek Kwang-il, the world executes a strategic strike against the heart of the world's most repressive dictatorship. To ignore their plea for freedom is to validate the Kim regime's power to erase humanity.
Securing a future for these two young men in a free society -- wherever that may be -- is the first step toward the eventual liberation of an entire nation.
4. Korea and Germany go head-to-head in pursuit of Canada’s $42B submarine deal
Summary:
South Korea is mounting a whole-of-industry bid to win Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, valued by Korean outlets at up to 60 trillion won (about $44B), to replace Victoria-class boats with 8 to 12 long-range diesel submarines for Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic patrols. Hanwha Ocean leads, supported by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, against Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems offering Type 212CD. Only 20% of scoring is the platform; 50% is local MRO, plus economic benefits and financing. Korea is offering delivery timelines, Canadian steel investment with Algoma Steel, oil import commitments, AI and satellite MOUs, and potential nondefense offsets via Hyundai Motor Group and Korean Air. Canada may pick a bidder by May or June.
Comment: Competition within the Arsenal of Democracies. If MRO and economic offsets dominate scoring, how should Canada weigh alliance interoperability claims against industrial resilience promises when the submarines will shape Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific posture for decades?
Korea and Germany go head-to-head in pursuit of Canada’s $42B submarine deal
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · January 30, 2026
Published: 30 Jan. 2026, 08:51 Updated: 30 Jan. 2026, 08:56
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01-30/business/industry/Korea-and-Germany-go-headtohead-in-pursuit-of-Canadas-42B-submarine-deal/2510928
The KSS-III Batch I submarine, constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries [HD HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES]
Korea is going all out to win a large-scale submarine contract from Canada, mobilizing not only its top shipbuilders — Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) — but Hyundai Motor and Korean Air in an effort to craft the most compelling bid possible.
However, Korea is facing a formidable competitor — Germany, led by TKMS, formerly known as Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. TKMS is offering its upcoming Type 212CD class submarines, which are expected to first be deployed to the Norwegian and German Navy starting in 2029.
Hanwha Ocean is offering the KSS-III CPS, based on the KSS-III Batch II currently operational by the Korean Navy. The Korean Navy currently operates three KSS-III Batch II submarines, two built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering — now Hanwha Ocean — and one by HD HHI.
Hanwha Ocean will be leading the bid, with HD HHI in a supporting role to share construction responsibilities once the deal is made. It was reported that the roles will be reversed if Korea decides to bid for a surface vessel overseas.
The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is a multidecade project estimated by Korean news outlets to cost up to 60 trillion won ($44 billion), and which aims to replace the country’s aging Victoria-class submarines with eight to 12 new diesel-powered submarines capable of long-range patrols in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. The price tag is a combination of the 20 trillion won spent on the procurement of the submarines and the remainder consisting of 30 years of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) efforts for said ships. Canada is expected to select its preferred bidder by May or June of this year.
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, second from left, takes a look at the KSS-III submarine on Oct. 31, 2025 [REPUBLIC OF KOREA NAVY]
Hanwha Ocean said its ability to offer the first submarine by 2032 and all four submarines by 2035 is a key strength that its competition lacks. At the moment, Type 212CD is estimated to have its first subs delivered to Norway in 2029, with TKMS offering to speed up the first submarine delivery to Canada to sometime between 2032 and 2033.
"[Hanwha Ocean's] proven delivery schedule is made possible by an active submarine production line already building and integrating submarines today, and a resilient supply chain with qualified suppliers efficiently delivering critical components,” the Korean shipbuilder said.
From left, Canadian National Defense Minister David McGuinty, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Hahnwa Group Vice-Chairman Kim Dong Kwan talk amongst themselves after touring a submarine at the Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in Geoje Island, Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. [AP/YONHAP]
Offset trade matters
The deal, however, is not just about which country offers the submarine with better performance or can offer it faster. It's really about who can offer the better overall package.
Only 20 percent of the decision will be weighted on the platform itself, according to bid instruction documents formally sent to TKMS and Hanwha Ocean. A whopping 50 percent of the weighting will come from local MRO efforts, another 15 percent is from economic benefits and the final 15 percent will be the country's financial wherewithal, according to reports from CBC. Germany, with its deep NATO ties, has been advertising interoperability, cooperation in raw materials and other fields and procurement of Canada-made Bombardier airliners.
Seoul responded with a Korea-Canada Industrial Cooperation Forum on Monday in Toronto, where Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems, Hanwha’s defense solutions affiliate, and HD Hyundai all promised big numbers in return of the submarine deal.
Hanwha Ocean signed a $250 million binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Algoma Steel to help build a new structural steel beam meal in Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, where it can produce Canadian-made steel that can be used at the submarine production and during MRO infrastructure construction.
“By anchoring steel production, infrastructure and long-term sustainment in Canada, we are committed to strengthening Canada’s industrial resilience and supporting a submarine capability that Canadians can rely on today and for generations,” Hanwha Ocean President and CEO Kim Hee-cheul said.
The deal also involves the Korean shipbuilder purchasing up to $50 million worth of products made by Algoma.
Hanwha claimed that the parentship can result in creating 15,000 jobs within Canada, citing an estimation from KPMG.
Oil purchases, AI cooperation
HD Hyundai, leveraging its subsidiary HD Hyundai Oilbank, pledged to import “trillions of won” worth of Canadian crude oil during the duration of the submarine project. The Korean shipbuilder also offered to provide shipbuilding and submarine construction know-how to Canadian shipbuilders.
Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems, meanwhile, signed an MOU with Canadian AI firm Cohere to jointly develop large language and multimodal AI models.
“This partnership is a declaration of Hanwha’s commitment to becoming deeply integrated into Canada’s technology ecosystem,” Hanwha Ocean's naval ship division president Eoh Sung-chul said.
Hanwha Systems also signed an MOU with Telesat, a Canadian satellite communications company, to collaborate on satellite connectivity solutions and user terminals compatible with Telesat's network, aiming to cooperate on developing Korea's own low-earth-orbit communications satellite technologies.
The tipping point, however, might depend on Korean firms that are not directly connected, such as Hyundai Motor Group — the auto conglomerate that technically has no primary business in the submarine industry. While HD Hyundai and Hyundai Motor Group share a historic lineage, they have been operating as two independent firms for over two decades.
“Canada was the one who asked Hyundai Motor Group to join the bid, and while offset trades in weapon procurement can be limited to the defense industry, it may also involve seemingly unrelated investments, like the case with Hyundai,” Jang Won-joon of Jeonbuk National University's defense industry convergence program, told the Korea JoongAng Daily.
Despite requests for a new EV manufacturing plant in the country, Hyundai Motor is likely to have offered support for hydrogen infrastructure, including hydrogen production, storage, charging and effective energy use, since the automaker recently completed construction of a large-scale EV production plant in the United States. Hyundai Motor’s previous attempt to build a manufacturing plant in Canada failed in 1993 when the plant was shut down after just four years of operation, due to high maintenance costs and tariff issues.
Korean Air, too, commenting that the airline is “looking into ways of supporting the bid,” opened possibilities of purchasing Bombardier-made planes. The company already plans to purchase Bombardier’s business jet Global 6500 to transform it into Korea’s first electronic warfare aircraft.
“Providing a total package, helping the localization effort and helping to build the infrastructure in a long-term partnership is crucial,” Professor Chang said.
BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · January 30, 2026
5. South Korea Exports Off to Strong Start in 2026
Summary:
South Korea’s exports began 2026 on a strong footing, signaling resilience in external demand despite global uncertainty. Early performance suggests momentum across key sectors and reinforces exports as a central pillar of economic growth, providing policymakers cautious optimism as trade conditions evolve.
Comment: Until new tariffs kick in? Is this why POTUS wants to impose more tariffs on korea?
South Korea Exports Off to Strong Start in 2026
WSJ
Exports from Asia’s fourth-largest economy jumped 34% from a year earlier to $65.85 billion
By Kwanwoo Jun
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Updated Jan. 31, 2026 7:31 pm ET
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/south-korea-exports-off-to-strong-start-in-2026-95978aa1
South Korea’s exports to the U.S. and China rose 30% and 47%, respectively, from a year earlier in January. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
South Korea’s exports started the year on a strong note, with outbound shipments surging in January on more working days and robust semiconductor demand.
Exports from Asia’s fourth-largest economy jumped 34% from a year earlier to $65.85 billion, following a 13% increase in December, according to preliminary data released by the trade ministry on Sunday.
The January surge had been widely expected because of 3.5 additional working days due to the Lunar New Year holidays shifting to mid-February this year.
That was much stronger than expectations. The median forecast of nine economists polled by The Wall Street Journal was for a 30% jump in exports for the month.
Imports rose 12% year-over-year to $57.11 billion in January, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.74 billion.
Semiconductor shipments, accounting for nearly one-quarter of total goods exports in 2025, drove trade growth. Chip exports doubled from a year earlier to $20.54 billion in January.
Exports to the U.S. and China rose 30% and 47%, respectively, from a year earlier in January.
The solid trade data come as South Korea faces renewed tariff uncertainty after President Trump last week threatened to restore 25% U.S. duties on most Korean goods, just three months after Seoul and Washington reached an agreement to lower the rate to 15%.
Trump has complained that South Korea’s legislature hasn’t approved the trade deal quickly enough.
Under the pact reached in late October, South Korea agreed to invest $350 billion in the United States in exchange for reduced tariffs.
Seoul last week sent its industry minister to Washington to address Trump’s concerns and reaffirm its investment pledge in talks with his U.S. counterpart.
Write to Kwanwoo Jun at Kwanwoo.Jun@wsj.com
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6. A dispute over drones between North Korea and South Korea could threaten one of Asia's last natural refuges, where bears, deer, and cranes survive amid mines and barbed wire
Summary:
A drone dispute between South Korea and North Korea could endanger the Korean Demilitarized Zone as a major wildlife refuge. Kim Yo Jong urged Seoul to investigate alleged drone incursions, calling them a grave sovereignty violation, while South Korea promised a swift probe, denied military involvement, and questioned at least one civilian. The article says drones entered the North twice, in September and early January. It argues the DMZ’s restricted access has preserved temperate habitat hosting roughly 6,000 species and over 100 endangered species, including red-crowned and white-naped cranes and mammals like Asiatic black bears. Ecologists warn that even small drones can raise disturbance, halt research, and fragment habitat, undermining proposals for a peace park or biosphere reserve.
