Novel Explores Kim Gu’s Personal Struggles in ‘Baekbeom, Lying Down on the Mountains and Rivers’ “‘They say the Japanese enemy is surrendering!’ To me, those words were not good news but as if the sky were collapsing and the ground giving way. Years of effort to prepare to enter the war came to nothing. We worked closely with the U.S. War Department, but Japan surrendered before we could carry anything out. I regretted all we had put into it, and I worried about what lay ahead.” -Baekbeom Kim Gu UNESCO has selected Kim Gu as its “Peace Figure of the Year,” and novelist Lim Sun-man, 72, has published a new work, <Baekbeom, Lying Down on the Mountains and Rivers>, publisher Hangilsa said Wednesday. The novel portrays Kim’s life and his personal anguish. Lim completed the book after more than a decade of reporting and about five years of writing. He said the project began when, as a reporter in 1995, he visited the shabby building that housed the Provisional Government in Chongqing, China, and felt both sadness and a sense of debt. At the briefing, held Feb. 23 at the memorial hall in Seoul’s Yongsan district, Lim recalled the visit to the provisional government site, saying it was “so shabby” that it “really hurt.” He said something stayed with him, adding, “I felt an echo that I had to write something about this.” The book is organized into 24 chapters, covering the Chihapo incident in which Kim killed a Japanese man in revenge for the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, his involvement with the Donghak movement and life in exile, the independence struggle of Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, post-liberation turmoil and division, opposition to trusteeship, inter-Korean talks, and Kim’s assassination at Kyunggyojang. Hangilsa CEO Kim Eon-ho said UNESCO’s selection of Kim as “Person of the Year” has made him, beyond Korea, a great independence activist recognized worldwide. He said he hopes as many teenagers as possible will read the novel. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 00:07:26

