Mobile shopping drives record online spending in South Korea SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - South Korea’s online shopping transactions reached a record high last year, with cross-border online trade also expanding, official data showed on Monday. According to a report from the National Data Portal, total online shopping transactions rose 4.9 percent from a year earlier to 272.4 trillion won. Mobile shopping continued to dominate spending, rising 6.5 percent to 211.14 trillion won. Food services accounted for the largest share of online transactions at 15.3 percent, followed by groceries at 13.9 percent and travel and transportation services at 12.5 percent. Growth strengthened toward the end of the year. In the fourth quarter, online shopping transactions rose 6.1 percent year on year to 71.26 trillion won, driven by food services, up 12.3 percent; groceries, up 8.0 percent; and travel and transportation services, up 8.5 percent. Mobile transactions in the October–December period increased 6.9 percent to 55.22 trillion won, while spending on agricultural, livestock and fishery products rose 14.9 percent. December alone saw online shopping transactions rise 6.2 percent from a year earlier to 24.29 trillion won. Mobile shopping also grew 6.2 percent to 18.8 trillion won, with mobile’s share of total online spending unchanged at 77.4 percent. The strongest monthly growth came from automobiles and auto supplies, which surged 66.4 percent. Grocery purchases rose 10.2 percent and food services gained 9.1 percent. Mobile spending growth was likewise led by food-related purchases, including agricultural, livestock and fishery products, up 14.5 percent, groceries, up 13.6 percent, and food services, up 9.1 percent. Cross-border e-commerce also expanded. Online direct overseas sales by Korean sellers rose 16.4 percent to 3 trillion won. Sales declined to ASEAN markets, down 4.4 percent, but increased to the United States, up 26.3 percent, and China, up 10.9 percent. The report attributed overseas demand partly to the global popularity of Korean culture, with growth led by cosmetics, up 20.4 percent, groceries, up 49.2 percent, and records, videos and musical instruments, up 7.0 percent. Meanwhile, South Korean consumers’ direct online purchases from overseas retailers rose 5.2 percent to 8.51 trillion won. Purchases from the United States fell 17.6 percent, while imports from China and Japan increased 14.9 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively. Spending increased on household and automotive goods, up 12.7 percent, groceries, up 6.2 percent, and clothing and fashion products, up 2.5 percent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-02 13:53:33

Seoul wakes up to winter wonderland, traffic largely unaffected SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -Heavy snow blanketed Seoul overnight, turning the city into a winter wonderland, but the harsh weather caused little disruption to the Monday morning commute. Authorities lifted the heavy snow advisory at 4 a.m. While snow-covered sidewalks slowed pedestrians, many commuters left home earlier than usual and moved cautiously to avoid delays. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said overnight snow removal operations kept major roads largely clear, preventing significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours. In central Seoul, workers were seen clearing snow at Gyeongbokgung Palace early Monday, following the overnight snowfall. 2026-02-02 11:21:31

Hanwha Aerospace signs $922mln deal to supply Chunmoo rocket systems to Norway SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - A joint effort to bolster Nordic defense reached a major milestone as Hanwha Aerospace secured a contract to supply the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS) to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The agreement, valued at approximately 922 million dollars, marks the first major defense contract for the South Korean company in 2026. The Chunmoo system is a multi-caliber rocket artillery platform capable of firing different munitions from two separate launch pods. It can launch twelve 239mm guided rockets at targets up to 80 kilometers away or deploy 600mm tactical ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 290 kilometers. Designed for high mobility, the system is mounted on an 8x8 armored truck and can fire its first rounds within minutes of arriving at a position. This modular design allows it to deliver double the firepower of similar single-pod systems, providing a versatile solution for both precision strikes and wide-area saturation. According to the South Korean defense contractor, the contract was signed in Oslo on January 30 by Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, and Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA). The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both nations, including Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Korea, and Marte Gerhardsen, State Secretary of Norway. Under the terms of the deal, Hanwha Aerospace will provide 16 Chunmoo launch vehicles along with a package of precision-guided missiles and integrated logistics support. This procurement is part of a larger 2-billion-dollar defense project by Norway to modernize its long-range strike capabilities. The selection of the Chunmoo follows nearly ten years of cooperation between the Norwegian military and Hanwha Aerospace. Norway previously purchased 52 K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers and 14 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles in 2017. The company's ability to deliver that equipment on time and provide reliable maintenance support served as a key factor in the Norwegian government’s decision to adopt the Chunmoo system. To meet the specific needs of the Norwegian Army, the Chunmoo system has been optimized for the Arctic environment. The hardware is designed to remain reliable in extreme low temperatures and heavy snow, ensuring it can operate across the difficult terrain of the Nordic region. It is also built to be fully compatible with Norway's existing defense infrastructure and fire control networks. "I believe Norway's selection of the Chunmoo system is a result of the trust built up through the supply of K9 self-propelled howitzers," said Jae-il Son. "We remain committed to contributing to the long-term security of the Nordic region through close cooperation with Norway." With this latest agreement, Norway joins a growing list of nations operating the Chunmoo MRLS, which currently includes South Korea, Poland, Estonia, and several countries in the Middle East. Hanwha Aerospace stated it intends to expand its partnership with local Norwegian industries through joint development projects and local testing programs. 2026-02-02 11:16:35