Comment: I would think the decades of combat patrols in the DMZ with north Korean, South Korean, and US squads patrolling throughout the DMZ would be more of a threat to the wildlife and habitat than drones overflying the DMZ and the rare crash of one that might take place within the DMZ. The authors are sensationalizing the news to support their wildlife agenda which merely undermines their credibility.
A dispute over drones between North Korea and South Korea could threaten one of Asia's last natural refuges, where bears, deer, and cranes survive amid mines and barbed wire
ecoticias.com · January 29, 2026
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/a-dispute-over-drones-between-north-korea-and-south-korea-could-threaten-one-of-asias-last-natural-refuges-where-bears-deer-and-cranes-survive-amid-mines-and-barbed-wire/26378/
One of the most heavily militarized borders on Earth is also one of Asia’s most surprising wildlife havens. That is why a new quarrel over drones between North and South Korea is not only a security story. It is an environmental one too.
In a statement carried by state media, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, urged Seoul to investigate recent drone flights that Pyongyang says crossed from South Korea into its airspace. She said she appreciated South Korea’s declaration that it had no intention to provoke, yet insisted that authorities “can never evade their responsibility” even if a civilian pilot was involved.
South Korea’s Office of National Security has promised a swift investigation and repeated that the government does not seek confrontation. Investigators have already questioned at least one civilian over alleged unauthorized drone flights toward the North.
A political dispute over a living buffer
According to North Korean and South Korean accounts, small drones entered the North twice in recent months, once in September and again in early January. Pyongyang says it intercepted the devices and treats the flights as a “grave violation” of sovereignty. Seoul’s military denies any role and says the aircraft resemble consumer models, not equipment used by its forces.
On paper this sounds like a narrow legal issue. Who flew what, and where exactly did it cross an invisible line on the map? In practice that line runs across the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, a 250-kilometer-long strip roughly four kilometers wide that has been off limits to most people since 1953.
YouTube: @ArirangCoKrArirangNEWS
The same restrictions that keep soldiers and tourists out have given nature rare breathing room.
A narrow strip with huge ecological weight
Scientists describe the DMZ as one of the best preserved temperate habitats on the planet. Surveys suggest that around six thousand animal and plant species live in and around the zone, including more than one hundred officially endangered species.
Red crowned cranes and white naped cranes winter in the wetlands and rice fields beside the fences. Conservation groups say a significant share of the world’s remaining populations pass through this corridor each year on their long migrations. Asiatic black bears, musk deer, long-tailed gorals and rare wildcats have also been photographed moving through forests and rivers that cut across the border.
For people living in crowded cities like Seoul, often stuck in traffic or worrying about the next electric bill, this landscape can feel very far away. For wildlife it is a last refuge.
Why drones worry ecologists
A few hobby drones may sound harmless compared with artillery or missile tests. Yet ecologists see them as part of a bigger pattern. Modern military activity tends to bring noise, sudden disturbance, pollution and the risk of accidents, all of which can fragment habitats and push sensitive species away. Reviews of war-related environmental damage have linked training grounds and active conflict to dramatic habitat loss and declines in biodiversity.
In the DMZ, even brief spikes in tension can halt scientific fieldwork and conservation projects. Researchers who document cranes and mammals already face frequent access interruptions when the security situation worsens.
Now picture that from the perspective of a migrating bird. One season the wetlands are quiet. The next, low-flying machines buzz overhead and sirens sound on both sides of the fence. Do the birds come back the following year in the same numbers? That is the kind of question biologists are asking.
Shared wildlife as a rare common interest
For decades, Korean and international scientists have floated the idea of turning the DMZ into a formal peace park or transboundary biosphere reserve. The strip already functions as an ecological corridor that connects mountains, forests, rivers and tidal marshes across the peninsula. Several studies argue that conserving this living laboratory would protect species while also preserving a powerful reminder of the costs of war.
Politics, of course, moves more slowly than cranes. North Korea still officially labels the South a “hostile” state, and recent drone accusations have not helped efforts by Seoul’s new administration to reopen military talks.
Even so, environmental experts often see shared ecosystems as one of the few realistic openings for dialogue. Migratory birds, river systems and shifting weather patterns ignore borders. Any lasting plan for peace on the peninsula will eventually have to decide what happens to the DMZ’s wildlife oasis, whether tensions remain high or one day begin to ease.
Until then, every new incident along the border is a reminder that security debates are never only about jets, drones or radar. They are also about the quiet places in between, where cranes dance over minefields and bears cross streams that no civilian can approach.
The official statement was published on Xinhua.
ecoticias.com · January 29, 2026
7. Ruling party vows passage of U.S. investment bill by late Feb. or early March: lawmaker
Summary:
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party says it will push the National Assembly to pass a special bill implementing Seoul’s $350 billion U.S. investment package by late February or early March. Rep. Han Jeoung-ae said the bill could reach a plenary vote during an extraordinary session running late February through early March. The bill, introduced in November, sets procedures to execute MOUs and create a “strategic investment fund.” The timeline has become urgent after POTUS threatened to raise South Korea’s reciprocal tariff to 25% from 15%, citing legislative delay. Seoul officials moved to reassure Washington, while Han criticized U.S. pressure and warned abrupt tariffs could endanger follow-through.
Comment: Is this sufficient for POTUS to withhold his threats of raising tariffs?
