Journalist

Kim Hyun-ahh
  • Iran Says Tanker Entered Its Waters Despite U.S. Naval Blockade
    Iran Says Tanker Entered Its Waters Despite U.S. Naval Blockade Iran’s military said on April 21 (local time) that one of its tankers entered Iranian territorial waters after breaking through a U.S. maritime blockade. In a statement, the military’s public affairs office said the Iranian tanker Silicity, backed by an operational escort from Iran’s navy, passed through the Arabian Sea overnight and entered Iranian waters. It claimed the U.S. Navy issued repeated warnings and threats, but that the tanker reached Iranian territorial waters under what it called full security support from Iran’s navy and docked at a southern port. There was no immediate official comment from the U.S. military. The U.S. military has stepped up maritime control operations in response to Iran’s moves to block the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command has been interdicting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman since April 13 and previously said it had blocked 27 Iran-linked ships through April 20. On April 19, the U.S. military fired on and seized the cargo ship Tuska after it ignored warnings to turn back while heading to Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 20:00:20
  • Prosecutors Seek Prison Terms for Chinese Teens Accused of Filming South Korean Fighter Jets
    Prosecutors Seek Prison Terms for Chinese Teens Accused of Filming South Korean Fighter Jets Prosecutors on Monday sought prison terms for two Chinese teenagers accused of repeatedly filming fighter jets near South Korean military facilities and major airports. At a closing hearing at Suwon District Court, the court’s Criminal Division 12, presided over by Chief Judge Park Geon-chang, heard prosecutors request an indeterminate sentence of three to four years in prison for A, and four years for B. Prosecutors also asked the court to confiscate cameras and other equipment used in the filming. Under South Korean law, minors may receive indeterminate sentences with both minimum and maximum terms set. Prosecutors described the case as a serious crime that could threaten military security, saying the defendants had not shown sufficient remorse after the alleged offenses and should be punished strictly. The hearing also focused on messages from a WeChat group chat used by B. Prosecutors cited remarks including that “C told us to film” and references to money, arguing they suggest a possible person behind the operation — someone who directed the filming and intended to pay for it. Defense lawyers rejected that interpretation, saying the chat was taken out of context and amounted to a light joke about pinning blame on a specific person if they were caught, not evidence of real instructions. The defense said the teens were students who photographed aircraft as a hobby, not participants in an organized effort, and asked for leniency. In their final statements, the defendants said they did not realize their curiosity would lead to such serious consequences and that they were deeply remorseful. Prosecutors allege that from the second half of 2024 through March last year, the teens entered South Korea three times and twice, respectively, and made hundreds of detailed recordings of fighter jet takeoffs and landings and air traffic control facilities. The locations included four South Korea-U.S. military sites — Suwon Air Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base (K-55), a U.S. base in Pyeongtaek (K-6), and Cheongju Air Base — as well as Incheon, Gimpo and Jeju airports. They were caught March 21 last year while filming near Suwon Air Base after a resident reported suspicious activity to police. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 10 a.m. on the 14th of next month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 19:36:20
  • Rain Forecast for Southern Korea, Jeju; Dust to Worsen Air Quality
    Rain Forecast for Southern Korea, Jeju; Dust to Worsen Air Quality Wednesday the 22nd is expected to be mostly cloudy nationwide, with conditions turning increasingly overcast in the south and on Jeju Island. Rain is forecast to begin on Jeju in the morning, spread to the Jeolla South region by afternoon and reach the Gyeongsang South region by night. Parts of North Jeolla may see brief sprinkles from afternoon into the night, with less than 0.1 millimeter of precipitation. Through the 23rd, expected rainfall is 5 to 20 millimeters in Gwangju and South Jeolla and along the southern coasts of Busan and South Gyeongsang; less than 5 millimeters in Ulsan and inland South Gyeongsang; and 20 to 60 millimeters on Jeju. Morning lows are forecast at 6 to 14 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 16 to 21 degrees. Air quality is expected to deteriorate nationwide due to yellow dust that moved in the previous day, with fine dust levels forecast at “bad.” From late morning through afternoon, PM-10 levels could rise to “very bad.” Ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) is expected to be “moderate.” Seas are expected to remain relatively calm. Waves are forecast at 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and South seas nearshore and about 0.5 meters in the West Sea nearshore. In offshore waters within about 200 kilometers of the coast, waves in the East, West and South seas are expected at 0.5 to 2.0 meters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:21:15
  • LG H&H’s Physiogel wraps Seongsu pop-up promoting Red Soothing line
    LG H&H’s Physiogel wraps Seongsu pop-up promoting Red Soothing line LG Household & Health Care said Tuesday that Physiogel has successfully concluded its pop-up store, “The Red Trace,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The event ran from April 17-19 at “Anderson C Seongsu” as part of the “Mega Beauty Show Virtual Store.” A related Mega Beauty Show promotion will continue through April 26, the company said. The pop-up focused on Physiogel’s “Red Soothing” line, aimed at calming sensitive skin and reducing redness. Featured products included the Red Soothing AI Repair Cream and the Red Soothing Rosateca Redness Reducing Serum. The serum, launched in February, is designed with enhanced redness-care features, the company said. Built around the “Redness Investigation Unit” concept, the space cast visitors as “clients” tracking down causes of skin redness. The company said mission-style activities, including filling out a case request and searching for clues, were designed to let visitors try products directly. About 3,000 people visited during the three-day run, the company said. Visitors said the game-like format helped them encounter the products naturally and identify options suited to their skin concerns. “We planned an experiential concept to communicate product features in an intuitive way,” a Physiogel official said. “Based on our expertise in solutions for sensitive skin, we will continue to expand consumer touchpoints.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:18:56
  • Herbalife Korea Launches Limited-Edition 2026 Family Month Gift Sets
    Herbalife Korea Launches Limited-Edition 2026 Family Month Gift Sets Herbalife Korea said Tuesday it has launched a limited run of its “2026 Family Month Gift Set,” aimed at helping customers express appreciation to loved ones ahead of Family Month. The company said the sets reflect seasonal demand as outdoor activity increases in spring, with options focused on energy support, weight management and skin care. The packaging features a bright design intended for gifting. The flagship “Premium Triple Health Drink Gift Set” targets people who want help managing energy in busy daily routines. It includes 10 bottles of the “Triple Health Drink,” made with propolis, royal jelly and agaricus, for convenient energy support. The “NEW 7-Day Challenge Gift Set” includes the meal-replacement “Formula 1 Healthy Meal” in cookies-and-cream flavor, an “Herbal Beverage,” and a LocknLock Classic Mixer Shaker. The company said it is designed for people who prioritize routines such as balanced nutrition and hydration. Herbalife also introduced the “Firming and Moisturizing Inner-Outer Set,” combining inner beauty products and skin care. It includes collagen beauty powder, body lotion and cream, targeting spring demand for moisture and firmness care. Separately, the company is offering a gift box set that can hold “Formula 1 Healthy Meal,” expanding gift options. Jeong Seung-uk, CEO of Herbalife Korea, said Family Month is “an opportunity to share your feelings with the people who matter,” adding that he hopes the sets will help customers share everyday health with loved ones.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 17:39:18
  • Orion to Release Four Limited-Edition BBQ Snacks With Chef Yoo Yong-wook
