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  South Korean Defense Firms Build EU Production Bases to Meet SAFE Local-Content Rules South Korean defense companies are accelerating efforts to build production systems in Europe as the region tightens procurement rules. To meet local-content requirements under the European Union’s SAFE defense loan program, companies are setting up factories and building supply chains with European parts makers. According to the defense industry on Wednesday, the European Commission recently approved eight countries — Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Portugal and Cy February 12, 2026
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  Canada Submarine Bid Raises Pressure for Private Investment Packages "If they ordered submarines, shouldn’t you just deliver submarines — why give more?" That has been a common reaction to reports that Canada is pressing South Korea and Germany, both competing for a 60 trillion won patrol submarine project known as CPSO, to present a “private investment package.” Public sentiment cooled further after reports said Canada is seeking an auto manufacturing plant — a project tied to advanced technology, large-scale investment and major job creation. Cr February 12, 2026
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  India Emerges as Next EV Battleground as Hyundai, Mahindra Step Up Investment India is rapidly emerging as the next major battleground for electric vehicles, driven by rising incomes and government-led policies to accelerate the shift to EVs. Global automakers are moving in, and Hyundai Motor is speeding up plans to expand its EV lineup as Indian companies prepare large investments to defend their home market. According to foreign media reports on Wednesday, Indian automaker Mahindra said it will invest US$1.65 billion (about 2.3 trillion won) over the next 10 years February 12, 2026
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  Rookie Band AxMxP Win Two Awards at the 2nd D Awards Rookie boy band AxMxP won two honors at its first awards show since debut. The group attended the second D Awards (D AWARDS with upick) on Feb. 11 at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul’s Seongbuk District, taking home the D Awards Discovery of the Year and the D Awards Remark awards. In their acceptance speech, the members said, “Thank you for giving us this meaningful award,” adding, “We sincerely thank our fandom, DX, for always being our engine. Starting with this award, w February 12, 2026
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  ZEROBASEONE to Continue as 5-Member Group; Four Members to Pursue Solo Activities ZEROBASEONE, the group formed through Mnet’s audition show “Boys Planet,” will continue team activities as a five-member act. Agency WakeOne said Feb. 12 that members Sung Han Bin, Kim Ji Woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae Rae and Park Gun Wook “decided to begin a new season as ZEROBASEONE” based on mutual trust. WakeOne said the decision followed sufficient discussions between the members and their respective agencies. Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin and Han Yu Jin, who are with YH Entertai February 12, 2026
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  Experts urge steps to make hanbok part of everyday life, not just formal wear A forum on ways to make hanbok part of everyday life was held Tuesday at the National Assembly. Experts said the first step is changing the view that hanbok should be limited to formal occasions. Kim So Hyun, a professor in the Department of Hanbok Culture Contents at Baewha Women’s University, said young people have driven the shift. “In the past, older generations wore hanbok for weddings and other formal events, but younger people rent hanbok and take photos, turning it into something February 12, 2026
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  HYBE posts record 2025 revenue of 2.65 trillion won, eyes boost from BTS return HYBE posted its highest annual revenue since its founding, with sales up about 18% from a year earlier. The company said its “multi-home, multi-genre” strategy aimed at global markets and strong growth in concert revenue drove the expansion. Operating profit fell year over year as HYBE reflected costs tied to upfront investment for mid- to long-term growth and changes to its profit structure. On a consolidated basis, HYBE’s 2025 revenue totaled 2.6499 trillion won, led by performance res February 12, 2026
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  K Bank Cuts IPO Price 20% for Third Listing Attempt K Bank is betting on a more conservative price in its third initial public offering attempt, lowering the offering price from earlier plans as it seeks to complete a listing. With the IPO priced cautiously and peer KakaoBank’s share price improving, attention is on whether K Bank can succeed this time. K Bank said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it set the final offering price at 8,300 won, the bottom of its indicated range. A total of 2,007 institutions took part in the book-buildi February 12, 2026
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  South Korea watchdog chief urges banks to overhaul governance, put consumers first Lee Chan-jin, head of South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, met with the heads of major domestic banks and called for a shift in management practices, including stronger corporate governance. He urged banks to make consumer protection their top priority and to move on governance reforms on their own if needed. Speaking at a meeting with the CEOs of 20 domestic banks at the Korea Federation of Banks building in central Seoul on Feb. 12, Lee said banks should make “gyeonri-saui” — p February 12, 2026
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  Samsung, CJ, Naver and others ramp up Team Korea marketing for 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee’s official sponsors are rolling out marketing campaigns to back South Korea’s Olympic team, known as Team Korea, for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. According to the committee on Wednesday, Samsung Electronics, an International Olympic Committee partner, used the Galaxy S25 Ultra to shoot official profile photos of Team Korea athletes competing at the Games. The photo and video shoots highlighted each athlete and sport. Beer sponsor OB Be February 12, 2026