South Korean Airlines Had 441 Aircraft at End of Last Year; 15% Were Over 20 Years Old South Korean airlines had about 450 aircraft at the end of last year, according to data submitted to the government. Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said Feb. 18 that figures provided via the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by 12 South Korean carriers showed they held a total of 441 aircraft at year’s end: 401 passenger planes and 40 freighters. That was up 25 aircraft from a year earlier (416). Passenger planes increased by 27, while freighters fell by two. The combined fleet stood at 414 aircraft in 2019, then dropped to 366 in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has climbed since, reaching 370 in 2022 and 393 in 2023, as passenger demand recovered and newer airlines expanded. By carrier, Korean Air had 167 aircraft at the end of last year — 144 passenger planes and 23 freighters — up two from a year earlier. Its fleet included 45 Boeing 777s, 27 Boeing 787s, 24 Boeing 737s and 19 Airbus A321s. Asiana Airlines, which is preparing to merge with Korean Air, operated 68 passenger aircraft, down 15 from the previous year. Asiana sold its cargo business unit in August to cargo-only carrier Air Zeta (formerly Air Incheon). Among low-cost carriers, T’way Air had the largest passenger fleet with 46 aircraft, up eight, helped by the introduction of Boeing’s next-generation 737-8. Jeju Air followed with 45 aircraft — 43 passenger planes and two freighters — up four. The airline has not sharply expanded its fleet as it focuses on modernization after a passenger-plane accident. Hanjin Group’s three low-cost carriers — Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul — maintained their fleet sizes at 31, 21 and six passenger aircraft, respectively. Eastar Jet expanded to 20 passenger planes after adding five 737-8s last year. Air Zeta held 15 freighters after adding 11 aircraft transferred from Asiana, including 10 Boeing 747s and one Boeing 767. Aero K and Air Premia each had nine passenger aircraft, up three apiece. Parata Air, a new airline that began flying in September, operated four aircraft. The data also showed 67 aircraft — 15.2% of the total — were more than 20 years old and classified as aging aircraft subject to special oversight by the transport ministry. Those aircraft were operated by Korean Air (28), Air Zeta (15), Jin Air (8), Jeju Air (6), Asiana (5), Aero K (3) and Air Busan (2). Airlines are bringing in newer aircraft and retiring older planes to reduce safety concerns and improve passenger satisfaction and fuel efficiency. They reported to the ministry plans to add 55 aircraft this year and dispose of 32, including aging planes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 10:09:00

S.Korea's curling team slip to fourth after Switzerland defeat, bobsled pairs finish outside top 10 SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - South Korea's women's curling team dropped to fourth place in the round-robin standings after falling to world No. 1 Switzerland 5-7 on Wednesday, putting their semifinal push under increased pressure at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and fifth Seol Ye-ji — the squad known as "Team 5G" — were edged out at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, sliding from a joint second-place position just one day earlier. The match remained tight through the opening ends. South Korea drew first blood in the first end, and the two teams held level through the third, but Switzerland broke the game open by scoring three in the second end to wrest control of the momentum. The sides traded single points through the middle stages. The decisive blow came late. Switzerland posted two more in the ninth end off a double takeout, stretching their lead beyond reach. South Korea chased hard in the final end but could not close the gap. With the loss, South Korea now stand at 4-3, tied with Canada for fourth. Sweden leads the table at 6-1, with Switzerland and the United States both at 5-2. The team's campaign is at a critical crossroads. South Korea face Sweden — the tournament's frontrunner — next, before a pivotal showdown against Canada on Thursday that will largely determine whether they advance to the knockouts. The top four teams of the ten-nation field proceed to the semifinals, with medal rounds scheduled for Feb. 20 to 22. "Team 5G," which went unbeaten at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, has been one of the more closely watched sides in Cortina. The team is aiming to improve on the silver medal won by "Team Kim" at the 2018 PyeongChang Games — South Korea's only Olympic curling medal to date. South Korea's broader Olympic campaign has yielded six medals through Day 12 — one gold, two silver and three bronze — though the country remains without a gold in short track, a discipline that has driven the medal count at every Winter Games since 1992. Curling now stands as one of the remaining paths to the podium. Bobsled pairs finish well off the pace South Korea's two men's bobsled entries wrapped up their two-man campaigns outside the top 10 at the Cortina Sliding Center on Wednesday. The pairing of pilot Kim Jin-su and brakeman Kim Hyung-geun posted a combined four-run time of 3 minutes 43.60 seconds to finish 13th among 26 teams. The sled had shown early promise — clocking 55.53 seconds in the opening run for fifth overall — but gradual slippage through subsequent runs cost them positions. They sat 12th after two runs before fading to 13th by the end. Pilot Suk Young-jin and brakeman Chae Byung-do finished 19th with a combined time of 3:44.61. Germany swept all three medals for the second consecutive Games, having done the same at Beijing 2022. Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer claimed gold in 3:39.70, ahead of Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schuller in silver and Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller in bronze. Meanwhile, both South Korean sleds are entered in the four-man event, scheduled for Feb. 21 to 22. 2026-02-18 09:49:37

