Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • KOSPIs bull run pushes South Korea to worlds 10th-largest stock market
    KOSPI's bull run pushes South Korea to world's 10th-largest stock market SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI continued its bull run, closing at 5,170.81, while the junior KOSDAQ also finished above the 1,100 level at 1,133.52. The weeks-long rally that began at the start of the new year has lifted South Korea's stock market to a valuation of $3.25 trillion, surpassing Germany's $3.22 trillion and making it the world's 10th-largest stock market, just behind Taiwan, according to Bloomberg's compiled data. Wednesday's rally was led by semiconductor-related shares. Shares of SK hynix closed up 5.13 percent at 841,000 won, buoyed by the chipmaker's fourth-quarter earnings that showed operating profit surged 137.2 percent to 19.17 trillion won on strong chip demand. Samsung Electronics closed up 1.82 percent at 162,400 won, Samsung Biologics rose 0.06 percent to 1,791,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.73 percent to 192,200 won, and LG Energy Solution jumped 5.51 percent to 431,000 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace rising 4.72 percent to 1,288,000 won. But shipbuilding-related shares were mixed, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 0.34 percent to 586,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean rose 2.06 percent to 143,400 won. Auto-related stocks also traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor closing up 0.82 percent at 492,500 won, while its affiliate Kia fell 2.48 percent to 149,700 won. Individual investors snapped up a net 1.213 trillion won, while foreign investors and institutions sold a net 13.52 billion won and 1.0397 trillion won, respectively. Individual investors snapped up a net 1.213 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors offloaded a net 13.52 billion won and 1.0397 trillion won, respectively. The won strengthened sharply against the dollar, trading around 1,420 per dollar, its strongest level in weeks. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.05 percent to 53,358.71 and China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.27 percent to 4,151.24. 2026-01-28 17:43:05
  • Kias Q4, 2025 profit slides nearly 30% as U.S. tariffs bite despite record sales
    Kia's Q4, 2025 profit slides nearly 30% as U.S. tariffs bite despite record sales SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Kia Corp., South Korea’s second-largest automaker, saw its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 operating profit fall by around 30 percent as higher U.S. tariffs dented the bottom line despite record-high sales volumes and revenue. In its earnings filing Tuesday, Kia disclosed consolidated operating profit for the October–December period at 1.84 trillion won ($1.3 billion), up 26 percent from the previous quarter but down 32.2 percent from a year earlier. Quarterly revenue reached 28.09 trillion won, slipping 2.1 percent quarter on quarter but rising 3.5 percent from the same period last year, marking the company’s best for a fourth quarter. The automaker’s operating margin narrowed to 6.6 percent in the quarter, while the full-year margin stood at around 8.0 percent. Profitability was squeezed by a sharp rise in costs. The cost-of-sales ratio climbed to 81.7 percent from 78.8 percent a year earlier, dragging the gross margin down to 18.3 percent from 21.2 percent. Selling and administrative expenses also increased, further weighing on earnings. For the full year, Kia posted operating profit of 9.08 trillion won, down 28.3 percent from 12.67 trillion won in 2024, even as annual revenue jumped 6.2 percent to a record 114.14 trillion won. Global vehicle sales reached an all-time high of 3.14 million units. Korean-made vehicles, which had previously enjoyed near-zero duties under a bilateral free trade agreement, were hit with a uniform 25-percent “reciprocal” tariff from spring last year under the Trump administration. Although a subsequent trade deal lowered the rate to 15 percent — in line with tariffs applied to European and Japanese vehicles and retroactive to November — Kia said inventories at its U.S. operations were subject to the 25-percent duty for about two months. Weaker sales volumes trimmed operating profit by an additional 13.2 billion won. These impacts were partially offset by favorable foreign-exchange effects from a weaker won, which lifted profit by about 42.4 billion won, as well as pricing adjustments, an improved model mix and cost-cutting efforts. Balance-sheet metrics improved despite softer earnings. Kia’s debt ratio fell 4.3 percentage points year on year to 61.8 percent, while net cash rose to 19.64 trillion won as borrowings declined. Equity increased by 5.35 trillion won to 61.19 trillion won. Return on equity, however, slipped to 12.8 percent, reflecting the earnings slowdown. Kia shares closed down 2.48 percent at 149,700 won. 2026-01-28 16:20:13
  • KOSPI, unfazed by Trumps antics, closes above 5,000 points
