Journalist

Kwon Ga-lim
  • Trump Administration Expands Federal Execution Methods to Include Firing Squad
    Trump Administration Expands Federal Execution Methods to Include Firing Squad The Trump administration said it will allow firing squads as a method for carrying out federal executions. According to Yonhap News Agency and Reuters on the 25th, the U.S. Justice Department said in a recent report that it will add firing squads, the electric chair and gas asphyxiation as alternative methods, citing difficulties obtaining lethal-injection drugs. Lethal injection is currently the most common execution method in the United States. The department said it plans to broaden the available options. The Justice Department also ordered the restoration of procedures for using pentobarbital, a lethal-injection drug adopted during the first Trump administration. The department said executions using pentobarbital do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment” and meet constitutional standards. In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the previous administration, the Biden administration, “failed to meet its duty to protect the American people” by refusing to carry out the maximum penalty for the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child killers and those who kill police officers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 19:30:15
  • Zelenskyy Says Russian Barrage Kills 4, Wounds More Than 30 Across Ukraine
    Zelenskyy Says Russian Barrage Kills 4, Wounds More Than 30 Across Ukraine Russia again attacked targets across Ukraine, leaving more than 30 people killed or wounded.  According to Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that overnight Russian strikes killed four people and injured more than 30.  From the previous night into early morning, Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles.  The attacks focused on areas including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv and Chernihiv, where nearby facilities were reported to have collapsed.  Zelenskyy said sanctions are needed to limit Russia’s military-industrial capacity and that he is in contact with the European Union on the issue.  Talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have been suspended due to developments in the Middle East. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 17:39:16
  • Lee Jae-myung vows tough punishment for syringe hoarding, price-gouging
    Lee Jae-myung vows tough punishment for syringe hoarding, price-gouging President Lee Jae-myung said he will deal sternly with companies caught hoarding syringes, calling it antisocial profiteering that exploits a community crisis. In a post Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lee said he instructed the Cabinet to take all possible follow-up steps, including continued crackdowns, swift investigations, tough punishment and the maximum administrative penalties for confirmed violations. He also wrote, “What’s the point of living well alone? Let’s live together.” The remarks came after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said a special nationwide inspection of syringe sellers, aimed at stabilizing distribution, found 32 distributors violated a notice banning syringe hoarding. Some companies were found to have stockpiled about 130,000 syringes without selling them, or to have supplied 620,000 only to specific clients. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 16:39:15
  • U.S. Energy Exports Hit Record as Hormuz Closure Spurs Demand Amid Iran War
    U.S. Energy Exports Hit Record as Hormuz Closure Spurs Demand Amid Iran War The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war has pushed U.S. energy exports to record levels. According to Yonhap News Agency and The Wall Street Journal, Asian and European buyers cut off from Middle Eastern supplies are turning to U.S. crude oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Last week, U.S. exports of crude and petroleum products averaged 12.9 million barrels a day, a record high. U.S. exports of crude and LNG to Asia in March and April rose about 30% from a year earlier. The surge reflects the Hormuz blockade, which has disrupted purchases of Middle Eastern energy. Countries long dependent on the region have had little choice but to seek U.S. supplies. It is unclear whether the shift will last after the war. Many Asian refineries are designed for Middle Eastern crude, and the United States cannot increase exports without limit. Tsuneo Watanabe, a researcher at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a Japanese think tank, said, “If the Strait of Hormuz reopens and Middle East energy prices return to normal, U.S. crude and gas will no longer be attractive.” 2026-04-25 15:39:15
  • South Korea’s Big Four Financial Groups Post Nearly 5 Trillion Won in Q1 Profit
