Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • KAI posts 2025 operating profit of 269.2 billion won, up 12%
    KAI posts 2025 operating profit of 269.2 billion won, up 12% Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, said Wednesday it posted preliminary 2025 revenue of 3.6964 trillion won and operating profit of 269.2 billion won. Revenue rose 1.7% from a year earlier and operating profit increased 11.8%. Net profit climbed 9.6% to 187.3 billion won, the company said. Fourth-quarter revenue was 1.4667 trillion won and operating profit was 77.0 billion won, up 34% and 82.7%, respectively, from a year earlier. KAI said orders rose 30.4% to 6.3946 trillion won, driven by the first mass-production contract for the KF-21, a second mass-production batch for a medical evacuation helicopter, expanded helicopter procurement by the Korea Forest Service, and exports of the FA-50PH to the Philippines. The company said additional exports of the FA-50PH and follow-on work such as an airframe life-extension program for Indonesia’s KT-1 helped secure a long-term revenue base of more than 40 years. Its order backlog at the end of 2025 stood at 27.3437 trillion won, up more than 10% from a year earlier. For 2026, KAI forecast revenue of 5.7306 trillion won and orders of 10.4383 trillion won, up 58.1% and 63%, respectively, from the prior year on a separate basis. The company said it expects revenue to top 5 trillion won for the first time since its founding, with the KF-21 moving into mass production after 10 years and six months of system development, alongside Light Armed Helicopter, or LAH, production. KAI also said it expects production stabilization for the FA-50PL for Poland and the FA-50M for Malaysia, and higher aircraft-structure exports as the commercial aviation market recovers. On orders, KAI said it will pursue the KF-21’s first export, expand additional exports and follow-on support for the FA-50 and Surion, and push domestic programs including a third LAH mass-production batch and a broader government helicopter market. Chief Executive Cha Jae Byung said, “Last year was a year in which we steadily advanced major development programs and diversified our global business, once again proving KAI’s technological capabilities and reliability.” He added, “This year, we will complete development of the KF-21, which the entire nation has long hoped for, and successfully carry out mass production and the first export, focusing all companywide capabilities on creating sustainable future value for South Korea’s aerospace industry.” KAI also said its board approved issuing 500 billion won in convertible bonds. It said 400 billion won will be used to prepare for full-scale KF-21 and LAH mass production, and 100 billion won will go to materials costs and advance component purchases to support on-time deliveries of the FA-50 and Surion (KUH) and strengthen competitiveness in winning orders. 2026-02-05 17:00:19
  • BTS comeback D-44: More than a show when Seoul pours its heart into the kings return
    BTS comeback D-44: More than a show when Seoul pours its heart into the king's return SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A royal comeback. A literal red carpet for the monarchs of K-pop. A “concert of the century.” These are some of the phrases circulating ahead of BTS’s long-awaited return in March — a national-scale production that brings together state support, cultural symbolism, and the global reach of Netflix. The show, already being hailed as the cultural event of the year, is shaping up as a culmination of South Korea’s most powerful contemporary assets: K-pop, cutting-edge technology, digital platforms, ultrafast connectivity, and a hyper-connected fan culture — all staged against an iconic landscape where traditional heritage meets a forest of modern towers. On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square will become the focal point of this convergence, as BTS returns as a full group for a live event titled “THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG.” More than a concert, the performance is designed as a national narrative moment — blending history, pop culture, and collective emotion. Rejecting conventional stadiums and indoor arenas, the seven-member group has chosen the symbolic heart of the capital for its first group concert in three years and nine months. Framed by Gyeongbokgung Palace and its legendary main gate, Gwanghwamun, the venue is inseparable from Korea’s political and cultural identity. For fans, the choice signals an experience meant to be lived and remembered, not merely streamed. