Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Nearly 40% of South Koreans see public sector as corrupt, survey shows
    Nearly 40% of South Koreans see public sector as corrupt, survey shows SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - About four in 10 South Koreans consider most public institutions to be corrupt, a recent survey reveals. The state-run Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission surveyed about 1,400 adults, 700 businesspeople, 630 experts, 400 foreigners and 1,400 civil servants last year and released its results on Tuesday. The two-round, large-scale survey conducted in June and October last year found that roughly 39.1 percent of respondents saw the public sector as corrupt, up 3.6 percentage points from a similar survey the previous year. Out of about a dozen administrative areas, most respondents rated justice and prosecution as the most corrupt, while experts pointed to construction and housing as the worst. Most respondents said that South Korean society is corrupt, but opinions differed by group. Experts and civil servants named political parties, businesspeople the mass media, and foreigners religious organizations. About half of South Koreans or 50.3 percent also cited unfairness in South Korean society, much higher than other respondents in different groups. Compared with the previous year, more respondents said corruption and social unfairness had improved or would improve further, with many citing the government's anti-corruption policies as effective. 2026-01-13 15:41:27
  • <New Years Greetings> Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU
    Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU EU Commission President von der Leyen highlighted EU priorities in her State of the Union Address: making Europe strong and secure, boosting our competitive edge, fostering the green and digital transition. As the international scenario becomes ever more erratic, we shall strengthen international partnerships with like-minded democracies, like Korea. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now into its fourth year. It constitutes a blatant breach of international law. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and independence. We need more pressure and a full and effective implementation of sanctions for Russia to come to the negotiating table. The international community must come together to uphold respect for core universal values. Against this backdrop, continued support for Ukraine remains central. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. And North Korea’s continuing military support for Russia’s illegal war has shown clearly that the security of Europe and of the Indo-Pacific are interconnected. The EU is committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Ensuring the sovereignty and lasting security of Ukraine shall be an integral part of a peace agreement. In today’s turbulent times, the EU will focus on its ability to compete. We will strengthen our technological sovereignty and support investment in key technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. The EU will foster its economic security by reducing strategic dependencies, securing supply chains and by deepening partnerships with like-minded countries such as Korea. The green and digital transition shall proceed hand in hand. The EU is staying the course on its path to climate neutrality by 2050. But the triple challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution demand a global endeavour. The EU will continue to build its global partnership to achieve the Paris climate targets. With the passing of time, the EU-Korea strategic partnership has developed across the board, gaining in strength and depth, including through a Security and Defence Partnership. The EU-RoK Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2011, the first of its kind in Asia. It has been complemented by a Digital and Green Partnership, covering the most innovative sectors of our economies. Korea is the first Asian partner to have joined as full associate member “Horizon”, the EU flagship research programme. Korean students also benefit from Erasmus plus, spending time in European academia as many European students also study in Korea. Together with Korea, a trusted partner and friend, the EU will continue to advance cooperation across all areas of our strategic partnership. Our shared values will guide our actions in the year ahead as we work to build a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world. *The author is the EU Ambassador to South Korea. 2026-01-13 15:26:04
  • Frozen commute in Seoul amid bus strike
    Frozen commute in Seoul amid bus strike SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -Buses across Seoul ground to a halt at 4 a.m. on Jan. 13 after labor and management failed to reach an agreement on wages and collective bargaining, triggering an indefinite strike and plunging the morning commute into chaos. With bus services fully suspended from the first scheduled departures, commuters crowded subway platforms, huddled at deserted bus stops and waited for hours for taxis that never came. Many learned of the strike only after stepping into the cold. A heavy snowfall the day before, followed by biting temperatures, worsened conditions. Some commuters abandoned long waits and walked part of the way to work, their breath hanging in the air as traffic slowed and sidewalks iced over. Negotiations between the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, under the Korean Automobile Workers Federation, and the Seoul Bus Transport Association broke down around 1:30 a.m. Seoul operates 7,382 city buses across 394 routes run by 64 companies — all of them idled. The Seoul Metropolitan Government activated emergency transport measures, increasing subway frequency, expanding community bus services and urging taxi drivers to stay on the road. But with talks still deadlocked, uncertainty lingers — and for many commuters, the day began not with a ride, but with a long, cold wait. 2026-01-13 15:05:05
  • Danielle surfaces — a reconciliatory gesture or prelude to counterattack?
    Danielle surfaces — a reconciliatory gesture or prelude to counterattack? SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Danielle, a former member of NewJeans, made her first public appearance since being expelled and sued by her agency, offering little beyond emotional allegiance to her group and fans — and careful restraint. In a nine-minute livestream titled “Dear Bunnies,” Danielle addressed the group’s fan base in a teary but measured message, avoiding direct accusations or legal arguments despite the escalating dispute with ADOR. “I fought until the end to stay with the members,” she said, her voice breaking. “NewJeans will always remain in my heart.” She framed the current turmoil not as closure but as transition, calling it “not the end, but a beginning,” and emphasized her enduring bond with both the group and its fandom. “When I think of Bunnies, the first thing that comes to mind is their eyes,” Danielle said. “The moments we faced each other on stage — the feeling that our hearts stayed connected even when the music stopped — those memories quietly support me even now.” Notably absent were any references to ADOR, its parent HYBE, or responsibility for the contract dispute. Instead, Danielle kept her remarks personal and forward-looking, saying that “many things are still in the process of being sorted out,” while underscoring that her emotional ties to NewJeans remain intact. “I can say this with certainty: NewJeans is still in my heart,” she said. “Even if we stand in different places, we remain one in the same spirit.” Her restrained appearance came after ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle and her associates, including her mother, seeking contractual penalties and damages reportedly exceeding 430 billion won. Former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin is also named in the case. ADOR has said it terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract after determining she could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an artist under the label, characterizing the split as leaving little room for reconciliation. The group’s future without Danielle remains unresolved. A formal comeback has yet to be announced, as member Minji has not agreed to renew her contract with ADOR. A HYBE official said the company is “not yet in a position to comment on NewJeans’ future activities” because discussions are ongoing, adding that it is “respecting Minji’s position and waiting for her response,” while confirming that Danielle is no longer in an artist–agency relationship following the contract termination. Danielle closed the broadcast without outlining concrete plans, saying she hoped to continue sharing “music, silence or small moments” with fans in a sincere way. Reactions among fans were divided following the livestream. Some welcomed Danielle’s reassurance and her continued outreach to fans, while others expressed uncertainty and concern over the limited information shared regarding her legal situation. As ADOR presses ahead with legal action and uncertainty clouds NewJeans’ lineup, attention is shifting to Danielle’s next move — and whether her carefully calibrated message signals an attempt at reconciliation, or the opening phase of a broader legal and strategic counteroffensive. 2026-01-13 14:52:09
  • Binggrae to merge Haitai, tightening grip on South Koreas ice cream market
    Binggrae to merge Haitai, tightening grip on South Korea's ice cream market SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Binggrae said Tuesday it will merge its wholly owned subsidiary, Haitai Ice Cream, into the parent company, a move aimed at improving efficiency and sharpening competitiveness in South Korea’s ice cream market. Binggrae's board has approved the merger plan, under which Binggrae will absorb Haitai Ice Cream, which it has owned outright since 2020. Binggrae plans to hold a final board vote on Feb. 12 and complete the merger on April 1. Since acquiring Haitai Ice Cream in October 2020, Binggrae has pursued joint marketing and operational integration, including shared logistics centers and sales offices. The company said Haitai returned to profitability within two years of the acquisition and has continued to post sales growth. Biggrae said the merger will allow the two firms to respond more nimbly to shifting market conditions by consolidating overlapping organizations, unifying work processes and optimizing infrastructure to improve profitability. Binggrae also plans to expand sales through overseas markets and e-commerce channels. Its ice cream portfolio includes Melona, Together and Bungeo Samanco, while Haitai Ice Cream’s brands include Bravo Cone, Nugaba, Ssangssangba and Babambar. According to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., Binggrae and Haitai Ice Cream together held a 41.7 percent share of South Korea’s ice cream market in 2024. 2026-01-13 14:47:13
  • Samsung courts Gen Z with expanded Galaxy creator program
    Samsung courts Gen Z with expanded Galaxy creator program SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has launched “Galaxy Crew 2026,” an expanded creator program designed to generate social-media content based on everyday use of its Galaxy devices. The company said Tuesday it held a launch event on Jan. 9, marking the start of roughly a year of planned activities. The program comprises 70 creators spanning 11 categories, including fitness, fashion, gaming, travel, photography, beauty, entertainment and video production. Participants will produce videos, images and other content showcasing how Galaxy smartphones and related devices fit into daily routines, with a focus on practical tips and usage scenarios. Samsung said the group will emphasize content aimed at audiences in their teens and 20s, highlighting features tied to Galaxy’s artificial-intelligence capabilities. Samsung will support the creators by providing access to the latest Galaxy mobile devices, invitations to product launches, opportunities to attend performances and exhibitions, and collaborations on the company’s social-media channels. Members will also receive training intended to deepen their understanding of Galaxy products and AI features. The Galaxy Crew initiative began as a pilot program, with about 20 participants in 2024 and roughly 60 in 2025. Samsung said it formalized and expanded the program this year to broaden communication with Galaxy users and more clearly convey its brand identity. “Galaxy Crew reflects stories told by fans in their own voice and sensibility,” said Jang So-yeon, a vice president of Samsung Electronics. She said the company plans to continue working with a diverse range of creators to expand the Galaxy brand experience with content that resonates with younger audiences. 2026-01-13 14:30:49
