Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • JW Pharmaceutical: Hemlibra Study Shows Lower Bleeding Risk in Children With Hemophilia A
    JW Pharmaceutical: Hemlibra Study Shows Lower Bleeding Risk in Children With Hemophilia A JW Pharmaceutical said on 6 that a study published in the international journal TH Open found children and adolescents with hemophilia A who received Hemlibra (emicizumab) maintained a low risk of bleeding even while taking part in a range of physical activities. Hemlibra is a novel drug designed to mimic the function of clotting factor VIII, which is lacking in people with hemophilia. The company said it is the only hemophilia A treatment that can be used in both patients who have developed antibodies that make standard factor VIII products ineffective and those who have not. It is given by subcutaneous injection, with preventive effects lasting up to once every four weeks. The study was conducted at 50 medical institutions in Japan over about 97 weeks. Researchers analyzed physical activity, bleeding, safety and changes in quality of life after patients switched to Hemlibra prophylaxis. Before Hemlibra, patients experienced an average of 1.5 to 2.0 bleeding episodes over the most recent 12 or 24 weeks. After switching treatment, the median annualized bleeding rate was 0.53. During the study, researchers recorded 172 physical activities: 44 high-risk, 70 moderate-risk and 42 low-risk. One traumatic bleed related to physical activity was reported, and no significant link was found between activity intensity and bleeding. Quality-of-life measures also improved. In caregiver surveys, 43.8% reported their child was more active, and 56.3% reported less anxiety about bleeding. On safety, no intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or thromboembolism — concerns in infants and toddlers — were reported.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 17:42:00
  • 3 Audience Members Injured After Safety Barrier Collapses at Super Junior Concert, SM Says
    3 Audience Members Injured After Safety Barrier Collapses at Super Junior Concert, SM Says Three audience members were injured at a Super Junior concert after a safety barrier in the seating area collapsed, SM Entertainment said. SM said on the 6th that the incident happened the previous day during Super Junior’s 20th anniversary world tour concert, “Super Show 10,” at KSPO Dome in Seoul’s Songpa district. The barrier gave way during the encore, and three people fell and were hurt. “The injured were immediately taken to a hospital for necessary tests and treatment,” SM said. Medical staff advised that they need about two weeks of rest and treatment for sprains and bruises, the company said. SM apologized to those affected and their families, saying it would support treatment and “do our best” until the injured fully recover. The company said it “deeply feels the heavy responsibility” as the concert organizer and would strengthen facility safety checks and crowd safety management to prevent a recurrence.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 17:39:15
  • Girls Generation members shine in all-white suits
    Girls' Generation members shine in all-white suits SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Yoon-a and Hyo-yeon, members of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation, showed off their glamorous looks at a promotional event for a cosmetics brand in central Seoul on Monday. The two girls flaunted their stunning beauty in all-white suits while promoting Sulwhasoo's premium skincare products, which combine traditional herbal ingredients. In particular, Yoon-a, who has branched out into acting with appearances in various films and dramas, also released her single in December last year, demonstrating her versatile talents. 2026-04-06 17:22:53
  • Newspaper Survival in the AI Era: Rebuild Tech DNA and Trust, Speakers Say
    Newspaper Survival in the AI Era: Rebuild Tech DNA and Trust, Speakers Say "To improve the quality of journalism, news organizations must reclaim their identity as technology companies." Kim Wi-geun, chief research officer at Publish, made the remarks at a seminar at the Korea Press Center titled ‘70 Years of Newspapers: A Record of History, a Vision for the Future,’ saying journalism is a product of combining news and technology. The event was organized by three media groups — the Korea Newspaper Association, the Korea Newspaper Broadcasting Editors Association and the Journalists Association of Korea — to reassess newspapers’ social role and chart a path for newspaper journalism amid rapid changes in the media environment, including the spread of generative artificial intelligence. In a presentation titled ‘A Blueprint for Newspaper Journalism,’ Kim said technology used by news portals that dominate distribution can sharply swing a news outlet’s audience and revenue, adding that AI will now drive those shifts. Kim repeatedly stressed that media companies are “clearly technology companies” and urged them to restore that identity. Before the internet became widespread, he said, print newspapers were leading technology firms in areas such as typesetting and printing formats, while broadcasters led in video and transmission technology. He said news organizations lost their “technology DNA” as web technology spread, and argued that regaining it is essential to raising journalistic quality. As a future strategy, Kim proposed establishing an identity as a “data company.” In the AI era, he said, the role of news content