KDB to Pick Mega-Project Investments No. 2 and 3 This Month, Expanding Regional Funding Korea Development Bank said it will broaden the National Growth Fund’s investment focus beyond advanced strategic industries to include small and midsize companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area, stepping up efforts to support more balanced regional growth. The state-run lender plans to complete selection of follow-on “mega-project” investments under the 150 trillion won fund within this month, aiming to ease a capital-centered growth structure and build multiple growth hubs. KDB Chairman Park Sang-jin said at a news briefing Tuesday at the bank’s headquarters in Seoul’s Yeouido district that, after naming the Sinan Ui offshore wind power project as the fund’s first investment, the bank will select the second and third investments later this month. “We plan to approve all investments in the seven mega-projects within the first half of the year,” Park said. KDB is the operator of the 150 trillion won National Growth Fund and is responsible for identifying mega-projects and overseeing overall fund management. Park said early candidates were reviewed mainly in advanced strategic industries with broad spillover effects, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, but future projects are being considered with a greater focus on regions and smaller companies. To widen participation by regional firms with limited access to information, KDB plans to hold briefings by region in March and April. Park said the bank will take a proactive approach so local companies are not left out because of information gaps, including seeking out firms that need support. Park said KDB will also expand regional financial support. He said the bank will increase its preferential regional special products to 15 trillion won this year from 10 trillion won last year and plans to supply a total of 30 trillion won to non-capital regions this year. Beyond the National Growth Fund, he said KDB will create additional regional growth funds, including a regional revitalization investment fund, to tailor financing to local demand. Park also addressed the planned relocation of HMM, in which KDB holds a stake, to Busan and the bank’s future divestment plans. He said the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Ocean Business Corp. have presented a schedule to complete the move in March and April, adding that KDB will actively support the relocation once it is confirmed. On a potential sale of HMM, Park said the overarching principle of divestment remains in place, but it is not at a stage to be pursued immediately. He said the bank will review whether to proceed after the Busan relocation is completed. KDB and the Korea Ocean Business Corp. are HMM’s largest shareholders, holding 35.42% and 35.08%, respectively. The two institutions have maintained a phased sale policy after providing a total of 6.9 trillion won in support since 2016.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 17:03:00

Welcome to the Coffee Republic of Korea SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) -South Korea’s passion for coffee was on full display this week as the 2026 Seoul Cafe & Bakery Fair Season 1 opened at SETEC in southern Seoul. The four-day exhibition runs from Feb. 25 to 28. The fair brings together the full spectrum of the cafe and bakery industry — from specialty coffee and artisanal bread to desserts, beverages and franchise services. Visitors can also attend consulting programs on startup planning and store operations. The venue is organized into themed halls, including “Roastery B” for specialty coffee and roasting brands, “Tea Village” for traditional and blended teas, “Zero Planet” for eco-friendly food and beverage products, and “Korea Spirit Festa” for alcoholic beverage brands. Korea’s deepening coffee culture is reflected in trade data. According to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., citing figures from the Korea Customs Service, coffee imports reached about 2.65 trillion won in 2025 — a record high and more than 40 percent higher than a year earlier. Import volume totaled roughly 215,000 tons. Adding to the atmosphere, the Korea Latte Art Championship is being held alongside the fair, drawing skilled baristas and enthusiastic crowds. The exhibition continues through Feb. 28 at SETEC in Seoul’s Gangnam District — a fitting stage for a country that has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most devoted coffee cultures. 2026-02-25 16:54:10

