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South Korean Film Director Jeong Jin Woo Dies at 88 South Korean film director Jeong Jin Woo, who made movies including "Does the Cuckoo Cry at Night" and "The Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed," died on Saturday, the film industry and his family said. He was 88. Jeong died at about 8:00 p.m. at a nursing hospital in Seoul’s Gangnam district, they said Sunday. He had been hospitalized after a fall while walking his dog about two months ago and later contracted COVID-19, and he did not recover, they said. Shortly before his death, longtime friend director Im Kwon Taek and Lee Woo Seok, chairman of Dong-A Export Co., visited the hospital to say goodbye. Born in 1938, Jeong debuted at age 24 with the 1962 film "Only Son," starring Choi Mu Ryong and Kim Ji Mi. He went on to direct films including "Betrayal" (1963), starring Shin Seong Il and Eom Aeng Ran, and helped lead South Korean cinema’s resurgence from the 1960s through the 1980s. In the 1980s, he drew critical and popular attention with films rooted in local themes. "Does the Cuckoo Cry at Night" (1980) won nine awards at the 19th Daejong Film Awards, including best actress, best actor and cinematography. "A Parrot Cried in Its Body" (1981) won six awards at the 20th Daejong Film Awards. Jeong also gained international recognition. "Long Live the Island Frog" (1972) was selected for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, and "Janyeomok" (1984) was invited for a special screening at the 42nd Venice International Film Festival. That year, he was also named one of the "world’s 10 greatest directors" at the Venice festival. He directed 54 films through his 1995 movie "The Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed" and produced 135 films through his own company, Woojin Film. Jeong also worked as a film administrator focused on welfare and industry development. He helped found the Korean Film Directors Association in 1967, established the Film Welfare Foundation in 1984 and served as chairman of the Korean Film Association in 1985. In 1989, he founded the multiplex Cine House, helping drive changes in theater culture. In 1993, he received France’s Order of Arts and Letters for his contributions. Survivors include his wife, a son and two daughters. A funeral altar will be set up at the mortuary of Samsung Medical Center in Seoul’s Gangnam district.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:03:00
South Korea’s Yoo Seung-eun reaches Olympic women’s snowboard big air final in 4th Eighteen-year-old Yoo Seung-eun (Seongbok High School) made South Korean snowboard history by reaching the Olympic big air final, keeping her in medal contention after Kim Sang-gyeom (High1) delivered the team’s first medal of the Games. Yoo placed fourth out of 29 riders in women’s big air qualifying at Livigno Snow Park in Sondrio, Italy, with 166.50 points from her first and third runs. The top 12 advanced to the final. She opened with 80.75 points, scored 77.75 on her second attempt, then posted 88.75 on her third with a high-difficulty trick. Qualifying standings were determined by adding the best two of three scores. It is the first time a South Korean snowboarder has advanced to an Olympic big air final. Yoo was 0.5 points behind third-place Mia Brookes of Britain (167.00). Joy Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand led qualifying with 172.25, followed by Japan’s Kokomo Murase with 171.25. Born in 2008, Yoo has emerged as a top prospect. She was runner-up at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Junior Championships in 2023, and in December she finished second at a World Cup event in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, becoming the first South Korean to win a World Cup big air medal. The women’s big air final is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 10.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 06:42:00
South Korea’s Kim Sun Young, Jeong Yeong Seok beat Canada 9-5 for third straight mixed doubles win South Korea’s mixed doubles curling pair Kim Sun Young (Gangneung City Hall) and Jeong Yeong Seok (Gangwon Provincial Office) beat Canada on Sunday for their third straight win after a five-game losing streak. Kim and Jeong defeated Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant 9-5 in their eighth round-robin game at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. South Korea improved to 3-5 and were tied for sixth with Norway. The teams traded one point each in the first and second ends, but Canada took two in the third to lead 3-1. With last stone in the fourth, Kim knocked out a Canadian stone in the house to score three and put South Korea ahead 4-3. South Korea added two more in the fifth to make it 6-3. Canada used its power play in the sixth and scored two to close to 6-5. South Korea used its power play in the seventh to score two and extend the lead to 8-5, then added one in the eighth to seal the win. The mixed doubles field includes South Korea, the Czech Republic, Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and Norway among 10 nations. In round-robin play, the top four advance to the semifinals (No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3). With four teams already at five wins or more, South Korea have been eliminated from semifinal contention. South Korea play Norway later Sunday in their final round-robin game. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 05:12:00
