Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

North Korea revealed on Christmas Day that it is building an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine, suggesting that the vessel is approaching the final stages of external construction. State media said Kim Jong-un had inspected the project alongside his daughter, widely known as Kim Ju-ae. The submarine was described as a "nuclear shield" and a "nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine."

Photographs released by North Korean media show that the submarine's outer structure is largely complete. Submarines are typically built by assembling external hull blocks before installing internal systems, meaning that visible progress on the exterior usually indicates that construction has advanced considerably. If the assessment is accurate, North Korea may be nearing the point of possessing a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, or SSBN. That would place it far ahead of Korea, which has only recently begun debating the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines.

Pyongyang did not disclose the date of Kim's inspection, raising the possibility that the announcement was timed deliberately. It may have been intended as a "Christmas message" to the United States, while also responding to remarks made a day earlier by national security officials in Seoul that South Korea and the United States had agreed on the need for a separate bilateral arrangement related to cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines. Kim has previously denounced South Korea's pursuit of such vessels as an attack on maritime sovereignty and a security threat requiring a firm response. The irony is hard to miss: North Korea is criticizing a program South Korea has yet to begin while unveiling a submarine whose exterior appears nearly complete.

The more pressing issue is South Korea's security reality. Since taking power, Kim Jong-un has focused relentlessly on advancing nuclear and missile capabilities. A nuclear-powered submarine would represent another major leap. Such vessels can theoretically remain submerged for extended periods, making them extremely difficult to detect once deployed. If armed with nuclear warheads, they could threaten not only nearby South Korea but also targets at much greater distances, including the United States. Dismissing these developments on the grounds that North Korean weapons remain unproven would be a mistake. Military authorities must accelerate the development of strategies and tactics suited to this emerging threat and move swiftly to secure weapons systems capable of countering it.

Many analysts argue that North Korea, constrained by years of economic hardship, lacks the industrial base to develop such technology independently. Attention therefore turns to Russia, with whom Pyongyang has drawn closer since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The resemblance between the reported 8,700-ton submarine and Russia's Akula-class SSBNs has fueled speculation of external assistance. Seoul should now mount a full diplomatic effort to block deeper military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Strengthening deterrence through the South Korea-U.S. alliance and combined forces is essential. Given the possibility of technology acquisition through cyber means, coordinated measures are also needed to prevent illicit transfers involving domestic and foreign defense firms.

Ultimately, the most effective counter to a nuclear-powered submarine is possessing the same class of vessel. The push by Lee Jae Myung to introduce nuclear-powered submarines should therefore proceed with greater urgency.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Cho Jung-woo and read by an artificial voice.

From traditional Korean music to K-pop, electric and energetic performances warmed up Seoul City Hall on a bitterly cold Christmas Day.

The usually hushed lobby of the City Hall building in central Seoul was transformed into a packed concert hall as dancers took the stage for the final round of the K-Performance Contest, held as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's annual Winter Festa.

"It was such a good atmosphere, especially on Christmas, seeing so many families and others coming together to watch the performances," said Rebecca Hannam, a tourist from Australia who has been backpacking in Korea for a month.

She said she decided to stop by with a friend after visiting the nearby Seoul Plaza ice skating rink.

"It was beautiful to see the integration," she said. "There was traditional music but also pop elements. I loved seeing how history and modern culture worked together so harmoniously."

Twelve teams competed in the final round on Thursday: six from the general division and six from the minor division. The finalists were selected from 40 teams that applied and competed in the preliminary rounds.

The competition, originally scheduled to take place at Gwanghwamun Square, was moved indoors to City Hall at the last minute because of strong winds.

But the change in venue did little to dampen the energy.

Shouts and gasps filled the indoor space as performers delivered tightly coordinated routines. At one point, a cheerleader from Apeiron, a cheerleading team at Gachon University, was tossed high into the air and completed a flawless turn, soaring close enough to the ceiling to draw nervous laughter from the crowd.

Team Asrua, a taekwondo demonstration group, shattered pine boards with precise kicks and punches while dressed in Santa costumes. Heeye delivered a charismatic blend of geommu (a traditional sword dance) and bamboo cutting.