South Korea targets $740 billion in exports this year SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - South Korea is aiming to boost exports by diversifying markets, extending its growth streak into a second consecutive year. At a meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan unveiled plans to reach an export target of $740 billion this year. The goal follows last year's record $709.7 billion, which was driven by a historic surge in semiconductor exports. Citing growing uncertainty in the global trade environment following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) unlawful, the ministry said it will respond by aggressively diversifying exports as it aims to become one of the world's five largest exporting countries. The ministry aims to nurture eight key export sectors such as consumer goods, power equipment, bio health, defense, nuclear power, automobiles, ships, and steel by hosting expos and other activities. The ministry will also expand cooperation among relevant agencies to secure Canada's submarine project, while pursuing new orders for nuclear power plants. Among a range of measures, a record 275 trillion won will be allocated to help exporters secure liquidity and to support roughly 500 firms with overseas shipments exceeding $10 million, along with additional support for those in strategic and advanced industries including artificial intelligence (AI)-related technologies. Kim said, "Amid unprecedented global uncertainty, we will turn this crisis into an opportunity through a proactive strategy to diversify our export markets." 2026-02-25 16:44:26

Min Hee-jin offers to forgo 25.6 billion won to end all legal disputes with HYBE Min Hee-jin, former CEO of HYBE sublabel ADOR and now CEO of OK Records, said she is willing to give up the 25.6 billion won she would receive after winning a first trial in a stock-sale payment lawsuit against HYBE, if the company agrees to halt all civil and criminal legal disputes. At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Min said, “If I put down the 25.6 billion won, I ask HYBE to stop all ongoing civil and criminal lawsuits and disputes.” She said her proposal would also cover ending all complaints and accusations involving not only her but also NewJeans members, outside partner companies and ADOR employees. Min said the main reason was “because of the NewJeans members,” adding, “It is painful that someone has to be on stage while someone else has to be in court.” She added, “You can’t create good culture with a heart torn to pieces.” On Feb. 12, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 31 ruled for Min in her lawsuit seeking payment for a stock sale. The court said HYBE must pay her about 25.5 billion won in put option proceeds. However, it accepted HYBE’s request to suspend enforcement, meaning forced collection is on hold until an appeals court ruling. Min’s remarks about NewJeans were seen as referring to issues including ADOR’s termination of its contract with member Danielle and a damages lawsuit. “HYBE and I belong not in court but on the creative stage,” Min said. She said she regretted not being able to complete the creative vision she had when launching NewJeans, and added she hoped HYBE’s promise to treat the group well if it returns would become reality. She also called for an environment where “all five” can pursue their dreams freely, saying the 25.6 billion won “is not bigger than a healthy K-pop ecosystem and artists’ peaceful daily lives.” Min appeared at the news conference in a black jacket and looked calmer than at her previous appearance. Referring to the recent ruling, she said the court found allegations such as an attempted management takeover and tampering were not true. Min recently launched the new label OK Records and announced plans to develop a rookie boy group. OK Records also plans to hold auditions. “I will take a new path as CEO of OK Records, leaving behind the label of former ADOR CEO,” Min said. “I hope there will be no more wasteful news conferences after today.” 2026-02-25 16:30:21

GM Korea Union Appeals Court Rejection of Bid to Block Service Center Closures GM Korea’s labor union said Tuesday it will appeal a court decision rejecting its request for an injunction to block the shutdown of the automaker’s company-run service centers. The GM Korea branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union said it submitted an appeal to the Incheon District Court. The Incheon court on Feb. 13 dismissed the union’s injunction request seeking to prohibit the closure of the direct-run service operations. The court said matters related to organizational restructuring generally fall within management rights and are afforded broad discretion. It also found that ending service center operations was conditioned on labor-management “consultation,” not “agreement.” The union argued that management itself formed bodies such as a task force to revitalize direct-run service centers and a special committee on job security on the premise that closures would require agreement between labor and management or, at minimum, substantial discussions. It said the court misread the collective bargaining agreement by focusing on wording while overlooking how the agreement was reached. The union also said a full shutdown would raise concerns about vehicle safety, consumer rights and damage to brand trust, and that the business need was unclear given GM Korea’s solid financial structure. It said the court broadly accepted management discretion while effectively avoiding a judgment on the legality of what it called an expected large-scale forced reassignment of service workers. A union official said that after the first meeting of a special labor-management consultative body last month to seek withdrawal of the closure plan, the union delivered a proposal following internal discussions. The official said management has repeated for more than a month that it is still reviewing the proposal, calling it closer to delaying a decision than holding talks to resolve the issue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 15:51:16

