Journalist
Lee Hugh
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KMU professor identifies gut-liver mechanism for diagnosing and treating fatty liver disease SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Professor Kwak Min-jin at Kookmin University's Department of Forest Biomaterials Engineering has identified how gut microbes and their secretions affect metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the prominent university in Seoul said Thursday. The study, which introduces a high-precision diagnostic technology using extracellular vesicles (EVs), was published in the international journal Pharmacological Research. Fatty liver disease caused by metabolic imbalance is a growing concern in South Korea and across the globe. MASH is a critical stage of the condition that requires active management before it can progress to more severe issues like liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Because current diagnostic methods often rely on invasive procedures like liver biopsies, there has been a steady demand for non-invasive strategies based on the interaction between the gut microbiome and the liver. Using animal models for longitudinal analysis, the researchers tracked the changing roles of specific gut microbes as MASH develops. The study found that the bacterium Romboutsia hominis increases as the disease progresses, worsening fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver through the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) signaling pathway. In contrast, the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila and its derived EVs were found to reduce liver fat accumulation. This effect is achieved by suppressing the expression of genes associated with fat synthesis. The research is significant for demonstrating that EVs released by bacteria can cross the intestinal barrier to directly regulate liver metabolism. The team also developed a machine-learning diagnostic model that combines gut microbial data with blood information. This model demonstrated the potential to screen for MASH non-invasively with an accuracy rate exceeding 90 percent. Such technology could eventually be expanded into next-generation diagnostic services that manage liver health using stool or blood samples. The findings offer a new approach that targets both the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease by precisely interpreting the link between the gut ecosystem and liver health. KMU researchers are expected to continue their work in the bio-health sector to further refine these diagnostic and treatment technologies. 2026-04-09 16:21:39 -
Fire breaks out on submarine at shipyard in Ulsan, leaving one missing SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - A fire broke out at a shipyard in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Thursday, leaving one person missing, firefighters said. The fire occurred on a Navy submarine undergoing maintenance at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard at around 1:58 p.m., prompting about 40 workers inside the vessel to evacuate. Authorities immediately dispatched firefighters and rescue officials with roughly 30 pieces of equipment, managing to contain the main blaze in about 30 minutes. They are still searching for one missing worker in her 60s. 2026-04-09 16:10:13 -
HMM union moves toward industrial action over headquarters relocation SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Labor-management negotiations at HMM over the planned relocation of its headquarters have collapsed, raising the prospect of industrial action by the union. HMM’s land-based workers’ union said Thursday that talks with management regarding the headquarters relocation had broken down. The union added it plans to begin procedures for industrial action, including filing for mediation with the labor authorities. In a statement released the same day, the union expressed regret over the collapse of negotiations, blaming what it described as the company’s unilateral push to relocate the headquarters. “It is deeply regrettable that negotiations collapsed due to the company’s unilateral attempt to proceed with the headquarters relocation,” the union said. “Filing for mediation is an unavoidable step to protect the rights of our members.” Despite moving toward industrial action, the union emphasized that it remains open to continued dialogue with management. “Applying for mediation does not mean a breakdown in communication,” the union said. “We are always ready to sit down with management with an open attitude and seek a reasonable solution.” The union also urged the company to take a “sincere and forward-looking approach” in future negotiations. The breakdown in talks is expected to intensify labor-management tensions over the headquarters relocation. Depending on the outcome of mediation by the labor commission and whether the union secures legal grounds for industrial action, the dispute could escalate into collective actions such as strikes. The conflict comes as the headquarters relocation appears to be nearing finalization. On March 31, HMM’s board approved amendments to the company’s articles of incorporation to relocate its headquarters to Busan. The move is backed by major shareholders including Korea Development Bank, which holds a 35.42 percent stake, and Korea Ocean Business Corp., which owns 35.08 percent, giving them a combined stake exceeding 70 percent. Meanwhile, the recently enacted “Yellow Envelope Law” — revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act — designates workplace relocation as a mandatory subject for labor-management negotiations. This has increased the likelihood that the relocation could trigger labor disputes if pursued without agreement. Industry observers are also watching closely, noting that the dispute could extend beyond a simple relocation issue and impact the broader shipping sector. As HMM is South Korea’s largest national shipping company, prolonged labor tensions could potentially lead to disruptions in logistics operations, they added. 2026-04-09 16:04:38 -
All KBO Games Canceled Nationwide Due to Spring Rain; To Be Rescheduled Spring rain across the country forced the cancellation of all professional baseball games. The Korea Baseball Organization said Thursday that all five games scheduled for 6:30 p.m. were called off: Kiwoom Heroes vs. Doosan Bears (Jamsil), Hanwha Eagles vs. SSG Landers (Incheon), kt wiz vs. Lotte Giants (Busan), LG Twins vs. NC Dinos (Changwon), and Samsung Lions vs. KIA Tigers (Gwangju). The canceled games will be rescheduled later. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 16:03:00 -
Shinhan Bank to Build Wealth Management Hub in Apgujeong With Hyundai Engineering & Construction Shinhan Bank said Thursday it has signed a strategic partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to introduce a new wealth management model that links housing and financial services, centered on Apgujeong redevelopment complexes. The agreement ties Hyundai E&C’s high-end housing brand, The H, with Shinhan Financial Group’s wealth management brand, Shinhan Premier, to provide residents with tailored financial services. Shinhan Bank said it will work with Hyundai E&C to build a wealth management hub for residents inside Apgujeong redevelopment complexes. The plan includes resident-only consultation space connected to community facilities, along with programs such as wealth management seminars and market outlook lectures. Services will be run under a “One-Team” structure combining specialists from Shinhan Bank and Shinhan Investment Corp. The Shinhan Premier Pathfinder team will offer solutions spanning investment, taxes, real estate, inheritance and gifts. The bank said it also plans to strengthen family office-style services aimed at ultra-high-net-worth clients for family-level wealth succession. Shinhan Bank said it will expand the housing-linked wealth management model beyond Apgujeong to other Hyundai E&C high-end complexes, including Banpo and Cheongdam. “This agreement is a new attempt to connect customers’ living spaces with financial services,” a Shinhan Bank official said, adding the bank will continue to broaden Shinhan Premier’s wealth management offerings across high-end residential complexes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:57:00 -
Jeon Woo-yong Named Head of King Sejong Institute Foundation; Kim Seung-su to Lead Korea Publishing Agency The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday it appointed Jeon Woo-yong as chair of the King Sejong Institute Foundation and Kim Seung-su as president of the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency. Both terms are three years. Jeon is a historian who earned a doctorate in Korean history from Seoul National University. He has served as a research fellow at the University of Seoul’s Institute of Seoul Studies, a research professor at Hanyang University’s Institute of East Asian Cultures, and a visiting professor at the Academy of Korean Studies. The ministry said he has also communicated with the public through social media, columns and broadcasts. Kim has worked to strengthen local publishing ecosystems and expand book culture, serving as mayor of Jeonju and as the first chair of the National Association of Book-Reading Cities. During his tenure as mayor, he declared Jeonju a “city of books” and promoted reading and local bookstores by introducing the Jeonju Book Love Point program, “Bookkung 20,” and building library infrastructure, among other policies. In recognition of those efforts, he received a special prize in 2021 from the Korean Publishers Association’s “Publisher of the Year” awards. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:48:15 -
Kia to invest 49 trillion won by 2030 with nearly half for future mobility SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - Kia will invest a record 49 trillion won (about U$32.67 billion) through 2030, allocating 21 trillion won or more than 40 percent to future-focused businesses such as electrification, autonomous driving and robotics, the automaker said on Thursday. The investment plan, unveiled at an investment blitz at the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul, is part of Kia's mid- to long-term strategy to transform into a sustainable mobility solutions company. It marks Kia's biggest investment to date, up 7 trillion won from the 42 trillion won in its previous five-year plan for 2025–2029. Kia plans to launch its first software-defined vehicle with "Level 2+" highway self-driving by the end of next year, followed by "Level 2++" technology in early 2029, allowing autonomous driving on highways and in cities. Kia also said it will integrate its purpose-built vehicles, the PV7 and PV9, with Boston Dynamics' four-legged robot Spot and logistics robot Stretch to tap into what it describes as a new last-mile delivery market, valued at an estimated US$288 billion (426 trillion won) annually. The American engineering and robotics company's humanoid robot Atlas will be deployed in the second half of 2029 at Kia's plant in Georgia with a gradual