Journalist
Lee Hugh
=
-
'Salmokji' Tops Box Office Again as Audience Passes 1.64 Million 영화 '살목지'가 164만 관객을 돌파하며 박스오피스 1위를 이어갔다. The horror film 'Salmokji' stayed No. 1 at the box office as its total audience topped 1.64 million, according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network on Thursday. The film drew 48,411 viewers the previous day, keeping the top spot. Its cumulative audience reached 1,640,309 — more than double its break-even point of 800,000. In its third week of release, it has continued to add viewers steadily. 'Salmokji' follows a film crew that heads to a reservoir for a reshoot after an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image, only to encounter something in the dark, deep water. The film is directed by Lee Sang-min and stars Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won and Kim Jun-han. The No. 2 spot went to 'Jjanggku,' which attracted 20,675 viewers the same day. Among films released around the same time, it ranked first on the daily box office and showed momentum heading into the weekend. The film has been gaining word-of-mouth support, driven by positive reactions from viewers, with a story that mixes humor and relatable moments and performances described as grounded in everyday life. 'Jjanggku' centers on an “audition genius” who keeps pursuing a dream of becoming an actor despite repeated setbacks. Jung Woo helped write the script and co-directed with Oh Sung-ho. No. 3 was 'Ran 12.3,' which sold 17,231 tickets over the same period for a cumulative 55,309. The film is a cinematic documentary by director Lee Myung-se about people who took to the streets to defend democracy in response to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3, 2024, declaration of martial law.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:11:38 -
Trump Says Allies Weren’t Needed in Iran War but Should Have Backed U.S., Pressures UK U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Britain and other allies over their support during the Iran war, saying their help was not militarily necessary but that they should have shown they were on Washington’s side. Citing a BBC interview, The Times and other British media reported on the 24th that Trump said of allied support during the war, “I didn’t need them at all. But they should have been there.” He added, “I didn’t need anybody. I wanted to see if they would get involved,” describing the request as “a test.” Trump also claimed the United States “completely destroyed” Iran’s military capability, repeating, “I didn’t need anybody.” The remarks were widely read as a message that the issue was political solidarity in a crisis, not battlefield necessity. The comments came ahead of a U.S. visit by Britain’s King Charles III. Asked by the BBC whether the visit by Charles and Queen Camilla could help repair U.S.-UK ties, Trump replied, “Absolutely,” and called the king “a fantastic and brave man.” Trump also kept up pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Times reported that Trump criticized Starmer’s response to the Iran war and cited expanded North Sea oil and gas development and tougher immigration policy as conditions for improving relations. Starmer pushed back, saying, “I’m the prime minister of the United Kingdom, and I make decisions based on the national interest of the United Kingdom.” He added, “That’s why we made the decision that we would not be dragged into the Iran war.” On the Strait of Hormuz, he said Britain had decided it would not be pulled in and that it was “in the best national interest” of the country. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House the same day, denied any possibility of using nuclear weapons in the Iran war. “Why would you use nuclear weapons?” he said, adding, “No one should use nuclear weapons.” On the timing of a long-term peace agreement, he said, “Don’t rush,” adding that a deal could be reached now but that he wanted a permanent agreement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:10:49 -
South Korea to Host UN Climate Convention High-Level Ceremony in Yeosu The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will hold a high-level commemorative ceremony Thursday morning at the Yeosu Expo site as part of the third UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Week. The event is part of the five-day Climate Week program being held in Yeosu from April 21. Officials said it is expected to help turn climate action tasks agreed by the international community at UN climate talks into practical investments and projects. At the ceremony, Second Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyeon is set to present South Korea’s vision of positioning renewable energy at the core of its future energy system as a leading actor in climate action. He is expected to reaffirm a plan to expand renewable energy generation capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030, about triple the current level. Lee will also outline plans to build an “energy highway” to ease bottlenecks in the power grid and accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality. He is expected to say South Korea hopes its experience and technology can offer practical inspiration for other countries’ climate efforts. High-level figures involved in climate policy are also scheduled to deliver recommendations and messages of solidarity. