Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Search for escaped wolf at South Korean zoo drags into fifth day SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - A wolf that tunneled its way out of a government-run zoo in the central city of Daejeon remained at large as search teams armed with thermal-imaging drones combed nearby hillsides for a fifth straight day without success. The two-year-old male wolf, nicknamed Neukgu, was last detected by a thermal camera mounted on a drone at about 1:30 a.m. on April 9, the day after its escape. Trackers lost the animal's trail when the drone was pulled back for a battery swap, and it has not been spotted since. Authorities deployed 12 drones on Sunday to sweep a radius of about 6 km around O World, the municipal theme park from which Neukgu escaped on April 8 by digging beneath an electrified wire fence surrounding its safari enclosure. Ground crews have been kept to a minimum over fears that a large human presence could spook the animal deeper into the forested terrain. Neukgu's last meal before the breakout was two chickens, fed the evening of April 7. Baited traps have been placed along likely travel routes, and experts estimate the wolf could survive about 10 days in the wild provided it finds water. But because Neukgu was born and hand-reared in captivity, it lacks hunting skills, and specialists warn it could perish if the search drags on much longer. The escape has drawn nationwide attention and a wave of public sympathy. President Lee Jae Myung weighed in, expressing hope for the wolf's safe return and urging that no one be harmed in the process. Citizens and animal-rights groups have demanded that Neukgu be captured alive, recalling a 2018 incident at the same zoo in which a puma was shot dead just four and a half hours after escaping its enclosure. The search has also been hampered by a flood of AI-generated fake photographs purporting to show the wolf at various locations around the city, with authorities saying the fabricated images caused confusion in the early stages of the operation and disrupted some media coverage. Reports say the search would continue through Monday before officials decide whether to launch a full-scale joint operation involving multiple agencies if no progress is made. 2026-04-12 15:40:52 -
Kakao VX Partners With Ourhome to Expand Food and Beverage at Screen Golf Sites Kakao VX, a sports platform company, has partnered with food service company Ourhome to expand food and beverage operations at screen golf venues. Kakao VX said it signed a memorandum of understanding on April 9 at Ourhome’s headquarters to promote food and beverage business tailored to screen golf sites. Attendees included Choi Gwang-ok, a director in charge of Kakao VX’s golf business, along with Shin Su-jin, head of Ourhome’s product business division, and Jeon Jun-beom, head of Ourhome’s marketing division. Under the agreement, starting in May, Ourhome products will be supplied through the food-and-beverage section of Kakao VX’s franchisee online mall, VX Mall. Store owners will be able to offer a wider range of Ourhome menu items to golfers, the companies said, aiming to improve customer satisfaction. Kakao VX said owners running locations with small staffs are expected to benefit from Ourhome’s distribution capabilities by selling products with consistent quality. The companies said they will cooperate across business development and promotion, solution design and delivery, ordering and supply processes, and operational communication. Kakao VX will handle franchisee recruitment and marketing based on its screen golf experience. Ourhome will provide a screen golf-focused food-and-beverage solution, proposing standard and simplified menus depending on each site’s cooking conditions and supporting on-site rollout. The companies also plan joint promotions to help drive sales. A Kakao VX official said the company will use its experience connecting screen golf sites and owners nationwide to develop food-and-beverage operations that provide practical help to stores, adding it aims to build a partnership model that improves both operational convenience for owners and customer satisfaction. An Ourhome official called the agreement a first step toward expanding a food-and-beverage model optimized for stay-type leisure spaces such as screen golf venues, and said the company will continue strengthening customized solutions based on its menu development and supply capabilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 15:09:00 -
