KBO hits leader Son Ah Seop settles for one-year FA deal with Hanwha This series takes a closer look at players and the issues surrounding them, drawing on interviews, statistics and career arcs. <Editor’s note> KBO League career hits leader Son Ah Seop got a harsh reminder of how cold free agency can be, settling for a one-year deal with the Hanwha Eagles, his original club. Attention now turns to whether he can rebound the way infielder Ha Ju Seok did after making a similar choice last offseason. Hanwha announced on Wednesday that it signed Son to a one-year free-agent contract worth 100 million won in salary. Son is set to join the Futures spring camp in Kochi, Japan, on Thursday. The outcome surprised some observers because Son has long been regarded as one of the league’s top contact hitters and holds the KBO’s all-time hits record. Questions also lingered because Son was a C-tier free agent, meaning a team signing him away would not have to send a compensation player — unlike A-tier and B-tier free agents. A club would have needed to pay only 150% of his previous salary as compensation. With Son earning 500 million won last year, that would have been 750 million won. The lack of interest is widely attributed to concerns about aging curves for Son, who was born in 1988. Last season, he hit .288 with 107 hits, one home run and a .723 OPS. The batting average was solid, but there were questions about overall offensive production (wRC+), power and defensive value. Designated hitter spots are typically filled by home run hitters, and Son has been viewed as a contact-oriented DH whose outfield defense is a weakness. Some evaluations also said his contact skills have slipped from his peak. His wins above replacement also drew scrutiny. According to the statistics site STATIZ, Son posted 1.21 WAR with the NC Dinos last season and just -0.05 with Hanwha — a disappointing figure given his reputation. That context meant Hanwha did not have to rush. The Eagles also signed Kang Baek Ho to a blockbuster free-agent deal worth up to 10 billion won over four years, giving the club leverage in talks with Son. Son ultimately accepted Hanwha’s terms and pledged to restart his career path, a move that recalled Ha’s situation a year earlier. In the previous free-agent market, Ha struggled to negotiate after Hanwha first signed infielder Shim Woo Joon to a deal worth up to 5 billion won over four years. Ha eventually stayed on a one-year, 110 million won contract (90 million won guaranteed plus 20 million won in incentives). Ha then delivered last season, starring at the plate and in the field as Hanwha finished runner-up. He also played second base and showed he could coexist with Shim. On the strength of that performance, Ha signed a salary deal for 200 million won this season, a 122.2% increase. Son and Ha play different positions — Ha can handle both shortstop and second base — but Son could still reshape his value if he improves his outfield defense and restores more noticeable offensive production. Given the changes Son faced after being traded from NC to Hanwha last season, the article said there is room for improvement this year. If he carries his offseason training into a productive season built on his contact hitting, his future evaluation could change significantly. 2026-02-05 17:18:00

KBO Hits Leader Son Ah Seop Signs One-Year Deal With Hanwha Eagles KBO League career hits leader Son Ah Seop has signed a one-year contract with the Hanwha Eagles. Hanwha announced Thursday that it agreed to a one-year deal worth 100 million won in salary. Son said, "I’m grateful to the club for choosing me again," adding, "I’m joining camp a little late, but I’ve kept myself in good shape." He added, "I’ll do my best in my role so Hanwha can soar again in the 2026 season." Son is set to join the Futures spring camp in Kochi, Japan, on Friday. 2026-02-05 16:51:26

Police seek arrest warrant for ex-DP lawmaker SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Police on Thursday filed arrest warrants for Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), and Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official, over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The move comes about a month after the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched their investigation into the case. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kyung in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 local elections. The money was allegedly delivered to Kang's former aide, identified only by his surname Nam. During a series of prior questionings, Kang reportedly denied all allegations, although she admitted receiving a shopping bag, claiming that she did not know it contained money. Given the differing statements from the three, police believe that arrest warrants are necessary, as they could destroy evidence. 2026-02-05 14:12:06

AP: Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis to Wizards One Year After Luka Doncic Deal The Dallas Mavericks have traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The AP reported on Wednesday that Dallas and Washington agreed to a blockbuster deal. Washington received Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. Dallas got Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III, along with two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks. The move drew attention because it includes Davis. In February last year, Dallas sent franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Davis. The deal sparked a stunned reaction at the time. While Davis is an elite player, many questioned the logic of trading the younger, more productive Doncic. Washington has now added Davis after acquiring Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks last month, giving the Wizards a stronger lineup. Dallas, meanwhile, has effectively hit the reset button and is reshaping its roster around its next star, Cooper Flagg. 2026-02-05 12:51:00

