BTS Comeback D-40: Police to deploy task force as Seoul concert expected to draw 260,000 SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - Seoul police are bracing for a massive influx of up to 260,000 people next month as K-pop band BTS returns to the stage for a high-profile comeback performance in the heart of the capital. Park Jeong-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, announced Monday that a dedicated task force led by the deputy commissioner for public safety has been established to manage the event. During a regular press briefing, the commissioner said every department within the force is currently focused on securing the venue. The concert, "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG," is set for March 21 at 8 p.m. (1100 GMT) at Gwanghwamun Square. The event marks the first time the full group will perform together in nearly four years since completing their mandatory military service. Gwanghwamun Square serves as the historical and political center of South Korea. Situated at the northern end of Sejong-ro, the site is home to the statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin and serves as the gateway to Gyeongbokgung Palace. The square has long been a focal point for South Korean public life, hosting everything from the 2002 World Cup street cheering to the 2016 candlelight vigils. Police estimate that 230,000 people could pack the area between the main stage and Daehanmun, the main gate of Deoksugung Palace located about 700 meters (0.5 miles) south of the square. If crowds spill over toward Sungnyemun, South Korea's "Great South Gate" and National Treasure No. 1, situated another 600 meters further south, the total could climb to 260,000, based on a density of two people per square meter. While the square has a formal capacity of about 34,000 for seated events, its open layout and connection to major boulevards allow for significantly higher numbers. To maintain order, authorities will divide the area into four major zones and 15 sub-sections, each overseen by a police superintendent. Security efforts will extend beyond crowd control to include 13 violent crime teams from nine local stations and specialized anti-terrorism units tasked with conducting explosives sweeps. "We are preparing with all-out measures so that citizens can watch the performance safely," Park said. The agency's cyber unit is also tracking online threats and illegal activities, including the use of macro programs to manipulate ticket sales and scams involving fraudulent accommodation bookings. While the event organizer, Hybe, has hired 3,500 private safety personnel, Park noted that police may request more staff depending on the turnout. The concert follows the March 20 release of the group's new album, also titled "ARIRANG," and will be streamed globally on Netflix. 2026-02-09 16:20:20

KAIST Professor receives AIBN Medal for translational research SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - Lee Sang-yeop, a distinguished professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and vice president of research at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology was awarded the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Translational Research Award in Brisbane, Australia, on February 3, the South Korean institute said in a statement on Monday. The Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Medal is a prestigious global recognition reserved for scientists who bridge the gap between academic discovery and industrial application. Unlike traditional academic honors that prioritize citation volume, this award evaluates a researcher’s impact on technology dissemination, international cooperation, and social value. Sue Harrison, the University of Queensland’s deputy vice-chancellor of research, personally delivered the medal to Professor Lee. Professor Lee has spent more than three decades at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) leading the development of systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. His career includes the publication of 798 academic papers and the filing of 868 patents. Beyond his individual research, AIBN credited Professor Lee with playing a foundational role in shaping the institute’s research strategy during its formative years between 2006 and 2007. The collaboration between Professor Lee and Australian researchers began with sugar-based bio-manufacturing and evolved into high-impact projects involving sustainable aviation fuel and waste gas fermentation. This partnership eventually expanded into a global network including the University of California, Berkeley, and industry leaders such as Amyris, LanzaTech, and SkyNRG. These efforts helped establish the University of Queensland as a premier research hub for bio-manufacturing in Australia. Professor Lee currently holds international memberships in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society in the United Kingdom, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He also previously served as co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biotechnology. "This AIBN Medal is more than a personal achievement; it is the culmination of long-standing cooperation between KAIST, the University of Queensland, and researchers across South Korea and Australia," Professor Lee said. "It proves that systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can provide tangible solutions for sustainable industry and global social issues." KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung noted that the award reflects the university’s commitment to research that moves beyond the laboratory. He stated that the institution will continue to prioritize global partnerships that translate biotechnological breakthroughs into real-world value. Although Professor Lee was named the inaugural recipient of the AIBN Medal in 2016, the formal ceremony was delayed by nearly a decade due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026-02-09 13:46:30

BTS Comeback D-40: Free tickets for Gwanghwamun Square show SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - BTS will open free ticket reservations for their upcoming outdoor comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square starting February 23. According to an announcement posted to the fan platform Weverse on Monday, the group has finalized the entry process for "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," a massive event marking their return as a full seven-member unit. The ticketing is split into two categories to accommodate both the general public and dedicated fans. General admission tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through the online platform Nol Ticket at 8:00 p.m. on February 23. These seats are free and open to anyone without prerequisite conditions. Specific booking instructions are scheduled to be released at noon on February 20 via Weverse and Nol Ticket. Official fans, known as ARMY, can also participate in a global raffle through Weverse. This draw is open to Weverse membership holders who purchase the group's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," during the designated application period. Further details regarding the raffle entries will be published on February 10. The performance, set for 8:00 p.m. on March 21 in the heart of Seoul, represents a major milestone as the group's first full-scale appearance following a long hiatus. Netflix will collaborate on the event to provide a exclusive live stream to over 190 countries and regions, marking the first time the streaming giant has broadcast a live performance for a solo musical act. In tandem with the concert, the group will launch "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL," a city-wide festival running from March 20 to April 12. The project will transform various locations across South Korea's capital with interactive media content and large-scale art installations that blend the group's music with the urban environment. 2026-02-09 11:29:07