Xdinary Heroes Unveil Track Sneak Peeks for New EP 'Dead and' Ahead of Release JYP Entertainment boy band Xdinary Heroes has released all track sneak peeks for its upcoming album, building anticipation for its return. The band is set to release its eighth EP, "Dead and (DEAD AND)," on April 17. Ahead of the release, it has been rolling out short previews of songs on its official social media channels. On April 11, it shared snippets of "No Cool Kids Zone" and the title track, "Voyager." On April 12, it unveiled part of the opening track, "Helium Balloon." In the "No Cool Kids Zone" preview, Jun Han delivers witty lyrics over a hard-driving sound, highlighting the song’s garage-band energy and humor. In "Voyager," vocals from Gun-il, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han and Jooyeon ride a powerful rhythm and full band sound, with a fast-moving arrangement that heightens the emotional intensity. "Helium Balloon" leans on a lyrical melody and wistful mood, blending dreamy, vintage tones with delicate phrasing. "Dead and" will include seven tracks: "Voyager," the previously released "X room," "Helium Balloon," "No Cool Kids Zone," "Hurt So Good," "Rise High Rise" and "KTM." The group has continued its practice of taking part in songwriting since debut, with all members credited on the new release. After the comeback, Xdinary Heroes will expand its stage to Europe and the U.K. The band will hold its special live series, "Xdinary Heroes The New Xcene Special Live in Europe & UK," starting May 31 in Manchester, followed by June 2 in London, June 4 in Paris, June 7 in Frankfurt and June 9 in Milan. The dates follow the group’s first solo concerts in Japan, held in Osaka and Yokohama in January. The eighth EP "Dead and" and its title track "Voyager" will be released at 1 p.m. on April 17 through major music streaming sites. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 14:57:14 -
Golfzon Cultural Foundation Opens 13th 'Daejeon: Draw and Dream' Exhibition Golfzon Cultural Foundation is hosting the 13th 'Daejeon: Draw and Dream' exhibition through April 22 at Art Center Koo on the sixth floor of Golfzon Joymaru in Daejeon, showcasing works by emerging artists. Launched in 2012, the annual exhibition marks its 13th edition this year. The foundation said the program is a signature social contribution effort aimed at highlighting talented young artists, encouraging their creative work and helping energize the local arts scene. It provides broad support, including exhibition operations and production of promotional materials. This year's show features five artists — Kim Man-seop, Kim An-seon, Ryu Jae-seong, Won Daniel and Yoon Seung-won — presenting works that explore the theme of 'the search for identity' from their own perspectives. Admission is free. The exhibition is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the run. About 100 guests, including foundation Chairman Kim Young-chan, attended the opening ceremony on April 9. The program included congratulatory performances by the Daejeon-based string ensemble 'Hwal' and tenor Jang Kyung-hwan, followed by remarks and introductions to the artists and their works. "Through support for cultural artists, the Golfzon Cultural Foundation is cheering on artists' dreams while giving local residents a chance to encounter new worlds of art," Kim said. "We will continue sustained support and efforts so more people can enjoy art in their daily lives." Participating artist Kim Man-seop said, "I'm grateful to the foundation for giving me the opportunity to share my valued work with the public," adding, "I hope the emotions and interpretations each person feels will connect in many different ways." Founded in 2010, the Golfzon Cultural Foundation said it has worked to strengthen artists' creative energy and expand cultural experiences for local residents. Beyond this exhibition, it runs a charity golf tournament to support artists and promotes traditional culture through activities to advance cheolhwa buncheong ceramics, among other initiatives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 14:54:00 -
South Korea Medical AI Approvals Jump 2.5-Fold in Three Years, Reaching 157 in 2025 South Korea’s medical artificial intelligence market is expanding rapidly, with government approvals rising more than 2.5 times over the past three years, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The technology is also evolving beyond diagnostic support to systems that can generate preliminary findings for imaging readers, industry officials say. The ministry said approvals, certifications and filings for AI-based software medical devices climbed from 62 cases in 2023 to 108 in 2024 and 157 in 2025. Another 55 cases were added in the first quarter of this year, it said. That compares with 4 cases in 2018, 13 in 2019 and 50 in 2020, underscoring how quickly the market has grown in less than a decade. The industry attributes the broader uptake to results from early leaders such as Lunit and VUNO, along with progress by newer entrants. Lunit said it received domestic approval last year for its 3D breast tomosynthesis AI image analysis solution, “Lunit INSIGHT DBT.” The product received U.S. Food and Drug Administration premarket approval in November 2023 and is being supplied through major U.S. imaging centers including SimonMed Imaging and Resolute, the company said. Lunit reported consolidated revenue of 83.1 billion won last year, up 53% from 54.2 billion won a year earlier, its highest annual total. Overseas revenue was 76.8 billion won, or 92% of the total, up 61% from 47.8 billion won. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 32% to 26.5 billion won from 20.0 billion won a year earlier. VUNO said it expanded its lineup after receiving ministry approval for “VUNO Med-DeepECG Kidney,” an AI-based electrocardiogram analysis software designed to screen for declining kidney function. The company said the deep-learning algorithm analyzes 12-lead ECG data to provide noninvasive, rapid and accurate screening. VUNO posted revenue of 34.8 billion won last year, up 34.4% from the previous year, a record. Sales of its flagship AI-based cardiac arrest prediction device, “VUNO Med-DeepCARS,” rose 18% to 25.7 billion won. Revenue from its AI-based ECG measurement device “Hativ” also increased to 1.9 billion won, the company said. Other companies, including Noeul and 3billion, are also contributing to market growth by targeting areas not dominated by the leading firms, such as AI-based blood and cancer diagnostics and AI-based rare disease diagnosis, the report said. In contrast, the number of approvals for medical AI clinical trial plans has declined, the ministry said, falling from 59 in 2023 to 56 in 2024 and 38 in 2025. Seven plans were approved in the first quarter of this year. A ministry official said the drop reflects the Digital Medical Products Act, under which data-based clinical trials are exempt from plan approval. “Because AI software often relies on data-based clinical studies, there are likely many trials conducted without ministry approval,” the official said. 2026-04-12 14:27:00 -
S. Korea secures 80 pct of May crude needs without tapping reserves, minister says SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - South Korea has secured about 80 percent of its crude oil import needs for May and expects to weather the ongoing supply disruptions triggered by the Middle East conflict, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan said. Kim said the volume of crude oil locked in for May had risen by 10 percentage points from the previous week, bolstered by private-sector stockpiles held by domestic refiners. "We believe we can get through April and May without releasing government reserves, unlike during the Russia-Ukraine war when such a release was necessary," Kim said. The minister, who returned Friday from a four-nation envoy trip, struck a guarded tone on the fate of seven South Korean-linked oil tankers stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. He said Seoul was working to secure their passage but cautioned that the outcome remained unpredictable. As an alternative to the choked strait, Kim said the government was preparing to route South Korean vessels through the Red Sea via Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port, with escort support from a destroyer. He added that Riyadh had pledged to give South Korean shipments top priority in allocating Yanbu port capacity. To diversify away from its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude, Seoul is pursuing imports from the United States and Kazakhstan. Kim said negotiations with Astana had made considerable headway and that specifics on volumes and terms could be announced early next week. Naphtha supply, a critical petrochemical feedstock often called the lifeblood of South Korea's manufacturing sector, is also stabilizing. Kim said procurement is projected to recover to about 80 percent of normal levels in April and May, with daily monitoring in place alongside industry partners to prevent further disruption. The government has earmarked 869.1 billion won (about $585.4 million) in a recently enacted supplementary budget for supply chain stabilization, including subsidies covering half the cost increase on naphtha imports for domestic petrochemical producers. Kim said the intervention was urgent because soaring feedstock prices had made it more economical for some firms to idle their plants entirely. On helium — a gas essential to semiconductor fabrication — Kim said supplies from U.S. sources had been secured through the end of June, ensuring that no chip production facility would face a shutdown over the interim. 2026-04-12 14:11:48 -
KATSEYE Brings Surprise HUNTRIX Collaboration to Coachella, Crowd Sings Along KATSEYE delivered a surprise collaboration at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, sharing the stage with vocalists from HUNTRIX, the fictional girl group from “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” The group performed on the Sahara stage in Indio, California, on April 11 (Korea time). Opening with its newly released single “PINKY UP,” KATSEYE ran through 11 songs and dance breaks in a roughly 45-minute set. “We can’t believe we finally made it to Coachella. So many emotions are swirling,” the members said. “You’re making our dream a reality.” The set drew loud sing-alongs from the crowd on songs spanning multiple styles, including “Debut,” “Gameboy,” “Internet Girl,” “Gabriela” and “Gnarly,” as fans followed the lyrics and moved to the beat. Introducing “My Way,” the members offered a message of support: “We’re cheering for all of you who have the courage to do things your own way, not just what others tell you to do.” The night’s centerpiece was a surprise joint stage with HUNTRIX vocalists Rei Ami, Audrey Nuna and Leejae, who joined KATSEYE for “GOLDEN.” The song was rearranged at a slightly slower tempo to highlight the melody, with the performers trading eye contact and building harmonies. KATSEYE’s “PINKY UP,” released April 11, ranked No. 10 on Spotify’s “Daily Top Songs USA” chart dated April 10 and No. 18 on the “Daily Top Songs Global” chart. The track pairs hard-hitting percussion and bass with glossy synth textures, delivering an energetic sound and a message about living fully in the moment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 10:55:13 -