Secret 1920 Letter by Independence Leader Kim Ga-jin Goes on Display After 106 Years On March 12, 1920, Joseon Minjok Daedongdan president Kim Ga-jin sent a secret letter to Park Yong-man (1881-1928), the group’s military affairs chief — a role comparable to a defense minister today. In the letter, Kim argued for an “independence war,” saying Korea should not only reclaim its territory but also open a path to strike Japan’s mainland.   “There is nothing better than to build ties with China, ally with the United States, make an agreement with the radicals, and then choose the nearest and most suitable place in Russian territory as our military’s central base, controlling Yanji and the two Gando regions. (omitted) We will be able to water our horses in Tokyo Bay.” The letter is being shown publicly for the first time in 106 years at a special exhibition, “Joseon Minjok Daedongdan — Determined to Risk a Bloody Fight,” running through May 31 at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary History. The show is organized by the Dongnong Cultural Foundation and the Joseon Minjok Daedongdan Memorial Association. Organizers say it is the first exhibition to focus on Joseon Minjok Daedongdan, 107 years after the group’s founding. The exhibit covers the March 1 independence movement and the group’s formation, its activities and the Daedongdan Declaration. “We will be able to water our horses in Tokyo Bay”  Joseon Minjok Daedongdan was a secret anti-Japanese independence organization formed in the wake of the March 1 movement in 1919. Because it operated as a clandestine group, few records remain. Research on Korea’s independence movement has also largely centered on the March 1 movement and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, leaving Daedongdan relatively understudied. Organizers say the newly revealed letter is therefore a valuable historical source. Kim’s family had kept the letter privately. Kim Seon-hyeon, chair of the Dongnong Cultural Foundation and Kim’s great-granddaughter, said her great-grandfather fled to the Provisional Government in Shanghai and traveled widely across China. She said that despite wars including the Korean War, her grandmother safeguarded the belongings, leaving about 600 items including the letter and calligraphy. The letter came to light during preparations for a 2024 calligraphy exhibition on Kim at the Seoul Arts Center, titled “Baegun Seogyeong.” Kim Seon-hyeon said the team transcribed the cursive text into a more readable script, confirming the existence of the secret letter and deciding to disclose it now. Kim wrote to Park at a time of internal rifts within the Provisional Government in Shanghai. Independence activists clashed over strategy — war, diplomacy and training — and over whether to maintain the Provisional Government. Ahn Chang-ho and Yeo Un-hyeong backed keeping it while pursuing partial reforms. Shin Chae-ho and Park argued for dissolving it and establishing a new independence government, emphasizing armed struggle. Syngman Rhee and others also argued for maintaining the Provisional Government. Kim believed independence could be achieved through armed struggle, and he was appointed an adviser to the Bukro Military Administration Office under Gen. Kim Jwa-jin. Organizers say the letter is an important document showing Kim’s resolve to pursue an independence war. In the letter, Kim invoked the sound of a drum to press the need to advance. “With the drum sounded once, we can strike the cunning Japanese enemy’s solid armor and sharp weapons; with the drum sounded twice, we can recover our land; with the drum sounded three times, we will be able to water our horses in Tokyo Bay.” Dreaming of a world without discrimination  True to its name, Daedong — meaning “great unity” — the group envisioned a society without discrimination. It argued that Koreans should unite across status and class to achieve independence, world peace and a “Daedong society.” Its membership spanned social groups, including Prince Uichin Yi Kang (1877-1955), described as the only royal family member to join the independence movement, as well as Kim Ga-jin and others including Jeon Hyeop, Choi Ik-hwan, Baek Cho-wol and Lee Sin-ae. It also included teachers, students, workers, merchants and others. After the March 1 movement, the group elevated Kim as president and set up core bodies including administrative, foreign affairs, finance and military functions, forming an organization comparable to a government. It actively cooperated with the Provisional Government and divided responsibilities. It communicated with the Provisional Government through the Yeontongje network, ran a secret printing operation and led anti-Japanese information activities. The nationwide network was used to share news of the Provisional Government inside Korea and raise military funds, functioning like a communications web. The group also supported the exile of royal family members and former Korean Empire officials, raised funds and held current-affairs lectures for Koreans in Shanghai. It issued the Daedongdan Declaration — described as a second March 1 declaration — explored plans to attack Japan’s mainland and shared the Provisional Government’s work in military, diplomacy, finance, communications and propaganda. It also pushed for Prince Uichin Yi Kang’s flight to Shanghai, aiming to counter Japan’s claim that Emperor Gojong had legally transferred the country to Japan, a move organizers said strengthened the legitimacy and symbolism of the independence struggle.  The exhibition also features the original Daedongdan Declaration written by Kim, also preserved by his descendants. The group announced the declaration in Jongno on Nov. 28, 1919, during what the article describes as a second independence demonstration, led by figures including Jeong Gyu-sik, Lee Sin-ae and Park Jeong-seon. Kim, then in exile in Shanghai, drafted the text in his own hand and sent it to Gyeongseong through the Yeontongje network. As with the March 1 declaration, the Daedongdan Declaration centered on 33 people, but it is noted as the only case in which participants from across social strata joined nationwide. The article says it rejected discrimination by gender and status. The declaration denounced Japanese abuses and stated, “We now declare that we are determined to risk a bloody fight with the greatest sincerity and the greatest effort until the last person and the last moment,” underscoring its commitment to independence. The exhibition also includes a first-trial ruling from the Gyeongseong District Court written in June 1920 on the “Daedongdan incident,” and an original handwritten “current-affairs lecture” document by Kim. “Joseon Minjok Daedongdan is an important anti-Japanese independence organization, but little is known about it,” Kim Seon-hyeon said. “I hope this exhibition will help many people reflect on the spirit of Daedongdan.”  An expert forum titled “Daedong Thought and Society” will be held April 24 in the museum’s seminar room. Participants include Han Hong-gu, a chair professor at Sungkonghoe University, Kim Dong-hwan, a research fellow at the Institute of Korean Studies, and Lim Gyeong-seok, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University. Admission is free.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 00:03:52

