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  Janggeum Shipping Emerges as Key VLCC Player as War Roils Tanker Market Middle East-driven war fallout is jolting global shipping markets, and South Korea’s Janggeum Shipping is being cited as a quiet winner. The privately held company is little known at home, but industry watchers say it has become a core player in the tanker market, led by very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, and is generating daily earnings in the hundreds of millions of won. Industry sources said March 17 that Janggeum Shipping has recently been securing about $500,000 a day in charter fe March 17, 2026
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  Korea Zinc’s indium draws U.S. attention as quantum computing material Korea Zinc, the only producer of the strategic mineral indium in South Korea, is drawing attention as indium gains prominence as a key material for the fast-growing quantum computing industry. With competition intensifying over next-generation technologies tied to quantum computing, industry officials say Korea Zinc’s stable indium output is positioning it as an important partner in advanced-industry supply chains, including those linked to South Korea and the United States. According to t March 17, 2026
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  Korean Air Extends Incheon-Dubai Flight Cancellations Through April 19 Korean Air said Tuesday it has extended cancellations on its Incheon-to-Dubai route through April 19. The airline took emergency turnaround and cancellation measures for flights KE951 and KE952 starting Feb. 28 after the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Before the airstrikes on Iran, Korean Air was the only South Korean carrier operating a Middle East route, flying round-trip to Dubai seven times a week. The suspension had been set to run through March 5, but cancellations have continu March 17, 2026
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  Korea Petrochemical Sector Exposed as Russia, Middle East Naphtha Supplies Tighten South Korea’s petrochemical industry has been laid bare by the latest naphtha crunch, with experts pointing to a fragile supply chain now squeezed on multiple fronts. With imports of Russian naphtha already blocked and Middle Eastern supplies disrupted by war risks, the sector is facing what industry officials describe as a potential collapse in operations. While restarting Russian naphtha imports is cited as the most direct remedy, analysts say it is effectively impossible for South Korea March 17, 2026
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  Hyundai Mobis Lowers Board Entry Bar Under Revised Commercial Act, Raising Governance Risks Hyundai Mobis has amended its articles of incorporation in line with South Korea’s revised Commercial Act, a move expected to lower barriers for activist funds and minority shareholders seeking seats on the board. As a key affiliate in Hyundai Motor Group’s governance structure, the changes are fueling concerns that risks could grow during any future groupwide governance overhaul. At its 49th annual shareholders meeting held March 17 at GS Tower in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Hyundai Mobis March 17, 2026
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  Hanwha Aerospace Buys Nearly 5% Stake in KAI, Deepening Defense Ties Hanwha Group’s move to secure nearly 5% of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is drawing attention in the defense industry, as it could strengthen Hanwha’s position in fighter-jet production through closer cooperation with the aircraft maker. Industry officials said Tuesday that Hanwha Aerospace recently bought a 4.41% stake in KAI. Combined with the 0.58% held by Hanwha Systems, the group’s total stake stands at 4.99%. It marks Hanwha Aerospace’s first KAI share purchase in about seven yea March 17, 2026
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  SK Biopharm JV, Samjin Pharma, Hecto Group, Medytox and Gil Medical Center updates SK Biopharm JV Mentis Care begins joint research with Emory School of Medicine on AI seizure detection and real-time prediction SK Biopharm said March 17 that its joint venture, Mentis Care, has started a joint study with Emory University School of Medicine to develop an artificial intelligence model to detect seizures and predict them in real time. The two-year project aims to build a general-purpose AI model that can be used across settings, from precision hospital equipment to wearabl March 17, 2026
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  Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea to use Ivory Coast, Austria friendlies as final World Cup audition With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America about three months away, competition inside Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea squad is intensifying. Hong has repeatedly stressed that the final roster is not set, setting up what amounts to a last-round audition for players seeking a World Cup place. South Korea (No. 22 in the FIFA rankings) will play Ivory Coast (No. 37) at 11 p.m. March 28 (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. The team then faces Austria (No. 24) at 3:45 a.m. April March 17, 2026
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  Daehan Shipbuilding Wins $1.3 Billion Won Order for One Suezmax Crude Oil Tanker Daehan Shipbuilding said it is continuing a strong run of new orders since the start of the year. The company said Tuesday it signed a shipbuilding contract on March 16 with an Oceania-based shipping company to build one Suezmax-class crude oil tanker worth about 130 billion won. Including the latest deal, Daehan Shipbuilding said it has won orders for a total of nine vessels so far this year, surpassing 82% of its annual order target. The customer first signed with Daehan Shipbuilding March 17, 2026
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  KB Kookmin, Shinhan to Launch Online Refinancing for Sole Proprietor Credit Loans Online refinancing for sole proprietors’ credit loans is now allowed, and competition among banks is picking up.  According to the financial industry on the 17th, KB Kookmin Bank and Shinhan Bank will begin offering refinancing services for sole proprietors’ credit loans starting on the 18th.  At KB Kookmin Bank, the maximum loan amount eligible for refinancing is 300 million won through branches and 200 million won through non-face-to-face channels. All customers who refinance into KB K March 17, 2026