Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • LG Chem, GC Biopharma, Cho-A Pharma and Severance Hospital report trial, webinar, product and surgery milestones
    LG Chem, GC Biopharma, Cho-A Pharma and Severance Hospital report trial, webinar, product and surgery milestones LG Chem: IDMC recommends continuing Phase 3 trial of head and neck cancer drug LG Chem said Feb. 20 that an independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) recommended continuing the Phase 3 clinical trial of ficlatuzumab, a head and neck cancer drug being developed by its U.S. subsidiary, AVEO. Based on interim results, the IDMC recommended selecting the higher of two tested doses — 20 mg/kg — as the final dose and proceeding with the study. Ficlatuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeted cancer therapy designed to inhibit the action of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is involved in tumor growth and metastasis. The trial enrolls patients with HPV-negative head and neck cancer who previously received platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors either sequentially as monotherapy or in combination. It compares ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab with placebo plus cetuximab. LG Chem plans to recruit 410 to 500 patients and assess overall survival (OS), defined as the time from treatment start to death. GC Biopharma to hold relay webinar series for clinicians GC Biopharma said Feb. 20 it will run a relay webinar series from Feb. 25 through April 29 on its drug information site, GC Connect, under the theme “Practical clinical solutions and the latest insights on five key endocrine diseases.” The company will invite 10 endocrinologists in private practice to deliver lectures tailored to primary care settings. The first session will cover the latest diabetes updates based on the 2025 Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) clinical practice guidelines and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidance. Subsequent webinars will address thyroid disease management, obesity drug treatment strategies, bone metabolism (osteoporosis) and metabolic syndrome (CKM syndrome), summarizing academic information on five major endocrine conditions. GC Biopharma said the series is designed to offer practical clinical approaches to real-world challenges clinicians face in patient care by featuring speakers familiar with day-to-day practice settings. Cho-A Pharma launches Hepatos Syrup using patented Sepiji ampoule Cho-A Pharma said Feb. 20 it launched Hepatos Syrup, packaged with its patented Cho-A Sepiji ampoule container. Hepatos Syrup is an over-the-counter medicine that the company said helps protect liver cells and improve liver function through the combined effects of three ingredients: arginine, betaine and citric acid. As a liquid, it is designed for rapid absorption and quick effects related to liver energy synthesis and detoxification, the company said. The main ingredient, arginine, is a precursor of urea and is essential for neutralizing toxic ammonia. Betaine, an oxidized derivative of choline, lowers cholesterol and increases bile secretion during choline metabolism, supporting fat metabolism and digestion, the company said. Citric acid is involved in amino acid and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and promotes energy (ATP) production, which the company said can help relieve fatigue and improve endurance. Cho-A said the Sepiji ampoule uses a material certified by the U.S. Pharmacopeia as the highest safety grade, USP Plastic Class VI. The company said it has registered patents in 30 countries including South Korea, the United States, Europe, Japan and Vietnam, and received certification from the nationally accredited testing institution KOTITI that no endocrine-disrupting chemicals were detected. Severance Hospital reaches 500 robot-assisted brain surgeries Severance Hospital said Feb. 20 it recently reached 500 cases of robot-assisted precision brain surgery, 5 years and 3 months after its first procedure in 2020. The technique is used for precision procedures such as inserting electrodes into specific brain locations, collecting tissue samples and placing catheters. After a target is set on preoperative imaging, a robotic arm automatically guides the coordinates so surgeons can follow the planned path. The hospital said it uses robot-assisted brain surgery to treat a range of brain disorders. One example is inserting stereoelectroencephalography electrodes in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy to pinpoint where seizures begin. Placing one electrode typically takes 15 to 20 minutes by hand, but can be reduced to 4 to 5 minutes with a robot, the hospital said. With an average of about 15 electrodes inserted per patient, the time savings can be substantial. Severance Hospital said its 500 cases include 327 brain tissue biopsies, 107 stereoelectroencephalography electrode insertions, 57 deep brain stimulation procedures and nine catheter insertions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 15:48:00
  • Rosé and Bruno Mars win IFPI Global Single Award for APT.