South Korea Culture Ministry Sets 461.4 Billion Won Supplementary Budget for Tourism Loans, Ticket Discounts The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday that its first supplementary budget for 2026 was finalized at 461.4 billion won. The ministry said the package was designed to limit damage to the culture, sports and tourism industries amid economic pressures such as high oil prices and inflation, while providing early support for livelihoods including those of grassroots artists. It also aims to spur domestic spending through discounts for movies and performances and support for lodging and travel, linking that demand to a rebound in regional tourism and the domestic economy. To ease financing strains on tourism businesses facing rising costs, including from a weaker currency, the ministry will increase tourism-sector loans by 200 billion won, expanding the program to 837.5 billion won. It will also invest 28.1 billion won in overseas marketing to encourage foreign visitors to enter and stay in regional areas, boosting local consumption and economies. Additional funding includes 8.6 billion won for tourism startups and ventures and 3.1 billion won to expand the Youth Tourism Dure program. To support a recovery in household spending, the ministry will issue 4.5 million movie discount coupons, budgeted at 27.1 billion won, worth 6,000 won each. It will also issue 400,000 performing-arts discount coupons, budgeted at 4.1 billion won, worth 10,000 won each, to help theaters and performance venues rebuild audiences. For non-capital regions designated as areas with population decline, the ministry will provide an additional 300,000 lodging discount coupons, budgeted at 11.2 billion won. It will also expand eligibility for a worker vacation support program to include employees at mid-sized companies, allocating 4.2 billion won. A half-price travel support program for population-decline areas will expand to 30 locations from 20, with 4 billion won, to boost domestic demand and help restore sales. The ministry also set aside funding to help artists and the content industry sustain activity amid a downturn. It added 2 billion won each for operating private visual and performing arts creation spaces and supporting creators, and for supporting touring exhibitions in regional areas. It will expand support for performances by young artists with 2.4 billion won, increase loans for artists’ livelihood stability to 32.78 billion won, and expand financial support for the arts industry by 30 billion won. It also allocated 700 million won to add staff for administering the artist activity certification system. To counter a slowdown in the content industry, the ministry will invest a total of 38.5 billion won, including 26 billion won to support production of mid-budget films, 8 billion won for advanced production support, and 4.5 billion won for independent and art films. It will also increase support, by 6.3 billion won, for creation and production through regional Content Korea Labs and business support centers. The ministry said it will newly establish a 25 billion won youth content fund-of-funds to encourage investment in young “K-content” companies that are vulnerable during economic shocks. To expand youth employment in the field, the ministry will increase support for internship positions at cultural and arts institutions, allocating 3.4 billion won. It will also launch new programs: a youth internship at literature museums (750 million won), training tourism personnel linked to industrial sites (850 million won), and an internship matching program for top talent in the content industry (1.9 billion won). In sports, the ministry will add 4 billion won to its sports activity incentive program, known as Ttunteun Money, to cover an additional 80,000 beneficiaries. It will also increase funding for vouchers for sports classes for people with disabilities by 6.2 billion won, supporting 20,000 people with monthly tuition of 110,000 won. It will spend 9.5 billion won to roll out nationwide youth sports programs that use retired athletes and sports instructors as coaches. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said high oil prices and inflation driven by the war in the Middle East were compounding difficulties across the culture, sports and tourism sectors. “This supplementary budget is an investment to respond proactively to the crisis,” Choi said. He said he expects it to achieve two goals at once: stabilizing livelihoods for artists and the tourism and culture industries, and reviving domestic demand to help energize regional economies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 10:54:17 -
