Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae Earned 14.58 Billion Won in Pay Last Year Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group, received 14,578,180,000 won in pay last year from the holding company and major affiliates. According to filings on the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system, Cho was paid a total of 14,578,180,000 won last year from Hanjin KAL (6,176,000,000 won), Korean Air (5,705,000,000 won), Jin Air (1,710,000,000 won) and Asiana Airlines (987,180,000 won). The total was about 43% higher than his 2024 pay. His compensation rose 49% at Hanjin KAL, and increased 12% at Korean Air and 79% at Jin Air over the same period. He began receiving compensation from Asiana Airlines in January, after it was incorporated as a Korean Air subsidiary. Korean Air said it calculated and paid compensation under its director compensation standards, following procedures including prior review by its compensation committee and approval by the board. It said pay levels reflected the scale of the business and the responsibilities and roles after the launch of an integrated Korean Air. Separately, Korean Air said average annual pay per employee last year was 123 million won, up 9% from a year earlier. Average pay at Hanjin KAL also rose 11% to 146 million won over the same period. 2026-03-18 17:36:08

Samsung Electronics adds AMD on HMB4 client list after Nvidia SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics added AMD after Nvidia on its burgeoning client list for next-generation high bandwidth memory dubbed HBM4, gaining traction in the crucial in HBM race move to inference AI stage. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. chip designer AMD to expand strategic partnership in next-generation AI memory and computing technologies was signed at Samsung’s Pyeongtaek campus. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung will supply its advanced HBM4 solutions for AMD’s next-generation "Instinct MI455X" GPUs. The collaboration also extends to providing next-generation DDR5 memory for AMD’s EPYC server processors and its "Helios" data center platform. This move is seen as a strategic effort by both companies to diversify the AI semiconductor supply chain, which is currently seeing intense competition for high-capacity memory. "Powering the next generation of AI infrastructure requires deep collaboration across the industry," said Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. "We are thrilled to expand our work with Samsung, bringing together their leadership in advanced memory with our Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs and rack-scale platforms. Integration across the full computing stack, from silicon to system to rack, is essential to accelerating AI innovation that translates into real-world impact at scale.” Samsung Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun emphasized the company’s "turnkey" capabilities, which integrate memory, foundry, and advanced packaging services under one roof. The two companies also discussed potential cooperation in semiconductor foundry services, leveraging Samsung’s advanced process technology to manufacture future AMD products. This deal marks a significant expansion of a 20-year partnership that began with graphics memory in 2007. On Tuesday, Samsung showed off its sixth-generation HBM4 being mass produced at Pyeongtaek at Nvidia's GTC 2026 as it a provider of a comprehensive memory and storage solution the U.S. top GPU maker's next-generation Vera Rubin platform. 2026-03-18 17:32:05

BTS Live D-3: Seoul turning purple with fans in BTS color pouring in SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) -Seoul is turning purple as fans adorned in the color pour into the capital with three days to go before the Gwanghwamun performance. Central districts including Gwanghwamun Square and Myeongdong are seeing a steady influx of visitors, many gathering near the concert venue or exploring nearby streets in anticipation of the event. In Myeongdong, a BTS merchandise shop was packed with fans purchasing albums and official goods, offering an early glimpse of the commercial momentum surrounding the comeback. “March is usually a slow season, but we’re seeing a clear increase in foreign visitors ahead of the concert,” a staff member at the shop said, adding that new albums will be prominently displayed in line with the band’s March 20 release. Around Gwanghwamun, fans were spotted taking photos, scouting the venue and soaking in the atmosphere ahead of what is expected to be one of the largest K-pop events in recent years. The BTS performance will take place at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. on March 20 and will be livestreamed globally via Netflix. 2026-03-18 17:26:02