Heavy snow blankets country overnight SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Heavy snow fell across the country overnight, disrupting commuters during the morning rush hour, with further snowfall expected in eastern and southern regions, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Monday. Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas saw up to 7 centimeters of snow overnight, tapering to flurries by early morning. The heaviest snow fell in mountainous Gangwon Province, with Cheorwon accumulating 17.3 centimeters, Hwacheon 16.6 centimeters, and Chuncheon 11.9 centimeters. The KMA forecast that most eastern and southern parts of the country could see an additional 5 to 10 centimeters of snow or rain later in the day. Meanwhile, subzero temperatures are expected to linger through the mid-week, but the cold snap is forecast to gradually ease on Wednesday, coinciding with Ipchun, the official beginning of spring by the lunar calendar. 2026-02-02 11:01:41

BTS Comeback D-48: BTS' Jung Kook tops 10.3 billion stream on Spotify streams SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - BTS member Jungkook has surpassed 10.3 billion cumulative streams on Spotify, marking yet another historic milestone for K-pop and the group's anticipated comeback in March. Jungkook surpassed 10.3 billion total streams on his personal Spotify profile (all credits combined). The achievement is a new record for the fastest time an Asian artist has reached the milestone, and also makes him the first K-pop solo artist to surpass the record. The latest marks are particularly notable as it was achieved during Jungkook’s mandatory military service, commonly referred to in Korea as a “military hiatus.” Despite the break in official activities, his Spotify profile continues to log an average of 5.9 million streams per day. His monthly listeners have also remained steady at around 16 million to 17 million, underscoring his reach as a global pop star beyond fandom-driven support. Driving force of the surge is Jungkook’s first solo debut single, ''Seven'' featuring Latto. The track has surpassed 2.77 billion streams, simultaneously setting both a first-ever and fastest-time record among songs by Asian artists. Beyond “Seven,” multiple tracks have crossed the billion-stream threshold, highlighting Jungkook’s strong performance on streaming platforms. The title track from his solo album ''GOLDEN,'' ''Standing Next to You,'' has surpassed 1.39 billion streams. His collaboration with Charlie Puth, ''Left and Right,'' has exceeded 1.15 billion streams, while his solo single ''3D'' has recorded more than 1.1 billion streams. With Seven, Left and Right, Standing Next to You, and 3D, Jungkook now has four tracks that have surpassed the 1.1 billion-stream mark. Jungkook upholds the record for both the first and the largest number held by an Asian solo artist. Additional tracks continue to draw steady attention, including the official soundtrack for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ''Dreamers,'' which has reached 510 million streams, and his self-composed track ''Still With You,'' which has recorded 410 million streams. Long-running chart performance is also drawing attention beyond cumulative plays. Seven has remained on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart for 133 consecutive weeks, continuing to extend its own record for the longest chart run by an Asian solo artist. Meanwhile, GOLDEN has charted on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums Global chart for 117 weeks, sustaining a record-setting run as the longest-charting album by an Asian solo artist. Jungkook’s 10.3 billion milestone has further highlighted his undiminished global popularity during military service, raising expectations for his post-discharge activities. 2026-02-02 10:49:47

