South Korea’s technology news in December of 2023 captured items across subject areas including: Korea-Netherlands technology partnerships in fields including semiconductor manufacturing; South Korea’s coming test of a Korean digital currency, the ‘digital won’; concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and cybercrime capabilities; and more.
Other editions: Asia’s tech news, daily (via LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter/X); and Indo-Pacific technology newsletters, weekly.
Also available:
Critical technologies in December 2023
CSET: Assessing South Korea’s AI Ecosystem
- South Korea: Bank of Korea announces 100,000 citizens will be able to make real-world CBDC transactions using ‘digital won’ in 2024 trial of digital currency
- South Korea has launched its first military satellite, via SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, gaining independent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities
- South Korea and the Netherlands to boost cooperation in tech spanning semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum research, alongside feasibility of Korean-built nuclear energy stations >>>
“Nuclear energy helps us on our way to a CO2-free energy system,” Dutch Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten said in a statement. “That is why we are preparing for the construction of two new nuclear power stations. The three parties that are eligible for this new construction will carry out technical feasibility studies in the coming year.”
The Netherlands and South Korea also agreed to increase cooperation in digital technologies including artificial intelligence, mobile communications and quantum research, Economic Affairs and Climate Minister Micky Adriaansens said in a statement.
- China’s CICC Capital enter South Korea with launch of a private equity fund, targeting investments in promising firms in fields including semiconductors, biotech and new materials
- South Korea: Samsung and the Netherland’s ASML partner for $760M investment in Korean advanced chip plant, with SK Hynix chip giant collaborating
“ASML is the world’s only maker of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines that are required to manufacture the most advanced chips such as those in the latest Apple iPhones which are manufactured by Taiwan’s TSMC.”
“The technological innovation led by ASML is becoming a powerful driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution around the world, and Dutch semiconductor companies such as ASML and ASM are building new facilities for production, R&D, and talent training in Korea,” South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday.
- South Korea: The inaugural US-ROK Next Generation Critical & Emerging Technologies Dialogue took place in Seoul, an upgrade on bilateral tech cooperation
- South Korea: A deep dive into Samsung’s challenges with cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing
- South Korea: An interview-driven look at the nation’s evolving cybersecurity policy and actions in response to North Korean cyberattacks
‘The US Department of the Treasury has sanctioned the Sinbad cryptocurrency mixing service for its use as a money-laundering tool by the North Korean Lazarus hacking group‘
- North Korean cybercrime group, BlueNorOff, found to be using a new, fairly simple yet very functional malware that aids attackers commit financial crimes targeting Apple’s MacOS
- Available to download: ‘Crypto Country – North Korea’s Targeting of Cryptocurrency’ from Recorded Future’s Insikt Group
- North Korea believed to now have a second nuclear reactor online, raising new concerns over weapons development
- South Korea’s NomadHer makes gains in India with solo-female travel app, building on selection for the K-Startup Centre India 2023 accelerator
Recorded Future: North Korea’s Targeting of Cryptocurrency
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