Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Cold Wave to Grip Central South Korea; Snow or Rain Expected on Jeju
    Cold Wave to Grip Central South Korea; Snow or Rain Expected on Jeju Cold weather will persist Thursday, with the harshest conditions centered on South Korea’s central regions. Morning lows are forecast at minus 15 to 3 degrees Celsius (5 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit), with daytime highs of minus 3 to 7 C (27 to 45 F). That is colder than seasonal averages of minus 12 to 0 C (10 to 32 F) in the morning and 1 to 8 C (34 to 46 F) in the afternoon. Cold wave warnings remain in effect for Gyeonggi Province, inland and mountainous Gangwon Province, inland Chungcheong, and inland and northeastern mountainous areas of North Gyeongsang Province. In those areas, morning temperatures are expected to hover around minus 10 C (14 F), with daytime temperatures staying below freezing. Winds will be somewhat stronger, making it feel even colder. Snow or rain is expected on Jeju Island from the afternoon into the night. Forecast snowfall is 1 to 5 centimeters (0.4 to 2 inches) in Jeju’s mountains and less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) in mid-mountain areas. Along the west coast of North and South Jeolla provinces, some areas may see flurries from early morning through the morning. Where snow is on the ground or newly falling, roads may be slippery, with icy patches and black ice widespread. Drivers are urged to use extra caution. Dry weather advisories are in place for Seoul; parts of inland Gyeonggi; central and southern inland Gangwon; Gangwon’s east coast and mountains; the eastern coast of South Jeolla; and the Gyeongsang region. With strong winds, officials urged heightened vigilance against fires. Fine dust levels are expected to be “good” nationwide due to clean northwesterly airflow and favorable atmospheric dispersion. Seas are forecast at 1.0 to 3.5 meters (3.3 to 11.5 feet) in the East Sea, 0.5 to 2.0 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) in the Yellow Sea, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters (1.6 to 4.9 feet) in the South Sea. In offshore waters about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the coast, waves are expected at 1.0 to 3.5 meters (3.3 to 11.5 feet) in the East and Yellow seas and 1.0 to 2.5 meters (3.3 to 8.2 feet) in the South Sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:06:24
  • South Korea Justice Ministry Holds Public Meeting on 2026 Immigration Policy
    South Korea Justice Ministry Holds Public Meeting on 2026 Immigration Policy South Korea’s Justice Ministry said it held a public communication meeting on Jan. 27 to share key directions for its 2026 immigration policy, including managing illegal stays and protecting the rights of foreign nationals. The ministry said the meeting was organized amid calls to better reflect what most citizens want from immigration policy while ensuring the enforcement process does not neglect the human rights of foreign nationals. It shared its 2026 policy direction with civic groups including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, academics and immigration policy experts, and heard feedback from the field. The ministry said its efforts to reduce illegal stays cut the number of undocumented residents to 350,000 from 430,000 in 2023. It said it is using multiple approaches beyond on-site crackdowns, including support for voluntary departures and partial legalization. It also said enforcement needs strengthening, citing a recent death of a Vietnamese woman. The ministry said it will deploy additional safety personnel during inspections at workplaces considered high-risk for accidents and will bolster its response to crimes by foreign nationals that threaten public safety, including drug offenses and voice phishing scams. Participants said enforcement methods need to change, and the ministry outlined additional steps aimed at protecting foreign nationals’ rights. To strengthen protections, the ministry said it will more specifically define review agenda items handled by its Foreign Nationals Human Rights Protection and Rights Promotion Council and tighten guidance procedures through its Comprehensive Immigration Information Center. Academic participants also conveyed views from education and industry on expanding employment opportunities and settlement measures for foreign nationals staying on student (D-2, D-4) or job-seeker (D-10) visas. The ministry said it will incorporate the opinions raised at the meeting and prepare detailed implementation procedures in February, including follow-up steps such as revising related operating guidelines. Cha Yong Ho, head of the ministry’s Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters, who chaired the meeting, said, “Because the issue of illegal stays is directly tied to public safety, we will respond strictly, but we will make procedural transparency and safety our top priorities so that no human-rights blind spots arise during enforcement.” He added, “We will continue to communicate with civil society and pursue a balanced immigration policy that the public can support.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:06:00
