South Korea is using AI-powered companion dolls to help tackle loneliness in its ageing population. The robots remind seniors to take medication, monitor wellbeing and call for help in emergencies. As AI expands, concerns remain over whether it can ever replace human connection.
Published On 31 May 202631 May 2026
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Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi (L) speaks to reporters as he exits the foreign ministry building in Seoul, South Korea, 27 May 2026. The ministry summoned Koozechi to lodge a protest over a 04 May attack on the HMM Namu, a South Korean-operated vessel, in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry said Iranian-developed anti-ship missiles were likely used in the attack earlier this month. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 29 (Asia Today) — South Korean defense experts said the government should take a tougher position toward Iran after investigators concluded that an Iranian-developed anti-ship missile was likely used in an attack on the HMM Namu.
Experts said Thursday that Seoul needs a firm diplomatic response to the results of the government investigation into the unidentified aerial objects that struck the HMM-operated vessel.
The government said Wednesday that the objects were highly likely to have been Noor-series anti-ship missiles developed by Iran. Technical analysis found the engine resembled an Iranian-made turbojet engine, and some components carried markings believed to be from an Iranian manufacturer.
South Korean officials said the evidence points toward Iran but stopped short of making a final judgment on who carried out the attack or whether it was intentional. The government summoned Saeed Koozechi, Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, but Koozechi denied that Iran was involved.
“If it was actually confirmed to be an Iranian missile, it should be viewed as an act by the Iranian government,” said Kwon Yong-soo, professor emeritus at Korea National Defense University. “The missile’s maximum range is short, and because of the flame at launch, it would have been visible where it came from.”
Kwon said the government should be able to explain whether the missile was fired from land, a ship or a fast boat.
“If it was not Iran’s act, Iran itself should present evidence,” he said.
Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the evidence points to an Iranian-made anti-ship missile.
“Even if Iran denies it, that denial is not persuasive,” Yang said. “Anti-ship missiles are weapons that only states, governments and militaries can operate.”
Yang said Iran may have provided missiles to an armed group, such as the Houthi rebels, but the distance would have been too far for such a launch.
“If the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired it and the Iranian government pretends not to know, that would prove Iran’s own command and control is inadequate,” he said.
Some experts said the South Korean government’s response has been too weak, even though it summoned Koozechi immediately after announcing the investigation results.
A Foreign Ministry official said summoning Iran’s ambassador was a serious diplomatic measure.
“Summoning the Iranian ambassador to South Korea is by no means meaningless,” the official said. “The measure itself shows our firm position.”
The official said Seoul had sent investigation teams twice, collected debris, reached its conclusion through analysis by expert agencies, publicly announced the findings and explained them to the other country.
“That itself is a serious diplomatic step,” the official said.
Yang said some may argue South Korea does not need to create unnecessary conflict with Iran. But he said Seoul should at least secure something from the Iranian government if it takes that position.
“Given that the evidence points to Iran, we should at least apply pressure to ensure our ships are allowed to return safely,” Yang said. “If we do not even do that, then we are refusing to do what a state should do.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260528010008578
South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo (R) shakes hand with his US counterpart, Allison Hooker, at the foreign ministry in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 29 (Asia Today) — South Korea and the United States will hold their first meeting in Seoul next week to discuss security issues agreed to at last year’s bilateral summit, including South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Friday the two sides will hold a launch meeting June 2-3 in Seoul for follow-up consultations on the security provisions of the joint fact sheet issued after the summit.
The meeting will come eight months after the two leaders announced agreements in the security section of the joint fact sheet in October.
The two sides are expected to discuss specific measures related to South Korea’s construction of nuclear-powered submarines, as well as expanded authority over uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.
With U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November, negotiations in individual areas are expected to gain momentum.
South Korea will send an interagency delegation led by First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo. Officials from the presidential National Security Office, Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Ministry of Climate and Energy, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and Nuclear Safety and Security Commission will also attend.
The U.S. delegation will be led by Allison Hooker, under secretary of state for political affairs. Officials from the White House National Security Council, State Department, Energy Department and War Department are expected to travel to Seoul for the talks.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260529010008720
Bulls: Le Roux; Arendse, Moodie, Vorster, Jacobs; Pollard, Papier; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Klopper; Vermaak, Nortje; Coetzee (capt) Louw, Hanekom.
Replacements: van Staden, Wessels, Smith, Wiese, Rudolph, de Wet, Gans, Petersen.
Munster: Haley; Smith, Nankivell, O’Brien, Daly; Hanrahan, Casey (capt); Loughman, N Scannell, Ala’alatoa; Ahern, O’Connell; O’Donoghue, Hodnett, Gleeson.
Replacements: D Barron, J Wycherley, Bartley, F Wycherley, Coombes, O’Donovan, Kelly, Kendellen.
Election-related information is displayed on an electronic board at the National Election Commission’s situation room in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, South Korea, 26 May 2026, eight days ahead of the 03 June local elections. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 29 (Asia Today) — Leaders of South Korea’s rival political parties urged voters to cast ballots Friday, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, but their strategies showed different approaches.
Chung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Han Byung-do, the party’s floor leader, both voted on the first day of early voting. People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyeok and floor leader Song Eon-seok divided their roles, with Chang choosing to vote on Election Day and Song planning to vote early.
Chung began his schedule Friday by casting an early ballot at the Seongsan 2-dong Community Service Center in Mapo District, Seoul. After voting, he attended a meeting of the party’s central election committee in Seoul and urged voters to participate.
“Voting is stronger than bullets,” Chung said. “Power does not come from the barrel of a gun. It comes from the polling place.”
Han also visited an early voting station before heading to campaign events in Namwon, North Jeolla Province.
“Early voting will be held for two days starting today,” Han said. “Please exercise your precious vote for the future of South Korea.”
The major opposition People Power Party took a different approach. Chang plans to vote on Election Day, while Song is scheduled to cast an early ballot Saturday.
The move is seen as a strategy to appeal both to the party’s hard-line conservative base and more moderate conservative voters. Chang and Song have also divided campaign duties during the election period, focusing on separate schedules.
Chang campaigned Friday in Sejong and western Gyeonggi Province.
“The atmosphere is changing as we lead this election, but if we lose by even one vote, there is no future for South Korea,” Chang said. “Everything depends on your one vote. Please do not leave yourself with regret by failing to go to the polling place.”
Song said he plans to vote early Saturday in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, his electoral district.
At a news conference at the National Assembly earlier Friday, Song acknowledged that some political figures have argued against early voting.
“It is true that there are some movements in political circles saying people should not vote early, but I will not say that is our party,” Song said. “There is a big difference between holding voting over three days and holding it for only one day.”
“In reality, the number of votes cast during the two days of early voting and on Election Day is close to half and half,” he said. “I think voters should vote over the three days, including early voting, according to their circumstances and schedules.”
Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said both early voting and Election Day voting are important exercises of political rights.
“To strategically encourage both early voting and Election Day voting, we decided that the floor leader would vote early and the party leader would participate in Election Day voting, taking his schedule into account,” Park said.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260529010008858