Low-Priced Tesla, BYD EVs Gain in South Korea, Pressuring Hyundai and Kia Imported electric vehicles are rapidly expanding in South Korea, increasing pressure on domestic brands such as Hyundai Motor and Kia. Tesla, which sold nearly 60,000 vehicles last year, has already overtaken Hyundai in sales, and value-focused Chinese brands led by BYD are also gaining ground, raising the stakes for Hyundai and Kia in their home market. According to Kaizu Data Research Institute data released on Feb. 8, South Korea registered 5,733 EVs in January, up 141.1% from 2,378 a year earlier. More than half were Tesla (1,968) and BYD (1,347). Tesla helped drive the domestic EV market last year with sales nearing 60,000. Since 2023, it has lowered prices by importing China-made versions of the Model Y and Model 3. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association said Tesla’s U.S.-made models cost 59 million won, compared with about 53 million won for China-made models. BYD also topped 6,000 sales in its first year in South Korea, signaling room to grow. With Tesla and BYD performing strongly, sales of China-made EVs totaled 74,728 last year, more than doubling from the previous year. In its second year in South Korea, BYD recently unveiled the compact hatchback Dolphin to sharpen its value pitch. Its price is 24.5 million won after tax benefits for eco-friendly vehicles, before subsidies are applied. Hyundai and Kia are responding by expanding incentives to defend their domestic market. Kia has cut prices this year for the EV5 long-range compact SUV by 2.8 million won and for the EV6 by 3 million won. For the EV5 standard model, the out-of-pocket price could fall to the 34 million won range after central and local government subsidies, the company said. Hyundai is also strengthening low-interest financing for EVs. Last month it lowered the installment-loan rate under its “Hyundai EV Burden Down Promotion” by 2.6 percentage points, from 5.4% to 2.8%. The discounted rate applies to the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kona Electric. Under the promotion, Hyundai said buyers could save about 2.5 million won in interest on the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, and about 2.1 million won on the Kona Electric. Jung Myung Hoon, a senior researcher at KAMA, said the EV market rebound in 2025 reflects a combination of demand concentrated in a few popular models, government support such as subsidies and manufacturers’ price competition, rather than broad-based mass adoption or a structural shift in demand. He warned that the rapid inflow of China-made EVs can help expand adoption by lowering prices and widening consumer choice, but it is also intensifying pressure on South Korea’s manufacturing base and supply-chain competitiveness. He added that because major competitors are already using strong policies to protect their industries, South Korea should discuss support measures such as a “domestic production promotion tax system” to bolster price competitiveness for locally made EVs and protect the manufacturing ecosystem.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 05:03:00
Lindsey Vonn Stable After Surgery Following Crash in Milan-Cortina Olympic Downhill U.S. alpine skiing star Lindsey Vonn was stable after surgery following a hard crash 13 seconds into her run in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics women’s downhill, organizers said. Vonn fell on Feb. 8 (local time) at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and did not finish the race. She lost control on the second turn when her right arm struck a gate, then slammed into the snow and tumbled. Vonn could not get up. Medical staff assessed her on the course before she was flown by helicopter to a hospital. She was taken to an intensive care unit at a hospital in the Cortina area for initial treatment and later transferred to a large hospital in Treviso. The hospital said in a statement that orthopedic surgeons operated to stabilize a fracture in her left leg. U.S. Ski & Snowboard said Vonn was in stable condition and was receiving intensive care from U.S. and Italian medical teams. Vonn won her first Olympic gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games and retired in 2019. She returned to competition in the 2024-2025 season to prepare for these Winter Olympics. But on Jan. 30, she injured her left knee after a jump landing during a World Cup race in Switzerland and was also evacuated by helicopter. Vonn completed two training runs on the Olympic course, raising expectations, but the injury is expected to make it difficult for her to compete in the rest of the Games. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry wished her a speedy recovery, saying, “Lindsey Vonn is always an Olympic champion and a symbol of inspiration.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 04:42:00