    KOSPI, unfazed by Trump's antics, closes above 5,000 points SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed above 5,000 points on Tuesday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's sudden threat to raise tariffs again. The index closed at 5,084.85, up 2.73 percent from the previous session, and the junior KOSDAQ also rose 1.71 percent to 1,082.59 after reaching a milestone of 1,000 points the previous day for the first time in about four years. Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 4.87 percent to 159,500 won, while SK hynix surged a whopping 8.70 percent to 800,000 won, further boosted by news that it was chosen as the exclusive supplier of HBM3E high-bandwidth memory for Microsoft's next-generation, artificial intelligence (AI) chip dubbed Maia 200. Other large-cap stocks were mixed, with Samsung Biologics dropping 0.94 percent to 1,790,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance rising 2.69 percent to 187,100 won, and LG Energy Solution falling 1.8 percent to 408,500 won. Shipbuilding-related shares were also mixed, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 2.81 percent to 588,000 won and Hanwha Ocean up 0.5 percent to 140,500 won. Trump's threat somewhat affected auto-related stocks, as Hyundai Motor closed down 0.81 percent at 488,500 won, which was a slight recovery after falling nearly 5 percent in earlier trading. Kia also dropped 1.1 percent to 153,500 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 2.54 percent at 1,230,000 won. Individuals sold a net 1.02 trillion won ($705 million), while foreigners and institutional investors snapped up a net 850.8 billion won and 232.7 billion won, respectively. The won remained stable against the greenback, trading at 1,444.60 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares edged higher after opening lower, with the Nikkei 225 Index up 0.85 percent at 53,333.54. 2026-01-27 16:47:41
  • [BTS Comeback] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico
    [[BTS Comeback]] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - BTS’s first global concert tour in nearly four years, following the completion of the Korean members’ mandatory military service, has reached the level of presidential diplomacy in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had personally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure additional BTS concert dates in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand from Mexican youth. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Jan. 26 local time, Sheinbaum said she sent a message to Lee asking for his support in expanding the group’s scheduled performances during their Mexico stop in May. “We have not yet received a response, but we hope it will be positive,” she said. Sheinbaum added that she also contacted concert organizers to explore the possibility of adding more shows. However, local promoter Ocesa has said that additional dates are currently not feasible. BTS is scheduled to perform at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on May 7, 9 and 10. A senior official at HYBE, the group’s management agency, said the company has not received any formal request regarding the matter. Sheinbaum had earlier welcomed the confirmation of BTS’s visit, saying during a Jan. 19 briefing that the concerts fulfilled a “historic request” from Mexican youth. GNP Seguros Stadium has a capacity of approximately 50,000 to 60,000, and all tickets sold out within 37 minutes of going on sale on Jan. 24. Ticketmaster described the sale as one of the most intense in Mexico’s recent concert history, with searches originating from more than 1,300 cities worldwide. According to Sheinbaum, around 150,000 tickets were sold, while more than 1 million people attempted to purchase them. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over unclear consumer information and potential scalping practices. The agency has also warned resale platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo, where tickets have been listed at five to six times their original prices. 2026-01-27 11:40:51
  • Seoul markets mostly unfazed by renewed Trumpian tariff threat
    Seoul markets mostly unfazed by renewed Trumpian tariff threat SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) –Stocks were undisturbed in their growth momentum while the Korean won gave up earlier gains against the U.S. dollar as the Korean financial markets weighed the gravity of the overnight social-media threat by President Donald Trump to reinstate 25-percent tariffs on selected South Korean exports including automobiles. As of 10:23 a.m. Seoul, KOSPI rose 0.76ercent to 4.987.03 smaller KOSDAQ up 0.93 percent at 1,074.64. The won was mildly affected, with the U.S. dollar rising 1.6 won to 1,449.60 won. In a post on his Truth Social platform late Sunday, Trump said he would raise tariffs on South Korean products — including autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals — from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing Seoul’s failure to ratify what he described as a “historic trade agreement.” “Because the Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS, from 15% to 25%,” Trump wrote. He did not specify when the higher tariffs would take effect. Trump said the move followed South Korea’s failure to ratify a trade package he said was reached with President Lee Jae Myung on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed during his visit to Korea in late October. Shares of Hyundai Motor, which would be among the most directly affected, fell as much as 4 percent earlier in the session but later pared losses to trade down just 0.1 percent, as Seoul authorities moved quickly to assess potential countermeasures. The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association said the impact on the industry is likely to be limited, noting that relatively few Korean drugmakers have significant direct exposure to the U.S. market. It added that companies with U.S. exposure have already secured alternative arrangements, including local contract manufacturing or acquisitions of production facilities, to mitigate risks. The pharmaceutical index slipped 0.8 percent. Defense and aerospace shares also edged lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 0.48 percent at 1,256,000 won. Shipbuilders showed mixed performance. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.98 percent to 587,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean gained 0.86 percent to 141,000 won. In regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.12 percent to 52,819.94, as investors monitored potential spillover effects should Washington revisit similar tariff arrangements with Tokyo. 2026-01-27 11:08:14
  • A star rising quietly from the K-pop margins with soothing voice -Hanroro
    A star rising quietly from the K-pop margins with soothing voice -Hanroro SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – While the global spotlight is fixed on BTS’s long-awaited comeback and K-pop’s high-profile Grammy ambitions, a very different ascent is unfolding on Korea’s domestic charts — quieter, slower, but no less decisive. Hanroro, an indie singer-songwriter once known mainly through word of mouth, has emerged as one of the most talked-about new voices of the year. Often described as a “Gen Z rock star,” she has climbed steadily rather than explosively, edging her way toward the top of the charts on the strength of songs that linger rather than shout. Her track “Landing in Love,” first released last year, entered Melon’s weekly Top 100 in October and continued its slow burn into the new year, reaching No. 2 for the January 12–18 tracking period. In an industry accustomed to instant virality, the song’s rise feels almost old-fashioned — built on repeat listens, shared clips and emotional recognition. The turning point came last July, when Hanroro appeared on Mnet’s live performance program Live Wire as a featured artist chosen by JANNABI. Her restrained delivery of “Landing in Love” — understated, controlled, and quietly raw — struck a chord. A clip of the performance later surpassed 4.5 million views on YouTube, fueling organic discovery and pushing streaming numbers higher. The pattern was familiar to those who had followed her earlier. Her debut track, “Let Me Love My Youth,” gained early traction after BTS leader RM shared the song on social media — a brief endorsement that introduced her music to a far wider audience. Since then, a combination of celebrity mentions, broadcast exposure and online circulation has continued to widen her reach, without diluting the intimacy of her sound. At the heart of Hanroro’s appeal is songwriting that speaks plainly about youth — its tenderness, its bruises, and its quiet resilience. Drawing on her background in Korean literature, she writes her own lyrics, translating the anxieties of growing up, the ache of relationships and the uncertainty of becoming into language that feels both simple and carefully chosen. Listeners quote her lines, replay her songs, and describe them in personal terms. “Your music always feels familiar, warm and touching,” one fan wrote online. “Let Me Love My Youth,” which uses spring as a metaphor for emotional uncertainty, and “Landing in Love,” a reflection on life after a breakup, have resonated deeply with teens and young adults navigating similar terrain. The Korean Music Awards has taken note as well, praising her poetic lyrics and restrained rock arrangements for capturing a subdued nostalgia that defines much of contemporary youth culture. Hanroro’s storytelling now extends beyond music. Her debut novel, JAMONG SALGU CLUB, has drawn renewed attention amid the success of “Landing in Love,” ranking No. 4 on Kyobo Bookstore’s overall bestseller list in the second week of January. An EP of the same title has also gained traction, with the track “0+0” breaking into Melon’s daily Top 10 — evidence that her audience is consuming her work not as isolated songs or books, but as a connected emotional universe. One reader described the novel as a book that made them cry — and then think about how people comfort one another. “You may not know it yet. But the more you cry out that you want to live, the more