Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Ok Taecyeon Wedding Photos Leak Sparks Privacy Concerns 2PM member and actor Ok Taecyeon has come under scrutiny after photos from his private wedding to a non-celebrity woman were leaked online. On the 27th, images from the wedding held on the 24th spread across Chinese social media and online communities. Ok’s side had kept the ceremony closed to protect the bride’s privacy, but the leaked photos show the couple linking arms and include clear shots of the bride’s face. The images were reportedly taken by a tourist staying at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, where the wedding was held, and posted after being shot through a guest-room window. The poster wrote, “After checking into the hotel, I looked out the window and saw a wedding, and it turned out to be Ok Taecyeon’s.” Some users reacted with comments such as, “Tourists are faster than reporters,” “They didn’t expect a tourist to take photos,” and “The wedding photos look nice.” Others said the bride’s face being exposed amounted to an invasion of privacy, noting that Ok had previously asked for understanding so details of the ceremony would not be shared publicly. Ok debuted in 2PM in 2008 and began acting in the 2010 KBS2 drama “Cinderella’s Sister,” later appearing in a range of dramas. He married after dating his bride-to-be for 10 years. He is the second married member of 2PM, following Hwang Chan-sung, who married in 2022.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:34:07 -
Joint research team develops gene scissors speed-based method to identify multiple viruses SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Researchers from South Korea and the United States have developed a diagnostic technology that simultaneously identifies various viruses and variants by measuring the reaction speed of gene scissors, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Sunday. The method allows for the identification of different pathogens in a single test without the need for complex laboratory procedures or multiple chemical markers. The study was led by Professor Son Sung-min from the KAIST Department of Bio and Brain Engineering in collaboration with teams from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Gladstone Institutes. The researchers utilized a protein called Cas13, a type of gene scissors that targets ribonucleic acid (RNA). When Cas13 identifies a specific viral target, it activates and produces a fluorescent signal by cutting surrounding molecules. While conventional diagnostic methods often require different enzymes or multiple fluorescent colors to detect several viruses at once, this team focused on the speed of the reaction. By observing the process at a single-molecule level within microscopic droplets, they found that the gene scissors operate at distinct speeds depending on the specific virus or mutation they encounter. The team established a technique called kinetic barcoding, which treats these varying reaction speeds as unique signal patterns. By adjusting the design of the guide RNA, which directs the scissors to their target, the researchers can program the speed of the enzyme. This allows a single type of gene scissors to distinguish between a wide range of respiratory viruses and variants. The new approach also simplifies the testing process by detecting RNA directly. Most current tests for RNA viruses require a step called reverse transcription to convert the genetic material into DNA, which adds time and technical complexity. This platform eliminates that requirement, potentially allowing for faster results in clinical or field settings. In clinical trials, the system accurately identified various respiratory viruses and variants of SARS-CoV-2 in a single reaction. "This study is the first instance of using the reaction speed of gene scissors as a new type of information for diagnostics, moving beyond simply checking for the presence of a virus," Professor Son Sung-min said. "It will serve as a next-generation platform capable of diagnosing various infectious diseases simultaneously in the field." Journal/Source: Nature Biomedical Engineering Title: Programmable kinetic barcoding for multiplexed RNA detection with Cas13a Link/DOI: https://bit.ly/4sTo8on 2026-04-27 09:33:22 -
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan vows overhaul to spur companies’ return to South Korea Kim Jung-kwan, minister of trade, industry and energy, said on the 27th that the need for South Korean companies operating overseas to return home is growing, but current reshoring policy has not kept pace, leading to stalled returns and repeated calls for change. He said the government will “overhaul” the policy so reshoring investment can energize regional economies and help build up core capabilities at home. Kim made the remarks during a visit to cosmetics manufacturer Kolmar Korea, selected as this year’s first reshoring company, where he held a meeting with returning firms. Kolmar Korea plans to close its overseas sites and invest 187 billion won in Sejong City after returning to South Korea. Since the enactment of the Act on Assistance to Returning Companies, reshoring policy from 2014 to 2025 generated 7 trillion won in investment and created 8,000 jobs. But new reshoring has stagnated as rapidly changing investment conditions — including stronger global protectionism and supply-chain restructuring — have not been sufficiently reflected in the policy. The ministry noted that major countries are competing to attract investment to keep advanced industries and key supply chains within their borders. It said policy needs to be redesigned not only to support relocating overseas operations back home, but also to secure core industrial capabilities. Companies at the meeting asked for stronger government support for investment amid uncertain global supply chains and accelerating artificial intelligence-driven transformation. They said eligibility for reshoring support is too narrow, citing a requirement that products and services made at overseas sites and at the returning domestic site must be the same or similar — making it difficult to qualify when switching production to different items or investing in research facilities in South Korea. They also said an obligation to maintain existing sites for the three-year implementation period, rather than the returning site, limits flexible operations. They urged more flexible employment standards as automation expands. The ministry said it will prepare improvements focused on expanding eligibility and refining detailed requirements, diversifying subsidy support based on the type of reshoring, and strengthening strategic attraction and close support for investment implementation. Kim thanked reshoring companies and said Kolmar Korea’s investment would be a leading example of productivity innovation through process automation. He said the government will strengthen the strategic approach to reshoring support, back investment implementation through completion, and assign a dedicated project manager to provide close, end-to-end assistance. “Corporate and national competitiveness has become an era determined by ‘how stable a supply chain you can secure,’” Kim said, adding that the government will actively support companies so returning home and investing in regional areas can be the most reasonable and attractive choice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:33:15 -
