South Korea

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

South Korean National Found Dead Near Vietnam–Cambodia Border Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Oct. 17, 2025 | Non-Interstate Conflict & Security

A South Korean woman was found dead near the Vietnam–Cambodia border, raising concerns about crimes targeting Korean nationals in the region.

**On October 7, 2025, local Vietnamese authorities discovered the body of a South Korean woman in her 30s close to the Vietnam–Cambodia border.**
They performed an autopsy that reportedly found no evidence of foul play, then returned her remains to her family, who arranged for her cremation.

**South Korean officials launched an internal investigation after receiving testimony from a national who had recently escaped Cambodia.**
The witness, a former courier for borrowed-name accounts, reported that the deceased had been confined in a local hotel for an extended period before her death.

**This incident coincides with a rise in crimes targeting South Koreans in Cambodia, particularly job scams and voice phishing operations.**
Approximately 60 South Korean nationals remain detained in Cambodia on allegations linked to these activities, and Seoul is coordinating their repatriation.

**Investigators are probing a possible connection between the deceased woman and a voice phishing gang active in the region.**
South Korean authorities are awaiting the complete Vietnamese autopsy report to determine her exact cause of death.
Surging Semiconductor Equipment Revenues Driven by Advanced Node and Memory Investments in 2025
Oct. 16, 2025 | Technology & Innovation

The semiconductor equipment market posted significant revenue gains in early 2025 as chipmakers invest heavily in advanced process nodes and memory technologies.

**In the second quarter of 2025, worldwide equipment revenue climbed to $33.07 billion, a 24 percent increase from Q2 2024 and 3 percent above Q1 2025.**
Chipmakers boosted capital expenditures on advanced logic nodes and rolled out high-bandwidth memory (HBM) solutions, driving this rise. Demand for HBM modules surged with the expansion of artificial intelligence and data-center applications, prompting equipment suppliers to ramp up capacity, while concurrent investments in advanced packaging technologies lifted shipment volumes.

**These investments extended into the first half of 2025, as global equipment revenue surpassed $65 billion and companies entered the second half with healthy order backlogs.**
Multiyear technology transitions—such as the shift to sub-3-nanometer logic and the integration of advanced memory architectures—played a central role in maintaining this momentum.

**Regionally, the Asia–Pacific market led equipment installations.**
China accounted for approximately $12 billion in Q2 sales, up 20 percent year-on-year, followed by Taiwan and South Korea, where expanded HBM deployment and new advanced packaging lines drove strong growth. North America, Japan and Europe saw steady increases in spending, fueled by rising demand for AI infrastructure and efforts to diversify manufacturing capacity across multiple geographies.

**These figures derive from monthly billing data collected by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) and the Japan Semiconductor Equipment Association (SEAJ), which reflect order flows and shipment records from global semiconductor equipment suppliers.**

Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - Oct. 17, 2025


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Seoul finds 20 more illegal base stations linked to KT hacking: more victims identified

Yonhap | English | News | Oct. 17, 2025 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

South Korean investigators have uncovered about 20 additional illegal base stations linked to hacking incidents involving unauthorized small payments through telecom provider KT Corp. These new base stations were identified beyond the initial four confirmed by KT. The joint government-private investigation also identified fewer than 10 new victims, adding to the 362 victims reported by KT, compared to 220 victims counted by police.

The hackers accessed KT's network via unregistered femtocells, small cellular base stations typically used in homes or small businesses, which KT outsources for installation and management. This breach, occurring around late August, resulted in estimated losses of 240 million won (approximately US$173,000). KT is considering issuing an additional briefing to provide updated details on the situation.

Separately, two Chinese nationals were sent to court in Suwon on charges related to unauthorized mobile payments linked to the hack. KT is South Korea’s second-largest mobile carrier, and the breach affected a broader area than initially understood.

Future Missile/Space Developments Presaged WMD Possession Underscored

38 North | English | AcademicThink | Oct. 17, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

During the third quarter of 2025, North Korea advanced its ballistic missile and space-launch capabilities, highlighted by the near completion of the Hwasong-20 solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), intended to succeed the Hwasong-19. The missile’s solid-fuel engine, using composite carbon fiber material, underwent a final static test on September 8, suggesting a possible flight test within months. The missile's motor has thrust comparable to the 1980s US Peacekeeper ICBM, and the use of carbon fiber cases may enable greater range or payload, potentially accommodating multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) under development.

At the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a large new jetty was finished in July 2025 to facilitate the delivery of oversized cargo by sea, likely linked to preparations for a new large space-launch vehicle (SLV). This development supports ambitions for deploying larger or multiple satellites, which may include reconnaissance, weather, or communications payloads in various orbits.

Russia publicly expressed understanding and respect for North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, framing it as a legitimate measure for national security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s remarks coincide with Moscow’s continued opposition to UN sanctions enhancements, signaling that Russia is unlikely to actively support denuclearization efforts and may be complicit in North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Concurrently, North Korea is expanding its nuclear materials production capacity, reaffirming its priority to strengthen its nuclear posture with plans outlined for 2025 and beyond.

Reports also emerged about an increased emphasis on North Korea’s chemical weapons (CW) program. According to an unnamed high-level North Korean source, chemical weapons are being elevated as strategic deterrents alongside nuclear arms, with substantial efforts in research, development, and production aimed at battlefield utility. Although details remain unverified, North Korea is assessed to maintain a significant chemical weapons stockpile dating back decades, posing a persistent and complex threat that could be integrated into military operations against South Korea and allied forces.

과기정통부 초대 AI실장에 김경만...정부 첫 AI총괄과장 출신

Kim Kyung-man appointed as the first AI Chief at the Ministry of Science and ICT, former head of the government's first AI General Division

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Oct. 17, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

Kim Kyung-man has been appointed as the first Chief of the newly established AI Policy Office within the Ministry of Science and ICT. This appointment follows a revision of the Government Organization Act, which elevated the Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence and expanded the government's AI department. The AI Policy Office is now the core governmental body responsible for planning and implementing national AI policy, aiming to develop the national AI ecosystem and drive AI innovation across the government.

Before this role, Kim served as AI Policy Planning Officer and head of the AI-Based Policy Division, contributing to policies designed to position the country as one of the top three AI powers globally. The AI Policy Office is divided into two main sections: the AI Policy Planning Office, which Kim previously led and which focuses on AI policy design, legal frameworks, industry growth, safety, trust, and talent development; and the AI Infrastructure Policy Office, led by Director Kim Min-pyo, responsible for expanding AI computing resources, data, cloud services, and related national support functions.

Kim Kyung-man’s career includes notable roles such as Director of the Telecommunications Competition Policy Division and Director of the AI-Based Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT. He holds degrees from Korea University and the University of Colorado and has completed training at the National Diplomatic Academy. His appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the government's AI leadership and operational capacity amid a broader national AI strategy.

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