you will begin to want to live,” Hanroro writes in Jamong Salgu Club. A similar gentleness runs through her song “0+0,” which repeats the line, “I won’t abandon you — you won’t either, right?” These are not dramatic statements, but quiet words that stay with the listener. For many young adults in South Korea, where youth suicide rates remain among the highest in developed countries, such lines have resonated as small but meaningful forms of comfort, offering presence rather than answers. Her rise also reflects a broader shift in Korea’s music industry, where indie artists are increasingly developed with K-pop-style systems. Hanroro’s agency, Authentic, applied structured training and branding strategies more commonly associated with idol acts, while allowing her creative voice to remain intact. Critics note that her gentle sound, coupled with her work across music and literature, has made her especially appealing to young listeners searching for alternatives to the mainstream. That growing engagement is visible beyond charts and reviews. Merchandise tied to Hanroro sold out across all items through A0, a production brand celebrating its second anniversary this year — a sign that casual listeners are becoming committed fans, invested not just in songs but in the world surrounding them. On social media platform X, listeners share lyric excerpts, personal reflections and late-night listening rituals tied to tracks like “0+0” and “Landing in Love,” reinforcing the sense of a shared emotional language. Hanroro will take another symbolic step on March 21, when she holds a solo concert at Kintex in Goyang — on the same day BTS stages its long-awaited comeback show at Gwanghwamun. It is an almost poetic coincidence: the industry’s biggest name reclaiming the center, while a quieter voice continues to rise just offstage, on her own terms. 2026-01-26 17:23:59
  • KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty
    KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – Asian equities opened the week mostly lower, with Japanese stocks retreating on rising bond yields and political uncertainty. South Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ bucked the sentiment, surging past the 1,000 mark for the first time in four years on policy optimism. The benchmark KOSPI opened higher but later pared gains. As of 10:37 a.m. local time Monday, the index was down 0.48 percent at 4,966.31. The KOSDAQ jumped 5.48 percent to 1,048.35, triggering a buying sidecar as momentum accelerated in growth stocks. A KOSDAQ buying sidecar is activated when KOSDAQ 150 futures rise more than 6 percent from the reference price and the spot KOSDAQ 150 index climbs more than 3 percent for at least one minute. At the time of activation, KOSDAQ 150 futures were up 6.29 percent, or 105.10 points, at 1,774.60, while the spot index rose 6.56 percent. Trading in both futures and cash markets was temporarily halted for five minutes to curb volatility. It marked the first KOSDAQ buying sidecar since April 10 last year. The rally was driven by continued expectations for government measures to revitalize the junior bourse, along with strong gains in biotech and secondary battery shares. Market sentiment was buoyed by reports that the KOSPI 5,000 Special Committee recently proposed leveraging digital assets to push the KOSDAQ toward the 3,000 level during a luncheon meeting with President Lee Jae Myung. Policy initiatives such as the proposed “National Growth Fund” to boost venture investment also supported sentiment. Among KOSDAQ stocks, ABL Bio surged more than 15 percent, EcoPro BM climbed about 12 percent, and Rainbow Robotics jumped over 22 percent. On the KOSPI, heavyweight stocks showed mixed performance. Samsung Electronics rose 0.33 percent to 152,600 won, while SK hynix fell 2.74 percent to 746,000 won amid speculation that Samsung may be gaining an edge in the HBM4 race. LG Energy Solution advanced 0.85 percent to 415,500 won. Samsung Life Insurance slipped 0.49 percent, and Samsung Biologics edged down 0.17 percent. Automakers traded lower, with Hyundai Motor falling 1.76 percent to 501,000 won and Kia dropping 2.45 percent to 155,100 won, after recent sharp gains. Defense and aerospace shares gained attention, with Hanwha Aerospace rising 1.04 percent to 1,268,000 won, as President Lee Jae Myung’s chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. Kang is seeking to support South Korea’s bid to secure Canada’s major submarine procurement project, estimated at up to 60 trillion won ($40.9 billion), where Hanwha Ocean is competing against Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Shipbuilders traded lower. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.55 percent to 611,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean slipped 0.50 percent to 139,600 won. In currency markets, the won strengthened to 1,444.40 per dollar, up 10.90 won from the previous session, supported by a firmer Japanese yen. Japanese stocks underperformed most in the region. The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.75 percent to 52,902.87, weighed down by a sharp rise in government bond yields and growing political uncertainty. Yields on Japan’s long-dated government bonds last week had neared 30-year highs while the yen toward the 160-per-dollar level, fueling concerns over investor confidence. Markets were unsettled after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called a snap election for early next month, raising worries over fiscal policy direction amid proposals for additional stimulus and tax cuts. 2026-01-26 11:41:14