Genesis Extends PGA Tour Genesis Invitational Title Sponsorship Through 2030 Genesis will remain the title sponsor of the PGA Tour tournament the Genesis Invitational through 2030. Genesis said it held a contract-signing ceremony on Feb. 17 (local time) at Riviera Country Club in California with the PGA Tour and the Tiger Woods Foundation, extending the title sponsorship through 2030. Attendees included PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp; Tiger Woods, whose foundation runs the event; Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun; Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon; Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz; North America chief Randy Parker; and Genesis head Lee Si-hyuk, among others. The Genesis Invitational traces its roots to the LA Open, founded in 1926, and marks 100 years of history this year. The PGA Tour event has been tied to milestones such as Jack Nicklaus’ pro debut and Woods’ first PGA Tour appearance. Genesis became title sponsor in 2017, when the tournament was known as the Genesis Open, and continued through its elevation to the Genesis Invitational in 2020. “PGA Tour is proud that Genesis has continued to support the Genesis Invitational, where the world’s best players compete,” Rolapp said. Woods said the partnership with Genesis “was an opportunity to find new ways to grow the tournament,” adding that he appreciated the company’s continued interest and support for both the event and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Chung said it was meaningful to expand the partnership with the PGA Tour, Woods and the Tiger Woods Foundation and to continue sponsoring the tournament through 2030. He called the century-old event a symbol of golf’s tradition and heritage and said it also reflects Genesis values of authenticity, respect and excellence. He added that the milestone would help partners carry on the tournament’s legacy and contribute to creating value for local communities and future generations beyond golf. Genesis has been expanding its global golf sponsorships, including a deal signed in May last year with the PGA Tour through 2030 as its first official automotive sponsor, and an extension in July last year of its title sponsorship of the Genesis Scottish Open through 2030. The 2026 Genesis Invitational, the first held after the renewal, will be played Feb. 19-22 (local time) at Riviera Country Club, which also marks its 100th anniversary this year. The total purse is $20 million; the winner will receive $3.5 million and a GV80 Coupe Black model. Genesis said it plans to display 18 vehicles at key locations such as the Genesis Lounge and Genesis Skybox, including the GV60 Magma model, the X Gran Equator concept, the Electrified GV70 model and the GV80 Coupe, to showcase its products to spectators and TV viewers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 09:36:00

South Korea’s Lee Hae-in sets season best in Olympic short program debut South Korean figure skater Lee Hae-in (Korea University) set a season-best score in the short program at her first Winter Olympics, saying she handled the moment despite nerves. Competing at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy on Feb. 18 (Korea time), Lee scored 70.07 points in the women’s singles short program, with 37.61 in technical elements (TES) and 32.46 in program components (PCS). She improved her previous season best of 67.06 by 3.01 points and secured a spot in the free skate. “Up until yesterday, I thought I wouldn’t be nervous, but that wasn’t the case,” Lee said. “Even while nervous, I focused more on the feeling of my feet on the ice. I don’t think I made any big mistakes, so I think I did well.” She said she was disappointed she could not fully show a transition she had practiced after her first triple combination jump because her blade caught in the ice on the landing. Lee said she was pleased to see the season-best mark. “I want to praise myself for trying to earn points on every element,” she said. “I was happy when the score came up and it was a season best.” Looking ahead to the free skate, Lee said she needs to pay closer attention to every element. “Since there were parts that felt lacking today, I’ll show everything I prepared in the free skate without leaving anything out,” she said, adding that while there are more elements to focus on and she expects to be nervous, she hopes to enjoy it more.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 07:39:00

