Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Iran Says Tanker Entered Its Waters Despite U.S. Naval Blockade Iran’s military said on April 21 (local time) that one of its tankers entered Iranian territorial waters after breaking through a U.S. maritime blockade. In a statement, the military’s public affairs office said the Iranian tanker Silicity, backed by an operational escort from Iran’s navy, passed through the Arabian Sea overnight and entered Iranian waters. It claimed the U.S. Navy issued repeated warnings and threats, but that the tanker reached Iranian territorial waters under what it called full security support from Iran’s navy and docked at a southern port. There was no immediate official comment from the U.S. military. The U.S. military has stepped up maritime control operations in response to Iran’s moves to block the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command has been interdicting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman since April 13 and previously said it had blocked 27 Iran-linked ships through April 20. On April 19, the U.S. military fired on and seized the cargo ship Tuska after it ignored warnings to turn back while heading to Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 20:00:20 -
NS Home Shopping Named Preferred Bidder for Homeplus Express Acquisition NS Home Shopping, an affiliate of Harim Group, has been named the preferred bidder in the final round to acquire Homeplus Express, the corporate supermarket business of Homeplus, which is undergoing corporate rehabilitation proceedings. Homeplus said April 21 that it designated NS Home Shopping as the preferred bidder after the public tender for Homeplus Express closed that day. It said it plans to quickly wrap up negotiations on details and sign a final contract. NS Home Shopping said it participated in the final bidding and is awaiting the result. A preferred bidder is the company that offers the most favorable terms among multiple candidates in a competitive process and receives priority negotiating rights for a set period. Selection does not guarantee the deal will be completed. A preliminary bid held March 31 was reported to have drawn interest from MGC Global, the operator of Mega MGC Coffee, among others, though it has not been confirmed whether those firms joined the final round. Multiple bidders participated in the final bidding, establishing effective competition, according to reports. Harim Group is a major conglomerate ranked around the top 30 in South Korea, with total assets nearing 17 trillion won. Homeplus is expected to move faster to secure liquidity through the sale of its Express unit. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 19:39:17 -
Prosecutors Seek Prison Terms for Chinese Teens Accused of Filming South Korean Fighter Jets Prosecutors on Monday sought prison terms for two Chinese teenagers accused of repeatedly filming fighter jets near South Korean military facilities and major airports. At a closing hearing at Suwon District Court, the court’s Criminal Division 12, presided over by Chief Judge Park Geon-chang, heard prosecutors request an indeterminate sentence of three to four years in prison for A, and four years for B. Prosecutors also asked the court to confiscate cameras and other equipment used in the filming. Under South Korean law, minors may receive indeterminate sentences with both minimum and maximum terms set. Prosecutors described the case as a serious crime that could threaten military security, saying the defendants had not shown sufficient remorse after the alleged offenses and should be punished strictly. The hearing also focused on messages from a WeChat group chat used by B. Prosecutors cited remarks including that “C told us to film” and references to money, arguing they suggest a possible person behind the operation — someone who directed the filming and intended to pay for it. Defense lawyers rejected that interpretation, saying the chat was taken out of context and amounted to a light joke about pinning blame on a specific person if they were caught, not evidence of real instructions. The defense said the teens were students who photographed aircraft as a hobby, not participants in an organized effort, and asked for leniency. In their final statements, the defendants said they did not realize their curiosity would lead to such serious consequences and that they were deeply remorseful. Prosecutors allege that from the second half of 2024 through March last year, the teens entered South Korea three times and twice, respectively, and made hundreds of detailed recordings of fighter jet takeoffs and landings and air traffic control facilities. The locations included four South Korea-U.S. military sites — Suwon Air Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base (K-55), a U.S. base in Pyeongtaek (K-6), and Cheongju Air Base — as well as Incheon, Gimpo and Jeju airports. They were caught March 21 last year while filming near Suwon Air Base after a resident reported suspicious activity to police. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 10 a.m. on the 14th of next month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 19:36:20 -
