OPINION: Another year of Russian aggression against Ukraine SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Today, the world marks the fourth year since the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. After four years of war, 2026 must be the year the war comes to an end. The European Union’s view is crystal clear. We want peace in Ukraine, and we want this peace to last. Peace must be just, durable, credible and consistent with international law. Whether aggression is rewarded or rebuffed will either encourage or discourage aggressors in other regions, including the Indo-Pacific. But still today, Russia is intensifying its attacks and targeting and killing civilians every day. Last year was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since the full-scale invasion. Russia’s bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has left millions of people facing darkness, cold, and water shortages during the coldest winter since 2022. This must end. Ukrainians continue to demonstrate incredible resilience, and they deserve peace. Since the beginning of the war, the Republic of Korea has been an ally and friend. Last year, at the high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the maintenance of international peace and security on Ukraine, Foreign Minister Cho reaffirmed Korea’s “unwavering commitment to respect for internationally recognized borders, and in particular, to upholding the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine”. All UN member states must uphold the UN Charter, as the cornerstone of the international order. How this war ends will further shape the future standing of these principles, already under immense test elsewhere. To compound its disregard for international law and commitments, Russia has engaged also in wide-ranging military cooperation with North Korea. The transfer of ballistic missiles, ammunition, and even troops constitutes a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, that Russia itself had supported. These transfers not only prolong the war in Ukraine; they also provide North Korea with funds, military experience, and technical insights that contribute to advance its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and lead to escalatory behaviour. This cooperation undermines the global non-proliferation regime and raises serious security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. At the UN, European countries and other like-minded partners have joined Seoul in condemning these violations of the UN Charter. Just like the Republic of Korea, we, members of the European Union, want peace in Ukraine, and we want this peace to last. Peace must be durable, credible, and consistent with international law, which protects countries large and small — both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific. The European Union stands fully behind Ukraine and is actively contributing to the US-led peace efforts, in coordination with partners. As discussions continue, the EU’s priorities remain clear. First, any agreement should deliver a just, stable and lasting peace. And it should ensure real security. Second, we must uphold Ukraine's sovereignty. There cannot be a unilateral carving up of a sovereign nation state. Borders cannot be changed by force anywhere in the world. Third, we must secure Ukraine's financial needs, so that it can continue defending itself, be in a position of strength at the negotiation table and rebuild what Russia has destroyed. Since February 2022, the EU has stood united in its unwavering support for Ukraine. We are providing substantial political, economic and military support to Ukraine, while isolating Russia and implementing an ever-widening net of sanctions directed against Russia’s war machine. Most recently, in December 2025, The EU has decided on a loan of €90 billion for 2026 and 2027 for Ukraine. With this support, we want to make sure that Ukraine can bolster its defence on the battlefield; strengthen its defence capabilities for a peace agreement; and keep running basic services, including water, heating and electricity. We have reaffirmed Europe's commitment to the security, defence, and European future of Ukraine. This should serve as a stark reminder to Russia and a message to the world: Europe will always stand with Ukraine. The EU is very grateful to the Republic of Korea for its humanitarian aid for Ukraine. During this extremely difficult winter, Ukraine urgently needs more equipment for the rapid restoration of power, heating, and water supply, as well as air defence. We call on all our partners, including the Republic of Korea, to strengthen their support to Ukraine and contribute to easing the suffering of its people. The implementation of sanctions is also a very important part of what the international community can do for Ukraine. In 2024, the Republic of Korea announced a significant expansion of its export controls against Russia and Belarus. These restrictions are not merely symbolic. They prevent the transfer of many advanced technology items, helping to weaken Russia’s military capabilities, including those that are criminally used to destroy apartment buildings, energy and other civilian infrastructure The principles at stake in Ukraine — sovereignty, territorial integrity, respect for international law — matter to all of us, whether in Europe or the Indo-Pacific. As in the days of the Korean war, the international community must come together to stop the aggression and the suffering. Let us work together so that 2026 is the year Russia abandons its imperialistic goals, ends its unprovoked aggression and engages in a lasting peace in Ukraine. 2026-02-24 13:55:27

