South Korea stories

BENEFIT and Ant International will launch cross-border QR payments in Bahrain in 2026, enabling 15,000 merchants to accept Alipay+ wallet payments.

Honeywell partners with South Korea’s LS Electric to develop AI-powered solutions enhancing energy efficiency and reliability in Asian data centres.

Qilin ransomware group has targeted 25 South Korean finance firms using managed service providers, exposing 2TB of data in a politically charged cyberattack surge.

AI-driven deepfakes are fuelling a global surge in fraud, with 77% of anti-fraud experts reporting increased incidents and 83% expecting further rises soon.

Princeton Digital Group will invest USD $700 million in a 48 MW data centre campus in Incheon, marking its entry into South Korea's data centre market.

Rapid AI adoption in APJ exposes firms to hidden risks like shadow AI, API vulnerabilities, and leaked credentials, demanding better governance and security.

UK quantum start-ups warn of talent loss abroad unless government creates a Quantum Sovereign Wealth Fund to support growth-stage capital investment.

OpenAI has introduced a group chat feature in ChatGPT for up to 20 users, enabling shared collaboration in New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Asia Pacific firms are leading global AI investment and CEO-led strategies, outspending North America and Europe and driving rapid AI adoption across industries.

Google’s threat team warns that hackers are now using AI to create self-modifying malware and evade defences.

Google warns of a surge in cyber espionage targeting Asia-Pacific summits in 2026, alongside rising scams using false base stations and tighter supply chain cybersecurity rules.

Asia Pacific's manufacturing surge in semiconductors, pharma, and renewables is transforming industrial property needs, demanding high-tech, specialised facilities.

AI apps hit 1.5bn downloads and USD $1.3bn revenue in 2024, while APAC short dramas and third-party Android stores drive global mobile market growth.

Cropster has acquired South Korea-based Firescope to expand in Asia, supporting 3,000+ roasters and enhancing its global coffee supply platform.

Asia Pacific hotels forecast a 2-6% rise in profits for 2026 despite geopolitical risks, driven by operational efficiency and rising tourism demand.

Ant International’s Alipay+ now links 1.8 billion users across 100+ markets with AI-powered travel and payment services, boosting global transactions by 30%.

Startups at the Moscow Startup Summit secured investment offers exceeding RUB ₽1.2 billion, showcasing AI and deeptech innovations from 42 countries.

FedEx has launched new weekly air routes linking South Korea, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan to speed up deliveries and boost regional trade efficiency across Asia.

ENGIE Refrigeration has won contracts to supply advanced cooling systems for data centres in Korea and the Netherlands, supporting AI and energy efficiency needs.

Check Point named DXC Technology Top Partner of the Year and S5 Technology Workspace Security Partner in its 2025 Asia Pacific regional awards.