    Rosé and Bruno Mars win IFPI Global Single Award for APT. SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A collaborative track between South Korean singer Rosé and American artist Bruno Mars has become the first K-pop song to top the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Global Single Chart. The rock-pop single "APT." led the worldwide sales and streaming rankings for 2025. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on February 19, "APT." secured the top position on the annual chart, which calculates global performance by converting consumption data from streaming and download platforms into unit totals. The IFPI stated that the track secured the number one spot during a year defined by global hits with significant longevity. The organization noted that the achievement marked several milestones, as it is the first time an artist from outside North America or Europe has topped the chart. It also represents the first time a winning single has featured non-English lyrics. South Korean artists have previously appeared on the ranking, beginning with Psy for "Gangnam Style" in 2012. Members of BTS also reached the chart in 2020 and 2021, while Jungkook appeared on the list in 2024. Rosé is the first South Korean artist to reach the number one position. Bruno Mars returned to the top of the IFPI chart 14 years after his 2011 win for "Just The Way You Are." The singer also held the fourth position on the 2025 chart for "Die With A Smile," a duet with Lady Gaga. Other notable entries on the 2025 list included two songs from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters." The original soundtrack "Golden" placed second, while "Soda Pop" ranked 13th. The chart success comes as BLACKPINK prepares to release a third mini album titled "DEADLINE" on February 27. The project is the first group release in approximately four years since the second full-length album "BORN PINK" debuted in 2022. The upcoming five-track album features the title track "GO" and the pre-released single "JUMP." The remaining tracks are titled "Me and My," "Champion," and "Fxxxboy." 2026-02-20 15:40:43
  • Satellite images suggest North Korea gearing up for massive military parade
    Satellite images suggest North Korea gearing up for massive military parade SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - With North Korea's key party congress underway this week, satellite images suggest the country has been preparing for a large-scale military parade, with over 12,000 people believed to have been mobilized. According to Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), satellite images taken between Feb. 9 and 17 by Vantor, formerly Maxar Intelligence, showed around 12,000 troops gathered at Mirim Airport near Pyongyang for the parade's rehearsals. The images also show multiple formations marching in step, including columns of about 300 troops each, though no clear signs of heavy equipment were spotted near the airfield's main hangars. Yoo said the parade is expected to involve more troops and equipment than previous ones, as the country may invite foreign officials and dignitaries including those from Russia, in a show of its closer military ties with Moscow. At its previous eighth party congress in January 2021, North Korea mobilized about 15,000 troops and 172 pieces of military equipment for a parade featuring mass calisthenics performances. This year's parade is expected to be similar in scale to the one held in October last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party's founding, when around 16,000 troops and some 60 pieces of equipment were showcased. 2026-02-20 15:38:29
  • BTS Comeback D-29: Why Gwanghwamun is the ideal stage
    BTS Comeback D-29: Why Gwanghwamun is the ideal stage SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -Snow has melted on Mount Bugak, revealing dark rocks and early greenery above the skyline. Below, the statue of King Sejong the Great stands at the mouth of Gwanghwamun Gate, gazing over an avenue quietly preparing for a moment it was never designed to imagine — the return of BTS. The historic corridor, where royal processions once passed and modern protests later gathered, is being transformed into an open-air stage. As spring settles over central Seoul, Gwanghwamun Square is readying itself to host a global spectacle — one that connects centuries of memory with a new chapter in Korean pop history. Stretching roughly 550 meters from Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace toward City Hall, Gwanghwamun Square forms Seoul’s historic spine. “Gwanghwamun” means Gate of Enlightenment. First built in 1395, it once marked the threshold between royal authority and civic life. Behind it stood kings and scholars. In front of it unfolded the life of the capital. The modern square is young — completed in 2009 and redesigned in 2021 — yet its purpose remains ancient: to connect power, people and place. Today, it functions as both an urban plaza and a national mirror, reflecting how Seoul sees itself at any given moment. At the northern end of the square stands King Sejong the Great, creator of Hangul and architect of Korea’s intellectual foundation. He faces south, watching over a city built on the alphabet he gave his people. Further down stands Yi Sun-sin, the naval commander who became a symbol of survival during the Imjin War. His statue does not look outward. It looks forward — toward uncertainty. Together, they form a silent dialogue: knowledge and courage, language and defense, culture and endurance. Between them flows everyday Seoul — office workers at lunch, tourists with cameras, families with strollers. History here is not sealed behind glass. It is walked past, leaned against, lived with. For generations, Gwanghwamun has been Korea’s open-air theater. Royal processions once passed through its gates. Independence activists gathered nearby. Democracy movements filled its streets. Candlelight vigils reshaped politics here. In recent years, it has hosted festivals, parades, marathons and global pop culture events. A “Squid Game” parade. Family runs. Liberation commemorations. Public celebrations. Now, it