    Orion to Release Four Limited-Edition BBQ Snacks With Chef Yoo Yong-wook Orion said Tuesday it will release four limited-edition “BBQ” snack products in collaboration with barbecue specialist Chef Yoo Yong-wook. The company said it designed the lineup for the outdoor season, aiming to bring the flavors of a camping and picnic staple into an easy, everyday snack format. Orion said it adapted the chef’s signature recipes into snack products. The new items add barbecue flavors to Orion’s popular snacks, including Kkobuk Chip, Yegam and Swing Chip. Orion said it tailored each recipe to the texture and shape of each product to improve overall taste. “Kkobuk Chip Barbecue & Chimichurri Sauce Flavor” includes a squeeze sauce for the first time in the Kkobuk Chip line, Orion said. The company said it combined the snack’s signature four-layer crunch with smoky notes and maple flavor to create a rich barbecue taste, then paired it with a South American-style chimichurri sauce made with herbs and vinegar that can be squeezed into the bag and mixed. “Dip Yegam” will be sold in two versions: “Chimichurri Sauce Flavor” and “Smoky Whole-Grain Sauce Flavor,” Orion said. The company said it used real meat ingredients and added barbecue seasoning. Orion said the chimichurri version emphasizes a fresh taste, while the whole-grain version highlights the texture of whole mustard seeds and a smoky aroma. “Swing Chip Barbecue Galbi Ramen Flavor” was inspired by galbi ramen, one of Yoo’s course-menu items, Orion said. The company said it designed deeper ridges than existing chips so seasoning adheres better, and added barbecue flavor along with vegetable flakes for visual appeal. Yoo Yong-wook said he focused his expertise across the process, from flavor design to seasoning and sauce development, to capture barbecue’s signature smoky aroma in a snack. He said he hopes consumers will enjoy a special food experience that brings the philosophy of Yoo Yong-wook Barbecue Lab to Orion’s popular snacks. 2026-04-21 15:45:48
  • Samyang Foods’ Buldak campaign music video tops 100 million YouTube views in two months
    Samyang Foods’ Buldak campaign music video tops 100 million YouTube views in two months Samyang Foods said Tuesday that the music video for its new global campaign, “Hotter Than My EX” (HTMX), has surpassed 100 million views within two months of its release on YouTube. The campaign features boy group BOYNEXTDOOR. The group reinterpreted its hit song “Earth, Wind & Fire” to fit the campaign concept and took part in producing the track, Samyang Foods said. The video reframes Valentine’s Day as a message about focusing on oneself, which the company said resonated with younger audiences. After the release, the music and concept drew positive reactions on social media and YouTube, prompting organic sharing by users, the company said. Samyang Foods said the 100 million-view milestone shows Buldak is moving beyond a food brand to become a cultural icon. The project also marks the first time the new character PEPPO has joined the Buldak universe. The company said PEPPO is helping expand touchpoints with global consumers through digital content such as music, challenges and memes. A Samyang Foods official said the campaign was designed to extend Buldak’s signature spiciness into “a means of confident self-expression.” The official said the company will continue to strengthen its position as a mega brand with innovative content that connects with global consumers’ lifestyles. 2026-04-21 14:44:31
  • Lotte Chilsung Says It Cut Plastic Use by About 3,000 Tons Last Year
    Lotte Chilsung Says It Cut Plastic Use by About 3,000 Tons Last Year Lotte Chilsung Beverage said Tuesday it reduced plastic emissions by about 3,000 tons last year by lowering the environmental impact of packaging across its production process under its ESG (environmental, social and governance) management approach. The company said its main strategy was to make containers lighter and expand the use of recycled materials. For bottled water, it introduced an ET-CAP with a lower bottle-neck height, cutting container weight by up to 12% and saving about 810 tons of plastic. It also expanded lightweighting to products including carbonated drinks, coffee, teas and soju, reducing preform weight by up to 5 grams per bottle. That led to a reduction of 1,650 tons, it said. For large-size products, it applied aseptic PET, cutting an additional 240 tons. Lotte Chilsung said it is also accelerating the shift to recycled inputs. In October last year, it launched what it called the country’s first PET bottle made with 100% recycled plastic for Chilsung Cider 500 mL. The company said the product cut plastic use by about 250 tons within two months of launch. This year, it is expanding the 100% recycled material to Pepsi Zero Sugar Lime 500 mL, Icis 500 mL and Saero 640 mL, it said. The company said it is working with the Korea National Park Service and the Korea Post’s postal service headquarters to build a “bottle-to-bottle” system that recycles used PET into food containers. Using clear PET collected at national parks as recycled feedstock, it said it has created a circular system of about 440,000 bottles a year, totaling 6.6 tons. A Lotte Chilsung Beverage official said the company is reducing environmental burdens through sustainable packaging technology while setting standards for the broader industry, and will continue linking ESG management to its business strategy to push its environmental transition. 2026-04-21 14:43:10
