Global Auto Giants Race to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Factories Global automakers are beginning to put humanoid robots on factory floors, accelerating a shift toward production sites where people and robots work side by side. With forecasts that the humanoid market could eventually surpass the size of the auto industry, competition to secure an early lead is expected to intensify. According to industry officials on Feb. 23, Hyundai Motor, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plan to deploy humanoids they developed on their own or with partners starting this year to boost productivity. Hyundai Motor Group has completed performance tests of a research version of its humanoid robot Atlas and says it is readying it for real-world use. After a one- to two-year validation period, the group plans to complete a factory around 2028 capable of producing more than 30,000 Atlas units a year. Mass-produced Atlas robots are to be rolled out first at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, then to overseas production hubs in Singapore, India and the Middle East, where they would handle parts sorting and assembly tasks. Tesla’s humanoid Optimus is also being deployed this month at its Austin, Texas, plant to learn vehicle assembly work. Tesla hired Optimus trainers for about a year to teach the robot factory workers’ movement patterns, concluding the technology is advanced enough for on-site use this year. Tesla is also preparing for retail sales. Beginning in the second quarter, it plans to convert its Fremont, California, EV line that produced the Model S and Model X into an Optimus mass-production base, with sales to the public starting around next year. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have also begun factory deployments. BMW said it put Figure 02, a humanoid developed by U.S. startup Figure AI, into its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant and produced 30,000 units of the midsize SUV X3. Mercedes-Benz is testing Apollo, a humanoid co-developed with U.S. robotics startup Apptronik, at its plants in Berlin and Hungary. Toyota said it will more than double this year’s deployment volume of Digit from a year earlier. Digit, co-developed with a U.S. startup, is supporting production of the compact SUV RAV4 at a plant in Woodstock, Canada. A report by the Export-Import Bank of Korea projects the global AI robotics market will grow 46% annually through 2034 to $375.9 billion (about 545 trillion won). Morgan Stanley has forecast the humanoid robot market could reach $5 trillion by 2050, exceeding the global auto industry’s $4 trillion size.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:03:26

BTS Comeback D-26: Racing the clock: scramble for Gwanghwamun tickets SEOUL, February 23 (AJP)-By the time the newsroom clock hit 7:59 p.m. on Feb. 23, conversation had faded to a whisper. Laptop screens were lined up like starting blocks. Smartphones lay face-up beside keyboards, refresh buttons ready. Some reporters counted under their breath. Others stared silently, afraid even to blink. At exactly 8 p.m., everyone clicked. For half a second, nothing happened. Then the screen flickered. 45,908 ahead of you.” “98,991 waiting.” The numbers appeared without warning, floating in a gray queue window that instantly turned hope into calculation. This was the line for free tickets to BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square — and this was only the local queue. A separate booking section existed for overseas users. Fifteen thousand tickets. Tens of thousands of applicants. And no clear way to know where anyone really stood. Within seconds, the newsroom fell silent. Everyone was watching the same thing: a slowly ticking queue on NOL Ticket. Some reporters refreshed compulsively, only to be thrown back to the end. Others refused to touch their mouse, afraid a single mistake would erase their place. “My number dropped by 200, then froze.” “Mine went backward.” “I’m still at sixty thousand.” Whispers spread from desk to desk, half complaint, half disbelief. The system separated domestic and overseas users, and booking sections differed by seat type. No one knew how many tickets remained. The interface offered no clues — only shrinking numbers and spinning icons. Each refresh felt like a gamble. By 8:05 p.m., tension had settled over the office like humidity. A close call Suddenly, a sharp squeal broke the silence. “She got in!” One reporter had reached the payment page. Relief rippled across nearby desks. Then came the groan. She had clicked the wrong button while paying the transaction fee. The window refreshed. The screen returned to the beginning. Twenty-five minutes in, the system showed that 98 percent of tickets were already gone. One screen displayed a remaining waiting number of 7,300. Hope was thinning. By 