Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Lee Eui-jin, Han Da-som Miss Final in Women’s Cross-Country Team Sprint at 2026 Milan Olympics Lee Eui-jin (Busan Metropolitan City Sports Council) and Han Da-som (Gyeonggi Provincial Government) were eliminated in qualifying for the women’s cross-country team sprint at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The pair placed 23rd out of 26 teams with a combined time of 7:50.72 on Feb. 18 at the cross-country stadium in Tesero, Italy, missing the top 15 that advanced to the final. In the team sprint qualifier, two skiers form a team and each races a course of about 1.5 kilometers once, with places decided by combined time. The top 15 teams move on, and the final is contested over three laps each, with results based on the combined time. Han skied first for South Korea and posted 3:55.12, 46th overall. Lee followed with 3:55.59, 47th overall, leaving them outside the top 15 on aggregate. In the final, Sweden’s Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist won gold in 20:29.99. Switzerland’s Nadja Kaelin and Nadine Faehndrich took silver in 20:31.39, and Germany’s Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek won bronze in 20:35.86.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 20:36:00 -
Copyright Issues Over Pop Music Spotlight Olympic Figure Skating as Amber Glenn Places 13th Copyright concerns tied to the use of pop music became a major talking point in figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Even with support from pop star Madonna, U.S. skater Amber Glenn finished 13th in the women’s short program. Glenn scored 67.39 points in the women’s singles short program on Feb. 18 (Korean time) at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy, placing 13th. Glenn chose Madonna’s hit “Like a Prayer” for her short program this season and had worried about copyright issues. Before the competition, Madonna sent Glenn a video message granting permission and offering encouragement, saying, “You can use this song. I hope you win the gold medal.” But Glenn made a costly mistake late in her program, turning a planned triple loop into a double. She received zero points for the element and cried after finishing. Music-rights disputes have surfaced repeatedly in Olympic figure skating beyond Glenn’s case. Glenn also faced an objection on social media from the creator of her free-skating music, “The Return,” and resolved the issue through contact just before the team event. In men’s singles, Spain’s Guarino Sabate ran into opposition from distributor Universal Pictures over his short-program music from the “Minions” soundtrack, but secured approval shortly before the competition. The International Skating Union said it is working with major record labels to help athletes use music without copyright problems.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 20:12:00 -
South Korea Women’s Curling Beats Sweden 8-3 to Keep Semifinal Hopes Alive South Korea’s women’s curling team known as “5G” kept its push for the semifinals alive by defeating Sweden in seven ends. World No. 3 South Korea — skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and fifth Seol Ye-ji — beat Sweden 8-3 in its eighth round-robin game of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on the 18th (Korea time) at the Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Sweden, the most successful nation in Olympic women’s curling, opened these Games with six straight wins and had already clinched a semifinal berth. After securing that spot the previous day, Sweden made a series of mistakes against South Korea. With the hammer in the first end, South Korea loaded three stones into the house, then Kim Eun-ji used the final stone to knock out Sweden’s second shot stone for three points. South Korea added one more in the second end after Sweden skip Anna Hasselborg missed her final draw. Sweden faltered further as the deficit grew to 4-0. In the third end, Hasselborg tried a double takeout with her seventh stone to remove two South Korean stones near the button but missed, and South Korea scored two to make it 6-0. South Korea added two more in the fourth for an 8-0 lead, then allowed one point in the fifth end. In the sixth, South Korea had a chance to score but chose to give up one to keep last-stone advantage for the next end, making it 8-2. Sweden scored one more in the seventh as it used a center-guard setup, but South Korea managed the end calmly. Sweden then offered handshakes, judging a comeback unlikely. South Korea improved to 5-3 in group play and will face Canada on the 19th in its final round-robin game, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 19:27:00 -