Most of the teams built their performances around storylines that wove traditional dance and music with modern elements. Traditional costumes and accessories such as the gat, a traditional Korean men's hat, flowed across the stage, along with bold colors like red and blue, symbolizing the Taegeuk mark.

After the performances, three judges, including Song Hyeong-jong, the head of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, along with two choreographers, evaluated the contestants and selected the winners.

Every team left with an award and a cash prize, from grand prize to gold, silver and bronze, though only one team in each division claimed the top honor.

In the general division, African Dance Company Tagg took the grand prize with a performance set to Afro-Arirang (Korean folk song). The group had won the team division at World of Dance Korea last year.

The top prize in the minor division went to Welboss Crew, whose tightly synchronized routine evoked Korean spirit through the sweeping red and blue fabric that rippled across the stage as they performed.

The grand prize winners received 4 million won ($2,770) in the general division and 2 million won in the minor division, along with an invitation to perform at the New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony on Wednesday, the final night of the year.

The K-performance contest was one of several attractions at the Seoul Winter Festa.

The festival, which began on Dec. 12 and runs through Jan. 4, features annual attractions such as the Gwanghwamun Market and the lantern festival that runs in and along Cheonggyecheon. This year, special additional programs include the Winter Sleeping Contest on Saturday and a silent K-pop dance party on Sunday, both set to take place at City Hall.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, over 4.87 million people have already visited or taken part in Winter Festa programs this year, from Dec. 12 through Sunday.

This article is by Lee Jae-lim and read by an artificial voice.

[NEWS ANALYSIS]

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Hanwha Philly Shipyard to build a new class of frigates for the U.S. Navy, but unresolved regulatory hurdles and labor shortages may ultimately determine how deeply the Korean shipbuilder can participate in Trump's vision of a "Golden Fleet."

Trump's mention of Hanwha on Tuesday in connection to the U.S. Navy's FF(X) frigate project has renewed the push for bilateral shipbuilding cooperation between the two countries, formed during the summer as a trade-off for lowered tariffs, involving a $150 billion investment, a project dubbed Make America Shipbuilding Great Again (Masga). The comments also sent shares of Hanwha Ocean rallying 12.5 percent on Tuesday compared to the previous trading day.

As production capacity erodes at major U.S. shipbuilders such as Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics, Hanwha Philly Shipyard has emerged as a potential alternative hub for advanced naval construction. The company has pledged up to $5 billion to modernize the aging Philadelphia facility and rebuild its work force.

In the near term, Hanwha is expected to focus on producing hull blocks and modular components for other U.S. shipyards. Whether it can eventually take on a more central role - building complete warships or even nuclear-powered submarines - will hinge on lawmakers' willingness to ease legal restrictions and on the company's ability to secure local and political support.

Is $5 billion enough?

Industry observers remain skeptical that $5 billion alone can transform the Philadelphia shipyard into a truly high-tech operation. Hanwha acquired the facility for just $100 million last year, showing how far the site had fallen from modern shipbuilding standards.

According to the company, the investment aims to boost annual vessel output from roughly 1.5 ships to 20. Even so, critics argue the price tag highlights the fragility of the U.S. industrial base rather than its revival.

"It underscores just how weakened the U.S. industrial base has become," said an industry source who requested anonymity. "A shipyard capable of producing 15 ships a year would be considered a small-to-mid-sized facility in Korea, yet building such a facility in the United States will cost more than 7 trillion won [$5 billion]."

Moreover, capital alone will not solve the problem. Hanwha must also recruit and train workers in an industry facing severe labor shortages. U.S. law prohibits foreign workers from building American warships, further narrowing the talent pool, while turnover remains high across the sector.

Despite government efforts to attract younger workers, progress has been slow. The U.S. shipbuilding work force stood at just 105,000 in 2023, according to a Maritime Administration report, just a fraction of the well over 1 million workers employed at the industry's peak in the 1940s.