Hawkish Fed expectations weigh on markets, drag Korean shares lower SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) – Asian stocks fell broadly after U.S. President Donald Trump nominated former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, prompting investors to scale back expectations for further interest-rate cuts. Warsh is widely viewed as an inflation hawk, and his nomination triggered a shift in rate expectations that rippled through financial markets. South Korean equities opened lower, U.S. stock futures weakened, gold and silver prices fell sharply, and the U.S. dollar strengthened. The dollar traded at 1,459.00 won, up 7.00 won from the previous session. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index stood at 5,157.36 as of 10:24 a.m., down 1.27 percent, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 1.19 percent to 1,135.87. Stocks slid at the open as foreign investors stepped up selling amid a sharp rise in the won-dollar exchange rate. Losses narrowed later as individual investors moved in to buy on dips. Individual investors purchased a net 1.4755 trillion won worth of shares in early trading, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 1.5 trillion won and 44.7 billion won, respectively. Most heavyweight stocks traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 1.18 percent to 158,600 won, while chipmaker SK hynix dropped 2.86 percent to 26,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution slipped 0.25 percent to 397,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also weakened, with Samsung Life Insurance down 1.33 percent to 185,800 won and Samsung Biologics losing 0.34 percent to 1,739,000 won. Automakers bucked the broader decline. Hyundai Motor rose 0.40 percent to 502,000 won, while Kia gained 1.51 percent to 154,900 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also edged higher, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.08 percent at 1,301,000 won. Shipbuilders traded mixed. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 0.52 percent to 572,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean climbed 1.73 percent to 140,900 won. 2026-02-02 10:45:49

Amy Yang finishes runner-up at shortened LPGA season opener SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Amy Yang finished runner-up at this year's LPGA Tour season opener, which was reduced to 54 holes due to bitter cold and strong gusts in Orlando, Florida on Sunday. With the fourth and final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions canceled due to freezing temperatures, Yang, who shot 10-under 206 through the first three rounds, finished second, three shots behind Nelly Korda of the U.S. Without having to hit a single shot on Sunday, Korda, who went winless last season, opened this season by claiming her 16th LPGA career victory, the first in 14 months, earning US$315,000 from the $2.1 million prize purse. Yang was aiming for her seventh LPGA victory since winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June 2024, but will have to wait for next time. Meanwhile, Hwang You-min, making her LPGA debut, tied for fifth at 5-under 211 with Japan's Miyu Yamashita. Last year's champion Kim A-lim ended in a tie for ninth at 3-under 213, along with Lee So-mi and Ryu Hae-ran. 2026-02-02 10:24:06

Rising overseas demand pushes Korean seaweed prices to record levels SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Dried seaweed prices in South Korea have climbed to a record high as rising exports tighten domestic supply and fuel broader seafood inflation. Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. showed Monday that the average retail price of mid-grade dried seaweed reached 1,515 won per 10-sheet pack in late January, the first time the period average has exceeded 1,500 won, or more than 150 won per sheet. Prices have risen about 50 percent over the past two years. Retail prices held near 100 won per sheet through early 2024 before climbing past 150 won per sheet by late January this year. The increase has accelerated since 2023. The annual average retail price rose 10 percent in 2023 from a year earlier, surpassing 100 won per sheet, then jumped another 25 percent in 2024. Prices continued rising last year, increasing by around 8 percent. Strong export demand has been a key driver. Seaweed exports last year rose 13.7 percent from a year earlier. By shipment volume, the largest destinations were Japan with 18.6 percent, followed by China at 17.5 percent, Thailand at 13.6 percent, the United States at 13.3 percent, Russia at 9.8 percent and Taiwan at 5.1 percent. Yang Young-jin, director general for fisheries policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said production of the 2025 crop increased compared with the previous year, but rising exports and domestic consumption absorbed the additional supply. He added that higher export prices, which began rising in 2024, have continued and are influencing domestic pricing, limiting the potential for price declines at home. Rising seaweed prices are also feeding into seafood inflation. In December, consumer prices for seaweed rose 14.9 percent from a year earlier, outpacing other seafood items such as yellow corvina, up 10.5 percent, and mackerel, up 10.3 percent. With prices rising across major seafood products, seafood inflation averaged 5.9 percent last year, nearly triple the overall consumer inflation rate of 2.1 percent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-02 09:47:02