Hyundai’s U.S. sales hit January record as SUVs and hybrids drive growth Hyundai Motor is extending its momentum in the U.S. market on the strength of SUVs and hybrids, with January sales topping 60,000 for the first time as it pushes for another annual record. Industry data released Tuesday showed Hyundai’s U.S. retail sales in January totaled 60,794 vehicles, up 2.4% from 59,355 a year earlier. Sedan sales, including the Sonata and Ioniq 6, fell 12.6% to 13,569. But RV sales — including SUVs such as the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade — rose 7.8% to 47,225, accounting for 77.7% of Hyundai’s U.S. sales. A Hyundai official said the Santa Fe and the all-new Palisade stood out, strengthening the company’s position in the family SUV segment. Hyundai’s U.S. market share in January rose 0.2 percentage points from a year earlier to 5.5%. Hyundai has been setting annual sales records in the United States. Last year, its U.S. sales rose 7.9% from a year earlier to 984,017 vehicles, and it surpassed 1 million on a wholesale basis. Hybrids have also been a major driver. Since launching Sonata Hybrid sales in the U.S. in 2011, Hyundai has sold a total of 1,014,943 eco-friendly vehicles — including hybrids, EVs and hydrogen vehicles — through last month. Hybrids accounted for 759,359 vehicles, about 75% of the total. In January alone, Hyundai’s U.S. hybrid sales jumped 51.9% from a year earlier to 14,316. The Tucson Hybrid, introduced in the U.S. in 2021, has sold 233,793 units through January, the company said. According to the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association’s “2025 U.S. Electric Powertrain Vehicle Market Analysis,” U.S. sales of eco-friendly vehicles rose 12.7% last year to 3,575,924 despite slower EV sales, helped by strong hybrid demand. Hybrid sales climbed 27.6% to 2.05 million. Hyundai said it plans to broaden its lineup and strengthen local production as the market shifts. In the U.S., it currently sells four hybrid models, seven EV models and one hydrogen fuel cell model. The Palisade hybrid, launched locally last year, won the utility category at the “2026 North American Car of the Year” awards, citing strong reviews of Hyundai’s next-generation hybrid system. Hyundai also plans to add hybrid production by introducing a mixed-model production system at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, its EV production hub. It aims to expand annual capacity to 500,000 vehicles from 300,000.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 18:03:00 -
S.Korea's top policy aide says AI race hinges on electricity, not code SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - South Korea's presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom urged the nation to elevate its power grid to the status of strategic national infrastructure, warning that the global artificial intelligence contest is no longer a battle of algorithms but of physical resources. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Kim wrote that AI had evolved into a capital-intensive hardware industry, making scarce commodities such as graphics processing units (GPUs), memory chips, transmission lines and electricity far more decisive than software code. "Intelligence spreads and is replicated quickly. Models are caught up to. Code proliferates. But power plants, transmission networks and semiconductor fabs cannot be copied overnight," Kim said. Kim singled out what he described as a looming paradox for Asia's fourth-largest economy: SK hynix and Samsung Electronics produce the world's most advanced high-bandwidth memory (HBM) destined for Nvidia GPUs in overseas data centers, yet South Korea itself lacks sufficient large-scale AI computing clusters to harness the technology at home. The policy chief stressed that while South Korea does not face an outright electricity shortage, the deeper challenge lies in delivering power at the scale and speed that AI demands. Kim also championed the principle of local production and consumption of electricity, insisting that power-generating regions should share in the industrial benefits. The remarks come as South Korea prepares to draft its 12th basic plan for electricity supply and demand, a 15-year blueprint covering 2026 through 2040 that will shape the country's energy mix amid surging demand from AI data centers. The government earlier committed to constructing two large-scale nuclear reactors under the 11th electricity supply plan finalized in February 2025, signaling its intent to align energy policy with the power-hungry demands of next-generation industries. 2026-02-18 17:24:55 -
Steelmakers Eye Humanoid Robots as New Growth Market for Specialty Steel Humanoid robots are emerging as a potential new growth market for South Korea’s steel industry, as demand is expected to increase for specialty steel and electrical steel sheets used in key drive components such as reducers, joint shafts and motor cores. Analysts say steel demand, long centered on construction and shipbuilding, could broaden to robots and other automation equipment. Industry officials said Feb. 18 that Korean steelmakers could strengthen a two-track strategy: adopting humanoid robots in their own plants as users while also supplying robot-grade materials. While artificial intelligence makes robots smarter, specialty steel is what enables them to handle heavy work in industrial settings. High-strength, high-durability specialty steel is used in critical reducer parts that power robot joints, including internal gears and splines. Steel is also applied to load-bearing sections of robot frames, often combined with aluminum alloys to reduce