Human Times

APAC Edition

2nd December 2025

THE HOT STORY

Coupang data leak exposes nearly 34m customers' data

Coupang, South Korea's largest online retailer, has apologised for a massive data breach potentially involving 33.7m local customer accounts, compromising email and shipping addresses, as well as phone numbers. No credit card information or login credentials were leaked. Coupang said it suspects that a Chinese former employee, who was responsible for authentication tasks, was a key figure in the data breach. The authorities are assessing the scale of the breach as well as whether Coupang had broken any data protection safety rules, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said in a statement, adding: "As the breach involves the contact details and addresses of a large number of citizens, the Commission plans to conduct a swift investigation and impose strict sanctions if it finds a violation of the duty to implement safety measures under the Protection Act".

WORKFORCE

Seoul Metro workers stage work-to-rule protest

Seoul Metro workers began a "work-to-rule" protest on December 1, following stalled wage negotiations. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 unions announced the action, which involves strictly adhering to safety protocols and performing only essential tasks. As a result, subway services are expected to experience delays, particularly during peak hours. The unions are demanding wage increases in line with government guidelines, while Seoul Metro has offered a 1.8% raise, citing financial constraints. A full strike may commence on December 12 if negotiations do not improve, with the No. 2 union considering joining.

Korea Joongang Daily

TECHNOLOGY

World's central banks are cautious of AI

The world's central banks are wary of artificial intelligence amid concern that AI-driven behaviour could "accelerate future crises," according to a survey by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. "AI helps us see more, but decisions must remain with people," one participant was quoted as saying in the report from a working group of 10 central banks from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia managing roughly $6.5tn. More than 60% of respondents said that AI tools are not yet supporting core operations. although most central banks are using AI mainly for basic work, such as summarising data or scanning markets. "Most early applications centred on routine analytical tasks rather than risk management or portfolio construction," the report said.

Barron's

Reuters

China’s tech giants take AI model training offshore to tap Nvidia chips

Top Chinese companies are training their artificial intelligence models overseas to access Nvidia’s chips and bypass US efforts to prevent their development of the powerful technology, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times

STRATEGY

Micron Technology announces Japanese investment plans

Micron Technology will invest ¥1.5tn (approximately $9.6bn) to construct a new advanced memory chip plant in Hiroshima, Japan, with plans to begin construction in May 2026 and commence shipments by 2028. The project is supported by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which is offering up to ¥500bn in subsidies to attract foreign investment and revitalise the country's semiconductor industry. The expansion aims to meet the rising demand for high-bandwidth memory chips driven by the growth of artificial intelligence and data centre investments, helping Micron compete with market leader SK Hynix.

Reuters

LEGAL

KMT pushes for citizenship law change

The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, is advocating for changes to the Nationality Act and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. The proposed amendments would allow China-born spouses of Taiwanese citizens to hold public office without needing to prove they renounced their former citizenship. KMT's push follows the removal of Teng Wan-hua, a China-born village chief, for failing to provide such documentation.

South China Morning Post

RISK

Bird flu virus 'could risk pandemic worse than COVID'

A bird flu virus that has been spreading among wild birds, poultry and mammals could lead to a pandemic worse than Covid-19 if it mutates to transmit between humans, the head of France's Institut Pasteur respiratory infections centre has said. "What we fear is the virus adapting to mammals, and particularly to humans, becoming capable of human-to-human transmission, and that virus would be a pandemic virus," Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti told Reuters.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Ministers consider curbing the use of non-compete clauses in UK contracts

The UK's Department for Business and Trade has outlined proposals that could ban non-compete clauses outright, or introduce a minimum salary threshold or limits on the length of time for which they can apply. In a working paper, published alongside last week’s budget, the government said such clauses "play a part in restricting employee movement, limiting knowledge spillovers and can undermine incentives for innovation." Sinead Casey, partner and head of UK employment at Linklaters, observed: “If changes are to be implemented following the consultation, then a key challenge for the government will be how such change is enforced, bearing in mind the undoubted chilling effect on litigation of non-compete clauses posed by the potential legal cost and risk for individual employees.”

Accenture dubs its 800,000 staff 'reinventors' as it adapts to AI

Accenture has started calling its nearly 800,000 employees “reinventors”, as the New York-listed consultancy overhauls itself to adapt to the explosion of artificial intelligence and advises companies adopting the technology. The Guardian notes that Accenture chief executive Julie Sweet told investors in September that the firm would “exit” employees who were not getting the hang of using AI at work. The group said it was training staff in generative AI fundamentals, but employees for whom “reskilling, based on our experience, is not a viable path for the skills we need” would have to go.

Financial Times

The Guardian

Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift

German insurance giant Allianz has announced potential job cuts due to its integration of artificial intelligence. The company’s subsidiary, Allianz Partners, indicated that up to 1,800 roles, primarily in call centres, could be eliminated over the next 12 to 18 months. This represents about 8% of its 22,600 employees across Germany, France, Spain, and Britain. Allianz Partners said it is "leveraging AI" to enhance services, which may affect positions reliant on manual processes. Discussions with staff representatives are still in early stages, according to sources.

France 24

OTHER

Hong Kong bids farewell to beloved noodle brand

Hong Kong's Kam Yuen Food Company will cease operations of its Ding How instant noodles this month after 57 years. The brand has been a staple in cha chaan tengs, with 80% of these cafes using its noodles during peak seasons. The company announced the decision on social media, expressing gratitude for the support received over the years. “We have decided to cease the operation in December this year after thorough consideration,” the company said. Founded in 1969, Ding How has long been a significant part of Hong Kong's culinary landscape.

South China Morning Post

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe