Journalist
Lee Hugh
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DPK’s Cho Seung-rae says party leans against nominating Kim Yong for by-election Cho Seung-rae, secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Korea, said the party is still weighing whether to nominate Kim Yong, a former deputy head of the party-affiliated Democratic Research Institute, for an upcoming by-election, but noted that internal sentiment is leaning negative. Speaking on CBS Radio’s “Park Seong-tae’s News Show” on Tuesday, Cho said the party is preparing strategic nominations for the by-elections based on three principles: recruiting strong outside candidates, selecting promising party talent, and bringing in heavyweight figures who are currently outside the National Assembly. “The key is that we are at a stage of broadly reviewing how each candidate could affect the election and their chances of winning,” he said. Cho said views inside the party are split over Kim, who has said he wants to run in the Gyeonggi area. Cho said some argue Kim deserves political consideration as a victim of what they describe as a fabricated indictment by “political prosecutors,” while others say his nomination would not meet public expectations. “We are looking at it comprehensively,” Cho said. “At this point, negative views are stronger than positive ones.” Cho also addressed speculation that Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office’s senior secretary for artificial intelligence, could run in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. Cho said Ha’s stance has become more flexible compared with his initially rigid response. “We are making last-minute efforts to bring him in,” Cho said. “Only his decision remains, and we are expecting it.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:27:16 -
Kakao Showcases Kanana Agentic AI Services at World IT Show 2026 A Kanana agentic AI service experience zone on display at the 2026 World IT Show. Kakao is taking part in the 2026 World IT Show, highlighting agentic AI services built around its integrated AI brand, Kanana. Kakao said Tuesday it will join World IT Show 2026 under the theme, “A Day with Kanana, Agentic AI woven into the daily lives of 50 million.” Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the event runs from Tuesday through Thursday at COEX in Seoul under the slogan, “Beyond thought to action: AI moves reality.” Kakao said its exhibit is designed as an experience space where visitors can try agentic AI services tailored to everyday routines. The company said it presents, in a story-based format, how AI operates across a full day from morning to evening. The booth is divided into hands-on and video demonstration areas. In the “Kanana in KakaoTalk Experience Zone,” visitors can try features such as schedule briefings and personalized recommendations for places and gifts. The “Kanana Summarize Video Zone” introduces functions that automatically organize chat messages and call content. In the “Kanana in KakaoTalk Video Zone,” Kakao demonstrates on-device AI that understands conversation context in real time and acts after recognizing situations without a user request. The “Kakao Tools Video Zone” shows how requests are carried out through connections between Kakao services and external partner services. An “AI National Secretary Experience Zone” highlights AI use cases expanded into public services. In the final area, Kakao is also running an event using its in-house image generation model, “Kanana Collage,” to analyze visitors’ photos, generate the Kakao Friends character “Jjorudi,” and print the result on the spot. A Kakao official said the company aimed to show how AI can blend naturally into daily life through an integrated AI ecosystem linking services, platforms and technology. The official said the exhibit will offer a direct look at the direction of Kakao AI as it evolves toward agentic AI.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:25:40 -
BTS’ ‘SWIM’ Tops Billboard Global Charts for Fourth Straight Week 방탄소년단(BTS)이 미국 빌보드 글로벌 차트에서 4주 연속 정상을 지켰다. 정규 5집 '아리랑(ARIRANG)' 타이틀곡 '스윔(SWIM)'이 장기 흥행 흐름을 이어가고 있다. 지난 21일 발표된 빌보드 최신 차트(4월 25일 자)에 따르면 '스윔'은 '글로벌 200'과 '글로벌(미국 제외)'에서 각각 4주 연속 1위를 기록했다. 발매 4주차에도 두 차트 정상을 동시에 지켰다. 메인 차트에서도 성과가 이어졌다. '아리랑'은 메인 앨범 차트 '빌보드 200' 3위로 4주 연속 톱3에 올랐고, '스윔'은 메인 송 차트 '핫 100' 10위로 4주 연속 톱10에 들었다. 수록곡 '바디 투 바디(Body to Body)', '2.0', '훌리건(Hooligan)'도 '핫 100' 순위권에 포함됐다. '디지털 송 세일즈' 1위도 4주째 이어졌다. '아리랑' 수록곡들은 글로벌 차트 상위권에 고르게 포진하며 앨범 흥행을 뒷받침했다. 흥행은 공연으로도 이어지고 있다. BTS는 지난 9일 경기 고양종합운동장 주경기장에서 월드투어 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG''의 막을 올렸다. 이번 투어는 전 세계 34개 도시에서 총 85회로 진행되며, 한국 가수 단일 투어 기준 최다 회차다. 고양과 도쿄 공연을 포함해 한국, 일본, 북미, 유럽 등 총 46회 공연이 이미 매진됐다. 도시형 프로젝트 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG'도 서울을 넘어 확장된다. '더 시티 아리랑'은 5월 미국 라스베이거스, 6월 부산에서 이어지며, 공연과 연계한 프로그램이 도시 전역에서 진행될 예정이다. BTS는 오는 25~26일과 28일 미국 탬파 레이먼드 제임스 스타디움 무대에 오르며 북미 투어를 본격화한다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:24:54 -