weight. Ultra-high-strength steel sheet developed for automobiles and non-oriented electrical steel sheet used in drive motors are also closely tied to energy efficiency, supporting expectations of rising demand. Korean steelmakers already say they have the capability to produce materials for humanoid robots. SeAH Besteel has said it developed steel for robot reducers in 2021. POSCO produces its ultra-high-strength steel sheet Giga Steel for robot applications and its high-efficiency non-oriented electrical steel sheet Hyper NO. Hyundai Steel is also seen as able to supply materials for precision machinery and drive components through its high-cleanliness specialty steel production system. Steelmakers are also accelerating efforts to bring humanoid robots into worksites to help replace labor. POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. humanoid startup Persona AI to apply industrial humanoid robots in the field. In unloading finished rolled coils that can weigh tens of tons, cranes are required; the plan is for humanoid robots to work with on-site workers to fasten crane belts to the coils. Hyundai Steel has introduced a tagging robot at its Dangjin specialty steel plant to automate shipping processes as it moves faster on smart-factory implementation. “While the market is still in its early stages, the expansion of the robot industry could lead to increased demand for high value-added specialty steel and electrical steel sheets,” an industry official said. “The amount of specialty steel used in humanoid robots is not large, but we are preparing mid- to long-term strategies as the market grows.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 17:06:00 -
Shinhan Bank, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Sign Deal to Expand Productive Finance Shinhan Bank said Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to expand cooperation aimed at boosting what it called “productive finance.” The signing ceremony was held at Hyundai E&C’s headquarters in Seoul and attended by Shinhan Bank CEO Jeong Sang-hyeok and Hyundai E&C CEO Lee Han-woo. The companies said they will jointly review financing options tailored to each project’s characteristics and funding needs and set up a working-level cooperation system to broaden support. Under the agreement, Shinhan Bank will strengthen financial cooperation across Hyundai E&C’s businesses, including data centers, renewable energy, infrastructure and environmental projects, and power brokerage trading. The bank said it plans to support funding through project-specific financial advisory services, arranging financing and linking investments. The two sides also agreed to step up information sharing during project execution and work together to develop financial products and customized solutions suited to each project. A Shinhan Bank official said the partnership will help identify strong projects and provide tailored financial solutions so financing leads to investment and growth in the real economy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 16:06:00 -
Bank Credit Loan Rates Return to 4% Range After 14 Months, Raising Borrower Costs Minimum interest rates on credit loans at major South Korean commercial banks have climbed back above 4% for the first time in 14 months, adding pressure on borrowers who have relied on debt to invest or buy homes. According to the financial sector on Tuesday, credit-loan rates at the four biggest commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — stood at 4.010% to 5.380% as of Feb. 13 for top-tier borrowers with one-year maturities. The lower end of the range, which had stayed in the 3% range since December 2024, returned to the 4% range after 14 months. Compared with Jan. 16, the lower end rose 0.260 percentage points and the upper end gained 0.150 points. The move was attributed to faster increases in short-term bank bond yields, which are used as benchmarks for credit loans. As of Feb. 13, the five-year bank bond yield — a key reference for fixed-rate mortgages — rose 0.107 percentage points from the previous month, while the one-year bank bond yield, a major benchmark for credit loans, climbed 0.158 points. With mortgage rates already elevated, the rise in credit-loan rates could further increase repayment burdens, the report warned. Even if tighter rules cool mortgage lending, a pickup in unsecured credit could become a new trigger for household debt growth. Minimum mortgage rates moved into the 4% range late last year and have continued to rise. As of Feb. 13, mixed-rate mortgages at the four banks were 4.360% to 6.437%, with the lower and upper ends up 0.230 and 0.140 percentage points, respectively. Adjustable-rate mortgages that reset annually were 3.830% to 5.731%, with both ends up about 0.1 point. Borrowers using overdraft-style credit lines, known as “minus accounts,” are expected to feel the impact more sharply. These products have a much higher share of floating rates than standard credit loans, and customers repeatedly borrow and repay within their limits. With rate cuts seen as unlikely in the near term, borrowers’ interest costs are expected to rise further. Credit lending has also been increasing