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN climate convention, is expected to describe the energy transition as a sweeping change and opportunity comparable to an industrial revolution. He plans to stress that the shift is irreversible and that the Paris Agreement is producing tangible results. Noura Hamladji, deputy executive secretary of the UN climate convention, is expected to emphasize that climate action must move beyond declarations and produce concrete outcomes in local communities. Fatma Varank, a deputy minister from Turkiye, the chair country for the 31st Conference of the Parties, will share ways for the international community to cooperate on strengthening climate resilience. Jung Eun-hae, the ministry’s director general for international cooperation, said, “Responding to the climate crisis has now moved beyond simple declarations to a stage where how we put it into practice is key,” adding, “It will be a true forum for communication where government, business and civil society put their heads together to spread the economic benefits of climate action worldwide.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:04:08 -
LG Best Shop Busan Yeonje store reopens after renovation with May promotions LG Electronics’ offline retail chain, Best Shop, said its Busan Yeonje store will begin a grand reopening event starting on the 24th after completing renovations. The company said the campaign is designed to improve the in-store environment and target demand tied to May’s Family Month. The promotion will run in three phases: a pre-reservation period from the 24th through the 30th; the main event from May 1 to 17; and an encore period from May 18 to 31 with additional benefits. Store officials said the monthlong structure is intended to spread out customer visits and broaden purchase options. The renovation focused on strengthening hands-on, experience-based displays, the store said. The home-appliance retail sector has been moving beyond simple sales floors toward more interactive shopping, and premium appliances are widely seen as more likely to be purchased after in-person demonstrations. During the event, the store will offer tailored benefits aimed at wedding, moving and new-home customers. It said support will be available for wedding and move-in package purchases, and multi-item buyers can receive benefits worth up to 6.5 million won. Gifts by purchase amount and benefits tied to appliance subscription services are also included. Subscription services, which reduce upfront costs and include maintenance over a set period, have been gaining demand, the article said. Industry observers say subscription-style consumption is spreading, particularly for higher-priced appliances, reshaping buying patterns. The store will also run Family Month promotions reflecting demand for gifts for parents and family purchases, with benefits centered on essential appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners, it said. More broadly, South Korea’s appliance retail market is strengthening omnichannel strategies that combine online and offline shopping. As consumers increasingly research products online and then visit stores to try them before buying, manufacturer-run outlets are expanding in-store experience and consultation functions. “Through the renovation, we focused on improving the shopping environment and providing practical benefits tailored to Family Month demand,” the store said. Details are available by contacting the store.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:03:20 -
Yakitori Tanju Expands Jazz Yakitori Izakaya Concept With Standardized Franchise System Assist Kitchen, which operates the live-jazz yakitori izakaya brand Yakitori Tanju, said it has overhauled its franchise framework and is moving to expand its store network. The company aims to scale a hybrid model that combines dining and performance content by building a standardized operating system. Yakitori Tanju centers on charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, paired with alcoholic drinks and live jazz performances. The brand positions its venues as places where customers stay longer, rather than quick meal-only restaurants, aligning with growing demand for “experience-based” dining that blends food and cultural content. Assist Kitchen, a franchise company that develops and operates restaurant brands, said it has built its own supply and operating infrastructure for expansion. Headquarters produces key ingredients in-house through a sauce plant and a HACCP-certified meat-processing facility, then supplies the same items to all stores. HACCP certification indicates hygiene controls meet standards across the full process from raw materials to manufacturing and distribution. The company applies a cold-chain system to transport and store ingredients at low temperatures, aiming to maintain freshness, stabilize delivery schedules and reduce differences in ingredient management by location. The centralized supply structure is also expected to ease franchisees’ burden of managing raw materials and reduce cost volatility. In the restaurant franchise industry, centralized supply systems and standardized logistics are widely seen as key to brand expansion, with analysts noting they can minimize quality variation and simplify cooking processes, reducing the operational burden for new owners. “Yakitori Tanju is a hybrid dining model that combines food, music and space,” an Assist Kitchen official said. “Based on our production infrastructure and logistics system, we are building an environment where franchisees can focus on service operations.” The company said it plans to keep improving its logistics network and manuals to support franchise growth, while also strengthening store operating standards and service-quality controls to maintain the brand’s identity.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:03:00 -