South Korea Beats Czech Republic 11-4 in WBC Opener With Four Homers 한국 야구대표팀이 2026 월드에비스볼클래식(WBC) 1차전에서 완승을 거뒀다. Ryu Ji-hyun’s South Korea national team opened the 2026 World Baseball Classic with an 11-4 win over the Czech Republic on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan in Group C play. It was South Korea’s first victory in a WBC opener since 2009, ending a 17-year drought in first-game wins. South Korea is aiming for the quarterfinals after failing to advance past the group stage in three straight tournaments in 2013, 2017 and 2023. Starter So Hyeong-jun (KT Wiz) worked three scoreless innings, allowing four hits. Noh Kyung-eun (SSG Landers), Jeong Woo-joo (Hanwha Eagles), Park Young-hyun (KT), Jo Byeong-hyeon (SSG), Kim Young-gyu (NC Dinos) and Yoo Young-chan (LG Twins) each pitched one inning in relief. South Korea hit four home runs. Seven of the nine starters had hits, with Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers) and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers) the exceptions. Moon Bo-kyung (LG) went 2 for 3 with five RBIs, highlighted by a grand slam. Korean American big leaguer Shea Whitcomb (Houston Astros) hit two homers and drove in three runs, going 2 for 4. Jeremiah Jones (Detroit Tigers) also homered. Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) went 2 for 4. South Korea plays Japan at 7 p.m. on March 7 at the same venue in its second group game.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 22:48:00

Gasoline, Diesel Prices Top 1,800 Won Nationwide; Seoul Nears 1,900 Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have increased volatility in global oil prices, and rising demand at the pump has pushed average gasoline and diesel prices at South Korean stations above 1,800 won per liter. According to the Korea National Oil Corp.’s Opinet price information system, the nationwide average gasoline price stood at 1,840.5 won per liter as of 7 p.m. on the 5th, up 63.0 won from the previous day. It was the first time the national average topped 1,800 won since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel rose more sharply. The nationwide average diesel price climbed 111.0 won in a day to 1,839.8 won per liter. Diesel last exceeded 1,800 won on Dec. 12, 2022, when it was 1,807.4 won. The recent rise in domestic fuel prices is widely attributed to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have amplified swings in global crude prices. With concerns growing over potential supply disruptions, international crude prices have been trending higher, adding upward pressure to domestic petroleum product prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 20:12:16

Toss Operator Viva Republica Weighs Korea Listing Alongside U.S. IPO Plans Viva Republica, the operator of the Toss financial platform, is reviewing a potential listing on South Korea’s stock market, industry sources said. According to the industry on the 5th, the company recently asked the Financial Supervisory Service for guidelines on preparing for a domestic listing, including how to apply for and be assigned a designated external auditor. Applying for a designated auditor refers to the process by which a company preparing to list undergoes a pre-IPO audit by an accounting firm appointed by financial authorities. A Viva Republica official said the company is "reviewing various scenarios for a successful listing." Viva Republica is also known to be preparing for a U.S. stock market listing. The company has begun preliminary consultations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a local listing, and some observers say it could complete an initial public offering as early as this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 18:03:00