  • NAND Flash Supply Tightens as Chipmakers Prioritize HBM, Raising Costs for Businesses and Consumers
    NAND Flash Supply Tightens as Chipmakers Prioritize HBM, Raising Costs for Businesses and Consumers As the semiconductor industry shifts investment toward high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, and other high-performance DRAM, a deepening shortage of NAND flash is expected to squeeze both corporate buyers and consumers. Industry officials said Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have recently concentrated equipment and staff on expanding HBM and converting to advanced DRAM processes, while keeping new NAND investment and line expansions to a minimum. As a result, global NAND supply growth is expected to remain in the low single digits this year, creating a gap that is not keeping pace with demand. Prices are already rising. TrendForce said enterprise NAND used in server SSDs rose an average 15% to 20% in the first quarter, with an additional 5% to 10% increase expected in the second quarter. NAND used in mainstream consumer SSDs rose about 10% on average in the first quarter, and some high-capacity products have seen increases of more than 15%. The increases are directly raising procurement costs for corporate customers. NAND-based storage and system-chip customers including Kioxia, Western Digital and MediaTek are struggling to secure contracted volumes, and some are increasing spot purchases, according to industry officials. Global cloud providers that buy large volumes of data center SSDs are responding by renegotiating annual pricing contracts or adjusting shipment schedules. In the server market, the shortage is affecting system configurations. Some enterprise SSD lead times have reportedly stretched from six to eight weeks to 10 to 12 weeks or more. Some small and midsize data center operators are also shifting specifications from high-capacity SSDs to mid- and lower-capacity products that are easier to obtain. The impact is also showing up in consumer markets. Major PC and laptop makers in South Korea and overseas have raised launch prices for new models by about 3% to 7% to reflect higher SSD costs. Smartphone makers are widening price gaps among storage options, passing costs on to buyers, with the biggest increases concentrated in models with 512GB or more. Changes are also emerging in retail channels. Major online shopping sites have sharply reduced discounts on 1TB and 2TB SSDs, and some brands have faced longer restocking waits for popular models due to uneven supply. Many in the industry expect NAND supply to normalize only after the second half of this year. Analysts also see signs of a longer-term shift. As memory makers steer investment toward higher-margin HBM and premium DRAM, NAND could become structurally less flexible on supply over the medium to long term, raising the possibility that price strength could persist beyond a short-term spike. An industry official said, "As long as investment remains centered on HBM, NAND expansion will be limited, and price pressure is likely to persist, especially for enterprise SSDs and high-capacity consumer products."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:04:00
  • South Korea to Require English Disclosures for All KOSPI-Listed Companies Starting Next March
    South Korea to Require English Disclosures for All KOSPI-Listed Companies Starting Next March Starting in May, the number of listed companies required to file disclosures in English will jump to 265 from 111. Disclosure items will expand and some deadlines will be shortened. To raise the KOSPI market’s international standing, South Korea will also move up the start of mandatory English disclosures for all KOSPI-listed companies to next March, more than a year earlier than planned. The Financial Services Commission said it approved revisions to the “Regulations on Issuance and Disclosure of Securities” and the Korea Exchange’s disclosure rules for the KOSPI, KOSDAQ and KONEX markets at a regular meeting on Tuesday. Under the revisions, companies subject to mandatory English disclosures will increase from 111 in the current first phase to 265 in the second phase. The first phase, introduced in 2024, applied to listed companies with assets of at least 10 trillion won and foreign ownership of at least 5%, or assets of at least 2 trillion won and foreign ownership of at least 30%. From May, the second phase will cover all KOSPI-listed companies with assets of at least 2 trillion won. The list of items that must be disclosed in English will also grow. In addition to shareholder meeting results, companies must file in English all 55 categories of major management matters related to business and investment activities, as well as fair disclosures and inquiry disclosures. For KOSPI-listed companies with assets of at least 10 trillion won, the deadline will be shortened from “within three business days after filing the Korean-language disclosure” to, in principle, same-day disclosure. The third phase, which makes English disclosures mandatory for all KOSPI-listed companies, will begin next March instead of May 2028. That would expand the coverage to 848 companies. The