prepares for BTS. The group’s logo and comeback date have appeared on the steps of the nearby Sejong Center for the Performing Arts — a signal that this space is once again shifting roles. From civic forum to concert hall. BTS returns with ARIRANG, their first new album in nearly four years since Proof in 2022. The title invokes Korea’s best-known folk song — a melody of separation, longing and return. Performing it here is not accidental. Gwanghwamun represents continuity. It holds together dynasties and democracies, textbooks and smartphones, palace roofs and LED screens. It embodies the idea that modern Korea moves forward by carrying its past with it. For BTS, now a global institution, this matters. What began in small studios and music shows now unfolds before royal gates. What traveled the world returns to its cultural axis. The message is clear: global success does not require cultural erasure. It can deepen it. Where the past and future meet On an ordinary day, Gwanghwamun Square feels like Seoul’s living room. People pass through. Sit down. Argue. Rest. Take pictures. Move on. Soon, millions will watch it become something else — a temporary convergence of history, fandom and sound. Behind the stage will stand a palace gate older than most nations. Nearby, statues of kings and admirals will remain unmoved. Above, drones and cameras will broadcast the moment worldwide. And in between, BTS will sing. Not in a stadium. Not in an arena. But at the crossroads of Korean time. 2026-02-20 15:01:13
  • Robot royal guard patrol around Seoul palace through pilot operation
    Robot royal guard patrol around Seoul palace through pilot operation SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - South Korea is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in heritage protection, as a patrol robot began a pilot operation at Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul on Friday. The robot, named “Sunra-bot,” conducted a demonstration patrol near Yeonghwajeong Pavilion inside the UNESCO-listed palace complex. The name “Sunra” comes from the Joseon Dynasty-era sunragun, royal patrol guards who monitored the palace and surrounding areas of the capital. Equipped with sensors capable of detecting fire hazards and abnormal sounds in real time, the AI-powered robot moves autonomously around the palace grounds. In case of an emergency, it transmits alerts to the Changdeokgung management office and an integrated control center. Officials say the system is designed to supplement human patrols, particularly in low-traffic areas and during nighttime hours when continuous monitoring is more challenging. Sunra-bot operates two patrols during the day and seven at night, each lasting about 40 minutes. The Korea Heritage Service introduced one unit under a lottery-funded pilot program, marking a step toward integrating smart technologies into the management of national cultural assets. Authorities plan to assess the robot’s performance over a month before deciding whether to deploy additional units. As South Korea explores digital transformation across public sectors, cultural heritage sites are increasingly incorporating AI-based surveillance and safety systems aimed at preventing fire damage and improving rapid response capabilities. 2026-02-20 15:00:30
  • National Museum of Korea Draws 86,464 Visitors Over Lunar New Year Holiday
    National Museum of Korea Draws 86,464 Visitors Over Lunar New Year Holiday The National Museum of Korea is increasingly becoming a popular holiday destination. The museum said on the 20th that 86,464 people visited during the Lunar New Year holiday period from Feb. 16 to 18, with the museum closed on the 17th. Holiday attendance has climbed sharply: 32,193 in 2024, 50,512 in 2025 and more than 80,000 this year, up 71.2% from last year. The museum credited strong interest in its special exhibitions, “Our Yi Sun-sin” and “From Impressionism to Early Modernism,” as well as a display of all 22 volumes of the “Daedongyeojido” map unfolded along the “Path of History” on the first floor of the permanent galleries. Director Yu Hong-jun said, “Despite the cold weather, I want to express my gratitude to visitors who came to the museum during the Lunar New Year holiday.” He added, “We will continue to raise the quality of our exhibitions and steadily improve the viewing environment so visitors can encounter our cultural heritage from new perspectives.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 15:00:17
  • Another case of foot-and-mouth disease detected in Goyang
    Another case of foot-and-mouth disease detected in Goyang SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Another case of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported in Goyang, Gyeonggi province, health authorities said on Friday. It was detected at a farm raising 133 cattle, prompting quarantine officials to expand containment measures to nearby areas including Gimpo, Paju and Yangju, as well as Seoul. All cattle on the farm are set to be culled, and a 24-hour standstill order has been issued for workers and vehicles at livestock-related facilities, remaining in effect until early Saturday. Quarantine officials will also carry out clinical inspections and provide emergency vaccinations at some 1,092 farms raising cloven-hoofed animals in the affected areas. The latest case comes about three weeks after the first case this year was detected in Ganghwa, Incheon in late January. 2026-02-20 14:56:28
  • Kazakhstan to hold national referendum on new constitution in March