According to Hanwha, however, direct employment has grown by 30 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 126 new workers hired. Facility investment is being rolled out in phases, with plans to replace 23 percent of its core equipment to enhance productivity. Maintenance and repair work on the Goliath crane is also scheduled to begin soon.

"The completion of shipyard overhaul is expected to take five to seven years," said another shipbuilding official who requested anonymity. "Whether that road map will align with Trump's fast-forwarded 'Golden Fleet' timeline is uncertain."

Questions also remain regarding the facility's ultimate profitability due to high hurdles posed by the United States' higher labor costs compared to Korea, poor infrastructure and specialized naval vessel components that must be imported at high cost.

Hanwha's fascination with nuclear subs

Hanwha's attention is now on how to enter the U.S. warship market, more specifically, nuclear-powered submarines.

Hanwha Philly Shipyard is seeking to take part in the U...

This article is by Sarah Chea, Park Eun-jee and read by an artificial voice.

[NEWS ANALYSIS]

A Seoul court on Wednesday dismissed an injunction sought by MBK Partners-Young Poong alliance against Korea Zinc, clearing the way for the company's plan to issue third-party shares for its $7.4 billion investment project in the United States.

The ruling removes a key legal obstacle that had threatened to derail Korea Zinc's smelting facility in Tennessee, which could allow the U.S. government to own roughly 10 percent of the Korean company - a move widely viewed as a means for Chairman Choi Yoon-beom to consolidate managerial control.

The Seoul Central District Court dismissed the injunction request in favor of Korea Zinc, explaining the capital raise is essential for the smelter's business.

"Core minerals are subject to high price volatility and supply chain risks, and any disruption could have a significant ripple effect on the broader economy and industry," the court stated. "Korea Zinc's managerial need to scale up production of critical minerals, which are classified as rare metals, is acknowledged."

At the core of the court's reasoning was whether the capital increase constituted a measure "strictly necessary for business management." Under Article 418 of Korea's Commercial Act, third-party allotments are permitted only on an exceptional basis, and solely when demonstrably required for legitimate managerial purposes.

Korea Zinc on Dec. 15 approved $7.4 billion to build a smelting facility in Tennessee, where it will establish a joint venture with the U.S. government, Crucible JV, valued at $1.9 billion. The U.S. participants include the U.S. Department of War and the Department of Commerce.

To finance the project, Korea Zinc authorized a 2.85 trillion won ($1.9 billion) third-party share issuance, with all newly issued shares to be allocated to Crucible JV. If executed as planned, the structure would leave the U.S. government essentially holding a 10.6 percent stake in Korea Zinc through the joint venture.

Such an issuance would significantly reshape the company's shareholder landscape, effectively securing a decisive "casting vote" in favor of Chairman Choi's ongoing conflict with the MBK Partners-Young Poong alliance.

With an expanded share base, the Young Poong side's ownership would decline to roughly 40 percent from 44 percent, while Choi's camp would see its influence rise to nearly 39 percent with the joint venture's stake.

The Young Poong-MBK faction harshly criticized the structure of the investment, arguing that the proposed share issuance is a "tactical maneuver designed to entrench management control."

"It's a clear circumvention that grants favorable equity to a specific party in the midst of a management control dispute," the alliance said. "An abnormal structure exists under which the joint venture would retain a 10 percent stake in Korea Zinc even if a final joint venture agreement were never concluded."

Korea Zinc rejected the criticism, saying that it was a "strategic decision made on national security grounds in response to a strong request from the U.S. government."

The U.S. Department of Commerce on Dec. 15 announced $210 million in direct funding to Korea Zinc under the CHIPS and Science Act, adding that its "critical minerals production in the United States is vital to our country's national and economic security and a win for the U.S. economy."

"This reshoring of critical minerals production is another pillar of this administration's commitment to semiconductor manufacturing in the United States and accelerating the build-out of our most strategic industries," said Michael Grimes, executive director of the U.S. Investment Accelerator.

Update, Dec 24: Additional quotes from court added.