    South Korea’s Big Four Financial Groups Post Nearly 5 Trillion Won in Q1 Profit KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — South Korea’s four largest financial holding companies — posted nearly 5 trillion won in net profit in the first quarter. Despite regulators’ controls on total household lending, wider lending-deposit spreads as market rates rose and stronger brokerage fee income supported results. Still, rising won-dollar exchange rates and growing Middle East-related risks are adding uncertainty, analysts said. According to the financial sector on Thursday, the four groups’ combined first-quarter net profit totaled 5.3288 trillion won, up 8.11% from 4.9289 trillion won a year earlier. KB Financial Group recorded the biggest gain, with first-quarter net profit rising 11.5% to 1.8924 trillion won. Shinhan Financial Group posted 1.6226 trillion won, up 9%. Hana Financial Group earned 1.2100 trillion won, up 7.3%. Woori Financial Group was the only one to decline, with net profit down 2.09% to 603.8 billion won. Interest income, banks’ core revenue source, also increased. The four groups’ combined interest income rose 5.31% to 11.2074 trillion won from 10.6419 trillion won a year earlier. The increase appears to reflect wider net interest margins as banks raised loan rates in line with higher market rates. This year, the top end of fixed-rate mortgage rates at major commercial banks moved above 7% for the first time in three years and five months. COFIX, a benchmark for floating-rate mortgages, turned higher in February. Noninterest income was another key driver. Combined noninterest income jumped 34% to 3.8773 trillion won from 2.8935 trillion won in the first quarter of last year, helped by improved securities-related fee income amid a stronger domestic stock market. Even as most groups started the year with strong earnings, uncertainty around the operating environment is growing. Middle East-related risks are weighing on exchange rates, interest rates and capital ratios. Common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratios edged lower in the first quarter at several groups. KB Financial’s CET1 ratio fell 0.19 percentage points to 13.63%, and Shinhan’s slipped 0.16 points to 13.19%. Hana’s also declined by 0.15 points. Woori was the only one to rise, up 0.7 points to 13.6%. At the same time, delinquency rates on corporate loans expanded under a push for more “productive finance,” adding to asset-quality pressure. Banks are facing the task of sustaining earnings while managing credit quality and provisioning burdens. 2026-04-24 17:21:21
  • IBK Industrial Bank Q1 Net Profit Falls 7.5% to 753.4 Billion Won on FX Volatility
    IBK Industrial Bank Q1 Net Profit Falls 7.5% to 753.4 Billion Won on FX Volatility IBK Industrial Bank of Korea said Friday its first-quarter net profit fell 7.5% from a year earlier to 753.4 billion won, citing the impact of exchange-rate volatility. The bank said the decline was linked to currency-related factors stemming from Iran. Lending to small and midsize enterprises increased as the bank expanded what it called “productive finance.” The outstanding balance of SME loans rose 0.9% from the end of last year to 264.2 trillion won. Its share of the SME market was 24.4%. Asset-quality indicators were mixed. The ratio of substandard or below loans was unchanged from the end of last year at 1.28%, while the credit cost ratio fell 0.04 percentage point to 0.43%. An IBK official said the bank will continue supporting SMEs facing difficulties from rising exchange rates and oil prices through its “IBK-type Productive Finance 30-300 Project.” The official added that, as disclosed in March, the bank plans to introduce quarterly dividends for the first time, with July 31 set as the dividend record date. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 16:36:18
  • Woori Financial Q1 Net Profit Slips 2.09% on Middle East Risks Despite Strong Fee Growth
    Woori Financial Q1 Net Profit Slips 2.09% on Middle East Risks Despite Strong Fee Growth Woori Financial Group said its first-quarter net profit edged down as a currency shock tied to Middle East risks weighed on results, despite a sharp rise in noninterest income. Woori Financial said April 24 that first-quarter net profit totaled 603.8 billion won, down 2.09% from a year earlier. Net interest income rose 2.3% to 2.3032 trillion won, supported by growth in corporate finance and a steady net interest margin. The bank’s NIM increased to 1.51% in the first quarter from 1.49% in the fourth quarter of last year, up 0.02 percentage points. Noninterest income climbed 26.7% to 454.6 billion won as the contribution from nonbank units such as securities and insurance expanded. Fee income hit a quarterly record of 576.8 billion won. Woori Financial said profit was pressured as gains related to securities and foreign exchange fell in the wake of the Middle East war, and as one-off provisions tied to overseas units were reflected in results. A Woori Financial official said securities- and FX-related gains declined and the group set aside provisions of about 100 billion won for Indonesia’s Bank Woori Saudara, adding that the factors were temporary and driven by external conditions. The official said the company expects a recovery as recent market indicators stabilize. The group’s ratio of substandard or lower loans rose to 0.68% at the end of the first quarter from 0.63% at the end of last year. The bank’s delinquency rate was 0.38% and the card delinquency rate was 1.80%, up 0.04 percentage points and 0.27 percentage points, respectively. Woori Financial’s common equity Tier 1 ratio stood at a record 13.6% at the end of the first quarter, up 0.7 percentage points from the end of last year. Affiliate Woori Card posted first-quarter net profit of 43.9 billion won, up 33.8% from a year earlier. Woori Financial Capital earned 40.0 billion won, up 30.7%. Tongyang Life Insurance, acquired last year, reported net profit of 25.0 billion won. Woori Investment & Securities said net profit surged 976.9% on a stronger stock market. A Woori Financial official said efforts to strengthen capital adequacy and diversify earnings are translating into market confidence, adding that the group plans to expand shareholder returns as profit contributions from nonbank units gain momentum. Separately, Woori Financial’s board on April 24 approved a first-quarter dividend of 220 won per share, up 10% from a year earlier. The dividend will be paid tax-free. 2026-04-24 16:17:24
