news highlight

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  Korean Drugmakers Head to AACR 2026 to Showcase Next-Gen Cancer Drug Research Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Yuhan Corp., Samsung Biologics and Celltrion are among South Korea’s major drug and biotech companies heading to San Diego ahead of the American Association for Cancer Research’s AACR 2026 meeting. The companies plan to present early-stage results on next-generation cancer drug candidates, highlight emerging trends and seek opportunities for future licensing deals. Industry officials said on April 17 that AACR, which runs through April 22 (local time), is considered April 17, 2026
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  Hanmi Launches Task Force to Commercialize Obesity Drug Efpeglenatide; Other Pharma-Bio Updates Hanmi launches companywide task force to commercialize obesity drug efpeglenatide this year "The development of Efe reflects Hanmi’s spirit of not being discouraged by failure and turning it into a bigger opportunity." Lim Ju-hyeon, vice chair of Hanmi Group, made the remarks April 13 at Hanmi C&C Square in Seoul as the company launched a cross-company consultative body, dubbed the “Efe Project–Seosa,” aimed at commercializing the obesity drug candidate efpeglenatide, know April 17, 2026
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  Museum Director Kim Myung-in Pledges National Script Research Institute Kim Myung-in, director of the National Museum of World Writing Systems, on April 17 announced a new vision for the museum: “World cultures through writing systems, an open museum preparing for the future.” Speaking at a news briefing at the Korea Press Center, Kim said the museum will pursue the creation of a National Script Research Institute as a key driver, aiming to become a “global hub for writing-system culture” where exhibitions and research operate in tandem. He outlined majo April 17, 2026
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  Stage Review: 'Record of Bones' Finds Humanity When Perfection Breaks “I will do my utmost to see you on your final journey.” The central figure in the play 'Record of Bones' is a funeral director robot named Robis. His service is flawless. In the way he handles the dead, he shows a calm, craftsmanlike precision. His gestures are delicate, his gaze steady. Robis carries out standardized procedures without a fraction of error — no mistakes, no hesitation, no complaints. Within a fixed system, his work can seem like the ideal. What changes is th April 17, 2026
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  Five Years On, 45RPM’s Lee Hyun-bae Remembered After 2021 Death Hip-hop group 45RPM member Lee Hyun-bae, the younger brother of DJ DOC’s Lee Ha-neul, has been dead for five years. Lee was found dead April 17, 2021, at his home in Seogwipo on Jeju Island. An internet installation worker discovered him collapsed in the living room and reported it, but Lee was pronounced dead. An autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death, and a specialist’s opinion said it was believed to be related to a heart abnormality. After news of Lee’s death, a dispu April 17, 2026
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  Callaway Golf Korea Launches Quantum Mini Series Clubs Callaway Golf Korea has introduced the new Quantum Mini Series, built on the technology of its Quantum lineup. The series includes three clubs: the Quantum Mini Driver, Quantum Mini Bertha and Quantum Mini Spinner. The company said the clubs are designed to close common distance gaps between a driver, fairway wood, hybrid and long iron, allowing more precise yardage control depending on course conditions. The Quantum Mini Driver is intended to blend driver distance with the stability of a April 17, 2026
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  Uniwon to Hold ‘Dark Museum’ Tactile Art Exhibit in Yongsan for Disability Day Uniwon, a MICE industry company, is hosting a special exhibition titled “Dark Museum for the Visually Impaired” at the Yongsan Cultural Foundation’s pop-up hall in Seoul’s Yongsan district to mark Disability Day, highlighting exhibition content designed to broaden sensory experience. The show is billed as a “multi-sensory” exhibition that shifts art appreciation away from a primarily visual approach. In a darkened setting, visitors are guided to experience works mainly through touch and s April 17, 2026
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  Korean Banks’ Loan Delinquency Rate Hits 0.62% in February, Highest in 9 Months Domestic banks’ loan delinquency rate rose in February to its highest level in nine months, as economic growth slowed and uncertainty at home and abroad increased. The Financial Supervisory Service said Friday that as of the end of February, the delinquency rate on won-denominated loans at domestic banks — based on principal and interest overdue by at least one month — stood at 0.62%, up 0.06 percentage point from 0.56% a month earlier. It was the highest since May last year, when it was April 17, 2026
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  South Korea Launches Copyright Protection Campaign for World Book and Copyright Day The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Copyright Commission and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency said Thursday they will run a copyright protection campaign from April 17 to 30 ahead of World Book and Copyright Day on April 23. Events will be held online and in person, including talk concerts with writers and experts, advance promotion for a copyright awareness contest, and an on-site program at the National Library of Korea. Two talk concerts are scheduled for April April 17, 2026