Choi Min-jung to lead South Korea in Olympic mixed relay, eyes record medal haul South Korea short track veteran Choi Min-jung (Seongnam City Hall) is aiming for her first medal of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics — and a national record for most Olympic medals by a South Korean athlete. Choi will take the opening leg in the mixed 2,000-meter relay on Feb. 10 (Korea time). “Other teams probably already expect me to start,” Choi said after training on Feb. 9. “I focused on start practice. I’ll try to break out as fast as possible and not get pushed around in the jostling.” Choi has already won three gold medals and two silver medals across two Olympics. If she adds two more medals in Milan, she will set a new South Korean record for most Olympic medals. “I have a letter my mother wrote for me,” Choi said. “I hope it’s an Olympics where I — and everyone around me — can finish smiling.” A key variable is adapting to local conditions. Short track in Milan is being held on the same rink used for figure skating. With the two sports alternating, ice conditions can change, and the schedule is irregular, with races shifting between morning and night sessions. “Some days we race in the morning, other days at night, so I think managing my condition physically will be important,” Choi said, pointing to strict self-care as a deciding factor. The South Korean team arrived in Milan early on Jan. 30 and has completed its acclimation, with the team in good spirits. A U.S. sports outlet projected South Korea short track would win three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal at these Games. “I’ve done everything I can, and now I’ll leave the results up to the heavens,” Choi said. The mixed relay race is scheduled for the night of Feb. 10.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 03:21:00
South Korea Eyes First Multiple Medals in Skiing, Snowboarding at Milan-Cortina 2026 South Korea are aiming for a first-ever multiple-medal haul in Olympic skiing and snowboarding at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games. Kim Sang-gyeom of High1 won silver in the men’s snowboard parallel giant slalom on Saturday (local time) at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, giving South Korea their second Olympic medal in skiing and snowboarding. It was the first medal for South Korea in those sports in eight years, after Lee Sang-ho won silver in the same event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, the country’s first podium finish in 58 years of Olympic participation. Lee, initially seen as the top medal hope, was eliminated in the round of 16, but Kim’s runner-up finish lifted the team’s outlook for the remaining events. With more events ahead, South Korea are now looking to win at least two medals in skiing and snowboarding at a single Olympics for the first time. Several athletes born in the 2000s are set to compete across multiple disciplines. Snowboard halfpipe qualifying begins Tuesday. The event is judged on aerial tricks performed on a sloped, half-cylinder course. While it has long featured global stars such as Shaun White and Chloe Kim of the United States, South Korea’s Choi Ga-on of Sehwa High School and Lee Chae-woon of Kyung Hee University have recently shown promise internationally. Choi has won three International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Cup events this season and is leading the women’s halfpipe standings, making her a gold-medal contender. Lee has dealt with injuries, but he won men’s halfpipe gold at the 2023 world championships as the youngest champion and won slopestyle at last year’s Harbin Asian Winter Games. In snowboard big air, Yoo Seung-eun of Seongbok High School took silver in an FIS Snowboard World Cup event in December in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He was the first South Korean to reach the podium in World Cup big air. South Korea also see medal potential in freestyle ski halfpipe, with Lee Seung-hoon of Korea National Sport University, the gold medalist at last year’s Harbin Asian Winter Games, competing in the event. Men’s freestyle ski moguls is another target. Qualifying begins Monday. Moguls features a course covered with roughly 1-meter-high bumps, with athletes racing downhill and performing aerial spins off jumps. Jung Dae-yoon of the Seoul Ski Association, who has earned podium finishes at the world championships and World Cup, is seeking South Korea’s first Olympic medal in freestyle skiing. The Games also include dual moguls, in which two skiers race head-to-head, and Jung is also in contention there, with that event scheduled for Feb. 15. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 02:54:00