Korean Drivers Boost Auto Insurance Coverage While Cutting Premiums With Mileage Discounts Even as vehicle prices rise, auto insurance customers are increasingly buying higher coverage limits while paying less in premiums, reflecting a clear shift toward cost-conscious policies. Wider use of non-face-to-face sales channels and discount riders is helping drivers pursue both stronger protection and lower costs. According to the Korea Insurance Development Institute on Monday, its analysis of 2025 private passenger auto insurance policies found the average insured value of new cars rose to 52.43 million won in 2025 from 48.47 million won in 2023. As values climbed, 85% of policyholders carried property-damage liability limits of at least 300 million won, and 51% carried limits of 1 billion won or more. Comprehensive coverage for damage to the insured vehicle was purchased by 85.8% of drivers. Among electric-vehicle owners, the take-up rate reached 96.1%, reflecting battery replacement costs and the risk of total loss. The institute said the move toward higher coverage appears tied not only to higher vehicle prices but also to growing repair burdens driven by rising parts costs and labor rates. Sales channels are also shifting quickly toward online purchases. The share of policies sold through CM (online) channels, which tend to offer lower premiums, reached 51.4%, well ahead of in-person sales at 31.7%. Among drivers in their 30s, CM usage was 69.1%. The institute said online enrollment is also increasing among those 60 and older, narrowing the gap between channels. Discount riders have effectively become standard. The mileage-based discount rider had an enrollment rate of 88.4%, and 66% of those enrolled met the refund threshold, receiving an average refund of 133,000 won. The refund amounted to about 10% of total premiums. Discounts for advanced safety features are also expanding. Installation rates for automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping systems rose to about 44% each, and insurers are continuing to broaden eligibility for discounts. At the same time, the share of policyholders in preferred rating tiers that qualify for premium discounts increased to 89.5%. “The tendency to consider both expanded coverage and premium savings at the same time is strengthening,” the institute said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:33:42 -
Consul General Jeong: Vietnam a Key Partner for Peace on the Korean Peninsula President Lee Jae-myung is to make a state visit to Vietnam from April 21 to 24. With South Korea now Vietnam’s largest investor, the trip is expected to be a turning point for expanding cooperation into advanced sectors such as semiconductor supply chains, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. Consul General Jeong Jeong-tae in Ho Chi Minh City said he also hopes Vietnam will play a role beyond economic ties, including in security, defense and efforts related to peace on the Korean Peninsula. In an interview published Tuesday local time by Vietnam’s Tuoi Tre newspaper, Jeong said the visit comes as Vietnam’s new leadership is being consolidated and “clearly shows the high level of political trust and the maturity of relations” between the two countries. He called it “an important milestone” for setting a future direction for cooperation, not simply a diplomatic event. ◆ Investment tops $95 billion; cooperation shifts to quality Jeong said cooperation has been moving from quantitative growth to higher-quality collaboration since the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor, with cumulative investment exceeding $95 billion. He said cooperation in southern Vietnam, centered on Ho Chi Minh City, has been widening into research and development, smart manufacturing, AI, fintech and digital platforms. He added that expanding cooperation in security, defense and public order also reflects the deepening relationship. As global supply chains are reshaped and digital transformation accelerates, Jeong said securing supply-chain stability and strengthening digital competitiveness are directly tied to both countries’ economic security. He said the comprehensive strategic partnership framework could support discussions on specific cooperation programs. Jeong said he hopes cooperation will expand from semiconductor supply chains to joint research, workforce training and digital infrastructure development in key technologies such as AI, data and smart manufacturing. He also said both sides could promote business exchanges and investment cooperation in startups and innovation ecosystems to find new growth engines. ◆ “Vietnam is a reliable partner for peace on the Korean Peninsula” Jeong said that amid instability in the Middle East and a more complex international environment, the two countries are continuing to pursue shared goals of peace, stability and sustainable development. He said they have worked closely through multilateral frameworks including ASEAN and will keep cooperating to uphold a rules-based international order and strengthen regional cooperation. Jeong noted Vietnam’s experience hosting U.S.-North Korea summits, calling it a trusted partner in the international community. He said he hopes Vietnam will “contribute positively” to efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula, adding that he believes Vietnam can be an excellent partner in pursuing peaceful coexistence and shared development based on trust. He said he hopes President Lee’s visit will help make those efforts more concrete and lift bilateral ties to a new level. Jeong, who took office in February, has worked for 15 years as a lawyer in Ho Chi Minh City, supporting South Korean companies entering Vietnam. His past roles include head of the Vietnam office of law firm Jipyong, an operating committee member of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, and an advisory lawyer to the Ho Chi Minh City office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. He said he aims to attract more South Korean companies to Vietnam and build a model of shared growth with Vietnam as a partner between nations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:22:00 -