  • HYBE and Seoul weigh safety as BTS plans unprecedented public-stage comeback
    HYBE and Seoul weigh safety as BTS plans unprecedented public-stage comeback SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Seoul authorities and HYBE are moving cautiously as they prepare for what could become one of the most closely watched public performances in K-pop history: BTS’s planned 2026 comeback show in the Gwanghwamun area, the heart of the capital’s government, business and tourism district. It took several days for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to grant a conditional go-ahead to HYBE’s request to stage the concert in the downtown area in late March. While the idea of a free, open-air BTS performance on city streets has generated excitement worldwide, it has also raised difficult questions about crowd control and public safety. City officials remain acutely aware of the risks associated with large-scale gatherings, particularly after the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush tragedy. Unlike ticketed stadium concerts, a public street performance presents far greater uncertainty. HYBE has estimated attendance could exceed 100,000, but officials acknowledge that the actual number is difficult to predict, especially given BTS’s global fan base. That uncertainty is one reason the city reportedly steered organizers toward a Saturday date, rather than a weekday, out of the three dates originally proposed. Even so, HYBE emphasized that no final decision has been made. “The specific concert date has not been confirmed, and options for March 20, 21 or 22 are currently being reviewed,” said Park Hye-sol, a BTS public relations manager at HYBE. “Safety matters are being discussed with the Korean National Police Agency.” According to Seoul city officials, final authorization will be granted only after a comprehensive safety review. Authorities have called for detailed measures to manage crowd flows, prevent overlaps between performer and audience movements, and minimize traffic disruption in the Gwanghwamun area. “HYBE is in discussion with the Korean National Police Agency, while the Seoul Metropolitan Government and HYBE continue to share updates and review safety measures as concerns arise,” an official from the city’s tourism and events team said. “The formal safety review will take place after the Lunar New Year holiday, and no details have been finalized yet,” the official added. Preparations include plans to redirect pedestrian traffic to reduce congestion around Gwanghwamun and nearby sidewalks, as well as coordination with Seoul Metro to manage subway crowding. Station-specific measures are under discussion, including guidance for passengers to use alternative exits if certain access points become overcrowded. “Because real-time monitoring of crowd levels is essential, guidance will be adjusted on site as conditions change,” the official said. Fans urge caution, not chaos. Online, fans have also voiced concerns—largely framing safety as a shared responsibility between organizers, authorities and the fan community itself. On social media platform X, international fans have warned about the risks of excessive crowd density, calling for clear crowd-flow management, sufficient staffing and strict on-site safety controls. Some posts stressed that enthusiasm should not override caution, urging planners to prioritize safety over spectacle. Several fans tagged law enforcement agencies and event organizers, asking for tighter entry management, clearer separation of pedestrian flows and better organization of waiting areas. One widely shared post summed up the sentiment succinctly: “Prevention is better than reaction.” Attention has also turned to transportation hubs. Some fans cautioned against gathering at airports, noting that such behavior has previously caused congestion and safety concerns. Incheon International Airport has echoed those warnings in recent years, urging entertainment agencies to submit advance travel plans for major artists and strengthen crowd management around terminals. One message circulating widely online urged restraint: “Do not go to airports unless you have a valid flight ticket.” The posts reflect a growing awareness within the fan community of the risks posed by unmanaged gatherings—not only to fans themselves, but also to the artists and the public. As anticipation builds for BTS’s return, organizers and authorities face a delicate balancing act. For an event of this scale and visibility, how safely the crowd is managed may matter just as much as what happens on stage. 2026-01-23 17:47:46