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and event organizers, the group is considering a dramatic entrance through all three palace gates during the 8 p.m. performance — a sequence that would transform centuries-old royal protocol into contemporary stagecraft. Under the plan, the members would begin at Geunjeongmun, the gate leading to the palace’s inner court where state affairs were once conducted. They would proceed through Heungnyemun, a transitional threshold between royal and civic space, before emerging through the fully opened gates of Gwanghwamun. From there, they would cross the Woldae, a ceremonial stone platform historically reserved for royal processions and official proclamations, toward the main stage. The route follows the palace’s historic ceremonial corridor — the path once taken by kings as they moved from secluded authority into public view. In Joseon-era terms, it marked the extension of royal power into civic life. In today’s setting, it reimagines that procession as a shared cultural ritual between artists and the public. As stage design and choreography take shape, the comeback increasingly resembles a carefully composed civic spectacle rather than a conventional concert. Geography becomes part of the performance, and architecture part of the narrative. The movement of seven performers through these symbolic spaces is already being read as an act of cultural storytelling. Even before the first note is played, the idea has ignited the public imagination. What began as logistical planning has evolved into a collective anticipation — a sense that this return represents not only a reunion of artists and fans, but a moment when modern pop culture aligns seamlessly with historical memory. That expectation has spilled rapidly onto social media, where fans at home and abroad are reacting to both the scale of the production and its symbolism. For many, the March event is no longer just a concert. It is being framed as a national showcase — a declaration of how Korea’s past, present, and digital future can converge on one stage. Fans were quick to respond on X (formerly Twitter). One South Korean fan wrote: "Wow… to think BTS's comeback performance will happen here. I don't even know how the cameras will capture the full view, but just imagining this scene already makes me feel emotional…" Other domestic reactions echoed the massive scale of the event, with some comparing it to national milestones like the 2002 World Cup. Comments such as "This feels like the biggest Gwanghwamun event since the 2002 World Cup" appeared alongside relatable remarks like, "I work near Gwanghwamun—please let me go home early that day." International fans viewed the announcement as a major cultural milestone. One fan shared a post on X: "#BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21st. As the FIRST EVER solo concert by a singer at this venue, BTS is poised to create ANOTHER milestone in cultural history." On Reddit's r/kpopthoughts, the discussion centered on the production value and the "return" narrative. One user wrote: "They are going to devour this. BTS are incredible live performers, the show is set at a historic landmark, and Hamish Hamilton is directing it. With media already expecting around 200,000 attendees—and an album documentary following a week later—this feels like a powerful return." Another international fan pointed to reports that BTS may enter by walking the traditional royal path once used by kings, describing it as the group's symbolic "return of the kings." That idea resonated with others commenting on Arirang TV's coverage. One fan wrote, "I think you are spot on with the 'Return of the Kings' idea… If anyone can meld past and present together, it is them." Another added that the plan would be "a cinematic masterpiece" that connects directly to "the spirit of Arirang—honoring endurance and history." As anticipation grows, so do concerns about crowd safety. Under a news clip posted by Channel A on YouTube, comments urged authorities to prepare for far more than the estimated 200,000 attendees. One suggestion to plan for "up to one million people" drew hundreds of likes, while others warned against repeating past crowd-related tragedies in the city. What turns the Gwanghwamun concert into a truly global event is its reach beyond the square. The performance will be livestreamed worldwide via Netflix, an unusual move for a K-pop comeback. Under a video posted by YTN, viewers reacted with excitement, with some joking about servers crashing and predicting a surge in new subscriptions. A documentary following the album's creation is set to be released shortly after the concert, positioning the Gwanghwamun stage as the opening scene of a longer narrative. Even the technical details of this era are evolving. On Thursday, Weverse announced the release of the BTS Official Light Stick Version 4, the first major upgrade in nearly six years. Featuring enhanced synchronization and a redesigned app, the new version is intended to deepen audience participation throughout the upcoming ARIRANG world tour. The announcement sparked another wave of digital reactions. On X and other platforms, fans expressed excitement, "OMG, new light stick?" and "Finally, a new version for this era," while others looked ahead to how the upgraded synchronization could shape the atmosphere of the outdoor stage at Gwanghwamun. For many, the new light stick is more than merchandise; it is a signal that this comeback is being built with a long-term vision. When the lights turn on at Gwanghwamun, some fans will be standing in the square while others watch from living rooms around the world, yet all will be sharing the same moment. It is a convergence of place, memory, and fandom. Long after the music fades, the echo of the night at Gwanghwamun will likely remain. 2026-02-05 16:51:59
