South Korea

한국인터넷진흥원-카카오, 중소사업자 대상 개인정보 침해사고 예방 교육 실시

KISA | Local Language | AcademicThink | Dec. 5, 2025 | Privacy

On December 4, 2025, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) announced an online training program in partnership with Kakao to enhance personal information protection capabilities among domestic small and micro businesses. Since 2022, KISA has provided similar training to Kakao Business partners and small enterprises, focusing on safe handling of customer data and compliance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.

The training uses practical case studies to help small businesses reduce the risk of personal information leaks during data processing activities. Topics include major breach cases, precautions at various processing stages within Kakao business operations, and response strategies for personal information leakage incidents. A real-time Q&A session allows participants to ask and receive answers on personal data processing concerns.

The program is open to small businesses and anyone interested in personal information protection, with applications accepted via the Kakao Business seminar website until 3:00 p.m. on December 4, 2025. KISA emphasized that the training aims to foster awareness and practical application of privacy protection among small businesses, and it plans to expand such practical training initiatives to help these businesses independently enhance their data protection systems.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

South Korea's exports for 2025 are set to surpass US$700 billion for the first time, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors, automobiles, ships, and bio-health products, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. From January to November, exports already reached a record US$640.2 billion, exceeding the previous full-year record of $628.7 billion in 2022.

The ministry highlighted the diversification of export markets beyond the traditional focus on the United States and China, expanding into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union, and other regions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also achieved a record $87.1 billion in exports in the first 11 months of 2025.

At the 62nd Trade Day ceremony, major companies including SK hynix, Hyundai Glovis, and HD Hyundai were recognized for their export achievements, with awards given for exports exceeding $35 billion, $6 billion, and $4 billion respectively. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan emphasized that these results reflect the country's industrial competitiveness and resilience, and pledged continued efforts to foster industrial innovation and expand K-culture exports, especially benefiting SMEs and local communities.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | North Korea

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized the importance of pursuing diplomacy with North Korea alongside the joint deterrence efforts of Seoul and Washington. Speaking via video at a Washington forum on December 3, 2025, Cho referred to a recent South Korea-U.S. joint fact sheet on security and trade agreements, highlighting it as a step toward a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance. The fact sheet outlines deterrence measures, including U.S. support for South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarines and Seoul's commitment to raising defense spending to 3.5 percent of its GDP.

Cho stressed that deterrence must be accompanied by diplomacy to prevent accidental conflicts, ease tensions, and restore dialogue with North Korea. Both Seoul and Washington remain open to dialogue with Pyongyang, though North Korea's increased dependency on Russia complicates prospects for engagement. The minister underscored the alliance’s “ironclad” nature as central to regional peace and stability, and highlighted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s pragmatic and principled diplomatic stance.

The foreign minister also emphasized the need for trilateral cooperation with Japan as essential to managing regional challenges, citing Russia’s closer ties with North Korea, China’s rising influence, and Japan’s evolving strategic position. Despite recent tensions between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan, Cho committed to advancing cooperation with both countries through trilateral frameworks.

In addition to security cooperation, Cho pointed to the modernization of the South Korea-U.S. alliance through a recent bilateral trade and investment agreement. This agreement aims to enhance industrial cooperation in areas like shipbuilding, energy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. Further, U.S. support for South Korea’s peaceful pursuit of uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, along with backing for nuclear-powered submarines, will boost their shared capabilities in next-generation energy, defense, and shipbuilding. Cho framed these initiatives as essential to adapting the alliance to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape after more than seventy years of partnership.