Reform New Party’s Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor Cho Eung-cheon, a former Reform New Party lawmaker, announced on the 27th that he will run for Gyeonggi governor in the June 3 local elections. In a Facebook post, Cho declared his candidacy, saying, “Other than the candidates from the two entrenched parties who I just can’t bring myself to support, I’m the only person I truly want to vote for.” He said he had “hesitated for a long time and thought hard,” arguing that while the two major parties “fight while only paying lip service to people’s livelihoods,” the 14 million residents of Gyeonggi have been forced into “the life of an ‘egg white’ surrounding Seoul.” Cho added that he understands “what the problems are,” saying he has served as a Democratic Party lawmaker and also held a role under a conservative administration. “I’m running for Gyeonggi governor. Cho Eung-cheon will do it,” he wrote. A former prosecutor, Cho served as senior presidential secretary for public service discipline at the Blue House under the Park Geun-hye government. He was elected to the 20th and 21st National Assembly as a member of the Democratic Party, then left the party after conflicts with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction. He switched to the Reform New Party in 2024 and ran in that year’s 22nd general election but lost. With Cho formalizing his bid, the Gyeonggi governor’s race is increasingly likely to take shape as a three-way contest. The Democratic Party has selected Rep. Choo Mi-ae as its candidate, and the People Power Party is set to decide its nominee on May 2. Because the People Power Party and the Reform New Party are both generally classified as conservative, concerns have been raised that conservative votes could split, fueling talk of a possible future unification of candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:31:59 -
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Frays as Airstrikes Kill 14, Reuters Reports Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon, is increasingly failing to restrain fighting, with airstrikes and rocket fire resuming despite a U.S.-brokered extension. Israeli strikes on Saturday killed 14 people and wounded 37 in Lebanon, Reuters reported. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the dead included two children and two women. The Israeli military warned residents of seven villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate. The villages are north of the Litani River, beyond a “buffer zone” Israel seized before the ceasefire, signaling an expanded strike area. Israel said the strikes were a response, not a ceasefire breach, arguing Hezbollah violated the truce first. It said it hit Hezbollah fighters, rocket launchers and weapons depots. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s top priority was “Israel’s security, the safety of its troops and border residents,” adding that Israel was responding forcefully “within the rules agreed with the United States and Lebanon.” Hezbollah said it would not halt attacks on Israeli forces in Lebanon or on northern Israel as long as Israel continues what it calls ceasefire violations. It also said diplomatic solutions no longer work and indicated it would no longer rely on Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah claimed it attacked Israeli troops and rescue units in Lebanon. The Israeli military said one soldier was killed and six were wounded. The escalation followed the ceasefire extension. A 10-day Israel-Lebanon truce that began March 16 under U.S. mediation was extended by three weeks after a White House meeting on March 23. Reuters said the ceasefire reduced attacks but did not stop them, with both sides continuing airstrikes and drone and rocket attacks while blaming each other for violations. The United Nations also warned of possible violations of international humanitarian law. Reuters reported that the U.N. human rights office said Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket fire toward Israel could breach the law, citing confirmed cases in which densely populated areas and residential buildings were hit. Reuters reported that since the war reignited on March 2, more than 2,500 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the toll includes 277 women, 177 children and 100 medical workers. Israeli authorities said two civilians and 16 soldiers have been killed in Israel.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:31:21 -
CJ CheilJedang deepens Vietnam retail partnership to boost K-food reach SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - CJ CheilJedang is deepening its foothold in Vietnam's fast-growing processed food market through an expanded partnership with Bach Hoa Xanh, the country's largest supermarket chain. The company announced Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Bach Hoa Xanh, a subsidiary of Vietnam's largest retail group MWG, on April 23 in Hanoi to jointly develop processed food products, bolster cold-chain infrastructure and broaden consumer reach for its Bibigo brand across Vietnam. The signing ceremony, held alongside the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, was attended by CJ CheilJedang's Asia-Pacific food division head Cho Jae-bom and MWG Chairman Nguyen Duc Tai, with trade ministers from both countries present. Under the agreement, the two companies will co-develop products tailored to Vietnamese consumption trends, invest in refrigerated and frozen logistics to strengthen food safety standards, and launch joint promotions including K-food festivals and a dedicated "CJ Zone" within Bach Hoa Xanh's mobile application. "The partnership with Bach Hoa Xanh, which is driving innovation in Vietnam's retail market, will serve as an important springboard for Bibigo to become a household brand in Vietnam," said a CJ CheilJedang spokesperson. 2026-04-27 09:29:35 -
