FedEx Wins 2026 Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Award for Last-Mile Logistics Federal Express Corp., known as FedEx, said Tuesday it won the “Best Logistics and Supply Chain Management” award in the “Last-Mile Implementation” category at the Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards 2026. The awards are hosted by IMAPAC, an international organization in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector. They recognize companies that have contributed to industry development in Asia across areas including bioprocessing, logistics, supply chain management and clinical research. The Asia healthcare market is expected to expand to about $5 trillion by 2030, accounting for roughly 40% of the global healthcare market. The healthcare cold-chain logistics market is also projected to grow from about $31.9 billion last year to about $42.5 billion by 2031. With temperature control critical in healthcare, the role of logistics partners with integrated capabilities is growing, the company said. “This award is a meaningful achievement that shows healthcare customers trust FedEx,” said Salil Chari, FedEx regional president for Asia Pacific. “As therapies become more specialized and temperature control becomes more important, logistics requirements are also increasing. FedEx will support safe transport based on systematic operational capabilities.” FedEx said it supports stable transport across multiple temperature ranges, including ultra-low freezing below minus 70 degrees Celsius, freezing below minus 20 degrees, refrigerated shipments at 2 to 8 degrees, and controlled room temperature at 15 to 20 degrees. It has built a network of FedEx Life Science Center locations in Gimpo, South Korea; Memphis, Tennessee; Mumbai, India; Singapore; Tokyo; and Veldhoven, Netherlands. The company said it operates more than 130 cold-chain facilities worldwide to maintain temperature control in cross-border, multimodal logistics. It also said 22 FedEx facilities worldwide are part of a network with CEIV Pharma certification for international air transport of pharmaceuticals, positioning FedEx as a key logistics partner for high-value healthcare shipments including biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:24:29

Crown Haitai chairman Yoon Young-dal elected third president of pro billiards association PBA Yoon Young-dal, chairman of Crown Haitai Confectionery, has been elected to lead the Professional Billiards Association (PBA). The PBA said March 18 that its board, at the association’s seventh-term fourth meeting, selected Yoon as the third PBA president. His term will run for three years, through March 2029. The PBA said Yoon is known for his strong interest in professional billiards and that he founded and operated the Crown Haitai Laon team in the early days of the pro circuit. Citing his activities in the arts and culture sector, the association said it considers him well suited to guide stable growth and a new leap for the sport. Yoon plans to pursue strategies aimed at sustained growth, expanding the fan base and strengthening global competitiveness. The PBA said he also intends to broaden international exchanges and boost league competitiveness so pro billiards can grow beyond South Korea. Kim Young-soo, who served as the first and second PBA president over the past seven years, is stepping down after helping launch the pro league and build its foundation, the PBA said. Yoon’s inauguration ceremony will be held next month on the 10th at the Goyang KINTEX PBA Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:21:00

Naver, AMD sign MOU to strengthen AI GPU infrastructure cooperation SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - South Korea's Naver and U.S. chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop next-generation GPU infrastructure aimed at expanding their artificial intelligence ecosystems. Under the agreement signed at Naver's 1784 headquarters Wednesday, the two companies will collaborate on building high-performance GPU computing environments optimized for Naver's proprietary large language model, HyperCLOVA X, and work to advance infrastructure technologies for stable AI model operations. The partnership also covers providing AI computing resources to academic researchers and launching joint research projects to broaden AI research outcomes across diverse infrastructure platforms. "The collaboration with AMD will serve as a meaningful opportunity to secure technological diversity and strengthen our AI infrastructure competitiveness," Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. "We will continue to expand the potential of AMD platforms across Naver Cloud and our broader AI services, and pursue cooperation for next-generation technology stacks and service implementation." AMD CEO Lisa Su called Naver an optimal partner for implementing the chipmaker's next-generation AI GPU technologies, citing the Korean firm's AI capabilities and cloud platform. 2026-03-18 15:19:06

Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2 to win first World Baseball Classic title Venezuela beat the United States to win its first World Baseball Classic title. Venezuela defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the 2026 WBC final on March 18 (Korean time) at loanDepot park in Miami. Venezuela reached its first final by beating defending champion Japan 8-5 in the quarterfinals and Italy 4-2 in the semifinals. It then edged the U.S. to secure its first championship. The U.S., which lost the 2023 WBC final to Japan, finished runner-up again, falling by the same 3-2 score. The matchup drew attention as the “Maduro Derby.” The article said the U.S. removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in January and transported him to the United States. With political tensions between the two countries, the final attracted heightened interest. Venezuela struck first in the top of the first. With one out and runners on second and third, Maikel Garcia of Kansas City drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center. It added to the lead in the fifth when Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox hit a solo homer to make it 2-0. The U.S. tied it in the bottom of the eighth. Venezuela reliever Andres Machado of the Orix Buffaloes gave up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, evening the score at 2-2. Venezuela answered in the ninth. With no outs and a runner on second, Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds hit an RBI double to put Venezuela ahead 3-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Palencia of the Chicago Cubs closed it out. He struck out Kyle Schwarber of Philadelphia swinging, got Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles on an infield pop-up, and struck out Roman Anthony of Boston swinging to seal the win. Garcia was named tournament MVP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:04:23

Book Claims AI and Cell Science Could Enable Healthy Living to Age 200 A new book argues that humanity’s long-held goal of living a long life in good health is moving closer to reality through the convergence of artificial intelligence and cellular science. BookLab recently published “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu” (“AI: Healthy Longevity to Age 200”). The book challenges the idea that aging is an unavoidable law of nature, redefining it as a condition that can be managed and treated, and it lays out what it calls a scientific roadmap toward a 200-year lifespan. The book is co-authored by four specialists: Park Sang-cheol, described as a world-renowned scholar in aging studies in South Korea; Lee Hee-won, a CEO who has led development of third-generation human digital twin technology; Kang Si-cheol, a doctor who has worked for more than 30 years in advanced-technology humanities and AI medicine; and Lim Gyu-seong, a clinic director who leads AI health care research and distributes practical health solutions. The authors align their approach with Harvard Medical School professor David Sinclair’s aging research, and they argue that, with aging now listed in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, reversing aging is no longer fantasy but a medical task. A central theme is Park’s proposed shift in thinking that “aging is an active defense process for survival.” At the core of the book is technology it describes as using AI to decode signals from the human body. It examines how key aging indicators — including telomeres, mitochondria and the epigenome — interact with AI, and it portrays AI as a kind of “human body translator” that precisely analyzes an individual’s metabolic fingerprint to produce optimal, real-time health solutions. The book also highlights personalized precision nutrition, arguing that people can respond differently to the same foods depending on biological traits. It presents the possibility of AI-designed diets and “life design,” and calls for a “life integrated dashboard” that spans finances, relationships and lifelong learning in preparation for a 200-year era, aiming not only to extend lifespan but to improve quality of life. It also introduces the Genobiofit solution devised by Lee based on his own health recovery experience. The book describes it as a practical approach developed as an alternative for people who have difficulty exercising, intended to scientifically activate mitochondrial function. Book information is as follows: The title is “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu,” co-authored by Lee Hee-won, Park Sang-cheol, Kang Si-cheol and Lim Gyu-seong. The publisher is BookLab Co. The ISBNs are 979-11-7598-171-3 for the print edition and 979-11-7598-172-0 for the e-book.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:03:39

