South Korea

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Launches Integrated Cloud Data Platform for AI-Driven Healthcare Transformation
Oct. 23, 2025 | Health

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital has unified its clinical and health screening data on a cloud-based platform to establish a comprehensive, AI-ready analytics infrastructure.

**Kangbuk Samsung Hospital implemented a cloud-based integrated clinical data warehouse (CDW) and enterprise data warehouse (EDW), becoming the first hospital in Korea to consolidate both datasets in a software-as-a-service environment.**
Led by the Future Healthcare Center with Duzon Bizon as main contractor, the 16-month project delivers standardized data processing across the organization and underpins enterprise-wide analytical decision-making.

**By linking its screening-clinical CDW with the administrative EDW, the hospital now operates a data-driven intelligent management system.**
Duzon Bizon’s tools for analysis, labeling, and visualization facilitate evidence-based decisions across clinical, administrative, and management functions. The combined repository holds over one million health screening records alongside clinical diagnostic data, opening new avenues for research, product development, and advanced medical services.

**The cloud platform also provides the foundation for integrating artificial intelligence applications that will strengthen the hospital’s competitive position in digital healthcare.**
By 2026, Kangbuk Samsung plans to deploy predictive solutions that assess and improve patients’ health age using routine tests such as chest X-rays and blood panels.

**To drive continuous innovation, the hospital established a data open lab in partnership with Samsung Electronics, Sungkyunkwan University, MicGen, and Weisen.**
Among the joint AI projects is a clinical decision support system designed to optimize hematopoietic-agent prescriptions for dialysis patients. Hospital leadership expects this digital transformation to improve both the quality of medical services and patient access to care.
3D Semiconductor Advancements Reshape AI Infrastructure and Drive Innovation in Process and Packaging Equipment
Oct. 23, 2025 | Technology & Innovation

Three-dimensional semiconductor technologies and innovations in process and equipment are poised to reshape AI infrastructure and accelerate energy-efficient performance across the industry.

**The Tech Summit held on October 21, 2025, in Seoul highlighted the pivotal role of 3D semiconductor processes in next-generation AI infrastructure.**
Executives from Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA agreed that breakthroughs in device structures, memory storage, and manufacturing controls will determine leadership in AI performance and energy efficiency.

**Applied Materials Korea President Park Kwang-sun identified the Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor as a key 3D structure capable of cutting power consumption by 30 percent while boosting performance by 15 percent.**
He explained that the GAA process involves over 500 steps and novel materials, and he called for tighter integration of manufacturing stages to meet the throughput and efficiency demands of AI-era devices.

**Lam Research addressed NAND flash memory, a cornerstone of AI data storage, where performance depends on ever-increasing layer counts.**
Today’s products feature about 300 layers, 400-layer devices are under development, and engineers envision stacks reaching 1,000 layers. Realizing these heights will require advanced high-aspect-ratio etching and ultra-low-temperature processes to form the precise, narrow, tall hole structures critical to 3D NAND.

**KLA Korea focused on metrology and inspection technologies that ensure process control in complex 3D devices such as High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM).**
Continuous operation and elevated heat generation in HBM amplify the impact of defects, making advanced measurement and inspection essential to maintain yield and reliability in high-performance AI systems.

**Building on these front-end advances, LG Electronics is positioning itself to capture a substantial share of the back-end packaging equipment market, which could reach 43 trillion won by 2030 under AI technology demand.**
The company plans to domesticate advanced process tools for AI semiconductors, HBM, and glass substrates through partnerships and internal collaboration within its Production Technology Institute, which has driven efficiency improvements across industries since 1987.

**LG’s Advanced Equipment Technology Research Lab is developing several packaging systems, including HBM surface inspection units; substrate-to-HBM bonding equipment; laser direct imaging (LDI) tools for circuit patterning without photomasks; and laser drilling with automated optical inspection (AOI) for glass-through-via (TGV) processing.**
The lab plans to commercialize a hybrid bonder for HBM by 2028, while delivered HBM inspection equipment continues to undergo refinement.

**At SEDEX 2025 (October 22–24 at COEX), Hanmi Semiconductor will showcase its next-generation packaging equipment.**
The “TC Bonder 4” for HBM4 mass production, the “2.5D Big Die TC Bonder” for 120 mm × 120 mm interposers, and the “Big Die FC Bonder” for 75 mm × 75 mm dies all address ultra-large die and multi-chip integration demands of AI logic devices. Launched in May 2025, the TC Bonder 4 supports HBM4 production with global memory manufacturers planning mass production in early 2026. The Big Die FC Bonder entered the market in September 2025, and the 2.5D Big Die TC Bonder is slated for release next year. Hanmi’s SEDEX participation aims to strengthen ties with domestic IDMs and OSAT providers by demonstrating its leadership in bonder technology.