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

[INTERVIEW]

For decades, Korea's tourism industry has been heavily concentrated in and around Seoul. Now, the government is betting that the country's southern coast - stretching from Gwangju and South Jeolla to Busan and Ulsan - can become its next major growth engine.

A wide-area tourism initiative, the name of which roughly translates to "Southern Region Promotion Project," is backed by the central government and aims to transform Korea's southern coast into a globally competitive travel destination by linking broad swaths of the region through shared branding, infrastructure and travel routes. Supporters of the project say it could eventually place the area in the same conversation as destinations like Cancun, Mexico, or the Mediterranean.

Jeollanamdo Tourism Organization CEO Kim Young-sin, who is charged with promoting travel to South Jeolla, shared his vision that the project "could help balance regional development through tourism" in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Monday.

The initiative, which brings together five regions - Gwangju, South Jeolla, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang - began in 2021, when the South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang provincial governments proposed a joint tourism strategy to the central government, which lent its backing.

The plan is straightforward: Use local cultural and natural resources to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and move beyond the capital region.

"If people stay even one additional night," Kim said, "the economic impact changes completely."

Learning from locals

The Southern Region initiative is divided into two broad pillars: development and promotion. Infrastructure and physical development are handled by provincial and city governments, while tourism foundations in each region take charge of promotion, content creation and marketing.

In South Jeolla, Kim's organization oversees two joint projects with other regions to develop tourism routes centered on small cities, in addition to three local initiatives that lean heavily into the province's identity.

"We work around three main concepts: southern cuisine, traditional houses and stays along the Seomjin River," he explained. "We develop tourism products based on these ideas and ultimately connect them to sales. The goal is to revitalize tourism in local communities."

Unlike past tourism initiatives that were largely government-driven, the Southern Region project emphasizes collaboration among government, private businesses and academia.

"That meant gathering opinions took time," Kim said. "But we couldn't move forward without listening to local organizations and tourism experts on the ground."

He pointed to Jupo Hanok Village in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla, as an example. Nestled beside the sea, the village is home to around 50 traditional Korean houses. The village's tight-knit community necessitated extensive consultation with residents before development and promotion could move ahead.

"But once [the project] was completed," Kim said, "the residents were genuinely happy. They welcome visitors warmly. That kind of response makes the entire process worthwhile."

A destination for slowing down

Asked to describe the main appeal of South Jeolla, Kim framed stays in the region as an antidote to the drudgery of modern life.

"The tourist sites here are focused on healing and wellness," he said. "I like to think of South Jeolla as the place people come to when they're tired [...] and just want to breathe."

Choosing a single destination in the region, he admitted, is difficult. Still, given the season, he pointed to Shinan County, which includes an archipelago off South Jeolla's western coast.

"You can experience nature, atmosphere and food all at once in winter in Shinan," he said. At the county's bonsai park, visitors can see camellias in bloom alongside prized bonsai trees. Ja...

Oh Kyung-ah

The author is a garden designer and the CEO of OhGardens.

After two demanding weeks, the garden construction project in Yangyang County has finally come to an end. Garden work is always at the mercy of the weather. Winters along the Yeongdong coast are not known for extreme cold, but wind is a constant and often decisive factor. In spring, the well-known Yanggan winds blow between Yangyang County and Ganseong, and strong gusts are as equally as common in winter. Construction of the garden coincided with a period of persistent winds, making the work physically exhausting for everyone involved.

But the wind does not trouble only people. For plants, it can be lethal. Winds in spring and summer accelerate transpiration, drying out plants just as they begin to absorb water. In areas where winds blow steadily, plants struggle to survive, making those sites the least favored among gardeners.

It may seem, then, that the absence of wind would be ideal for plants. But the reality is more complicated.

A plant's life cycle is centered on producing and dispersing seeds. While some plants rely on bees or butterflies for this task, an estimated 10 to 30 percent of the world's plant species depend on wind. About 70 percent of anemochores, or plants that produce and grow from wind-dispersed seeds, are concentrated in temperate climates, where they take advantage of winter and spring winds. Their seeds come in a variety of forms, all designed for travel.