Yeosu petrochemical workers protest government-led plan to cut naphtha cracker output Yeosu industrial complex workers on Tuesday criticized a government- and creditor-led plan to voluntarily cut output at naphtha crackers, warning it could lead to mass layoffs and damage the local economy. They said it is unfair to push ahead with talks between the government (creditors) and companies without agreement from workers and the community. According to political circles, the labor-led Joint Countermeasures Committee for responding to petrochemical restructuring at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex held a news conference at the National Assembly press room and called for a halt to additional NCC cuts in Yeosu and the creation of a multi-party consultative body. The committee includes the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ South Jeolla headquarters, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions’ South Jeolla headquarters, the Yeosu Industrial Complex Labor Union Council, the KCTU Chemical, Fiber, Food Industries Union’s Gwangju-South Jeolla branch, and the FKTU Chemical Workers Federation’s South Jeolla headquarters. The committee said the government’s output-cut target for NCC facilities at three major industrial complexes is 2.7 million to 3.7 million tons, and about 3.43 million tons of cuts are already underway. It noted, however, that Ulsan is expanding capacity as S-Oil pursues its 1.8 million-ton Shaheen project. Yeosu’s cut volume is 1.67 million tons, about half of the nationwide reduction, the committee said. With the government seeking an additional 900,000 to 1.1 million tons in cuts, Yeosu’s total could rise to as much as 2.77 million tons — about 60% of the national total, it said. The committee said additional cuts by Yeocheon NCC and Lotte Chemical are expected to bring restructuring for regular workers and could trigger mass layoffs among subcontracted workers as downstream volumes fall. It warned of ripple effects across related industries and the broader regional economy. It also said employment at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex fell about 30% year over year as of the second quarter of 2025, down by about 7,000 workers, and argued that workers and the local community have been excluded from the restructuring process. The committee said a petrochemical special law enacted last year lacks sufficient measures to protect jobs and the regional economy, and that a recently announced enforcement decree does not adequately reflect views from industrial sites or broader social discussion. It urged the government to immediately stop unilateral plans for additional cuts. It also called for Yeosu to be upgraded to a higher-level “employment crisis area” designation and demanded legislation to establish a four-party joint committee involving the government, local governments, companies and labor to guarantee participation by workers and the community. The committee said policy should address what it called an imbalance of “maximum cuts in Yeosu, maximum expansion in Ulsan,” and it urged revisions to the special law and enforcement decree to ensure labor rights, regional balance and participation in governance. Rep. Jeon Jong-deok of the Progressive Party said, “A one-sided restructuring that excludes the field is not a solution but the start of another crisis,” and called for a multi-party consultative body with workers as key participants to protect jobs and develop practical alternatives to support the region. 2026-03-18 14:48:20

BLACKPINK's Jennie to headline Lollapalooza Chicago as K-pop presence expands SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The organizers of Lollapalooza Chicago announced the 2026 festival lineup on Tuesday (local time), confirming that South Korean soloist Jennie will headline the four-day event at Grant Park. Scheduled to run from July 30 to August 2, the festival marks a significant milestone for the singer as she transitions from group performances to a solo mainstay on the global circuit. She joins a premier roster of headliners for the summer season including Lorde, Charlie XCX, and The Smashing Pumpkins. The announcement follows her successful appearances at previous international festivals where she garnered critical acclaim for her stage presence and vocal range. This appearance in Chicago is part of a broader summer tour for the performer, who is also slated to headline the Governors Ball in New York this June. Following her engagement in the United States, she will travel to Spain to lead the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid before concluding her summer schedule at Summer Sonic in Japan. These bookings solidify her standing as a primary draw for major Western music events, reflecting a strategic shift toward individual global branding. Her previous experience at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California served as a precursor to this expansive 2026 festival run. The 2026 iteration of the Chicago festival continues a trend of heavy investment in South Korean talent, with several other prominent acts confirmed for the lineup. The girl groups aespa and (G)I-DLE are scheduled to perform, alongside the rising male quintet Cortis. This collective presence underscores the sustained demand for Seoul-based artists within the American live music market. Each group brings a distinct choreographed style and discography that has already seen substantial commercial success on domestic and international streaming charts. Jennie follows a lineage of South Korean artists who have broken through at the historic Chicago venue since 1991. The trail was blazed by J-Hope in 2022, who became the first Korean headliner at the event, followed by Tomorrow X Together in 2023. Subsequent years saw Stray Kids and Twice take top billing, demonstrating a growing institutional comfort with K-pop as a headline attraction. More than 400,000 attendees are expected to gather in the Illinois city this year to witness the 170 scheduled acts. 2026-03-18 14:47:00

