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  Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Olympic Downhill After Returning From ACL Tear Alpine skiing star Lindsey Vonn of the United States, who chose to compete at the Olympics despite being diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, crashed during the race and was airlifted to a hospital by medical helicopter. Vonn failed to finish the women’s downhill at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday (local time) at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, after an early accident. Starting 13th, Vonn struck a gate in the opening section, lost February 8, 2026
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  Stars Chase Winter Olympics Record of Eight Gold Medals at Milan-Cortina Games As the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics get underway, attention is turning to star athletes chasing the all-time record for most Olympic gold medals in Winter Games history. The Winter Olympics gold-medal record is eight, held by biathlon great Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and cross-country skiers Bjoern Daehlie and Marit Bjoergen, all of Norway. Bjoerndalen also owns the Winter Olympics record for most total medals with 15. Several active athletes are aiming at those marks. Norway’s J February 8, 2026
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  South Korea’s Kim Sun Young-Jeong Yeong Seok beat Estonia 9-3 for second straight mixed doubles win South Korea’s mixed doubles curling team followed a five-game skid with a second straight win, continuing a late turnaround in round-robin play. Kim Sun Young (Gangneung City Hall) and Jeong Yeong Seok (Gangwon Provincial Office) beat Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill 9-3 on Saturday (local time) in their seventh round-robin game at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. After beating the United States February 8, 2026
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  Lee Sang-ho qualifies sixth for Olympic men’s parallel giant slalom finals Lee Sang-ho (Nexen Wingard) advanced to the finals of the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, qualifying sixth as he pursues a second Olympic medal. Lee posted a combined time of 1 minute, 26.74 seconds across two qualifying runs on Saturday at Livigno Snow Park in Italy to secure a spot in the knockout rounds. In parallel giant slalom qualifying, 32 riders each make one run on the blue and red courses, with the top 16 on combined time mov February 8, 2026
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  South Korea’s Fast-Track Rule Opens Door for AI Medical Devices, Raising Oversight Questions A new system allowing certain “immediate market entry” medical technologies to be used in clinics without a separate new health technology assessment is reshaping South Korea’s artificial intelligence medical device sector. The lower barrier is expected to expand the size and competitiveness of K-AI medical devices, but debate remains over safety verification and accountability. Industry officials said 113 of the 199 device items covered by the immediate-entry system are digital medica February 8, 2026
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  South Korea’s Cha Jun-hwan, Shin Jia gain team-event experience, eye Olympic singles medals South Korea’s figure skating standouts Cha Jun-hwan and Shin Jia used the team event as a tune-up, getting a feel for the Olympic ice and atmosphere ahead of the singles competition. South Korea finished seventh with 14 points in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on Saturday (Korea time) at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy. The top five advanced to the final segment (free skating and free dance), and South Korea did not qualify. Cha pla February 8, 2026
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  South Korean Drugmakers Step Up FDA Filings to Enter U.S. Market South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies seeking entry to the world’s largest drug market, the United States, are increasingly filing for U.S. approvals. According to the industry on Feb. 8, HK inno.N said it filed a new drug application, or NDA, with the Food and Drug Administration last month for K-CAB, South Korea’s 30th domestically developed new drug. K-CAB treats gastroesophageal reflux disease. In a global Phase 3 trial, it showed clinical superiority over proton pump inh February 8, 2026
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  Renault Korea to Offer Free Vehicle Safety Checks Ahead of Lunar New Year Holiday Renault Korea said Sunday it will offer free vehicle inspections nationwide to support safe driving during the Lunar New Year holiday, when many drivers travel long distances. The company will also run a giveaway for customers who pay for repairs during the period. The free-check program will run Feb. 9-13, longer than the joint schedule set by the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association. Customers can visit any of Renault Korea’s seven company-run service centers or 364 service-net February 8, 2026
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  Ilia Malinin Lands Backflip at 2026 Milan Olympics After Ban Lifted A figure skating backflip, long treated as taboo on the Olympic stage, returned after nearly 50 years when American Ilia Malinin landed one without penalty, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd. Malinin completed the backflip late in his program in the men’s singles short program of the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy, according to the report. The backflip had been effectively barred for decades. Af February 8, 2026
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  South Korea’s Big 4 Banks Post Record Profit, but Bad Loans Surge More Than 50% South Korea’s four biggest commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — posted record net profit last year, but key asset-quality indicators worsened as troubled loans climbed sharply. With more borrowers struggling to repay since the COVID-19 period, the combined volume of bad loans has jumped by more than 50% in four years, raising concerns that hidden stress could surface as rate-cut expectations fade and market rates rise. According to the financial sector on Feb. 8, the February 8, 2026