South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung Congratulates Snowboarder Kim Sang-gyeom on First Milan 2026 Medal President Lee Jae Myung congratulated South Korean snowboarder Kim Sang-gyeom after Kim won the nation’s first medal of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. In a message posted Monday on social media, Lee said South Korea’s first medal of the Games had been secured and offered his congratulations to Kim for taking silver in the men’s parallel giant slalom. Lee said Kim had spent years training for races decided by fractions of a second, refining his technique and tuning his equipment on harsh snow. He added that Kim reached the Olympic podium on his fourth attempt since the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Lee called the result especially meaningful because it was South Korea’s 400th Olympic medal. He also said it was the country’s second silver medal in snow events, showing South Korea are becoming competitive beyond ice sports. On Sunday in South Korea, Kim won silver at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy, finishing 0.19 seconds behind Benjamin Karl of Austria in the final. It was South Korea’s first medal of the Games and the country’s second Olympic medal in skiing and snowboarding, the first in eight years. Lee said Kim’s medal would give the entire South Korean team courage and confidence as more athletes compete. He added that he would join the public in cheering for South Korea through the final day of the Olympics. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 01:27:00
South Korea’s Kim Sang-gyeom wins Olympic silver in men’s parallel giant slalom South Korea snowboarder Kim Sang-gyeom, 37, won a breakthrough Olympic silver medal in his fourth Games, delivering the country’s first medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and its 400th Olympic medal overall. After the race, he bowed deeply on the podium toward the crowd and viewers back home. Kim, who competes for High1, finished second in the men’s parallel giant slalom final on Feb. 8 (Korea time) at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, in Italy’s Sondrio province. He lost by 0.19 seconds to Austria’s Benjamin Karl. Kim jumped out to an early lead off the start but slipped slightly midway through the run, allowing Karl to close. Kim surged late and narrowed the gap, but he crossed the line just behind Karl to take silver. The medal carried added significance for South Korea. Entering the Games, the country had 320 Summer Olympic medals and 79 Winter Olympic medals; Kim’s silver brought the Winter total to 80 and the overall total to 400. In snow events, it was South Korea’s first Olympic medal in eight years, and the second in its history, since Lee Sang-ho won silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. At the medal ceremony, Kim bowed deeply before putting on his medal, a gesture of thanks to supporters. He is part of the first generation of South Korean snowboarders to reach the Olympics, having made his Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Games. Kim advanced to the knockout rounds after placing eighth in qualifying. In the quarterfinals, he upset world No. 1 Roland Fischnaller of Italy on his way to his first Olympic medal at age 37.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 00:48:00
South Korea’s Lee Jun-seo Finishes 58th in Olympic Skiathlon as Norway’s Klaebo Wins Gold South Korea’s Lee Jun-seo of Gyeonggi Provincial Government finished 58th in the men’s 10 km + 10 km skiathlon at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, while Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his sixth career Olympic gold medal. Lee posted 53 minutes, 39 seconds in the race held on Feb. 8 (Korea time) at the cross-country stadium in Tesero, Italy. The skiathlon combines two cross-country techniques: classic and freestyle. Athletes race the first half in classic style, then switch to freestyle at the midpoint. Competing in his first Olympics, Lee had aimed for a top-50 finish but fell short. He did, however, complete the race without being lapped and eliminated under the event’s lap rule. Klaebo won in 46:11, finishing 7 minutes, 28 seconds ahead of Lee. After taking three gold medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and two golds at the 2022 Beijing Games, he opened this Olympics by adding another title. Klaebo stayed near the front early, slipped to fourth in the middle stages, then surged late to secure the win. Biathlon great Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and cross-country standouts Bjoern Daehlie and Marit Bjoergen each have eight career Olympic gold medals; Klaebo would tie them with two more. Mathis Desloges of France took silver in 46:13, and Norway’s Martin Loewstroem Nyenget won bronze in 46:13.1. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 00:33:00