For example, dandelions attach fine, cotton-like filaments to their seeds, allowing them to drift as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles). Maple seeds, often called helicopter seeds because of their twin wings, can travel about 5 kilometers. Some orchid species produce seeds so light they resemble dust, capable of flying tens of kilometers. During typhoons or powerful storms, seeds have been known to travel distances of up to 200 kilometers.

In short, without the sharp winds of winter, many plants would struggle to produce or spread seeds, putting their survival at risk. Harsh as the wind may be, it serves as a vehicle carrying new life to fresh ground. The more we learn, the clearer it becomes to us that life on Earth has adapted to use climate conditions to its advantage.

Human life is no exception. Yet we often seem to forget this simple and obvious truth, even as we endure the winds that quietly sustain the world around us.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

The author is a professor of international relations at Daegu University.

"Did I make you, or did you make me?"

The line comes from the robot stories of Isaac Asimov, in which a seemingly perfect machine challenges its creator. Three years after the debut of ChatGPT, massive investments in artificial intelligence and soaring stock prices dominate headlines. Yet a more fundamental question has slipped into the background: How far should society allow AI to go?

Even the European Union, which enacted the world's first comprehensive AI law, is now considering delaying parts of the legislation scheduled to take effect in August next year. Persistent pressure from the United States and growing opposition within Europe to what critics call excessive regulation are driving the reassessment. Still, as Asimov's provocation suggests, regulation remains essential if AI is to serve humanity rather than undermine it. The challenge lies in striking a workable balance between innovation and oversight.

The EU's AI Act has been taking effect in stages since Aug. 1 last year. It classifies AI uses into four risk categories and applies different regulatory requirements to each. The "unacceptable risk" category bans AI systems that predict criminal behavior or use emotion recognition in workplaces and schools. Those provisions took effect in February.

By contrast, rules governing "high-risk" applications, originally set to apply from August next year, may be postponed. The European Commission has proposed delaying enforcement of some provisions until December 2027 and others until August 2028.

High-risk systems include AI used in areas that could seriously affect health, safety or fundamental rights. They require human oversight and rigorous checks for rights violations. The rules cover AI used in hiring and workplace management, access to essential public and private services, credit scoring, legal preparation and assessments of evidentiary reliability. Because the commission has formally proposed revisions, any delay must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, which represents member state governments.

The EU has long defined its identity around being the first to regulate AI comprehensively. The law aims to improve transparency by requiring disclosure when AI is used, safeguarding fundamental rights and promoting innovation grounded in risk management. This approach contrasts with the United States and China, which prioritize rapid AI development.

The law applies not only to companies operating within the EU but also to firms outside the bloc that provide AI services to European users or sell AI-related products in Europe. That broad reach explains why jurisdictions such as Japan, Brazil and the U.S. state of California have adopted rules requiring disclosure of AI use. EU regulation has significant global spillover effects.

Yet while the EU sought to set a global standard, the Trump administration has pressed Brussels from the outset to loosen its regulatory stance. In a national security strategy released earlier this month, Washington labeled the EU a "regulatory choke point," accusing EU institutions of infringing on sovereignty. It sharply criticized the commission for imposing large fines on companies such as Meta and X over antitrust violations and data transparency. Shortly after taking office, Trump singled out the EU, which runs a trade surplus with the United States that exceeds $200 billion, calling it an organization "designed to hurt America."

France and Germany, along with major European corporations, have echoed U.S. calls for delay. They argue that compliance would require substantial staffing and costs, and that the law goes beyond what is necessary, putting Europe at a disadvantage in AI competition with the United States and China.

Responsibility for the decision now rests with the European Parliament, where opinions are divided. Center-left parties such as the Social Democrats and...

The author is the president of Taejae University.