expansion to its factories worldwide. Kia said it has set its sales target of 3.35 million vehicles for this year, with a goal of achieving a 3.8 percent share of the global market, and aims to sell 4.13 million vehicles by 2030, raising its market share to 4.5 percent. It will also launch nine new internal-combustion models and maintain 13 hybrid models by 2030, building a diversified powertrain lineup, with plans to expand hybrid production capacity by 400,000 units to meet growing demand. "Building on the innovations we have achieved across all areas over the past five years, we will grow at the fastest pace in EVs, hybrids, autonomous driving, and robotics," said CEO Song Ho-sung. Kia set midterm targets of 150 trillion won in revenue with a 9-percent operating profit margin for 2028. By 2030, it aims for 170 trillion won in revenue and a 10-percent operating margin. Kia said it aims to give shareholders at least a 35-percent return over the three years through 2028 and will continue increasing returns in the form of dividends and stock repurchases. 2026-04-09 15:47:38 -
BTS to Launch 'ARIRANG' World Tour With 360-Degree Stage, Promises New Show BTS will open its "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" with shows on the 9th and 11-12 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province. Starting in Goyang, the tour will span 85 concerts in 34 cities, including Tokyo, North America, Europe, South America and other parts of Asia. It will set a record for the most shows on a single tour by a Korean artist. The concerts will feature songs from the new album "ARIRANG" along with long-running hits. The group has also teased staging built around a 360-degree setup. The members shared their thoughts and what to watch for through their agency, BigHit Music. RM said it still "doesn’t feel real," adding that preparations for a 360-degree show were not easy but that "once it starts, it’ll be really fun." He said he is excited to pick up a microphone again and meet ARMY fans around the world. Jin said he believes concerts are the most important thing for a singer and that he wants to meet audiences worldwide as soon as possible, adding that he hopes to experience local cultures and the atmosphere in each region. Suga said he has felt since he was young that concerts matter most for singers and that the members are all looking forward to the tour. J-Hope said world tours are always joyful and that he is preparing with a happy mindset for what he called a festival with fans worldwide. Jimin said that while the group has performed many times, it plans to show a stage "completely different" from before, calling it a big challenge and asking fans to look forward to it. V said he worried about being out of practice after a long break and prepared "several times harder," adding that he wants to show everything they have prepared. Jung Kook said he wants to get on stage soon and feels excited about meeting audiences in person again. The group pointed to the 360-degree stage and tailored production as key highlights. RM said he most looks forward to the moment they can all jump around freely on stage and hopes the entire venue feels like one huge club. Jin said the 360-degree stage will be used as if every direction is the front, adding that with the stage rotating and the members moving, audiences can expect a different kind of fun. Suga said he most anticipates the first moment of facing the crowd, adding that the concert includes plenty of show-style production for viewers to enjoy. J-Hope said the 360-degree setup will make each song feel different and that the production will feel like watching a show, with visual aesthetics that express Korea. Jimin said the moment he most looks forward to is meeting ARMY, adding that the group put more effort into production so audiences can enjoy it visually as well. V said the songs, set list, production and overall structure are strong, adding that it is a performance the group can present with confidence. Jung Kook said he has concerns because it is a 360-degree show, but that performing with audiences on all sides will make it more special, adding that there will be plenty to see. A total of 46 shows, including the three Goyang concerts as well as dates at Tokyo Dome and in North America and Europe, have already sold out. In North America, BTS will hold solo concerts — a first for a Korean artist — at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Stanford Stadium, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The group will also set new marks in South America, becoming the first Korean artist to perform at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, and Estadio Único de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It will also hold a solo concert — another first for a Korean artist — at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile. Separately, starting on the 9th, the Korean Intellectual Property Office’s special judicial police for trademarks plans to conduct a public campaign near the concert venue to crack down on counterfeit K-pop goods and promote respect for intellectual property. The effort aims to block distribution of counterfeit products that unlawfully use artists’ trademark rights and to highlight the importance of buying authentic merchandise.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:39:16 -
