South Korea

Yonhap | English | News | Oct. 15, 2025 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

South Korea and the Philippines are seeking to enhance cooperation in infrastructure development, focusing on smart cities and water management. This initiative was highlighted during a forum held in Manila, where around 30 Korean companies engaged with Filipino authorities from the transport and energy ministries to discuss potential collaboration projects.

The event aimed to facilitate opportunities for Korean engineering, procurement, and construction companies to participate in the Philippines' state-led infrastructure development efforts in transportation, energy, and water management sectors. Korean firms showcased advanced water management and smart city platforms utilizing artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies to the Filipino government.

"북한은 군단급 해킹 조직 운영...정보보호 예산 줄어 우려"

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Oct. 15, 2025 | North Korea

On October 13, during an audit at the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, concerns were raised over the Ministry of Science and ICT's information security budget. Park Chung-kwon of the People Power Party highlighted a decrease in the cyber and information protection budget, arguing that it was inadequate given North Korea's aggressive cyber activities using advanced technologies like deepfakes. He cited budget documents showing a reduction in hacking and virus response system funding for the next year by about 24.8 billion won compared to the current year.

The Ministry of Science and ICT responded that while some specific project budgets had ended due to completion, the overall information protection budget had actually increased by 7.7% for the 2026 budget proposal, reaching 401.2 billion won. This reflects the launch of new initiatives such as an AI-based intrusion response system and continued investments in quantum-resistant cryptography and information protection professional training. The ministry emphasized a general upward trend in the information security budget over recent years despite a slight dip in 2025.

Next year's budget includes allocations of 15 billion won for AI intrusion response system development, 3.6 billion won each for AI ecosystem security technology and quantum-resistant cryptography development, and increased funding for ongoing projects like core information protection technologies and cryptography promotion. These investments aim to strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities in response to growing external threats from sophisticated hacking groups.

Yonhap | English | News | Oct. 15, 2025 | UndeterminedPolitics and Elections

The South Korean interior ministry rejected a request by the foreign ministry last year to increase police personnel at the South Korean Embassy in Cambodia. The request was initially made to address the rising crimes targeting South Koreans in Cambodia, but the interior ministry determined that the workload and number of cases did not justify additional personnel.

Crimes against South Koreans in Cambodia have surged sharply, with official data showing an increase from 81 cases in 2022 to 134 in 2023, and 348 cases last year. In the first half of 2025 alone, 303 cases have already been reported. The current police team at the embassy in Phnom Penh consists of one official and two assistants, who were dispatched in October last year and September this year.

The issue gained national attention following the torture and death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia, which prompted a governmentwide response including congressional audits and calls for stricter measures. The South Korean government has also summoned the Cambodian ambassador, upgraded travel advisories, and is seeking improved cooperation with Cambodian authorities to protect its nationals and prevent further crimes.