Journalist

Joonha Yoo
  • When Seoul becomes the screen: From neon signs to BTSs digital stage
    When Seoul becomes the screen: From neon signs to BTS's digital stage SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - On March 21, Gwanghwamun will not need to be transformed into a concert venue. It already is one. Along the 12-lane, 512-meter boulevard leading to the historic gate, walls of massive digital displays are permanently embedded into the cityscape. Office towers, commercial buildings and transit hubs double as screens. When BTS stages its comeback there, livestreamed on Netflix, the infrastructure will simply shift mode — from advertising and public messaging to performance. The streets will not be rebuilt. They will be activated. For several hours, Seoul’s everyday screens will operate as a single, synchronized stage. That ability — to reorganize public space around light and data at a moment’s notice — did not emerge by chance. It is the result of more than a century of technological accumulation, industrial policy and visual experimentation. Korea’s outdoor advertising began modestly. During the Joseon Dynasty, shopkeepers relied on wooden signboards and tavern markers. In 1886, commercial notices appeared in Hanseong Jubo, the country’s first modern newspaper. Advertising was informational, functional and limited in scale. After the Korean War armistice in 1953, hand-painted storefront signs spread across a devastated capital. In a city rebuilding from rubble, a sign meant survival. Visibility meant existence. The skyline changed in the late 1960s. When restrictions on neon signage were lifted in 1967, red and blue lights spread across Myeong-dong and Jongno. Rooftops began to glow. Commercial districts acquired night identities. Neon became the visual language of industrial ambition. It mirrored South Korea’s rapid economic ascent. Factories multiplied. Exports surged. Cities learned to shine. For the first time, Seoul advertised itself after dark. The next transformation arrived in the late 1980s. Around the 1988 Seoul Olympics, full-color electronic billboards appeared. Static signs gave way to motion. Images began to circulate. Advertising became cinematic. In the 2000s, LED technology and media facades accelerated that shift. Screens were no longer attached to buildings. They became part of them. Architecture and media fused. Few places capture this evolution better than COEX K-POP Square in Samseong-dong. Its 81-by-20-meter display dominates the district like an urban theater. By 2020, monthly advertising slots cost about 70 million won. Full-day exclusivity commanded similar prices. What began as neon craftsmanship had become premium digital real estate. The market followed the technology. South Korea’s outdoor advertising sector has grown by about 7 percent annually since 2017. It surpassed 4 trillion won in 2022 and reached an estimated 4.3 trillion won in 2024. Digital out-of-home advertising has driven most of that growth. Revenue from digital formats jumped nearly 34 percent in 2022 and rose again in 2023. Globally, the sector is projected to double from 2020 levels by 2027. Once grouped with print and broadcast as “legacy media,” outdoor advertising has been rebuilt as data infrastructure. Today, screens are traded through automated platforms. Campaigns are adjusted by time, traffic flow, weather and demographics. Exposure is measured, priced and optimized in real time. The city itself has become a marketplace of attention. Seen in that context, broadcasting a BTS concert across Gwanghwamun’s urban screens is not merely a fan-oriented experiment. It is the visible outcome of decades of industrial strategy and technological layering. On March 21, as BTS performs and Gwanghwamun’s screens light up in unison, Seoul will not simply host a show. It will function as one. In that glow, projected across glass and stone, will be the story of how Seoul made the night its stage. 2026-02-19 17:59:32
  • BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving
    BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving *Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The fourth installment traces the roots and growth of J-Hope. SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - By the time BTS gathers again on stage this spring, the distance between where J-Hope began and where he now stands will be measured not only in chart rankings and stadium crowds, but also in quiet acts of continuity. J-Hope celebrated his 32nd birthday on Feb. 18 not with spectacle, but with another donation. Child welfare agency Green Umbrella announced that he had contributed 100 million won to support students at his alma mater. From 2019 to 2023, he provided scholarships to students at Gwangju International High School and Jeonnam Girls’ Commercial High School facing financial hardship — a pattern of giving that reflects his enduring ties to his hometown. With the latest contribution, he became the 14th member of the Green Noble Trinity Club, reserved for donors whose cumulative giving exceeds 1 billion won. His philanthropy extends beyond education. Proceeds from the “Human Hope: A Joopiter Special” auction, linked to his Human Made collaboration, were donated to animal welfare groups. The birthday boy separately contributed 200 million won to Asan Medical Center to support pediatric treatment, home medical care and psychological services for