Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • BTS to drop Come Over on Arirang deluxe vinyl
    BTS to drop 'Come Over' on 'Arirang' deluxe vinyl SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - BTS will release a new single, "Come Over," as part of a deluxe vinyl edition of its fifth studio album "Arirang," its agency BigHit Music said Friday. The deluxe LP will include all 14 tracks from the original album along with the new song, bringing the total to 15. The track will be available exclusively on the deluxe vinyl edition. Suga participated in producing the track, while RM and J-Hope are credited as songwriters. According to the agency, Come Over blends elements of stadium anthem and pop and is dedicated to the group’s fandom, ARMY. BTS is set to kick off its "BTS World Tour Arirang" in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on April 9, with the tour scheduled to continue in major cities worldwide through 2027. 2026-04-03 11:14:51
  • Woori Bank to Turn Branch Idle Space Into Community Platform With Goodwill Store
    Woori Bank to Turn Branch Idle Space Into Community Platform With Goodwill Store Woori Bank said Thursday it will convert idle space at branches nationwide into a social-contribution platform aimed at supporting local communities. As some branches scale back operations, the bank will bring in Goodwill Store outlets that sell donated goods. The pilot “Goodwill Branch Yeoju” has continued to provide essential financial services for local residents while also creating jobs for vulnerable groups and encouraging local donations, the bank said. Woori Bank said it plans to expand various community-focused branch models tailored to local conditions and welfare needs. It said the effort will center on three goals: improving access to financial services, supporting vulnerable groups and strengthening ties with local communities. “Finance has a public function and should grow together with local communities, beyond simply providing services,” Shin Young-cheol, head of Woori Bank’s social contribution department, said. He said using idle space would allow customers to access banking services nearby while communities benefit from jobs and welfare support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 11:03:00
  • Korea and France hold summit to elevate ties to strategic partnership
    Korea and France hold summit to elevate ties to strategic partnership SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) -South Korea and France are elevating bilateral ties to a “global strategic partnership” during French President Emmanuel Macron’s two-day state visit — his first to Korea since taking office in 2017 and the first by a French president in 11 years — which began Friday amid mounting geopolitical tensions. Macron arrived in Seoul on Thursday for a two-day visit following a trip to Japan, in what French officials described as an effort to expand France’s strategic and economic role in the Indo-Pacific at a time of “strong international and regional tensions.” The two are set make a joint declaration after the summit with President Lee Jae Myung, focused to formalize the upgrade from the “comprehensive partnership for the 21st century” established in 2004, 22 years ago, the presidential office in Seoul said. “President Lee plans to strengthen strategic communication with France … and build a future-oriented partnership,” senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. France, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a key European Union country, is seen by Seoul as a critical partner in addressing global security and economic challenges. The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, nuclear energy, trade and investment, as well as education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. In a contribution to French daily Le Figaro, Lee said bilateral ties must evolve beyond a traditional partnership into “strategic collaboration” encompassing key innovation sectors such as artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. The meeting marks the third in-person exchange between Lee and Macron, following talks on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada last June and the G20 summit in South Africa last November. South Korea and France were among some 40 countries that joined a videoconference hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday, aimed at coordinating joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The talks followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday that the strait could reopen “naturally,” adding that countries reliant on the waterway should take responsibility for securing it. “Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he said. Speaking in South Korea on Thursday, however, Macron dismissed the idea of a military seizure as “unrealistic.” “It would take an indefinite amount of time, and it would expose all those who venture through this Strait to coastal risks from the Revolutionary Guards, as well as ballistic missiles,” he said. 2026-04-03 11:01:57
  • 2026 World Cup Field Set at 48: Iraq Returns After 40 Years, Italy Misses Again