Daewoo E&C Chairman Jung Won-ju promotes Vietnam cooperation during economic mission Daewoo Engineering & Construction Chairman Jung Won-ju visited Vietnam as part of an economic delegation timed to President Lee Jae-myung’s trip, the company said April 24. During the April 21-24 visit, Jung joined official events and highlighted the company’s track record and experience in Vietnam. Jung attended a completion ceremony for the B3CC1 mixed-use development in Hanoi’s Starlake City. The project consists of two towers ranging from three basement levels to 35 stories above ground, combining offices, a hotel and commercial facilities. It was completed with a total floor area of 211,462 square meters, with South Korean companies involved across development, investment and construction. At the ceremony, Jung said the project has become a symbolic example of economic cooperation between the two countries. He said support from the Vietnamese government, the Hanoi city government, the South Korean government and related agencies played an important role in completing the project. On the same day, Jung visited the headquarters of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam to outline future plans and seek expanded cooperation. The bank is known as a key financial partner that has participated in major development projects, including Starlake City. Jung also took part in the delegation’s official schedule, attending a state banquet as well as a Korea-Vietnam business roundtable and forum. He presented ideas for smart cities and large arena developments, proposing an urban model that combines culture and industry, and expressed willingness to contribute to digital infrastructure through data center construction. He also signaled interest in expanding into large infrastructure projects such as nuclear power generation and high-speed rail, indicating a broader scope beyond the company’s existing focus on urban development. A Daewoo E&C official said, “Vietnam is one of Daewoo E&C’s key strategic markets and a trusted partner, and we plan to continue expanding investment and cooperation across areas including nuclear power plants and high-speed rail, urban development and data centers.” The official added, “Through this, we will contribute to Vietnam’s economic development while doing our utmost to further strengthen friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries.” Separately, Daewoo E&C signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnamese IT and infrastructure company SaigonTel to cooperate on data center projects. The companies plan to pursue projects together through data center EPC and joint investment. Daewoo E&C said it expects the partnership to create synergy as policy changes in Vietnam expand the related market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:01:44 -
NCSoft CEO Kim Taek-jin says insight is key in AI era, urges games built on instinctive fun NCSoft CEO Kim Taek-jin told newly hired employees that “insight” will be a core competitive edge in the age of artificial intelligence. NCSoft said it held a “Conversation with the CEO” event on April 23 at its Pangyo R&D center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi province, where Kim and this year’s new hires discussed competitiveness in the AI era and the direction of game development. “As AI technology advances rapidly, the human role moves further into more essential areas,” Kim said. “To stay competitive in the AI era, you need the insight to see through the essence and meaning of the work you are responsible for.” On game development, Kim stressed what he called “instinctive fun.” “The most ideal game delivers pure fun that is hard to explain in words,” he said. “Beyond logical explanations, we must create fun that stimulates users’ instincts.” Kim also urged new hires to grow quickly. “The new employees who were here 10 years ago are now at the center of the company,” he said. “I hope you grow even faster and lead NCSoft to the next stage.” NCSoft said it has used the “Conversation with the CEO” onboarding program since introducing open recruitment in 2006 to share the company’s philosophy and vision. 2026-04-24 09:00:11 -
Taihan Cable & Solution Signs MOU With Vietnam’s Newtecons to Expand Energy Infrastructure Taihan Cable & Solution said it is accelerating its push into Vietnam’s energy infrastructure market through a partnership with a local company. The company said April 24 it signed a memorandum of understanding with Newtecons, a Vietnamese EPC and construction infrastructure firm, to cooperate on power cable supply and infrastructure projects. Taihan said the MOU is aimed at building a cooperation framework to strengthen competitiveness across energy infrastructure projects in Vietnam. The signing took place April 23 at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, an official event of an economic delegation held on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Vietnam. The forum, held at a hotel in Hanoi, was attended by government officials from South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, as well as Taihan Vice Chairman Song Jong-min and Newtecons CEO Nguyen Quang Thuy, among others. Newtecons is a major Vietnamese EPC and construction infrastructure company that has carried out large projects including Long Thanh International Airport, industrial