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  World Cup 100 Days Out: Iran Boycott Threat and Mexico Security Worries Cloud 2026 Tournament The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is 100 days away. The tournament opens June 12 (Korea time) and runs through July 19 across 16 cities. It will be the first World Cup played with 48 teams. Organizers are facing growing concerns, however, as instability in the Middle East and worsening security in Mexico tied to the government’s fight with drug cartels raise fears of disruption. ◆Iran hints it may skip World Cup after U.S. strike The bigges March 4, 2026
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  Singer Navi Shares Maternity Photos as She Nears Due Date Singer Navi, whose real name is Ahn Ji-ho, has shared maternity photos as she nears the end of her pregnancy. On Tuesday, she posted photos on social media with the caption, "3+1=4." In the images, she highlights her baby bump. Online commenters responded with messages including, "So beautiful," and, "Wishing you a safe delivery." Navi married Cho Sung-hwan, a retired soccer player, in 2019. She gave birth to a son in 2021 and is currently pregnant wit March 4, 2026
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  Korea Eximbank, KHNP sign nuclear power cooperation MOU with Philippines’ Meralco The Export-Import Bank of Korea said it has moved to strengthen financing support for South Korean companies seeking nuclear power plant contracts overseas. Korea Eximbank and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said they signed a three-party memorandum of understanding with Meralco, the Philippines’ largest private power company, in Manila to cooperate on developing nuclear power projects in the Philippines. The signing ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Philippi March 4, 2026
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  Bridgerton Season 4’s Ha Yerin Addresses Racism Controversy, Urges Restraint Actor Ha Yerin has spoken publicly about a recent racism controversy tied to Netflix’s series “Bridgerton 4.” At a news conference held Tuesday afternoon at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung-gu district, Ha addressed the issue while appearing as the show’s lead actor. The series previously drew criticism during global promotion after actions that included excluding Ha, prompting allegations of racial discrimination. Fans in South Korea and abroad also lodged complaints with the show’ March 4, 2026
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  Bridgerton Season 4 Star Ha Yerin Says Grandmother Son Sook Watched — and Blushed at Intimate Scenes Actress Ha Yerin on Tuesday shared her grandmother Son Sook’s reaction after watching Netflix’s series “Bridgerton 4.” Ha attended a press event for “Bridgerton 4” on Tuesday afternoon at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung District. Ha, a Korean Australian actor, is known in Korea as the granddaughter of Son, often described as a leading figure in theater. Ha said Son had watched all of “Bridgerton 4,” adding that her grandmother, whose eyesight has recently worsened, watched from clo March 4, 2026
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  Ha Yerin Says Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton 4’ No. 1 Ranking Still Hasn’t Sunk In Actor Ha Yerin shared her thoughts on the global popularity of Netflix series “Bridgerton 4.” A press event for “Bridgerton 4” was held on the afternoon of March 4 at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung District. Ha, who stars in the series, attended. “When ‘Bridgerton 4’ hit No. 1 on the global chart, it honestly didn’t feel real,” Ha said. “It felt like something happening outside of me, so it didn’t really sink in.” The series also ranked No. 1 in South Korea shortly after its rele March 4, 2026
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  Jin Air to Launch Busan-Phu Quoc Route, Expanding Service From Gimhae Jin Air said Tuesday it will launch a new route from Gimhae Airport to Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese resort island often dubbed the country’s “pearl.” The Busan-Phu Quoc service, the carrier’s third new route introduced from Busan this year after Taichung and Miyakojima, is aimed at strengthening its network based in Busan. Flights begin April 30 and will operate four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departures leave Gimhae at 7:55 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and at 8:0 March 4, 2026
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  Hanwha Ocean Says It Can Deliver First Canadian Submarine in 2032, Ahead of German Rival Hanwha Ocean, part of a South Korean consortium with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said it has emphasized to Canada the potential for broader industrial cooperation as it competes for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP. The Canadian Press reported on March 3 (local time) that Hanwha Ocean CEO Eo Seong-cheol said the company and the South Korean government view a submarine contract as the start of a deeper industrial relationship between the two countries. Hanwha Ocean and its March 4, 2026
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  Hyundai Motor, Kia Launch MobED Alliance to Expand Robotics Solutions Ecosystem Hyundai Motor and Kia said they are building a multilateral partnership ecosystem centered on MobED to provide customized robotics solutions for customers. The automakers said Tuesday they held a launch ceremony for the “MobED Alliance” at the 2026 Smart Factory & Automation Industry Expo (AW2026) at COEX in Seoul and began full-scale domestic sales of MobED. Attendees included officials from Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab, parts makers such as Hyundai Transys and SL, robotics March 4, 2026
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  Hanmi Group Unveils Bronze Plaque Honoring Late Founder Lim Seong-gi’s Drug R&D Vision Hanmi Group has unveiled to the public for the first time a bronze plaque sculpture honoring the achievements and new-drug development philosophy of its late founder, Lim Seong-gi. The group said March 4 that it held an unveiling ceremony March 2 at Hanmi C&C Square near Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Seoul’s Songpa district, following the fifth Lim Seong-gi Researcher Award ceremony hosted by the Lim Seong-gi Foundation. Family members Song Young-sook, the group’s chairwoman, March 4, 2026