Lee thanks Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for helping evacuate South Koreans from Middle East SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has sent letters to the leaders of Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to thank them for their cooperation in evacuating South Korean nationals from the Middle East, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that Lee sent the letters the previous day to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Qatar's Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Al and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. In his letter to Takaichi, Lee expressed gratitude for Japan allowing about a dozen South Koreans to board Japanese‑chartered flights from Saudi Arabia, and Oman, enabling them to safely arrive in Japan. "I am glad that the friendship between our two countries has grown even stronger through cooperation in the Middle East," Lee wrote, adding that he hopes to "continue working even more closely to protect the lives and safety of our citizens." Lee thanked Qatar for arranging an emergency flight in Doha, which helped about 322 South Koreans arrive safely in Incheon earlier last week. Lee said Qatar's active support demonstrated the close ties between the two countries as "comprehensive strategic partners," and expressed hope that discussions would continue on ways to expand cooperation. Lee also conveyed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its cooperation last weekend, which helped about 204 South Koreans return home from Riyadh aboard a South Korean military transport aircraft. According to Kang, Lee previously sent similar letters to Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for their assistance in helping South Koreans leave high-risk areas in the Middle East. 2026-03-18 14:33:32

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan expand cultural ties through new diplomatic initiatives SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have entered a more active phase of cultural cooperation, the Uzbekistan Embassy in South Korea announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. This partnership is driven by a surge in festivals, film screenings, and theater tours designed to bring the two nations closer together. The relationship between the leaders of the two states has been a primary catalyst for this growth. Mutual visits and joint participation in cultural events have deepened friendship and mutual respect, providing fresh momentum to long-standing ties between the neighboring countries. A solid legal foundation supports these efforts, starting with an agreement signed on January 16, 1994, between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. This has been followed by the Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2024–2026 adopted by the ministries of culture of both countries to implement joint projects. Direct communication between high-level officials has become frequent over the last four years. Uzbekistan Minister of Culture and his deputies have visited Tajikistan 11 times, while Tajikistan Minister of Culture and her deputies have made eight visits to Uzbekistan. Flagship events such as the Days of Uzbek Culture in Dushanbe and the Days of Tajik Culture in Tashkent are now held regularly. Tajik performers have also found success at international festivals in Uzbekistan, including the Lola dance ensemble, which recently won an award at the International Dance Festival "Lazgi." Cooperation has also expanded into the film industry through a memorandum between the Cinematography Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CA) and the state institution Tojikfilm. The two organizations are currently finalizing the feature film "Starry Sky: Jami and Navoi," which is in the editing phase. In 2025, the city of Khujand hosted a major Navruz celebration attended by the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The event featured a joint concert with artists from all three countries, showcasing regional unity through music and performance. Future plans include signing a new cultural cooperation program for 2026–2027. Upcoming initiatives involve theater tours and a gathering for multiple generations titled "Navro'zi olam," ensuring the steady development of cultural relations between the two peoples. 2026-03-18 14:31:09

UAE pledges priority oil supply to Korea amid global supply concerns SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to prioritize crude oil supply to South Korea amid global supply uncertainties, Seoul’s presidential office said Wednesday. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who returned earlier in the day from a visit to the UAE as a special envoy of President Lee Jae Myung, told a briefing that Abu Dhabi had assured Seoul it would be given top priority in crude shipments. “The UAE made it clear that no country will receive oil ahead of South Korea. Korea is their number one priority in crude supply,” Kang said. The two sides also agreed to allow South Korea to make emergency crude purchases from the UAE whenever necessary, he added. As part of the agreement, Seoul secured an additional 18 million barrels of crude oil through multiple supply channels. Of the total, 6 million barrels will be transported by three UAE-flagged tankers, while another 12 million barrels will be shipped via six South Korean vessels. An additional tanker carrying naphtha is currently en route to South Korea, Kang said. The latest deal follows an earlier emergency purchase of 6 million barrels from the UAE, bringing the total secured volume to 24 million barrels. The move comes amid rising tensions involving Iran, which have heightened concerns over the security of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The escalating geopolitical risks have fueled uncertainty in global energy markets, prompting countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern crude to secure alternative or emergency supplies. South Korea, which depends on imports for the vast majority of its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes. The UAE has long been one of Seoul’s key crude suppliers, with bilateral energy cooperation further strengthened through strategic projects such as the Barakah nuclear power plant. Kang said the agreement is expected to help stabilize the domestic oil supply amid ongoing uncertainties. Beyond short-term supply measures, the two countries also agreed to strengthen long-term cooperation to guard against potential disruptions in energy supply chains. They plan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on crude supply chain cooperation in the near future, which will include efforts to explore alternative supply routes and enhance joint response mechanisms in times of crisis. 2026-03-18 14:21:25