Ruling party vows passage of U.S. investment bill by late Feb. or early March: lawmaker | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Seung-yeon · February 1, 2026
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260201002800315?section=national/politics
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) said Sunday it will make efforts for the National Assembly to pass a special bill on implementing South Korea's investment package for the United States by late this month or early March.
Rep. Han Jeoung-ae of the DP, who chairs parliament's policy committee, said at a press briefing that the Assembly will work to process the legislation for a plenary vote during an extraordinary session scheduled from late this month through early March.
"We expect the bill could be processed in a plenary session between late February and early March, and we will do our best to meet that timeline," Han told reporters.
The DP introduced the special bill on investment in the U.S. in November last year to implement the trade deal reached at the summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The legislation calls for laying out the procedures required to carry out Seoul's investments in the U.S., including implementing a set of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and the establishment of a "strategic investment fund" for the US$350 billion package.
Rep. Han Jeoung-ae of the ruling Democratic Party speaks during a press briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
The progress of the bill has become an issue after Trump threatened to raise the reciprocal tariff for South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing what he claims to be a delay in Seoul's legislative procedures.
Trump's warning sent top Seoul officials rushing to reassure Washington that the investment plans will be carried out in line with the joint summit agreements.
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan cut short his trip to Canada last week and flew to Washington for talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to work out the matter.
After meeting Lutnick, Kim said the talks did not reach a conclusion, but he believes the meeting helped resolve "unnecessary misunderstandings."
Han expressed regret over Washington's reaction, saying that the U.S. should be well aware of the National Assembly procedures to process the bill.
Rep. Han Jeoung-ae (L) of the ruling Democratic Party enters a press briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
"I wonder whether the U.S. administration might be creating an unnecessary conflict," she said. "The U.S. is aware of and has agreed to the fact that we need to go through our legislative process. ... It takes time."
Han said there will be no guarantee that the agreements will be honored if negotiations continue with the U.S. abruptly raising tariffs because the bill has not been processed quickly enough.
"This is extremely concerning," she said. "Shouldn't the U.S. respect the procedures of the counterpart country to ensure that the MOUs, concluded on the basis of mutual respect and understanding, are honored? ... I cannot help but say that this approach is deeply regrettable."
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Seung-yeon · February 1, 2026
8. N. Korea's premier highlights leader Kim's regional development drive as top priority
Summary:
north Korea’s premier Pak Thae-song called Kim Jong-un’s “Regional Development 20X10 Policy” the party and state’s top priority, urging officials to devote themselves to implementing it. He spoke at a groundbreaking in Pyongwon County, South Phyongan Province, and appealed for “patriotic” effort to make this year a “victory” for the regional drive. Since 2024, the policy seeks to build modern industrial plants in 20 cities and counties each year for 10 years to narrow urban-rural gaps. Kim has recently visited multiple sites, as the regime is expected to hold a key party congress this month.
Comment: Like Americans at the grocery store, the Korean people in the north can see with their own eyes the "victory" that development has provided them.
N. Korea's premier highlights leader Kim's regional development drive as top priority | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Seung-yeon · February 1, 2026
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260201000700315
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song has highlighted the regional development initiative being pushed for by leader Kim Jong-un as the state's top priority, calling on officials to devote themselves to the plans, its state media reported Sunday.
Pak made the remarks during a groundbreaking ceremony of a construction project in Pyongwon County, South Phyongan Province, the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
In a speech at the event, Pak described the "Regional Development 20X10 Policy" as the highest priority for the party and the state, urging officials to commit themselves to implementing the policy, the KCNA reported.
The state media also quoted Pak as calling for "patriotic strength and enthusiasm" to make this year "a new year of victory for the regional revolution."
Since 2024, North Korea has been pushing for regional development aimed at building modern industrial plants in 20 cities and counties every year, seeking to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas in the next 10 years.
Last week, Kim attended a groundbreaking event for a construction project in South Hwanghae Province. He has recently visited other similar construction sites across the country, seen as an effort to drum up public support as Pyongyang is widely expected to hold a key party congress this month.
This image by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project in Unnyul County under North Korea's regional development policy, held the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Seung-yeon · February 1, 2026
9. ED Korea on US currency monitoring list
Summary:
South Korea is again on the U.S. Treasury’s currency monitoring list, alongside nine others, driven by a $52B U.S. trade surplus and a current account surplus equal to 5.9% of GDP. No country was labeled a manipulator, but the report and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both argued the won’s weakness does not match Korea’s “strong fundamentals,” signaling potential added scrutiny. The editorial links this to renewed tariff pressure, Seoul’s $350B U.S. investment pledge, and delays around a special investment bill. It warns Washington’s review will broaden to tools like swaps and pension funds, putting Korea’s National Pension Fund in view.
Comment: Another source of alliance friction? How will Seoul protect policy autonomy while reassuring Washington on the won, tariffs, and the $350B investment timeline?
- Opinion
- Editorial
ED Korea on US currency monitoring list
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- Published Feb 1, 2026 4:34 pm KST
- Updated Feb 1, 2026 5:52 pm KST
Seoul must be prepared for strengthened scrutiny
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20260201/ed-korea-on-us-currency-monitoring-list
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Thursday (local time). AP-Yonhap
Amid the reignited concerns of a possible hike in U.S. tariffs on Korean imports, the U.S. Department of the Treasury placed Korea on its currency monitoring list along with nine other nations, including China, Japan and Thailand.
This marks the third consecutive time Korea has found itself on the list.
