**AI PRISM* Customized Economic Briefing**
*Editor's note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an 'AI-based customized news recommendation and summary service' developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six customized news items for each reader type.*
▶ Samsung Bio's 100 Trillion Won Era, Rebellions Targets Nvidia [AI PRISM x D·LOG]
[Key Issue Briefing]
■ Coupang Crisis Drags On: Coupang's union Cunion is calling for a direct apology from Bom Kim, Chairman of Coupang Inc.'s board of directors, with criticism growing internally following political pressure. After announcing the leak of personal information of 33.7 million customers, Chairman Kim has remained silent and has notified his absence from the National Assembly hearing scheduled for the 17th.
■ Quantum Industry Hub Emerges: Approximately 50% of Korea's quantum research personnel are concentrated in Daejeon, and the government's first commercial quantum computer is scheduled to be installed at KISTI headquarters in Daejeon by next year. Daejeon Metropolitan City plans to establish the 'Daedeok Quantum Cluster' by 2028 to develop it as a core hub for quantum technology R&D and industrialization.
■ Samsung Bio Leaps Forward: The market capitalization of Samsung's listed bio companies has surpassed 100 trillion won, joining the ranks of global big pharma. This achievement comes after 15 years of persistent investment, completing a 'triangular formation' structure of CDMO, biosimilars, and new drug development.
[News for Young Professionals]
1. Following Politicians, Coupang Union Also Says… "Bom Kim Must Apologize Directly"
Key Summary: Cunion, the Coupang branch of the Korean Chemical and Textile Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, released a statement calling for a direct apology from Bom Kim, Chairman of Coupang Inc.'s board. Cunion pointed out that "the situation is being prolonged as the representative appears to be evading responsibility by resigning rather than taking responsible action to resolve the situation." The union demanded responsible compensation for affected customers, a complete overhaul of security systems, and measures to prevent recurrence. It also stated, "We express serious concern about the possibility that management's responsibility will be shifted to employees," urging the protection of employee rights and employment.
2. Half of Domestic Research Personnel Gathered… Daejeon Emerges as 'Quantum Industry Mecca'
Key Summary: Daejeon is establishing itself as 'Korea's Quantum Capital,' holding approximately 50% of the nation's quantum research personnel. About half of Korea's estimated 500 quantum researchers are working at institutions in Daedeok Research Development Special Zone, including KRISS, ETRI, KISTI, and KAERI. The government's first commercial quantum computer will be installed at KISTI headquarters in Daejeon by next year, and Korea's largest open quantum fab is being built at KAIST headquarters with completion targeted for 2027.
3. Building 'Triangular Formation' Through Persistent Investment… Joining Global Big Pharma Competition
Key Summary: The market capitalization of Samsung's listed bio companies has surpassed 100 trillion won, joining the ranks of global big pharma such as Takeda Pharmaceutical, Gilead Sciences, and Pfizer. This year, Samsung reorganized its bio business into a 'triangular formation' of CDMO, biosimilars, and new drug development by spinning off Samsung Biologics (207940.KS) and Samsung Epis Holdings. Samsung Biologics endured losses for about seven years after its launch, secured the world's No. 1 production capacity in the CDMO sector in 2022, and recorded a standalone operating profit margin of 50.4% in the third quarter of this year.
[Reference News for Young Professionals]
4. Nasdaq 24-Hour Trading… Will More Korean Investors Flock?
Key Summary: Nasdaq plans to file documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for 24-hour trading five days a week, with implementation expected in the second half of next year. Currently operating 16 hours a day, Nasdaq is planning a 23-hour trading system divided into daytime trading (4 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and overnight trading (9 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day). The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) are also pursuing 24-hour operating systems, signaling intensified global liquidity competition.
5. Young People Who 'Can't Trust Others'… Interpersonal Trust Falls 20%p in 10 Years
Key Summary: Interpersonal trust among young people has fallen by approximately 20 percentage points from 74.8% in 2014 to 53.2% for those in their 20s and 54.7% for those in their 30s last year. According to the '2025 Youth Quality of Life Report' published by the National Statistical Research Institute under the National Data Agency, youth job satisfaction stood at only 36% and income satisfaction at 27.7%. Only 27.7% believe they can improve their socioeconomic status through their own efforts, and the youth suicide rate last year was 24.4 per 100,000 population, up 1.3 from the previous year.
6. "Beating Nvidia with AI Inference 'Power Efficiency'"… Rebellions Declares Global Expansion
Key Summary: Rebellions, a unicorn startup developing AI semiconductor chip NPU (Neural Processing Unit), declared its full-scale entry into the global market on its fifth anniversary. Rebellions CEO Park Sung-hyun stated, "Our goal is to compete with Nvidia in the ring and take away market share," expressing the company's determination to target the AI inference market. Rebellions' latest NPU Rebel Quad offers 1.2 times more computational throughput than Nvidia's GPU H200 while being 2.4 times more power efficient. SK Telecom has been using Rebellions' NPU Atom to power its generative AI agent service A. (A-dot) since this month.
▶Full article: Trump Gets His Way… Ford Effectively Abandons 28 Trillion Won EV Business
▶Full article: Ministry of Industry Security Review as Variable… Korea Zinc's 'Core Technology' Boomerang
▶Full article: Samsung's '15 Years in Bio'… Market Cap Surpasses 100 Trillion Won
📺 December 17, 2025 (Tuesday) Front Page Unboxing [ON AIR Seoul Economic Daily]
