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  Kia to invest 49 trillion won by 2030 with nearly half for future mobility SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - Kia will invest a record 49 trillion won (about U$32.67 billion) through 2030, allocating 21 trillion won or more than 40 percent to future-focused businesses such as electrification, autonomous driving and robotics, the automaker said on Thursday. The investment plan, unveiled at an investment blitz at the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul, is part of Kia's mid- to long-term strategy to transform into a sustainable mobility solutions company. It marks Kia' April 9, 2026
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  North Korea tests cluster warhead on short-range ballistic missile, KCNA reports SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) -North Korea has tested a cluster warhead mounted on a short-range ballistic missile, a weapon that has drawn renewed attention after Iran reportedly used similar munitions that challenged Israel’s air defense systems during the Middle East conflict. The move suggests Pyongyang may be seeking to enhance its strike capabilities by incorporating cluster payloads into its existing missile systems. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCN April 9, 2026
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  Hyundai Motor, Kia to report double-digit fall in Q1 income despite robust sales SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) – South Korea's top automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia are expected to deliver double-digit falls in their respective first-quarter operating profit on multiple whammies - U.S. tariffs, currency-driven cost pressures and recall-related expenses – despite robust sales. Hyundai Motor is projected to report operating profit of 2.94 trillion won ($2.0 billion) for the January–March period, down 19 percent from a year earlier, and its sister m April 9, 2026
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  Samsung Elec turns up 'warmth' in design as gadget prices turn cold SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is painstakingly dialing up “warmth” in product design for its latest Galaxy lineup, seeking to soften consumer resistance as rising component costs push device prices higher and colder Unveiling the Galaxy S26 and Buds4 series on Thursday, the company’s design leadership emphasized a shift toward more intuitive, tactile and emotionally resonant products — a deliberate counterpoint to what executives acknowledged as April 9, 2026
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  South Korea emerges as top travel destination for spring SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - With the growing popularity of the Korean Wave, more travelers are choosing South Korea as their spring destination to enjoy cherry blossoms and other attractions, shifting from the long-standing tradition of visiting Japan. According to figures released by online travel agency Trip.com on Thursday, Seoul ranked first among global cities in flight bookings for the spring travel period from March 20 to May 3. Bookings for flights to Seoul jumped 83 p April 9, 2026
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  OPINION: Governance question lingers behind Korea's market rollercoaster Market volatility has become the norm in 2026. The KOSPI index is liable to shoot up and down any moment, as global analysts watch for hints of supply chains either being freed or tied up amid the conflict in the Middle East. Just before the fighting started, Korean stocks were riding an unprecedented surge. Airstrikes on Iran began in same week that an artificial intelligence boom helped the KOSPI cross the 6,000 level for the first time ever, just 250 days after surpassing 3,000. April 9, 2026
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  Seoul advised to seek risk-free energy sourcing at first NEAC meeting SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung admitted Thursday that the escalating Middle East conflict will deliver near-term economic damage while forcing a longer-term overhaul of the country’s industrial and energy structure. Speaking at the first plenary session of the National Economic Advisory Council at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said the crisis is unfolding on two fronts — an immediate energy supply disruption and a broader erosion of industrial compet April 9, 2026
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  Asian markets retreat after truce rally; Kospi slips by Samsung block sale SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Asian markets opened broadly lower on Thursday, giving back some of the previous session's sharp gains after the United States and Iran effectively agreed to a Pakistan-mediated two-week truce. As investors monitored the course of Washington-Tehran negotiations, South Korean stocks were weighed by profit-taking following Wednesday’s sharp jump and a large block sale of Samsung Electronics shares. The main index fell 0.99 percent to 5,814.40, April 9, 2026
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  Battery makers expected to post Q1 losses, but optimism remains on ESS demand SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - South Korea's three major battery makers are expected to post weak first-quarter results amid slowing demand for electric vehicles. According to data compiled by financial information provider FnGuide, Samsung SDI, SK On, and LG Energy Solution are projected to post operating losses for the first three months of this year. Samsung SDI is estimated to have posted an operating loss of 263.5 billion won ($196 million), while SK On is expected to report a l April 9, 2026
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  Seoul unveils new measures to fend off inflation, sees stabler FX market SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) —South Korea will reimpose a cap on retail fuel prices to contain a renewed surge in gasoline costs triggered by the prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while signaling potential upside for the battered won through parallel market-stabilization measures. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Thursday the government will unveil a third round of emergency price ceilings on petroleum products at 7 p.m., with the new caps to t April 9, 2026