  • Lee arrives in Japan for summit with Japanese PM in her hometown
    Lee arrives in Japan for summit with Japanese PM in her hometown SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Osaka, Japan for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Cheong Wa Dae said on Tuesday. For the summit later in the day, Lee moved further south to the nearby city of Nara, which is Takaichi's hometown and Japan's ancient capital during the early imperial era. Their talks, followed by a welcome reception and dinner, mark their second summit, after the two met in late October on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in South Korea. During his two-day trip to the island country, Lee is expected to discuss various regional and global issues with her as well as ways to expand practical cooperation, as part of shuttle diplomacy aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. 2026-01-13 14:30:04
  • Home-grown KF-21 fighter jets successfully complete test flights
    Home-grown KF-21 fighter jets successfully complete test flights SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korea has completed test flights of its home-grown KF-21 fighter jet, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Tuesday. The DAPA said the fighter jet successfully underwent about 1,600 tests over the past 42 months to verify its stability and performance without a single accident, with its final flight test conducted the previous day over waters off Sacheon in South Gyeongsang Province. The tests included aerial refueling to improve their scope and efficiency, shortening the development period by two months from the original plan. The DAPA plans to begin delivering mass-produced KF-21s to the Air Force in the second half of this year to replace aging F-4 and F-5 fighters, which is expected to bolster airspace defense capabilities and enhance combat readiness. Noh Ji-man, head of the DAPA, hailed the KF-21 as the "culmination of the country's aviation technology," adding that it is capable of competing with advanced fighters in the global market. 2026-01-13 14:06:10
  • NH chairman steps down from key posts as top executives resign amid management scandal
    NH chairman steps down from key posts as top executives resign amid management scandal SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The chief of South Korea's state-invested financial group NH stepped down from key posts following mass resignation of C-suite over corruption allegations. Kang Ho-dong, chairman of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NH), on Tuesday announced his resignation from concurrent leadership positions at a major farming daily and a charitable foundation, following a government audit that uncovered widespread management malpractice. The move comes as half of the group’s top executive board members stepped down in a sweeping organizational overhaul aimed at addressing public outcry over excessive perks and lack of transparency. During a public apology at the NH headquarters in Seoul, Kang expressed deep regret over the findings of a special audit by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "I heavily recognize the stern rebukes from the public and farmers following the ministry's announcement on Jan. 8," Kang said, pledging to relinquish his roles as chairman of the Nongmin Shinmun and head of the NongHyup Foundation to clearly define the boundaries of the group chairman's authority. The leadership shakeup will see the departure of half of NH’s representative-level executives, including the vice president, the head of mutual finance, and the president of the Nongmin Shinmun. Kang stated that he would delegate general management and personnel matters to business-specific CEOs, focusing his efforts on the core mission of advancing agriculture and rural development. Addressing specific allegations of power abuse, Kang apologized for exceeding the $250 daily limit for hotel expenses during overseas business trips and promised to return the overspent funds in full. The ministry’s audit earlier revealed that Kang had exceeded accommodation price caps during all five of his international trips and received more than 300 million won ($206,000) in additional annual salary by concurrently serving as the head of the farming newspaper. To accelerate structural changes, NH will establish a "NongHyup Reform Committee" composed of experts from the legal, academic, and agricultural sectors. The committee is tasked with overhauling the chairman election process and governance structures while collaborating with the government’s own reform task force to ensure greater transparency in cooperative management. The fallout from the audit has also intensified legal risks for the group. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s financial crime unit is currently investigating allegations that NH used public funds to pay for employees' private legal fees and probing potential breach of trust within the NongHyup Foundation. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to finalize its audit results by March after reviewing 65 confirmed cases of malpractice and evaluating further legal action for 38 additional cases. As of 2024, the unlisted NH commands a formidable presence in the financial landscape with total assets reaching 711 trillion won ($487 billion), a figure that solidifies its position as the fourth-largest financial group in South Korea - comprising 532 trillion won from its financial holding arm, 166 trillion won from the federation, and 13 trillion won from its economic business wing. NH also stands as one of top three cooperative titan on a global scale alongside Japan’s Zen-Noh and the U.S.’ Cenex Harvest States (CHS). 2026-01-13 13:29:47
  • Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung introduce Netflix rom-com Can This Love Be Translated?
    Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung introduce Netflix rom-com 'Can This Love Be Translated?' SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The Hong sisters - Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran -, the popular writing duo behind fantasy hit series such as "Hotel Del Luna" are returning with a straight romantic comedy, teaming up with actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung for Netflix’s upcoming series “Can This Love Be Translated?” Anticipation is building over whether the series, which explores romance through the gap between language and emotion, will resonate with global audiences and revive the lackluster performance of K-drama on Netflix. A production presentation for the series was held Tuesday morning at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in Seoul. Director Yoo Young-eun attended the event alongside Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, sharing insights into the project. "Can This Love Be Translated?” follows Ju Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter who is assigned to work for Cha Mu-hee, a global top star with an unpredictable charm. The Hong sisters, known for blending fantasy with emotional depth in “Alchemy of Souls” and “Hotel Del Luna,” return to the romantic comedy genre with Yoo, the director of “The Red Sleeve,” at the helm. “The biggest appeal was doing a pure romantic comedy with the Hong sisters’ writing,” Director Yoo Young-eun said. “I was fascinated by the emotional dilemmas that arise from the profession of interpretation — words you have to convey even when you don’t want to, and moments when you wish someone else’s words could become your own.” Yoo added that the story begins with the premise that people use different “languages” and styles of expression when it comes to love. Ho-jin speaks in a direct, straight-line manner, while Mu-hee tends to express her emotions in a roundabout way. Their repeated misunderstandings, she said, will form a key point of empathy and humor for viewers. Kim Seon-ho plays Ho-jin, an interpreter fluent in Italian, English, Japanese, Chinese and French. “He works with multiple languages, but he’s clumsy when it comes to expressing his own feelings,” Kim said. “Because I had to deliver the dialogue accurately while carrying the character’s emotions, I spent about four months before filming practicing both language and emotional expression.” The director described Ho-jin as a “neat and understated” character, noting that delicate emotional acting was essential. “It’s a role that carries the added burden of language, but I knew I could trust Kim Seon-ho,” she said, calling him an irreplaceable choice capable of handling both romance and comedy. Go Youn-jung portrays Cha Mu-hee, an actor who becomes a global top star overnight. “Mu-hee doesn’t hide her emotions — she expresses them transparently,” Go said. “I felt that making the lines ambiguous would weaken the character’s appeal, so I tried to stay faithful to the script. That alone was enough to make Mu-hee a fun and layered character.” The director also praised Go Youn-jung’s casting, saying her sense of purity and toughness aligned well with the role. She described Mu-hee as a character requiring significant movement and action, adding that viewers would discover a new side of Go by the end of the series. The production filmed on location in several countries, including South Korea, Japan, Canada and Italy. The director explained that each setting was designed to function as a character reflecting emotional shifts within the story. “Japan represents the freshness of their first meeting, Canada captures the more dramatic moments as emotions deepen, and Italy was placed with the balance of the latter half of the story in mind,” Yoo said. Kim spoke highly of his on-screen chemistry with Go, noting that her dynamic portrayal naturally drew out his reactions. “She’s very quick to absorb her scene partner’s lines, and I learned a lot from her on set,” he said. The director echoed the sentiment, saying she was confident the two shared “the best” chemistry. Moreover, the director revealed that each episode will feature different cameo appearances. To make Mu-hee’s status as a global star feel more realistic, familiar faces will appear throughout the series, adding fresh moments to each episode. “Love is a universal emotion, and we placed it against landscapes from different countries,” Yoo said. “I hope it becomes a story people can relate to, even if the language is different.” She added that she hoped the series would deliver positive energy for the new year, likening it to the aurora she witnessed while filming. Go asked viewers to watch the series with a warm, fairy-tale-like perspective. Kim described the production as feeling like a gift, adding that he was happy to pass that gift on to audiences. “Can This Love Be Translated?” will be released worldwide on Netflix at 5 p.m. on Jan. 16. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily and edited by AJP. 2026-01-13 13:23:37