Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes southeast of Hokkaido; no tsunami threat reported A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck about 143 kilometers south-southeast of Asahikawa in Japan’s Hokkaido at about 5:24 a.m. on the 27th. According to Yonhap News Agency and the Korea Meteorological Administration, the epicenter was at 42.60 degrees north latitude and 143.10 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 80 kilometers. In Urahoro, Tokachi District, in southeastern Hokkaido, the quake registered a strong 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. A strong 5 means most pe April 27, 2026

Foreign and Institutional Investors Turn Net Buyers in Kospi; Retail Investors Post Record 14.7 Trillion Won Net Selling ◆Aju Economy Top News ▷Foreign and institutional investors reverse from net selling to net buying; retail investors post record 14.7 trillion won net selling -Over the past month, Kospi fund flows flipped, with foreign investors shifting from net sellers to net buyers. -Retail investors, meanwhile, have logged about 14.7 trillion won in net selling so far this month, the largest on record. -Foreign and institutional investors have focused their buying on heavyweight semiconductor shares su April 27, 2026

Commentary: Defining the Problem Determines the Market for AI People often say, “We have the technology, but there’s no market.” That is wrong. The market is not absent; it is unseen — because the problem has not been defined. South Korea has learned to run fast on roads others built — in semiconductors, displays and batteries. It has less often created the road itself. Artificial intelligence is a roadless technology: It can detect tiny factory defects, hidden bottlenecks in logistics routes, or whether an older adult living alone took medication — April 27, 2026

National Nakdong River Biological Resources Institute Opens Applications for Teaching Kit Loans, Online Classes The National Nakdong River Biological Resources Institute said on the 27th it is accepting applications from schools and other educational institutions for its “teaching kit loan service” and its “online bio-environment classroom.” The program, which begins that day, is designed to expand hands-on learning by distributing teaching kits and content developed by the institute for use in classrooms and other learning sites. The teaching kit loan service provides free loans of seven April 27, 2026

South Korea Weighs How to Use Expected Tax Windfall: Debt Paydown, Extra Budget or Reserves South Korea is again expected to post a large tax revenue surplus this year, and the government is weighing how to use it. Options under discussion include early repayment of government bonds, drafting a supplementary budget, or setting the money aside in a fund. Some analysts say the decision should hinge on what is driving the extra revenue. The choice is complicated by competing goals: restoring fiscal soundness while also responding to economic conditions. How policymakers proceed cou April 27, 2026

Aju Business Daily to Hold Energy Forum on Korea’s Strategy Amid Supply Chain Shifts Uncertainty is growing in the global energy market as prolonged Middle East-driven geopolitical risks continue to unsettle oil and gas supply chains, prompting countries to refocus energy security as a core national strategy. At the same time, the spread of artificial intelligence and the rise in data centers are sharply increasing electricity demand, accelerating structural change across existing energy systems. South Korea is no exception. With heavy reliance on energy imports and a April 27, 2026

South Korea’s Tax Revenue Swings Raise Concerns Over Budget Forecast Accuracy National tax revenue is rising faster than expected this year, fueling expectations that the tax surplus will exceed the government’s initial forecast. Economists and budget analysts, however, warn that repeated forecasting errors could undermine confidence in fiscal management. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 26th, national tax revenue in January and February totaled 71 trillion won, up 10 trillion won (16.5%) from a year earlier. By category, income tax rose 2. April 27, 2026

South Korea’s Tax Take Seen Surging Past 400T Won This Year, Possibly 500T Next Year South Korea’s government is facing a pivotal choice in fiscal policy as tax revenue is expected to far exceed earlier projections, reversing several years of shortfalls. After an estimated 25 trillion to 35 trillion won in excess revenue this year, some forecasts say national tax revenue could top 500 trillion won next year, well above the government’s initial outlook. As of the 26th, the Finance and Economy Ministry and other officials estimate this year’s national tax revenue will surpa April 27, 2026

Xdinary Heroes on chasing mainstream appeal: 'We have to make people listen to our music' "We’ve thought a lot about mainstream appeal. But we concluded that something is called mainstream because many people like it," Jooyeon said. "If more people come to like the music we make, that becomes the mainstream appeal of our music — and at the same time, it becomes our own color." As others talk about reaching a broader audience, the band Xdinary Heroes has kept writing its own songs and building its stage experience. Over time, that push for the sound the group wants has become April 27, 2026

Korea’s Q1 Surprise Growth Lifts Forecasts, but Potential Growth Seen Sliding to 1% Range Q1 surprise growth lifts forecasts, but warning signs on potential growth Global investment banks are raising their outlooks for South Korea’s growth after a surprise first-quarter expansion. Economists, however, are warning that the rebound may be short-lived as the economy’s underlying capacity continues to weaken, with potential growth projected to slip into the mid-1% range next year. Analysts said the strong reading could reflect a temporary bounce. They pointed to base effects fro April 26, 2026