It looks like the Coupang data breach issue is far worse than originally suspected:
Choi Woo-hyuk, director general of the science ministry’s cybersecurity bureau, speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Feb. 10, 2026. (Yonhap)
A joint public-private probe into a major data breach case at the South Korean unit of U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. has confirmed that over 33.6 million accounts have been exposed, the science ministry said Tuesday, suggesting the company may have sought to play down the incident by initially claiming only some 3,000 had been compromised.
The South Korean unit, Coupang Corp., also failed to promptly report the incident despite related regulations, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
“The science ministry concluded the incident as being a major breach case leading to a massive leak of information involving the country’s top online commerce platform,” Choi Woo-hyuk, director general of the ministry’s cybersecurity bureau, said during a press briefing.
Another sign of improving relations between the ROK and Japan. Hopefully we continue to see positive cooperation like this between two countries that should be natural allies:
South Korea and Japan agreed Friday to resume joint naval search and rescue exercises for the first time in nine years as they seek to strengthen defense cooperation, according to the defense ministry.
The agreement came as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, met at the Yokosuka base of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force to discuss regional security cooperation and ways to deepen the two nations’ defense cooperation and exchange.
“Both ministers concurred on activating personnel and unit exchange to boost mutual understanding and trust between the South Korean military and the Japanese Self-Defense Force,” the ministry said in a joint press release, mentioning the resumption of the joint drills for humanitarian purposes as an example.
The next time someone checks into a Lotte Hotel they could be getting their key card from a robot:
Lotte Hotels & Resorts has joined a government-backed effort to develop humanoid robots tailored for hotel operations, marking the first time a Korean hotel group has participated in a national program focused on next-generation service robotics.
The company said it was selected as the lead operator in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources’ “core robot technology development” project and will take part in the so-called K-Humanoid Alliance, a consortium of government agencies, universities and technology firms working on advanced humanoid platforms.
You would think they would just wrap up all these charges into one trial, but here we are with 8 trials:
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive his first court verdict on charges stemming from his December 2024 imposition of martial law later this week, officials said Thursday.
The Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing hearing of Yoon’s trial on special obstruction of public duty and other charges in connection to his failed martial law bid at 2 p.m. Friday.
It marks Yoon’s first sentencing of the eight cases he is standing trial on, including over charges he led an insurrection through his Dec. 3 martial law declaration in 2024.
Friday’s sentencing centers on charges Yoon blocked investigators from detaining him in January last year, violated the rights of nine Cabinet members who were not called to a meeting to review his martial law plan, and drafted and destroyed a revised proclamation after the decree was lifted.
If the ruling party tries to stop this proposal it will be a sign that the crime data will likely show most foreigner crime comes from China:
A lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require the government to compile and publish crime statistics involving foreign nationals, broken down by nationality and visa status, claiming the need for more precise data to guide immigration and public safety policies.
Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition People Power Party submitted a revision to the Immigration Control Act on Monday that would require the Ministry of Justice to compile and publish comprehensive annual statistics — including border crossings, foreign resident status and crimes involving foreign nationals — broken down by nationality and type of stay.
The move reflects a growing push in Seoul for data‑driven evidence as Korea’s population rapidly diversifies. By demanding detailed breakdowns, proponents hope to move beyond generalizations, even as critics warn that such disclosures risk stigmatizing migrants and fueling an already sensitive national debate over immigration.
Sad news that the lKorean actor Ahn Sung-ki has passed away:
Ahn Sung-ki, one of the country’s most beloved actors, widely known for his warm public image and decades-long contributions to Korean cinema, died Monday. He was 74.
He had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit of a Seoul hospital after collapsing while choking on food at his home Tuesday.
He died at the hospital at around 9 a.m., surrounded by his family, according to the Korea Film Actor’s Association.
That is a question the Korea Times decided to look into and this is what was determined:
Navy officer Lee Jee-ho, center, is seen with his father Lee Jae-yong, right, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, and his grandmother Hong Ra-hee, director of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, during the commissioning ceremony held at the Naval Academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on Nov. 28. Yonhap
Another factor that may have influenced the choices of chaebol heirs is the changing social image of Korea’s military institutions. In recent years, the Army has been embroiled in repeated political controversies and organizational challenges which have taken a toll on its public standing. Issues related to soldiers’ rights, problematic remarks and issues with leadership accountability have fueled criticism that political considerations are increasingly overshadowing the core principles of military professionalism.
By contrast, the Navy has largely remained insulated from such controversies, preserving a stable organizational culture centered on professionalism and international cooperation. This distinction naturally leads chaebol families, who tend to weigh service conditions carefully and consider long-term implications, to view the Navy favorably.
For chaebol offspring, serving as a naval officer can therefore be seen not merely as the fulfillment of an honorable duty, but as an opportunity to accumulate skills and experience essential for future business leadership. In today’s global business environment where collaboration with international clients, partners, and governments is indispensable, international awareness, organizational management capability and crisis leadership are critical assets.
Naval service offers hands-on exposure to complex operational planning, coordination among diverse teams and sustained interaction with foreign counterparts, allowing these competencies to develop organically. For heirs expected to one day lead major corporations or expand global networks, such experience constitutes invaluable real-world training.
You can read more at the link, but I tend to agree with the analysis that the many global engagements the ROK Navy does compared to serving in the other military branches is probably what makes it more appealing to these chaebol heirs. With that said I think it is pretty cool that these heirs are doing their mandatory service and not trying to skip out on it.
It is being reported that President Lee is going to be asking China to help get North Korea return to talks. I don’t see why the North Koreans would want to pursue talks right now when all their needs are being provided by the Russians currently:
President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to China early next week for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday, with the leaders expected to discuss ways to strengthen strategic cooperation and bilateral economic ties.
Lee is scheduled to depart for Beijing on Sunday for summit talks with Xi. On next Tuesday, Lee will travel to Shanghai before returning home on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a briefing.
The meeting will be the leaders’ second since their first summit talks on Nov. 1 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