commission said the move reflects “the KOSPI market’s status as South Korea’s flagship market and strong interest from global investors.” Starting in March, companies will also be required to disclose shareholder vote tallies. Until now, they disclosed only whether each agenda item passed. Under the revisions, companies must disclose, on the day of the meeting, the voting results for each item, including the percentages for votes in favor, against and abstentions. In regular filings such as annual reports, they must provide not only percentages but also the number of shares. Executive compensation disclosures will also become more detailed starting in May, after criticism that current disclosures do not clearly show the link between company performance and pay and make it hard to understand how compensation is calculated. Companies will add total shareholder return and operating profit for the past three years to executive pay disclosures. They must also provide specific reasons and calculation standards for each component of compensation. Because stock-based compensation for executives has been disclosed separately from pay, it has been difficult to gauge total compensation. Going forward, companies must disclose restricted stock and other stock-based awards together with total executive compensation and detailed, individual compensation information. They must also include the cash-equivalent value of unrealized stock-based compensation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:03:34
  • Korean GM Workers Rally Against Mass Layoffs at Sejong Logistics Contractor
    Korean GM Workers Rally Against Mass Layoffs at Sejong Logistics Contractor "Direct and subcontract workers have united. Bring out the real boss now." Direct employees and subcontract workers at Korean GM rallied together over mass layoffs involving subcontract workers at the company’s Sejong logistics center. On Jan. 28, about 300 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Korean GM branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union held a joint rally outside the west gate of Korean GM’s Bupyeong plant, demanding that the company immediately reverse what they called unfair dismissals of Sejong logistics subcontract workers. Despite temperatures of minus 3 degrees Celsius, protesters chanted, "Bring out the real boss now." About 50 laid-off workers from Woojin Logistics, a Sejong logistics center contractor, wore closure notices on their backs to protest the dismissals. The union said Korean GM "preemptively fired subcontract workers with bargaining power" ahead of the March implementation of revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act, known as the Yellow Envelope Act. Woojin Logistics workers formed a union in June last year, citing low pay and forced overtime, the union said. Korean GM later terminated its contract with Woojin Logistics, and 120 workers were laid off effective Jan. 1 this year. Park Ok Ju, head of the KCTU’s North Chungcheong regional headquarters, said Korean GM promised to resolve the issue through talks while saying it would ensure employment succession, but then carried out layoffs. She also criticized what she described as shifting blame to striking workers after consumer complaints emerged over parts supply disruptions. The Sejong logistics union expressed regret that months of protests have disrupted parts supplies. About 1.5 million Chevrolet vehicles are registered in South Korea, raising concerns that a prolonged dispute could increase inconvenience for drivers. Sun Ji Hyun, co-chair of a joint committee supporting the GM parts logistics union, said workers understood the impact on consumers and felt sorry, but argued that ignoring what she called injustice because of inconvenience would make it impossible to correct wrongdoing by GM’s capital. Direct employees said they would also support efforts to resolve the dispute. The union claimed the Sejong layoffs, along with Korean GM’s plan to close nine company-run service centers in South Korea, signals restructuring. It said it has filed for an injunction with the Incheon District Court to block the closures. Ahn Gyu Baek, head of the Korean GM union branch, said a special labor-management meeting was held the previous day to seek withdrawal of the service-center closure plan. He warned that if both the service-center issue and the Sejong parts logistics dispute are not resolved, labor-management relations this year will head toward a breakdown. The union said it delivered a request for negotiations to Korean GM headquarters, urging the parent company to take responsibility for resolving the dispute. It also said it plans to hold a performance on Jan. 29 at the Chevrolet Daejeon Center with vehicle owners to oppose the service-center closures. Kim Gi Yeon, secretary-general of the KCTU’s North Chungcheong regional headquarters, said Korean GM is taking steps in advance to undermine the intent of the Yellow Envelope Act revisions. He said the moves appear to reflect the possibility of downsizing or withdrawal from South Korea ahead of the completion of a 2028 agreement between global GM and the Korea Development Bank.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:03:00