K-pop girl band IVE pre-releases single track 'Bang Bang' ahead of second studio album SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - K-pop girl band IVE released their new single "Bang Bang" across major streaming platforms at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) on February 9. The track serves as a pre-release single for the group's second studio album, "REVIVE+," which is scheduled for release on February 23. "Bang Bang" conveys a message of self-reliance and confidence, focusing on the theme of forging one's own path regardless of outside rumors or public scrutiny. According to the group's agency, Starship Entertainment, the song blends elements of electronic dance music (EDM) with Western swing, featuring a direct beat and high energy designed to showcase the group's expanding musical range. Leading up to the release, the six-member band shared teaser photos on their official social media channels to build anticipation. The images featured the six members—An Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz, and Leeseo—dressed in leather outfits, presenting a sharper and more intense aesthetic compared to their previous concepts. Following the full album release later this month, the group is set to meet fans in person. IVE will host a fan concert titled "DIVE into IVE" at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 21 and 22. 2026-02-09 10:34:05

K-pop icon G-DRAGON draws 40,000 fans to first solo fan meeting in Seoul SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - G-DRAGON drew approximately 40,000 fans to the KSPO Dome in South Korea over a three-day run that wrapped up on February 8. The event, titled "2026 G-DRAGON 'FAM' MEETING ," marked the artist's first solo fan meeting since his debut and was designed to feel more like a dense 'family gathering' than a standard concert. The atmosphere inside the venue reflected G-DRAGON's effort to connect personally with a fanbase that now spans several generations. The crowd was a mix of teenagers, who have recently taken to calling him a 'president of elementary students,' and middle-aged fans who have followed him since BIGBANG's peak years. To facilitate this intimacy, the production utilized a 360-degree open stage and a seating layout designed to keep the artist in close proximity to the audience. The setlist and production leaned heavily into the artist's history while nodding to his current work. G-DRAGON opened the show by appearing in a massive crown structure to perform 'A Boy.' Later, he performed 'Who You?' while wearing a white shirt, jeans, and a red ball cap—a look that mirrored his styling from a 2013 television performance on 'Inkigayo.' He closed the nights with 'TAKE ME' and 'IBELONGIIU' from his latest album, 'Übermensch.' Beyond the music, the event was packed with detail intended to immerse fans in G-DRAGON's specific aesthetic. The area outside the dome was styled as a 'Daisy Garden,' and fans were served daisy-stamped walnut cookies before the show. During the performances, video transitions simulated an '88th-floor elevator' ride, and the finale saw confetti printed with his own handwriting scattered through the air alongside his signature fragrance. G-DRAGON spent much of the time talking directly to the 'FAM'—his term for the fandom. He answered impromptu questions, shared old photos, and performed several social media challenges, including 'Doma' and 'CHANEL.' A highlight for many was his take on the 'OVERDRIVE' challenge, which fans have nicknamed the 'whining challenge.' YouTuber Mimiminu, a self-described superfan, served as the MC for the three days. "I decided to hold this fan meeting to welcome new family members after my comeback," G-DRAGON told the crowd. "Out of regret for those who couldn't join the tour, I wanted to create a place that felt like a family gathering." He also touched on the future of his group, noting that BIGBANG is planning a 20th-anniversary comeback this year. "BIGBANG is making a comeback for our 20th anniversary this year. As both a member and a fan, I am looking forward to it, and I am sure all the members feel the same," he said. The artist is scheduled to take the fan meeting tour to Yokohama, Japan, from February 13 to 15, before heading to Bangkok, Thailand, for two dates starting February 21. 2026-02-09 10:01:10