**Founded in 1980, Hanmi Semiconductor serves roughly 320 customers worldwide and holds the global top position in TC bonders used for HBM production.**
Since 2002, the company has filed over 120 patents related to HBM equipment, reinforcing its competitive edge in advanced packaging tools for AI-driven semiconductor markets.

Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - Oct. 24, 2025


News
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312

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46

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1
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0
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2


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Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.

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N. Korea says it tested 2 hypersonic projectiles, successfully hit target

Yonhap | English | News | Oct. 24, 2025 | North Korea

North Korea announced on October 23, 2025, that it successfully tested two hypersonic projectiles. The projectiles were launched from the Ryokpho District in Pyongyang and accurately hit a target located on the tableland of Kwesang Peak in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province.

The tests are part of North Korea's defense capability development program aimed at improving the sustainability and effectiveness of its strategic deterrence. The Korean Central News Agency described the new hypersonic projectiles as an important addition to the country’s weapon systems.

[토론회] 감축 목표 65%까지 높여야. 시민사회 2035 NDC 긴급 토론회 열어

[Discussion] Reduction target should be raised to 65%. Civil society holds urgent 2035 NDC debate

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy | Local Language | AcademicThink | Oct. 24, 2025 | Climate Change

Civil society organizations have called for raising the country's 2035 greenhouse gas reduction target to 65% compared to 2018 levels, criticizing the government's proposed 48% and 53% targets as inadequate and based on overly optimistic industrial growth projections. They highlighted that the industrial sector, which accounts for about 50% of emissions, is only required to reduce by 15%, leading to a shifting of responsibilities onto the public sector and citizens. The steel industry was singled out for evading responsibility despite its high emissions and lack of implementation of carbon-neutral strategies, with renewable energy use in the sector remaining below 1%.

Calls were also made for concrete climate policies such as a 2035 phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles and the expansion of transport modes linked to public transit to adequately address emissions in the transport sector. Civil society emphasized the importance of including workers and farmers in the climate response planning process to ensure a just transition, noting that their voices and demands have been largely excluded to date. Women farmers and gender perspectives must be incorporated into climate policies, as women face unique climate impacts and have historically been underrepresented in decision-making processes.

Regarding energy policy, activists criticized the current coal phase-out plan as insufficient and not aligned with civil society and international demands for a 2030 coal phase-out. The government's reliance on nuclear power to meet energy demands, particularly from the AI industry, was challenged on grounds of effectiveness, economic feasibility, and social cost. Youth activists stressed that the NDC process should focus on broader social transformation and guaranteeing a safe and livable society, reflecting the Constitutional Court's recognition of the state's duty to protect citizens amid the climate crisis.

The emergency forum, held on October 21, 2025, was hosted by Climate Crisis Emergency Action and included various civil society organizations. It aimed to influence the public discussion around the 2035 NDC by presenting comprehensive critiques of government proposals and advocating for ambitious, inclusive, and scientifically grounded climate policies that reflect diverse stakeholder voices.

관세협상단, 귀국 이틀만 다시 워싱턴…"마지막까지 와 있다"(종합)

Customs Negotiation Team Returns to Washington Just Two Days After Coming Home… Staying Until the Very End (Comprehensive)

Newsis | Local Language | News | Oct. 24, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

The South Korean tariff negotiation delegation, led by Kim Yong-beom, presidential office policy director, and Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, returned to Washington, D.C., on October 22, 2025, just two days after coming back to Seoul. Their return aims to address remaining unresolved issues in Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, following extensive discussions over recent weeks.

Kim emphasized that negotiations are near completion, with most issues showing close agreement except for one or two critical points. The delegation met U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on October 16 for over four hours, reaching agreements on many topics but still needing to work on outstanding matters. The short turnaround of their return followed a briefing to President Lee Jae-myung and reflects the delicacy of finalizing the talks.

Kim indicated the necessity of thorough internal coordination and face-to-face meetings to deliver additional positions and finalize negotiations. He stressed the importance of avoiding setbacks to agreements provisionally reached and highlighted the mutual progress symbolized by continued meetings. Minister Kim noted that while some discussions could be held via video, in-person talks were deemed more effective.

Regarding the $350 billion U.S. investment plan, Kim said no specific details on individual items have been disclosed but maintained that the negotiation "standard is within the range that our country can tolerate." Both Korea and the U.S. are considering analyses from their financial authorities to minimize any shock to the foreign exchange and U.S. economies. After concluding talks with Secretary Lutnick, the delegation plans to return to Korea without visiting the White House or meeting former President Donald Trump.

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