Seoul raises crude alert to Level 2 as Hormuz blockade bites SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) — As the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global energy supplies, the South Korean government Wednesday raised its crude oil security alert one notch to Level 2 ("Caution"), opening the way to direct intervention, including the possible release of strategic oil reserves. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced the upgrade from Level 1 ("Interest") to Level 2 effective as of 3 p.m. local time (6am UTC) Wednesday. This marks the Level 2 alert since the enactment of the National Resource Special Act early last year. The move follows the Level 1 alert for oil and gas issued on March 5, a few days after the conflict erupted. South Korea’s resource security framework operates on a four-tier scale: Interest, Caution, Crisis, and Alert. Under the "Caution" stage, authorities can formally review and prepare for the release of national strategic stockpiles. Spiking prices and shipping paralysis MOTIE attributed the decision to heightened instability among major oil producers following the attack on Iran, the subsequent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and a nearly 40 percent surge in international oil prices. Crude prices, which hovered between $60 and $70 per barrel until late February, skyrocketed following the outbreak on February 28. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $92 per barrel, while Brent crude reached $101. Most critically, Dubai crude—the benchmark for South Korean imports—surged to $129.9 on Monday, nearly doubling its pre-conflict levels due to its heavy reliance on the now-blocked Hormuz route. Seoul is coordinating with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to establish a plan for releasing its allocated portion of 22.46 million barrels of strategic oil reserves. However, the ministry noted the timing and scale of the release will be subject to change based on private sector inventory levels and market trends. Mandatory conservation and demand reduction The government is also moving to enforce "mandatory energy conservation measures." These include strict indoor temperature limits for public institutions—set at a maximum of 28°C (82.4°F) in summer and 18°C (64.4°F) in winter. Additional "mandatory demand reduction measures," such as a five-day rotation system for vehicles (prohibiting driving one day every five days), are also under active consideration. President Lee Jae-myung Tuesday instructed his Cabinet to "swiftly establish diversified demand reduction measures, including the five-day or ten-day vehicle rotation systems, to encourage nationwide energy conservation." Longer-term strategies involve securing oil supplies that are not delivered through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, approximately 70 percent of the country’s oil imports—sourced from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar—must pass through the narrow waterway. MOTIE is exploring options to exercise preemptive purchase rights for international joint stockpiles as a potential contingency. Gas alert remains at Level 1 Meanwhile, the alert for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) remains at Level 1 ("Interest"). Officials assessed that current LNG inventories remain sufficient, exceeding the legal requirement of nine days of supply. Most South Korean LNG firms currently hold between 10 to 14 days of reserves. While the loss of imports from Qatar, South Korea’s second-largest LNG supplier, remains a concern, MOTIE emphasized that supplies from Australia—the nation's largest provider at over 30 percent—and other diverse sources can help mitigate the shortfall. 2026-03-18 17:07:45

South Korea launches committee tasked with implementing US investment pledges SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - A committee tasked with setting up a fund to implement massive investment pledges to the U.S. was launched with its first meeting in Seoul, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said on Wednesday. The committee, consisting of seven officials from government agencies and financial institutions, was formed as a follow-up step just a day after a special bill outlining bilateral agreements with the U.S. including investment pledges of US$350 billion under a broader trade deal reached last fall, was approved at a cabinet meeting the previous day. The committee, led by First Vice Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il, will oversee overall preparations including establishing and managing the fund, as well as fundraising. Lee said the committee will thoroughly prepare all necessary procedures to launch the fund by June, when the bill takes effect three months after its promulgation. He added that the committee will ensure investment projects are carried out in ways that serve both countries' economic and security interests, emphasizing the need for professional staff with strategic expertise. 2026-03-18 17:07:42

BTS Live D-3 : BTSnomics 2.0 estimated to top $2 billion SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) -Even before the album drop, BTS’s comeback after a nearly four-year hiatus is shaping up to be a billion-dollar blockbuster. Starting with a truly national-scale open-air performance on Saturday — expected to shut down traffic and deploy a presidential-level security presence — analysts forecast more than 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in economic impact from their year-long comeback agenda. Moreover, their return has accelerated the transition from event-driven revenue for K-Pop performers to a platform-based model, analysts say. “This comeback is not just a return to activity, but an event that expands the monetization structure of the K-pop industry,” said Kim Yoo-hyuk, an analyst at IBK Investment & Securities, in a report released March 17. The report