Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Oticon Unveils 2026 Government-Subsidy Hearing Aid Lineup With More Options Denmark-based hearing solutions company Oticon has unveiled a lineup of hearing aids designed to meet South Korea’s 2026 government subsidy standards. The lineup includes open-fit, in-the-ear and behind-the-ear styles and expands the range of rechargeable models, the company said, giving users more choices. South Korea’s hearing aid support program provides a set subsidy to people registered with hearing disabilities, reflecting both price and performance standards. Industry officials view the program as a key factor in improving access, as the number of people with hearing loss continues to rise amid rapid population aging. Oticon said the lineup is built around its premium B500 model and includes the E, F and PG series. The products are segmented so users can choose based on the degree of hearing loss and daily listening environments. The B500 combines real-time motion sensors with artificial intelligence-based sound processing, Oticon said. The system analyzes a user’s movement and surrounding sound conditions to emphasize speech while reducing noise as needed. The company said the market is shifting from simple amplification to environment-aware sound processing. The B500 also supports Bluetooth LE Audio to improve connection stability with smartphones and TVs, and it includes Auracast for audio sharing in multi-device settings. Its rechargeable design is intended to reduce the burden of battery replacement. The E series focuses on noise control for everyday settings, including places such as cafes and streets. The F series emphasizes core functions to lower costs, targeting first-time users and demand for entry-level models. For users with severe and profound hearing loss, the PG series is a high-power line designed for stronger output and durability, Oticon said. The lineup also includes recommended models for infants and children, reflecting hearing development during growth. The company noted that personalized fitting and after-sales care are also critical in the hearing aid market, because hearing tests, adjustments and environment-based settings can determine real-world satisfaction. Demant Group, which operates Oticon, said it has more than 100 years of research in hearing technology and continues to do business globally. In South Korea, its subsidiary Demant Korea handles product supply and services, and it has built a cooperation system with Diatec Korea in hearing diagnostic equipment. “Beyond simple feature comparisons, it is important to improve the listening experience people actually feel in daily life,” Demant Korea CEO Park Jin-gyun said. “We will support choices that fit users’ hearing conditions and living environments.” Industry officials expect hearing aid technology to advance around AI-based personalization and expanded wireless connectivity, with demand likely to keep rising as the older population grows.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:45:20 -
Justice Ministry Releases Official Stats on Foreign Residents’ Moves and Inflows The Justice Ministry on Thursday released new official statistics that track where foreign residents in South Korea move and how many newly enter or leave the country. The ministry said two datasets — “foreign residents’ domestic movement statistics” and “foreign residents’ new inflow and outflow statistics” — were newly designated as nationally approved statistics after review by the National Data Policy Committee. Nationally approved statistics are government-certified data intended to ensure credibility and to serve as basic material for policy planning, the ministry said. The domestic movement statistics compile quarterly figures on interregional moves, such as move-ins and move-outs, using address-change reports filed by foreign residents, including ethnic Koreans. The inflow and outflow statistics compile monthly totals of new foreign registrations and departures after registration cancellations, allowing officials to track changes in the foreign resident population and the scale of inflows. “The new statistics were prepared to reflect the growing number of foreign residents in South Korea and rising interest in immigration policy,” the ministry said. As of last year, about 2.78 million foreign residents lived in South Korea, accounting for 5.4% of the total population. The ministry said the data will be used as baseline material to estimate an appropriate level of foreign inflows, advance region-based immigration and border policies, and help local governments analyze demand related to foreign residents. Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said, “To make immigration administration more transparent, we will actively develop and open new statistics and continue to pursue immigration policy based on data.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:36:18 -
Jung Cheong-rae Calls KOSPI’s 6,500 Breakthrough ‘Remarkable,’ Sees Room for 8,000 Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called the KOSPI’s move above the 6,500 mark “remarkable” and said the benchmark could keep climbing. Speaking at an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, on April 24, Jung said South Korea is entering an era in which “Korea risk” has been removed and the country can enjoy a “Korea premium.” The KOSPI on the previous day broke above 6,500 intraday for the first time. Citing price-to-book ratio levels that he said still trail the OECD average, Jung predicted the KOSPI could break 7,000 and 8,000. He said the rise is a symbolic indicator that South Korea is “returning to normal.” Jung also noted that former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye had made KOSPI-related pledges that were not kept, adding that the Lee Jae-myung government would be different. He said the Democratic Party would support the president’s governing philosophy with the party, government and presidential office acting as “one team” and speaking with “one voice.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:33:18 -
