Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Biathlete Kim Yun-ji adds another medal at Winter Paralympics in Italy
    Biathlete Kim Yun-ji adds another medal at Winter Paralympics in Italy SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Biathlete Kim Yun-ji on Tuesday added another medal at the Winter Paralympics, which kicked off last week in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Kim finished second in the women's sitting cross-country sprint final with a time of 33:10.1, just behind the U.S.' Oksana Masters, who claimed gold with a time of 33:07.01. It was her second medal at this year's quadrennial sporting event, after she won gold in the women's sitting sprint 12.5-kilometer biathlon last Sunday, which made her the first South Korean woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Paralympics. With Kim's strong performance, South Korea has already achieved its best-ever result, earning one gold, one silver, and one bronze, surpassing its previous record of one gold and two bronze medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics. 2026-03-11 17:06:29
  • South Korea Requests Police Probe Into 105 Suspected Scalped BTS Tickets
    South Korea Requests Police Probe Into 105 Suspected Scalped BTS Tickets South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it is stepping up its crackdown on ticket scalping.  The ministry said on the 11th it asked the National Police Agency to investigate four suspected cases involving 105 BTS concert tickets believed to have been sold illegally.  After intensively monitoring major online secondhand marketplaces for BTS concerts in Gwanghwamun and Goyang, the ministry said it found posts offering a total of 1,868 tickets, including duplicates. It said it secured multiple tickets for the same performance and referred 105 tickets for a police probe.  The ministry also warned that buying scalped tickets may make it effectively impossible to attend. For the BTS Gwanghwamun concert, entry uses a QR-code system that does not allow screenshots. Once a code is scanned for first use, it cannot be reissued or scanned again under any circumstances. It said all attendees will be required to verify their identity with a designated ID at entry and wear a wristband that cannot be reattached if damaged. Wristbands will be checked for re-entry after movement such as restroom visits, and organizers may conduct random identity checks inside the venue, removing anyone caught attempting a transfer.  The ministry said organizers are also monitoring online posts to detect transactions that violate ticketing policies and are canceling tickets when buyers fail to respond to requests for explanation or cannot substantiate purchases.  Minister Choe Hwi-young said scalping violates organizers’ ticketing policies and warned that strengthened on-site identity checks make transfers “virtually impossible.” He said buyers also face a high risk of fraud, including sellers disappearing, and urged fans to purchase tickets only through official sellers. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:05:29
  • Gout Isn’t Just a ‘Rich Man’s Disease’: Common Myths and What Drives Risk
    Gout Isn’t Just a ‘Rich Man’s Disease’: Common Myths and What Drives Risk "I can’t even put my foot on the ground." Gout patients say it often, and the pain can be so intense that the old line about it hurting even when a breeze brushes by does not feel like an exaggeration. Because the Korean name includes the character for “wind,” some people confuse it with stroke, but gout is a different disease caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism. Gout was once called the “emperor’s disease” or a “rich man’s disease,” because it was common among royals and aristocrats who could afford plentiful meat and alcohol. Fatty foods and frequent drinking were once symbols of privilege, and gout was seen as a byproduct of that lifestyle. That has changed. With Westernized diets, drinking culture and increased fructose intake, gout is no longer limited to any one group and can affect anyone. The number of patients has risen. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of gout patients in South Korea increased by more than 18% to about 500,000 in 2022 from about 430,000 in 2018. The fastest growth rate was among people in their 20s and 30s, with analyses linking the increase to heavy drinking and high-fat, high-protein diets among younger adults. Gout begins with uric acid. After food is metabolized, uric acid is produced and is usually excreted in urine through the kidneys. When the kidneys cannot filter enough of it, the concentration of uric acid in the blood rises. When blood uric acid exceeds a certain level, it can no longer stay dissolved and turns into sharp, needle-like crystals. These crystals can deposit in areas with slower circulation, such as the big toe, ankle and knee. The immune system treats them as foreign