The updated semiannual "Report to Congress on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States" pinned the decision on Korea's $52 billion trade surplus with the U.S. and its current account surplus accounting for 5.9 percent of its GDP. The U.S. Treasury traditionally uses three criteria to assess foreign exchange and the possibility of manipulation — a trade surplus with the U.S. of at least $15 billion, a global current account surplus of 3 percent of GDP and one-way net foreign exchange purchase amounting to 2 percent of GDP.
None of the 10 countries on the list were determined to have manipulative foreign exchange policies. However, the report noted that the recent depreciation of the Korean won does not correspond to Korea's economic fundamentals. This follows U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's Jan. 14 comment that the recent weakness of the won was inconsistent with Korea's strong economic fundamentals, which he also called "undesirable."
The report's timing and reference to the local currency, however, speak both of potential upward pressure on the won as well as a strong push to expedite Korean investment in the U.S.
The soaring won-dollar foreign exchange rate hangs over the Korean economic landscape, even as exports surge on the rally of semiconductors and cars. Intensive capital outflows have driven down the Korean won, as retail investors bet on the U.S. market and firms hold onto cash reserves, among other factors. Authorities have struggled to curb the depreciation.
The high won-dollar exchange rate led to top Seoul officials publicly speaking about the difficulty of implementing the annual $20 billion investment into the U.S. toward the $350 billion goal, as part of the tariff agreement the two countries reached last year. Frustrated by what he perceived as a delay in a special bill supporting Korea’s investment in the U.S., U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened to raise the tariff rate from 15 percent to 25 percent.
Seoul's top senior trade officials, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, have stepped up efforts to communicate that Korea's U.S. investments will go forward, with Yeo still in Washington as of Sunday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will leave Wednesday. Instead of doubting Seoul's commitment to the bilateral tariff agreement and signaling further scrutiny of foreign exchange policies, the U.S. should interpret these efforts as a reaffirmation that Korea will live up to its word.
The inclusion of Korea on the Treasury's monitoring list is likely to have a limited impact on the local currency, market analysts say. What is evident is that the U.S. approach to major trading partners will only grow more aggressive and wide-ranging, requiring vigilance and counter-responses. In its report, the Treasury said that it will broadly analyze countries' use of government policies, including use of government investment vehicles or pension funds, and foreign exchange swaps. Korea's National Pension Fund is the third-largest in the world and is therefore likely to be studied.
Just as Seoul deployed a full-court press strategy in last year's negotiations to land on a 15 percent tariff on Korean exports in return for the $350 billion investment in the United States, the U.S. is deploying a similar strategy. Seoul authorities should be ready with tariff, investment and foreign exchange policies. Korea cannot simply deploy its top officials only after a crisis arises; it must find and maintain a diverse and constant line of communication with the United States.
10. AI Translation Beats Human in Korean Literary Contest
Summary:
A blind test by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea compared a professional English translation with one produced by ChatGPT for Joseon-era poet Jang Yu’s Shindokjam (Caution When Alone). Sixteen Korean English-literature professors judged the versions without knowing authorship. Twelve preferred ChatGPT, two preferred the human translator, and two said it was too close to call. Supporters cited stronger cultural fit and style, such as choosing “Heaven” over “Sky” for a Confucian frame, and better rhythm and parallelism. Dissenters cited fewer ungrammatical lines and a more natural title in the human version. Experts argued LLM scale and context handling now make Korean-to-English translation competitive, while warning that proofreading remains essential.
AI Translation Beats Human in Korean Literary Contest
12/16 English professors preferred ChatGPT's Joseon-era poem translation, underscoring AI's literary capabilities
By Park Jin-seong
Published 2026.02.02. 00:57
https://www.chosun.com/english/travel-food-en/2026/02/02/TTXCFMS2MJEINIZANZ5WVZB54Q/
An artificial intelligence (AI) and a human engaged in a competition to translate a Korean literary work into English. Who won?
Recently, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted a blind test with 16 domestic English literature professors. The test compared an English version translated by a professional translator and one translated by ChatGPT for the Joseon-era poet Jang Yu’s poem *Shindokjam* (Caution When Alone), slated for export to English-speaking markets. Without revealing the translators’ identities, the professors were shown the original Korean text and the two translations and asked which was better. As a result, 12 professors chose the ChatGPT translation, 2 selected the human translation, and 2 declared it “undecidable.”
Graphics by Baek Hyeong-seon
◇AI Translation Wins… “Language Learning Volume Surpasses Threshold”
Professors who supported the AI praised the ChatGPT translation for its deep understanding of Korean history and culture and its effective preservation of the original’s rhythm and style. For example, in the line “If you think the sky above and the earth below will not know what I have done, whom are you trying to deceive?” the human translator rendered “sky” as “Sky,” while ChatGPT used “Heaven.” Considering the author was a Confucian scholar, “Heaven,” which carries a divine concept, was deemed more appropriate than the physical “Sky.” Other evaluations noted, “The parallelism of the original was well expressed in English literary terms,” and “The concise word count preserves the original’s feel.”
Professors who preferred the human translation cited “fewer non-grammatical sentences” and “a more natural title translation.” One professor who declared it undecidable said, “If one of these were an AI translation, it would be difficult to argue which is better, as the difference was not significant,” adding, “It should be noted that AI has advanced to the point where it is hard to distinguish from human translation.”