Korea Association for Performing Arts for the Disabled to Hold 2026 D&LU Auditions for Blind Musicians The Korea Association for Performing Arts for the Disabled, led by Chairman Ryu Ji-hoon, said it will hold auditions for its “2026 D&LU (Discover & Level Up) Project,” aimed at building a professional performance pathway for blind musicians. The D&LU Project is a four-step training program: auditions, tailored lesson support, an intensive music academy and a final showcase concert. The association said the goal is to develop self-sustaining professional musicians through structured instruction and stage experience, rather than one-time support. The first-round audition will be based on one free-choice piece, with selections focused on musical potential and room for growth. In the second stage, participants will receive one-on-one lessons with expert instructors, along with theory and practical training. The third-stage music academy will provide intensive training and ensemble programs to strengthen performance readiness. The final-stage showcase will serve as an official stage to share the year’s results with the public. The program is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation and the Korea Disability Arts & Culture Center. Applicants must be blind and living in South Korea; there are no limits on age, experience or nationality. Recruitment covers all music fields, including piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, vocal and a cappella. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 12 through 6 p.m. March 6. Performance evaluations are scheduled for 2 p.m. March 12 at the chapel of Hanshin University. Final results are to be announced March 16. A representative of the association called the D&LU Project “a platform to systematically identify blind artists with potential and help them grow into professional performers,” adding, “We look forward to strong participation from musicians with passion and promise.” Details on how to apply and other information are available on the association’s website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 13:51:16

Panic Duo Lee Juck and Kim Jin-pyo to Hold First Solo Concert in 20 Years Singer Lee Juck and rapper Kim Jin-pyo, the duo known as Panic, will stage a solo concert for the first time in 20 years. According to Music Farm Entertainment on the 24th, Panic will perform “2026 Panic Concert - Panic Is Coming (PANIC IS COMING)” from April 16-19 at the LG Signature Hall of LG Arts Center Seoul in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Panic debuted in 1995 and released four albums, producing songs including “Snail,” “Left-Handed,” “UFO” and “The Sea in My Old Drawer.” The group built a lasting reputation in Korean pop music with experimental yet widely popular tracks. Ticket sales begin at 4 p.m. on the 25th through the LG Arts Center Seoul website and NOL Ticket. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 13:48:17

EFK Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik Wins Unanimous Fifth Term, Pledges Stronger Business Unity Sohn Kyung-shik has won a fifth term as chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, known as EFK. EFK said it held its 57th annual general meeting on Monday at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul and unanimously reappointed Sohn with the backing of its leadership and member companies. Sohn first took the helm in March 2018. With Monday’s vote, he will lead the group for two more years through 2028. EFK has no term-limit rule. EFK’s leadership said Sohn has played a central role over the past eight years on major labor and economic issues, contributing to improvements in the business environment and raising the group’s policy standing. EFK said policy uncertainty around labor issues has grown, including debate over the so-called Yellow Envelope Act — amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act — making Sohn’s experience and leadership more necessary. In his opening remarks, Sohn said the government’s push on key policy tasks is expected to accelerate and that discussions of policies that could burden companies may also expand. “I will further strengthen cooperation across the broader business community,” he said. He said EFK would fulfill its responsibility as a representative business group so that corporate views are reflected in policy in a balanced way. He added that, regarding the revised union law set to take effect March 10, EFK will focus on conveying business concerns to the government and National Assembly and on supporting member companies in reasonable collective bargaining. On debate over extending the retirement age, a major labor issue this year, Sohn said he would seek a “win-win” approach that aligns with youth employment through flexible options such as rehiring after retirement. He also pledged continued efforts to push deregulation and tax improvements, expand flexible working hours, spread job- and performance-based pay systems, and establish a prevention-focused industrial safety environment. At the meeting, EFK also reappointed Executive Vice Chairman Lee Dong-geun, 22 non-executive vice chairmen and two auditors, following the chairman’s recommendations. Keum Seok-ho, president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, was named a new non-executive vice chairman, and Jin Yong-min, CEO of Seoul City Gas, was appointed a new auditor.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 13:28:13

KOSPI extends rally despite global headwinds and profit-taking SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Korean stocks extended their upward momentum Tuesday despite a choppy start, shrugging off overnight losses on Wall Street driven by tariff uncertainty and rising Middle East tensions. Seoul’s benchmark KOSPI advanced 1.42 percent to a fresh all-time high of 5,929.14 as of 11:15 a.m., while the KOSPI 200 gained 1.66 percent to 880.21. Overnight in the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.7 percent, the Nasdaq dropped 1.1 percent and the S&P 500 declined 1.0 percent, reflecting caution over trade frictions and concerns about AI-driven industry disruption. Despite the pullback, most Asian markets remained resilient. Institutional investors led the rally, piling into large-cap shares as foreign and domestic investment banks raised their targets for the main index. Nomura Securities recently projected the KOSPI could climb to 8,000. Domestic institutions bought more than 1 trillion won worth of shares, offsetting net retail selling of 945.2 billion won. Semiconductor heavyweights remained firm. Samsung Electronics rose 0.7 percent to 194,400 won, while SK hynix advanced 2.1 percent to 971,000 won, sustaining momentum in memory-related stocks. Sector performance was mixed. Telecommunications equipment led gains, climbing 5.8 percent. Hanwha Vision surged 23.9 percent on expectations that its semiconductor equipment subsidiary would benefit from continued high-bandwidth memory investment. CJ ENM also gained 5.75 percent. In contrast, petrochemical shares weakened. Hanwha Solutions fell 2.3 percent amid uncertainty over the government’s upcoming restructuring package for the sector. Risk-off sentiment was evident in commodities. Gold jumped 2.84 percent to $5,225.6 per ounce, while silver climbed 5.13 percent to $86.6, reflecting safe-haven demand following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed deadline to Iran over its nuclear program. In currency markets, the won weakened slightly, with the dollar up 0.5 won to 1,446.5 won. Across Asia, markets were mixed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.6 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.7 percent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.6 percent. 2026-02-24 11:29:41