  • KBO Hits Leader Son Ah Seop Signs One-Year Deal With Hanwha Eagles
    KBO Hits Leader Son Ah Seop Signs One-Year Deal With Hanwha Eagles KBO League career hits leader Son Ah Seop has signed a one-year contract with the Hanwha Eagles. Hanwha announced Thursday that it agreed to a one-year deal worth 100 million won in salary. Son said, "I’m grateful to the club for choosing me again," adding, "I’m joining camp a little late, but I’ve kept myself in good shape." He added, "I’ll do my best in my role so Hanwha can soar again in the 2026 season." Son is set to join the Futures spring camp in Kochi, Japan, on Friday. 2026-02-05 16:51:26
  • Snow-themed festival underway in Taebaek
    Snow-themed festival underway in Taebaek SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A snow-themed festival is currently underway in Taebaek in the mountainous region of Gangwon Province. The annual festival, now in its 33rd year, kicked off on Jan. 31 and will run through this weekend. Against the stunning backdrop of snow-blanketed Mt. Taebaeksan, visitors can marvel at large-scale snow sculptures and engage in a variety of interactive winter programs. It would the perfect destination for anyone not quite ready to say goodbye to winter or for those who want to enjoy the winter chill while it's still here to stay. 2026-02-05 16:42:26
  • SKC says glass substrate customer demands are sharpening; expects ESS copper foil demand
    SKC says glass substrate customer demands are sharpening; expects ESS copper foil demand SKC said it is focusing on its glass substrate business, a key semiconductor material, as it seeks to return to profitability within the year. Park Dong Ju, head of SKC’s finance division, said on a conference call on Wednesday that the company will run its businesses with a focus on profitability to restore earnings and strengthen financial stability. SKC also plans to increase sales volumes of battery and semiconductor materials. For glass substrates, which SKC is positioning as a future growth driver, the company said it will improve product quality and yields to support reliability testing. SKC said glass substrates could be a “game changer” for the semiconductor ecosystem and that it expects to maintain clear differentiation and a technology gap over latecomers. On progress, SKC said its plant in Georgia was completed at the end of 2024 and that it focused on securing key technologies in 2025, with most now in place. It said it has completed prototype samples and submitted them to customers. SKC said customer requirements for reliability testing are becoming more specific and sophisticated because the product has no close precedent. It said commercialization is running somewhat later than earlier market expectations, but it will deploy a large number of semiconductor engineers to recheck its execution structure and speed up commercialization. In battery materials such as copper foil, SKC said a one-time cost of 316.6 billion won was reflected in the fourth quarter of last year, widening its pretax loss. To offset that, it guided that copper foil sales volume this year will rise 50% from a year earlier. SKC said demand from North America-centered energy storage systems is expected to increase, and it will prioritize operational efficiency based on a full-scale ramp-up of its Malaysia plant while serving key global customers. In semiconductor materials, SKC said it posted its best annual performance on demand for high value-added products used in artificial intelligence data centers. An SKC official said the company is targeting about 20% growth in companywide revenue this year from last year, citing higher electric-vehicle copper foil sales to customers in Greater China and an expanded customer base as applications for small batteries diversify. 2026-02-05 16:30:00
  • Frigid weather to linger despite springs arrival
    Frigid weather to linger despite spring's arrival SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - A cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas on Thursday. The advisory, issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration, takes effect at 9 p.m., as freezing temperatures are expected overnight. After a brief spell of balmy weather just a day after Ipchun, the official start of spring by the lunar calendar, Seoul is expected to see morning lows plunge to -12 degrees Celsius on Friday, with the fresh cold snap lingering through the weekend. Such an advisory is issued when morning temperatures are expected to drop by more than 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, or at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average, or when the morning low is forecast to remain at or below -12 degrees for two or more consecutive days. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working with some 25 local districts and agencies to prepare for emergency situations, while operating emergency shelters and other facilities as well as maintaining around-the-clock monitoring. 2026-02-05 16:22:17