as digital data will grow beyond its value as a copyrighted work. He also called for efforts to boost trust, pursue technological innovation including cooperation on developing sovereign AI, strengthen gatekeeping, establish media ethics and prevent reporters from leaving newsrooms. If reporters’ planning and questioning skills do not surpass those of the public, he said, news organizations will lose competitiveness. He predicted demand will rise for high-quality journalism that verifies facts and pursues truth. A separate speaker urged the newspaper industry to adapt more flexibly to social change. Lee Min-gyu, a professor in Chung-Ang University’s Department of Media Communication, cited the case of 18 newspapers publishing extra editions for BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback performance, saying newspapers need to move beyond rigid, politics-and-economy-centered hard news and pay more attention to culture and lifestyle content audiences want. Lee also pointed to editorial cartoons, which he said compress a newspaper’s interpretive function into a single image, and argued newspapers have a role in an environment where information overload and AI hallucinations increase the risk of distortion. He said newspapers should help lead public opinion and keep society on the right path. AI should be used as a tool, he said, but editing must remain a human task. He also urged news outlets to reduce dependence on platforms and strengthen relationships with readers. Lee said a newspaper’s competitiveness lies not in the number of stories but in the density of trust, adding that earning trust from readers and society is more important than ever. He said the industry should jointly push for public-interest safeguards in algorithms, legal guarantees of algorithmic transparency and clear labeling standards for AI-generated news. Examples of how news organizations are responding to the AI era were also presented. Kyunghyang Shinmun said its YouTube channel, ‘Kyunghyang TV,’ launched in January 2024, has grown quickly as political analysis and in-depth interviews gained popularity. The outlet plans to invest in a dedicated video studio to strengthen content quality and production capacity. Maeil Business Newspaper said it has built several AI services, including a news agent, a stock agent and AI news explainers. The news agent targets MZ-generation users who find current affairs articles difficult, providing summaries of related past articles, developments, similar cases and outlooks. Yoo Young-hoon, deputy head of Maeil’s AX AI Data Department, said AI services cost more than expected and called for continued investment along with ways to generate revenue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 17:04:16
  • Seoul in a bind as Tehran imposes selective screening for Hormuz access
    Seoul in a bind as Tehran imposes selective screening for Hormuz access SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - Iran is allowing a trickle of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz under a selective access regime, with ships linked to "friendly" nations securing passage while South Korean tankers remain stranded, exposing Seoul's limited leverage in the deepening energy crisis. At least 15 ships transited the chokepoint over the past 24 hours with prior authorization from Tehran, a fraction of normal traffic, underscoring tight controls imposed after the outbreak of war. Recent crossings have included vessels tied to Japan, France and Oman, as well as Malaysia-linked tankers carrying Iraqi crude, suggesting nationality, ownership structure and diplomatic ties are increasingly determining access. By contrast, 26 South Korean vessels carrying 173 crew members remain stuck in the Gulf, with operators opting to wait rather than risk passage without clear security guarantees. Iran has framed the restrictions as targeted, saying the waterway is "closed only to enemies," while continuing to permit limited transit for countries maintaining workable ties with Tehran. The result is a de facto tiered system in one of the world's most critical energy corridors, which normally handles about one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows. The disparity has fueled criticism in Seoul that rivals are moving faster — and more flexibly — to secure passage. Japanese-linked vessels that cleared the strait were tied to entities in Oman and India, while a French container ship also transited, highlighting how indirect affiliations may be key to navigating Iran's rules. Seoul, however, has largely stuck to a multilateral approach, emphasizing coordination with allies and adherence to international norms rather than bilateral engagement with Tehran. "Conditions differ by ship and country," the foreign ministry said, adding that safety remains the top priority. "We maintain that freedom of navigation and safety for all vessels, including ours, must be promptly guaranteed in accordance with international norms, and we are communicating and cooperating with relevant countries to that end." That caution is now colliding with mounting political pressure, with lawmakers calling for more proactive diplomacy — including identifying vessels with potential ties to neutral or Iran-friendly countries to secure exemptions. The partial blockade — triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February — has at times slashed traffic through Hormuz by more than 90 percent, sending shockwaves through global energy markets and raising the risk of prolonged