Korea's consumer confidence strongest in 3 mo Feb on buoyant stocks and exports SEOUL, Feb. 24 (AJP) — South Korea’s consumer confidence rose to its strongest level in three months in February, buoyed by a robust stock market and resilient exports, central bank data showed Tuesday. According to the Bank of Korea, the composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) stood at 112.1 in February, up from 110.8 in January and 109.8 in December. A reading above 100 indicates that optimism outweighs pessimism compared with the long-term average. The index measuring perceptions of current economic conditions rose 5 points to 95, while the six-month outlook climbed 4 points to 102, indicating that more consumers expect overall conditions to improve. Employment sentiment also strengthened, with the subindex for job prospects edging up 2 points to 93. Sentiment on prices and housing inflation stabilized. One-year inflation expectations remained unchanged at 2.6 percent, while expectations for interest rates ticked up 1 point to 105. The current living standards index held steady at 96, while the outlook index rose 1 point to 101. The prospective household income index remained at 103, and the expected household spending index was unchanged at 111. Overall, improved assessments of macroeconomic conditions offset stable household income expectations, keeping consumer sentiment firmly in optimistic territory above its long-term average. The prospective interest rates index has risen steadily since November, climbing from 98 to 105 over four months, as higher bond yields and persistent global rate uncertainty led consumers to expect borrowing costs to remain elevated for longer. Perceptions of household savings and debt showed mixed signals. The current household savings CSI rose 1 point to 100, and the savings outlook CSI increased 1 point to 102. In contrast, the current household debt CSI remained unchanged at 99, while the debt outlook CSI edged down 1 point to 96. Expectations for prices and asset values shifted modestly. The overall price level outlook CSI slipped 1 point to 147. The housing price outlook CSI fell sharply by 16 points to 108. The wage outlook CSI was unchanged at 123. Inflation expectations remained broadly stable. Perceived inflation over the past year stood at 2.9 percent, unchanged from January. Expected inflation for the next year held at 2.6 percent, while three-year and five-year ahead expectations were both unchanged at 2.5 percent. Despite a moderation in headline inflation, higher prices for processed foods and seafood helped keep inflation expectations steady. In terms of distribution, the 2–3 percent range accounted for the largest share of responses for one-year ahead inflation expectations at 29.7 percent. The same range was also most cited for three-year ahead expectations at 29.8 percent and five-year ahead expectations at 28.2 percent. Overall, inflation expectations remained anchored, housing price expectations cooled significantly, and household savings sentiment improved slightly, while debt outlook perceptions softened. However, households continued to cite agricultural products and utilities as the main drivers of expected price increases over the next year. 2026-02-24 11:25:46

Moviegoers review-bomb 15th-century royal tomb following blockbuster historical film hit SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - A digital revolt has targeted the royal tomb of King Sejo after the release of the film King's Warden, directed by Jang Hang-jun, sparked public anger over the 15th-century monarch's rise to power. Since the movie opened on February 4, the UNESCO World Heritage site, known as Gwangneung, has been review-bombed with one-star ratings on major South Korean map applications. King's Warden reached the 6 million mark on Monday, just 20 days after its release, and is currently expected to surpass 10 million viewers in the country with a population of about 52 million. The film explores the domestic life and psychological isolation of King Danjong during his exile. The public anger is rooted in a pivotal and violent era of the Joseon Dynasty. In 1453, Grand Prince Suyang, who later became King Sejo, orchestrated a coup d'état to seize power from his 12-year-old nephew, King Danjong. After forcing the boy to abdicate in 1455, Sejo eventually ordered his execution in 1457 while the former king was in exile in Yeongwol, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) southeast of Seoul. Even in modern South Korea, Yeongwol is part of the "BYC" region, an acronym for Bonghwa, Yeongyang, and Yeongwol, collectively regarded as the most remote, mountainous, and difficult-to-reach inland area of the country. Historical accounts of the death vary between poisoning and strangulation, but the ruthless nature of the usurpation has long made it one of the most tragic chapters in South Korean history. The film focuses on the final days of the deposed boy-king during his confinement in this isolated mountainous region. Rather than a political thriller, the narrative emphasizes the tender bond formed between the lonely Danjong and the local villagers who cared for him. By highlighting the human vulnerability of the 16-year-old king and the sympathy of the common people, the movie frames his uncle, the invisible yet looming King Sejo, as a visceral villain responsible for destroying a young life. The emotional impact of the film has led social media users to digitally terrorize King Sejo's tomb on popular map platforms. Users have labeled the burial ground a "gathering place for psychopathic DNA" and described Sejo as the "worst cowardly murderer uncle in history." One user, identified as "Gae84", suggested the site should be demolished to build an apartment complex. In contrast, the sites associated with King Danjong have seen a massive surge in physical and digital support. According to the Yeongwol Cultural and Tourism Foundation, 10,641 people visited Cheongnyeongpo, the island where the king was exiled, during the Lunar New Year holiday, a fivefold increase from the 2,006 visitors recorded last year. Over 10,000 tourists also visited Jangneung, Danjong's tomb, between Feb. 14 and 16. Online, the tomb has received a wave of five-star comfort reviews from users promising the historical figure the warmth he was denied in life. The scale of the online activity has prompted South Korea's dominant tech companies to take restrictive measures. Kakao Map placed the Gwangneung entry under "Safe Mode" to block new submissions. Naver is speculated to be utilizing its AI-driven "Clean System" to monitor and filter out review patterns that do not reflect genuine user experiences, effectively hiding posts unrelated to actual visits to the tomb. 2026-02-24 11:09:36

