SXSK Vol. 4 — March 29, 2026

Editor’s Note

Smart Korea and UT on the Global Stage In this issue, we focus on how South Korea and UT are emerging as key players on the global stage. We begin with the Publisher’s Letter, which reflects on the role of Korea and our alumni in the international community. We then share updates from our alumni association, including the launch of our official website and the March First Thursday gathering. At the Texas Global Alumni Summit—UT’s first international alumni event to be held this April in Seoul—our alumni association president, John Kim (PGE ’05), will deliver the welcome remarks to open the gala dinner. For individuals and organizations interested in supporting the university’s mission of advancing education and innovation, please refer to our article on sponsorship opportunities. In our UT Member Interview, we feature Part I of an interview with Sun Kyu Park (CS ’03), Vice President of the alumni association and Chair of the Membership Development Committee, offering a closer look at his personal story. As news on UT, we highlight how a UT research team and UTCT technology contributed to the formal recognition of "Doolysaurus huhmini," a dinosaur fossil discovered in Korea, as a new species. Then in updates on Texas, we cover the accelerating discussions around a direct Incheon–Austin flight, the official launch of the Korea–Texas Economic Forum, Texas’s rise as a hub for Big Tech data centers, and research exploring Texas-grown cabbage as an ingredient for kimchi. Finally, reflecting Korea’s strength in smart technologies, we introduce four public and private services that can help you find the best cherry blossom spots this spring—tips you can explore in our Lifestyle section.
—Ji Hyun Ahn / Editor-in-Chief / GER ’21

Publisher’s Letter

🗞️ The UN AI Hub: The Beginning of a Subtle Shift
Six UN-affiliated international organizations, including the WHO, have agreed to support Korea’s bid to host the newly proposed UN “AI Hub.” John Kim (PGE ’05), Publisher of SXSK and President of the University of Texas at Austin Korea Alumni Association, highlights this development within the broader context of a shifting global order, noting that Korea is evolving from a follower into a leader on the international stage. He encourages alumni to apply the “attitude of equality” learned in Texas to Korea’s future and to help lead “Global Korea” together.
→ Read the full letter

UTAKA News

🗞️ Official Website of UTAKA Open
The official website of the University of Texas at Austin Korea Alumni Association (utkorea.org) was successfuly launched on March 27. The site allows users to check event schedules and RSVP, view announcements, and browse alumni news. Members who pay annual dues can also access additional benefits, including notifications for major life events, access to the alumni directory, and event discounts.
→ Read more

🗞️ First Thursday Gathering of March
The March First Thursday event was held on the evening of Thursday, March 5, at a rooftop bar in Itaewon, co-hosted by Haesung "David" Chung (MBA ’17) and Gisub Kim (ECON ’19).
→ Read more

Alumni News

🗞️ President John Kim (PGE ‘05) to Give an Opening Speech for Alumni Summit’s Keynote Dinner
John Kim (PGE ’05), President of UTAKA, will deliver the welcome remarks at the gala dinner of the Texas Global Alumni Summit, to be held on April 16 at the Orchid Room of The Westin Chosun Seoul. As UT’s first global alumni event, the Summit will take place in Seoul from April 16 to 17, with registration open through April 03.
→ Read more

UT Member Interview

🗞️ Sun Kyu Park (CS ’03) Part 1 of 2
Sun Kyu Park, who studied computer science and initially aspired to become a programmer, entered the finance industry following the dot-com bubble in 2002. After working across Korea, the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore, he founded an asset management firm in Korea in 2023. Since returning after 16 years abroad, he has been serving as Chair of the UTAKA Membership Development Committee and finds great fulfillment in connecting with fellow alumni who share memories from the most passionate period of their lives.
→ Read more

UT Stories

🗞️ UT Researcher Dr. Jung and UTCT Technology Enable Formal Identification of New Dinosaur Species Related to “Dooly”
A research team led by Dr. Jongyun Jung, a visiting postdoctoral researcher at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences, has formally identified a juvenile dinosaur fossil—approximately 100 million years old—discovered in Aphae Island, Korea, as a new species. The species, Doolysaurus huhmini, is named after the beloved Korean cartoon character “Dooly” and paleontologist Min Huh. While only leg bones and parts of the spine had been identified prior to scanning, UT’s micro-CT imaging technology revealed a far more complete skeletal structure, including the skull. The discovery provides important clues for understanding connections between dinosaur lineages in East Asia and North America during the mid-Cretaceous period.
→ Read more