SK Eternix Starts Commercial Operations at 40MW SOFC Plant in Chungju SK Eternix said Tuesday it has begun commercial operations at its Daesowon Eco Park fuel cell power plant in the Chungju Megapolis general industrial complex in North Chungcheong Province. Daesowon Eco Park is a 40-megawatt, high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) plant built on a 16,423-square-meter site. It uses 120 Bloom Energy fuel cells rated at 330 kilowatts each and can generate about 330 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year — enough to power about 94,000 households for one year. The commercial launch was carried out in connection with the nearby Chungju Eco Park (40MW), which began operating in December. With the two plants, SK Eternix has established an approximately 80MW distributed power cluster in the Chungju area. The company said it is the world’s largest high-efficiency SOFC fuel cell power complex in a single region and is expected to help improve local energy self-sufficiency and secure a stable power supply base. SK Eternix said the project brings its cumulative fuel cell operating capacity to 169MW. With Paju Eco Green Energy (31MW) now under construction and a 28MW project awarded in South Korea’s general hydrogen power generation market to be completed in stages, the total is expected to expand to 228MW. The company also said it strengthened project stability through strategic cooperation with co-investor Chambit Group. Chambit participates as a major shareholder in the Chungju Eco Park and Daesowon Eco Park projects and supplies city gas, helping secure stability across the process from fuel supply to plant operations. "The start of commercial operations at Daesowon Eco Park is an achievement that proves our capabilities in distributed power and our competitiveness in project execution," CEO Kim Hae-jung said. He said the company will continue expanding distributed power to support national energy transition policy and refine a sustainable energy business model based on coexistence with local communities. SK Eternix operates an eco-friendly energy business based on a portfolio that includes fuel cells, solar, wind and energy storage systems. It has recently been expanding into areas such as power brokerage and U.S. ESS projects to boost corporate value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:24:17 -
Korea to Launch Welcome Week at Airports and Ports, Spotlighting K-Food to Draw 30 Million Visitors From April 24 to May 9, major gateways across South Korea — including Incheon and Jeju international airports and the ports of Busan and Seogwipo — will be turned into welcome hubs for inbound travelers. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Visit Year Committee said they will run the 2026 first-half Welcome Week, themed around K-food, during the peak spring travel season. The plan combines public-private discounts with promotions tied to local small businesses to boost visitor spending. ◆ Welcome hubs at airports and cruise ports The ministry and the committee will hold the event from April 24 to May 9 to coincide with East Asia’s busy travel period, including Japan’s Golden Week and China’s Labor Day holiday. Organizers said the program is aimed at building a positive first impression from the moment visitors arrive, as part of a national goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists. Welcome booths will be set up at Incheon International Airport, Jeju International Airport, the Busan Port Cruise Terminal and the Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Port. Incheon’s booth will run April 24 to May 9, while Jeju’s will operate April 25 to May 9. Cruise-port events will be staged in line with ship arrival schedules. ◆ K-food theme, linked to the SME ministry’s “Companion Festival” This year’s central theme is K-food. Visitors to the booths will be offered multilingual guides to regional dining, along with hands-on programs such as traditional tea tastings and roulette-style events. Organizers said the effort goes beyond information, with discounts tied to private-sector partners across food and beverage, shopping and exhibitions. Tourists will receive a “welcome card” with a QR code, a Korea travel map and a welcome kit featuring K-food and beauty items. The program will also be linked to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ “Republic of Korea Companion Festival,” aiming to promote products from small merchants and encourage purchases that support local economies. ◆ Additional booth at Busan Station tied to BTS “ARIRANG” concerts Organizers also plan to align the campaign with major K-pop events. A separate welcome booth will be added at Busan Station to match the Busan dates of BTS’ world tour “ARIRANG,” scheduled for June 1-15, targeting fans traveling to Korea for the shows. Cooperation with local governments will be expanded as well. Working with the city of Yeosu in South Jeolla Province, organizers plan a hospitality campaign involving workers in food and beverage, lodging and transportation, as well as residents, to encourage repeat visits. A committee official said the Welcome Week is intended to give foreign tourists “a special experience that leaves a positive first impression of traveling in Korea,” adding that close coordination with private partners and local governments will be used to build a cycle in which visitor satisfaction leads to return trips. 2026-04-22 09:22:24 -