Korean Air delivers 5,000th wingtip device for Airbus' A320 SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Korean Air has delivered its 5,000th "Sharklet," a wingtip device fitted to Airbus' A320 aircraft, the South Korean flagship carrier said on Friday. The upward-curving Sharklet is attached to the tip of the narrow-body airliner, helping improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. After winning a bid from Airbus in 2010 to manufacture Sharklets, Korean Air produced its first unit in July 2012 and has since built an automated assembly line capable of producing more than 50 units per month. "Reaching 5,000 units is more than a figure. It is a proud symbol of our capabilities as a key partner in the global aerospace industry," said Yoo Jong-seok, a Korean Air executive, at a ceremony marking the milestone in the southern port city of Busan the previous day. 2026-04-24 10:26:31 -
Hyundai Mobis posts steady Q1 gains amid global demand slump SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Hyundai Mobis reported resilient first-quarter earnings, logging revenue of 15.56 trillion won ($10.5 billion) and operating profit of 802.6 billion won as expanded supply of high-value electrification components and robust aftermarket demand offset a broader cooling in global vehicle sales. Revenue rose 5.5 percent from a year earlier while operating profit climbed 3.3 percent, the company said in a regulatory filing on Friday. Net profit came in at 883.1 billion won. The company attributed its growth to increase in shipments to overseas automakers and a favorable exchange rate bolstered the top line, with the aftermarket parts division riding sustained global demand. The module and core-parts manufacturing segment, however, remained in the red despite a modest 4.9 percent revenue increase. Hyundai Mobis said the shortfall came with ramp-up costs at new European plants — a powertrain-electrification facility in Slovakia that began mass production this quarter and a battery-system assembly plant in Spain set to come online later this year — compounded by softer worldwide vehicle demand. "Despite a challenging business environment, we plan to invest more than 2 trillion won in R&D this year for the first time, strengthening core competitiveness for the future mobility market," said a Hyundai Mobis spokesperson. "With our customers set to launch a range of new models this year, we expect earnings to improve gradually alongside company-wide profitability initiatives." Shares of Hyundai Mobis traded at 426,000 won per stock on 10:24 a.m., 3.73 percent lower than the day before. 2026-04-24 10:24:49 -
Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol to Unveil Green Consumption, Tourism Boost Plan Next Week Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yoon-cheol said April 24 the government will announce a plan next week to spur “eco-friendly green consumption and tourism,” aiming to respond preemptively to concerns about weakening consumer sentiment. Speaking at the Government Complex Seoul during a meeting of the emergency economic headquarters and the National Entrepreneurship Era Strategy Meeting, Koo said the government would closely monitor the Middle East war and respond quickly. Koo noted that South Korea’s first-quarter gross domestic product growth came in at 1.7%, “a strong gain,” but said spillover effects from the Middle East war persisted and pushed April’s consumer sentiment index below its long-term average. A day earlier, the Bank of Korea said the April consumer sentiment index fell 7.5 points from the previous month to 99.2. A reading of 100 or higher indicates optimism, while below 100 signals pessimism. The index turned pessimistic for the first time since April last year, and the drop was the largest since the emergency martial law in December 2024. Koo said the government would “prepare in advance for the dawn after the crisis,” stressing that it would use a “golden time” from a semiconductor boom, along with industrial innovation and measures discussed at the meeting on startups and venture support, to strengthen the foundation for the economy to rebound globally. Agenda items included steps to build momentum for startups under the National Entrepreneurship Era strategy and a project plan to develop “startup cities.” Koo said the government will push a second project of “Startup for Everyone,” which is collecting ideas from the public through May 15, starting in June. He also said locations of science and technology institutes will be designated as four major startup cities, with six more to be selected next year to create key hubs for tech startups. On a separate agenda item, Koo said the government will prepare a “youth New Deal” plan within the month to provide skills development and work experience, helping young people respond to new technological changes such as AI and strengthen their job capabilities. On support for non-capital-region companies through public procurement, Koo said the ceiling for small, discretionary contracts in areas with declining populations will be raised to 50 million won from 20 million won. He also said the amount eligible for immediate purchase under multiple-award contracts will be doubled, adding that the government will continue bold and speedy institutional improvements so public procurement can drive balanced national development.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:24:17 -
Jeonju Prosecutors Office Chief Lee Jeong-ryeol Tops New Asset Disclosures at 8.77 Billion Won Three senior prosecutors ranked first through third in assets among 92 newly disclosed senior public officials this year. According to the Government Public Officials Ethics Committee’s ad hoc asset disclosure released on the 23rd, Jeonju District Prosecutors Office Chief Lee Jeong-ryeol reported the largest total, 8.773 billion won, among incumbents newly subject to disclosure due to status changes in January and February. Lee reported 4.46 billion won in land owned by him and his spouse, 2.331 billion won in buildings including an apartment and an officetel in Seoul’s Seocho District, and 2.007 billion won in deposits. Daegu High Prosecutors Office Deputy Chief Prosecutor Cho Ara, a prosecutor general-level official, ranked second with 7.095 billion won. Cho reported 2.033 billion won in real estate including an apartment jointly owned with her spouse, 4.479 billion won in deposits, and 508 million won in stocks. Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Director of Trial and Litigation Ahn Seong-hui, also a prosecutor general-level official, ranked third with 6.642 billion won. Ahn reported 4.895 billion won in real estate, including a factory and an apartment owned by his spouse, and 2.405 billion won in private loans receivable. Other disclosures included 5.002 billion won reported by Jang Hye-young, director of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Scientific Investigation Division, and 1.648 billion won reported by Jeong Gwang-su, deputy chief prosecutor at the Daejeon High Prosecutors Office. Separately, Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs at Cheong Wa Dae, reported total assets of 6.07835 billion won, including about 3.3 billion won in unlisted shares held in his spouse’s name. Hong’s assets were disclosed for the first time after his appointment in January. Much of Hong’s reported wealth was in securities, including 3.32251 billion won in unlisted shares of an interior design company run by his spouse and 752.93 million won in family-held deposits. He jointly owns an apartment in Seoul’s Seongdong District valued at 985 million won with his spouse. The total value of building-related rights, including a jeonse deposit right for an apartment in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, and jeonse deposit rights for an officetel and an apartment in Seoul’s Seocho District, was reported at 2.9305 billion won. 2026-04-24 10:21:18 -
Hanwha Galleria hits limit-up on expectations for governance overhaul, new holding company Hanwha Galleria hit the daily trading limit on expectations tied to a group governance overhaul and a planned new company. According to the Korea Exchange, Hanwha Galleria was trading at 3,340 won as of 9:53 a.m. on April 24 on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, up 770 won, or 29.96%, from the previous session, reaching the price limit. A day earlier, the Korea Exchange confirmed a positive preliminary review for the relisting of shares in Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings (tentative name), a company Hanwha plans to create through a split-off. Hanwha plans to establish and relist Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings through a spin-off to manage subsidiaries including Hanwha Vision and Hanwha Galleria and to pursue new investments. The planned establishment date is Aug. 1, with listing scheduled for Aug. 25. Separately, the newly created Tech · Life entity will be led by Kim Dong-seon, vice chairman of Hanwha Galleria. Hanwha said it approved the creation of Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings at a board meeting in January to oversee tech affiliates including Hanwha Vision, Hanwha Momentum, Hanwha Semitec and Hanwha Robotics, as well as life affiliates including Hanwha Galleria, Hanwha Hotel & Resort and Ourhome.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:18:06 -
Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch to Hold Children’s Day ‘Sky Picnic’ on May 5 Gangwon’s Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch, located on the high plateau around Daegwallyeong, will run hands-on programs for families to mark Children’s Day. The ranch said it will hold its “Children’s Day Sky Picnic” on May 5. The event period runs from May 1 to May 10, and children 12 and under will be admitted free during that time. Sky Ranch is a grassland ranch built at an elevation of about 1,000 meters or higher. It is known as a tourist ranch with relatively flexible visitor routes among ranches in the Daegwallyeong area. Its wide pastures and gently rolling hills have continued to draw families looking for outdoor activities. On the day of the event, the ranch will offer children’s programs, including free face painting on site and a ranchwide treasure hunt. An accompanying social media event will also be held to encourage visitor participation. Regular attractions will continue as well. A tractor-pulled wagon ride to the top of the ranch will be offered as a paid on-site program, and visitors can feed sheep in an indoor area. The ranch cafe will sell light snacks, including ice cream made with dairy products. The Daegwallyeong area typically has lower temperatures than cities at the same time of year and is known for strong winds, and the ranch is advising visitors to dress warmly even in spring. “We prepared these programs to provide an environment where children can run and play in nature,” the ranch said, adding that it plans to operate the event so families can enjoy both rest and activities. Detailed schedules and visitor information are available on the ranch’s official website and social media channels.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:15:48 -
CNBC poll: 58% disapprove of Trump as Iran war drags on and economic worries rise President Donald Trump’s job approval has slipped further, with 58% of Americans saying they disapprove, according to a CNBC survey. The poll points to mounting public fatigue over the prolonged Iran war, higher oil prices and rising cost-of-living pressures. Weakness is also emerging on the economy, long viewed as one of Trump’s strengths. In CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey released Thursday, 40% said they approve of Trump’s performance and 58% said they disapprove, for a net rating of minus 18 percentage points. CNBC said the result put Trump near the low end of his standing in its polling. Views of Trump’s economic policy were worse. In the same survey, 39% approved and 60% disapproved. The poll cited rising gasoline prices since the Iran war and added inflation pressure tied to tariff policy as factors behind growing dissatisfaction with economic management. Other polling showed a similar pattern. In an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, Trump’s overall job approval fell to 33%, while approval of his economic policy was 30%. On handling the cost of living, 23% approved and 76% disapproved. The Iran war also weighed on public opinion. In an Economist/YouGov poll, 58% of Americans said they oppose the war, and 55% rated Trump’s response to Iran negatively. Seventy percent said the United States should reach an agreement to end the war as soon as possible. Signs of slippage appeared within the Republican Party as well. In the AP-NORC survey, approval among Republican identifiers fell from 82% early in Trump’s second term to about two-thirds. Among Republicans who do not identify with the MAGA movement, 44% said they support Trump. The trend adds pressure on Republicans heading into the midterm elections. Trump has maintained strong backing among his core supporters on immigration and security, but rising economic frustration and war fatigue are increasing the risk of losses among moderates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:06:39