disruption. For South Korea, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports, the immediate question is no longer whether the strait will reopen — but how, and through whom, its supplies will get through. "The situation in the Middle East is extremely volatile, changing day by day. Neither Korea nor Japan can ignore the United States' position," said Rep. Kim Young-bae of the ruling Democratic Party. Another DP lawmaker, Yoon Hu-deok, defended the government's approach. "Even Japan has not achieved results through direct government negotiations with Iran… We must protect the lives of our citizens, the crew, and their property." The opposition took a sharper tone. "Our government has not been proactive enough on the issue of Hormuz transit," said Rep. Kim Gunn of the opposition People Power Party. "When the UK, France, and Japan issued a joint statement, we did not join promptly. Korea should be leading, not following." He added that Seoul should identify vessels with ties to countries such as Oman or Iran and pursue joint negotiations, noting that "so far, we have not seen concrete, proactive efforts from the government." The coming days may prove decisive, as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is critical for the Korean economy. With the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee expected to convene next week, pressure is building for Seoul to craft a clearer strategy — one that can navigate Iran's selective access regime and the broader geopolitical fault lines shaping one of the world's most vital shipping lanes if tensions persist. 2026-04-06 17:02:35
  • Prosecutors seek 10-year prison sentence for ex-president in appeals trial
    Prosecutors seek 10-year prison sentence for ex-president in appeals trial SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of obstructing law enforcement during an appeals trial in Seoul on Monday. It is one of the cases related to his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, separate from his main charges of insurrection and abuse of power, for which he was sentenced to life in prison in February. In the first ruling delivered last January, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing investigators and other officials who tried to detain him for questioning over his short-lived, late-night debacle. Prosecutors, who had also sought the same 10-year term in the first trial, argued that the lower court misread some facts, dismissed certain charges against Yoon, and handed down a sentence that was too lenient. With both sides filing appeals shortly after the first ruling, Yoon who has repeatedly claimed the declaration was a "mere warning" without any procedural violations, is expected to be sentenced again sometime in the first half of this year. 2026-04-06 17:00:36
  • Kim Hyo-joo ties for 13th at LPGA Aramco Championship; Coughlin wins
    Kim Hyo-joo ties for 13th at LPGA Aramco Championship; Coughlin wins Kim Hyo-joo finished tied for 13th at the LPGA Tour Aramco Championship, a $4 million event. Kim shot an even-par 72 in the final round on 6 (Korean time) at Shadow Creek Golf Course (par 72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, with four birdies and four bogeys. She posted a 4-over 292 total to place in a tie for 13th. Kim, who won the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship in her previous two LPGA starts, fell short in her attempt to win three straight tournaments. Choi Hye-jin tied for 23rd at 7-over 295. Ko Jin-young tied for 27th at 8-over 296. Rookie Hwang Yu-min tied for 35th at 9-over 297. Lauren Coughlin of the United States won the title at 7-under 281, finishing five shots ahead of Nelly Korda of the United States and Leona Maguire of Ireland, who tied for second at 2-under 286. The winner’s prize was $500,000 (about 900 million won). Coughlin earned her third career tour victory, following wins at the CPKC Women’s Open in July 2024 and the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open in August 2024. Korda, ranked No. 2 in the world, finished runner-up for a third straight tournament after the Founders Cup and the Ford Championship.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 17:00:00
  • Korea Pharma-Bio Briefs: Celltrion, SK Bioscience, Hugel, Alteogen, CHA Hospital
    Korea Pharma-Bio Briefs: Celltrion, SK Bioscience, Hugel, Alteogen, CHA Hospital Celltrion says U.S. drug-tariff risk eased; to expand local production Celltrion said Sunday that a U.S. Trump administration measure announced April 2 on “adjusting imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients into the United States” has effectively removed tariff-related impacts on its business. Under the measure, a 100% tariff will be imposed on imports of patented drugs and related ingredients that are not produced in the United States or are not covered by U.S. government drug-price negotiations. South Korea, however, is expected to face a 15% tariff on pharmaceuticals in consideration of existing trade agreements, Celltrion said. Celltrion said the move eliminates any sales impact on its biosimilar products in the U.S., allowing it to run sales and marketing strategies more steadily. It plans to build up a step-by-step local production base so products sold in the U.S. can be made at its Branchburg plant in New Jersey, as it responds to future biosimilar policy changes. For Zymfentra, an infliximab subcutaneous formulation sold in the U.S. as a new drug, the drug substance will be produced at the Branchburg facility, the company said, adding