KB Financial, Agriculture Ministry to Invest 2.5 Billion Won in Regional Support Programs KB Financial Group said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to jointly support local communities, small businesses and young people. The partnership is based on the government’s “5 hubs, 3 special zones” policy and aims to provide locally felt infrastructure and living support aligned with balanced national development. The two sides will pursue three programs as a package — youth support, balanced regional development February 26, 2026

Draft Manuscripts of Park Ji-won’s ‘Yeolha Ilgi’ Named Korean National Treasure The Korea Heritage Service said on the 26th it designated a set of draft manuscripts of “Yeolha Ilgi,” a travel account written by Park Ji-won after returning from Qing China in the late Joseon period, as a state-designated cultural heritage treasure. The “Draft Manuscripts of Park Ji-won’s Yeolha Ilgi,” held by Dankook University’s Seok Juseon Memorial Museum, preserves material from the earliest stage of the work’s production. Park (1737-1805) compiled the account after visiting Beijin February 26, 2026

Hyundai Rotem CEO Lee Yong-bae elected head of Korea Space Technology Promotion Association The Korea Space Technology Promotion Association said Lee Yong-bae, CEO of Hyundai Rotem, was elected as its new chairman at a general meeting on the 26th. His term is three years. Lee graduated from Jeonju University with a degree in business administration and earned a master’s in business administration from Kyung Hee University. He has held senior planning roles at Hyundai Motor, served as a vice president in charge of planning at Hyundai Wia, and was CEO of Hyundai Motor Securities February 26, 2026

MINI Korea Launches Limited-Run Paul Smith Edition Electric Cooper SE BMW MINI is officially launching a limited-edition electric vehicle in South Korea that combines MINI styling with design elements from British fashion brand Paul Smith. The project is part of MINI’s new “Customization 2.0” strategy, aimed at reflecting customers’ tastes and lifestyles and strengthening the brand’s fan culture. Jeong Su-won, head of BMW MINI Korea, said at a Feb. 26 media event in Seoul’s Yongsan district that MINI entered the Korean market in 2005 with sales of 761 February 26, 2026

Jisoo and Seo In-guk team up for Netflix rom-com series 'Monthly Boyfriend' “A rom-com goddess title? Yes, I want it.” Actor Jisoo is taking on her first romantic comedy, joining actor Seo In-guk in Netflix’s new series “Monthly Boyfriend,” built around the idea of a “dating subscription service.” A production presentation for the Netflix original series “Monthly Boyfriend” (written by Namgung Do-young, directed by Kim Jung-sik) was held on the morning of Feb. 26 at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Director Kim and lead actors Jisoo and S February 26, 2026

Volkswagen Group Korea CEO Till Scheer Reappointed as Importers Association Chair for Third Term Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said it held its general meeting on Feb. 26 at the Westin Josun Hotel and appointed Till Scheer, CEO and president of Volkswagen Group Korea, as its 17th chair. Scheer, who has led the association since 2022 after joining Volkswagen Group Korea as group president in 2021, will serve a third consecutive term following his 15th and 16th terms. During his tenure, KAIDA said Scheer focused on cooperation with the South Korean gov February 26, 2026

BMW Motorrad to Sell 15-Unit Limited R 12 S Special Edition in South Korea BMW Motorrad said it will sell just 15 units of the BMW R 12 S Special Edition in South Korea through the BMW Motorrad Shop online store starting at 2 p.m. on the 26th. The R 12 S was previously released in limited numbers in April last year to mark the 30th anniversary of BMW Group Korea. The entire allotment sold out within a week. BMW Motorrad decided to bring it back in a 15-unit run after continued purchase inquiries. The model reinterprets the heritage of the legendary 1973 BMW R 90 February 26, 2026

K Bank Nominates CEO Choi Woo-hyung for Second Term as Bank President K Bank has nominated its current president, Choi Woo-hyung, as the sole candidate for its next chief executive officer, the bank said Thursday in a regulatory filing. The executive candidate recommendation committee approved Choi unanimously as the candidate for representative director, with final selection to be decided at the bank’s regular shareholders meeting scheduled for March 31. It would be the first time since K Bank’s launch that a president is reappointed for another term. The February 26, 2026

South Korea issues copyright fair-use guide for generative AI training, including web crawling Generative artificial intelligence developers and copyright holders in South Korea now have a new government guide on when copyrighted works may be used fairly to train AI models.  The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Copyright Commission said Thursday they will publish a guide titled “Copyright Law Fair Use Guide for Generative AI Training on Works” (the “fair use guide”). It will be available from 11 a.m. on the commission’s website.  The guide explains four facto February 26, 2026

Audi Korea Names KCC Auto Group as New Authorized Dealer Audi Korea said on Wednesday it has finalized the selection of KCC Auto Group as a new authorized dealer. Starting March 1, KCC Auto Group will operate showrooms in Songpa, Hanam and West Daegu, along with an Audi Approved Plus (AAP) certified used-car showroom in Gimpo. It will also run service centers in Gangdong, Songpa and West Daegu. Audi Korea said the showrooms and service centers will continue operating as they have, allowing customers to consult on purchases and receive after-sal February 26, 2026