Today's MEARI
โฐ1-Minute Newsโฐ 1. Yeosu Sea Area Sinking Accidentโฆ 10 Dead or Missing โ ๏ธ๐ข 2. National Pension Subscribers Continue to Decline ๐๐ 3. The Asian Games Have Begun! ๐
๐ฅ Where Is Kimchi From? AI Chatbot's Strange Answers ๐คจ FEB's Korean Picks #2ย A Walk Through the Time of the Korean Empire ๐๏ธKorean Dictionary: ์์ํ๋ค [Si-Won Hada] ๐ฌ๏ธ๐ฅต Career Information |
โฐ1-Minute Newsโฐ ย by Editor Dodo๐ฆค
Yeosu Sea Area Sinking Accidentโฆ 10 Dead or Missing โ ๏ธ๐ข
A large fishing vessel, the No. 22 Seogyeongho, sank off Yeosu, leaving 10 out of 14 crew members dead or missing. Four foreign crew members were rescued. The sinking occurred amid strong winds and high waves, and survivors said the boat suddenly tilted and sank. Search operations are ongoing, with naval and air assets involved. While the cause is still unclear, bad weather is suspected. We hope the search brings good news soon ๐
National Pension Subscribers Continue to Decline ๐๐
The number of National Pension subscribers has decreased by over 500,000, and itโs expected to decline further. The drop in workplace subscribers is especially concerning, with around 80,000 fewer enrollees, the first decrease since the expansion of eligibility. Meanwhile, the number of pension recipients has increased, meaning the pension systemโs expenses are growing, and reform is urgently needed ๐ฌ
The Asian Games Have Begun! ๐
๐ฅ
The 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games are heating up with South Korea's top sports, short track and speed skating, leading the medal race!
In short track, Korea has won 6 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Choi Min-jeong set a new Asian Games record in the 1,000 meters, and Jang Seong-woo earned gold in the men's 1,000 meters.
In speed skating, Kim Min-seon took gold in the 500 meters, and the womenโs team sprint also claimed victory with Kim Min-seon, Lee Na-hyun, and Kim Min-ji! ๐
โ๏ธ
The games run from February 7 to 14โletโs cheer on our athletes together! ๐ช |
Where Is Kimchi From? AI Chatbot's Strange Answers ๐คจ ย by Editor Puffโ๏ธ
South Koreaโs National Intelligence Service (NIS) recently issued a warning against using the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, citing two major concerns:
1๏ธโฃ It collects an excessive amount of personal data and stores it on overseas servers.
2๏ธโฃ It provides different answers on sensitive Korea-related topics depending on the language.
According to the NIS, DeepSeek uses all user input to further train its AI and even shares user data with advertisers and businesses with few restrictions. This raises serious security concerns, especially if government agencies or schools use the chatbot. ๐ซ But whatโs even more alarming is how DeepSeek alters its responses based on language when discussing Korean history and culture.
For example, when asked about the origins of kimchi, the chatbot gives completely different answers depending on the language: - In Korean: "Kimchi is a dish that represents Korean culture and history."
- In English: "Kimchi is a dish related to Korea."
- In Chinese: "Kimchi originated in China."
In other words, while Korean users are told that kimchi is a Korean dish, Chinese users are falsely told that it is a Chinese dish!
And it doesnโt stop there. Dano, a traditional Korean holiday, is labeled as a Korean holiday in the Korean response but a Chinese holiday in the Chinese response. Similarly, historical topics like the Northeast Project, a Chinese initiative that claims ancient Korean kingdoms as part of Chinese history, are framed completely differently depending on the language. ๐ฌ
Due to these issues, the NIS has banned DeepSeek in government agencies and schools and plans to conduct further investigations. South Koreaโs Education Ministry has already restricted its use in schools nationwide over security and privacy concerns. ๐ This case serves as an important reminder that AI-generated information must be fair and accurate. As AI tools become more common, we should not only focus on convenience but also question how they are trained and whose perspectives they reflect. ๐ค |
FEB's Korean Picks #2Deoksugung Seokjojeon: A Walk Through the Time of the Korean Empire ๐๏ธย ย by Editor Narae๐๏ธ
Right in the heart of Seoul, nestled among traditional palace buildings, stands an impressive Western-style stone structureโSeokjojeon of Deoksugung Palace. Built during the Korean Empire (Daehan Jeguk) era, this building embodies Koreaโs hopes and struggles for modernization. The mere fact that a European-style stone building exists within a Korean royal palace makes this place a fascinating spot to visit! ๐ฐ |  |
How to Visit Deoksugung Seokjojeon?Seokjojeon is located inside Deoksugung Palace, which is easily accessible from City Hall Station (Lines 1 & 2). Once you enter the palace and walk toward the west side, youโll see this stunning European-style structure right in front of you. Currently, visitors can explore the interior of Seokjojeon, and I highly recommend joining the free docent tour to gain a deeper understanding of its historical background. ๐ง - Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
- How to Visit: Entry to Seokjojeon requires a separate reservation. You can either book online in advance or sign up on-site at the information desk inside Deoksugung.