Joint research team develops wearable OLED hat to combat hair loss SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - A joint team of researchers from South Korea and Hong Kong has developed a wearable light therapy platform designed like a hat to treat hair loss. By using flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), the device suppresses the aging of hair follicle cells by approximately 92 percent. The project was led by Professor Choi Kyung-cheol from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in collaboration with Professor Yun Chi from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Light therapy has emerged as a safe alternative to pharmaceutical hair loss treatments, which can cause side effects during long-term use. However, existing light therapy devices are typically heavy, rigid helmets that use point-source light like LEDs or lasers. These structures are often uncomfortable to wear and fail to distribute light evenly across the curved surface of the human scalp. The researchers addressed these limitations by using OLEDs, which emit light from a flat surface rather than a single point. By integrating near-infrared (NIR) OLEDs into a flexible, fabric-like material, they created a light source that fits naturally inside a hat. This design allows the light to stay in close contact with the scalp, ensuring that stimulations are delivered uniformly to all affected areas. The technology works by targeting dermal papilla cells, which are located at the base of hair follicles and control hair growth. While different colors of light cause different cellular reactions, the team used wavelength control technology to emit near-infrared light specifically between 730 and 740 nanometers. This specific range was found to be the most effective for activating hair follicle cells and preventing them from aging. In laboratory tests using human dermal papilla cells, the near-infrared OLEDs reduced cell aging by 92 percent compared to a control group. This result outperformed traditional red light therapy. The flexible nature of the platform allows users to receive treatment during daily activities rather than being restricted to indoor use with heavy equipment. "By implementing fabric-based OLEDs that are as soft as cloth, we have proposed a wearable light therapy platform that can be used in everyday life," said Cho Eun-hae, the lead author of the study. Professor Choi Kyung-cheol noted that the thin and flexible nature of OLEDs is ideal for ensuring uniform light delivery to the scalp. The research team plans to conduct further pre-clinical studies to verify the safety and long-term effectiveness of the device for commercial medical use. The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea. The findings were published online in the journal Nature Communications on January 10. (Paper information) Journal: Nature Communications Title: Wearable textile-based phototherapy platform with customized NIR OLEDs toward non-invasive hair loss treatment 2026-02-02 09:40:56

K-pop OST "Golden" wins Grammy, marking first victory for K-pop songwriters SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -“Golden,” an original soundtrack from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammy Awards, marking the first-ever Grammy win for K-pop songwriters and producers. The award was announced during the Premiere Ceremony of the 68th Grammys held in Los Angeles. Unlike performance-based categories, Best Song Written for Visual Media is awarded to songwriters and producers, recognizing excellence in composition for film and television. With the win, all creators involved in “Golden” are officially credited as Grammy Award winners. Riding on the global success of K Pop Demon Hunters, “Golden” also achieved a rare chart milestone, becoming the first K-pop song to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart, underscoring the genre’s expanding reach in major Western markets. The track was co-written and produced by EJAE (Lee Jae), Teddy, 24, and producer collective IDO, which includes Lee Yu-han, Kwak Jung-kyu and Nam Hee-dong. Additional credited writers include Park Hong-jun, Seo Jung-hoon and Mark Sonnenblick. While Korean engineer Hwang Byung-joon and Korean-American engineer Youngin have previously won Grammys in technical categories, this is the first time K-pop songwriters or music producers have received the award for their creative work — a milestone signaling a shift in how K-pop is recognized within the global music industry. “Golden” led the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack as a self-empowerment anthem performed in character by EJAE as a member of the fictional girl group Huntr/x. The song topped the Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks in 2025 and received four Grammy nominations this year, including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. In the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, where “Golden,” Rosé’s “APT.” and KATSEYE’s “Gabriela” were nominated, the award went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. K-Pop Demon Hunters was one of Netflix’s most-watched films in 2025 and a standout piece of global pop culture. With “Golden’s” Grammy win — along with its Golden Globe victory and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song — the film has now delivered K-pop its first Grammy triumph. 2026-02-02 09:28:36