  • Korea Employers Federation calls AI key to economic recovery
    Korea Employers Federation calls AI key to economic recovery SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A leading South Korean business group on Thursday called artificial intelligence a critical tool for reviving the economy and urged companies to accelerate innovation alongside labor-market reforms. The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) is hosting the two-day Korea CEO Forum in central Seoul from Feb. 5–6, bringing together executives from major companies to discuss how AI is reshaping industries and workplaces. In opening remarks, KEF Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik said South Korea must sharply improve productivity and competitiveness to overcome economic challenges, describing AI as “the most effective breakthrough.” “The gap in AI readiness is becoming a gap in corporate and national competitiveness,” Sohn said, adding that advances in AI are generating new industries and innovation while driving broad social and economic change. He warned that managing labor-market disruption will be a major task as AI adoption accelerates, calling for solutions that promote corporate innovation, nurture talent and improve workers’ quality of life at the same time. On labor relations, Sohn urged greater cooperation between management and labor based on legal principles and dialogue, saying stable industrial relations are essential for innovation and job security. He also called on the government and National Assembly to quickly clarify implementation measures related to a revised labor union law set to take effect in March, citing concerns among companies about potential confusion. Sohn urged caution over extending the statutory retirement age, saying it could discourage youth hiring and deepen labor-market disparities. Instead, he called for broader discussions on flexible options such as post-retirement reemployment and reform of seniority-based wage systems. He also argued that rigid working-hour rules should be made more flexible to reflect differences across industries and job types. The forum includes sessions on AI-driven industrial transformation. KAIST professor Kim Dae-sik is delivering a keynote on how generative AI and artificial general intelligence could reshape industrial structures and capital-labor relations. Hyun Dong-jin, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab, is presenting cases of AI and robotics-based business applications, while Kakao Pay CEO Shin Won-geun is discussing stablecoins and changes in digital finance. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-05 16:02:48
  • Airbus: Asia-Pacific Aviation Services Market to Reach $138.7B by 2044
    Airbus: Asia-Pacific Aviation Services Market to Reach $138.7B by 2044 Airbus said Thursday that demand for aviation services in the Asia-Pacific region, including China and India, is expected to grow to US$138.7 billion by 2044, expanding at a 5.2% compound annual growth rate, according to its latest Global Services Forecast report. The company cited rising air traffic and a growing aircraft fleet as key drivers of medium- to long-term growth. Over the next 20 years, the region will need 19,560 new passenger aircraft, Airbus said, representing 46% of global demand over the period. Asia-Pacific passenger demand is projected to rise 4.4% a year, well above the global average of 3.6%, keeping the region the world’s fastest-growing aviation market. The report identified five main areas expected to lead growth: component maintenance, airframe maintenance, modifications and upgrades, digital and connectivity, and education and training. Component maintenance is forecast to surge to $100 billion in 2044 from $37.1 billion in 2025, driven by fleet expansion and aircraft aging. Airbus said supply-chain instability and a shortage of skilled workers remain structural constraints. Airframe maintenance is expected to grow to $14 billion from $6 billion over the same period. Airbus said new base-maintenance hangars are being built in key markets including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, alongside large-scale investment in MRO infrastructure. Modifications and upgrades are projected to expand to $6.2 billion from $3.8 billion. Airbus said demand is rising for cabin modernization as more complex retrofit work increases for older aircraft, with airlines adding premium cabin products and in-flight connectivity to meet changing passenger expectations. Digital and connectivity services are expected to grow to $11.2 billion from $2.9 billion. Airbus said airlines and MRO providers are accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve efficiency, support predictive maintenance, optimize operations and ease labor shortages through automation. Education and training are forecast to rise to $7.7 billion from $3.2 billion, with a rapid shift in the region toward competency-based training and assessment. Airbus said the region will need more than 1.06 million new aviation professionals by 2044, including 282,000 pilots, 302,000 technicians and 473,000 cabin crew members. Airbus also highlighted maintenance operations support and ground operations services as areas that will shape performance for airlines and MRO providers. It projected the maintenance operations support market, including engineering, technical records and inventory management, will reach $46.4 billion by 2044, while the ground operations market, reshaped by automation and digitalization, will grow to $31 billion. Airbus said mature markets will maintain a certain level of demand, but Asia-Pacific — led by South Asia and China — will drive the next phase of global aviation services growth and “reshape the aviation industry’s capacity, capabilities and investment priorities worldwide.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 15:54:00
  • Badminton Star Kim Won Ho Wins Korean Sport and Olympic Committee’s Top Sports Award
    Badminton Star Kim Won Ho Wins Korean Sport and Olympic Committee’s Top Sports Award Kim Won Ho (Samsung Life), who won the men’s doubles title at the 2025 Paris World Badminton Championships and claimed 11 World Tour titles in a single season, has been selected for the top prize at the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee’s sports awards. The committee said Thursday it chose Kim for making “remarkable contributions to South Korean sports in 2025” and for helping advance and promote athletics. The top award includes a plaque and a special prize. After review by its Sports Fairness Committee and approval at its 12th board meeting on Monday, the committee selected 93 individuals and five organizations as winners across eight categories: competition, coaching, officiating, recreational sports, school sports, merit, research and sports values. Category grand-prize winners were: Choi Tae Ho (Gangwon Province Cycling Federation) and Ban Hyo Jin (Daegu Physical Education High School) in competition; Lee Se Won, weightlifting coach for Goyang City Hall, and Jung Sung Sook, judo coach at Yongin University, in coaching; Kim Eun Hee (Korea Judo Association) in officiating; Cha Du Yeon (Busan Roller Sports Federation) in recreational sports; Oh Jong Hwan, a teacher at Oncheon Elementary School, in school sports; Lee Chung Hwan, vice president of the Korea Sepaktakraw Association, and Kim Gwang Tae, vice president of the Daejeon Modern Pentathlon Federation, in merit; Kim Seok Gyu, an associate professor in sports science at Dongguk University, in research; and Park Kang Gyu, president of the Seoul Curling Federation, in sports values. Winners receive plaques and prizes. The committee also will present plaques and prizes to other recipients in each category: 21 individuals and three organizations receiving excellence awards, and 60 individuals and two organizations receiving encouragement awards. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee established the awards in 1955 and has honored people each year for outstanding performance or for creative and dedicated efforts that contribute to the development of South Korean sports. The 72nd awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 13 at Champion House at the Taereung Training Center.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 15:45:00
  • South Korea to chair multinational initiative on critical minerals through June
    South Korea to chair multinational initiative on critical minerals through June SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - South Korea will chair a multinational initiative aimed at strengthening "diversified, resilient and secure critical minerals supply chains" through the first half of this year, the U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday. Announcing the creation of FORGE, short for the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as the "successor to the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)" at a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington, D.C. The inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting was held with representatives from some 54 countries, along with top U.S. officials including Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The ministerial gathering comes as the U.S. ramps up efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese critical minerals after China's export restrictions on rare earth materials. "FORGE, which will be chaired by Korea through June, will lead with bold and decisive action to address ongoing challenges in the global critical minerals marketplace," Rubio said. Stressing that critical minerals and rare earths are "essential" for most advanced technologies, he urged "close partnership" among partners and allies. "Recognizing that governments alone cannot solve this problem, we are committed to close partnership with the private sector, including through Pax Silica, which will lead through investments in mining, refining and processing, end use applications, and recycling and reprocessing." "Understanding the benefits of working together and building on the MSP, FORGE partners will collaborate at the policy and project levels to advance initiatives that strengthen diversified, resilient, and secure critical minerals supply chains," he added. 2026-02-05 15:24:47