- Docent Tour Schedule: Varies by day, with 4 to 11 tours per day (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
๐ก For foreign visitors, only on-site reservations are available, so I recommend arriving early to secure a spot! ๐ |  |
What Makes Seokjojeon Special?Seokjojeon was commissioned by Emperor Gojong, who envisioned a modernized Korean Empire. Although completed in the early 1900s, the emperor never got to fully utilize it. When Korea was forcibly annexed by Japan, Seokjojeon was stripped of its original function and purpose. ๐ข At one point, the building was even repurposed as an art museum, and much of its original structure was altered. Fortunately, after extensive restoration efforts, it has now been restored to its imperial residence setting, showcasing spaces like the emperorโs office, reception room, and banquet hallโgiving visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of the era. ๐ |  |
My Experience Visiting Seokjojeon๐๏ธIt was refreshing to see such a grand Western-style stone building inside a traditional Korean palaceโa rare sight in Korea! Deoksugung itself is unique, standing among modern high-rise buildings, and Seokjojeon adds another layer of contrast to its surroundings. ๐ฐ One thing that felt a bit unfortunate was that the building was never fully used as an imperial residence. Its transformation into a museum at one point also led to the loss of some of its original elements. However, the docent tour helped bridge that gap, allowing me to appreciate Seokjojeonโs historical significance and its connection to the Korean Empire. While the interior is impressive, I found the exterior especially strikingโa beautiful blend of Korean history and Western architecture. If youโre interested in architecture or history, this place is a must-visit! โจ
Seokjojeon is more than just a European-style buildingโitโs a legacy of the Korean Empire. Walking through its halls, you can imagine Emperor Gojongโs vision for modernization and reflect on the turbulent history this building has witnessed. If you're looking for a unique historical experience in Seoul, Seokjojeon is definitely worth a visit! ๐ |
Korean Dictionary by Editor Dodo๐ฆค
์์ํ๋ค [Si-Won Hada] ๐ฌ๏ธ๐ฅต
In Korean, "์์ํ๋ค (si-won hada)" is a fun and unique phrase with a wide range of meanings. One thing that often confuses non-Koreans is how Koreans can describe eating hot, steaming food as "์์ํ๋ค." In this context, "์์ํ๋ค" doesnโt refer to temperature at allโitโs about feeling relieved, satisfied, and mentally or physically refreshed.
When Koreans Say 'Si-Won Hada'After eating spicy food: Even when you're sweating, it feels like stress melts away, and your body feels cleansed. After having hot soup: One sip of a hearty, spicy soup can make you feel invigorated and at ease. When your stomach feels better: After eating something light or soothing, you may say, "Ah, my stomach feels ์์(ํ๋ค)."
What Kind of Situation?"Youโve just had a hot bowl of yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) after a cold day. "The stress of the day is gone after finishing a steaming kimchi stew. "Itโs late at night, and a quick spicy ramen hit the spot perfectly. Ah, ์์ํ๋ค."
Why Does Hot Food Feel 'Si-Won Hada'?- The Magic of Spiciness: Capsaicin (the compound that makes food spicy) makes you sweat, which paradoxically leaves you feeling cleansed and relaxed.
- Soothing the Stomach: Spicy or hot broths can feel like they're clearing up digestive discomfort.
- Psychological Comfort: "Si-won hada" doesnโt just fill your stomachโit provides a sense of relief and satisfaction that resonates both physically and emotionally.
So "์์ํ๋ค" isnโt just about coolness; it captures that satisfying and invigorating feeling that comes from the right combination of flavors and experiences. ๐ฅ |
Korean Version & Useful Infos Below โฌ๏ธ |
์ค๋์ ๋ฉ์๋ฆฌ ์์ฝ
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์, ๊ณ์ ๊ฐ์ ์ค... ์ฌ์
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์๋ ์ค์ด ๐๐ 3. ์์์ ๊ฒ์์ด ๋๋์ด ์์๋๋ค! ๐
๐ฅ ๊น์น๋ ์ด๋ ๋๋ผ ์์์ผ๊น์? AI ์ฑ๋ด์ ์ด์ํ ๋ต๋ณ ๐คจ 2์์ ์ถ์ฒ #2 ๋์๊ถ ์์กฐ์ : ๋ํ์ ๊ตญ์ ์๊ฐ์ ๊ฑท๋ค ๐๏ธ ํ๊ตญ์ด ์ฌ์ : ์์ํ๋ค [Si-Won Hada] ๐ฌ๏ธ๐ฅต ์ ํ, ์ทจ์
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โฐ1๋ถ ๋ด์คโฐ by ์๋ํฐ |
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