  • Asia stocks edge higher; KOSPI back above 5,000
    Asia stocks edge higher; KOSPI back above 5,000 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Asian equities opened higher on Friday, with South Korean stocks leading gains as easing global trade tensions lifted investor sentiment. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed back above the 5,000 mark in early trading. As of 9:48 a.m. local time, the index was up 1.17 percent at 5,010.28. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.82 percent to 978.26. Institutional investors were net buyers of 191.0 billion won ($94 million), while individual investors and foreigners sold a net 138.1 billion won and 81.8 billion won, respectively. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.1 percent to 155,500 won. SK hynix slipped 0.4 percent to 752,000 won, while LG Energy Solution fell 0.48 percent to 415,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.68 percent to 183,600 won, and Samsung Biologics advanced 1.07 percent to 1,797,000 won. Automakers traded mixed. Hyundai Motor rose 0.76 percent to 533,000 won, extending recent gains, while Kia fell 0.3 percent to 164,100 won. Defense and aerospace shares declined, with Hanwha Aerospace down 1.01 percent at 1,276,000 won. Shipbuilders outperformed, supported by expectations of improved earnings and new orders this year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 2.45 percent to 628,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean jumped 4.5 percent to 143,900 won. Construction and redevelopment-related stocks also drew attention as major builders positioned for a new wave of urban renewal projects. With multiple contractor selections scheduled in key redevelopment districts such as Seongsu and Apgujeong, competition among builders has intensified. Daewoo Engineering & Construction surged 11.07 percent in early trade, after entering the bidding race with its premium “Summit” brand. In the foreign exchange market, the South Korean won weakened, with the dollar trading at 1,468.7 won, up 3.70 won from the previous session. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares were higher, with the Nikkei 225 Index gaining 0.17 percent to 53,782.57. 2026-01-23 10:32:17
  • BTS stages comeback at Gwanghwamun on March 21
    BTS stages comeback at Gwanghwamun on March 21 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) -The date is set for an open invite for BTS's long-awaited full-group comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 after Seoul on Thursday granted conditional approval for the large-scale outdoor concert and began preparations for an influx of tens of thousands of fans into the city center. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it approved conditional use of Gwanghwamun Square for the “BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul,” proposed by HYBE and Big Hit Music, during the first Gwanghwamun Square advisory committee meeting of the year. Final authorization will be issued once the event passes a safety management review and organizers submit supplementary measures to prevent overlapping exit times for performers and audiences and to minimize traffic disruption, the city said. Seoul officials expect heavy crowding not only at Gwanghwamun Square but across surrounding districts on the day of the concert. The city said it will closely examine safety and crowd-control plans and coordinate with police, Jongno District and other agencies to ensure public safety. The city will also conduct advance on-site inspections to prevent unfair practices, including excessive accommodation pricing, and to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety risks. Inspections will focus on areas surrounding Gwanghwamun Square, covering 280 lodging facilities in Jongno District and 411 in Jung District. Organizers requested approval for a performance accommodating about 18,000 people at Gwanghwamun Square, with a separate event for up to 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza. City officials cautioned that total turnout could approach 100,000 when accounting for fans gathering in nearby streets and public spaces. The concert marks BTS’s first public appearance as a complete seven-member group in three years and nine months. It follows the release of the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” scheduled for March 20. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok underscored the symbolism of the venue, saying during a town hall meeting at HYBE headquarters that returning to Gwanghwamun — “a space once safeguarded by fans’ light sticks” — carries special meaning. Seoul said it will roll out special experience programs for overseas visitors, including BTS fans known as ARMY, and create a festive atmosphere across major districts by combining K-pop and broader Hallyu content. “Our top priority is safety,” said Kim Chang-gyu, head of Seoul’s Balanced Development Headquarters. “We also aim to turn this into an opportunity to showcase Seoul’s global appeal and establish Gwanghwamun Square as a landmark for K-pop culture.” 2026-01-23 07:18:35