projects 2.9 trillion won in direct revenue from album sales, global tours, and merchandise. The estimate assumes 6 million albums sold and 6 million concert attendees, with an average ticket price of 300,000 won and average merchandise spending of 140,000 won per fan. Including tourism-related spending, the total economic impact will exceed 3 trillion won, the report said. If global demand that cannot be absorbed by offline concerts shifts online, revenue estimates could rise further, it said. Early demand indicators already point to strong momentum for the fifth full-length album “Arirang.” The record surpassed 4.06 million pre-orders within a week of pre-sales beginning, according to distributor YG Plus, exceeding the previous record of 3.42 million set by “Map of the Soul: 7” in 2020. The scale of the upcoming BTS world tour further underscores the economic impact. The “Arirang” tour is scheduled to feature 82 performances across 34 cities, positioning it as one of the largest ever mounted by a K-pop act. Demand has surged across major markets. Performances in North America and Europe sold out rapidly following ticket releases, with online queues reportedly reaching hundreds of thousands of users. Secondary market prices have also spiked, with some U.S. resale tickets trading as high as $5,700. The surge is extending beyond ticket sales into broader consumption. Travel demand linked to tour locations has risen sharply, with flight and accommodation searches increasing significantly ahead of major shows, highlighting the group’s capacity to drive cross-border economic activity. Select performances are to be streamed globally, a model that effectively transforms concerts from location-bound events into scalable digital products. Online concerts have already emerged as a key revenue driver, with BTS’ virtual performances in 2020 and 2021 drawing about 2.92 million viewers and generating $15.26 million in revenue. The scale of the economic spillover has drawn comparisons to “Swift-nomics,” a term used to describe the surge in local economic activity generated by Taylor Swift’s global tour. Swift’s Eras Tour was estimated to produce roughly $10 billion in economic impact across 51 cities, setting a benchmark for how large-scale tours can stimulate local economies. Analysts note that the BTS model differs in structure. While traditional tours primarily generate localized economic effects, BTS is increasingly combining offline performances with digital distribution and fan-platform monetization, allowing demand to scale beyond the actual venues. It is also possible the comeback will serve as a catalyst for broader industry transformation. In a report released in December, Samsung Securities said the revenue model for the BTS agency HYBE is shifting toward fan platforms and digital content. The BTS return is expected to accelerate that transition. “As fan-platform revenue expands, HYBE’s earnings structure is being reshaped toward recurring revenue streams,” the report said. At the center of this transition is Weverse, HYBE’s global fan platform, which has been expanding its user base and increasing paid subscription and digital service revenue. HYBE maintained its multi-trillion-won annual revenue during the group’s hiatus by expanding a multi-label strategy and platform business. BTS remains the key driver of the company’s revenue growth and margin expansion. The shift toward platform-based monetization is also influencing valuation. HYBE is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of around 35 times, with analysts still seeing upside potential as recurring revenue streams expand. Beyond music, BTS’ intellectual property continues to extend into industries including fashion, gaming, and food. Analysts increasingly refer to this evolution as “BTSnomics 2.0,” defined by monetizing global audiences through platforms rather than one-off events. “In the past, BTSnomics 1.0 was about expanding the market through fandom growth,” Kim Yoo-hyuk of IBK Investment & Securities said in his report. “Now it has evolved into a structure that generates recurring revenue through platforms.” Risks such as revenue concentration around a single act and uncertainties in global regulatory environments remain, analysts note. Still, the comeback is likely a defining moment marking the transition from a hit-driven entertainment model to a scalable platform economy. 2026-03-18 17:07:14

Korean Pharma and Medtech Updates: New Chondroitin Supplement, China Dividend Win, AI Project, CGM Study, FDA Fast Track, KGMP Renewal Daewon Pharmaceutical launches “Chondroitin King 1200” with individually approved functional ingredient Daewon Pharmaceutical said March 18 that its health supplement brand Daewon Health has launched “Chondroitin King 1200,” a functional health food that may help support joint and cartilage health. The product’s main ingredient is chondroitin sulfate, which has been recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for joint and cartilage health functionality. The company said it is the first and only individually approved functional ingredient used in a chondroitin health supplement made by a domestic pharmaceutical company. Daewon said it selected an ingredient with more than 90% purity and the same structure as chondroitin found in human cartilage. Users can take two tablets