Defiant Trump vows to stand firm on tariffs despite Supreme Court ruling SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signaled he would not back down on tariffs, despite a Supreme Court ruling against his tariff policy last week. "A very unfortunate ruling, but the good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made..... knowing that the legal power that I as president have to make a new deal could be far worse for them, and therefore they will continue to work along the same successful path that we had negotiated before the Supreme Court's unfortunate involvement," he said during his first State of the Union address in his non-consecutive second term. The remarks came just several days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his sweeping global tariffs policy, ruling that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad import duties was unlawful. The decision dealt a significant blow to one of the administration's signature economic initiatives. Undeterred, Trump wasted no time resorting to alternative measures such as Section 122 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, threatening to reimpose global tariffs of up to 15 percent. He then doubled down further, declaring that import duties could one day replace income taxes even as his administration faces major legal and political obstacles to that vision. "As time goes by, I believe the tariffs paid by foreign countries will, as in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax," Trump said to applause from Republican lawmakers, claiming that such a shift would "take a great financial burden off the people that I love." "So despite the disappointing ruling, these powerful country saving - it's saving our country the kind of money we're taking in - peace protecting - many of the wars I settled was because of the threat of tariffs I wouldn’t have been able to settle them without - will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes," Trump said, adding that "congressional action will not be necessary." "And therefore, they will continue to work along the same successful path that we had negotiated before the Supreme Court's unfortunate involvement," he said. Trump's unwavering stance leaves uncertainty looming and complicates calculations, as tariff deals are not merely economic matters but are closely linked to national security and defense concerns. Earlier in the day, South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha said at a press briefing with South Korean correspondents in Washington, D.C., that Seoul has been "closely monitoring" the Trump administration's follow-up moves while supporting upcoming discussions with Washington, aiming to ensure they proceed "in a favorable atmosphere." Washington's trade community has also turned its attention to newly opened investigations under Section 301, with speculation mounting that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) could examine potential "discriminatory practices" against U.S. tech and digital platforms, including e-commerce giant Coupang, which claims it suffered unfair treatment during a probe related to its massive data leak late last year. Tuesday's address came after over a year of rapid deregulation, a record number of executive actions, and a turbulent political climate marked by mass layoffs, aggressive immigration enforcement, and a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. While Trump used the address to project confidence in his economic stewardship ahead of November's U.S. midterm elections, recent polls suggest public opinion remains divided. A PBS News/NPR/Marist survey found that 60 percent of Americans believe the country is worse off than a year ago, compared with 40 percent who say it has improved. 2026-02-25 15:49:54

