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  BNK, iM Financial Activate Emergency Response to Middle East Risks, Aid Affected Firms As instability in the Middle East intensifies, BNK Financial Group and iM Financial Group said they have activated emergency response systems to help stabilize markets and support companies affected by the situation. BNK Financial said Tuesday it convened its Group Crisis Management Committee with key executives in attendance. The committee reviewed the potential impact of the Middle East situation on domestic and overseas financial markets and the real economy. It also monitored the r March 3, 2026
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  Hyundai Motor February Global Sales Fall 5.1% to 306,528 Vehicles Hyundai Motor Co. said Tuesday its global sales in February totaled 306,528 vehicles, down 5.1% from a year earlier. Domestic sales fell 17.8% to 47,008 units, while overseas sales slipped 2.3% to 259,520, the company said. In South Korea, Hyundai sold 13,568 sedans. The Sonata led the segment with 4,436 units, followed by the Grandeur with 3,933 and the Avante with 3,628. Sales of recreational vehicles totaled 18,756, led by the Palisade (3,081), Tucson (2,972), Kona (2,876 March 3, 2026
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  Actress Yang Mi-ra Says Japan Trip Video Controversy Was Not Her Channel A Japan travel video posted by actress Ji So-yeon ahead of March 1 Independence Movement Day has drawn backlash that also spilled over to actress Yang Mi-ra, who said she was being misunderstood. Yang wrote on social media on Monday that many people seemed worried or confused after seeing news reports that used her photo and name. “I only went to film in early February,” she wrote, adding, “It’s not my channel.” She said she struggled to accept the sudden situation and felt she could March 3, 2026
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  ChungjuMan’s Kim Seon-tae Launches New YouTube Channel After Leaving Public Service Kim Seon-tae, known as "ChungjuMan," has opened a new YouTube channel. Kim launched the YouTube channel "Kim Seon-tae" on March 2. The channel description says it will "promote everything in the world." In just one day, subscribers topped 2,000. Kim retired from public service in late February. After that, speculation circulated about his next move, including reports of an offer from Cheong Wa Dae, a possible entry into politics, and recruitment by a major company or an entert March 3, 2026
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  Delayed Korea Household Debt Plan Leaves Banks Uncertain; KB Kookmin, Toss Watch Closely South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has delayed its annual household debt management plan by more than a month, leaving banks unable to lock in yearly caps for household lending and finalize business strategies. With talk that regulators could tighten overall lending limits, some lenders are weighing broader changes to their loan portfolios. Financial authorities are now expected to push the plan — originally slated for late February — to after the end of this month, the financial March 3, 2026
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  Shinhan, Hana Intensify Battle for 1.6 Million Nara Sarang Card Customers As the second phase of the Nara Sarang Card program ramps up, Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank are intensifying their fight to win customers. With tighter household lending rules limiting growth in interest income, banks are increasingly turning to institutional business as a way to secure both low-cost deposits and a large base of young customers estimated at about 1.6 million. According to the financial industry on Monday, Shinhan Bank recently created a new key performance indicator categor March 3, 2026
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  K Car Names aespa’s Karina as New Brand Ambassador for 2026 Campaign Used-car platform company K Car said Tuesday it has launched its new 2026 brand campaign, “People Who Put Cars First,” and selected Karina of the K-pop group aespa as its brand model. Through the campaign, K Car said it aims to highlight its expertise as the No. 1 used-car company, emphasizing a message of “professional staff who do not compromise when it comes to cars” and a platform for people who value and care for their vehicles. The company said the campaign reflects its direct-ope March 3, 2026
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  Chong Kun Dang Foundation Expands Scholarships; ABL209 Wins FDA IND; HK inno.N Runs WoW Promotion The Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation held its 2026 scholarship certificate ceremony Feb. 27 at Chong Kun Dang’s headquarters in Seoul’s Chungjeong-ro district, the foundation said Monday. The foundation said it will support 403 scholarship recipients in Korea and abroad, including 110 newly selected this year, with scholarships and free dormitory housing through graduation. It said its annual scholarship programs, including academic initiatives, total about 3 billion won. Among those sel March 3, 2026
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  Kang Ho-dong Shows Off Spring Cabbage Bibimbap Mukbang, Says It Beats Meat Broadcaster Kang Ho-dong has posted a mukbang video featuring “spring cabbage bibimbap.” On the 2nd, the Coupang Play web variety show “Kang Ho-dong Neighborhood Bookstore” uploaded the clip to its YouTube channel. In the video, Kang greets viewers, saying, “Everyone, the spring cabbage bibimbap is here.” Appearing with the on-screen phrase “본인등판,” he adds, “This is no joke,” as he prepares the dish. Saying, “Just one spoonful of rice,” Kang then scoops a full ladle into a large bowl March 3, 2026
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  HMM Union Threatens April General Strike Over Proposed Move of Headquarters to Busan HMM’s labor dispute over a proposed relocation of its headquarters to Busan is escalating toward a general strike. HMM’s onshore union said Tuesday it will take legal action and launch a general strike in April if the government and major shareholders push ahead with the move without an agreement with labor. In a statement, the union said it believes the government and major shareholders could move to finalize the relocation through a sequence of steps: a March shareholders meeting, an March 3, 2026