material, triggering inflammation and severe pain. Uric acid does not stay in the foot. It can spread to multiple joints, including the knee, wrist and fingers, and can also affect the kidneys and blood vessels, raising the risk of kidney disease. Lee Ju-ha, a professor of rheumatology at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital at the Catholic University of Korea, said gout mainly occurs in the big toe or ankle but can later appear in the upper body as well. If high levels of uric acid crystals persist, she said, visible lumps of uric acid crystal deposits can sometimes be seen. Another problem is the belief that gout is a brief, one-off illness. When medication eases the pain, many people assume treatment is over. But gout is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management. It often recurs and is closely linked to other metabolic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Misconceptions are common. One is the idea that avoiding beer is enough, or that switching from beer to soju is safe. While beer yeast contains many purines, alcohol increases uric acid regardless of type. What matters is not the kind of alcohol but how much is consumed. Cutting back on alcohol is not the only concern. Liquid fructose in sodas and juices can promote uric acid production as the liver metabolizes it. One study found that people who drink two or more sugary beverages a day had about an 85% higher risk of gout than those who do not. There is also confusion about pain relief. If you are unsure whether to use cold or heat, remember: cold compresses during an acute flare. When a joint is swollen and warm, cold is the rule because it constricts blood vessels and can help reduce inflammation. Ice should be wrapped in a towel and used for no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Heat during this period can worsen inflammation. After swelling subsides in the chronic phase, warm compresses may help circulation. If gout is not caused by other medications or diseases, Lee said, patients need sustained management, including maintaining a healthy weight and limiting foods that increase uric acid production. Exercise and dietary control to keep an appropriate weight can help, she said. Diet choices can also matter. Foods low in purines may help, but not all vegetables are low in purines. Spinach, asparagus and mushrooms are relatively high among vegetables. Oats, often considered a health food, are not an exception. For uric acid management, white rice may be less burdensome than brown rice or oats. Foods known to be high in purines include organ meats, oily fish and shellfish.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:03:00
  • Leveraged stock bets show signs of peaking even before Gulf crisis rattled Seoul
    Leveraged stock bets show signs of peaking even before Gulf crisis rattled Seoul SEOUL, Mar. 11 (AJP) — South Korea’s red-hot equity rally has drawn a flood of money into stock-linked funds, swelling assets at investment managers, but leveraged investment was already showing signs of topping out even before the Middle East crisis jolted markets. According to data released Wednesday by the Bank of Korea, total deposits at financial institutions reached 93.9 trillion won ($64.05 billion) in February, up 46.4 percent from a year earlier. The surge was particularly pronounced at asset management firms, driven largely by inflows into equity-linked funds, which attracted 34.1 trillion won during the month. Following 37 trillion won in January, the two-month inflow represents a more than tenfold increase compared with the same period in 2025, when equity fund inflows totaled just 7.1 trillion won. The influx came as the benchmark KOSPI surged roughly 50 percent during the first two months of the year, fueled by optimism that South Korea would dominate next-generation memory chips critical for the artificial intelligence boom. What had looked like an unstoppable rally abruptly stalled after U.S.-led strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and the subsequent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz rattled global markets. The KOSPI, which hit an all-time high of 6,307 on Feb. 26, plunged nearly 20 percent between March 3 and March 4, briefly falling below the 5,100 mark. As of Wednesday, the index had recovered 1.4 percent to 5,609.95, supported by hopes for a ceasefire, discussions among Group of Seven nations on releasing strategic oil reserves and announcements of treasury stock cancellations by conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics and SK Inc. following revisions to the Commercial Act. Even so, the index remains more than 10 percent below its recent peak. Leverage nearing its limits Signs of fatigue had already emerged in credit-driven investment. Money Market Funds, which serve as liquidity pools for stock trading, recorded inflows of 5.5 trillion won in February — far below the 21.7 trillion