    Kazakhstan to hold national referendum on new constitution in March SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on February 11 to hold a national referendum on March 15 to decide on the adoption of a new constitution for the Republic of Kazakhstan. If approved by voters, the document will trigger a comprehensive political transition beginning July 1, including the end of the current parliament’s mandate and a fundamental shift in the country’s governance model. The proposed reform marks a transition from targeted amendments to a total constitutional overhaul. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in South Korea noted that the changes reflect a move away from the current super-presidential system toward a presidential republic with a more authoritative parliament. A central feature of the draft constitution is the establishment of a unicameral parliament, to be called the Kurultai. This body would consist of 145 deputies elected through a proportional electoral system for five-year terms. The Kurultai would be granted expanded powers, including the right to issue a vote of no confidence in the government and enhanced oversight of individual ministers. By a two-thirds supermajority, the parliament could also request that the president dismiss a minister for failing to implement laws. The draft introduces several new political roles and bodies to balance the executive branch. A vice president position will be established, with the appointee requiring consent from the Kurultai. Additionally, the People’s Council of Kazakhstan will be created as the highest nationwide consultative body to represent the interests of the public. A clear succession order is also defined, moving from the vice president to the chair of the Kurultai, and then to the prime minister. Legal safeguards and procedural rights are expanded in the 96-article document. The draft includes the constitutional recognition of the legal profession and reinforces the prohibition of retroactive laws. It also enshrines fair-trial safeguards, such as the presumption of innocence and the right to a lawyer from the moment of detention. Furthermore, the draft provides explicit protections for personal data and the confidentiality of communications in a digital environment. The text was finalized by a 130-member Constitutional Commission following a six-month review process. During a nationwide public discussion, approximately 10,000 proposals were submitted by citizens and experts through electronic government portals. The commission reported that the review affected 77 articles, or approximately 84 percent of the existing constitution, leading to the decision to draft an entirely new text. In the social sphere, the document reinforces the secular nature of the state while defining marriage as a voluntary and equal union between a man and a woman. It also identifies education, science, and innovation as central priorities for national development, signaling a strategic shift toward human capital rather than a reliance on natural resources. If the reforms are endorsed in the March 15 referendum, the new constitution will replace the existing framework. Within one month of the new constitution taking effect, the president must announce elections for the new Kurultai, which are to be held within two months of that announcement. 2026-02-20 14:50:21
  • Eastar Jet to Launch Daily Incheon-Hong Kong Flights Starting March 31
    Eastar Jet to Launch Daily Incheon-Hong Kong Flights Starting March 31 Eastar Jet said Thursday it will launch an Incheon-Hong Kong route on March 31, expanding its Greater China network. The route will operate daily. Flights will depart Incheon International Airport at 8:10 p.m. and arrive at Hong Kong International Airport at 10:45 p.m. local time. Return flights will leave at 12:05 a.m. the next day and arrive at Incheon at 5:10 a.m. Eastar Jet said the schedule allows passengers to reach Hong Kong before the subway stops running and to use public transportation after returning to South Korea. To mark the launch, the airline will run a promotional fare sale starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 through its website and mobile app. The lowest one-way total fare, including airport fees and fuel surcharges, is 76,600 won. The travel period runs from March 31 to Oct. 24. "The Hong Kong route is a key route with steady demand for leisure and business travel, as well as connecting passengers," an Eastar Jet official said. "With a schedule that allows customers to depart after work, it will be an attractive option for office workers planning efficient trips." The Incheon-Hong Kong route will be Eastar Jet's 14th Greater China route, following Taipei and Shanghai. The airline said it plans to keep expanding its Greater China network as demand for its China routes remains strong. Last year, Eastar Jet's passenger numbers on China routes rose more than 128% from a year earlier, and the average load factor per flight increased by more than 28%, it said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 14:39:18
  • All 11 South Korean Airlines Ban In-Flight Use of Portable Battery Packs
    All 11 South Korean Airlines Ban In-Flight Use of Portable Battery Packs All South Korean airlines will ban the use of portable battery packs on board all flights starting this month. According to the aviation industry on the 20th, T’way Air notified passengers that beginning on the 23rd it will prohibit charging portable battery packs on board, as well as using them to charge other electronic devices such as mobile phones. Passengers may still bring portable battery packs into the cabin, but they must take steps to prevent short circuits — such as covering the terminals with insulating tape or storing each pack separately in a plastic bag or individual pouch — and keep them in a visible place. With T’way’s move, all 11 domestic airlines will prohibit in-flight use of portable battery packs. Five Hanjin Group airlines — Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul — have banned their use on board since January. Jeju Air also began the same measure that month. Eastar Jet ran a three-month pilot ban starting in October last year and has formally adopted the policy this year. Air Premia and Aero K also banned in-flight use starting this month. Parata Air has kept the ban in place since it began operations in September last year. Airlines have tightened carry-on rules after a January last year incident in which a portable battery pack caught fire on an Air Busan passenger plane preparing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport, destroying the aircraft, followed by similar incidents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 14:36:16