South Korea

알리바바클라우드, 가트너서 4관왕…"AI·클라우드 전략 통했다"

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Nov. 27, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

Alibaba Cloud has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in four categories in Gartner’s 2025 "Generative AI Innovation Guide." The categories include generative AI-specialized cloud infrastructure, generative AI model providers, generative AI engineering, and generative AI knowledge management applications. Alibaba Cloud stands out as the only Asia-Pacific cloud service provider in the infrastructure category.

Key strengths highlighted in the Gartner report include Alibaba Cloud's optimized infrastructure for high-load AI workloads, proprietary AI models, integrated development environments, and industry-specific AI applications. Its open-source "Qwen" model series has been downloaded over 600 million times, with more than 170,000 derivative models created. Additionally, Alibaba's Model Studio platform supports over one million organizational and individual users in enterprise model development.

In terms of engineering, Alibaba Cloud offers a platform covering the entire AI development lifecycle, from data labeling to deployment, enabling scalable generative AI operations. In knowledge management, Alibaba Cloud leverages tools like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and agent-based technology to convert corporate knowledge into actionable insights. Their solutions are applied across sectors such as autonomous driving, healthcare, consumer electronics, logistics, and e-commerce.

Alibaba Cloud's strategy focuses on integrating models, tools, and infrastructure into a unified ecosystem to facilitate enterprise adoption of generative AI. CTO Jingrun Zhou emphasized the company's commitment to delivering real business value through technology adoption in practical settings.

에너지고속도로 핵심 'HVDC' 기술 공백 메운다…글로벌 톱3 목표

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Nov. 27, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

The government will establish an "HVDC Promotion Team," a collaborative public-private-academic-research body, to commercialize ultra-high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, which is essential for the West Coast energy superhighway infrastructure. The team aims to develop core HVDC technologies, particularly voltage-source HVDC converter transformers and valve/control technologies, by 2027, to enable the construction of a 2 GW-class Saemangeum–Seohwaseong line by 2030. Domestic companies have competitiveness in cables but lag in converter transformer technology, which is dominated by global leaders like Hitachi, Siemens, and GE, prompting efforts for technological independence.

The government’s plan, named “Ultra-Innovation Economy 15 Leading Projects Implementation Plan 3” under the climate and energy sectors, involves industry players such as HD Hyundai Electric, LS Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and Iljin Electric, along with academic and research institutes and related ministries. The strategy includes accelerating demonstration projects domestically and internationally while expediting administrative processes and regulatory improvements to support timely project completion.

In addition to technology development, the government is investing in human capital through programs and the establishment of innovation research centers planned for 2026 and 2027. This includes training advanced personnel in cooperation with industry stakeholders. The goal is to achieve a global top 5 position in HVDC technology by 2030 and become a top 3 global exporter by expanding hybrid power grid technology and entering overseas markets.

Industry reactions acknowledge the government's commitment but caution against overestimating short-term market potential, stressing that HVDC commercialization depends on market demand growth both domestically and internationally. Emphasis was placed on securing top-tier research talent and strengthening cooperative R&D efforts to keep pace with global advancements.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 27, 2025 | Accidents

In the first three quarters of 2025, workplace fatalities in South Korea increased for the first time in three years despite the Lee Jae Myung administration's aggressive campaign against industrial accidents. Provisional data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor shows 457 workers died in industrial accidents, marking a 3.2 percent rise from 443 deaths during the same period in 2024. This increase primarily occurred in small businesses, with fatalities rising 10.4 percent at workplaces with fewer than 50 employees and by 24.5 percent at businesses with fewer than five employees.

Fatalities in large businesses and construction projects valued over 5 billion won decreased by 6.2 percent, indicating some success with stricter penalties and safety measures in larger firms. However, small-scale industries, particularly outside of construction and manufacturing, saw a sharp rise in deaths. Notably, retail, wholesale, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries recorded significant increases. Construction-related deaths surged at projects with budgets below 500 million won, reflecting poor safety management on smaller sites.

Industry experts and business groups argue that harsher penalties alone are insufficient to reduce accidents in small workplaces, which often lack resources and workforce capacity to improve safety. A survey by the Korea Enterprises Federation showed that 73 percent of companies felt the government's safety plan focuses more on punishment rather than prevention. The government maintains that strict enforcement remains necessary to hold companies accountable, though experts emphasize the need for enhanced awareness and practical support targeted at small businesses to effectively reduce industrial accidents.