Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Vietnam's U-23 title bid halted by China in semi-finals SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Vietnam's bid to replicate its historic 2018 run under South Korean leadership ended in the semi-finals of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Wednesday, following a 3-0 defeat to China. The loss at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City denies head coach Kim Sang-sik a shot at the title in his first major tournament. Kim had been tasked with reviving a program defined by his compatriot and predecessor, Park Hang-seo, widely revered as a national hero in Vietnam for launching a golden era of football success. Eight years after Park guided Vietnam to a shock runner-up finish, the 2026 squad held firm through a goalless first half but collapsed after the break. Vietnam conceded three times in the second half and finished with 10 men following a red card. Despite the exit, the semi-final appearance marks a stabilization for the team following the tenure of Philippe Troussier. Kim's appointment was seen as a move to restore the discipline and organization that became the team's identity under Park. Vietnam will now conclude its campaign with a commercially and emotionally significant third-place playoff against South Korea on Saturday. China advances to face Japan in the final on January 25. Japan is chasing a second consecutive and third overall title, while China is bidding for its first trophy at this level. 2026-01-21 10:59:18 -
Editorial: When East meets West, song and silicon speak first SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - When President Lee Jae Myung welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Seoul, the meeting followed the familiar choreography of modern summitry. There were discussions of supply chains, advanced industries, and strategic cooperation. Yet beneath the formal language of diplomacy, the encounter revealed something more enduring: a convergence of technology, culture, and temperament between two nations that stand at opposite ends of Eurasia. At the center of the talks was semiconductors—no longer a niche industry but the backbone of contemporary geopolitics. Korea’s dominance in memory chips and manufacturing capacity complements Italy’s long-standing strengths in precision machinery, materials, and industrial design. Cooperation in this field is not merely transactional. It reflects a shared understanding that technological sovereignty in the twenty-first century depends on trusted partnerships rather than isolated national efforts. In an era of fractured supply chains, the decision to coordinate across continents signals strategic maturity on both sides. Equally telling was the attention paid to culture, particularly the global trajectory of Korean popular music and creative industries. K-pop has already conquered charts and streaming platforms, but its next challenge lies in evolution rather than expansion. Italy, a country that transformed opera, cinema, and fashion into universal cultural languages, offers valuable lessons. The discussion was not about exporting Korean culture wholesale, but about how it might be reinterpreted within Western frameworks without losing its core identity. Cultural exchange, when done well, is not dilution but transformation. Recent visits to Korea by executives from major Italian film studios underscore this point. They point toward a future of co-production and shared storytelling, where Korean narrative dynamism meets Italian aesthetic tradition. Such collaborations, if sustained, could redefine how non-English cultural content circulates globally. Culture, often dismissed as soft power, here emerges as a serious industry—disciplined, competitive, and strategic. Yet the most intriguing aspect of the Korea–Italy dialogue lies beyond policy documents. Despite their geographic distance, the two societies share strikingly similar temperaments. Both cherish music, conversation, food, and the social rituals of drink. Both value emotional expression as much as technical excellence. This cultural DNA—passionate, human-centered, and communal—forms an invisible but powerful foundation for cooperation. Diplomacy ultimately rests not on contracts alone, but on mutual recognition of character. The Seoul summit demonstrated a modern truth: sustainable international partnerships must engage both the mind and the spirit. Semiconductors address the logic of survival; culture speaks to the meaning of coexistence. Korea and Italy, by embracing both, have offered a glimpse of diplomacy suited to an age where technology accelerates but humanity still seeks resonance. When East and West sat across the table, it was song that opened the conversation—and silicon that anchored it. That balance may well define the future of their relationship. 2026-01-21 10:40:01 -
New South Korean rom-com makes strong debut on Netflix's global chart SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Netflix's new South Korean series has cracked the top 10 on the global streaming giant's chart this week. According to Netflix's ranking website Tudum, "Can This Love Be Translated?" garnered 4 million in cumulative views, in less than a week after its release last Friday, securing the No. 2 spot among non-English shows, just behind crime thriller "Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web." The romantic comedy starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung also ranked in the top 10 in some 36 countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The 12-episode series follows the story of a celebrity and her interpreter whose emotions "get lost in translation as they travel the world filming a TV show." 2026-01-21 10:27:43 -