Rain Forecast for Southern Korea, Jeju; Dust to Worsen Air Quality Wednesday the 22nd is expected to be mostly cloudy nationwide, with conditions turning increasingly overcast in the south and on Jeju Island. Rain is forecast to begin on Jeju in the morning, spread to the Jeolla South region by afternoon and reach the Gyeongsang South region by night. Parts of North Jeolla may see brief sprinkles from afternoon into the night, with less than 0.1 millimeter of precipitation. Through the 23rd, expected rainfall is 5 to 20 millimeters in Gwangju and South Jeolla and along the southern coasts of Busan and South Gyeongsang; less than 5 millimeters in Ulsan and inland South Gyeongsang; and 20 to 60 millimeters on Jeju. Morning lows are forecast at 6 to 14 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 16 to 21 degrees. Air quality is expected to deteriorate nationwide due to yellow dust that moved in the previous day, with fine dust levels forecast at “bad.” From late morning through afternoon, PM-10 levels could rise to “very bad.” Ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) is expected to be “moderate.” Seas are expected to remain relatively calm. Waves are forecast at 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and South seas nearshore and about 0.5 meters in the West Sea nearshore. In offshore waters within about 200 kilometers of the coast, waves in the East, West and South seas are expected at 0.5 to 2.0 meters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:21:15 -
LG H&H’s Physiogel wraps Seongsu pop-up promoting Red Soothing line LG Household & Health Care said Tuesday that Physiogel has successfully concluded its pop-up store, “The Red Trace,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The event ran from April 17-19 at “Anderson C Seongsu” as part of the “Mega Beauty Show Virtual Store.” A related Mega Beauty Show promotion will continue through April 26, the company said. The pop-up focused on Physiogel’s “Red Soothing” line, aimed at calming sensitive skin and reducing redness. Featured products included the Red Soothing AI Repair Cream and the Red Soothing Rosateca Redness Reducing Serum. The serum, launched in February, is designed with enhanced redness-care features, the company said. Built around the “Redness Investigation Unit” concept, the space cast visitors as “clients” tracking down causes of skin redness. The company said mission-style activities, including filling out a case request and searching for clues, were designed to let visitors try products directly. About 3,000 people visited during the three-day run, the company said. Visitors said the game-like format helped them encounter the products naturally and identify options suited to their skin concerns. “We planned an experiential concept to communicate product features in an intuitive way,” a Physiogel official said. “Based on our expertise in solutions for sensitive skin, we will continue to expand consumer touchpoints.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:18:56 -
Samsung Biologics Faces Strike Threat as Court Ruling Looms Labor tensions at Samsung Biologics are edging closer to a strike after management and the union failed to reach a deal following 13 rounds of wage and collective bargaining talks since last December. With global competition intensifying, industry officials warn a walkout could disrupt production and damage confidence in South Korea’s biotech sector. Industry sources said Tuesday that the Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng Union plans to hold a rally of about 2,000 workers Wednesday at the company’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon, and begin an all-out strike on May 1. The two sides have been unable to narrow differences over pay raises, the company’s excess-profit incentive (OPI) and the size of encouragement payments. The union has argued compensation should reflect Samsung Biologics’ operating profit of about 2 trillion won last year. It has recently stepped up pressure after securing majority status as a local chapter under Samsung Electronics’ umbrella union, according to the report. Samsung Biologics has asked the Incheon District Court to issue an injunction barring union industrial action. A court decision, expected as early as this week, is seen as a key turning point for whether the strike proceeds as planned. The company cited Article 38 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, which restricts actions that obstruct normal operations or halt work needed to protect facilities during labor disputes. The company argues that if skilled workers leave production lines, the stability of its contract manufacturing processes for biopharmaceuticals could be undermined. It has said a production stoppage could result in losses of 640 billion won a day and harm global trust. The union has maintained a hard line. Union leader Park Jae-seong said he expects the court to dismiss the injunction request because the company is making what he called excessive claims. Still, he said even if the ruling favors management, the request does not seek a total ban on all labor action, and the May 1 strike would continue within what is allowed, with possible changes in participation depending on the decision. Park also said the union is planning a second round of action, even if it means going unpaid. The union has also voiced dissatisfaction with follow-up measures after a personnel information leak in November last year. It is demanding that limits on access to personal data be written into work rules and that personnel action be taken against those suspected of union-busting, the report said. Concerns are growing that a strike could weaken the company’s competitiveness and disrupt drug supplies. The medicines Samsung Biologics produces are mainly cancer treatments or therapies for rare diseases that require ongoing dosing, raising fears that supply problems could pose risks directly affecting patients’ lives. Because Samsung Biologics’ business is based on contract development and manufacturing for global drugmakers rather than its own new drugs, a prolonged dispute could also hurt its credibility, industry officials said. Biopharmaceutical production involves cultivating and purifying living cells and requires continuous operation; even a single disruption could force the disposal of batches that took months to produce. A prolonged strike risk could extend beyond the company and erode global trust in the broader “K-bio” brand, the report said. A biotech industry official said that if a strike leads to a production halt, the company’s competitiveness in global contract bids would likely take a serious hit. 2026-04-21 18:17:56 -
