• 
  HMM Busan Relocation Plan Gains Traction as Major Shareholders Signal Support President Lee Jae-myung’s remarks, followed by signals of support from Korea Development Bank, a major shareholder, have brought a possible relocation of HMM’s headquarters to Busan back into focus. Industry watchers say the company could replace three outside directors whose terms end next month, then call an extraordinary shareholders meeting to revise its articles of incorporation to enable the move. Union opposition, including the possibility of a strike, remains a key variable. Acco February 26, 2026
• 
  KB Kookmin Bank Expands Senior Programs, Blending Culture and Wealth Management As South Korea’s population ages rapidly, banks are intensifying competition for senior customers, expanding beyond financial advice into tailored services that combine wealth management with cultural and educational programs. The financial industry said on the 26th that KB Kookmin Bank is significantly expanding senior-focused programs this year to strengthen customer engagement. The bank is moving away from a consultation-only approach, pairing cultural experiences with locally focused February 26, 2026
• 
  Monk Seonjae Demonstrates Pine Nut Noodles, Calling Food ‘Medicine’ Biting into a round dumpling, a crisp cucumber aroma spread across the palate, bringing a fresh lift after a winter of heavy air and fine dust. A hands-on event where participants made and tasted Monk Seonjae’s pine nut noodles — praised by chef Ahn Sung-jae on Netflix’s variety show “Culinary Class Wars” — was held Feb. 26 at the Korean Temple Food Culture Experience Center in Seoul’s Jongno district. Hosted by the Korean Buddhist Cultural Heritage Foundation, the event featured Seonja February 26, 2026
• 
  Hyundai Ioniq 9 Named 2026 Korea Car of the Year by Auto Journalists Group The Korea Automobile Journalists Association said on the 26th that Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 has been selected as the 2026 Korea Car of the Year. The Ioniq 9 earned an overall satisfaction score of 82.30 out of 100 in the final judging for the 2026 Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY), held on the 5th at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automobile Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the association said. A total of 18 models from 10 brands competed in the final round: February 26, 2026
• 
  BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show sells out fast as global interest surges Ticket demand for BTS’ return to central Seoul has surged ahead of the group’s March 21 comeback live show in and around Gwanghwamun, with seats selling out quickly and online queues swelling. When offline viewing reservations opened at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23, traffic from around the world flooded the booking site, NOL Ticket, which briefly crashed. Kim, a 29-year-old office worker, said he logged in 30 minutes early but the screen froze at the opening time. “All I could see was a notice sa February 26, 2026
• 
  Hyundai Marks Chung Ju-yung’s 25th Anniversary With Tribute Concert in Seoul Hyundai Motor Group marked the 25th anniversary of the death of founder Chung Ju-yung with a memorial concert that highlighted his entrepreneurial spirit through music. The group said it held the “25th Anniversary Concert for the Late Asan Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Group” on Feb. 25 at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. In a tribute, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun said the event was prepared to honor the lasting “resonance” left by his grandfather. “H February 26, 2026
• 
  Autonomous A2Z Exports Self-Driving System to UAE Autonomous A2Z will export its autonomous driving system to the United Arab Emirates. The company said Thursday that it delivered an export approval certificate on Feb. 25 (local time) in Abu Dhabi to its local joint venture. Autonomous driving is designated by the South Korean government as a national core technology, requiring prior approval from relevant authorities for overseas exports on technology security grounds. After a review by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Autono February 26, 2026
• 
  42dot CEO Park Min-woo Vows to Help Hyundai Motor Group Lead Mobility Industry Park Min-woo, the newly appointed head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) division and CEO of 42dot, moved to strengthen internal cohesion and communication with employees. At an all-hands meeting with 42dot staff on the morning of the 26th at the company’s Pangyo headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Park said he would help Hyundai Motor Group “establish itself as a leading company in the mobility industry” by building on 42dot’s potential. Park was also re February 26, 2026
• 
  SK Bioscience Wins EU Flu Vaccine Project; VioL Rebrands; HLB Pharma Honored SK Bioscience wins European flu vaccine project SK Bioscience said Feb. 26 it was selected, with its German unit IDT, for a first-phase assignment under a next-generation vaccine development initiative run by the European Commission’s Health and Digital Executive Agency, or HaDEA, under a mandate from the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, or HERA. The companies will join Australian vaccine platform firm Vaxxas in a three-party consortium to develop patch-base February 26, 2026
• 
  Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s Stock Holdings Near 40 Trillion Won as KOSPI Surges After the KOSPI broke above 6,000 for the first time and then cleared the 6,300 level just one day later, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s stock holdings were valued at nearly 40 trillion won, according to a report. Corporate analysis firm Korea CXO Institute said on the 26th that Lee’s stock valuation totaled 38.7738 trillion won, based on the Feb. 25 closing prices. If treated as a single listed company, that value would rank about 23rd by market capitalization in South Kore February 26, 2026