once a day to supplement 1,200 milligrams of the main ingredient. The company said a human study also verified improvements in objective indicators related to joint health management. In a 90-day intake test involving 137 men and women ages 40 to 75, it said there were significant improvements in levels of inflammation-related factor TNF-α and inflammation-inducing factor COX-2. Ilyang Pharmaceutical wins final ruling in China undistributed profits dispute Ilyang Pharmaceutical said March 18 that its final victory in a dispute over undistributed profits with its Chinese joint venture, Tonghua Ilyang, was selected as a model case in an official work report by China’s top judicial body. The company said the Supreme People’s Court included the dividend-rights dispute in the “five major cases in China’s judicial field” released in its work report to the National People’s Congress. The court described the case as a representative judicial example showing “opening up to the outside world through equal protection,” and as “a model case for protecting the rights and interests of foreign investors and resolving international investment disputes.” Ilyang said the key point in the report was a ruling ordering Tonghua Ilyang to pay dividends of about 18 billion won in undistributed profits, allowing recovery of the full amount that had been tied up for more than three years. Mogam Institute joins government-led K-Moonshot AI research program Mogam Institute for Biomedical Research said March 18 that it was selected on March 11 as a partner institution for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s nationwide artificial intelligence research and innovation program, the “K-Moonshot” project, and signed a memorandum of understanding. K-Moonshot is a mission-driven program aimed at boosting productivity in science and technology research through AI and tackling key national missions. Participating organizations will cooperate to build an AI-based research innovation ecosystem by providing AI resources, conducting joint R&D and collaborating on data use. Mogam said it will participate as a partner in the “advanced bio and new drug development” area among 12 national missions. The institute said it plans to use its AI-based drug development capabilities to help improve productivity and research efficiency in the drug development process. Handok, Seoul Pharmacists Association sign MOU on CGM-based counseling model Handok and the Seoul Pharmacists Association said March 18 they signed an agreement the previous day at Handok’s headquarters in Yeoksam-dong to cooperate on research into pharmacist services and personal health management based on continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM. The partners said the goal is to build practical evidence that standardized education, counseling and behavior-coaching services can be provided systematically using CGM data. They also aim to develop guidance on standardized CGM use and diabetes education guidelines that can be applied in pharmacies. The study will be led by the Seoul Pharmacists Association and will involve 150 participants. Subjects will be divided into three groups based on whether they wear a CGM device and the level of pharmacist intervention: a non-wearing group; a wearing group without pharmacist intervention; and a wearing group that receives pharmacist counseling. The non-wearing group will receive basic medication guidance. The wearing group without pharmacist intervention will also receive training on how to use the device. The wearing group with pharmacist counseling will have regular counseling at least once a week. Researchers will analyze changes in blood glucose patterns and the overall effects of pharmacist counseling based on these differences. Ildong’s Idience cancer drug candidate Venadaparib gets FDA fast-track designation Idience, Ildong Pharmaceutical Group’s oncology drug development affiliate, said March 18 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted fast-track designation for its targeted anticancer drug candidate Venadaparib. Fast track is an FDA program intended to speed development and review of drugs for serious conditions when they may offer meaningful improvement over existing therapies or address unmet medical needs. With fast-track status, a developer can consult more closely with the FDA during development and may use expedited procedures such as rolling submissions and applying for priority review. Venadaparib is a next-generation PARP inhibitor designed to suppress cancer by selectively acting on PARP1, an enzyme involved in repairing DNA damage in cells. The company said the FDA designated it in 2022 as an orphan drug for gastric cancer. Osstem Implant’s K1 plant renews KGMP compliance certification Osstem Implant said March 18 that its K1 (Orange Tower) implant manufacturing plant was recertified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as compliant with Korea Good Manufacturing Practice, or KGMP, standards for medical device manufacturing and quality control. The company said K1 has built a strict quality management system across all processes to produce and supply high-quality products. It operates “management by six key processes” and a “five-step precision inspection system,” and is aiming for a defect rate of 100 parts per million, or no more than one defect per 10,000 units. Osstem said it runs a full inspection system from raw material receipt through shipment of finished products, while continuing investments to upgrade manufacturing conditions, including clean rooms, deionized water facilities and robotic processes. The company said it has built the same level of quality management at its nearby K2 plant. K2, which began full operations in the second half of 2023, has a total floor area of 13,699 square meters (about 4,144 pyeong) and an annual maximum capacity of 12 million implant sets. Osstem said K2 is scheduled to undergo a regular audit in April for KGMP compliance certification.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 17:03:22