NewJeans' creator proposes settlement to HYBE to resolve NewJeans legal disputes SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Min Hee-jin, the CEO of OOAK Records and former head of ADOR, has offered to waive a 25.6 billion won ($18.9 million) legal payout from HYBE in exchange for the termination of all ongoing litigation involving herself and the girl group NewJeans. During a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday, Min announced her willingness to give up the funds recently awarded to her by a court regarding a put option on her former ADOR shares. Her proposal requires HYBE and its subsidiary, ADOR, to drop all civil and criminal lawsuits against her, the five members of NewJeans, their families, and former staff. The offer arrives as the group attempts to recover from a year of internal conflict that nearly led to its dissolution. In late 2024, the members declared the unilateral termination of their contracts following Min's removal as CEO, resulting in a total suspension of activities and a freeze on brand deals. While the Seoul Central District Court eventually ruled the contracts valid through 2029, the original lineup was fractured when ADOR officially terminated the contract of member Danielle Marsh on December 29, 2025. ADOR cited an "unrecoverable breach of trust" for the expulsion of Danielle, alleging she played a primary role in the group's attempt to break away from the label. The agency claimed the singer engaged in unauthorized activities, including filming a commercial in Southeast Asia and signing luxury brand deals that conflicted with her exclusivity clauses. Consequently, ADOR filed a 43.1 billion won damages lawsuit against Danielle, her family, and Min. Min's proposal also follows a February 23 exclusive report by the entertainment media outlet Dispatch. The report alleged that Min orchestrated the group's departure by meeting with a Japanese investor to secure funding and that she personally drafted the script for the group's November 2024 press conference. Min has dismissed these claims as "fiction." "I am proposing that we immediately stop all ongoing civil and criminal litigation and end all disputes in exchange for me letting go of the 25.6 billion won," Min said during the conference. She emphasized that her decision was motivated by the welfare of the members, stating she could no longer watch the group divided between the stage and the courtroom. While four members, Kim Min-ji, Hanni Pham, Kang Hae-rin, and Lee Hye-in, have already returned to ADOR, Min urged HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk to allow the group to reunite as a quintet. She called on the agency to fulfill its previous promise to support the members and requested that the industry return to a focus on creative output rather than legal battles. Min confirmed her transition to her new label, OOAK Records, noting that the February 25 briefing would be her final public statement regarding the management dispute. HYBE has not yet issued a formal response to the settlement offer. 2026-02-25 15:45:48

‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Hits 6 Million Viewers as Cast Recalls Key On-Set Moments A single movie scene holds many perspectives. Even in the same place and time, a director and actors may remember it differently. <Choi Song-hee’s B-Cut> looks beyond the polished “A-cut” on screen to the behind-the-scenes record that still carries the set’s atmosphere. By cross-checking interviews with the people who made the film, it reconstructs the “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. <Editor’s note> The film “The Man Who Lives With the King” has topped 6 million moviegoers in 20 days, moving at a pace comparable to past hit Korean historical dramas. While audiences celebrate the box-office numbers and the finished scenes, the people who made the film point to different turning points: an off-script suggestion, or a moment of sincerity that surfaced only after the camera stopped rolling. Director Jang Hang-jun said the ensemble began not with popularity but with instinct. He brought together Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do, saying he focused on acting rather than name recognition. "People might call it good fortune, but if you flip it around, who gathered them all? Ha ha," Jang said. "If you gave the script to 10 directors, they’d all cast it differently. Before casting, I looked only at acting, excluding popularity. Jeon Mi-do’s role as Maehwa was small, so I thought she might pass, but she accepted readily — and we actually increased her part. For Park Ji-hoon as King Danjong, I decided based only on his eyes in ‘Weak Hero,’ without even knowing he was an idol. And Yoo Hae-jin as Eom Heung-do was automatic in my head from the writing stage." On set, the actors became mirrors for one another. Yoo and Park, separated by nearly 30 years in age, said their work together went beyond a typical senior-junior relationship. Yoo said he discovered unexpected intensity from Park during a cliff scene. "I knew he was from the idol group Wanna One, but I didn’t really know his activities," Yoo said. "After I learned we’d work together, I looked up clips from ‘Weak Hero.’ When we met for the project, his energy was very strong. In the cliff scene, that energy was so intense it surprised me. It pushed me to think, ‘I can’t get complacent.’ I felt I had to stay sharp." One of the film’s most lyrical moments, the riverside water-play scene, was not in the script. It grew out of a behind-the-scenes image of Park spending time alone by the river between takes — a moment Yoo proposed turning into story. "At the end, when Eom Heung-do recovers Danjong’s body, there’s a scene that returns to the past," Yoo said. "I suggested the shot of Eom Heung-do looking sadly at Danjong playing in the water. As we filmed, I felt Eom Heung-do would have the gaze of a parent looking at a young child — someone too young, someone you feel sorry for. I thought we needed a scene where he looks at him with sadness and pity. It’s a tragic death, but I hoped it would convey that someone was by his side." "I heard it started from a single photo," Park said. "During a break, I was playing in the water by the river, and there was a photo taken from behind. What made sense to me was this: I’m at an age when I should be playing with friends, but I’m in exile with no one around, splashing alone. Even though it was me, it felt heartbreaking. I was impressed by his idea." Both actors said their off-camera rapport carried into scenes, where they judged each other’s sincerity through eye contact more than dialogue. "When you’re delivering lines, you look into the other person’s eyes," Yoo said. "You can tell whether they’re in the story or not. In sad scenes, when I look at Ji-hoon’s eyes, they’re already that wet. That pulls your emotions in. And when I’m emotional, his eyes can redden quickly, too. Through that, I thought, ‘He’s in this story.’ He expressed the path of a fragile character like Danjong toward death very well, and I think it was grounded in genuine sincerity." "I admired his acting and always respected him," Park said. "I couldn’t help but be amazed — even shocked — by the energy and rhythm he brought each time." The film’s momentum to 6 million viewers, the participants said, rested not only on careful direction but also on the actors’ close observation of one another and the choices that emerged on set — including a quiet, unscripted moment by the river that helped define the king’s loneliness.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 15:33:28

