South Korean tech news in December: Quantum computing developments in South Korea; SK Telecom moves into artificial intelligence services; the cost issues with South Korea’s e-commerce delivery apps; Korean government’s $10 billion loans program for the chips industry; and more.
Accenture: AI – A Declaration of Autonomy
- A brief overview of the recent 2024 Humans In Space Challenge, coordinated by South Korean pharma firm, Boryung, looking at health challenges, solutions and opportunities / full item
- The head of South Korea’s stock exchange says the nation should ‘institutionalize crypto’ and ‘act quickly’ or risk losing ground on its international rivals. / full item
- South Korea: SK Telecom invests $3M in AI-backed video analysis firm, Twelve Labs, merging the two firms’ AI expertise to further develop SK Telecom’s AI Agent and new services / full item
- South Korea: SDT quantum computer manufacturing specialist raised $14M in pre-IPO funding, building on global partnerships / full item
- South Korea’s Ably becomes Korea’s first ‘unicorn’ of 2024 with $71.4M investment from Alibaba with shopping apps focused on clothing / full item
“…Hwang delisted his shop from South Korea’s major delivery apps. His gross sales have dropped significantly [but] a worthwhile tradeoff given the high cost of working with the platforms.” / full item
- South Korea: DeepX chips firm preps to receive wafers from Samsung Electronics’ 5nm process, focusing on on-device AI semiconductors and following 87% yields / full item
- South Korea: Gov’t to roll out $10BN in low-interest loans in 2025 to support the chips industry, with advanced complex under construction in bid to attract firms / full item
- Thailand: Korea Tourism Startup Center opens in Bangkok, an initiative by Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism and Korea Tourism Organisation aiming to boost collaborations and market entry / full item
The Block: Digital Assets Outlook Report for 2025
Critical technologies monthly
- iGenius and NVIDIA partner for data center construction in southern Italy by mid-2025, set to feature around 80 NVIDIA servers, each containing 72 Blackwell chips…
- SpaceX is petitioning Texas authorities to incorporate its Starbase launch site and HQ as a city…
- France’s Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor is now online and connected to the national grid, with electricity production set to develop in line with testing and safety protocols…
Full report: Critical tech in December >
Chainalysis: Geography of Crypto Report 2024
Asia’s Tech News, Weekly in December
● From December 15th 2024 to January 4th 2025
on LinkedIn and via Substack
● To December 14th on LinkedIn and via Substack
● To December 7th on LinkedIn and via Substack