KCC’s Heo Ung Hits 14 3-Pointers in One Game, Surpassing Stephen Curry’s Mark This series takes a closer look at players and the issues around them, using interviews, records and career context. <Editor’s note> Busan KCC guard Heo Ung topped a single-game 3-point record associated with Stephen Curry, the NBA’s best-known long-range shooter. Heo made 14 3-pointers on Monday against Seoul SK at Jamsil Students Gymnasium, leading KCC to a 120-77 road win in the fifth round of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Pro Basketball season. He finished 16 of 26 from the field and 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. A 50-point game in the KBL had not been recorded in 22 years. In the 2003-2004 season finale, Woo Ji Won and Moon Kyung Eun — now the head coach of Suwon KT — scored 70 and 66, respectively. Those performances were later criticized as the product of a “record-pushing” game with standings already decided, which has drawn more attention to Heo’s outburst. Heo’s 14 made 3s also stood out in comparison with NBA marks. According to the NBA statistics site Basketball-Reference, Curry’s single-game high is 13, set against the New Orleans Pelicans in November 2016. Heo’s total matched the 14 made by Klay Thompson — part of Golden State’s “Splash Brothers” duo with Curry — against the Chicago Bulls in 2018. The article noted that direct comparisons are difficult because the NBA and KBL differ in court specifications and overall level of play. Heo is the eldest son of Heo Jae, often called the “president of Korean basketball.” He and his younger brother, Heo Hoon, are central figures for KCC. This season, KCC are fifth at 19-18 (0.514), and the team have won two straight. The article said KCC are viewed as capable of making a title run if they secure a spot in the six-team playoff tournament. The performance also recalled Heo Jae’s 62-point game against Egypt at the 1990 FIBA World Championship, the article said. This season, Heo Ung is averaging 16.4 points in 31 games — second among domestic players — and 2.7 made 3-pointers per game, the best mark among all players. The article asked whether the two brothers can deliver KCC a championship for the first time in three seasons, with Heo Hoon setting up plays and Heo Ung finishing with jumpers. 2026-02-03 11:24:00

Seoul's industry minister takes baton for Washington talks to head off U.S. tariff hikes SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -South Korea has stepped up last-minute diplomacy in Washington to head off a threatened hike in U.S. reciprocal tariffs, with Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo widening outreach across the Trump administration, Congress and U.S. industry just days after Seoul’s industry minister returned home with limited tangible progress. Yeo Han-koo, who arrived in Washington early Friday, has continued meetings through the weekend with U.S. administration officials, lawmakers and business leaders, according to officials familiar with the schedule. His visit is set to run into early next week, underscoring Seoul’s urgency as it seeks to prevent tariffs from reverting to 25 percent. Yeo’s trip follows President Donald Trump’s warning on Jan. 26 that the United States could raise reciprocal and sector-specific tariffs on South Korean automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals, citing delays in South Korea’s National Assembly in passing a special law tied to U.S.-bound investment commitments. The move would roll back last year’s agreement that kept the rate at 15 percent and comes as Seoul has pledged up to $350 billion in long-term investments in the United States. Speaking before his departure, Yeo said he would focus on dispelling what he described as “misunderstandings” in Washington over South Korea’s legislative process. "There appears to to have been an impression that agreements were not being implemented because of legislative delays. I intend to explain the political context and procedural differences," he said. Officials said Yeo will also meet his U.S. counterpart, Jamison Greer, to discuss tariff issues and broader trade cooperation. Yeo’s expanded outreach comes on the heels of Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan’s Washington visit, during which Kim met senior Trump administration officials including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Upon returning to Seoul on Friday, Kim acknowledged that the U.S. side had expressed disappointment over the pending investment-related legislation but said Seoul had made clear there was “absolutely no reason” to delay implementation of bilateral trade commitments. Kim also pushed back against speculation that U.S. concerns over South Korea’s proposed Online Platform Fairness Act or regulatory scrutiny of Coupang had influenced Trump’s tariff threat. He said the issues never came up, suggesting they do not pose as material to the tariff framework. During his trip, Kim and Wright agreed to open a working-level consultation channel on energy and resources, with discussions also touching on broader nuclear cooperation, though Kim declined to provide details. 2026-02-01 09:59:12

Fire at Seongnam Multifamily Home Kills 1; Another in Cardiac Arrest A fire at a multifamily home in Seongnam, south of Seoul, left one person dead and another in cardiac arrest, authorities said. Fire officials said the blaze broke out at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday at a four-story building in Sinheung-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, in Gyeonggi province. Firefighters extinguished the fire about two hours later, but a man in his 30s who lived on the third floor died. A man in his 40s from the fourth floor was taken to a hospital in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest, officials said. Some other residents suffered smoke inhalation but did not receive hospital treatment. Police and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 07:57:00

Fire at Scrap Yard in Cheonan Extinguished; No Injuries Reported A fire broke out at a scrap yard in Cheonan, South Korea, officials said. Fire authorities said the blaze was reported at about 5:17 p.m. on the 28th at a scrap yard in Seonghwan-eup, in Cheonan’s Seobuk-gu district. Officials responded after residents reported seeing black smoke and fully extinguished the fire 22 minutes later. No injuries were reported. Earlier, Cheonan sent an emergency text alert at about 5:28 p.m., warning residents to avoid inhaling smoke and asking drivers to take alternate routes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:57:53

Fire Reported in Cheonan’s Seobuk District; Residents Warned About Smoke A fire broke out in Cheonan in South Chungcheong Province’s Seobuk District. Cheonan city sent an emergency text alert on Tuesday saying a fire was reported at about 5:17 p.m. at 661-2 Seonghwan-ri, Seonghwan-eup, Seobuk District. The city urged nearby residents to watch for smoke inhalation and asked drivers to take alternate routes. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:48:00

Blue House Says End of Multiple-Home Tax Surcharge Grace Period Follows Administrative Principles Breaking: The Blue House said ending the grace period for heavier taxes on owners of multiple homes is a matter of administrative principle, adding it is reviewing whether to allow a one- to two-month extension.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:39:00