South Korea’s Kim Jin-su 13th, Seok Young-jin 19th in Olympic two-man bobsled South Korea’s men’s two-man bobsled teams led by Kim Jin-su and Seok Young-jin finished outside the top 10 at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Pilot Kim Jin-su and brakeman Kim Hyeong-geun, both of Gangwon Provincial Office, placed 13th with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 43.60 seconds at the Cortina Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Kim’s sled was 12th among 26 teams after the first two runs in 1:51.69, but slipped a spot after a 55.90 in Run 3. The team posted 56.01 in the final run to finish 13th. Kim had been fifth-fastest in Run 1 at 55.53. Seok Young-jin, also of Gangwon Provincial Office, and brakeman Chae Byeong-do of Catholic Kwandong University finished 19th in 3:44.61. Both teams will also compete in the men’s four-man event Feb. 21-22. Kim’s crew will add Lee Geon-woo and Kim Seon-uk of the Gangwon Federation, while Seok’s team will be joined by Lee Do-yoon of Korea National Sport University and Jeon Su-hyeon of the Gangwon Federation. Germany swept the men’s two-man medals again, as it did at the 2022 Beijing Games. Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer won gold in 3:39.70. Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schueller took silver in 3:41.04, and Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller won bronze in 3:41.52. Friedrich, who won this event at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, fell short in his bid for a third straight two-man title and will try for gold again in the four-man race.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 07:18:00

BTS’ J-Hope: Main Dancer Who Built a Distinct Solo Career With BTS set to return as a group in March, anticipation is building worldwide. The comeback news, carried by Arirang, along with plans for a world tour, is prompting immediate reactions beyond the music industry, including in tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is profiling the seven members in a “BTS Member Spotlight” series. <Editor’s note> J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, serves as BTS’ main dancer as well as a sub-rapper and sub-vocalist. Onstage, he is known for driving the rhythm early and anchoring the choreography. Choreographers and fellow members have cited him as the group’s top dancer. Since his trainee days, he has helped lead the members’ dance practice and is known for mastering difficult moves quickly, a responsibility that remains central to the group’s performances. Though he started as a dancer, his growth as a rapper has also stood out. He learned rap after joining the company and has shown clear progress with each album. Early tracks such as “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” from “DARK & WILD” and “BTS Cypher pt.1” from “O!RUL8,2?” captured a rougher energy, while “Moving” from “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt.1” showed a smoother tone and flow. His rap is marked by wide shifts in pitch and a distinctive flow, heard in songs including “Save ME,” “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” and “BTS Cypher 4.” His presence is also felt in vocal parts. His solo track “MAMA,” included on the second full-length album “WINGS,” foregrounded his personal story in a confession to his mother. He has delivered standout moments in songs such as “AWAKE” and “Whalien 52.” RM has praised him, saying he has “an excellent sense for creating popular melodies,” a line often cited to describe J-Hope’s musical instincts. J-Hope began moving as a creator relatively early. In December 2015, he released his first track, “1 VERSE,” signaling the start of more personal work. He followed with his first mixtape, “Hope World,” in March 2018. Its title track, “Daydream,” highlighted his bright energy and color, marking a shift from performer to an artist shaping his own world. That expansion continued with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” released in September 2019. The song borrowed the original chorus and drew attention through a collaboration with Becky G, gaining mainstream traction as a TikTok challenge spread. In 2022, he released his first official solo album, “Jack In The Box,” presenting a darker inner world and personal 고민 at the forefront. In March 2023, he released “on the street,” a warmer, lo-fi hip-hop track built around hope and comfort. Using the street as a motif, it looked back on his beginnings and the time since, with J-Hope participating in writing and composing to set the direction. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes in multiple regions and entered the U.K. Official Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, underscoring his presence as a solo artist. On Spotify, it has continued to accumulate streams over time. In 2024, he broadened the “street” theme again with the special album “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1,” tied to a documentary project. In March 2025, he released “Sweet Dreams,” an R&B-leaning love song centered on a dreamy sound and soft vocal lines, described as a signal of full-scale solo activity after his discharge. Later that March, “MONA LISA” paired hip-hop R&B with a more relaxed vibe and performance, carrying a message about each person’s uniqueness rather than outward beauty. In June, “Killin’ It Girl” pushed a more direct hip-hop track and stronger performance. He took part in the production of these releases as well, reinforcing his identity as a solo artist. Onstage, J-Hope remains a dancer who holds the group’s center. He is especially strong in choreography that demands technique, including “technical wave” and popping, and he also stands out in freestyle. His past experience as a street dancer still shows in his performances. His opening freestyle in stages such as “MIC DROP” is often cited as a signature moment. Known for bright energy and a diligent approach, J-Hope is an artist who helps lift the group’s mood while shaping both performance and music. Within BTS, he has long been the one to raise the temperature of the stage first. His solo work has shown that role extends beyond the group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 06:03:00