EcoPro secures C$6 mln from Canada to develop all-solid-state battery materials SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - South Korean battery materials maker EcoPro said it has secured 6 million Canadian dollars (about $4.3 million) in research funding from Canada's federal government to develop lithium metal anode technology for next-generation all-solid-state batteries. The grant, awarded to EcoPro Lithium — a unit of subsidiary EcoPro Innovation — falls under Ottawa's Energy Innovation Program, which aims to bolster domestic battery supply chains. EcoPro Innovation signed a joint development agreement with Quebec state utility Hydro-Quebec in March last year to co-develop lithium metal anodes. The funding will bankroll efforts to build and demonstrate a full lithium metal anode value chain on Canadian soil by March 2027, spanning lithium metal production, high-purity refining, ultra-thin foil fabrication and performance validation. The company also plans to accelerate construction of a semi-mass-production pilot line for the material. Lithium metal anodes offer about 10 times the energy density of conventional graphite-based anodes, a leap that could dramatically extend electric vehicle driving range and position the technology as a linchpin of the all-solid-state battery era. Beyond anodes, the EcoPro group is developing solid electrolytes, solid-state cathode materials and lithium sulfide. Its solid electrolyte program, targeting commercialization next year, has a pilot facility at the company's Ochang headquarters in North Chungcheong Province producing samples at a rate of 40 tons per year. "We are advancing lithium metal anode technology in collaboration with the Canadian government and local partners to lead the all-solid-state battery market," an EcoPro Innovation spokesperson said. "This government funding is expected to significantly accelerate the pace of development." 2026-04-12 10:27:15 -
UPDATE: U.S.-Iran talks collapse in Islamabad over nuclear, Hormuz disputes SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of grueling negotiations in the Pakistani capital, plunging the fragile two-week ceasefire into uncertainty with its April 21 expiration now looming. The marathon session, mediated by Pakistan, stretched across multiple rounds from Saturday evening through Sunday morning but ultimately foundered over deep divisions on Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, told reporters after the talks that Washington had yet to see a fundamental commitment from Tehran. "We leave here with a very simple proposal: a method of understanding that is our final and best offer," Vance said. "We'll see if the Iranians accept it." Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency struck a defiant tone, reporting that the Iranian delegation had rebuffed what it characterized as Washington's attempt to extract through negotiation concessions it could not win on the battlefield, including the dismantling of Iran's uranium enrichment program and the immediate opening of the strait. The United States sought not only the surrender of Iran's existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium but also curbs on its enrichment capabilities — an effort to eliminate both Tehran's present nuclear capacity and its future weapons potential. Iran, for its part, refused to relinquish what it called its right to peaceful nuclear energy. The Strait of Hormuz emerged as an equally intractable flashpoint. Washington demanded the immediate reopening of the vital waterway, whose blockade has driven up global oil prices and rattled international markets. Tehran, however, views the strait as its most powerful bargaining chip and insisted it would lift the blockade only after a comprehensive deal is sealed, senior Iranian officials cited. Tensions along the waterway underscored the stakes. U.S. Central Command said it had begun preparations for mine clearance in the strait, with two Navy guided-missile destroyers transiting the passage. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any warships attempting to pass would face a forceful response. The breakdown of the first face-to-face encounter between the two adversaries casts a shadow over the ceasefire brokered on April 8. With the truce set to expire in nine days, concerns are mounting that Israel could intensify its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, further complicating any return to the negotiating table. Experts note that Iran appears to believe time is on its side, calculating that the economic pain inflicted by the Hormuz blockade gives Washington greater incentive to make concessions. The United States and Israel, meanwhile, have signaled they reserve the right to strike Iran's nuclear facilities at any time. 2026-04-12 09:33:28