  • Uzbekistan to retain trade protection rights during World Trade Organization accession
    Uzbekistan to retain trade protection rights during World Trade Organization accession SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Azizbek Urunov, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan on World Trade Organization (WTO) issues, announced on January 26 that the country will maintain the right to protect specific economic sectors as it enters the final stages of its accession process. This measure is intended to support national industries facing temporary difficulties or pressure from imports while aligning with international trade rules. The move follows nearly a decade of systemic economic reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2017. While Uzbekistan originally applied for WTO membership in 1994, negotiations only entered an active phase in 2020 after the country liberalized its currency policy, revised foreign trade regulations, and eliminated exclusive rights held by state enterprises to meet global standards. As a developing nation, Uzbekistan is utilizing WTO provisions that allow member states to implement trade remedies, including anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures. These tools are designed to prevent unfair competition, such as foreign companies selling products at artificially low prices to dominate the domestic market. Under these rules, developing countries can apply protective measures for up to eight years, and in certain circumstances, up to ten years. World Bank estimates suggest that WTO membership could increase the gross domestic product of Uzbekistan by approximately 17 percent over the next five to seven years. The country's economy has grown significantly over the last decade, with the gross domestic product rising from 50 billion dollars to approximately 147 billion dollars by the end of 2025. Accession is also expected to provide Uzbekistan with legal mechanisms to challenge discriminatory trade barriers in Geneva. Urunov noted that the country currently faces obstacles where partners may accept raw materials but restrict the import of processed goods with high added value. Membership would allow these disputes to be settled through the universal principles of the WTO. "As a developing country, Uzbekistan, in accordance with WTO agreements, retains the right to protect certain sectors of the economy in the event of specific difficulties," Urunov said. "WTO membership sends an international signal that the country’s economy operates under transparent, predictable and investor-friendly rules." Uzbekistan is currently preparing national specialists to manage these trade protection mechanisms and is drafting new laws to regulate their application. The government aims to complete the final stage of negotiations to support its "Uzbekistan - 2030" development strategy. 2026-01-28 18:00:04
  • Ecuador Protests After ICE Agents Try to Enter Consulate in Minneapolis
    Ecuador Protests After ICE Agents Try to Enter Consulate in Minneapolis U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to enter Ecuador’s consulate in Minneapolis on Monday but left after consulate staff blocked them, according to The Washington Post. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it immediately submitted a letter of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, demanding steps to ensure such an incident does not happen again at any Ecuadorian consulate in the United States. The ministry said the agents attempted to enter the building at about 11 a.m., but staff stopped them and activated emergency response procedures to ensure the safety of Ecuadorian citizens inside. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not provide a separate response to the Post’s request for comment. Video shared online shows ICE agents approaching the entrance as staff rushed to the door and said, “This is the Ecuadorian consulate. You cannot enter.” One agent warned that he would arrest a staff member if touched, but the agents ultimately left after staff repeatedly said they could not come in. Under international law, law enforcement in a host country cannot enter a foreign diplomatic mission without consent from consular or ambassadorial officials. An exception applies when there is an immediate threat to life, such as a fire, in which case consent is presumed. The incident occurred during an ongoing federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The Post reported the operation has drawn criticism and legal challenges over its tactics, and that controversy has intensified after federal agents this month fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Rene Good and Alex Pretti. Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne said he spoke with Ecuador’s ambassador, who said he believes the ICE agents tried to enter the consulate by mistake. Payne also said ICE agents entered a cafe near the consulate and threatened protesters, saying, “We will come back and arrest all of you.” The cafe is known as a frequent gathering spot for protesters in northeast Minneapolis.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:00:00