Report: Nvidia's autonomus driving platform Alpamayo to reshape global ecosystem SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - South Korea's top automotive research body suggests that a new open-source platform from Nvidia could be the "breakthrough" needed for an industry currently paralyzed by ballooning costs and technical gridlock. According to a report released February 9 by the South Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), the Alpamayo platform aims to solve the "black box" problem of modern artificial intelligence by teaching cars to explain their driving decisions in natural language. The report, authored by senior researcher Kim Han-sol, notes that the dream of fully autonomous Level 4 vehicles has hit a wall. Major research firms now estimate that the global rollout of robotaxis may be delayed until 2029 or 2030, largely because the cost of developing and verifying these systems has become too high for any single company to handle. Furthermore, current "end-to-end" AI models—the kind favored by companies like Tesla—are often criticized because they cannot provide a clear reasoning process for their actions, making it difficult to satisfy safety regulators. Nvidia's solution, featured at CES 2026, relies on what the company calls "Physical AI". The Alpamayo platform is built on three main pillars: a 10-billion-parameter vision-language-action model called Alpamayo 1, a simulation environment known as AlpaSim, and a massive dataset collected from 2,500 cities across 25 countries. Unlike previous systems, Alpamayo 1 uses a "chain-of-thought" technique to process visual information into linguistic context, allowing the vehicle to generate a driving command and a logical explanation for that command simultaneously. The KATECH analysis highlights a unique hybrid architecture within the platform that balances AI intuition with rigid safety rules. While the Alpamayo 1 model handles most of the driving, a traditional rule-based system acts as a "Policy and Safety Evaluator" to monitor the AI in real time. If the AI encounters a situation where its probabilistic reasoning is uncertain, the rule-based system takes control as a safety guardrail. This transparency is expected to help automakers secure Level 3 or higher certifications more quickly, as regulators will finally have a way to audit the vehicle's decision-making process. For South Korean automakers and other global manufacturers, the move toward an open platform could shift the industry's power dynamics. Nvidia is offering the Alpamayo 1 model in a format that developers can modify to fit local regulations or specific hardware. This approach is intended to lower the barrier to entry for latecomers and reduce the fear of "platform lock-in" among established car brands. However, the report warns that while the technology is being offered for research and evaluation, any commercial deployment will still require separate licensing agreements. 2026-02-09 09:30:05

More South Korean firms to offer five-day Lunar New Year break as outlook brightens SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - A new survey shows that more than six out of ten South Korean businesses plan to observe a five-day holiday for the upcoming Lunar New Year. The findings also indicate that the number of companies reporting a decline in economic conditions has dropped significantly compared to last year, suggesting a recovery in business confidence. The Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) released the results of its Lunar New Year Holiday Survey on February 8, after polling 447 companies nationwide with five or more employees. The data shows that 64.8 percent of these firms will close for five days. This year's holiday period stretches from the weekend of February 14 and 15 through the official public holidays of February 16 to 18. Among the respondents, 26.1 percent plan to offer four days or fewer, while 9.2 percent will provide six days or more. For the companies offering these extended breaks, 59.4 percent stated they were following mandatory requirements set by collective bargaining agreements or internal employment rules. Larger firms with 300 or more employees were notably more likely to offer longer breaks, with 22.7 percent providing at least six days off, compared to just 7.6 percent of smaller businesses. Regarding holiday pay, 58.7 percent of companies said they will provide a Lunar New Year bonus, a slight decrease from 61.5 percent last year. Among those paying out, 66.3 percent will issue them as regular bonuses, 28.6 percent as separate discretionary bonuses, and 5.2 percent will provide both. For the businesses opting for discretionary bonuses, 85.7 percent intend to keep the amounts consistent with last year's levels. The survey highlights a shift in how businesses view the current economic climate. While 55.6 percent of respondents described the situation as "similar to the previous year," the proportion of companies stating the economy had "worsened" fell to 39.5 percent. This is a sharp decline from the 60.5 percent who reported a worsening economy during the same period last year. The KEF also gathered projections for the current fiscal year. Roughly 50.9 percent of the surveyed firms expect their operating profits to increase compared to last year, while 36.0 percent anticipate a decrease. The data reflects the prevailing mood in the field as companies prepare for one of South Korea's most significant traditional holidays. Local businesses appear to be leaning toward a more stable outlook even as they manage holiday bonus distributions. 2026-02-08 18:28:55