    2026 World Cup Field Set at 48: Iraq Returns After 40 Years, Italy Misses Again On April 1, Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff to claim the final ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The result sent Iraq to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, ending a 40-year wait. Iraq, which borders Iran, has been shaken by war in the Middle East, with about 100 people killed, leaving the country in an unstable situation. Despite the security strains, large crowds poured into streets across Baghdad and other cities after the win, setting off fireworks and cheering. The Iraqi government declared a two-day public holiday. Another team ended an even longer drought. The Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the finals for the first time in 52 years, beating Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff after a 120-minute match. DR Congo scored in extra time and held on for the win. Italy, a four-time champion, failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup. Italy drew Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 after extra time in the European qualifying playoff Group A final on April 1, then lost on penalties. After the setback, Italy’s football federation president and the national team director resigned, the report said. Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, will return to the World Cup for the second time, 12 years after 2014. South Korea’s first opponent in Group A was set as the Czech Republic, which qualified for the first time since the 2006 tournament in Germany. The Czech Republic beat Denmark on penalties after extra time in the European playoff Group D final. The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup to expand from 32 teams to 48. Jordan and Uzbekistan from Asia, Cape Verde from Africa, and Curacao from the CONCACAF region will make their World Cup debuts. With the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting, the North America World Cup is expected to be the largest in the tournament’s history. The number of matches will rise from 64 to 104, and the competition will run 39 days, the longest World Cup to date.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 10:54:00
  • National Museum of Korea to Display Andong Bongjeongsa Yeongsanhoi Hanging Scroll Painting
    National Museum of Korea to Display Andong Bongjeongsa Yeongsanhoi Hanging Scroll Painting A national treasure held by Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province — the “Andong Bongjeongsa Yeongsanhoi Hanging Scroll Painting” — will go on display in Seoul.  The National Museum of Korea said Thursday it will present the work in a special exhibition, “A Buddha Leading to Enlightenment: The Andong Bongjeongsa Gwaebul,” from April 7 to June 21 to mark Buddha’s Birthday.  The museum’s annual gwaebul exhibition series began in 2006 to highlight the historical, cultural and artistic value of large Buddhist hanging scrolls kept at temples. This year marks its 20th edition. Gwaebul are oversized Buddhist paintings hung outdoors for major ceremonies, making them difficult to see up close under normal circumstances. The Bongjeongsa scroll was made in 1710 (the 36th year of King Sukjong’s reign). It measures 821.6 centimeters (323.5 inches) tall and 620.1 centimeters (244.1 inches) wide and was created by joining 16 silk panels side by side. The painting depicts the Yeongsanhoi scene — the Buddha Sakyamuni delivering his most profound teaching at Vulture Peak in India — with the Buddha centered and flanked symmetrically by eight bodhisattvas and 10 disciples. The faces of the Buddha, bodhisattvas and disciples use a traditional shading technique known as barim to add a pink flush. For the Buddha’s face, artists first applied red shading, then evenly painted a yellow-toned base to create volume, producing a lifelike effect. The museum said the work also features a distinctive element found only on this scroll: a gold-leaf swastika (卍) motif attached to the Buddha’s chest, using metallic sheen to add a three-dimensional effect to the otherwise flat surface. An inscription at the bottom records details of the project, including participants and patronage. It lists 166 people who took part, spanning different social ranks and including men and women, lay believers and monks — evidence, the museum said, of Buddhism’s broad social base at the time. “When the scroll was hung in the courtyard in front of Bongjeongsa’s main hall more than 300 years ago, those who faced the Yeongsanhoi scene hoped to reach enlightenment as they looked upon the Buddha before their eyes,” a museum official said. The official added that the museum hopes visitors will “share and connect with the Buddha’s teachings” while viewing the work in Seoul. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 10:48:20
  • INTERVIEW: How Jay Songzio shaped BTSs return in armor and restraint