KOSPI stages sharp rebound to lead Asian recovery SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Korean stocks led Asia’s rebound Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI surging nearly 10 percent in a sharp reversal from the previous session’s record plunge, as bargain hunting and program buying drove a broad-based rally in heavyweight shares. The KOSPI closed at 5,583.9, up 490.4 points, or 9.6 percent, after swinging between an intraday low of 5,248.13 and a high of 5,715.3. Turnover reached 44.81 trillion won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed, jumping 14.1 percent to 1,116.4. After a stunning flop on the previous two sessions, Korea marched far ahead of regional peers, with the KOSPI’s 9.6 percent gain dwarfing Japan’s Nikkei 225 rise of 1.9 percent and China’s Shanghai Composite advance of 0.6 percent. Buying was driven largely by retail investors on the main board, who snapped up 1.7964 trillion won ($1.23 billion) worth of shares on a net basis. Foreign investors, by contrast, sold 144.5 billion won, while institutions offloaded 1.7187 trillion won. On the KOSDAQ, the pattern flipped, with foreigners and institutions emerging as heavy buyers — purchasing 831.8 billion won and 741.5 billion won, respectively — as retail investors turned net sellers of 1.5528 trillion won. Large-cap leaders anchored the rebound. Samsung Electronics rose 11.3 percent to 191,600 won, while SK hynix gained 11 percent to 941,000 won, keeping semiconductors at the center of the rally. Hyundai Motor climbed 9.4 percent to 548,000 won, while LG Energy Solution added 6.9 percent to 371,500 won. Samsung Biologics jumped 8.6 percent to 1,647,000 won, and Hanwha Aerospace rose 4.4 percent to 1,381,000 won. Despite the strong finish, it was a roller-coaster ride. A buy-side sidecar was triggered shortly after the opening bell on both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ as program buying accelerated. Sidecars temporarily halt program-trading orders when index moves breach preset thresholds, a mechanism aimed at cooling abrupt swings. Elsewhere in the region, investors weighed policy signals out of China after Premier Li Qiang unveiled a 2026 growth target range of 4.5 to 5 percent at the opening of the National People’s Congress, stepping down from the “around 5 percent” goal maintained in recent years. China’s Shanghai Composite ended 0.6 percent higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.5 percent. Japan also joined the rebound. The Nikkei 225 gained 1.9 percent, with the index bouncing sharply in early trade as bargain hunting followed three sessions of losses tied to Middle East tensions. The Nikkei briefly climbed into the 56,600 range, recouping much of the previous day’s decline, while roughly 90 percent of stocks on the TSE Prime market traded higher. Semiconductor-linked and financial shares rebounded as well, with Advantest jumping about 7 percent at one point and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rising around 5 percent. The Korean won which hovered near 1,480 came down to 1,460 range amid broad easing in the greenback and oil prices. The dollar was 1,469.40. 2026-03-05 17:54:12

Eugene Corp. launches AI training for executives to speed digital shift Eugene Corp. said Thursday it is strengthening employees’ ability to use artificial intelligence, aiming to accelerate digital transformation and “smart” management by training senior leaders. The company recently opened an “AI Intensive” course for executives and headquarters team leaders to build practical AI skills. The program runs in four sessions from Feb. 13 to March 13, focusing on helping leaders on the front lines of management use AI confidently as a strategic tool. Eugene Corp. said the course was designed to put into practice this year’s management direction of “strengthening AI capabilities,” highlighted in its New Year’s message. The company said it believes AI must move beyond a passing trend to become a core management tool, and that requires a shift in leaders’ mindset and stronger on-the-job skills. Earlier, Eugene Group Chairman Yu Kyung-sun said in the New Year’s address, “Our competitors are not companies in the same industry, but global firms changing the world with AI,” adding, “AI is the last and best opportunity that can instantly surpass all of our past achievements.” Eugene Corp. said it plans to use the training as a starting point to build a data-based decision-making system and to actively introduce AI from strategy development through execution, with the goal of boosting competitiveness across the organization. The curriculum is practice-oriented rather than theory-heavy. Participants worked on AI-based management strategy analysis, ways to build decision-making data, how to use AI simulations, and process automation techniques aimed at improving work efficiency. A company official said the program was designed to go beyond understanding AI principles and enable real workplace use. The official said Eugene Corp. will gradually expand AI courses companywide, starting with executive training, to embed an AI culture and spread data-driven decision-making. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 17:36:19