ASTRO’s Cha Eun-woo Apologizes, Pays Tax Bill After 20 Billion Won Assessment Online reactions spread after ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo, who has faced allegations of tax evasion, paid 20 billion won in taxes in full. On the 9th, posts about the payment appeared across online communities. One user claimed Cha paid in a hurry because “Netflix penalties are scarier than 20 billion won,” adding that a project he appears in is set to be released about a month later. Other commenters wrote, “He paid because he needed to, not because he reflected at all,” and suggested he may have weighed potential Netflix penalties and future earnings. Another comment questioned whether he believed the impact would be limited because overseas viewers would still watch. A different user argued that even if he wanted to pay earlier, it may not have been possible, saying the tax notice was issued only recently. The user said there is a voluntary payment system, but payment can be difficult when it is unclear whether the income is personal or corporate, making it hard for authorities to accept payment. Attention also turned to Cha’s upcoming Netflix series, “The Wonder Fools.” Netflix has previously maintained that there would be no change to the planned release schedule despite the controversy. “The Wonder Fools” is described as a superpower comedy action-adventure set in 1999, when doomsday theories were widespread, in which a group of ordinary neighborhood misfits gain powers through an unexpected incident and fight a villain threatening peace in Haeseong City. Cha is reported to play a rule-bound civil servant. A day earlier, Cha posted an apology on Instagram, saying, “I sincerely apologize for disappointing and confusing many people, including fans, due to the recent tax-payment controversy involving me.” He said he respected the National Tax Service’s procedures and results and paid all related taxes, adding that he would faithfully follow the remaining steps. “As someone who has worked with so much love and support, I am taking this matter more seriously and deeply,” he said. He added that if there were areas he failed to examine closely, the responsibility was his, and said he would not evade accountability by claiming ignorance or blaming someone else. He said he would review his activities with more careful and stricter standards to prevent a repeat. Cha was notified by the National Tax Service on Jan. 22 that he would be assessed more than 20 billion won in additional taxes, including income tax. The amount he actually paid was estimated at about 13 billion won. 2026-04-09 15:36:18 -
North Korea tests cluster warhead on short-range ballistic missile, KCNA reports SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) -North Korea has tested a cluster warhead mounted on a short-range ballistic missile, a weapon that has drawn renewed attention after Iran reportedly used similar munitions that challenged Israel’s air defense systems during the Middle East conflict. The move suggests Pyongyang may be seeking to enhance its strike capabilities by incorporating cluster payloads into its existing missile systems. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea conducted a series of weapons tests from Monday to Wednesday, including the launch of a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) equipped with a cluster-type warhead. The warhead was mounted on the Hwasong-11Ga, also known as KN-23, a tactical ballistic missile often compared to Russia’s Iskander system. KCNA said the test confirmed the missile’s ability to “completely devastate” a target area of about 6.5 to 7 hectares by dispersing high-density submunitions. The area is roughly equivalent to 10 soccer fields. The term “scatter warhead” used by North Korea refers to cluster munitions, which release multiple smaller explosives over a wide area. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched multiple SRBMs from the Wonsan area on Wednesday. One missile, fired at around 8:50 a.m., flew about 240 kilometers before landing in waters near Al Island. Another, launched at approximately 2:20 p.m., traveled more than 700 kilometers and landed in international waters between Russia and Japan. South Korean analysts said one of the recent tests may be linked to an unidentified projectile launched on Tuesday that appeared to fail shortly after takeoff. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not reported to have attended the tests, and no related images were released. The tests were also not featured in domestic propaganda outlets such as Rodong Sinmun or Korean Central Broadcasting. North Korea has previously tested cluster-type warheads. In November 2022, it said it had conducted a similar test in response to the U.S.-South Korea joint air exercise “Vigilant Storm.” Cluster munitions are widely criticized for their indiscriminate impact and long-term risks to civilians. Submunitions can fail to detonate on impact, leaving behind unexploded ordnance. In 2008, more than 100 countries adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which bans their use, production and transfer. However, several major military powers — including the United States, China, Russia and Israel — have not joined the treaty. Neither South Korea nor North Korea are signatories. The humanitarian impact of cluster munitions has been documented in past conflicts. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Israel reportedly used millions of submunitions, with a significant number failing to explode and causing civilian casualties in the years that followed. Cluster munitions, sometimes referred to as “steel rain,” remain in the arsenals of several countries despite ongoing international criticism. 2026-04-09 15:34:55