critically ill children. Such gestures have become a steady undercurrent in his public life. But they are, in many ways, an extension of the discipline and responsibility that have defined his career. From street dancer to center of gravity “I’m your HOPE, you’re my HOPE, I’m J-Hope.” Since BTS’s debut in 2013, the greeting has served as both signature and promise. Born Jeong Hoseok on Feb. 18, 1994, he joined Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and debuted as the group’s main dancer and lead rapper. Before entering the idol system, he trained in popping at Joy Dance Academy in Gwangju and performed with the street crew Neuron under the nickname “Smile Hoya.” The street dancer never disappeared. His foundation in popping, wave techniques and freestyle remains visible in his stage work, lending BTS performances a sense of elasticity and rhythm that is difficult to replicate. Choreographer Son Sung-deuk and fellow members have repeatedly cited him as the group’s technical anchor — the performer who stabilizes timing, spacing and transitions when live stages become unpredictable. In a group built on precision, J-Hope has long functioned as its internal metronome. Building a solo identity His solo career unfolded alongside his group role, not in competition with it, but in dialogue. In 2018, his mixtape Hope World entered the Billboard 200, signaling that his appeal could stand independently. The following year, “Chicken Noodle Soup” revived a classic dance track for a new generation. With Jack In The Box in 2022, he pivoted sharply. The album replaced brightness with tension, playfulness with self-examination. Tracks such as “MORE” and “Arson” presented an artist willing to interrogate ambition, exhaustion and identity. In March 2023, “On the Street” returned to quieter ground, blending lo-fi hip-hop with reflections on his beginnings. His most commercially successful single to date, “Killin’ It Girl” featuring GloRilla, arrived in 2025, marking his strongest solo chart showing and reinforcing his growing international footprint. Projects such as HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 in 2024 and “Sweet Dreams” in 2025 further expanded his stylistic range, reconnecting him with street dance while exploring R&B and melodic hip-hop. The pattern is consistent: experimentation anchored by craft. Service, return and continuity J-Hope completed his mandatory military service in June 2025 and formally resumed public activities soon afterward, rejoining a group preparing for its first full reunion in years. On stage, his defining elements remain intact — wave sequences, popping accents, controlled improvisation, and signature openings such as those in “MIC DROP.” Yet the performances now carry added weight: the assurance of an artist who has tested himself outside the group and returned with clearer intent. Within BTS, he continues to drive energy and cohesion. As a solo artist, he has built a catalog marked by steady growth rather than abrupt reinvention. And beyond music, his philanthropy has reinforced an image of responsibility that resonates quietly but persistently. In K-pop, optimism is often packaged as concept. For J-Hope, it has functioned more as practice. It appears in the discipline of rehearsal rooms, in the consistency of donations, in the willingness to take creative risks without abandoning fundamentals. It is visible in how he balances spectacle with substance, popularity with accountability. As BTS approaches its long-awaited return, J-Hope stands not as a symbol of nostalgia, but as evidence of maturation — an artist who has learned how to sustain momentum across changing eras. The greeting still opens performances. But after thirteen years, it sounds less like a slogan and more like a record of work done. The next installment will focus on RM. 2026-02-19 17:49:46
  • Koreas auto exports jump 21.7% to $6.07b, second-highest on record for Jan
    Korea's auto exports jump 21.7% to $6.07b, second-highest on record for Jan SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) -South Korea’s auto exports opened the year on a strong footing, extending momentum from a record 2025, as a weak won and resilient demand from Europe and other markets for hybrid and secondhand vehicles helped offset lingering tariff pressures in the United States. Outbound shipments in January rose 21.7 percent from a year earlier to $6.07 billion, the second-highest export total ever recorded for the month, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Thursday. The solid start follows a record $72 billion in auto exports in 2025, marking three consecutive years above the $70 billion threshold, driven by environmentally friendly vehicles and used-car exports. Hybrid vehicle exports reached $1.71 billion in January, up 85.5 percent on year, while electric vehicle exports increased 21.2 percent to $780 million. Eco-friendly models accounted for 42 percent of total auto export value during the month. By region, shipments to the United States rose 19.2 percent to $2.66 billion as tariff rate was lowered 15 percent from 25 part as a part of a trade deal reached in November. Exports to the European Union climbed 34.4 percent to $871 million, with other European markets surging 44.8 percent. Shipments also expanded to Latin America, Oceania and Africa. Exports to Asia, however, fell 30.1 percent, while those to the Middle East edged down 0.4 percent. In volume terms, auto exports increased 23.4 percent on year to 247,000 units. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 92,000 units, up 51.5 percent, representing 37.4 percent of total export volume. Domestic sales also strengthened. January auto sales rose 14 percent to 121,000 units, led by a 48.3 percent surge in eco-friendly vehicle sales to 58,000 units. Electric vehicle sales more than quintupled from a year earlier to 10,098 units. Production climbed 24.1 percent to 361,000 units, supported by both export and domestic demand. All five major automakers increased output from a year earlier, with Renault Korea posting a sharp rebound after temporary factory suspensions in early 2025 for electric vehicle facility upgrades. The ministry attributed the January gains partly to more working days compared with a year earlier, as this year’s Lunar New Year holiday fell in February rather than January. 2026-02-19 11:45:30
  • KOSPI least hit by broad foreigners regional pullout ahead of long holiday
    KOSPI least hit by broad foreigners' regional pullout ahead of long holiday SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) -South Korean shares ended slightly lower Thursday after touching fresh record highs, the least affected in the region by broad foreign withdrawals from East Asian markets ahead of a lengthy Lunar New Year break next week. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.28 percent to close at 5,507.01, snapping a four-day winning streak. The index climbed as high as 5,583.74 during the session, extending its record, before retreating in afternoon trading. Market flows remained volatile. Foreign investors sold a net 1.20 trillion won worth of shares, while individual and institutional investors posted modest net buying. Heavyweight stocks were mixed. Samsung Electronics gained 1.46 percent to 181,200 won, breaking above the 180,000-won level for the first time. SK hynix slipped 0.9 percent after briefly reclaiming the 900,000-won mark. Technology and battery-related shares underperformed, with LG Energy Solution and secondary battery stocks posting sharp losses, while selected industrial names showed relative resilience. On the secondary board, the KOSDAQ dropped 1.77 percent to 1,106.08, pressured by broad-based selling from foreign and institutional investors. In currency trading, the won weakened, with the dollar rising 3.30 won to 1,445.80, adding to cautious market sentiment. Postelection euphoria faded in Tokyo, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 losing 1.21 percent to 56,941.97. China’s Shanghai Composite slid 1.2 percent to 4,084.55, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.85 percent to 26,532.42. Looking ahead, Tokyo will operate as usual next week, while Seoul will reopen on Thursday, Hong Kong on Friday and Shanghai on Feb. 24 after the Lunar New Year holidays. 2026-02-13 16:11:00
  • Seollal in motion: More opt to travel, but tradition lives on 
    Seollal in motion: More opt to travel, but tradition lives on  SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - On a quiet winter morning, the scent of beef broth fills Korean homes. A carefully arranged table is set before elders. Children bow deeply, offering New Year’s greetings — “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” or “May you receive many blessings in the new year.” With a bowl of tteokguk, rice cake soup, another year of life officially begins. That is Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year. Observed on the first day of the lunar calendar, Seollal is one of the country’s most important traditional holidays. The official break typically runs for at least three days, during which families reunite to mark the beginning of the year. While often compared to Thanksgiving in the United States or Lunar New Year celebrations in China, Seollal is distinctive in its emphasis on ancestral rites performed within the home. On the morning of Seollal, many families hold charye, a memorial ritual honoring ancestors. Younger family members perform sebae, a formal bow to elders, who in return offer words of blessing and small cash gifts known as sebaetdon. These customs reinforce intergenerational respect and a sense of family continuity. At the center of the holiday meal is tteokguk. The white rice cake soup symbolizes renewal and purity, while its long, thin slices are traditionally associated with longevity. A common saying holds that one must eat tteokguk to “become a year older.” Although the clear-broth version is the most widely known, regional variations abound — from the oval-shaped rice cakes of Gaeseong-style soup to oyster-based versions in southeastern regions and dumpling-filled broths in Gangwon Province. After the rituals and meals, families often turn to traditional games. The most familiar is yutnori, a board game played by tossing four wooden sticks and moving tokens based on the result. Its simple rules allow children and grandparents alike to join in. In the past, Seollal also featured outdoor folk games such as jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), kite flying, spinning tops, tuho (throwing arrows into a container), and neolttwigi (a seesaw-like jumping game). In today’s urban neighborhoods, many of these activities are more commonly seen at cultural festivals or school programs. A Nation on the Move Seollal is also marked by one of the largest annual movements of people in South Korea. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, about 27.8 million trips are projected during the 2026 holiday period. While this is lower than the 32.07 million recorded in 2025, the decline largely reflects a shorter break — four days this year compared with six last year. On a daily basis, travel intensity is expected to rise, averaging 8.34 million people per day, up from 7.63 million the previous year. Highway traffic is forecast to peak at 6.15 million vehicles on Seollal itself, as travel compresses into a narrower time window. The concentration highlights how the structure of the holiday calendar shapes nationwide mobility patterns. At the same time, the meaning of Seollal has evolved. A recent survey found that 31.4 percent of respondents plan to travel during the holiday, with most choosing domestic destinations. While visiting one’s hometown was once the central obligation of the season, leisure travel is increasingly becoming part of the celebration. Smaller family sizes, changing work patterns and shifting social expectations have also altered how households observe the holiday. Some families shorten visits, rotate gatherings, or replace formal rituals with simpler meals. Yet even as formats change, certain symbols endure. The deep bow. The shared meal. The steaming bowl of tteokguk on a winter morning. These remain constant. 2026-02-13 14:34:19
  • Winter Olympics 26: Asia shines on snow and ice with teen snowboarders gold
    Winter Olympics '26: Asia shines on snow and ice with teen snowboarder's gold SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) -Asian athletes continued to command attention on the eighth day of competition at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, highlighted by South Korean snowboarder Choi Ga-on’s landmark gold medal and podium finishes by skaters from China and Japan. Choi delivered the defining moment of the day in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final. After qualifying in sixth place, she rose to the occasion with a decisive final run, scoring 90.25 points to claim gold. American favorite Chloe Kim, who had topped qualification, settled for silver with 88.00, while Japan’s Ono Mitsuki surged from 11th in qualifying to take bronze with 85.00. The halfpipe final emerged as the day’s standout Asian showcase. In short track speed skating, China’s Sun Long claimed silver in the men’s 1,000 meters, while South Korea’s Rim Jong-un secured bronze in 1 minute 24.611. Gold went to the Netherlands’ Jens van ’t Wout, who clocked 1 minute 24.537. Rim’s podium finish added to Korea’s tally, reinforcing its depth in short track competition. In curling, South Korea’s women’s team — Gim Eun-ji, Kim Min-ji, Kim Su-ji, Seol Ye-eun and Seol Ye-ji — fell 4-8 to the United States in round-robin play before rebounding with a 7-2 victory over host nation Italy. As of Day 8, Japan stands 10th overall in the medal table with two gold, two silver and six bronze medals. South Korea ranks 11th with one gold, one silver and two bronze, while China sits 16th with two silver and two bronze. Choi’s triumph in Livigno, which stole the Olympic spotlight, also marked a turning point in South Korea’s winter sports history. Long dominant in skating disciplines, the country is now expanding its presence in snow events, signaling a broader and more balanced Olympic profile. 2026-02-13 11:10:44
  • KOSPI lands above another 5,500 milestone
    KOSPI lands above another 5,500 milestone SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) —South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI towered over regional peers on Thursday, setting a fresh record above the 5,500 mark on strong foreign and institutional buying. The benchmark index rose 3.1 percent to close at 5,522.3, up 167.8 points on the session. Foreign investors bought a net 3.0013 trillion won ($2.08 billion), while institutions added 1.3668 trillion won. Retail investors sold 4.4474 trillion won, locking in gains after the recent rally. Large-cap technology shares led the advance. Samsung Electronics jumped 6.4 percent to 178,600 won after announcing shipments of its HBM4 memory chips, with performance said to exceed industry standards. Woori Technology rose 10.3 percent to 13,620 won, while POSCO DX gained 9.4 percent to 41,150 won amid renewed attention on automation and robotics themes ahead of the “AW 2026” smart factory and automation exhibition, which will feature major Chinese technology brands. Hyundai ADM Bio surged 30 percent to 5,680 won following research updates related to drug-delivery mechanisms in cancer treatment. Among decliners, Hyundai Motor fell 0.6 percent to 506,000 won, LG Electronics dropped 5.1 percent to 121,400 won after the previous session’s sharp gains, and Kakao edged down 0.2 percent to 58,800 won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 3.5 percent to 816.3, up 27.5 points. On the secondary board, foreigners sold a net 105 billion won, while institutions and retail investors bought 69.1 billion won and 85.6 billion won, respectively. The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar, closing at 1,441.4 per dollar, up 6.6 won, or 0.5 percent. The dollar index stood at 96.94, reflecting broader dollar softness. In the region, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.02 percent to 57,639.8 after gaining a cumulative 3,832.5 points between Feb. 6 and Feb. 10 ahead of the general election. China’s Shanghai Composite closed at 4,134.02, extending its advance, with the index up 68.4 points over the past four sessions since Feb. 9. 2026-02-12 17:36:54