Experts assess that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are designed to understand context well, giving them an inherent strength in translation, and that their learning volume has reached a mature stage. Choi Byung-ho, a research professor at Korea University’s Human-Inspired AI Research Center, said, “At least in Korean-to-English translation, it has reached a level where it can replace human translators,” adding, “It is safe to assume that all publicly available data on the web has already been learned, and the learning volume has surpassed a critical threshold.”
The test was conducted by the office of Democratic Party of Korea Representative Min Hyung-bae, a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee. Representative Min said, “AI is already an irreversible reality,” and “While leveraging AI’s efficiency, it is time to consider the cultural context and ethics unique to humans.”
◇‘World Literature Collection’ Stronghold Cracked… Absurd Mistranslations Like “I Don’t Care”
As AI’s translation skills have improved, publishers previously seen as strongholds for “World Literature Collections,” such as Minumsa and Munhakdongne, are emerging. They are using AI to translate works by masters whose copyright protection periods (70 years after the author’s death) have expired, without spending money.
Translation examples from The Odyssey /Courtesy of Park Jin-sung
Recently, a publisher that has released science and technology academic books for over 30 years became a topic of discussion in the publishing industry. From last October, they released 12 books, including *The Little Prince* and *Metamorphosis*, in just three months. This publisher, without professional translators, used Gemini for translation and had human editors review the translations. The problem arose with their translation of Homer’s epic *The Odyssey*: “Futile conversation is useless. Alppano? (It’s none of my business).” New slang like “Kingbapne! (I’m pissed!)” and “Subuljae (self-inflicted disaster)” also appeared in classical translations. The publisher’s representative said, “We couldn’t afford translation fees, so we used AI translation. We intentionally left the slang translations to facilitate fun communication between generations.”
◇“Human Translators Will Use AI”
Overseas, business models where humans and AI collaborate have emerged. The UK-based *GlobeScribe* started a service last summer offering to translate a book for 100 dollars (approximately 145,000 Korean won). Considering that the minimum translation fee for a novel of around 1,000 manuscript pages in Korea is 3–4 million won, this is very affordable. The publisher has AI translate most of the text, with human translators refining parts with high literary value or complexity. British translators are protesting. Ian Giles, president of the Society of Authors and Translators, told *The Guardian*, “Claiming that AI can match or even surpass the delicate work of human translators is completely wrong.”
Domestic translator Noh Seung-young said, “Since AI learns and uses translation sentences that humans have refined, most existing translated books will soon be sufficient with AI,” adding, “However, proofreading has become more important to prevent poor translations from AI.”
11. AI is upon us. So why is Korea still fixated on rote-learning?
Summary:
In South Korea, anxiety about AI-driven job disruption is rising, yet families stay locked into rote-learning and private tutoring because the old success ladder still governs life chances. A mother who publicly criticizes cram-school culture privately spends about 2 million won a month, fearing she cannot gamble with her son’s future while AI’s impact remains unclear. Parents cite headlines that AI could disrupt even high-status professions, but they lack credible alternatives, so they double down on elite university entry and professional licenses. Students report that pedigree still dominates hiring and social trust, making AI risk feel abstract. Experts expect change, but slowly, unless admissions and employment signals shift.
AI is upon us. So why is Korea still fixated on rote-learning?
koreaherald.com · Shin Ji-hye, Lee Yeon-jae · February 1, 2026
Anxiety over AI-driven job disruption is growing. But until new paths to success become clearer, many are sticking to the beaten track: elite colleges, coveted licenses
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10665304
Parents and students look through admissions reference charts at a briefing on projected cutoff scores and application strategies for the 2026 regular admissions, hosted by Jongro Academy at the Millennium Hall of Sungkyunkwan University’s 600th Anniversary Memorial Hall in Jongno District, Seoul, on Jan. 7. (Yonhap)
Bae Hyun-jin (not her real name), 46, is an activist who openly opposes South Korea’s private education culture.
Yet she carries a secret.
She currently spends about 2 million won ($1,380) a month on private tutoring for her high-school-aged son, hoping like most Korean parents that he can get into an elite university.
Her spending amounts to more than half of South Korea’s average monthly salary of 3.73 million won.
While publicly criticizing a society “sickened by private education,” Bae finds herself trapped in a dilemma: In a country where the university someone goes to still largely determines their life chances, she feels unable to withdraw her child from the academic rat race.
Recently, another layer of anxiety has been added.
Despite quietly investing in private education, Bae says she cannot ignore the steady stream of news warning that artificial intelligence will replace workers in white-collar jobs.
Her anxiety has grown, but she says there is little she can do. Cutting back on tutoring is not even under consideration.
“They say AI is reshaping hiring, but I honestly don’t know anything,” she said. “Even if AI replaces jobs in the future, I can’t tell my child to stop preparing for this and start preparing for something else instead.”
“With things like coding, where replacement is already visible, I can at least say, ‘That’s not the path,’” she said. “But for other professional fields, the changes aren’t yet tangible, so I don’t know what to do.”
Parents look through college admissions materials at a briefing hosted by Jongro Academy on 2026 regular admissions score predictions and strategies at Sejong University Convention Center in Gwangjin District, Seoul, on Jan. 14. (Newsis)
Anxious parents, uncertain students
One clear formula for success has long dominated in Korea: intense study for the largely multiple-choice college entrance exam, followed by entrance to a prestigious university. This then opens the door to a conglomerate job or becoming a member of a high-paying white-collar profession, such as a doctor, lawyer or accountant.