LG CNS expands AI transformation into pharma, bio sectors with government and private contracts SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korean IT services firm LG CNS is accelerating its push into the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, securing a major government contract and completing an AI-powered automation system for drugmaker Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical. The company will participate in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's R&D project for clinical and preclinical drug development, a four-year, three-month initiative backed by about 37.1 billion won ($25 million) in government funding. LG CNS will lead the development of an AI-based clinical trial design and support platform, integrating various drug development AI models through agentic AI technology. The platform will employ federated learning, allowing hospitals and research institutes to jointly train AI models without sharing sensitive medical data externally. Industry sources note that drug development typically takes 10 to 15 years and carries a 90 percent failure rate at the clinical trial stage, with fragmented trial structures and limited data access long cited as structural barriers. In the private sector, LG CNS has completed an agentic AI-powered system for Chong Kun Dang that automates the creation of Annual Product Quality Review reports. The solution deploys about 30 AI agents that autonomously collect, analyze and verify data from quality management and laboratory information systems, slashing document generation time by more than 90 percent. "We are delivering tangible results after gaining recognition for our pharma and bio AI transformation capabilities from both the government and pharmaceutical companies," said Kim Tae-hoon, senior vice president of LG CNS' AI & Cloud Business Division. 2026-01-21 10:07:55 -
PM to visit Washington this week for first overseas trip SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to visit the U.S. this week, his office said on Wednesday. Kim will travel to Washington, D.C., and New York from Thursday to Monday, marking his first overseas trip since assuming the post in July last year. During his five-day trip, Kim will meet senior U.S. government officials, hold talks with members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and meet with South Korean nationals living there. His office expects the visit will contribute to further strengthening the country's relations with its closest ally. 2026-01-21 09:43:03 -
Hanwha Ocean taps ex-Canadian Navy officer to lead local subsidiary SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has appointed Canadian defense specialist Glenn Copeland to head its local subsidiary as the shipbuilder intensifies its bid for Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, a program the company said could be worth up to 60 trillion won ($45 billion). Hanwha Ocean has established Hanwha Defense Canada to pursue the contract, and said Copeland’s appointment will allow it to step up engagement with Canadian authorities. Copeland served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Navy for 22 years, including roles as an operations and tactics officer and deputy commander of a patrol vessel, before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He later joined Lockheed Martin Canada, where he led the modernization program for the Halifax-class patrol frigates. During his time at Lockheed Martin Canada, Copeland oversaw the full program lifecycle, including finance, engineering processes and software development, Hanwha Ocean said. He also gained experience spanning business development and export programs related to the CMS 330 combat management system. 2026-01-21 09:38:34 -
OPINION: Why environmental policies keep failing consumers SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Protecting the environment is no longer optional. In the face of climate change and resource depletion, the government's role is clear. The key question is no longer whether to act, but how. South Korea's evolving policies on paper cups and straws including the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's proposed charges on disposable cups demonstrate how environmental regulations can be inadequate when they overlook consumer acceptance. Paper straws, introduced in November 2022 as a substitute for plastic straws, drew complaints that they ruined the taste of drinks and became soggy quickly, while also raising hygiene concerns. The government then indefinitely postponed banning disposable cups and plastic straws in 2023, only to shift policy again late last year by allowing them to be provided only at customers' request. These reversals left consumers skeptical of environmental regulations, which they came to perceive as inconsistent and burdensome. The government now plans to charge for disposable cups by requiring businesses to display separate beverage prices, one with a disposable cup and one