Iran State TV Says Delegation Has Not Yet Left for Islamabad for U.S. Talks Iran’s delegation for a second round of ceasefire talks with the United States has not yet departed for Islamabad, Iranian state television reported, raising fresh uncertainty over whether the meeting expected on April 22 will go ahead as planned. AP and other outlets reported April 21 (local time) that Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said in a breaking report that “no Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad so far.” Al Jazeera also reported that key Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had not left for Pakistan and remained in Iran. The reports contrasted with earlier accounts. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Iran had told mediators it would send a delegation to Islamabad on April 21. Reuters also reported, citing a Pakistani source involved in the talks, that the second round would be held Wednesday, April 22. With Iran’s delegation still not en route, questions have resurfaced about whether the second round will take place. AP said Iran may be engaged in internal debate over how to respond after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian vessel over the weekend. Axios also reported, citing a source, that discussions on the second round had stalled as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urged maintaining a hard-line stance toward the United States. On the U.S. side, Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, was expected to leave for Pakistan no later than the morning of April 21. President Donald Trump told Bloomberg in an interview April 20 that Vance would depart for Islamabad later that day and said the second round would take place “Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.” 2026-04-21 18:16:18 -
Sleep Tech Heats Up as Samsung, LG Expand Platforms, Stir Small-Business Concerns Sleep tech — applying artificial intelligence, home appliances and health care technology to sleep management — is drawing attention as a next-generation growth industry. But as major conglomerates move in, concerns are also rising that they could squeeze out smaller players. According to market research firm Straits Research on the 21st, the global sleep tech market topped $20.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $64.6918 billion by 2033. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are approaching sleep tech as a connected lifestyle data business. The term combines “sleep” and “technology” and refers to measuring and analyzing sleep data using AI, the internet of things and big data to help people sleep better. Samsung is upgrading a system centered on SmartThings that links sleep data collected from wearables such as the Galaxy Watch with air conditioners, air purifiers and lighting to automatically create an optimal sleep environment. The system adjusts temperature and brightness based on sleep stages, and changes air quality and lighting around wake-up time. LG is also focusing on expanding sleep data across its broader appliance lineup under its “AI Home” strategy. It aims to provide personalized sleep environments by connecting appliances that control air quality, temperature and humidity, and to tie sleep data into health management through integration with health care platforms. LG is also reviewing the possibility of offering sleep management services bundled with its subscription-based appliance business. As big companies enter the market with data and appliance ecosystems, competition is shifting quickly from individual products to platforms. Analysts say that if a structure takes hold in which multiple devices are connected around sleep data, market leadership could move toward appliance and platform companies. That shift is also fueling criticism that large firms could disrupt the existing ecosystem. With sleep tech still in an early growth stage, industry watchers warn that companies with deep pockets and established platforms could rapidly tilt the competitive landscape. Existing sleep tech players are responding by upgrading their technology. Coway, seen as a leading player, is strengthening a “full sleep-cycle management” strategy through its sleep and healing care brand BEREX, building out product lines that include motion beds, massage mattresses and sleep-sensor mattresses. Simmons is also bolstering capabilities through premium mattresses, motion beds and experiential consulting. Jangsu Dolchimdae is pursuing business plans that combine heating technology with sleep and health care functions. “Sleep tech has strong potential to grow into a high value-added industry by combining sleep data with health care,” an industry official said. “But if major companies take control of platforms, existing bed makers could be pushed into the role of simple hardware suppliers, making conflict unavoidable as the market is reshaped.” 2026-04-21 18:15:25