In some ways, parents say, it used to be simpler. You might end up paying millions of won on cram schools, but there was a reliable path to follow, and a clear target to aim for.
But as the AI era begins to take shape, albeit at an early stage, many parents and students find themselves disoriented.
In 2023, the Bank of Korea warned that high-income professions such as medicine, law and accountancy were highly vulnerable to AI disruption. Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also said AI could soon replace doctors and lawyers.
Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also said AI could soon replace doctors and lawyers. (Yonhap)
A survey of 1,225 employers and an analysis of roughly 3 million job postings conducted by Randstad, the world’s largest recruitment services firm, showed this month that about 38 percent of employers plan to hire fewer workers this year than last year because of AI.
For Koreans who have spent years fixated on elite universities and professional careers, such headlines only amplify anxiety without offering actionable alternatives.
Ryu Eun-hye, a 47-year-old mother of a first-year high school daughter, spends 1.5 million won a month on private education and plans to increase that amount when her daughter enters her second year.
“I’m anxious. My daughter is anxious. We’re both anxious,” she said.
“For those who study well and have fixed goals, they seem fine. But for ordinary students like my daughter, I don’t know what to tell her,” Ryu said.
“A few years ago, people said learning to code was the key to preparing for the future. Now that was replaced (by AI) first,” she said. “The problem is that nobody knows what will be replaced next.”
She said if AI had already replaced everything, it would be much easier to choose. But now, it is not. So she can’t be the only parent who pulls out of private education.
“Maybe children who grow up fully in the AI era will educate their own kids differently,” Ryu said. “But for parents like us, who grew up believing 'SKY' universities, elite professions and big companies define success, it’s not easy to prepare our children for a completely different path.”
"SKY" refers to the top three universities in South Korea -- Seoul National, Korea and Yonsei.
An advertising slogan displayed in the private academy district of Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
Lee Byung-hoon, honorary professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, says the anxiety among students and parents is real and expanding.
“AI’s job threat is fundamentally different from past disruptions,” he said. “The speed of change is frightening. When artificial general intelligence emerges, it will raise questions about whether human labor itself can be sustained.”
“Parents and students investing in education now may increasingly worry that no amount of studying can protect them from AI,” he said.
He predicted that the obsession with going to university no matter what may change in the future, albeit slowly.
“If a degree no longer guarantees employment or reward, some may conclude it’s better to enter skilled trades or service sectors that AI cannot replace.”
Professional paths still seen as 'guaranteed' route to success
In the meantime, many students and parents remain focused on immediate goals.
A 21-year-old student surnamed Lee, who is preparing to retake the college entrance exam, said the idea of AI replacing professionals does not seem to have set in yet.
“People say professionals will be replaced, but top students still want medical school or law school,” she said. “Korea still values academic pedigree. From a student’s perspective, AI disruption ranks low in priorities,” she said.
She added that many applicants still “lower their major” to gain admission to higher-ranked universities, referring to the practice of choosing less competitive fields to improve their chances of acceptance.
“Maybe it’s because we haven’t experienced it ourselves.”
The private academy district in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, on Dec. 21, 2025. (Newsis)
Another college applicant, 21, surnamed Choi, who is also preparing to retake the entrance exam in hopes of majoring in artificial intelligence, said the uncertainty itself is unsettling.
“The idea that AI could replace professional jobs feels anxiety-inducing,” she said. “Technology is advancing so fast that the job structure could change dramatically.”
“But the belief that academic pedigree and professional careers guarantee stability and social trust remains strong. That’s why entrance exams and professional competition will remain intense.”
A mother to a high school student who wished to remain anonymous strongly believed in academic pedigree — even in the AI era.
“No matter how much AI mimics humans, I don't think it can replace them completely,” she said. “Money stays with those who already have it. Inequality will worsen. The ladder to cross classes is studying.”
“Academic pedigree is the only thing that lasts. It’s been that way for centuries and can’t be changed. There’s a sense of comfort that academic credentials provide.”
Education professor Yang Jung-ho of Sungkyunkwan University said private education spending is unlikely to decline for the time being.
“As long as Korea’s admissions system remains unchanged, private education will continue,” he said.
“People talk about doctors being replaced, but until those effects are felt directly, it’s hard to respond in any concrete way. There’s a lot of talk, but few visible changes.”
“From a student’s perspective, getting into a good university still offers the most advantage when choosing a career, which makes AI disruption harder to feel.”
Many young people currently preparing for professional careers continue to see them as the last viable route.
A CPA exam candidate shared a similar view: “I don’t feel it strongly yet. AI usage will increase, but a 100 percent replacement is impossible. Experts are still needed to use AI.”
A Yonsei University sophomore majoring in food and nutrition is preparing for a college transfer exam to switch into veterinary medicine. She believes the job of a dietitian can be replaced by AI, but that of veterinarians will not be.