without, offering customers a discount if they bring their own cups or tumblers. The goal is to encourage the use of tumblers and other reusable cups, but critics question whether it reflects how people actually consume beverages, as not everyone plans their drink purchases in advance or wants to carry tumblers throughout the day. Moreover, discounts for using tumblers already exist, yet many consumers still opt for disposable cups. It remains unclear whether the proposed cup price of 100 to 200 won would be sufficient to change consumer behavior. While the plan seeks to reduce single-use plastic cups by encouraging the use of personal cups, questions remain as to whether tumblers are always environmentally beneficial. Tumblers reduce waste only through consistent, long-term use. If abandoned after minimal use, they actually generate more resource waste and carbon emissions than the disposable cups they were meant to replace. There is little evidence that the behavioral changes this policy seeks will actually produce meaningful environmental benefits. Another concern is how this affects consumers and small business owners. If the cost of a cup, previously included in the drink prices, is displayed separately, consumers are likely to perceive it as a price increase. These policies reflect that policymakers have prioritized reducing plastic use without adequately assessing consumers' tolerance for inconvenience. Environmental regulation is necessary, but inconsistent policies and ineffective rules can fail to earn public trust and may not achieve environmental goals. The key to solving environmental issues lies not in mandatory regulations, but in earning public support. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 09:27:57 -
SK Innovation brings KHNP into TerraPower deal to expand global SMR business SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - SK Innovation said on Wednesday it has sold part of its stake in U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) developer TerraPower to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), strengthening a three-way partnership aimed at expanding in the global next-generation nuclear power market. The transaction marks the first direct investment by a South Korean state-run energy company in a global SMR developer. Financial terms were not disclosed. TerraPower, founded in 2008 by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is developing its Natrium reactor technology, which combines an advanced nuclear reactor with a gigawatt-scale energy storage system. The company is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial Natrium SMR plant in Wyoming, with completion targeted for 2030. SMRs use modular designs intended to reduce construction times and costs and allow generating capacity to be added in stages. SK Innovation said such reactors can provide stable, around-the-clock power and are seen as well suited for power-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence data centers. SK Innovation said TerraPower’s Natrium technology can adjust output to match electricity demand through integrated energy storage, enabling load-following operations and improving compatibility with variable renewable energy sources compared with other SMR designs. KHNP said it completed a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States in December related to its TerraPower investment, laying the groundwork for deeper participation in the global SMR market. SK Innovation and its parent company, SK Inc., invested in TerraPower in August 2022 and became its second-largest shareholders. SK Innovation said they will retain that position following the partial stake sale. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2023 covering SMR development and demonstration and have since cooperated to expand the global SMR supply chain. Following KHNP’s investment, they plan to sequentially sign commercialization contracts covering additional SMR construction in the United States and other markets, as well as steps toward introducing SMRs in South Korea. “KHNP’s participation in TerraPower’s investment has made the three-way cooperation on global SMR projects more concrete,” Kim Mu-hwan, head of SK Innovation’s Energy Solution Business Division, said in a statement. Kim added that the company will work with KHNP to support the Wyoming project and pursue overseas SMR projects, including localization of materials and components. 2026-01-21 08:45:41 -
Samsung Display supplies OLED cockpit, rear screens for Zeekr's flagship SUV SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Samsung Display said Wednesday it is supplying three types of automotive OLED displays for the flagship luxury SUV from Chinese electric-vehicle brand Zeekr. The Zeekr 9X has ranked first in China’s large-SUV segment priced at around 500,000 yuan ($70,000) for two consecutive months since November, according to the company. Under the deal, Samsung Display is providing a 16-inch center information display, a 16-inch front passenger display and a 17-inch rear-seat entertainment display. The center and passenger displays are positioned side by side across the front cockpit, extending from the driver’s seat to the front passenger seat. With slim bezels and OLED’s true-black image quality, the two front displays can visually appear as a single wide panel while operating independently, improving