LG's smart home robot 'Cloi', ultra-thin OLED TV take home iF Design awards SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - South Korean tech giant LG Electronics announced it has won 26 awards at the iF Design Award 2026, taking home accolades across multiple categories including product design, user experience, and architecture. The company's key award-winning products include the "LG Cloi," a home robot designed to interact with users by responding to human facial expressions, voice commands, and gestures. LG also won an award for its "LG OLED evo W6," a wireless wallpaper television featuring a thickness in the 9-millimeter range. Other recognized consumer electronics include the "LG gram Pro" laptop, which utilizes a novel aerospace material called aerominium, and the curved "LG UltraGear OLED evo" monitor. Three models of LG XBOOM audio products, the minimalist "Whisen Objet Collection Cool" air conditioner, and the "LG Puricare Bath Air System" for indoor air and humidity management also received honors. Beyond traditional hardware, LG's "Flagship D5" showroom in Seoul's Gangnam district won in the architecture category. The company also received recognition for an "easy-to-read book" manual designed to help slow learners and children with developmental disabilities understand appliance operations, a project noted for promoting social inclusion and sustainability. Additionally, an AI agent user experience (UX) developed for LG employees was awarded. "We will continue customer-centric design innovation by strengthening our core businesses from a future-preparedness perspective and discovering new growth opportunities," said Chung Wook-jun, head of LG Electronics' Design Management Center. 2026-02-25 15:30:20

Son Heung-min plays 45 minutes as LAFC beats Real Espana to reach CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 Los Angeles FC, with Son Heung-min in the starting lineup, beat Honduras’ Real Espana and advanced to the round of 16 of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. LAFC won 1-0 at home at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Feb. 25 (Korea time) in the second leg of the first round. After a 6-1 win away in the first leg on Feb. 18, LAFC advanced 7-1 on aggregate. The CONCACAF Champions Cup features 27 clubs from member nations including the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Canada and Honduras. Twenty-two teams play the first round over two legs; the 11 winners join five teams that receive byes in the round of 16. LAFC will face Costa Rica’s Alajuelense in the round of 16. The win also gave LAFC three straight official victories to open the season (one in league play and two in the CONCACAF Champions Cup). Son, who had one goal and three assists in the first leg, captained LAFC and started again but did not record a goal or assist. After a scoreless first half, LAFC substituted Son and Denis Bouanga to give them rest. LAFC broke through in the 64th minute. Timothy Tillman’s shot on a free kick was saved, and Nkosi Tafari followed to tap in with his left foot for the 1-0 lead. LAFC conceded a penalty in the 88th minute, but Thomas Hasal made the save to preserve the win.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 15:27:00