8:40 p.m., two more reporters made it through. But the real battle had only begun. Frantic finger work followed. Finding an empty seat required relentless tapping, beating, and refreshing. The search felt endless. If a seat was not secured and paid for within minutes, it vanished. Groans and nervous laughter spread as clicking slowed and screens froze. Why the frenzy The March 21 Gwanghwamun concert marks BTS’s first full-group comeback stage in three years and nine months, tied to the release of their fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” on March 20. Instead of launching with a traditional paid tour, the group opted for a fan-first model: a free outdoor show in central Seoul, a live global stream on Netflix, cinema broadcasts in more than 75 countries, and domestic screenings via CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox. Those who made it through the queue were competing for more than a ticket. The available sections included standing areas near the main stage and reserved seats stretching toward Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s statue, with Gyeongbokgung Palace as a backdrop. Some seats had restricted views. Others required watching through giant LED screens. Each person could book only one ticket and pay a service fee. None of that mattered. In the waiting room, every option felt like a privilege. By 9 p.m., browsers were slowly closing. “I’ll watch it online,” one reporter said quietly. “At least we experienced it,” another replied. There was no bitterness — only fatigue and a sense of shared ordeal. The experience itself became part of the story. For nearly an hour, reporters were no longer observers but participants in the same digital crowd as millions of fans — refreshing, waiting, hoping. In those moments, journalism and fandom briefly overlapped. The Gwanghwamun concert is only the beginning. BTS will follow with cinema broadcasts in April and then launch their largest-ever world tour, spanning 82 shows in 34 cities. Seoul will also host the “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL” project, turning parts of the capital into a pop-up festival. But for many at AJP, the most vivid memory will remain Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. A blinking cursor. A five-digit number. Oh, well, there's always Netflix. 2026-02-23 21:15:02

Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yoon-beom Bets on Board Shake-Up Ahead of March Shareholder Vote Choi Yoon-beom, chairman of Korea Zinc, has made a high-stakes push to reshape the board ahead of the company’s March annual shareholders meeting. The strategy is to seat all three director nominees backed by the company, strengthening his side ahead of an expected proxy fight at future shareholder meetings. On Sunday, Korea Zinc said it held an extraordinary board meeting and confirmed it will convene its 52nd annual general meeting of shareholders on March 24 at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul’s Jung District. With the company agreeing to put many items proposed by major shareholders on the agenda, the meeting is expected to be a turning point in the management control dispute. The main focus is the election of new directors. Of the 19 board seats, four directors have had their duties suspended under a court injunction, leaving 11 aligned with Choi and four aligned with MBK Partners and Young Poong, the company said. The terms of six inside and outside directors, including Choi and an adviser identified as Jang, expired on Feb. 16. Both sides are expected to wage a close vote battle over the six openings. The MBK-Young Poong alliance recommended five new director candidates, including Choi Yeon-seok, a partner at MBK Partners, and Park Byung-wook, for non-executive director posts, the company said. Korea Zinc nominated two candidates, including Choi, and also put forward Walter Field McLellan as a new outside director nominee recommended by Crucible, a joint venture tied to a smelter project in Clarksville, Tennessee. Choi’s side holds 44% in friendly stakes, narrowly ahead of the MBK-Young Poong alliance at 41%, according to the company. If all three company-backed nominees are elected, the board would be reshaped to a 9-6 split favoring Choi’s camp, it said. Another variable is an ongoing Financial Supervisory Service accounting review involving Korea Zinc and Young Poong. Depending on the outcome, Choi’s management decisions could come under scrutiny, potentially affecting the agenda item on his reappointment as an inside director. At Sunday’s extraordinary board meeting, Korea Zinc accepted most agenda items proposed by MBK Partners and Young Poong. The alliance had asked the company to include items to appoint an interim chair; set the number of directors to be elected at six; elect five directors, including two non-executive directors and three outside directors; convert 392.5 billion won in discretionary reserves into retained earnings; amend the articles of incorporation to introduce an executive officer system and conduct a stock split; and approve revisions to rules governing executive retirement payments. Korea Zinc said it will submit all but the interim chair appointment item to the annual meeting agenda. 2026-02-23 20:21:20