  • BTS Comeback D-37: Built different, the Suga equation
    BTS Comeback D-37: Built different, the Suga equation *Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The Third installment traces the BTS member SUGA's roots and growth. SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - “Butter” by BTS recently crossed 4 million cumulative points on Japan’s Oricon Weekly Combined Single Ranking. At first glance, the milestone looked like another routine addition to the group’s sprawling archive of records ahead of its comeback. But the number tells a deeper story. Unlike charts based solely on physical sales, Oricon’s Weekly Combined Single Ranking converts multiple consumption formats into a unified score. One physical single sold equals one point, as does one full-track digital download, while streaming figures are converted according to Oricon’s weighted formula. Points are accumulated weekly, meaning the 4 million threshold reflects sustained, long-term consumption rather than a short-lived surge. In Japan’s domestic market — where local artists typically dominate cumulative rankings — surpassing 4 million points is widely regarded as a marker of durable purchasing power. Released on May 21, 2021, “Butter” spent 10 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Crossing the 4 million-point mark on Oricon made it the first such achievement by an overseas act and only the second overall — a reminder that BTS’s commercial gravity has not faded during its members’ staggered military service. At the structural core of that trajectory stands rapper and producer Suga (Min Yoon-gi, born March 9, 1993). Unlike many idol rappers whose roles remain performance-centered, Suga’s influence extends into composition, arrangement, and conceptual direction. More than 100 songs are registered under his name at the Korea Music Copyright Association. He has contributed to defining BTS tracks such as “I Need U,” “Spring Day,” and “Life Goes On,” the latter becoming the first Korean-language song to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2020. His solo career operates under a different logic. Performing as Agust D — a name derived from reversing “DT SUGA,” with “DT” referring to “Daegu Town” — he foregrounds authorship and locality within a global pop framework. His 2016 mixtape Agust D reached No. 3 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. D-2, released in 2020, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 11. The title track “Daechwita” accumulated 17 million views within 24 hours of release and has since surpassed 500 million views on YouTube. By the time D-DAY debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2023, the arc was unmistakable: a transition from group rapper to independently touring artist. His world tour, which began on April 26, 2023, spanned 10 cities and 28 performances, drawing more than 290,000 attendees — figures usually reserved for established solo acts rather than first-time headliners. Collaboration has served as another extension of his authorship. He produced and featured on “Eight” with IU, co-produced and appeared on “That That” with PSY, and partnered with Halsey on “Lilith.” Each project expanded his reach beyond BTS’s immediate ecosystem. Behind the numbers lies a long record of physical and emotional endurance. During his trainee years, Suga sustained a serious shoulder injury in a traffic accident while working a delivery job. He later revealed on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block that he performed for years while receiving injections, before eventually undergoing surgery in November 2020. The injury later influenced his assignment during mandatory military service. He was discharged on June 21, 2025. In Daegu, murals near Myeongdeok Station now mark the neighborhood where his early studio once stood. Global chart dominance has translated into a physical landmark — an unusual trajectory for a rapper who once operated in the underground under the name “Gloss.” Four million Oricon points. Ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. A No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200. More than 100 registered copyrights. Over 500 million YouTube views. A 290,000-attendance world tour. Individually, each figure signals scale. Taken together, they outline something more enduring: a producer who has built parallel credibility inside and outside one of the world’s largest music groups. Major chart records, hundreds of millions of views, global touring power, and years of performing through injury — these are not merely statistics. They trace a career constructed on both expansion and resilience. The next installment will track RM. 2026-02-12 16:15:13
  • Winter Olympics 26: Korean snowboarders advance halfpipe finals as Asian nations add medals