    INTERVIEW: How Jay Songzio shaped BTS's return in armor and restraint SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) — More than 18 million viewers tuned in live. Add to that over 30 million registered fans worldwide, and the scale of the moment becomes clear. When the lights rose on March 21 over all seven members of BTS — together on one stage for the first time in nearly four years — it was less a comeback than a global event. The afterglow has yet to fade. The album ARIRANG has climbed the Billboard charts, and its music videos continue to ripple across platforms. Just as indelible, however, were the clothes: armor-like silhouettes that accentuated the forceful, experimental tracks like “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” and “FYA,” with the backdrop of Korea’s ancient Gwanghwamun gateway. Behind that visual language stood Songzio, the high-end contemporary label founded in 1993 by designer Song Zio — and now steered by his son, Jay Songzio. “A look comes together when someone wears it,” said Jay Songzio, the brand’s creative director. “When different pieces come together on a person to create a striking look, that’s when I feel it works.” Based in Seoul and Paris, the label operates roughly 120 stores worldwide, with flagship boutiques in both cities and a new New York location underway. Under Jay Songzio, the house has expanded beyond menswear into womenswear, steadily widening its global footprint. A collaboration rooted in identity BTS had worn Songzio before, but the 2026 “ARIRANG” comeback at Gwanghwamun Square marked a deeper collaboration — one that began at the conceptual stage and evolved in tandem with the performance itself. At its core was a shared intent: to foreground Korean identity. Songzio’s longstanding philosophy — reinterpreting tradition through a modern lens — aligned naturally with that ambition. The collaboration, initiated by HYBE roughly two months before the performance, sought a distinctly Korean design partner to match both the symbolic weight of the “Arirang” concept and the historic venue. The choice carried its own message. BTS, long associated with European luxury houses, turned instead to a domestic designer for a landmark return — reinforcing the global positioning of Korean culture across both music and fashion. The result was “Lyrical Armor”: a concept merging the strength of traditional armor with a lyrical, almost poetic sensitivity. Drawing on early Joseon-era armor and hanbok worn by artists and performers, the collection envisioned what the brand described as “heroes of a new era who overcome turbulent history to create the future.” There was no fixed reference point. The designs emerged through an iterative back-and-forth process, evolving alongside the performance narrative. Each member was assigned a persona: RM as the hero, Jin the artist, Suga the architect, J-Hope a traditional performer, Jimin the poet, V a scholar-like figure, and Jungkook the pioneer. The group was not passive. Members contributed feedback on color, accessories and silhouette — details that shaped the final look. Netflix said the performance drew 18.4 million global viewers within 24 hours. An unconventional path to design Jay Songzio studied art history and mathematics before spending years in Paris, gradually growing into the brand. “Fashion became part of my life,” he told AJP. “It naturally blended into my worldview — art, fashion and everyday life don’t feel separate.” His references range widely: Renaissance and Romantic painting, classical literature, cinema. He sees fashion much like film — a multidisciplinary medium where narrative, character and visual language converge. At the center of his philosophy lies restraint. “Even as the world changes, maintaining your own identity is important,” he said, adding that patience is essential. This sensibility also defines how he diverges from his father. Where Song Zio pursued seasonal reinvention, Jay emphasizes repetition — building a recognizable identity over time. “Most people don’t follow shows every six months,” he said. “What matters is leaving a clear impression of what the brand represents.” Emotion, restraint and ‘avant-garde elegance’ For Songzio, beauty is not stylistic but authentic. “It’s about how convincingly you express your own language,” he said. “That’s what makes something beautiful.” Emotion, in his framework, is not excess but discipline. “Authenticity matters most. You should be able to explain your work naturally,” he said. He describes his creative state as deliberately restrained — a balance the brand calls “avant-garde elegance,” where experimental form meets composure rooted in Eastern sensibilities. That restraint is visible even in color. “It’s a color that suits restraint,” he said of black, describing it as a canvas rather than a direct emotional statement. His process favors purity — an idea he traces to Pablo Picasso’s notion that it takes a lifetime to draw like a child. “Purity means expressing your emotions and inspiration without over-filtering,” he said. It also informs his technique. He prioritizes hand sketching over digital tools. “Small differences can create huge results,” he said. “The tactile process of making clothes matters. Even a small detail — like the placement of a button — feels different when it’s drawn by hand.” For him, design is unfinished until worn. “A look comes together when someone wears it,” he repeated. “When different pieces come together on a person to create a striking look, that’s when I feel it works.” Reinterpreting ‘han’ on stage Nowhere did these ideas converge more clearly than in the BTS stage costumes. The project reimagined “han” — the idiosyncratic Korean sentiment often translated as heart-wrenching sorrow — as a forward-driving force. By merging armor’s rigidity with the fluidity of hanbok, the garments were built to transform through layering, asymmetry and detachable elements. The scale extended beyond BTS