Korea, Brazil Business Leaders Discuss Cooperation in K-Content, Food and Advanced Manufacturing South Korean and Brazilian business leaders met to discuss expanding cooperation in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, strategic minerals and artificial intelligence, as well as agrifood and health and lifestyle industries, and delivered their proposals to Brazil’s president during his state visit to South Korea. The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) said it co-hosted the Korea-Brazil Business Forum with Brazil’s trade and investment promotion agency, ApexBrasil, on Feb. 23 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul’s Sogong-dong district. Attendees included Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan, along with about 400 government officials and businesspeople from both countries, FKI said. Lula’s delegation included about 300 executives from major Brazilian companies, including ApexBrasil Chairman Jorge Viana, Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto and Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard. The group was more than twice the size of the delegation that accompanied Lula during a 2021 state visit, according to the organizers. Discussions focused on three areas: K-content and related creative industries, food, and advanced manufacturing and strategic minerals. In the health, lifestyle and creative industries session, participants discussed cultural-content cooperation centered on K-content, which organizers said is spreading across South America, and explored potential links between Brazil’s cosmetics ingredients and South Korea’s K-beauty industry. In agrifood, the forum examined cooperation models pairing Brazil, described as a stable supplier of agricultural and livestock products, with South Korean companies that have processing, distribution and branding capabilities. In advanced manufacturing, strategic minerals and AI, participants discussed combining Brazil’s capabilities with South Korea’s manufacturing strength to expand cooperation from traditional manufacturing into advanced industries. FKI and ApexBrasil signed six memorandums of understanding to continue expanding industrial and investment cooperation, FKI said. In a keynote address, Lula urged closer cooperation between the two countries’ business communities and expressed expectations for broader economic ties. After the forum, Viana shared the results with Lula and said, “This forum will serve as a turning point that leads to tangible outcomes in economic cooperation between the two countries.” Kim, representing the South Korean government, said Brazil is South Korea’s largest economic cooperation partner in South America and that the two countries have significant potential in strategic industries including aviation, automobiles, shipbuilding, batteries and critical minerals. He added that, as uncertainty in the trade environment grows, resuming negotiations on a Korea-Mercosur trade agreement would help expand trade and investment and create a more stable trade environment. FKI Chairman Ryu Jin said Brazil is a resource-rich country with competitiveness in food, energy and aviation and holds strategic importance in global supply chains. He called for moving beyond trade-centered ties toward an era of shared prosperity driven by investment and industrial cooperation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 18:12:20

AI reckoning: when Chinese algorithms start making movies SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - When clips of Spider-Man crouching on a rain-soaked Shanghai skyline and Deadpool delivering punchlines in fluent Mandarin began circulating on Chinese social media last month, Hollywood C-suite were impressed. Then they panicked. The videos were generated by Seedance 2.0, an artificial intelligence tool developed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. With a short line of text, users could summon short films complete with soundtracks, camera movement and dialogue — often featuring copyrighted characters. Within days, major studios were drafting cease-and-desist letters. It was not the first time generative video technology had unsettled the film industry. Tools such as Sora, Runway’s Gen-3 Alpha and Pika had already previewed a future in which movies could be produced from prose. But Seedance struck a deeper nerve — not only for its technical quality, but for how easily it collapsed the boundary between fandom, piracy and production. When Seedance-generated clips featuring Marvel and Pixar characters went viral, Disney and Paramount accused ByteDance of facilitating copyright infringement. Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs soon opened an inquiry after anime-style shorts appeared online without authorization. ByteDance said it was strengthening safeguards. The dispute echoes earlier battles in the West. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft over training data. A year later, Reddit filed suit against Perplexity over unauthorized scraping. Together, the cases expose a growing contradiction: media companies condemn unlicensed data use, even as they quietly integrate AI into their own production pipelines. Disney, according to industry sources, has since signed a licensing agreement with OpenAI’s Sora worth roughly $1 billion. Protest and participation now coexist. Beneath the legal disputes lies a more unsettling question: Is artificial intelligence creating anything at all? “If a user is required to initiate the process, then the AI has not really created the film,” said Gwen Grewal, a philosopher at The New School for Social Research. “It has compiled it. Like a production manager or editor.” Without consciousness, she argues, there is no intention — and without intention, no true authorship. Grewal traces the issue to existential philosophy, from Heidegger to Sartre, which links creativity to human awareness of limits. “People are born into systems they did not choose,” she said. “But they know they can become something more. Does AI have that impulse? Can it reject its own work? Can it care if it fails?” Seedance can generate surprises, even for its engineers. But it cannot “mean” what it produces. That distinction, she suggests, may define the boundary between creation and computation. Not everyone in the film world sees AI as an existential threat. “I don’t think directors have much to fear,” said Shin Haerin, a professor at Korea University’s College of Media and Communication. “What AI cannot replicate is intention,” she said. “That will become more valuable, not less.” She compares the shift to fashion. “As we distinguish between ready-to-wear and haute couture, cinema will divide between automated content and intentional filmmaking.” In this view, AI will dominate fast, disposable entertainment — short clips, personalized stories, viral visuals — while human filmmakers retreat into slower, more deliberate work. Polish will matter less than purpose. That Seedance emerged from Beijing is no accident. Over the past year, China has placed generative AI and robotics at the center of national strategy, investing heavily in chips, automation and algorithms. The rise of Seedance follows the breakthrough of DeepSeek, which became the most-downloaded free app in the U.S. Apple Store in 2025, briefly overtaking ChatGPT. Together, they signal China’s ambition to compete not just in manufacturing, but in cultural technology. For Beijing, AI is also a soft-power tool. By enabling users to generate cinematic content in Mandarin, Cantonese and minority languages, platforms like Seedance could reduce reliance on Hollywood imports and strengthen domestic entertainment ecosystems. What begins as hobbyist creativity may evolve into a parallel film industry. Seedance 2.0 has not ended cinema. Nor has it solved creativity. But it has exposed how fragile the old boundaries have become — between studio and fan, artist and algorithm, inspiration and imitation. In the coming years, the central question may no longer be whether AI can make films. It will be whether audiences still care who made them. 2026-02-23 18:08:18

Rate inaction likely in upcoming BOK meeting amid growing uncertainties SEOUL, Feb 23 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday, hemmed in by political uncertainty abroad, domestic financial imbalances and a governorship nearing the end of its term. Since cutting rates to 2.5 percent in May last year, the BOK has remained on hold. That pause reflects a series of overlapping constraints: political turbulence triggered by impeachment fallout, renewed U.S. trade pressure, inflation risks from a weak won, and asset inflation driven by overheated housing and equity markets. Each factor alone would complicate policymaking. Together, they have produced near paralysis. The signal was formalized in January. At its Jan. 15 meeting, the BOK removed all references to possible “rate cuts” from its policy statement, shifting to explicitly neutral language. The move effectively closed the door on near-term easing and signaled that the policy cycle had entered a holding phase. Governor Rhee Chang-yong’s four-year term ends on April 20. While an extension is possible, markets remain cautious about any major shift during