South Korea Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

As the Agentic Era Reshapes the Data Layer, Enterprises Build Their Sovereign Foundation on EDB Postgres® AI

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has reported a significant increase in global adoption of its EDB Postgres® AI (EDB PG AI) platform, indicating a trend among enterprises to standardize operations on a robust platform for managing mission-critical workloads. Research by MIT Technology Review Insights, in collaboration with EDB, shows that AI and data sovereignty are critical predictors of success in AI initiatives, with organizations prioritizing control over their data achieving a fivefold return on investment. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) transitioned 15 core systems to EDB PG AI for greater operational flexibility and cost efficiency, reducing licensing costs compared to Oracle. Shinhan EZ Insurance migrated its entire core system to the public cloud to ensure uninterrupted service. Other enterprises leveraging EDB PG AI include MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre, which have benefited from enhanced stability, reduced vendor risk, and improved compliance. EDB is recognized as a leader in the field and will host a global digital event titled "The Era of Agentic AI Data" on June 25. EDB Postgres® AI is positioned as an open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platform, supporting secure, compliant, and scalable solutions across various environments.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Kakao’s unionized members stage first-ever strike

Unionized members of Kakao Corp. held the company's first-ever strike on June 10, 2026, in front of the Kakao Pangyo Agit headquarters in Seongnam. The striking employees are demanding higher bonuses and a more equitable profit-sharing model, reflecting a broader trend among tech workers seeking compensation aligned with company success. The rally emphasized a shift in corporate culture at Kakao, with employees becoming more vocal about their rights and expectations. The outcome of the strike could have significant implications for labor relations in the tech industry.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – First Details on the Next Epic Call of Duty Campaign

Activision is offering a 10% pre-order loyalty discount for previous owners of the Call of Duty® franchise on the Modern Warfare® 4 Vault Edition. Pre-ordering any digital edition grants early access to the Open Beta and the Hunter Killer Operator Skin for use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™. The Vault Edition includes Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4, the Hostile Alliance Operator Pack, the Special Forces Operator Pack, a Signature Weapon Collection, a BlackCell (1 Season) with a Battle Pass and additional content, and a DMZ Deployment Bonus. The game is set during a full-scale invasion on the Korean Peninsula, featuring a narrative involving South Korean soldiers and Captain Price. Gameplay includes various combat scenarios, a multiplayer mode focused on grounded combat, and a DMZ mode where players make critical decisions. Modern Warfare® 4 will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, but not on Xbox One, and online multiplayer requires a Game Pass Essential subscription and specific PC security requirements.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

NotebookLM is quickly becoming the podcast app I didn’t know I needed

Many individuals are experiencing AI fatigue, with concerns about uninspired content, job displacement, and environmental issues related to data centers. The term ‘AI slop’ reflects growing skepticism towards AI-generated media. However, the author had a positive experience with AI-generated podcasts using NotebookLM, particularly during a visit to South Korea. The podcast 'Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time' by Jiwon Yoon featured AI-generated voices, which initially caused conflict for the author but ultimately impressed them due to the accuracy derived from Jiwon’s expert notes. While the author prefers human hosts, they acknowledge that NotebookLM can outperform subpar traditional podcasts and help academics share their insights in accessible formats. NotebookLM allows for quick conversion of academic essays into podcasts, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge that might otherwise remain obscure.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Modern Warfare 4 is sending us to North Korea, but its new bullet tech is perhaps its best bit

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 is set to launch on October 23, 2026, for PC, current-generation Xbox consoles, PlayStation 5, and a version for the upcoming Switch 2. The campaign is set in the Korean Peninsula, focusing on South Korea, with a narrative exploring a hypothetical North Korean attack. Players will control a novice recruit amidst the chaos, with a storyline featuring a mix of American and South Korean soldiers. Key characters include Price and Ghost, while Soap will not return. The multiplayer aspect will introduce significant innovations, including a new technology called Ballistic Authority to improve weapon mechanics, specifically addressing weapon bloom for a more natural bullet trajectory and enhanced hipfire experience.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

I played Modern Warfare 4 at Infinity Ward, let’s talk about it

Infinity Ward is set to release Modern Warfare 4, its first entry in the franchise in four years. The game will feature the return of the DMZ extraction mode and is set in South Korea. It introduces apex attachments that fundamentally alter a gun's identity, with unique attachments for each weapon unlocking at full level. Movement mechanics have been revamped for a more fluid experience, allowing rapid mantling and smoother transitions. The initial maps follow a classic three-lane structure but lack innovation. The Gunfight mode returns, now expanded to 10v10 with dynamic maps. Quality-of-life enhancements include improved FOV, depth of field adjustments, refined muzzle smoke/flash effects, and improved hipfire mechanics. Loadouts have been simplified to five attachments per weapon and a standard three-perk system, allowing for more personalized gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

The next Call of Duty is Modern Warfare 4, Infinity Ward’s first game in 4 years

Activision has confirmed that the latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise will be Modern Warfare 4, developed by Infinity Ward after a four-year hiatus. The game will feature settings in North and South Korea, following a squad of South Korean marines and an American embedded soldier during a North Korean invasion of Seoul. The narrative style aims to reflect current events, described as "ripped from the headlines." Captain Price will return, and the game will include a traditional, linear story mode with over a dozen campaign missions. Multiplayer will focus on classic gameplay without features like Ominimovement and wall-jumps, and will introduce a sequel to the DMZ extraction mode. Modern Warfare 4 is set to be released on October 23.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Samsung workers could be about to strike, potentially making GPUs, memory, and SSDs even more expensive

Samsung faces potential factory shutdowns due to a proposed strike involving over 43,000 workers in South Korea, which could lead to a 3-4% decline in global memory and NAND output. The Korean government has intervened, urging the union to reconsider the strike to maintain production capacity and quality. The workers' demands focus on compensation, specifically the removal of a cap on bonuses, as the company's profits reached 53.7 trillion won in the last quarter. A full-scale strike could cost Samsung up to 30 trillion won. The strikes are scheduled to begin on May 21 and last for 18 days, although ongoing negotiations may change this timeline.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

NETMARBLE RELEASES GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD ON PC AHEAD OF GRAND LAUNCH

Netmarble has released Game of Thrones: Kingsroad for PC, featuring an open-world rendition of Westeros and three classes: Knight, Sellsword, and Assassin. The game became available on May 14, 2026, through platforms like the Netmarble Launcher, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. To celebrate the launch, Netmarble is hosting four events with rewards including a Rare Wildling Outfit and a Legendary Artifact Box. A mobile version of the game is set to launch on May 21, 2026. The game is officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of HBO.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.