themselves to an 80-member performance team. “Han is deeply emotional, but it also drives you forward,” he said. “We wanted to reinterpret it as a forward-looking force.” He described it as a “common mentality” shaped by Korea’s turbulent history — not merely grief, but resilience and momentum. Designing for the stage Rather than impose a single narrative, Songzio approached the BTS collection through individual character arcs. He was particularly drawn to V’s “doryeong” concept — a young nobleman or scholar-like figure. “It combines strength and softness, which aligns well with our direction,” he said. The visual strategy leaned on stark contrast: black and white. White elements cut through the potential heaviness of armor-inspired forms, sharpening visibility on stage. Early designs also explored transformability. Layered garments were engineered to evolve during performance, though achieving this without appearing visually heavy proved a technical challenge. For Songzio, it was also an opportunity — long deferred — to push Korean elements more boldly into his work. The brand’s ambitions extend beyond the stage. A new flagship in New York is underway, conceived not merely as retail space but as a platform for Korean artists. Collaborations continue as well, including ongoing work with The Walt Disney Company, reinterpreting figures such as Mickey Mouse through Songzio’s distinct lens. At its core, the philosophy remains consistent: avant-garde yet elegant, structured yet fluid, rooted in identity yet open to reinterpretation. The Gwanghwamun stage offered a rare convergence — a moment when that philosophy reached a global audience. More than a costume project, the collaboration placed Songzio within a broader cultural narrative, one in which Korean design actively shapes how the country presents itself to the world. Between armor and hanbok, tradition and modernity, restraint and expression, Songzio continues to chart its course — on its own terms. 2026-04-03 10:33:36
  • KAISTs student team qualifies for global Mars rover finals in Utah
    KAIST's student team qualifies for global Mars rover finals in Utah SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - A team of undergraduate students from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (in South Korea has reached the final stage of the world's largest Mars rover competition. This is the first time a team from the university has qualified for the final round of the international event that is designed to spotlight rovers capable of carrying out missions in environments that are similar to Mars. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Friday that team MR2, part of the student robotics club Microrobot Research (MR), secured a spot in the 2026 University Rover Challenge (URC). The team is advised by KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Park Yong-hwa. The URC is an international engineering contest organized by the Mars Society. It takes place at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, where the desert environment closely resembles the surface of Mars. Participating students must design and build rovers to complete tasks involving life detection, equipment maintenance, and autonomous driving. A total of 116 university teams from 18 countries entered the preliminary rounds of the competition this year. KAIST MR2 earned 95.38 percent on their evaluation, placing them among the top 38 teams invited to the finals. The result highlights the design and control capabilities of the South Korean undergraduate researchers. The team's rover, named GAP-1000, is a modular vehicle built to operate in extreme conditions. It features a robotic arm with six joints, which allows it to move with a level of flexibility similar to a human arm. This design enables the rover to lift objects weighing more than 5 kilograms and perform delicate repairs on machinery. The vehicle also features an advanced navigation system that combines high-precision satellite positioning with sensors that track the rover's movement and wheel rotation. This allows the GAP-1000 to find the most efficient paths through rocky and difficult terrain without human intervention. A drone relay system ensures the team can maintain a communication link with the rover even when it travels behind obstacles. For its scientific mission, the rover uses a drill to collect soil samples from 10 centimeters below the surface. An onboard laboratory uses chemical tests and light analysis to check for proteins and other biological signs of life in real time. The system is designed to provide immediate feedback on whether a sample contains traces of living organisms. "We handled everything from the initial design to the final production ourselves, and though we faced many challenges, we are happy to be the first team from our school to make it to the finals," said student leader Jeong Myeong-woo. He added that the team will focus on final preparations to ensure a strong performance in the United States. Professor Park Yong-hwa said it was impressive to see the students independently develop a rover for such a harsh environment. He noted that the competition serves as an opportunity to showcase South Korean technical expertise to a global audience. President Lee Kwang-hyung said that having undergraduate students design and build a rover that can compete on the world stage is a significant achievement. He stated that he expects the experience to help the students grow through international competition. The MR2 team consists of 13 students from several departments, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial design. The group has finished long-distance testing in outdoor environments and is currently performing final system checks. The finals are scheduled to take place at the MDRS in Utah from May 27 to May 30, 2026. 2026-04-03 09:54:44