  • NH NongHyup Financial Q1 Net Profit Rises 21.7% to 868.8 Billion Won on Strong Fee Income
    NH NongHyup Financial Q1 Net Profit Rises 21.7% to 868.8 Billion Won on Strong Fee Income NH NongHyup Financial Group said Thursday it posted first-quarter net profit of 868.8 billion won, up 21.7% from a year earlier.  The group attributed the gain to balanced growth in both interest and noninterest income.  Interest income rose 7.3% to 2.1143 trillion won, helped by a larger core deposit base and a corporate-loan-focused portfolio that improved net interest margin. The combined bank and card NIM increased to 1.75% in March from 1.67% in December.  Noninterest income climbed 51.3% to 903.6 billion won. The group cited higher brokerage revenue amid more active capital markets and a sharp rise in fee income as assets under management expanded.  Return on assets and return on equity improved from the end of last year to 0.78% and 11.85%, respectively. The ratio of substandard or lower loans was 0.65%, and the loan-loss reserve coverage ratio stood at 156.54%. By major unit, NongHyup Bank earned 557.7 billion won, NH Investment & Securities posted 475.7 billion won, and NongHyup Life and Non-Life Insurance reported 67.1 billion won. NongHyup Bank’s profit rose slightly from a year earlier, up 3.3 billion won. Among capital-market affiliates, NH Investment & Securities and NH-Amundi Asset Management posted year-on-year profit increases of 128.5% and 117.5%, respectively, helping lift group results. 2026-04-24 15:10:48
  • Hana Financial posts record Q1 net profit of 1.21 trillion won on stronger fee income
    Hana Financial posts record Q1 net profit of 1.21 trillion won on stronger fee income Hana Financial Group said it posted its highest-ever first-quarter net profit despite external headwinds such as exchange-rate volatility. The company said April 24 that first-quarter net profit totaled 1.21 trillion won, up 7.3% from a year earlier. Hana Financial said the results were notable because they came after absorbing one-off costs, including 82.3 billion won in foreign-exchange translation losses tied to a weaker won. Net interest income rose 10.2% from a year earlier to 2.5053 trillion won. The group’s net interest margin was 1.82%, up 0.13 percentage points from the first quarter of last year, helping lift interest income. Noninterest income fell 11.9% to 583.6 billion won. Within that, fee income climbed 28% from a year earlier, which the group attributed to higher asset-management fees amid a strong stock market and improved competitiveness at its nonbank units. Asset quality indicators weakened slightly. The group’s estimated common equity Tier 1 ratio at the end of the first quarter was 13.09%, down 0.15 percentage points from a year earlier. Return on equity rose 0.29 percentage points to 10.91%, and return on assets was 0.73%. By affiliate, Hana Bank posted first-quarter net profit of 1.1042 trillion won, up 11.2% from a year earlier. Its net interest income increased 12.8% to 2.1843 trillion won, while fee income rose 19.1% to 297.3 billion won. The bank’s net interest margin was 1.58%, up 0.06 percentage points from the fourth quarter of last year (1.52%). Among nonbank affiliates, Hana Securities posted first-quarter net profit of 103.3 billion won, up 37.1% from a year earlier, driven by growth in wealth management and investment banking. Other first-quarter net profits were 57.5 billion won at Hana Card, 53.5 billion won at Hana Capital, 7.9 billion won at Hana Life, and 6.7 billion won at Hana Asset Trust. Hana Financial’s board also approved a quarterly cash dividend of 1,145 won per share for the first quarter, up 11.6% from last year’s average dividend per share. It also approved a 200 billion won share buyback and cancellation as part of a previously announced 400 billion won program. 2026-04-24 14:57:16
  • Samsung Card Q1 Net Profit Falls 15.3% to 156.3 Billion Won
    Samsung Card Q1 Net Profit Falls 15.3% to 156.3 Billion Won Samsung Card said Friday its first-quarter results fell from a year earlier as credit-loss provisions and selling and administrative expenses increased.  The company reported net profit of 156.3 billion won for the January-March period, down 15.3% from a year earlier.  Revenue rose as spending and card receivables increased across all business segments, but financing costs, credit-loss expenses and selling and administrative costs also climbed. Total transaction volume in the quarter rose 9.3% from a year earlier to 47.3345 trillion won. Card transaction volume increased 9.4% to 47.1438 trillion won. By segment, credit purchases totaled 42.4597 trillion won and financial services 4.6841 trillion won. Installment and lease transaction volume was 190.7 billion won. The company said expanded partnerships with top-tier affiliates strengthened product competitiveness, lifting membership and spending per customer. The delinquency rate for payments overdue by more than one month was 0.92%, slightly improved from the end of last year and remained stable. A Samsung Card official said volatility in the operating environment is expected to persist after the second quarter, including continued swings in funding markets. The official said the company will respond proactively to rising internal and external uncertainties while working to maintain its competitive edge and continue investing in future growth areas such as platforms, data and artificial intelligence. 2026-04-24 14:39:15