  • Chicken prices surge as prolonged avian flu cuts supply
    Chicken prices surge as prolonged avian flu cuts supply SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Surging chicken prices are putting South Korea's poultry industry on alert. The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza has cut broiler supplies, while a weaker won has added to feed-cost burdens, increasing pressure for broader price hikes. According to market insiders on Monday, major poultry producers, including Harim, Allpum, and Maniker, have recently raised prices to large retailers by about 5 to 10 percent. The increase comes amid a supply shortage caused by the outbreak of avian influenza, which typically occurs in winter but has persisted into spring this year, leading to larger-than-usual culls. About 440,000 chickens were culled, roughly 3.7 times the 120,000 culled a year earlier, accounting for about 5 percent of the total broiler breeders raised last year (9.22 million). Production costs have also risen, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed up the won's exchange rate and driven sharp increases in prices for feed additives including amino acids. According to data from the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation, the average retail price of chicken in the fourth week of March rose to 6,612 won per kilogram, up 10.6 percent from 5,976 won in the first week of January, the highest level this year. Over the same period, the wholesale price climbed 12.9 percent from 3,857 won to 4,353 won. The impact is already being felt in restaurants. Some chicken franchise stores have faced delivery delays and difficulties securing steady supplies. Despite the government repeatedly urging restaurants not to raise prices in order to curb inflation, many say increases will be unavoidable if supply disruptions and cost pressures persist. Some franchises were quick to move, with KFC recently raising prices on about two dozen menu items, reversing its earlier stance that it had no plans to do so. With most signature menu items at major chicken brands priced between 26,000 and 27,000 won, costing almost 30,000 won once delivery fees are included, many consumers are hesitant to place orders. Citing a spike in raw material costs ahead of months of increased outdoor activity, an industry insider said, "If supply instability persists, we will have no choice but to consider raising prices." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it plans to import 8 million eggs and gradually distribute them starting this month to respond to expected demand during the summer months. 2026-03-30 15:40:12
  • CJ CheilJedang apologizes over alleged sugar price-fixing, quits industry body
    CJ CheilJedang apologizes over alleged sugar price-fixing, quits industry body SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea's largest sugar maker CJ CheilJedang has issued a formal apology, saying it will immediately quit the Korea Sugar Association following the Fair Trade Commission’s imposition of a combined 408.3 billion won in fines on three sugar makers for alleged price-fixing. In a statement on Thursday, the company said it "deeply apologizes for causing concern to customers and consumers” and pledged swift corrective measures, acknowledging the seriousness of the matter. CJ CheilJedang said it would exit the industry association, which authorities identified as a key channel for collusion, and prohibit contacts between its employees and rival sugar producers. The company also plans to introduce a “one-strike” rule under which violations lead to immediate dismissal, aiming to eliminate opportunities for coordination. The firm added it would overhaul its pricing system by disclosing cost factors such as exchange rates and raw sugar prices and introducing a mechanism that automatically reflects those inputs in product prices. The move is intended to prevent pricing decisions based on competitors’ actions or individual consultations. CJ CheilJedang also said it would strengthen internal compliance controls by adding external members to its compliance management committee to improve independence and by expanding a voluntary reporting system designed to prevent improper contacts with competitors. "CJ CheilJedang will place public trust first and work to establish a transparent and fair competitive environment," the company said in the statement. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-12 13:55:30