Samsung Elec on track roll out HBM4 chips this month SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is set to begin mass shipments of the the sixth generation high bandwidth memory chips dubbed HBM4 later this month, according to industry sources Sunday. The chips will be rolled out from the third week of February after the Lunar New Year holiday break, thrusting the HBM laggard into the front tier as HMB4 is expected to become the standard from next-generation AI chips. The shipment schedule has been finalized to align with the production of Nvidia's next-generation AI accelerator, known as Vera Rubin. Samsung has reportedly completed quality verification and received purchase orders, with the latest order including a significant increase in sample volumes for final module testing. Kim Jae-jun, vice president of Samsung's memory business, confirmed the production timeline during a fourth-quarter earnings call last month. He stated that mass production of HBM4 chips with speeds of 11.7Gbps was already underway for scheduled delivery in February. Nvidia is expected to officially unveil the Vera Rubin platform featuring Samsung's HBM4 at the GTC 2026 conference next month. The HBM4 chips feature specifications that exceed current industry standards. While the JEDEC standard is set at 8Gbps, Samsung's product achieves transfer speeds of 11.7Gbps, a 22 percent improvement over the previous HBM3E generation. The memory bandwidth per single stack has increased to 3 terabytes per second, while a 12-stack configuration provides a 36GB capacity. The company plans to expand this to 48GB using 16-stack technology in the future. To achieve these performance gains, Samsung integrated its 10-nanometer-class sixth-generation DRAM with its 4-nanometer foundry process. The company is promoting a one-stop solution that combines logic, memory, foundry, and packaging to streamline production and improve energy efficiency, which is expected to lower power consumption and cooling costs in data centers. The move comes as competition for the AI memory market intensifies. Samsung expects its HBM shipment volume to more than triple this year compared to last year and is currently building a new production line at its Pyeongtaek Campus. Its local peer and HBM leader, SK hynix, is ramping up its HBM4 capacity to meet potential additional demand from Nvidia. With Micron currently trailing in the supply chain competition, analysts expect Samsung and SK hynix to split the majority of HBM orders for the Vera Rubin chips. 2026-02-08 15:40:45

South Korea captures first win in mixed doubles curling at Winter Games SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - South Korea recorded its first victory in the mixed doubles curling tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 7, as the main medal competitions got underway. Kim Sun-young and Jeong Yeong-seok defeated the United States pair of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin 6-5 in an extra end at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. The South Korean duo, who had suffered five consecutive losses to open the round-robin stage, held off a late surge from the Americans to secure the win. South Korea led 5-2 heading into the final end of regulation, but the U.S. team, the 2023 world champions, scored three points to force the match into overtime. Kim Sun-young and Jeong Yeong-seok regained their composure in the extra end, outmaneuvering their opponents to clinch the deciding point. Despite the win, the South Korean pair remains at the bottom of the 10-team standings with a 1-5 record, making a top-four finish to qualify for the semifinals unlikely. In figure skating, Cha Jun-hwan struggled in his opening performance during the team event at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. Competing in the men's short program, Cha Jun-hwan finished eighth out of 10 skaters with a total score of 83.53 points. He received 41.78 for technical elements and 41.75 for program components after a mistake on his final jump, a triple axel. The result left South Korea in seventh place overall in the team event with 14 points, failing to advance to the free skating portion reserved for the top five nations. The United States, Japan, Italy, Canada, and Georgia progressed to the next round. In cross-country skiing, Lee Eui-jin and Han Da-som finished 54th and 65th, respectively, in the women's 10-plus-10-kilometer skiathlon. Both athletes were unable to complete the full distance before being lapped. Elsewhere on the first full day of medal competition, gold medals were awarded to athletes from Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Japan, and Norway. 2026-02-08 14:20:53

South Korea expected to secure three golds at Milano Cortina Winter Games SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - South Korea is projected to win three gold medals and finish 15th in the overall standings at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, according to a forecast released by Sports Illustrated on February 8. The 2026 Winter Games, which officially opened on February 6 and run through February 22, are being held across several clusters in Northern Italy, including Milano and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Approximately 2,900 athletes from 92 nations are competing for 116 gold medals in eight sports. This year's program features the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering and the return of NHL players to the men's ice hockey tournament. Sports Illustrated expects South Korea's gold medal haul to come entirely from short track speed skating. Lim Jong-eon is tipped for the title in the men's 1,000 meters, while Kim Gil-li is favored in the women's 1,500 meters. The third gold is projected for the men's 5,000-meter relay team. Beyond the top of the podium, the magazine predicts silver medals for Choi Min-jeong in the women's 1,500-meter short track and the mixed 2,000-meter relay team. The women's curling team and the women's 3,000-meter short track relay are both listed as bronze medal candidates. The projections largely mirror a February 4 report from Shoreview Sports Analytics. The Canadian firm also predicted a seven-medal total for South Korea—comprising three gold, two silver, and two bronze—though it placed the nation one spot higher at 14th place overall. Despite the identical total medal counts, the two outlets differ on where the gold medals will be won. Shoreview Sports Analytics expects Choi Ga-on to take gold in the women's snowboard halfpipe, an event in which Sports Illustrated did not list her as a medalist. Instead, Sports Illustrated projected Japan's Shimizu Sara for gold and American Chloe Kim for silver. The firms also disagree on Lim Jong-eon's prospects; while Sports Illustrated sees him as a champion, Shoreview Sports Analytics placed him sixth. Conversely, the Canadian firm projects gold for the women's 3,000-meter relay team, an event Sports Illustrated marked for bronze. In the race for the overall lead, Sports Illustrated puts Norway in the top spot with 16 golds, followed by the United States with 12 and Japan with nine. Shoreview Sports Analytics also lists Norway first with 14 golds, with the United States and Germany following with 13 and 12, respectively. 2026-02-08 14:11:26