  • Fire at Scrap Yard in Cheonan Extinguished; No Injuries Reported
    Fire at Scrap Yard in Cheonan Extinguished; No Injuries Reported A fire broke out at a scrap yard in Cheonan, South Korea, officials said. Fire authorities said the blaze was reported at about 5:17 p.m. on the 28th at a scrap yard in Seonghwan-eup, in Cheonan’s Seobuk-gu district. Officials responded after residents reported seeing black smoke and fully extinguished the fire 22 minutes later. No injuries were reported. Earlier, Cheonan sent an emergency text alert at about 5:28 p.m., warning residents to avoid inhaling smoke and asking drivers to take alternate routes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:57:53
  • South Korea’s Law Firm Won Wins 3 Categories at ABLJ 2025 Korea Law Firm Awards
    South Korea’s Law Firm Won Wins 3 Categories at ABLJ 2025 Korea Law Firm Awards Law Firm Won said Jan. 28 it won three categories — defense industry, ESG and entertainment and sports — at the “Korea Law Firm Awards 2025,” announced by Asian Business Law Journal (ABLJ). ABLJ, a legal media outlet covering Asia, conducts annual surveys of companies and law firms in the region to select top performers. Won’s latest results extend its streak to two straight wins in ESG and three straight in entertainment and sports, while marking its first win in the defense industry category. In its assessment, ABLJ said that amid the rapid growth of South Korea’s defense industry, Won strengthened its defense legal advisory capabilities by bringing in attorneys Lee Tae Hwi and Lee Su Dong as partners. Won’s defense industry team, made up of experts with Army, Navy and Air Force backgrounds, cited its track record after a reorganization, including being appointed to represent the Ministry of National Defense in a lawsuit involving 45 billion won in alleged unjust enrichment. The firm said it has also been supporting South Korean defense companies’ overseas expansion and is carrying out a policy research project to help address the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, or CMMC, which it described as a key requirement for entering the U.S. market. Won’s ESG Center said it systematized advisory capabilities across ESG last year and expanded into compliance and risk after Lee Tae Kyung joined as co-head. The firm said its practical approach has been well received, including work on ESG disclosure risk analysis and response strategies, corporate governance advice, guidance on sustainability reports and support for responding to ESG ratings. Won’s media and entertainment team said it has built fast, high-quality advisory capabilities based on experience across film, drama and animation. As K-content has expanded globally, the firm said advisory work has grown for collaboration, co-production and overseas investment with Southeast Asian production companies. It also said it operates a structured system to verify copyrights and related rights for international co-productions and is leading overseas IP protection projects with partner law firms and Interpol as concerns rise over copyright infringement on illegal distribution sites. Lee Yoo Jung, Won’s managing partner, said the firm’s first win in defense and its continued wins in entertainment and sports and ESG reflect efforts to respond early to industry changes. “We will continue to provide precise and effective solutions to the complex risks companies face,” Lee said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:57:28
  • LG Household & Health Care Reports 2025 Operating Profit Down 62.8%
    LG Household & Health Care Reports 2025 Operating Profit Down 62.8% LG Household & Health Care said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that its 2025 consolidated revenue fell 6.7% from a year earlier to 6.3555 trillion won, while operating profit dropped 62.8% to 170.7 billion won. Fourth-quarter revenue declined 8.5% to 1.4728 trillion won, and the company posted an operating loss of 72.7 billion won, swinging to a loss from a year earlier. The company said results weakened as it booked large one-time costs tied to an aggressive overhaul of distribution channels and workforce-efficiency measures, including a voluntary retirement program. By division, annual Beauty revenue fell 16.5% to 2.35 trillion won, and operating profit turned negative with a loss of 97.6 billion won. The company said it made visible progress diversifying overseas markets, helped by brands including The Face Shop and VDL, but performance was hurt as it continued efforts to strengthen brand health, including adjusting duty-free volumes, and incurred voluntary retirement costs. The Home Care & Daily Beauty business posted annual revenue of 2.2347 trillion won and operating profit of 126.3 billion won, up 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. The Refreshment business reported annual revenue of 1.7707 trillion won and operating profit of 142.0 billion won, down 2.9% and 15.5%. An LG Household & Health Care official said the company will focus on developing key brands in high-growth channels and regions and will refine its digital marketing strategy to offer customers a more differentiated experience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:51:23