Korea GM, Union Near Deal to Keep 3 of 9 Service Centers Open; Talks Resume Korea GM and its labor union have reached a working-level understanding to keep some company-run service centers open, rather than shutting them all, industry sources said. Final issues include how to reassign service-center staff to plants and the terms of any voluntary retirement program. According to the industry on the 10th, the two sides will hold a second round of main talks at 10 a.m. at the company’s headquarters to discuss the planned closure of its company-owned service center March 10, 2026

BTS’ Jin Songs Played at WBC and Winter Olympics Venues BTS member Jin’s solo music has again been featured at major international sports events, underscoring his global reach. At the 2026 World Baseball Classic game between South Korea and Taiwan on March 8 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, Jin’s “Running Wild,” the title track from his first solo album “Happy,” was played in the stadium. His clear vocals and band-driven sound blended with the crowd’s cheers and lifted the atmosphere, the report said. It was not the first time “Running Wild” has be March 10, 2026

LS Eco Energy Enters Japan Power Market for First Time With Cable Supply Deal LS Eco Energy has entered Japan’s power market for the first time. The company said March 10 that its Vietnam production unit, LS-VINA, signed an annual supply contract with Japan’s Kitanihon Electric Wire for 6.6-kilovolt (kV) constant-voltage transformer (CVT) cables used in power distribution. Kitanihon Electric Wire is a subsidiary of Tohoku Electric Power and supplies distribution cables to major Japanese power companies. Japan’s power market is widely seen as difficult to enter b March 10, 2026

Kia Unveils Updated Niro Hybrid With New Features, Ends Niro EV Production Kia has introduced a refreshed version of its second-generation Niro small SUV, adding hybrid-focused features as it targets buyers who prioritize practicality. The automaker said it has improved safety and convenience compared with the current second-generation model. Kia unveiled the vehicle for the first time at a media day on March 9 at Layer Studio 11 in Seoul’s Mapo district. The New Niro is a facelift based on the second-generation Niro launched in January 2022. Kia said it upgr March 10, 2026

YouTuber Haejju Announces Second Pregnancy in New Video YouTuber Haejju said she is pregnant with her second child. A video titled, "I can’t hide it anymore… second pregnancy (+telling my parents first)," was posted Monday on her YouTube channel, "Haejju." In the video, she showed a pregnancy test and said, "It’s two faint lines. If it’s faint, that means it’s the very early stage of pregnancy." She also shared an update about her pet cat, saying, "Since I got pregnant, Gossaesam has been glued to me. It doesn’t usually do this when I’m eatin March 10, 2026

South Korea beats Australia to reach WBC quarterfinals for first time in 17 years South Korea advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, beating Australia 7-2 on March 9 at Tokyo Dome in Japan. The team managed by Ryu Ji-hyun finished 2-2 in Pool C. South Korea, Taiwan and Australia ended tied, but South Korea moved on as the pool’s No. 2 team behind Japan (3-1) on the tiebreaker of lowest runs allowed. It is South Korea’s first trip out of the WBC group stage since its runner-up finish in 2009. South Korea entered the game ne March 9, 2026

Hyundai’s Middle East growth push faces war risk as U.S.-Iran conflict disrupts demand and shipping Hyundai Motor Group’s push to build a “second Middle East boom” to offset expanding U.S. high-tariff pressure is facing a new obstacle: war risk. With Iran launching indiscriminate attacks that also hit key regional markets such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, the industry expects weaker auto demand across the Gulf Cooperation Council and disruptions to logistics. If the conflict drags on, Hyundai’s planned Middle East production base — targeted to March 9, 2026

Diesel Prices Top Gasoline in South Korea, Raising Fears of Freight Disruptions "I use as much as 5,000 liters of diesel a month. If the price rises by just 500 won, my fuel bill goes up 2.5 million won," a cargo truck driver said. "Then my take-home pay drops below what you can make at a part-time job. I’m hanging on, but if things get as bad as the urea-solution crisis, I may have to stop driving." With global oil prices topping $100 a barrel and diesel now costing more than gasoline, South Korea’s freight industry is warning of mounting strain. March 9, 2026

Diesel Prices in South Korea Top Gasoline, Raising Alarm for Transport Industries International oil prices have surged, pushing diesel — often seen as a working-class fuel — above gasoline in South Korea and raising alarms across industry. With the economy slowing and business conditions already weak, higher energy costs are expected to make it harder for transport-heavy sectors such as logistics, shipping, rail and aviation to protect earnings. According to Opinet, the Korea National Oil Corp.’s price information system, the nationwide average gasoline price at gas March 9, 2026

Oil Tops $100 as Bond Yields Rise, Raising Risk of 7% Mortgage Rates in South Korea Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed international oil prices above $100 a barrel, adding to upward pressure on market interest rates. If bond yields keep climbing, some analysts say mortgage rates could top 7%. As of the 9th, the five major commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — were offering five-year fixed (hybrid) mortgage rates of 4.14% to 6.74%, according to the banking sector. Compared with early this year’s 3.94% to 6.24%, the top e March 9, 2026