Another year is drawing to a close. In retrospect, 2025 stands out as a year in which phenomena and orders once regarded as "normal" in the 20th century collapsed one after another, turning abnormality into a defining feature of the times. The neoliberal order that took shape in the 1980s is unraveling, as countries shift toward protectionist trade and attempt to reorganize the global economic system. Competition and confrontation between the United States, the dominant power of the 20th century, and China, the rising power of the 21st, continue to intensify. Russia is challenging the Western-led order through its invasion of Ukraine, while China and Japan are locked in sharp tension over Taiwan. Since World War II, the risk of war and the expansion of military spending have rarely been as pronounced as they are today. Even in Europe, long shaped by social democratic traditions, right-wing populist politicians are gaining ground. From a conventional perspective, these are deeply abnormal developments.

The arrival of the AI era, accelerated by ChatGPT, has also begun to challenge the foundations of 20th-century professionalism. More than 70 percent of those who pass the certified public accountant exam reportedly fail to obtain full qualification because they cannot secure the required practical training. More than 30 percent of those who pass the bar exam struggle to find jobs and instead apply for training programs through the bar association. Unemployment among people in their 20s and 30s exceeds 360,000, while another 720,000 are neither working nor actively seeking jobs. As AI continues to spread, these abnormal trends are likely to deepen.

Life expectancy is approaching 100 years, yet mandatory retirement remains around age 60, prompting debates over extending retirement ages. Such extensions, however, risk worsening youth unemployment. Korea's average life expectancy stood at just 62 years in 1970, reached 84 in 2024 and is projected to exceed 90 by 2030. The 20th-century model, in which university graduates worked at a single company until retirement, is breaking down. Under mass production systems, it was enough to perform one assigned task well to remain employed until retirement. In the 20th century, economies of scale made large corporations efficient, but organizational bloat and bureaucratization have since eroded that advantage. Today, large firms are not necessarily more efficient than startups or small- and medium-sized enterprises. Seen from a 20th-century lens, the difficulties faced by the protagonist after leaving his company in the JTBC drama "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim" would appear highly abnormal.

University lectures once delivered exclusively by professors in classrooms are now widely accessible from almost anywhere. Computer programmers, once in high demand, are being laid off in large numbers by IT companies. In the United States, Palantir, valued at about 645 trillion won ($500 billion) and ranked among the country's top 20 companies by market value, has abandoned traditional college-degree hiring practices. Instead, it has launched programs to recruit high school graduates directly. The company's reasoning is that a college diploma no longer guarantees competence. Reflecting this shift, college enrollment rates in the United States have fallen sharply, and as many as 125 universities are expected to close or be put up for sale in 2025. Abnormal developments are unfolding on multiple fronts.

Just as rapid industrial change after the start of the 20th century culminated in the Great Depression of 1929, today's transformations are quickly turning what once seemed normal into something abnormal. Yet political leaders, who should be diagnosing these conditions and offering solutions, are responding with another layer of abnormality.

U.S. President Donald Trump has abandoned the soft power through which the United States once led the international or...

The Korean won closed at 1,483.6 per dollar in Seoul's onshore market on Tuesday, its weakest level since April 9, when it touched 1,484.1. Among global currencies, the won's recent decline stands out. Over the past six months, it has lost nearly 10 percent of its value, falling more sharply than the dollar index and even more than many Asian emerging-market currencies. Because exchange rates reflect an economy's underlying strength, the won's descent toward the bottom of the regional pack amounts to a humiliation for Korea's currency.

This historic weakness is not occurring amid a full-blown economic crisis, but it is not without explanation. The United States, with an economy larger than Korea's and powered by big tech, continues to innovate, while Korea's growth remains below its potential rate. Aggressive deficit spending and accommodative monetary policy have widened the interest rate gap between Korea and the United States, increasing liquidity and lowering the cost of money. Investment commitments tied to tariff negotiations with Washington have also added pressure.

Overseas investment by the National Pension Service and individual investors has further weighed on the won. According to a recent financial stability report released by the Bank of Korea, individual investors sold 23 trillion won worth of domestic shares between July and October while buying $10.3 billion, or about 15.28 trillion won, in foreign stocks. When overseas exchange-traded fund investments are included, retail capital outflows appear to have played a meaningful role in the won's slide.