won seen a year earlier. The slowdown suggests the market was hitting record highs even as momentum behind credit-fueled trading began to fade. Outstanding margin debt reached a record 33.7 trillion won on March 5, before retreating to about 31 trillion won following the sharp market slide. Similarly, unsettled brokerage accounts fell from 2 trillion won on March 6 to 1.3 trillion won by Monday. The pullback partly reflected credit limits being exhausted at major brokerages. Korea Investment & Securities suspended margin purchases and short selling on March 5 after reaching its credit ceiling, with NH Investment & Securities taking similar steps. The scale of leverage has amplified market volatility. Forced liquidations accounted for 6.5 percent of unsettled accounts on March 5, the highest level in 31 months since the market slump in October 2023. “Since credit balances had reached their limit, they became a significant burden on the market,” said Yeom Dong-chan, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities. Risk aversion hits KRW and bonds Meanwhile, flows into fixed-income products weakened as investors reassessed risks. Bond funds recorded a net outflow of 200 billion won, reflecting heightened volatility in the debt market. Government bond yields have swung sharply. The three-year treasury yield, which had fallen to 2.95 percent in December, climbed to 3.04 percent in February, while the 10-year yield rose from 3.39 percent to 3.45 percent as markets digested signals from the Federal Reserve under Chair Kevin Warsh. Following the Hormuz crisis, yields spiked by more than 10 basis points in early March, briefly inverting the spread on March 9 — a signal that heightened concerns about stagflation. In Wednesday morning trading, the three-year yield slipped 2.7 basis points to 3.256 percent, while the 10-year yield fell 2 basis points to 3.609 percent. Despite the easing, bond prices remain under pressure. Risk aversion also hit the currency. The Korean won, which began the year near 1,440 per dollar, briefly plunged toward 1,500 during overnight trading on March 4. As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, the won stood at 1,466 per dollar, down 3 won from the previous day and about 1.6 percent weaker than at the start of the year. 2026-03-11 16:41:21
  • Hit song from K-pop anime to be performed live at Oscar night this weekend
    Hit song from K-pop anime to be performed live at Oscar night this weekend SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - "Golden," a song from the soundtrack of Netflix's hit animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," will be featured at this year's Academy Awards scheduled to be held in California this weekend. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami, the voices behind the film's fictional girl group "Huntrix" will perform their song at the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday. They are expected to captivate audiences with a performance blending traditional Korean dance and live instruments, presenting one of the most striking and memorable moments of Oscar night. The trio also performed live earlier at Britain's annual EE BAFTA Film Awards in London late last month. The 95-minute film, which tells the story of fictional K-pop superstars who possess secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats, is competing for the Best Animated Feature Film award, along with five other nominees, "Arco," "Elio," "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain," and "Zootopia 2." "Golden" is also up for Best Original Song. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globe Awards in January, while its theme song "Golden" won Best Song Written for Visual Media at last month's Grammy Awards, further boosting its Oscar prospects. Adding to this anticipation, the AMPAS posted a message on social media, "HUNTR/X fans, it's time to get your light sticks out!" 2026-03-11 16:27:51
  • Hanwha showcases Korean THAAD L-SAM at Belgium defense expo
    Hanwha showcases 'Korean THAAD' L-SAM at Belgium defense expo SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Hanwha is set to showcase its long-range surface-to-air missile interceptor, known as the “Korean THAAD,” at the BEDEX defense exhibition in Belgium as it seeks to expand its presence in the European defense market. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems said Tuesday they are participating in BEDEX, a defense exhibition taking place in Brussels from March 12 to 14, marking the first time a South Korean company has taken part in the event. The exhibition, being held in Belgium for the first time, brings together major global defense companies including Rheinmetall, KNDS and Raytheon, alongside other European and international defense firms. Hanwha said its early participation in the exhibition — held in a country that hosts the headquarters of NATO — is part of a broader strategy to accelerate its push into the Western European defense market. Belgium is currently prioritizing the development of a multilayered air defense system as a key national defense objective. In response, Hanwha Aerospace is displaying its long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) interceptor and launcher, while Hanwha Systems is presenting its multifunction radar (MFR), the laser-based air defense weapon system Cheongwang, and a laser-equipped armored vehicle currently under development. The L-SAM, often referred to as the Korean version of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 kilometers using a hit-to-kill method. The system completed development in 2024 and entered mass production last year. Because it can intercept fast-falling medium-range ballistic missiles from high altitudes, the system enables rapid responses to incoming threats. Hanwha also plans to emphasize that it can support swift deployment tailored to European requirements, as countries across the region accelerate efforts to strengthen their air defense networks. “Belgium is a key hub for European security, hosting NATO headquarters and major institutions of the European Union,” a Hanwha official said. “Building on our status as a strategic partner to NATO established through exports such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer, we aim to promote Hanwha’s air defense and ground firepower capabilities in the European market and explore cooperation opportunities to help strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO member states.” 2026-03-11 16:24:16
  • Korea Pharma and Health Brief: MFDS, Chong Kun Dang, Celltrion, SK Chemical, SNUH, CHA Hospital
    Korea Pharma and Health Brief: MFDS, Chong Kun Dang, Celltrion, SK Chemical, SNUH, CHA Hospital MFDS expands free pickup delivery for food foreign-object reports to meat and imports South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Food Safety Information Service said on March 11 they will expand a free pickup delivery service for consumers reporting foreign objects found in food, extending it this year to livestock products and imported foods. The service began last year to eliminate the need for complainants to bring evidence to investigators in person or mail it themselves. After a consumer files a report, the integrated reporting center for illegal and substandard foods at the Korea Food Safety Information Service arranges the pickup. The complainant packs the foreign object and related evidence, such as product packaging, and leaves it at a chosen location for a courier to collect. The free pickup service, which can be requested at the time of reporting, was selected as an exemplary proactive administrative case by the Office for Government Policy Coordination last year. A total of 1,602 cases were handled from March 17 to Nov. 30 last year. Chong Kun Dang wins MFDS approval for type 2 diabetes drug Duvie-M Pol SR Chong Kun Dang said in a March 11 filing that it received MFDS approval for its type 2 diabetes treatment Duvie-M Pol SR, about a year after applying in April last year. The drug is intended for adults with type 2 diabetes for whom combination therapy with lobeglitazone, empagliflozin and metformin is appropriate. The company said it plans to launch the product in South Korea within the year. Celltrion launches Europe rollout of Remsima liquid IV formulation Celltrion said it has begun a full-scale European launch of its liquid formulation of infliximab for autoimmune diseases, sold as Remsima, which it described as the only such liquid formulation available worldwide. Celltrion’s Nordic unit said March 11 it won national tenders in Denmark and Norway for the intravenous liquid formulation of Remsima. In Norway, sales began immediately after the award, and the company will supply the product through January 2028. Celltrion said it expects to secure about 35% of the local infliximab IV market. Celltrion said it is the only company globally to hold and have registered patents related to a liquid infliximab formulation. Compared with a lyophilized formulation, the liquid version cuts preparation time by about 50% and reduces labor and consumables costs during dosing preparation by about 20%, the company said. Celltrion said it plans to expand the rollout across Europe this year, starting with the Nordics and extending to France, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. SK Chemical launches 300 mg high-dose Joins F for osteoarthritis SK Chemical said March 11 it launched Joins F tablets (JoinsF) 300 mg, a higher-strength version of its osteoarthritis drug Joins. JoinsF increases the active ingredient from 200 mg to 300 mg, or 1.5 times the earlier dose. With a typical daily dose of 600 mg, the new product is designed for twice-daily dosing, compared with three times a day for the 200 mg tablets. Because osteoarthritis is commonly associated with aging and often requires