Lee Dong-gi, Director General for ASEAN at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum to explain Korea’s role in strengthening ASEAN connectivity and digital innovation. The ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan 2026-2035 has introduced new strategic areas such as smart and sustainable urban development and supply chains. Korea has supported transportation infrastructure in ASEAN countries and plans to continue cooperation in climate change response and digital transformation.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the hosting of the ‘1st Manufacturing AI Solution Pitching Day’. The event was held in conjunction with ‘COMEUP 2025’ and was attended by about 150 people. In the final round, four outstanding solutions were selected, including the grand prize winners in two categories.

The government has designated manual therapy, percutaneous epidural neuroplasty, and radiotherapy for managed care benefits. The Non-covered Medical Services Management Policy Council made this decision to address the issue of excessive treatments in non-covered services. The criteria and pricing for managed care benefits will be decided through the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee.

South Korea’s K2 tank has made its first entry into Latin America. The Peruvian army and South Korean defense contractors signed a framework agreement to supply 54 K2 tanks and 141 wheeled armored vehicles, totaling 195 ground equipment units. This export represents the largest defense export to Latin America, with implementation contracts expected to be finalized next year.

The specialized training program for care workers has been criticized for having high qualification requirements and low applicant numbers. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare have stated they will improve qualification requirements and strengthen employee treatment to address the care workforce shortage. The government plans to designate universities for training foreign care workers and implement various measures to encourage long-term employment.

The government has announced measures to address the issue of false and exaggerated ads created using AI. There will be mandatory labeling for AI-generated content and stronger punitive damages. Agencies like the Fair Trade Commission and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will cooperate to enforce swift and strict penalties.