Coupang expresses regret amid US House probe SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Coupang has expressed "regret" that a dispute over alleged unfair treatment in South Korea prompted a U.S. House investigation. In a statement on Monday, "We regret the circumstances in Congressional deposition, and we remain committed to seeking a constructive resolution," said Robert Porter, Coupang's chief global affairs officer. "More broadly, Coupang hopes to be able to serve as a bridge between the United States and Korea, helping improve the bilateral economic relationship, strengthen the security alliance, and accelerate trade and investment that benefits both countries," he added. The statement came a few hours after Harold Rogers, Coupang's interim chief in South Korea, appeared for a closed-door session before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., where he reportedly testified for about seven hours. His appearance followed an order earlier this month from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to testify about whether South Korea is "targeting" the Seattle-based company with discriminatory actions, as part of a broader investigation into alleged unfair treatment of American businesses here. Coupang is under police investigation in South Korea over multiple allegations and suspected offenses related to a massive data leak detected last November, which is now believed to have affected about 33.67 million users and exposed their sensitive personal information, far more than the roughly 3,000 users initially reported. 2026-02-24 11:03:57

Internet News Ethics Committee Signs MOU With National Disability Rights Center The Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee said Feb. 24 it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health and Welfare Ministry-commissioned National Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Feb. 23 at the center’s meeting room. The committee said it is the first media-related organization to sign an agreement with a disability rights advocacy body. The MOU aims to improve and prevent coverage involving abuse of people with disabilities and to foster a more responsible reporting environment among online news outlets. Planned cooperation includes joint monitoring and review work related to abuse coverage, collaborative research to improve reporting, related training and publicity, and joint seminars and campaigns. Lee Jae-jin, the committee’s chair, said, “With this agreement as a turning point, we will take a closer look at disability-related coverage, which has received relatively limited attention, and work to expand advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities.” Park Jeong-sik, director of the national center, said a 2023 revision to the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act provided a legal basis for establishing and ensuring compliance with recommended standards for reporting on abuse. He said the need for cooperation with media organizations and related institutions has grown since the standards were distributed in the second half of last year. “This agreement with the Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee will be an important opportunity to ensure the standards are implemented effectively,” Park said. The National Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a specialized agency commissioned by the Health and Welfare Ministry and established under the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2017 to respond to abuse. Working with 19 regional centers nationwide, it carries out advocacy efforts including abuse prevention and support for victims with disabilities. 2026-02-24 10:39:16

Jin Air launches Incheon-Takamatsu promotion with round trips from 163,000 won Jin Air said Tuesday it is running an online promotion for its Incheon-to-Takamatsu route, a destination known for architecture by Tadao Ando. The promotion runs through March 16 and applies to travel departing between March 1 and May 31. Customers can receive up to 7% off airfare by entering the promo code HELLO2026TAK. Round-trip total fares start at about 163,000 won. Jin Air is also offering an app-only benefit: the first 100 customers will receive a 2,000-won coupon for advance seat selection. Takamatsu is a port city in Japan’s Shikoku region, known for local udon dishes such as shippo-ku udon and kama-tama udon, which is mixed with a raw egg and served without broth. Visitors can also see the Shikokumura Gallery designed by Ando and view works by Yayoi Kusama on the art island of Naoshima. At Shodoshima Olive Park, a film location, travelers can rent a broom for photos. The Incheon-Takamatsu route departs Incheon at 2:10 p.m. and departs locally at 4:50 p.m. Passengers can check up to 15 kilograms of baggage for free.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 10:24:16