South Korea

[취재수첩] 메모리 품귀의 역설…AI PC에 기회 될까

Digital Daily | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

The electronics industry is experiencing a memory semiconductor shortage due to manufacturers prioritizing the production of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI infrastructure, leading to deficits in general-purpose memory. This shortage is impacting PC production, with Samsung Electronics unable to meet delivery deadlines for its PCs in B2B transactions, forcing an affiliate to substitute with Lenovo products. This situation signals challenges for Samsung in maintaining its domestic market dominance amid competitors who preemptively stockpiled memory.

As a result of the memory shortage, PC prices are rising, affecting price-sensitive custom-built PC markets and pushing finished PC prices upward. However, this price increase may reduce consumers' psychological barriers to purchasing AI PCs, which have struggled to gain popularity due to their high cost. If the price gap between general PCs and AI PCs narrows, consumers might prefer AI PCs when upgrading, potentially accelerating market adoption.

Industry forecasts, including those from IDC, predict AI PCs will represent 60% of the total PC market by 2027. The current memory shortage could therefore act as a catalyst for this generational market shift, turning a supply crisis into an opportunity to boost demand for higher value-added AI PCs. Whether this will trigger widespread AI PC adoption remains uncertain.

Korea Herald | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to strengthening the Korea-US alliance and bilateral cooperation during a meeting with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) delegation in Seoul. He highlighted that the new administrations in both countries have swiftly advanced the alliance through two summits, aiming to build a “future-oriented strategic comprehensive alliance.”

Cho outlined plans to accelerate cooperation in key sectors such as nuclear energy, shipbuilding, and nuclear-powered submarines through enhanced communication at all levels, reflecting the shared vision of both nations’ leaders. He emphasized the intent to guide the alliance toward a mutually beneficial and future-focused path amid evolving global security and economic challenges.

The Foreign Minister also called on the NCAFP to continue promoting awareness of the alliance’s importance within US policy circles, acknowledging the think tank’s longstanding role in supporting stronger bilateral ties. Members of the NCAFP pledged ongoing support for efforts by both governments to deepen the alliance. The delegation included prominent figures from US government and academic circles specializing in diplomacy and Asia-Pacific security.

금융보안원 "연이은 해킹, 디지털 혁신만큼 AI·제로트러스트 중요"

Digital Daily | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

Park Sang-won, president of the Financial Security Institute, emphasized the critical need to strengthen AI technology frameworks and implement zero-trust security strategies to prevent large-scale security incidents in the financial sector. Speaking at the "Financial IT Innovation" event in Seoul on December 11, 2025, he asserted that the importance of security has grown to equal that of digital innovation, urging financial companies to continuously develop new security systems.

Financial authorities are shifting from rule-based regulations to principle-centered security frameworks, encouraging firms to build autonomous security environments. Park highlighted that with the government's move to relax network separation regulations, financial companies should focus on constructing updated security frameworks beyond traditional network separation.

AI is highlighted as a vital strategy to address evolving security challenges. The Financial Security Institute is supporting financial companies by providing AI security assessments and performance verification metrics. Park also noted ongoing preparations of unique AI guidelines for the financial sector in collaboration with financial authorities, driven by the AI Innovation Act.

Zero trust, which assumes threats arise both externally and internally, was underscored as essential following recent hacking incidents. The Institute is working with financial companies through consultative bodies to implement zero trust and is exploring models for export and overseas trends.

Park forecasted that as AI integration advances in financial services, leading to complex interconnections and innovation, security will become increasingly crucial. He described this shift as moving beyond digitalization toward AI-based reconfiguration, necessitating stronger security measures.