KAI Names Kim Jong-chul CEO as Export Push and Leadership Scrutiny Grow Kim Jong-chul, former head of the Defense Technology Protection Bureau at South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, has been confirmed as the new CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries. Attention is focused on whether he can overcome recurring criticism over military-linked appointments and deliver on urgent tasks, including expanding exports of key weapons systems such as the domestically developed KF-21 supersonic fighter.  KAI said it held an extraordinary shareholders meeting and a board meeting on Tuesday and approved Kim’s appointment. The decision moves the company toward ending an eight-month leadership vacuum following the departure of Kang Goo-young. KAI’s CEO nomination committee had recommended Kim on Feb. 27 as an inside director candidate, calling him “a suitable leader with outstanding expertise across the defense industry and insight into future businesses.” Kim is a graduate of the 31st class of the Air Force Academy. He served about 23 years as an Air Force officer before joining DAPA in 2006 through a special recruitment program at the Grade 4 level. Inside KAI, views on his background are divided, with some describing him as a political appointment and others as a hands-on defense procurement specialist. Kim previously served as vice chair of the Smart Strong Military Committee in Lee Jae-myung’s presidential campaign, prompting claims that his appointment is a reward for political service. Concerns have also been raised as KAI has repeatedly named leaders with military backgrounds, including Kang, who previously served as Air Force vice chief of staff and head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’ Military Support Headquarters. Others point to Kim’s more than 20 years at DAPA after retiring as an Air Force lieutenant colonel. As a founding member of the agency, he served in roles including head of the defense export support team and director of offset trade, and was credited with helping open export channels for South Korea’s defense industry. Kim is expected to begin his public schedule by attending the rollout ceremony for the first mass-produced KF-21 aircraft, set for March 25. With global competition intensifying, KAI faces pressure to secure leadership stability and profitability. Expanding exports of the KF-21 and the FA-50 light attack aircraft is seen as the company’s top task. KAI has set targets this year of 5.7306 trillion won in revenue and 10.4383 trillion won in orders. Last year, on a consolidated basis, it posted 3.6964 trillion won in revenue and 6.3946 trillion won in orders, meaning the new goals are roughly double. Kim met with the labor union on March 13 and pledged to stabilize management and streamline what he called unnecessary task force teams. The move was seen as an effort to simplify the organization and focus on competitiveness in winning contracts. How KAI manages cooperation with Hanwha Group, which recently acquired a 4.99% stake, has also become a key issue. The purchase drew attention because it came as calls for privatization have persisted, putting KAI’s response under industry scrutiny. A KAI official said Kim faces the dual challenge of expanding exports while stabilizing the organization, adding that “early leadership will determine success or failure.” 2026-03-18 16:57:21

Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo team up for film 'Project Y' Every production is seen from countless angles. Even in the same place at the same time, directors and actors may experience the moment differently. <Choi Song-hui’s B-Cut> looks past the on-screen “A-cut” to the vivid record of what happened on set. By weaving together interviews with directors and actors, it reconstructs the “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. <Editor’s note> In the middle of a glittering city, two women at the edge of their lives reach for dirty money and gold bars. The film “Project Y,” directed by Lee Hwan, began with that one-line logline. But the project’s driving force, the actors said, came less from a production system than from their own initiative. Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, both the same age, said they read the script together and decided, “Let’s do this.” They described a set built on mutual trust and intense focus, before any talk of visual spectacle. The film’s origins, they said, were rooted in admiration for each other’s work — support that came before any business pitch. “Jong-seo and I looked at the script together. We read it and started with, ‘Let’s do this,’” Han said. “Before being friends, I really like Jong-seo as a fellow actor. I liked her previous work, too, so I was curious how this project would turn out within her filmography — and what it would be like acting with me.” “When I was reading this script with So-hee, it was an especially difficult time for movie theaters,” Jeon said. “But since there were people who said they would believe in us, I wanted to do well. The starting point was that one line: ‘Two women the same age, standing at the edge of life, touch dirty money.’ Somehow it gave me courage.” The actors said their main task was convincing viewers why Mi-seon and Do-gyeong — two friends with sharply different personalities — would stay together. They built the characters to balance stability and danger, and worked with the costume team to create a simple, minimalist look, sometimes incorporating items from their own wardrobes. “I thought we had to persuade people why these two, who are completely different in personality and temperament, are friends,” Han said. “Mi-seon is more capable in daily life than Do-gyeong and pursues a stable kind of happiness. Since I also pursue an ordinary life, I tried to use that point of contact to make Mi-seon’s actions feel believable. There’s only one thing I want to say with this film: Even if you don’t have anyone on your side in this world, if you have one person who truly understands you, that’s a successful life.” “I wanted Do-gyeong to look tough but also feel like she could shatter like glass,” Jeon said. “Mi-seon, played by So-hee, looks fragile but is surprisingly solid and action-oriented. We talked about holding hands and moving forward as if we’re looking at the same thing, like a decalcomania. We especially wanted these characters to stick visually, so we discussed it directly with the costume team and reflected personal items, too. We said, let’s keep it simple and minimalist.” Their on-set rhythm, they said, came from balancing sensitivity and steadiness. One scene — digging through the night to steal a large sum of money — became the moment their commitment was most visible. “We dug for five hours,” Han said. “Since that scene is the start of our film, we really immersed ourselves to keep it real. After shoveling for hours, you sweat. We took off our outer layers and even used a watering can to create sweat while filming. I remember being so locked into that scene that I didn’t even feel the cold — I was extremely focused.” “The director actually tried to stop us,” Jeon said. “But we volunteered and acted it out like, ‘It would be good to throw off our clothes and dig here,’ sweating a lot. The director was the one telling us to wrap up and was worried about us. Ha.” Positioning themselves as part of a generational shift in Korean film, the two actors also stressed balance and responsibility across the cast. “It’s a two-lead film with two women the same age, and we wanted it to feel iconic rather than simply pretty,” Jeon said. “We hoped even a single poster would leave a strong impression, and I think audiences are interested in that. It seems like people responded well to the curiosity of, ‘A movie with two iconic women — what happens?’” “I feel a sense of responsibility with every project,” Han said. “Watching the edited cut, I thought, ‘In this era, there isn’t really a single main character.’ Everyone moves in harmony in their own place. The story flows with Do-gyeong and Mi-seon at the center, but without the other roles, they wouldn’t exist either. It feels like we’ve entered a time when the boundary of the main character is breaking down.” From volunteering to dig for five hours to offering personal items for costumes, the actors’ approach became, in their telling, the film’s most vivid “B-cut” record — two women meeting at the edge and moving forward through fierce rapport and shared responsibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 16:54:52

BTS Live D-3 - Public toilets and other tips on the concert day SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Seoul City announced viewing guidelines for the BTS 2026 comeback show. On March 9, Seoul City conveyed viewing information for the 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG' performance scheduled for 8 p.m. on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Plaza through official social media. Seoul City stated, "Approximately 2,000 open-type and portable restrooms will be operated for visitor convenience," adding, "Overnight waiting and lining up on sidewalks are restricted to prevent safety accidents and pedestrian congestion." The city continued, "Subway stations near the venue (Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall Station, Gyeongbokgung Station) will operate as non-stop pass-throughs with station entrances closed. Nearby stations such as Euljiro 1-ga Station may also operate as non-stop pass-throughs if necessary depending on congestion," and "Some bus routes will operate temporary detours on the performance day, and public bicycle rental and return will be temporarily suspended." Additionally, starting March 20, the day before the BTS comeback performance, lockers at 17 subway stations in Seoul will be closed in preparation for potential terrorism threats. During the suspension period, all use including new rentals and item retrieval will be restricted. 2026-03-18 16:53:41