long-term medication, the company said reducing dosing frequency should ease the burden on patients. SK Chemical also said patient costs are expected to fall. The reimbursement-listed ceiling price for JoinsF 300 mg, listed on March 1, is 488 won per tablet. Based on the recommended regimen, the daily cost is 976 won, about 16% lower than the 1,170 won daily cost for Joins 200 mg. The company said the tablet is only about 5% to 10% larger than before despite the higher content, and its thickness was reduced to minimize discomfort when swallowing. Park Hyun-sun, head of business at SK Chemical, said, "Osteoarthritis is an area where professional treatment is essential to relieve symptoms," adding, "We will continue efforts to improve convenience by listening closely to patients and actively reflecting feedback from the field." Seoul National University Hospital develops pre-chemotherapy model to flag high-risk VOD in pediatric transplants Researchers at Seoul National University Hospital said they developed a machine-learning prediction model to identify, before transplant, pediatric patients at high risk of veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a potentially fatal complication. The hospital said March 11 that a team led by professors Hong Kyung-taek and Kang Hyung-jin of pediatrics and Han Do-hyun of translational medicine analyzed 720 types of blood proteins in 51 pediatric patients who received high-intensity preconditioning chemotherapy ahead of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the analysis, 25 patients who did not develop VOD had higher levels of GCLC, a liver detoxification enzyme, even before chemotherapy. By contrast, 26 patients who developed the disease had lower levels of the enzyme, and significantly lower expression of FBP1, a protein involved in maintaining liver function, indicating greater vulnerability to liver toxicity. High-intensity chemotherapy used in stem cell transplants for children with serious illnesses such as leukemia can damage small liver blood vessels and trigger VOD. The condition occurs in about 15% to 30% of patients, and when severe, the mortality rate can reach as high as 80%, the hospital said. Hong said, "Patients with veno-occlusive disease showed distinctly different blood proteome patterns even before chemotherapy," adding that the identified patterns could help clinicians screen high-risk patients early, develop prevention strategies and carry out safer transplant treatment. Bundang CHA Hospital team finds real-world benefit of nivolumab-ipilimumab combo in advanced liver cancer Researchers at CHA University’s Bundang CHA Hospital said they confirmed real-world clinical effectiveness of combination immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The hospital said March 11 that a team led by oncology professors Jeon Hong-jae and Kim Jung-sun analyzed 116 patients treated with the nivolumab-ipilimumab combination at six medical institutions in four Asian locations: South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. About half of the patients had previously been treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab, while the rest had no prior immunotherapy. The team compared treatment response, survival outcomes and immune-related adverse events based on prior immunotherapy exposure. Across all patients, the objective response rate was about 31%, the researchers said. The response rate was about 42% among patients without prior immunotherapy and about 20% among those previously treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Among responders, the median duration of response was about 24 months. Patients who experienced immune-related adverse events, including thyroid dysfunction, had longer progression-free survival and overall survival than those who did not, the team said, suggesting such events may serve as a clinical indicator for predicting response. Jeon said the findings could provide important evidence for developing patient-tailored treatment strategies and sequential immunotherapy approaches.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 16:15:00
  • Renault unveils futuREady strategy, plans 36 new models by 2030
    Renault unveils 'futuREady' strategy, plans 36 new models by 2030 SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Renault Group unveiled its new mid-to-long-term strategic plan dubbed "futuREady," charting an aggressive course to roll out 36 new models by 2030 as the French automaker seeks to cement its position as Europe's benchmark carmaker amid intensifying global competition. The plan revealed Tuesday (local time), succeeding the Renaulution turnaround strategy launched in 2021, sets a target of more than 2 million annual vehicle sales by 2030, with half generated outside Europe. The group also aims to maintain an operating margin of 5 to 7 percent of revenue and sustain annual free cash flow of about 1.5 billion euros ($1.74 billion). The