usability for both the driver and front passenger, the company said. The 17-inch rear-seat display features a wing-style sliding mechanism. The screen can move up to 88 centimeters along interior rails, addressing the limited visibility of fixed rear-seat displays for third-row passengers. Samsung Display said the large screen size, wide viewing angles, high contrast and deep-black performance are designed to enhance the cabin experience in the six-seat SUV. “Our automotive OLEDs deliver high brightness along with true-black image quality,” said Choi Yong-seok, vice president in charge of automotive sales at Samsung Display. “We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and drive growth in the automotive OLED market through differentiated, high-performance products.” Samsung Display first supplied OLED panels for Zeekr’s 009 model in 2024 and has since expanded the partnership to include the 9X, the company said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 08:35:47 -
Seoul honors Turkish General Tahsin Yazıcı as first global war hero under new program SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor Brigadier General Tahsin Yazıcı, the Korean War commander of the Turkish Brigade, as the "Korean War Hero of the Month" for January 2026. The Turkish Brigade, known by the code name "North Star" (Kuzey Yıldızı), arrived in the port city of Busan on October 17, 1950. Attached to the U.S. IX Corps, the brigade quickly earned a reputation for ferocity and resilience. Turkish soldiers were particularly noted for their effectiveness in close-quarters combat and their willingness to hold defensive lines against numerically superior forces, playing a pivotal role in protecting United Nations flanks during critical withdrawals. Yazıcı was selected as the first international recipient of the ministry's newly expanded recognition program. While the "Korean War Hero of the Month" initiative has operated since 2011, it previously focused primarily on domestic veterans. Starting in January 2026, the ministry broadened the scope to select two individuals each month—one from the South Korean military and one from United Nations forces—to better publicize the contributions of the international community. The commemoration took place at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul, where Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Yun-jin presented a memorial plaque to Turkish Ambassador to South Korea Salih Murat Tamer. During the ceremony, Vice Minister Kang emphasized that the recognition carried weight beyond a single commander. "While we are honoring General Yazıcı as the hero for January, this is intended to express our gratitude to the entire Turkish contingent that fought in the Korean War, not just one individual," Kang said. "The government will never forget the sacrifices of the Turkish veterans." Military historians credit Yazıcı with a critical delaying action against Chinese forces during the Battle of Wawon (Kunuri) in November 1950. When the U.S. 8th Army faced encirclement by a large-scale Chinese offensive in South Pyongan Province, Yazıcı made the independent decision—despite a lack of communication with higher command—to establish a defensive line. This action prevented the destruction of the allied flank and allowed U.S. forces to withdraw to safety. His leadership was further demonstrated during the Battle of Kumyangjang-ni in January 1951. In the area of present-day Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the Turkish Brigade engaged in hand-to-hand combat using bayonets to defeat a Chinese force estimated to be three times their size. The victory is widely regarded as a psychological turning point that dispelled the "invincible" image of the Chinese military among UN troops. In his address, Kang highlighted the humanitarian legacy left by Yazıcı and his troops, specifically the establishment of the "Ankara School" and orphanage in Suwon in 1952. "Even as the war was nearing its end, they created the Ankara School to care for and educate children, sharing beautiful humanity," Kang said. "It makes me realize where the term 'blood brothers' truly comes from." Kang also announced a new bilateral initiative discussed with Ambassador Tamer. The ministry plans to collaborate with the Turkish government to formally review and preserve historical records related to the Ankara School, ensuring the story depicted in the movie "Ayla" is preserved. Ambassador Tamer stated that the relationship between the two nations has evolved beyond a temporary military alliance into a "brotherhood" built on shared sacrifice. "The friendship between Türkiye and the Republic of Korea goes beyond military cooperation established on the battlefields," Tamer said. "It has transformed into a strong, multi-dimensional strategic partnership built on sacrifice, resilience, and shared ideals." Born in Monastir in 1892, Yazıcı was a veteran of World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. Before his deployment to South Korea, he was a pioneer in the Turkish military who established the army's first armored tank unit in 1934. He was known among his troops for his "fatherly compassion" and his willingness to remain on the firing line during combat. Yazıcı retired as a major general in 1952 and served as a member of the Turkish parliament before his death in 1971. 2026-01-21 08:29:14