it has completed technology transfer for Zymfentra production. Celltrion said it ultimately aims to manufacture all products sold in the U.S. at local plants. SK Bioscience hires Ma Sang-ho as head of research support SK Bioscience said Sunday it has hired Vice President Ma Sang-ho, a research project management specialist in infectious diseases, as head of research support in its Bio Research Division. Ma earned a doctorate in pharmacy from Sungkyunkwan University and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, the company said. He has worked across nonclinical and clinical development projects for drugs and vaccines at organizations including the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, GC Green Cross and JW Pharmaceutical. SK Bioscience said Ma will help elevate its research and development capabilities based on his field experience and expertise. It said it has set up an integrated research management process under the research support office, including teams for research planning, bio regulatory management, nonclinical support and GCLP. The company said it plans to strengthen project management functions and open innovation, building support across the full cycle from research planning and regulatory response to nonclinical work and GCLP operations. It said the goal is to speed development and improve the completeness of its mid- to long-term pipeline while strengthening execution at each project stage. Hugel says it obtained ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 information security certifications Hugel said Sunday it has obtained two international certifications for information security management: ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701. ISO/IEC standards are jointly set by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. ISO/IEC 27001 sets requirements for an information security management system, while ISO/IEC 27701 extends that framework to personal information protection. Hugel said it first obtained ISO/IEC 27001 last year and has now passed a follow-up audit, demonstrating the stability and continued operation of its security management system. It said the new ISO/IEC 27701 certification brings its personal data protection system in line with global standards. “Information security and personal data management are becoming more important as we expand in global markets,” said Lee Sang-gyu, an executive director in Hugel’s compliance support division. He said the company plans to further develop security systems to global levels. Alteogen declares this year the start of ESG management, aims to build sustainable framework Alteogen said Sunday it has declared this year the first year of ESG management and will step up efforts to build and execute a sustainability framework aligned with global standards. The company said it has been building an organization-wide ESG system to respond proactively to major regulatory and disclosure changes, including the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, as well as discussions on introducing domestic sustainability disclosure standards. Alteogen said it has created an ESG committee and a working-level consultative body, and formed a dedicated organization that includes specialists in policy, verification and environmental fields. It said it is establishing execution foundations across ESG areas, including a carbon-neutral roadmap based on science-based targets, response systems for CDP and EcoVadis, ISO-based environmental and occupational safety and health systems, and reporting frameworks based on GRI and ISSB standards. On the environmental front, Alteogen said it launched the “Alteogen Blue Action” campaign focused on biodiversity conservation. It said it plans to expand ecosystem conservation activities tied to local communities, employee participation programs, and efforts on resource circulation and carbon reduction in stages. In governance, Alteogen said it completed structural changes. It said it finalized the establishment of an audit committee at its regular shareholders meeting on March 31 and expanded the share of outside directors on its board to more than half. CHA Hospital to support infertility treatment for LG CNS employees CHA Hospital said Sunday it signed a memorandum of understanding with LG CNS at the infertility center of Magok CHA Hospital to cooperate on addressing South Korea’s low birthrate. Attendees included Han Se-yeol, head of the infertility center at Magok CHA Hospital; Yeo Un-pyo, administrative office director; Ko Young-mok, an executive director and chief human resources officer at LG CNS; and Kim Tae-sang, who is in charge of the smart city business, the hospital said. Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in areas including infertility treatment, fertility testing such as anti-Mullerian hormone level checks, and support for egg freezing, CHA Hospital said. The hospital said it plans to improve access to infertility treatment for LG CNS employees as part of efforts to address the low birthrate. CHA Hospital quoted Han as saying the group is working with domestic and overseas institutions to expand opportunities for infertility treatment and contribute to addressing the low birthrate. He said he hopes LG CNS employees can receive treatment more comfortably in an optimal environment, citing the facility’s accessibility in Magok.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 16:54:06
  • Korea Expressway Corp. swept in V-League finals after late coaching change