“In professions directly handling life, like doctors, it is unclear where the accountability for AI errors lies,” she explained.
shinjh@heraldcorp.com
ylee221@heraldcorp.com
koreaherald.com · Shin Ji-hye, Lee Yeon-jae · February 1, 2026
12. Only One Who Will Smile at 9·19 Military Agreement Restoration
Summary:
The column argues that restoring the 9·19 Military Agreement will be a unilateral concession that creates real security gaps while giving north Korea leverage. It claims the Lee Jae Myung government has already made major outreach moves, including halting anti-north Korea broadcasts and adjusting frontline guidelines in ways seen as favoring the North. The author says north Korea repeatedly violated the 2018 agreement, including West Sea artillery drills and drone incursions, before its suspension in June 2024. He adds the deal was structurally unfair, especially the no-fly restrictions and West Sea buffer geometry. He warns Kim Jong-un will bank the gain and demand compensation, possibly timed to POTUS’s Beijing trip.
Comment: Kim Jong Un is happy because it means his political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies are successful and this leads to a weakening of alliance readiness and creates alliance friction to support his long term objective to drive a wedge in the alliance to force US troops off the peninsula.
Paper alone does not trump steel. Paper alone cannot guarantee the security of the ROK. Paper alone will not reduce tensions.
What concrete, verifiable reciprocity can Seoul demand before it accepts any renewed limits on surveillance, reconnaissance, and frontline readiness? Can there be any real reciprocity from the north?
When can we play the Who's famous song: "Won't Get Fooled Again?"
Only One Who Will Smile at 9·19 Military Agreement Restoration
[Taepyeongno] Lee Jae Myung's Unilateral Move Benefits Only Kim Jong-un Amid Security Risks
By Yang Seung-shik
Published 2026.02.01. 23:46
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2026/02/01/NFZIBFUJRVEDDMXFZFPR7LKAHM/
In January, citizens at Seoul Station's concourse watch the live broadcast of President Lee Jae Myung's New Year press conference. The president says he will restore the September 19 military agreement that day. /News1
The restoration of the 9·19 Military Agreement is becoming a reality. The Lee Jae Myung government has done everything to engage in dialogue with North Korea. Within a month of taking office, it halted anti-North Korea broadcasts, which North Korea strongly dislikes—a first in 50 years. In September of last year, it issued guidelines to frontline units that shifted the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) standards more favorably toward the North, a line defended with blood by South Korean troops during the Korean War. No previous administration had dared to do this. Compared to such actions, restoring the military agreement seems almost easy. North Korea has not responded at all to the South’s moves to restore the agreement. If the government proceeds anyway, it will be a unilateral measure. The Lee Jae Myung administration surely knows the risks of creating serious security vulnerabilities.
Looking back, the Democratic Party-led governments have always approached North Korea this way. Inter-Korean dialogue is necessary, but the Democratic Party has consistently overestimated North Korea as a benevolent entity. While North Korea has always been our main adversary, the party has been trapped in the romanticism of “shared ethnicity,” offering overly generous assessments. The current government’s belief that restoring the military agreement poses no problem stems from this mindset. It trusts that even if South Korean military vigilance in frontline areas weakens, North Korea will not exploit this goodwill as an attack. However, history has proven otherwise. During the Sunshine Policy, North Korea conducted nuclear tests, and while pretending to engage in dialogue, it secretly strengthened its nuclear capabilities.
North Korea was the first to break the military agreement. Both Koreas signed the September 2018 agreement, but North Korea ignored it within a year. In November 2019, it conducted artillery drills in the “West Sea Buffer Zone,” where military use was prohibited, with Kim Jong-un personally overseeing the exercise. In December 2022, five North Korean drones penetrated South Korean airspace, reaching near the presidential office in Yongsan. North Korea violated the agreement 3,600 times before the Yoon Suk-yeol government suspended its validity in June 2024. Yet, this government ignores these facts. Recently, it claimed that the “South Korean drone incursion” incident—where civilians allegedly sent drones to North Korea—occurred because South Korea violated the agreement. Government officials stated, “If the military agreement had remained in force, drones could not have been flown in frontline areas.” It is confusing whether the government prioritizes its own citizens or North Korea.
The 9·19 Military Agreement was unfair from the start. The Moon Jae-in administration intentionally overlooked this. The “no-fly zone” restricting surveillance and reconnaissance activities in frontline areas was one-sidedly favorable to North Korea, which lacks such assets. The West Sea buffer zone was falsely announced as “40 km for both North and South,” but it was actually 50 km for the North and 85 km for the South, based on the Northern Limit Line (NLL). There were many other issues, but criticism was minimal at the time due to the peace atmosphere promoted by the Moon Jae-in government.
However, the situation now is entirely different. Kim Jong-un has no reason or will to engage with the South Korean government. Strengthened North Korea-China-Russia ties, following the Ukraine war, mean there is no reason for North Korea to engage with South Korea or the U.S. Even if dialogue occurs after the unilateral restoration of the military agreement, it will be problematic. South Korea would have to plead with North Korea for reciprocal measures after weakening its own frontline readiness. North Korea will not accept South Korea’s demands without compensation.
Nevertheless, President Lee Jae Myung seems determined to create a scene where he shakes hands and smiles with Kim Jong-un. There are reports that the government plans to restore the military agreement before April, when U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing is scheduled. The only person who will smile from this unilateral restoration is Kim Jong-un.
De Oppresso Liber,
David Maxwell
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
https://apstrategy.org/
Executive Director, Korea Regional Review
https://www.upi.com/Korea-Regional-Review/
Editor-at-large, Small Wars Journal
https://smallwarsjournal.com/
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
Phone: 202-573-8647
email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com
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