Value-up index hit record highs in pre-war rally in Seoul SEOUL, Mar 05 (AJP) - The South Korean "Value-up Index", a specialized stock market benchmark launched by the Korea Exchange (KRX) as a centerpiece of the government-led corporate value-up program, reached an all-time high last month. The index was buoyed by a wave of share buybacks, cancellations, and enhanced shareholder return policies, alongside improving earnings across sectors including semiconductors, industrials, and finance. According to the "Monthly Corporate Value Enhancement Status" report released by the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Thursday, five new companies filed value-up disclosures in February. They were SeAH Steel Holdings from the KOSPI, and four Kosdaq-listed firms; Gold & S, Seoul Electronics & Telecom, JYP Entertainment, and i-SENS. While the initiative was initially led by large-cap KOSPI stocks, the trend is increasingly spreading to the Kosdaq market. To date, a total of 181 companies have filed value-up plans, comprising 132 from the KOSPI and 49 from the Kosdaq. On Feb. 26, the Value-up Index peaked at 2,836.31 points, representing a 185.9 percent surge since its inception on Sept. 30, 2024 (992.13 points). During the same period, the index’s performance outpaced the KOSPI—which also hit a record high of 6,307.27 points—by a margin of 42.7 percentage points. Capital has been flooding into Value-up related Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). As of late February, the net assets of 13 listed Value-up ETFs reached 2.7 trillion won, a staggering 446.3 percent increase since their initial launch on Nov. 4, 2024. Both indices suffered sharp declines recently following the U.S. invasion of Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The KOSPI, which stood at the 6,300 level on Monday, plummeted by nearly 1,200 points (20 percent) over Tuesday and Wednesday, before rebounding 9.6 percent on Thursday to close at 5,583.90. The Value-up Index similarly dropped by over 500 points from Feb. 27 through Wednesday, before gaining 225 points (9.7 percent) on Thursday to finish at 2,532.38. Corporate efforts to enhance valuation are becoming increasingly tangible. Eleven firms, including JB Financial Group, Woori Financial Group, Meritz Financial Group, and INNOX Advanced Materials, have filed progress reports at least once a year since their initial disclosures. Meritz Financial Group, for one, has disclosed its progress eight times, providing quarterly updates since its first filing last July. Shareholder return policies are also expanding. Last month, KB Financial Group decided to buy back and cancel 600 billion won worth of its own shares. DB Insurance and Meritz Financial Group also announced plans to cancel shares worth 800 billion won and 700 billion won, respectively. The number of companies providing English-language disclosures for foreign investors has also been on the rise, increasing steadily from 74 in November last year to 82 last month. Under the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Restriction of Special Taxation Act, which went into effect this February, high-dividend companies must file corporate value enhancement plans to satisfy tax incentive requirements. "We plan to support these companies through briefing sessions and one-on-one consulting to ensure smooth disclosure filings." the KRX stated. 2026-03-05 17:12:14

Fuel prices spike due to war in Middle East SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Gasoline and diesel prices at gas stations across South Korea on Thursday have increased sharply following airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel late last month. The nationwide average gasoline price has surpassed 1,800 won ($1.2) per liter for the first time in three years and seven months. It is the first time the national average has exceeded the 1,800-won mark since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel prices have also crossed the 1,800-won threshold. The nationwide average diesel price rose to 1,811.03 won per liter, up 82.26 won from the previous day. It marks the first time in about three years and three months that diesel prices have exceeded 1,800 won, since Dec. 12, 2022, when they stood at 1,807.38 won. 2026-03-05 17:10:50

CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun to Star in Interactive Short-Form Drama ‘Kill the Romeo,’ Due in March CRAVITY member Hyeongjun will make his acting debut as the lead in Kitts’ first interactive short-form drama, “Kill the Romeo,” set for release in March. The interactive, multi-ending romantic comedy begins when the narrator — a professional killer whose alter ego is a devoted fan — is assigned a new target: the narrator’s favorite idol. The story opens with an A-list assassin receiving a new mission, only to learn the target is the idol “Hyeongjun,” the person the assassin loves most. Shot in a first-person, interactive FMV (full motion video) format, the drama changes the character’s fate and ending depending on viewers’ choices. Hyeongjun appears as an idol character who shares his name, taking his first step into acting. In the drama, “Hyeongjun” is the center of a popular group and the assassin’s top idol — known for a warm, upbeat personality and a considerate, attentive side. At a fan-sign event, he learns he is the assassin’s target and is left in shock, with outcomes that vary based on the viewer’s decisions. Kitts is expanding its lineup with “Kill the Romeo,” following “Wind Up,” starring NCT’s Jeno and Jaemin, and “Jumpboy LIVE,” starring VERIVERY’s Kangmin. The company said it plans to strengthen competitiveness with premium short-form dramas and FMV content. The drama uses a first-person viewpoint to heighten immersion and builds multiple branching points tailored to the interactive format. Viewers step into the role of a killer torn between protecting or killing a favorite idol, with each decision directly affecting the story’s direction and ending. Production on “Kill the Romeo” has wrapped, and the project is now in postproduction, the company said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 17:09:09