    Korea Expressway Corp. swept in V-League finals after late coaching change Korea Expressway Corp.'s bid for its first combined title in eight years ended in disappointment after the club entered the biggest stage with a self-inflicted coaching void and failed to win a match in the championship series. Korea Expressway Corp. lost 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20) to GS Caltex on April 5 at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul in Game 3 of the Jina Air 2025-2026 V-League women's championship series, a best-of-five. After dropping Games 1 and 2 at home in Gimcheon, Korea Expressway Corp. fell again on the road and was swept 3-0 in the series, settling for second place. The momentum from finishing first in the regular season (24-12, 69 points) was nowhere to be found, with the disruption stemming from events off the court. On March 26, just days before the finals, the club announced it would not renew the contract of coach Kim Jong-min, who had led the team for the past 10 years. Kim's deal ran through the end of March, and the decision meant the team would play the April championship series under senior assistant coach Kim Young-rae as interim head coach. Kim was effectively dismissed after being summarily indicted on allegations he assaulted an assistant coach. Prosecutors accused Kim of throwing a remote control and pushing the neck area of an assistant coach, identified as Coach A, at the team's dormitory in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang province, including in the head coach's office, from late 2024 into early last year. After the complaint became public in April last year, Kim denied the allegations, but prosecutors summarily indicted him on assault-related charges. The club said March 26 that it decided against renewing Kim's contract after prosecutors issued the summary indictment in late February in connection with the assault and defamation case involving Coach A. The timing and manner of the notice drew criticism, as there had been no court ruling and the Korea Volleyball Federation, or KOVO, had not imposed any discipline. Kim had also attended a media day held just before the postseason in his capacity as the team's head coach. With the season's finish line in sight, players were forced to prepare for the finals amid turmoil after losing their coach overnight. The absence of leadership and the team's psychological shake-up showed in its play, and the advantages of being the top seed never materialized on the court. Korea Expressway Corp. entered the series with a stronger roster on paper and a physical edge from extra rest, but it could not take a single game from GS Caltex, which had advanced through a demanding schedule starting in the semifinals. The interim setup also showed clear limits. The bench often reacted a beat late, with timeouts and substitutions repeatedly missing the moments needed to halt GS Caltex's runs or change the mood. In key stretches when errors mounted, the staff appeared focused on calming players rather than offering sharp tactical answers or surprise lineup moves, and it was outmaneuvered in the chess match that often decides short series. After the Game 3 loss, interim coach Kim Young-rae fought back tears when speaking to reporters. "I'm so sorry to the players," he said. "After the match I tried to talk to them, but when I looked them in the eyes, I started crying and couldn't speak. I'm sorry." GS Caltex coach Lee Young-taek spoke cautiously about the situation. "Compared to Coach Kim Jong-min, I am not a coach with that much experience. I always learned a lot," Lee said. "It probably did have some impact that Coach Kim wasn't there." The late coaching change on the eve of the finals ended with the harsh result of a three-match sweep, and Korea Expressway Corp.'s 2025-2026 season closed with lingering regret despite its regular-season title.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 16:51:00
  • Si Woo Kim Ties for 10th at PGA Tour Texas Open; J.J. Spaun Wins
    Si Woo Kim Ties for 10th at PGA Tour Texas Open; J.J. Spaun Wins Si Woo Kim posted a top-10 finish at the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open, which had a $9.8 million purse. Kim shot a 5-under 67 in the final round Sunday (Korean time) at TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, making six birdies and one bogey on the par-72 course. He finished at 11-under 277, tying for 10th with Tommy Fleetwood of England and others. It was Kim's fourth top-10 of the season, following a tie for sixth at The American Express in January and a tie for second at the Farmers Insurance Open and a tie for third at the WM Phoenix Open in February. Kim Seong-hyeon finished tied for 21st at 9-under 279. J.J. Spaun won at 17-under 271, edging a group at 16-under 272 that included Matt Wallace of England, Michael Kim of the United States and Robert MacIntyre of Scotland. The winner's check was $1,764,000 (about 2.66 billion won). Spaun, who earned his first PGA Tour victory at this event in 2022, claimed his third career tour title, his first in 10 months since his second win at the U.S. Open last June. The tournament winner was set to receive a Masters invitation, but Spaun had already secured a spot by winning last year's U.S. Open. As a result, 91 players will compete in this year's Masters. The Masters, the first men's major of the season, begins April 9 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Kim and Im Seong-jae will represent South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 16:45:02