Renault brand will spearhead the offensive with 12 new models in Europe and 14 for international markets, while pursuing 100 percent electrified sales across the continent and a 50 percent electrified mix outside Europe by the end of the decade. The company also confirmed that its full hybrid E-Tech powertrain would remain in the European lineup beyond 2030. At the heart of the electrification push is the new RGEV medium 2.0 platform, a modular 800-volt architecture spanning the B+ to D segments. The platform promises up to 750 kilometers of range for battery-electric models and 1,400 kilometers with a range extender, underscoring Renault's bid to close the gap with Chinese rivals on cost and technology. "At Renault Group, we know where we come from. Today, we know where we want to go, how and who with. And all of this in pursuit of one goal: to better serve our customers, ultimately delivering clean, affordable mobility tailored to their needs, based on the strength of our brands and vehicles," said Francois Provost, CEO of Renault Group. The company will lean on five international hubs — South Korea, Morocco, Turkiye, Latin America, and India — to fuel its overseas expansion. 2026-03-11 16:13:18
  • Yuhan Unveils 100th Anniversary Slogan and Emblem: A Century of Trust, A Century of Promise
    Yuhan Unveils 100th Anniversary Slogan and Emblem: 'A Century of Trust, A Century of Promise' Yuhan on Tuesday unveiled its 100th anniversary slogan and emblem at the 55th memorial ceremony for the late Dr. Yu Il-han, held at Yuhan University in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The slogan, “A Century of Trust, A Century of Promise,” reflects the company’s pledge to build on the trust it has earned since its founding and to remain committed to human health in the next 100 years. The emblem, released the same day, uses three core colors to express Yuhan’s identity and direction: carrying forward the Yuhan spirit, completing a century of innovation, and opening a new era in human health through new drug development. “Yuhan Green” symbolizes the company’s founding spirit sustained over 100 years. “Progress Blue” represents its DNA of continuous innovation. “Future Orange” points to a future of improved human health through new drug development and incorporates the brand color of Yuhan’s innovative new drug, “Leclaza.” Yuhan said it aims to add new responsibilities to the trust it has maintained and to build innovation on accumulated integrity, with the goal of becoming a major global company that protects healthy lives beyond South Korea. A Yuhan official said the company will “carry forward the Yuhan spirit, complete 100 years of innovation, and begin a new 100 years of human health through new drug development,” adding that it will keep working “with the next generation for a world where everyone becomes healthier and happier.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 16:12:00
  • Toss Bank Cancels Yen Exchanges After App Shows Wrong Rate
    Toss Bank Cancels Yen Exchanges After App Shows Wrong Rate Toss Bank, known for promoting innovative technology, posted incorrect foreign-exchange information due to a computer error, prompting financial authorities to look into what happened. The bank said it canceled related currency-exchange transactions and began checking its systems. According to the financial sector on March 11, the Toss Bank app displayed the exchange rate for 100 Japanese yen as 472 won — instead of the normal 932 won — for about seven minutes starting at 7:29 p.m. on March 10. After recognizing the problem, Toss Bank temporarily suspended yen exchanges. During that period, an in-app alert told users the yen had hit its lowest level in three months, and some users proceeded with exchanges, according to reports. Toss Bank estimates the volume of transactions tied to the error at about 10 billion won. A Toss Bank official said the error occurred during work to inspect and improve its foreign-exchange system and that all exchange transactions executed during the affected period would be canceled. The bank cited Article 8, Paragraph 3 of the Electronic Financial Transactions Act, which allows financial companies to correct or cancel transactions caused by mistakes such as system failures or input errors. Similar cases have occurred before. In 2023, an input error involving the Vietnamese dong (VND) exchange rate at Hana Bank was deemed an obvious mistake and the transactions were ruled invalid. Toss Bank said the rate was displayed far below normal levels and that users did not suffer financial harm. Financial authorities, however, are reviewing the circumstances and the bank’s internal control procedures. The Financial Supervisory Service is conducting an on-site inspection of Toss Bank. An FSS official said inspectors are confirming the facts and will examine the cause of the incident and internal management procedures. 2026-03-11 15:51:00