the transition period. For now, investors are pricing in upside risk rather than easing. The 10-year government bond yield, which peaked at 3.754 percent on Feb. 9, has retreated to around 3.58 percent, but remains nearly 100 basis points above the policy rate — a gap that continues to strain highly leveraged households. External pressures are adding to the bind. South Korea is grappling with persistent capital outflows and a structurally weak currency. As of December 2025, outbound investment by residents reached $14.37 billion, almost triple foreign inflows of $5.68 billion. Although the won briefly strengthened this week on a weaker dollar and renewed uncertainty over U.S. trade policy, it remains anchored near the 1,440-per-dollar level — a reflection of underlying vulnerability. That weakness limits the BOK’s ability to cut rates without risking further capital flight. The appointment of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair has added another layer of complexity. Known for advocating both monetary tightening and selective easing, Warsh embodies a policy mix that could destabilize global rate expectations. For Seoul, this creates an uncomfortable scenario in which both tightening and easing pressures coexist — making abrupt policy moves increasingly risky. Regional dynamics are also shifting. The Bank of Japan has steadily raised rates since exiting its zero-rate era in 2023, lifting its benchmark to 0.75 percent by last December. Although Tokyo paused in January pending wage data, major institutions expect further hikes. “We can expect as many as three rate increases this year,” said Kenya Koshimizu of Mizuho Financial Group, in comments to Reuters. As Japan normalizes policy, Korea’s interest-rate differential is narrowing — reducing Seoul’s flexibility to cut without undermining currency stability. At home, household debt remains the central obstacle. According to BOK data, total household credit reached 1,852.7 trillion won ($1.28 trillion) at the end of 2025, rising 11.1 trillion won from the previous quarter despite tighter lending rules and mortgage caps. More troubling is the shift in borrowing patterns. Lending by non-bank financial institutions jumped to 4.1 trillion won in the fourth quarter, more than double the previous quarter’s level. As borrowers migrate toward higher-cost credit, financial fragility is increasing. In this environment, even a modest rate cut could be interpreted as an invitation to re-leverage — precisely the signal policymakers want to avoid. Analysts view the January statement as decisive. “The BOK effectively signaled the end of the easing cycle,” said Cho Yong-gu of Shinyoung Securities. “With overheated asset markets and rising debt, a rate cut is highly unlikely.” 2026-02-23 17:53:55

KOSPI briefly tops 5,900 as individuals offset foreign selloff SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - Korean stocks closed higher Monday after briefly touching the 5,900 mark for the first time, although heavy foreign selling erased much of the early advance. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.7 percent to finish at 5,846.1, after surging 2.1 percent in early trade to hit an all-time high of 5,931.9. The index later slipped down to 5,846.1 before the trading session ended. The KOSPI 200 gained 0.7 percent to 865.5. Volatility intensified as foreign investors dumped 1.10 trillion won, ($763.6 million) while institutions also sold 144.0 billion won. Individuals stepped in aggressively, purchasing 1.08 trillion won and effectively defending the 5,800 level. The rally was initially fueled by relief after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy was unlawful, easing trade uncertainty. However, renewed geopolitical tension in the Middle East — after Trump reportedly set a deadline for Iran’s nuclear rollback — tempered risk appetite during the session. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 1.5 percent to 193,000 won, extending its momentum above the 190,000 threshold. SK hynix edged up 0.2 percent to 951,000 won after earlier approaching the symbolic 1 million-won level. Software stocks outperformed sharply, with the sector climbing more than 8 percent, as artificial intelligence–related investment momentum broadened across technology names. MLCC maker Samwha Capacitor surged 30 percent on expectations of price hikes in AI server components following similar signals from Japan’s Murata Manufacturing. Automakers also drew strong interest. Hyundai Motor gained 2.8 percent to 523,000 won after reports that the group plans to invest roughly 10 trillion won in Saemangeum to build AI, hydrogen and robotics industrial clusters. Defense and aerospace names advanced amid rising geopolitical risk. Hanwha Aerospace climbed 8.1 percent, while Korean Air rose 5.2 percent ahead of the upcoming Drone Show Korea exhibition in Busan. In contrast, shipbuilding shares were mixed. Hanwha Ocean fell 1.8 percent despite expectations of potential LNG dual-fuel container ship orders from Japan’s ONE shipping group. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.2 percent to 1,152.0. Foreign investors bought 180.5 billion won, while institutions sold 362.3 billion won. Individuals added 218.8 billion won. Korean won strengthened 0.5 percent to 1,440.8 per dollar. Precious metals rallied, with gold rising to $5,080.9 per ounce and silver climbing to $82.3. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose than 2.4 percent, led by financial and technology shares. The Tokyo exchange was closed for the Emperor's birthday and the Shanghai market is set to resume trading on Tuesday after a holiday closure. 2026-02-23 17:47:22

Faith in the feed: virtual pastors and monks court young Koreans SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) — “I have to go prepare for Sunday service now, so we’ll wrap up today’s stream here. Thank you for watching.” With that, a 2D avatar known as “Pastor Kim” waves goodbye. The chat window erupts in emojis, hearts and rapid-fire comments. Viewers type “Amen,” “LOL” and “See you next time” in the same breath. Welcome to South Korea’s newest religious frontier: virtual YouTube. Far from pulpits and pews, young clergy members are turning to avatars, livestreams and gaming culture to reach a generation that has largely drifted away from organized religion. The message is clear: faith, rebranded for the algorithm age. Over the past year, virtual religious creators have quietly built online followings. One of the earliest was “Illegal Monk,” who began streaming in July last year on Naver’s CHZZK and YouTube. Presenting himself as a monk born in 1994 from the fictional “Uimon Temple of Chizik Mountain,” he mixes Buddhist teachings with internet humor. His debut broadcast drew attention when he performed Cheondojae — a traditional Buddhist ritual for the dead — for the fictional “Saja Boys,” characters inspired by Korea’s grim reapers in the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. His channel now has about 65,000 subscribers. In November 2025 came “Pastor Kim,” followed in January this year by “Father Leon,” a Catholic VTuber. They represent different faiths, but share a common mission: speaking to young people in the language of K-pop, webtoons, games and livestream culture. “I keep saying I should go to church but never do — so it’s a miracle that Father shows up in my algorithm,” one follower wrote. Their digital outreach reflects a deeper problem. According to Hankook Research, 51 percent of respondents in its January–November 2025 survey said they had no religion. Only 20 percent identified as Protestant, 16 percent as Buddhist and 11 percent as Catholic. Among those aged 18 to 29, nearly 69 percent said they had no religion. Long-term data from Gallup Korea shows the shift clearly. In 2004, about 45 percent of Koreans in their 20s said they were religious. Today, that figure has fallen to the low 20 percent range. Religion, once a major social anchor, is losing ground among younger generations. “Korea is becoming polarized in belief,” said Jung Jong-hyun, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University. “Those who are religious tend to be very active, while those without religion are largely indifferent. This divide is growing.” At stake, he added, is institutional survival. Behind the animated characters are real religious figures. Illegal Monk is an ordained monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Father Leon belongs to the Catholic virtual creator group “Holy Live.” Pastor Kim is an ordained minister of the Korea Nazarene Church. All keep their personal identities private, but operate within their respective institutions. They also share a surprising degree of collaboration. When Father Leon introduced his new character design, he joked, “Some of you might recognize the illustration style. The same artist worked on Illegal Monk. I guess that makes us brothers. VTubers are bringing religious unity.” Indeed, Illegal Monk and Father Leon share an illustrator and have appeared together in joint livestreams. Different traditions, same digital universe. Their content follows familiar online formulas. They read chat messages in real time. They joke with viewers. They reference memes and games. They react to trending videos. In between, they insert short sermons, prayers or reflections. Religion is no longer delivered in long lectures. It comes in clips, comments and casual conversation. Illegal Monk says he wants to make Buddhism feel less intimidating. Father Leon aims to lower psychological barriers to church. Pastor Kim believes the Gospel must go where young people already gather — including online subcultures. Instead of asking youth to return to institutions, they are meeting them on their phones. 2026-02-23 17:41:27