complexes and high-rise mixed-use developments, Taihan said. Under the MOU, the two companies plan to combine Taihan’s power cable manufacturing capabilities with Newtecons’ construction and installation capacity to strengthen competitiveness in energy infrastructure projects and build a stable supply and execution base. They also plan to seek joint business opportunities to meet local infrastructure demand and expand cooperation through technical advice and information sharing. “This agreement, signed during the economic delegation’s schedule in Vietnam, is expected to contribute to stronger bilateral cooperation in energy infrastructure and to supply chain stability,” Song said. He added that working with Newtecons, “a leading local EPC company,” would be an important opportunity to expand business in Vietnam’s fast-growing energy infrastructure market. Ahead of the forum, Taihan visited the headquarters of Vietnam Electricity (EVN) in Hanoi on April 22 to discuss mid- to long-term cooperation. Song, along with the head of Taihan Vina, met EVN CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan and other executives to share updates on an HVDC grid project and on a 400-kilovolt EHV cable plant currently under construction in Vietnam. The two sides also held in-depth talks on technical exchanges and potential business cooperation in extra-high-voltage power grids and agreed to continue expanding cooperation. Taihan said it has designated Vietnam as a second global production base and is continuing to expand investment in production infrastructure. Taihan Vina is a key hub, and it is building Vietnam’s first 400-kilovolt EHV cable plant, with completion targeted for 2027. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 08:57:49 -
Mirae Asset Raises OCI Holdings Target Price on Expected SpaceX Partnership Mirae Asset Securities on Thursday raised its target price for OCI Holdings to 400,000 won from 270,000 won, citing expectations of a partnership with SpaceX and higher earnings estimates. It maintained a “buy” rating. Analyst Lee Jin-ho said rising U.S. power demand is expected to lift the value of generation assets and power purchase agreement, or PPA, prices, supporting higher expected sale prices for OCI Energy assets while also reflecting improvement in the company’s core business. He said the company’s medium- to long-term growth outlook and valuation appeal are becoming more prominent. Lee said the company’s polysilicon capacity expansion plan signals that cooperation with SpaceX is progressing smoothly, adding that its low production costs and ability to expand are strengths as non-China supply chains are needed. He said whether the company can secure cooperation with key customers in the U.S. solar market will shape the stock’s direction, and that OCI Holdings is in a favorable position as it scales up its business. Lee said results fell short of market expectations in the short term due to lower utilization at its polysilicon plant, but he expects earnings improvement to continue over the medium to long term on expansion and demand growth. He said the stock should remain his top pick in the sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 08:57:17 -
Pope Leo XIV Says He Can’t Support War, Urges U.S. and Iran to Return to Talks Pope Leo XIV urged the United States and Iran to return to dialogue over the Iran war, saying preventing the deaths of innocent civilians must come before questions of regime change. According to AP, Reuters and Vatican News, Leo spoke to reporters aboard the papal plane on the 23rd local time as he flew back to Rome from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. “As a pastor, I cannot support war,” he said, calling on all sides to seek solutions rooted in “a culture of peace,” not “hatred and division.” Asked whether he supports regime change in Iran, the pope avoided a direct answer. “The issue is not whether there is regime change or not, but how we can promote the values we believe in without the deaths of so many innocent people,” he said. He added that since the first day of Israeli and U.S. attacks, “it is not even clear what regime exists now.” Leo described the situation in Iran as “very complex.” On U.S.-Iran negotiations, he said one day Iran says yes and the United States says no, and the next day the reverse happens. “We don’t know where it is headed,” he said. He said the war is causing direct suffering for Iranian civilians. “There is an entire innocent people of Iran suffering because of this war,” he said, urging all parties to promote peace, remove the threat of war and respect international law. Protecting innocent people is crucial, he said, but “in many places that has not happened.” Reuters reported that Leo also condemned the killing of protesters in Iran and questions about recent executions. “I condemn every unjust act,” he said. “I condemn taking human life.” He added that if a regime or a state unjustly decides to take others’ lives, it should be condemned. The pope also cited the death of a child on the Lebanon front. He said he keeps a photo of a Muslim child who welcomed him during a visit to Lebanon, and that the child recently died amid the war. AP reported the child was killed during the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah. “We must be able to think about these human situations,” Leo said, again urging a dialogue-based solution and calling on countries to remove the threat of war and respect international law.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 08:54:15