recently amid demand for investment funds, including for stocks. As of Feb. 12, outstanding credit loans at the five major banks — KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — totaled 104.8405 trillion won, up 95 billion won from the previous month. Overdraft balances hit a roughly three-year high of 40.0837 trillion won at the end of November, eased to the 39.7 trillion won range at the end of December and in January, then rebounded to the 39.8 trillion won range this month. A financial industry official said credit loans typically decline early in the year as bonuses are paid, but this year some demand appears tied to investment amid a strong stock market, including the KOSPI’s move above 5,000. “If credit lending rises while rates are increasing, borrowers’ interest burdens could grow if the market corrects or rates climb further,” the official said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 16:03:00 -
Doosan Enerbility, Doosan Skoda Power sign $240 million steam turbine deal for Czech nuclear plant Doosan Enerbility said Tuesday it signed a 320 billion won ($240 million) contract with its subsidiary Doosan Skoda Power to supply steam turbines and turbine control systems for the Dukovany nuclear power plant units 5 and 6 in the Czech Republic. A signing ceremony was held in Prague on the 16th (local time) with the industry ministers of South Korea and the Czech Republic in attendance. The Czech government last June signed the main contract for the Dukovany 5 and 6 construction project with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, stepping up cooperation with the so-called “Team Korea.” Doosan said the latest deal is Team Korea’s first large-scale cooperation contract with a local Czech company and reflects the Czech government’s push for localization from the project’s early stages. The contract covers steam turbines, generators and turbine control systems, with equipment for two units to be supplied. Doosan Skoda Power, a power equipment company with more than 150 years of history, has supplied 26 nuclear steam turbines to three countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland. Doosan said the Dukovany deal is the first new nuclear plant construction project jointly carried out by Doosan Enerbility and Doosan Skoda Power, combining the subsidiary’s manufacturing experience with Doosan Enerbility’s nuclear main-equipment technology. “This contract is a meaningful example of creating synergy by bringing together South Korea’s nuclear technology and local manufacturing capabilities for the Czech new nuclear project,” Son Seung-woo, head of Doosan Enerbility’s Power Service BG, said in a statement. He said the company will work closely with Doosan Skoda Power to complete the project successfully and contribute to the development of the Czech power industry.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 15:12:00 -
South Korea, Czech Republic forge ministerial framework to fast-track Dukovany nuclear project SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - South Korea and the Czech Republic agreed to establish a ministerial-level consultative body to oversee the construction of two nuclear reactors at the Dukovany site, as both nations deepen an energy partnership worth about 26 trillion won ($18 billion). South Korean Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan met newly inaugurated Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his counterpart Karel Havlicek in Prague on Monday (local time) at the Czech government's invitation, Seoul's industry ministry said Wednesday. The two ministers agreed to set up a joint committee that will convene three to four times a year, either virtually or in person, to monitor progress and coordinate support for the project. Executives from Czech project company Elektrarna Dukovany II and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) will also take part, with the first session held the same day. Kim delivered a personal letter from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung congratulating Babis on his December inauguration, the ministry said. On the sidelines of the talks, Doosan Enerbility signed a deal worth about 320 billion won with its Czech subsidiary Doosan Skoda Power to supply steam turbines and turbine control systems for Dukovany units 5 and 6. The contract marks the first large-scale collaboration between a "Team Korea" member and a local Czech firm, reflecting Prague's emphasis on localization from the project's early stages. Under the main contract signed in June last year, KHNP will build two 1,000-megawatt APR1000 reactors — South Korea's homegrown pressurised water reactor design — at the Dukovany site. The previous Czech government also agreed to give KHNP priority negotiating rights for two additional units planned at the Temelin plant. "The Dukovany project transcends a mere infrastructure undertaking — it will stand as a symbol of robust solidarity and cooperation between our two nations for decades to come, and a chance to reaffirm Korean nuclear competitiveness on the world stage, following the Barakah plant in the UAE," Kim said on his return to Seoul. 2026-02-18 14:57:26