  • Nexon opens Maple Island permanent theme zone at Lotte World Adventure
    Nexon opens 'Maple Island' permanent theme zone at Lotte World Adventure SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - South Korean gaming giant Nexon has officially opened "Maple Island," a permanent story-themed attraction at Lotte World Adventure in Seoul's Jamsil district, bringing the beloved "MapleStory" franchise off the screen and into the real world. The roughly 2,000-square-metre zone, built within the outdoor section of the park, immerses visitors in the iconic landscapes of the MapleStory universe — including fan-favourite regions Henesys, Ludibrium and Arcana — and challenges them to solve hidden quests alongside the game's signature cast of monsters. The attraction features four rides, three of which are entirely new. Stone Express, a roller coaster, sends riders on a high-speed hunt for stone spirits, while Arcana Ride guides guests through a story of restoring life to an enchanted tree. Eos Tower propels visitors up and down at full speed toward the fan-favorite character Pink Bean, and the existing Gyro Spin attraction has been refitted with full Maple Island theming. Beyond the rides, visitors can shop for branded merchandise at Maple Store and stop at Maple Sweets for in-universe food and beverages such as "Red Potion" and "Blue Potion" drinks modelled on in-game items. The opening is part of a broader three-month seasonal collaboration, "MapleStory in Lotte World," launched on March 14 and running through June 14. The wider event spans the entire park and includes character interaction zones, Magic Castle projection mapping and themed parades. 2026-04-03 09:18:36
  • Songzio Designs Armor-Inspired Looks for BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Comeback Stage
    Songzio Designs Armor-Inspired Looks for BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Comeback Stage BTS returned as a full seven-member group for the first time in four years with an outdoor comeback stage expected to draw 160,000 people and streamed live worldwide on Netflix. When the group appeared at 8 p.m. on March 21 with Gwanghwamun as the backdrop for the live “ARIRANG” performance, the armor-like costumes drew nearly as much attention as the music. Behind the scene watched around the world was South Korean fashion brand Songzio, which blended tradition and modernity, toughness and lyricism in the stage looks. “Clothes are completed when someone wears them. When one person wears different outfits and an impressive look is created, that’s when I feel it’s complete,” said Song Jae-woo, Songzio’s creative director, who built each BTS member’s comeback identity. Song combined the strength of traditional armor with the flexibility of hanbok, using zippers, draping and asymmetrical structures so silhouettes could shift onstage. He also produced costumes for an 80-member performance team, in addition to the seven members. The stage personas were set as RM as a “hero,” Jin an “artist,” Suga an “architect,” J-Hope a “sorikkun” (traditional singer), Jimin a “poet,” V a “doryeong” (young nobleman) and Jung Kook a “pioneer.” Netflix said the performance drew 18.4 million viewers. Song said he aimed to express “a hero of a new era” by combining early Joseon-era warrior armor with the sensibilities of an artist and a traditional singer. “Rather than simply reproducing Korean sentiment, I focused on translating it into futuristic energy,” he said. Founded in 1993, Songzio has presented avant-garde menswear based in Seoul and Paris and has recently introduced women’s collections. The collaboration went beyond making stage outfits, expanding to participation from the planning stage of “ARIRANG.” The concert’s push to foreground Korean elements aligned with the brand’s design philosophy of reinterpreting tradition in contemporary ways. The collection’s keyword was “Lyrical Armor,” described as “singing armor” — pairing the toughness of traditional armor with a lyrical sensibility to add emotion and narrative to images of protection and resistance. By combining early Joseon-era armor with hanbok associated with artists and traditional singers carrying the mood of sijo and folk songs, the project sought to portray “heroes of a new era who overcome turbulent history and build a new future.” Songzio said the project was an attempt to realize the brand’s aesthetics on one of the most widely viewed stages. Song, the son of founder-designer Songzio, now leads the brand. He studied mathematics and art history, then moved to Paris after Paris Fashion Week and grew with the label there. “Living with fashion, it naturally becomes part of life. It keeps worldview, art and fashion from being separated in everyday life,” he said. He said his designs draw on Renaissance and Romantic painting, classical