South Korea’s Mini-Car Sales Hit Record Low in 2025, Show Early 2026 Uptick Domestic sales of new mini cars in South Korea fell to about 70,000 units last year, the lowest level on record, data showed. According to Kaizu Data Research Institute on Monday, 74,600 new mini passenger cars were sold domestically last year, down 24.8% from a year earlier. It was the first time in the past 20 years that mini-car sales dropped into the 70,000 range, and the lowest figure since domestic sales by vehicle class began being tallied. Data from the Korea Autom February 17, 2026

Hyundai, Kia Aim to Top 1 Million Cumulative EV Sales in Europe in First Half Hyundai and Kia are expected to surpass 1 million cumulative electric-vehicle sales in Europe in the first half of this year, as the region accelerates its shift to electrification. The milestone would come about 12 years after the brands launched their first EV in Europe, the Soul, in 2014. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, battery-electric vehicle sales in Europe totaled 217,898 in December, up 51% from a year earlier. BEVs took a 22.6% market share in De February 17, 2026

KakaoPay Data: Most Middle and High Schoolers Got 100,000 Won in New Year’s Money Middle and high school students’ “standard” New Year’s cash gift is rising. The most common amount given to teens last year increased from 50,000 won to 100,000 won, according to KakaoPay data. With grocery prices also climbing, many consumers say holiday spending feels burdensome ahead of the Lunar New Year. KakaoPay said Monday that its analysis, released through the finance brand journal PayAttention, found 100,000 won was the most frequently received amount among middle and high school February 17, 2026

Winter Holiday Road-Trip Checklist: Tires, Battery and Emergency Towing Tips With cold snaps and heavy snow continuing this winter, drivers face greater need to check key vehicle components. With large day-to-night temperature swings, road conditions can change quickly, making thorough preparation important before long-distance travel. Reborncar, a non-face-to-face, directly operated certified used-car platform, released a “safe drive checklist” on Tuesday with Lunar New Year holiday vehicle-care guidance and driving tips. ◆From tires to brakes: What to check fi February 17, 2026

Aron to Offer Free Mobile EV Charging at Honam Expressway Rest Stops for Lunar New Year Travel EV charging solutions company Aron said Tuesday it will provide a free mobile EV charging service at expressway rest stops during the Lunar New Year holiday, in partnership with hy Mobility. The program, promoted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Automobile Environmental Association, places mobile EV charging vehicles at major highway rest stops nationwide to ease charging inconvenience during peak long-distance travel. Aron will oversee operations in February 17, 2026

South Korea Women’s Curling Rallies Past China by 1, Moves Into Tie for Second South Korea’s women’s curling team pulled off a late comeback to beat China by one point in Olympic round-robin play, moving into a tie for second place. Gyeonggi Province Office, led by skip Kim Eun-ji with third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and fifth Seol Ye-ji, defeated China 10-9 in its sixth round-robin game at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Tuesday (Korea time). After blanking the first two ends to keep last-stone advantage, So February 17, 2026

Naver Pay, Kakao Pay waive fees for small merchants ahead of Lunar New Year Naver Pay and Kakao Pay are offering fee relief for micro and small merchants ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, aiming to ease costs for small businesses and expand inclusive finance. Naver Pay said Tuesday it is covering 100% of payment fees for eligible micro and small in-store merchants through Feb. 22. The support is applied automatically with no separate application. Fees are refunded for transactions paid with points or money via QR payments or Samsung Pay. The company has previ February 17, 2026

T’way Air Offers 10% Off GetYourGuide Tours and Activities for Passengers T’way Air said Tuesday it is offering discounts to all passengers through Feb. 28 on GetYourGuide, a major platform for tours and activities in Europe. Passengers who book GetYourGuide products through a link on T’way Air’s event page will automatically receive a 10% discount on tours and activities. The page features winter experiences such as husky sledding across snowy mountain areas in Europe and snowmobile rides through snow-covered forests. The promotion also includes discounted February 17, 2026

Elana Meyers Taylor Wins Olympic Women’s Monobob Gold at Milan-Cortina Elana Meyers Taylor, a 41-year-old mother raising two children with disabilities, won her first Olympic gold medal in her fifth Games appearance.  Taylor posted 59.51 seconds in the fourth and final run of the women’s monobob on Feb. 17 (Korea time) at the Cortina Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Her four-run total of 3:57.93 edged Germany’s Laura Nolte (3:57.97) by 0.04 seconds for the title at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Born in October 1984, Taylor won three s February 17, 2026

South Korea Women’s Curling Beats China for Second Straight Win at Milan-Cortina Games South Korea’s women’s curling team beat China 10-9 for its second straight win, improving its chances of reaching the semifinals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The South Korean team — skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and alternate Seol Ye-ji — defeated China in its sixth round-robin game at the Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina, Italy, on Feb. 17 (Korea time). After edging rival Japan 7-5 two days earlier, South Korea moved to 4-2 an February 17, 2026