Trump Says He’ll ‘Remember’ Companies That Don’t Seek Tariff Refunds U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “remember” companies that do not apply for refunds of tariffs he imposed, comments that appeared to reward firms that forgo repayment while pressuring those that pursue it. Trump made the remarks in an interview with CNBC, Reuters reported Monday. He said of companies that do not seek refunds, “I’ll remember them.” He cited Apple, Amazon, Target and Walmart, saying he viewed it positively that they had not yet applied. He also used hostile language toward companies moving ahead with refund claims. The comments followed a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that found the Trump administration’s tariff measures illegal. After the decision, U.S. Customs and Border Protection activated an electronic refund system to allow companies to reclaim tariffs already paid. The total amount potentially eligible for refunds is estimated at up to $166 billion. Even with the system running, payments are expected to take time. Reuters reported refunds could take about 60 to 90 days, and legal review is continuing over claims involving firms that provided tariff bonds. Trump also signaled he does not intend to abandon his tariff policy even as the earlier tariffs were invalidated. He indicated he could impose tariffs again using Section 301 of the Trade Act, though that route is expected to involve more complex procedures and take longer. Markets have speculated that large companies are likely to file for refunds eventually, given the size of the potential repayments and pressure from shareholders and earnings expectations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:21:37 -
Solbi Says She Was Hit by a Drunk Driver as a Middle School Student Singer and painter Solbi said she was struck by a car driven by someone who had been drinking when she was a middle school student. A video titled, "I got hit by a car and survived? Solbi reveals a shocking true story for the first time," was posted on April 20 to her YouTube channel, "Solbi Is Back." Solbi said she once talked with friends about close calls with death. She recalled that she ran into a crosswalk in front of her home when the light turned green, and was suddenly hit by a car. She said the impact threw her into the air. She added that a woman at a nearby high school saw the crash, was so startled that she collapsed, and Solbi fell on top of her. Solbi said the crash happened on April 1, April Fools' Day, and people around her did not believe it. She said even her mother did not believe it when her friends called. She also said that when she arrived at the emergency room, she told a doctor she had narrowly survived, and that afterward she saw stars, adding she suffered a head injury. She said the driver who caused the crash was intoxicated, and urged people never to drive after drinking.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:18:43 -
BNK Securities Raises LS Eco Energy Target Price on Record Quarterly Results BNK Investment & Securities on April 22 raised its target price for LS Eco Energy to 80,000 won from 60,000 won, citing the company’s record quarterly revenue and expanding demand for power transmission lines. It maintained its “buy” rating. Kim Jang-won, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities, said first-quarter revenue and operating profit both hit all-time highs, driven by orders for an extra-high-voltage power line project in Vietnam and strong performance in the materials business. He said the company has entered a period of structural growth as investment in power infrastructure expands. Kim added that LS Eco Energy is diversifying demand by exporting to the United States while producing in Vietnam, and that a higher share of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage power lines is improving profitability. Kim said demand for higher-margin products such as underground cables, extra-high-voltage power lines and subsea cables is expected to rise under Vietnam’s power development plan and urbanization policies, which he said should further widen profit growth over the medium to long term. He also said the company has significant room to expand its business, supported by affiliates that are competitive in the global power infrastructure market, and that a valuation re-rating is possible given its higher profitability than peers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:18:14 -