literature and film. “Fashion is similar to film. It’s a genre that combines many fields, and it contains images, an era and stories of characters. I work by imagining each person’s narrative,” he said. He said he is currently reading Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” and works by Aeschylus. Another source of inspiration, he said, is “han,” a Korean concept of deep, complex feeling. “I think ‘han’ isn’t simple sadness. It’s emotionally rich, but it also contains the power to move forward,” he said. He said the project focused not on reproducing that emotion but on converting it into forward-looking energy. His operating philosophy, he said, is not to be impatient. “Even in a changing world, it’s important to keep what’s yours. If you do, I believe a good opportunity will come someday,” he said. Asked about differences from the founder, he pointed to repetition. “It’s important to repeatedly imprint the brand identity, because the public doesn’t watch shows every six months,” he said. He said “authenticity” is his key standard. “Whether it’s minimalism or avant-garde, what matters more than form is persuasiveness. When it’s expressed authentically, I find it beautiful,” he said. “You should be able to answer naturally when asked why you did it. In the end, what’s inside matters most.” He said he tries to restrain emotional swings and described his aim as “avant-garde elegance,” seeking elegance within the experimental — an elegance he said connects to Eastern sensibilities. He said his frequent use of black reflects a choice to maintain restraint rather than display a specific emotion. He also emphasized hand sketching over digital work. “A very subtle difference changes the result. The ‘hand feel’ in the process of making clothes matters,” he said. His designs begin by hand, he said, but are completed on the person wearing them. That approach, he said, naturally strengthened character-driven design. He said he was especially attached to V’s “doryeong” concept. “I focused on making each character’s narrative clearer,” he said. “It fits the brand’s direction well, with an image that has both strength and lyricism.” For the stage, the team maximized visual impact through a black-and-white contrast, a choice meant to keep structural designs from appearing too heavy. Early concepts included detachable layering so changes could appear within a single look. Song said the bolder incorporation of Korean elements helped relieve “a thirst I’d had to some extent,” and aligned closely with the “ARIRANG” concept. Songzio said its aesthetics are completed in the tension between the avant-garde and elegance — structured yet flexible, tough yet lyrical. The brand said it is preparing new expansions including a Disney collaboration, activewear, an “Oriental futurism” collection and a New York flagship. The New York store is being planned as an art space, beyond retail, in collaboration with Korean artists. Songzio framed its work as more than making clothes: patience over haste, restraint over excess, and identity over trends. At Gwanghwamun, the brand said, the outfits were not simply stage costumes, but a narrative completed on people. 2026-04-03 09:18:21
  • KB Kookmin Bank to Contribute 17 Billion Won to Credit Guarantee Fund for 600 Billion Won in Loans
    KB Kookmin Bank to Contribute 17 Billion Won to Credit Guarantee Fund for 600 Billion Won in Loans KB Kookmin Bank said it signed two agreements with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund to expand “productive finance” and support a return to growth, including a separate pact aimed at region-specific financing. Under the agreements, the bank will make a special contribution of 17 billion won to the fund and plans to support a total of 600 billion won in loans secured by guarantee certificates. The bank said it expects the split between a general program and a region-focused program to strengthen support for companies outside the capital area and promote more balanced regional development. The general program targets companies in new growth industries, promising startups, exporters and firms expanding overseas. The region-focused program targets the same categories as well as companies in key local industries, provided they are located outside the Seoul metropolitan area. Eligible firms also include those that received KB ESG consulting, tenants of KB’s Innovation Hub Center, and companies that hired workers through the KB Goodjob job fair. Companies covered by the general guarantee program can receive either a preferential 100% guarantee ratio for three years or support for guarantee fees from the bank totaling 1.0 percentage point over two years, at 0.5 percentage point per year. Companies under the region-focused guarantee program can receive either a preferential 100% guarantee ratio for three years or guarantee-fee support totaling 1.8 percentage points over three years, at 0.6 percentage point per year. A KB Kookmin Bank official said the agreements are intended to provide practical help to small and midsize companies expected to drive future growth while supporting balanced regional development. The official said the bank will continue expanding productive-finance support to promote sustainable growth in South Korea’s industrial ecosystem.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 08:54:00