BOK governor sees economic recovery despite last year's stagnation SEOUL, Feb 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s central bank expects economic growth in 2026 to rise significantly compared to the previous year, despite last year’s performance falling short of initial market expectations. "Despite uncertainties surrounding US tariff policies, domestic demand is recovering on the back of favorable consumer sentiment, while exports continue their upward trend led by the robust semiconductor sector," BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong stated during a parliamentary report to the Strategy and Finance Committee on Monday. Regarding inflation, Rhee projected that consumer price growth would maintain a stable trajectory near the 2 percent target. He, however, left the door open for possible fluctuations in international oil prices and exchange rates - which could serve as potential risk factors. The volatility of the won-dollar exchange rate and stock prices was also identified as a significant concern. "While the rise in the exchange rate has been tempered by year-end measures to stabilize foreign exchange supply and demand, the market remains highly volatile, still influenced by external variables such as the movements of the US dollar and the Japanese yen," Rhee noted. On the equity market, he explained that while stock prices rose sharply driven by the boom in key sectors like semiconductors, volatility is now increasing due to concerns over overinvestment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the potential displacement of traditional industries. Governor Rhee further emphasized the need for vigilance regarding financial stability. "Credit risks remain prevalent in vulnerable sectors, such as the self-employed, while concerns persist over accumulating financial imbalances caused by rising housing prices in the Seoul metropolitan area," he said. The BOK plans to calibrate its future monetary policy by comprehensively evaluating economic growth, inflation, and financial stability, as global and domestic uncertainties remain elevated. Following Governor Rhee's remarks, yields in the Seoul bond market saw a broad uptick on Monday. The benchmark three-year government bond yield closed at 3.154 percent per annum, rising 1.1 basis points from the previous trading day. The 10-year Treasury yield rose by 3.8 basis points to finish at 3.578 percent. The South Korean economy contracted by 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the BOK on Jan. 22. On an annual basis, the economy recorded a growth of 1.0 percent, significantly missing the central bank's original consensus of 1.8 percent. 2026-02-23 17:40:09

Genesis Wraps Up 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Genesis said Sunday it successfully concluded the 2026 Genesis Invitational, held Feb. 19-22 local time at Riviera Country Club in California. Marking the tournament’s 100th anniversary, the event is one of the PGA Tour’s top “signature events,” drawing leading players including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Justin Rose to compete for prize money and FedExCup points. Jacob Bridgeman won at 18-under-par 266. McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama finished one stroke back in a tie for second. Genesis awarded Bridgeman $4 million and a GV80 Coupe Black. Max Greyserman made a hole-in-one on the 14th hole in the final round. During the tournament, Genesis displayed 18 vehicles, including the GV60 Magma model, the electrified GV70 and the GV80 Coupe, to spectators and to TV audiences across the United States. Genesis also set up a “Genesis 14th Hole Lounge,” featuring Genesis Golf Collection sales, a golf swing simulator experience and a display of Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, Spot. Genesis said it ran its “California Rises” campaign for a second straight year, launched last year with the PGA Tour and TGR Live to support recovery from California wildfires. As part of the campaign, Genesis held a “Birdies for Good” event, pledging $1,000 for each birdie or eagle on five holes — Nos. 10, 14, 16, 17 and 18 — and $25,000 for each hole-in-one. The effort raised about $320,000 in relief funds during the tournament. Genesis said it plans to donate a total of $1 million, including those funds, to local charities including the American Red Cross, the California Fire Foundation and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. Genesis, the title sponsor for the 10th year, previously extended its sponsorship agreement for the Genesis Invitational through 2030 with the PGA Tour and the Tiger Woods Foundation ahead of this year’s tournament. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:39:20