    Winter Olympics '26: Korean snowboarders advance halfpipe finals as Asian nations add medals SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Korea made Olympic history in snowboard halfpipe as Choi Ga-on and Lee Chae-un both advanced to the finals in the qualification rounds at the XXV Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Competing at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Choi placed sixth overall in the women’s qualification among 24 riders, earning 82.25 points in her opening run to rank third at one stage. The 17-year-old executed a 4.2-meter aerial during her routine. The event was topped by Chloe Kim of the United States with 90.25 points, followed by Japan’s Sara Shimizu with 87.50 and Maddie Mastro of the United States with 86.00. The top 12 riders progressed to the final. In the men’s qualification, Lee Chae-un secured ninth place among 25 competitors with 82.00 points in his first run, comfortably inside the top 12 cutoff. His routine featured five successful jumps, including a backside double cork 1080. Australia’s Scotty James led the field with 90.25 points, while Japan’s Totsuka Yuto posted 91.25 and Yamada Ryusei recorded 90.25. It marks the first time South Korean snowboarders have reached an Olympic halfpipe final in both the men’s and women’s events. In speed skating, China’s Ning Zhongyan claimed bronze in the men’s 1,000 meters with a time of 1:07.34. Jordan Stolz of the United States won gold with 1:06.28, followed by Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands in 1:06.78. During the race, China’s Lian Ziwen was disqualified for obstructive driving after a lane-change collision. Under speed skating regulations, priority is given to the skater moving from the outer lane to the inner lane, and officials ruled that Lian hindered a rival. Korea’s speed skater Koo Kyung-min finished 10th in the same event with a time of 1:08.53. In biathlon, Ekaterina Avvakumova placed 63rd in the women’s 15km individual with a time of 47:18.2. In freestyle skiing, Yoon Shin-yi concluded 24th in women’s moguls qualification round two with 64.46 points after scoring 59.4 in the first round. Japan added to its medal tally in ski jumping, earning bronze in the mixed team event at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. The quartet of Maruyama, Kobayashi, Takanashi and Nikaido combined for 1,034.0 points. Slovenia secured gold with 1,069.2, while Norway took silver with 1,038.3. Norway remained atop the overall standings as of 11:00 a.m. KST on February 11. Among Asian delegations, Japan ranked ninth with two gold, two silver and four bronze medals. China stood 14th with one silver and two bronze, while South Korea followed in 15th place with one silver and one bronze. 2026-02-12 14:06:42
  • KOSPI stands out as regional winner as Tokyo stays closed
    KOSPI stands out as regional winner as Tokyo stays closed SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) -South Korean shares emerged as regional winners on Wednesday, with Japanese markets closed for the National Foundation Day, as strong foreign and institutional buying and easing currency pressure lifted investor sentiment. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to close at 5,354.5, extending its rebound as heavyweight stocks regained momentum. The KOSPI 200 advanced 1.02 percent to 788.8, reflecting renewed strength in large-cap names. Foreign and institutional investors led the rally. Foreigners posted net purchases of 847.4 billion won ($582 million), while institutions added 689.6 billion won. Retail investors locked in gains, selling 1.71 trillion won, underscoring a rotation out of recent outperformers. Technology and industrial shares drove advances. Samsung Electronics climbed 1.2 percent to 167,800 won, while Hyundai Motor surged 5.9 percent to 509,000 won. Nuclear power–related stocks rallied sharply. Woori Technology soared 30 percent to 12,350 won on expectations that its domestically developed nuclear control systems would benefit from ongoing reactor construction and future decommissioning projects. LG Electronics jumped 23 percent to 127,900 won, hitting a fresh high, as investors piled into the stock on expectations that it could gain from the expansion of physical AI businesses. The rally accelerated mid-morning as the theme gained traction, with LG seen as a potential beneficiary of next-generation robotics, smart devices and AI-integrated hardware ecosystems. In contrast, chip and battery stocks showed mixed performance. SK hynix fell 1.8 percent to 860,000 won, while Samsung SDI slipped 1.1 percent to 377,000 won amid reports that Stellantis is reviewing its stake in their U.S. battery joint venture as part of broader restructuring efforts. Concerns over EV-sector profitability weighed on sentiment in select battery names. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged down 0.03 percent to 1,114.9, as gains in select mid-cap shares were offset by profit-taking. Foreign investors bought 2.1 billion won, while institutions added 75.5 billion won. Retail investors sold 48.4 billion won. The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar, providing additional support for equities. The currency rose to 1,453 won per dollar, up 6.0 won, or 0.41 percent, easing pressure on foreign capital flows. Precious metals declined alongside a firmer dollar tone. International gold prices fell 1.0 percent to $5,031.0 per troy ounce, while silver dropped 2.2 percent to $80.4 per ounce. Across Asia, markets showed a mixed tone. With Tokyo closed for the National Foundation Day holiday, regional direction was muted. China’s Shanghai Composite was little changed, inching up 0.2 percent to 4,134.4, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index traded mostly flat as investors consolidated recent gains. 2026-02-11 17:58:13