The orthodox solution is to raise growth through structural reform and innovation, to manage macroeconomic policy prudently and to restore Korea's appeal to investors. But those are medium- to long-term tasks. With markets under immediate strain, short-term measures are also needed. Easing foreign exchange regulations, encouraging large companies to sell dollars and reining in excessive overseas stock marketing by securities firms should not be dismissed outright as mere stopgap remedies.

There is controversy over using the National Pension Service as part of currency stabilization efforts, but, in practice, the fund's currency hedging can, in effect, release dollars into the market. If pursued, however, such hedging must become more sophisticated. As Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong has noted, when the timing and decision-making of pension hedging are too transparent, they can invite herd behavior. Revealing one's hand too openly only benefits others in the market.

Some observers say the so-called F4 meeting, which brings together the deputy prime minister for the economy, the central bank governor and the heads of the financial regulators, no longer carries the influence it once did. Three of the four members were appointed under the current administration, while the central bank governor's term ends in April next year. Even so, markets need a clear signal that policy coordination within the F4 remains solid. More than statements, they need to see faster action on short-term measures, including those involving the pension fund.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Yoon Seung-jin and read by an artificial voice.

[Hired in Korea]

As more internationals look to build careers in Korea, many find themselves facing practical hurdles - from limited guidance to a lack of firsthand experience. To bridge that gap, the Korea JoongAng Daily talks with professionals who have carved out their paths in diverse fields, offering readers real-world insights on how to start their careers in the country in this series "Hired in Korea."

Jason Addy, from New York City, was working as an educator when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. With classes moving online and social activities coming to a halt, he found himself feeling bored and disconnected - unable to attend parties, meet friends or teach classes in person.

So, he decided to return to Daegu, where he had previously taught English through a teaching program and had formed close bonds with a host family. Although he had not originally planned to settle in Korea long-term, Addy fell in love with the Korean language, which led him to pursue a master's degree in interpretation and translation at Chung-Ang University.

Today, Addy works as a professional translator, helping globalize popular Korean TV shows such as "King of Mask Singer" (2015-), "Radio Star" (2007-) and "I'm Solo" (2021-). In addition, he has become known as the "foreign face of Daegu," hosting programs on the official YouTube channel of Daegu Metropolitan City.

"I enjoy both jobs, and they're fun in their own ways," Addy said in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. "Through content creation, I get to express my creativity, and through my main job as a translator, I get to watch entertaining TV shows while improving my colloquial Korean skills."

When asked about hosting programs on Daegu's official channel, Addy said he approaches the role with a strong sense of responsibility. As a foreigner representing a city he loves far from his home country, he feels both proud and deeply motivated.

"I'm proud of what I do because I can introduce so many amazing places in Daegu through the eyes of a foreigner," he said. "I always try my best, because I think of Daegu as my second home."

The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Addy to hear more about his journey, the challenges of being a foreign worker in Korea and his advice to those hoping to build a career here.

Q. So, what is your role at your company, and what kind of content do you create on social media?

A. I work as a translator in the globalization team. What we do is proofread and create subtitles for Korean TV shows.

We review the subtitles that freelancers translate, ensure they're formatted correctly and then send them to streaming services. And sometimes we proofread and translate scripts for dramas, or we do synopsis translation for TV shows.

I'm also a content creator.

My experience is unique as a foreigner living in Daegu and staying there for such a long time, to the point where I use the Daegu dialect a lot, and a lot of the content is based around that.

And then other content is just me experiencing different things in Korea through a foreigner's eyes.

How did you start creating content, and what has changed the most for you?

I never intended to make content, but people around me would always tell me to start.

A lot of my friends would tell me, "If you start a YouTube channel, it will be really popular and many people will enjoy it." But I'm not very tech-savvy, and I'm not good at marketing myself, so I didn't try. But a friend of mine told me he would do everything, like filming and editing for me, so I decided to start.

What I think has changed the most in my personal life is how I go about expressing my creativity.

I've done so many things, like taking part in a singing contest and starring in television shows like "Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller" (2019-), leveraging my unique characteristic of using the Daegu dialect.

And because of that, a lot of people, especially those from Daegu, started recogni...