KATECH Named Korea’s Accredited Testing Body for Low-Speed Autonomous Driving Korea Automobile Technology Institute said Sunday it has built a nationally accredited testing system to verify the safety and performance of low-speed autonomous driving systems in South Korea. KATECH’s Cooperative Driving Automation Research Center said it received approval from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme to expand its scope of accreditation based on the KS X ISO 22737 international standard. ISO 22737 sets out performance evaluation standards for low-speed autonomous dri March 16, 2026

Oscar Winners to Be Decided as 'Sinners' Faces 'One Battle After Another' in Top Races The 98th Academy Awards will be held at 7 p.m. local time Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. This year’s ceremony has drawn added attention as films with strong Korean elements landed nominations in major categories alongside traditional Hollywood contenders. One of the most closely watched titles is Netflix’s animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” nominated for best animated feature and best original song. The film has already won major prizes at the Golden Globes and t March 16, 2026

Song Il-gook Shares Update on Triplets, Says Daehan Is Taller Than Him Actor Song Il-gook has shared an update on his triplets, Daehan, Minguk and Manse. On the 15th, Song posted photos on Instagram, writing, "Flower Boys Triplets 6. Thank you to the fans who wished Daehan, Minguk and Manse a happy birthday." He added, "Since it was their birthday, they allowed me to post travel photos from a trip we took during this winter break with their grandmother." Song also wrote, "Daehan is now taller than I am. For reference, I'm 185 cm ..." and said, "They're all March 16, 2026

Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area buzzes ahead of BTS comeback show, with up to 260,000 expected SEOUL — With BTS set to perform “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul is already seeing a surge of activity ahead of the show. The Gwanghwamun area has been crowded with multinational fans who have traveled to South Korea for the concert. Many can be seen wearing purple items associated with BTS’ fan club, ARMY, or carrying official merchandise. Fans have also gathered at large outdoor screens downtown to watch BTS videos and take commem March 16, 2026

Police, Seoul and Culture Ministry Roll Out Heavy Security for BTS Gwanghwamun Comeback Live Police, the Seoul city government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are preparing what they described as an unusually high-intensity joint safety operation for “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang (ARIRANG),” set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Organizers expect 22,000 audience members and as many as 260,000 people to gather that day, prompting authorities to mobilize broad anti-terror measures, including deploying police special forces, and to tighten on-site controls. March 16, 2026

Leeum, Ho-Am Exhibitions Put the Focus Back on the Human Hand “Before it even touches Adam’s finger.” From “The Story of Art” (Yekyung), p. 310. Michelangelo (1475-1564) captured the split second before God’s and Adam’s index fingers meet to suggest the moment of creation. In the Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco “The Creation of Adam,” an all-powerful God reaches toward the first man, as if passing on a “spark of life” through a fingertip. Art historian E.H. Gombrich wrote in “The Story of Art” that the painting’s way of making God’s omnipotence vi March 16, 2026

Automakers Rework EV Plans as Demand Cools, Hybrids Regain Focus Global automakers are revising their strategies as growth in the electric-vehicle market slows. U.S. and Japanese carmakers are increasingly dialing back the pace of EV investment and shifting more attention to hybrids. According to the industry on the 15th, Japan’s Honda has decided to temporarily suspend its next-generation EV platform strategy, the “Honda 0 Series.” Development has also effectively halted on the flagship sedan “Saloon,” slated for release next year, and the Acura RSX sp March 15, 2026

Renault Korea Launches 2027 Arkana Coupe-Style SUV Renault Korea said Sunday it has launched the 2027 model-year Arkana, a coupe-style sport utility vehicle. For the model-year update, the company consolidated both the Hybrid E-Tech and 1.6 GTe versions into a single Iconic trim to streamline specifications. Front-row ventilated seats are now standard, and the price of the optional Camel Brown synthetic leather seat package has been lowered, Renault Korea said. The 2027 Arkana comes standard with 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, which the March 15, 2026

Hanwha System Buys 0.58% Stake in KAI, Citing Space and Defense Cooperation Hanwha Group has bought shares in rival Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, for the first time in more than seven years. A business report filed Friday and cited Sunday by South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service said Hanwha System, the group’s defense affiliate, bought 566,635 KAI common shares in November for 59.9 billion won. The stake equals 0.58% of KAI’s outstanding shares. Hanwha last held KAI shares in 2018, when Hanwha Aerospace sold its entire 5.99% stake.  Defense industr March 15, 2026

Lee Tae-hoon Misses 1-Meter Par Putt, Loses LIV Golf Singapore Playoff to DeChambeau Lee Tae-hoon, a Canadian of Korean descent, narrowly missed his first LIV Golf title, settling for second after a playoff loss in Singapore. Lee shot a 5-under 66 in the final round of LIV Golf Singapore on March 15 at Sentosa Golf Club (par 71). He finished at 14-under 270 and forced a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau of the United States. The playoff ended on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th. Lee had a chance to win but missed a birdie putt of about 8 meters. DeChambeau made par, and March 15, 2026