KJorea This Week: This week I am not writing from Busan but from the Netherlands. It feels a little strange to follow Korea from afar, but from October 1st I’ll be back in Korea — just in time for autumn and the many festivals.
INCHE 2025: A Holistic Look at AI and Education
Later this year, Handong Global University in Pohang will host the INCHE Asia–Oceania Conference. Its theme is “Holistic Intelligence in Higher Education: A New Paradigm in the AI Era.”
What makes this gathering special is that it doesn’t simply look at artificial intelligence as another tool for efficiency. Instead, it asks deeper questions: how do we educate the whole person — mind, spirit, and character — in an age when machines are imitating human abilities?
Topics will include:
- How to hold on to human dignity when AI increasingly shapes our learning.
- How technological progress and a spiritual or ethical framework can speak to each other.
- What kind of graduates society needs: not only skilled in technology, but also grounded in values and responsibility.
INCHE brings together professors, researchers, and policy makers from all over the world, with a strong input from Christian colleges and universities. Alongside the papers and workshops, there will be space for reflection, conversation, and community. The conference also marks a double anniversary: 50 years of INCHE and 30 years of Handong University.
It is a reminder that the debate on AI in education is not just about software and algorithms, but also about identity, purpose, and the human journey.
Busan’s Education Office in Europe
At the same time, Busan is looking outward. A delegation from the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education is currently visiting the Netherlands and Belgium. Their goal is to learn from schools and universities that are experimenting with new ways of teaching and learning. Wageningen University and several innovative primary schools are on their itinerary.
The focus is on how European educators are using digital classrooms, AI-based tools, and citizenship education. Busan hopes to bring fresh ideas home and shape its own strategy for the future. That they chose the Netherlands and Belgium is telling — our education system, with its creativity and autonomy, is seen internationally as a source of inspiration.
Business and Opportunities
The wider economic picture remains lively. Korea’s exports rose again in September, with semiconductors leading the way. At the same time, the still-unsettled trade talks with the United States are keeping markets on edge. President Lee warned against rushing into concessions that could destabilize the economy, while Washington presses for large “upfront” investments.
Meanwhile, Korea is pushing forward with new trade partnerships in Southeast Asia, including ongoing negotiations with Thailand. For European businesses, Korea is increasingly a gateway to broader Asian markets.
Busan Alive: Shiwol Festival
Back home, Busan is celebrating the Shiwol Festival (September 21 – October 3). It’s a city-wide mix of art, music, business forums, and creative showcases. Drone shows over the Gwangandaegyo Bridge, K-pop concerts, design workshops — all showing that Busan is more than just a port and a business hub. It is also a lively stage for culture and innovation.
Autumn in Korea
Autumn has arrived — perhaps the most beautiful season in Korea. The air is clear, the days are mild, the nights pleasantly cool. While the leaves are just starting to turn in the north, Busan will reach its peak colors by the end of October. It’s the perfect time for hiking in the mountains, strolling along the coast, and joining the festivals.
A Personal Note
Writing this week’s update from the Netherlands makes me feel the distance, but also the connection. The themes running through Korea right now — AI in education, international exchange, business opportunities, and cultural vitality — are exactly the threads that link Europe and Korea together.
In just a few days I’ll be back in Busan, walking again through Geumgang Park in the autumn light, joining the Siwol Festival in person, and continuing the conversations that began here in Europe.
🔎 Sources
- INCHE Conference 2025 (Handong Global University)
- NewsPim: Busan Education Office delegation to Netherlands & Belgium
- Visit Busan: Siwol Festival
- Visit Korea: autumn weather and foliage forecasts
- Korea Times, JoongAng Daily, Reuters