South Korean Won Opens Stronger vs. Dollar Despite Failed U.S.-Iran Truce Talks The South Korean won opened stronger against the U.S. dollar on Monday as market optimism held up despite the collapse of a second round of U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks. In Seoul trading, the won was quoted at 1,477.4 per dollar as of 9:20 a.m. It opened at 1,477.6, down 6.9 won from the previous session. On April 25 (local time), Iran left Pakistan ahead of a planned visit by a U.S. envoy, and the U.S. negotiating team also canceled its trip. The developments effectively scuttled a second round of U.S.-Iran talks that had been expected to take place in Pakistan. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he had "just canceled" the delegation’s schedule to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet Iranian officials, saying too much time would be wasted traveling and that he had "a lot to do." "We have all the cards and they have no cards," Trump wrote, adding, "If they want to talk, they can just call." He left open the possibility of dialogue by phone or other channels. In a call with online outlet Axios, Trump said "no" when asked whether the failed talks meant a resumption of war with Iran, adding, "We haven’t thought about that yet." Bitcoin rose on Sunday, suggesting limited damage to risk appetite from the failure of face-to-face talks between the two countries. Min Kyung-won, an economist at Woori Bank, said South Korean stocks are likely to attempt a limited rise as buying by retail and institutional investors flows in. She added that the exchange rate is likely to face more downward pressure, supported by end-of-month exporter dollar selling and a positive lift from equities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:28:03 -
‘Dream Orchestra’ to Stage 47 Concerts Nationwide in May With 2,500 Youth Performers The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service will present the 2026 Dream Orchestra self-reliance hub project, titled ‘Dream Festival,’ across the country throughout May. According to the service on the 27th, the event will mark Family Month and UNESCO World Arts Education Week with 47 performances in 44 regions nationwide. About 2,500 children and teen musicians, along with related staff, are set to take part, offering orchestra concerts designed to be shared with local communities. Dream Orchestra is an arts education program that supports children and teenagers through ensemble training, aiming to build cooperation and help them grow into healthy citizens. Since its launch in 2011, it has expanded to 60 regions, with about 3,800 members currently active. Forty-five organizations continue operating through local government support after national funding ended. ‘Dream Festival’ is a planning project led by Dream Orchestra self-reliance hubs. Each hub organizes its own performance to share young musicians’ growth with the community. This year’s theme is ‘Tomorrow of Dream Orchestra is ○○.’ Performers will include the required piece, ‘My Tomorrow,’ a 15th-anniversary original composition by Choi Woo-jung. Programs will reflect local characteristics, including stages linked to regional festivals, neighborhood-focused concerts, outdoor performances and traveling concerts. Organizers said they will strengthen visits to sites such as special schools, nursing facilities and welfare institutions to broaden access beyond traditional venues and bring music to more parts of the community. Im Jin-taek, head of the service, said it will continue supporting children and teenagers so they can grow through arts and culture, and so the public can access arts education in everyday life.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:27:16 -
DAPA Simplifies User Authentication and Approvals for Defense E-Procurement The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has upgraded functions in the Defense e-Procurement System to improve convenience for participating companies and boost administrative efficiency. DAPA said on the 27th that the system is a core platform for defense procurement, used by about 500,000 registered users from the armed services and suppliers. About 20,000 people log in each day. Because the work is directly tied to national security, the system has required a high level of security. Until now, users joining bids had to repeatedly complete a three-step process — login, identity verification and electronic signature — creating inconvenience. DAPA said it strengthened security measures for storing and using authentication information, allowing the previous three-step procedure to be completed safely and more simply with a single initial login. It also revised the approval process for users already authorized on the Public Procurement Service’s Nara Marketplace. Those users previously had to obtain separate approvals again to take part in defense-related work, but under the government policy to link and integrate national systems, the additional approval step will be waived. DAPA said the change is expected to improve bidding efficiency by eliminating repetitive and inefficient procedures. Kim Kyung-ho, acting director general for planning and coordination at DAPA, said the changes are expected to resolve inconveniences for companies participating in the defense procurement market and improve ease of work. He added that through the ongoing project to advance the Defense e-Procurement System, DAPA will build a more user-friendly system and communicate more actively with customers. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:21:05 -
Golfer Ham Jeong-woo claims maiden Asian Tour title at Singapore Open SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Golfer Ham Jeong-woo won the Singapore Open on Sentosa Island on Sunday to secure his maiden Asian Tour title. In the fourth and final round of the championship at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course, presented by The Business Times, Ham finished at 16-under 268, beating runner-up Cameron John of Australia by two strokes. With Sunday's victory, he took home US$360,000 in prize money and also secured a spot at The Open, scheduled to be held at Royal Birkdale in the U.K. in July. "Staying focused on my play until the end allowed me to secure the win," Ham said after his victory. "It means a lot to me, as all the effort and preparation I've put in have finally paid off. I will use this win as a stepping stone to become a player who can confidently compete on bigger stages," he added. Among compatriots, Moon Do-yeop finished sixth, with Wang Jeung-hun tying for 26th, Choi Seung-bin tying for 52nd, and Kim Hong-taek tying for 56th. 2026-04-27 09:21:03