🗞️ Sponsorship Opportunities for the Inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit
The inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit, “Innovation Across Borders,” is now accepting sponsors. A range of sponsorship packages—from Individual/In-Kind to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Presenting—are available, offering benefits such as brand exposure, global alumni networking, and access to VIP events. For inquiries, please contact Texas Global (globalalumni@austin.utexas.edu) or Fiona Mazurenko (fiona@austin.utexas.edu).
→ Read more

Texas News

🗞️ Airlines Move Forward on Proposed ICN–AUS Route
As Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant in Taylor, Texas nears completion and demand for travel between Korea and the U.S. surges, Korean Air and Delta Air Lines have resumed discussions on launching a direct Incheon–Austin route. The two airlines had previously reviewed the route in 2022, but plans were shelved due to insufficient demand. This time, a joint venture or codeshare model is being actively considered. While an official launch date has not been announced, plans are expected to be finalized in line with the plant’s production timeline.
→ Read more

🗞️ Korea-Texas Economic Forum Launched
The Korea–Texas Economic Forum, a private-sector initiative supporting Korean companies entering the U.S. market, officially launched on March 19 with its inaugural general meeting. Former Consul General of Houston Young-ho Jung was appointed as its first chairman. The forum aims to support venture, SME, and mid-sized companies, as well as firms in the bio and healthcare sectors, and plans to collaborate with Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups on joint projects, global testbed programs, and policy initiatives.
→ Read more

🗞️ Big Tech Data Center Boom Sweeps Across Texas
Microsoft, Meta, and Google (supporting Anthropic) are rapidly expanding AI data center investments in Texas, positioning the state as a major hub for AI infrastructure. Microsoft plans to build additional AI factory buildings in Abilene, bringing total capacity to 2.1 gigawatts. Meta has increased its investment in its El Paso data center from $1.5 billion to $10 billion, targeting operations by 2028. Meanwhile, Google is in final-stage discussions on a $5 billion-plus investment in Anthropic’s Texas data center, which could scale up to 7.7 gigawatts.
→ Read more

🗞️ Texas A&M Turns to Texas-Grown Cabbage for Kimchi
A research team led by Dr. Seokmo Koo at Texas A&M University is studying whether kimchi made from cabbage grown in Texas can meet both traditional taste standards and U.S. food safety requirements, while remaining competitive in domestic and global markets. Texas offers structural advantages, including the ability to harvest cabbage twice a year and a stringent food safety regulatory environment. The team is also using data-driven tools such as AI and microbial profiling to predict fermentation quality. In addition, they have conducted educational programs for middle school students on kimchi fermentation, integrating math and science.
→ Read more

Lifestyle

🗞️ Smart Hacks to Find Cherry Blossom Spots in South Korea
We introduce four free services that make it easy to find cherry blossom spots in Seoul using your smartphone. Smart Seoul Map’s “Seoul Spring Flower Paths” and Seoul Metropolitan Government Story’s “Find Cherry Blossom Paths in Your Neighborhood” provide location-based information but are available only in Korean. KakaoMap’s “Cherry Blossom Map” is mobile-only but supports both Korean and English. For those driving, T Map’s “Where to Go” service offers a “Cherry Blossom Outing” theme with recommended routes and nearby destinations.
→ Read more

📢 We'd love to hear from you.
Please send your submittals to editorinchief@sxsk.news

-For our [Alumni News] section, please e-mail us recent alumni updates you would like to share.

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-Under our [Lifestyle] section, we’re welcoming contributions on the topics below or any other theme you’d like:

💄 What’s in My Makeup Bag 👝
🪞 Skincare Routine 🫙
🥝 Your Signature Recipe 🍎
🍴Your Go-to Restaurant🥢
🏌🏻 Living an Active Life 👟
🧳 Travel Experiences 📷
📖 Book Reviews & Recommendations 🔖
⌚ Watches & Jewelry Reviews 💎
🚗 All Things Cars 🚜
📱 Techs & Software Reviews 💻
🧠 AI & Technology 🤖
💵 Investing & Personal Finances🪙

-If you are seeking to work with alumni, please send us your job postings for inclusion in the [Careers] section.

We look forward to featuring our community’s voices.