AhnLab Warns of Fake Claude Phishing Sites Spreading Info-Stealing Malware AhnLab said it has identified cases in which an information-stealing malware strain was distributed through phishing sites impersonating the generative AI service Claude, and urged users to be cautious. On 22, AhnLab said the phishing site displays the message “Bring Claude to your Desktop” and offers download buttons by operating system, including Windows and macOS, to lure users into installing it. When a user clicks the download button for their OS, a pop-up appears instead of an installer, providing installation instructions. The notice says the download will begin if the user copies a specific command and pastes it into their PC, but following those steps installs malware. Once installed, the malware steals files on the PC, browser-stored information and cryptocurrency wallet data, then sends it to an attacker-controlled server. AhnLab said this tactic — disguising instructions or error messages to get users to copy and paste a malicious command themselves — is known as the “ClickFix” technique and has recently been used in a range of malware distribution attacks. The company said the phishing site was found appearing near the top of Google search results for keywords such as “Claude app” and “Claude desktop.” It said attackers may have manipulated rankings by using search ads. AhnLab said such attacks continue to exploit users’ tendency to trust sites shown at the top of search results, and called for heightened vigilance. To reduce risk, it advised users to verify official domain addresses regardless of search rankings, apply the latest security updates for PCs, operating systems, software and browsers, and enable real-time monitoring in antivirus software such as V3. AhnLab said its V3 product line supports detection of the phishing site and blocks access, and that related threat information is available through its next-generation threat intelligence platform, AhnLab TIP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:15:07 -
Hanwha signs MOU with Alberta to expand energy, defense and shipbuilding cooperation Hanwha Group said it will strengthen cooperation with the government of Alberta across key industries including energy, defense and shipbuilding. The group said April 22 it plans to systematically expand local industrial partnerships and broader economic cooperation, linked to Hanwha Ocean’s bid for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP. Hanwha signed the memorandum of understanding April 21 (local time) at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton. Attendees included Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Joseph Schow, South Korean Ambassador to Canada Lim Ki-mo and Hanwha Energy CEO Lee Jae-gyu. The two sides agreed to pursue joint, mid- to long-term investment and industrial ecosystem development with Alberta as a base, beyond individual projects. Hanwha Energy, Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Power will take part, expanding cooperation in oil, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and defense and shipbuilding supply chains. Hanwha said the MOU focuses on a shift to low-carbon energy, industrial growth and stronger supply-chain stability. In the near term, the sides plan to expand trade in resources such as natural gas. Over the mid to long term, they aim to broaden cooperation to hydrogen- and ammonia-based clean energy and carbon-management infrastructure. Hanwha also said it will support efforts aligned with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, including building independent industrial capabilities, strengthening maintenance and operations capacity, and developing a region-based defense industrial ecosystem. Alberta is attracting about $6.5 million in investment from the federal government as it grows into a defense manufacturing hub. Smith said, “Alberta is a global business hub, and this agreement with Hanwha Group shows our competitiveness as a destination for international investment.” Lee said, “This MOU has elevated our cooperative relationship with Alberta,” adding that the group will “bring together its capabilities to deliver tangible results across a range of fields.” Hanwha said it is mounting a groupwide effort to win the Canadian submarine project. Earlier, Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheol visited Halifax on April 14 and discussed defense and industrial cooperation with officials from Nova Scotia.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:12:10