South Korea

스노우플레이크가 내다본 올해 에이전틱 AI 트렌드는?

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

In 2026, agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to advance from basic chatbots into autonomous operating systems capable of verifying and executing corporate tasks independently. Snowflake’s "AI + Data Predictions 2026" report highlights a shift away from architectures dominated by large language models (LLMs) towards systems with enhanced reasoning and execution capabilities, enabling AI to operate across entire enterprises. This evolution marks a transition from isolated AI applications to the development of enterprise-wide AI ecosystems.

Reliability in agentic AI is identified as a critical challenge, with expected adoption of feedback loops that integrate user input alongside self-verification mechanisms to enhance judgement accuracy and system stability. The emergence of specialized micro-agents handling specific tasks will precede the development of singular super-agents, with these collaborative agents forming the foundational structure of agentic AI.

Key to the widespread adoption of agentic AI are standard protocols, open-source foundation models, and operational infrastructure. A dominant protocol for agent communication is anticipated to accelerate development and reduce vendor lock-in. Furthermore, enterprise infrastructure is expected to shift focus from analytics to real-time data processing and state management, with technologies like Postgres being pivotal in managing large-scale, low-latency event and operational data streams generated by agentic AI.

In cybersecurity, agentic AI presents dual aspects: it may facilitate automated vulnerability detection and data exfiltration by attackers, while also empowering security operations centers to enhance threat responses with fewer personnel. Industry-specific applications include retail and consumer goods adopting personalized customer management and AI shopping assistants; financial services integrating AI-based analytics and risk management into decision-making; and manufacturing deploying chatbot-style AI agents to support quality inspection, equipment maintenance, and supply chain optimization.

Snowflake’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer Anahita Tafvizi emphasized that despite rapid AI innovation, many companies struggle to realize tangible outcomes. Differences in data health, governance, and organizational capabilities are expected to widen gaps in AI utilization across businesses.

석탄발전소, 5조원짜리 '휴지조각' 되나…IMF가 경고한 이유는

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Climate Change

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a warning that coal-fired power assets, including those in South Korea, could rapidly become stranded and lose economic value due to the accelerating global energy transition to renewables. According to an IMF report, up to one-third of global coal capital may become stranded if the energy shift outpaces projections, driven by improvements in the cost competitiveness of solar and wind energy, whose costs have fallen dramatically since 2010.

Coal-fired power is expected to be the first energy source phased out because of its high carbon emissions and vulnerability to decarbonization policies. In contrast, natural gas and oil may act as transitional "bridge fuels." The IMF's projections based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios suggest coal production could decline by 21% to 81% by 2050 depending on climate action intensity, with potential complete phase-out in the long term, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which dominates both coal production and imports.

South Korea faces significant risks as it recently invested 4 to 5 trillion won in new coal plants like Shinseocheon, Goseong High, Gangneung Anin, and Samcheok Blue Power between 2021 and 2025. Although these plants typically have a 30-year design life, their economic viability is threatened by the country’s commitment to phase out coal, reinforced by South Korea joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) at COP30. The government aims to retire 40 of its 61 coal plants by 2040, highlighting the increasing risk of coal assets becoming stranded.

Yonhap | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | North Korea

South Korea is considering restoring a suspended military pact with North Korea aimed at reducing tensions along their border. The original agreement, signed in 2018 between then-President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was fully suspended in 2024 due to worsening relations. According to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, internal discussions are ongoing, but no final decision has been made.

The discussions were highlighted during a press briefing following President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Osaka on January 14, 2026. Wi confirmed that the government views restoring the pact as a basic direction in policy but emphasized that consultations remain in progress.

In relation to North Korea’s accusations that South Korea sent drones into its territory twice—once in September 2025 and again in early January 2026—the South Korean government is conducting an internal investigation. If civilians are found responsible for the drone incursions, it would likely constitute a violation of South Korean law and breach the armistice agreement, which would lead to appropriate measures and punishment.