Lee Hae-in, Shin Jia Advance to Women’s Free Skate at 2026 Milan Olympics Lee Hae-in of Korea University and Shin Jia of Sewha Girls’ High School both qualified for the free skate in the women’s singles at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Lee scored 70.07 points in the short program at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 18 Korean time, earning 37.61 in technical elements (TES) and 32.46 in program components (PCS). It was her season-best short-program score, and she stood second in the interim standings after 17 skaters across three groups had performed. Skating to Christopher Tin’s “Siren,” Lee opened with a clean triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, then landed a double Axel and a triple flip. She received level 4 on the flying camel spin, sit spin, change-foot combination spin and step sequence. Shin totaled 65.66 points (TES 35.79, PCS 30.87) to advance. Skating to Chopin’s “Nocturne,” she fell on her triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination. She later completed a double Axel and a triple flip, and earned level 4 on the flying camel spin, change-foot combination spin and step sequence. Her final layback spin was graded level 3. A total of 29 skaters competed in the women’s short program, with the top 24 advancing to the free skate, scheduled for Feb. 20.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 05:54:00

Albania’s Lara Colturi, Once ‘in the Womb’ at Turin Games, Races at Milan-Cortina Some athletes have experienced both the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, returning to the same stage 20 years later. Among them are American ski star Lindsey Vonn and Italian short-track standout Arianna Fontana. Another athlete has an unusual link to both Games: Albanian alpine skier Lara Colturi. Born in November 2006, Colturi was already at the Turin Olympics — in her mother’s womb. Her mother, Daniela Ceccarelli, competed for Italy in alpine skiing at the time. Colturi raced in the women’s giant slalom on Feb. 15 (Korean time) at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, clocking 1 minute, 3.97 seconds to finish in a tie for fourth. She narrowly missed the medals. In an interview with the Olympic Channel, Colturi said, “Except for the Olympics I attended while in my mother’s belly, this is my first Olympics,” adding, “Until now I lived as Ceccarelli’s daughter, but now I feel like I’ve truly become an Olympian.” She added, “I want a better result in slalom,” and said she hopes to “make new history as Albania’s first Winter Olympic medalist.” Ceccarelli won gold in the women’s super-G at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. At the 2006 Turin Games, she competed despite being pregnant and dealing with a knee injury. Colturi switched her sporting nationality to Albania to train in a more independent environment. Coached by her mother, she made her International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Cup debut in 2022 at age 15 and is now competing on the Olympic stage.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 04:33:00

Korea Sports Council Holds Lunar New Year ‘Korea Day’ Event in Milan The Korea Sports Council held a Lunar New Year “Korea Day” event in Milan, Italy, where the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics are being staged. The council said it ran a hands-on program Feb. 17 (local time) at Korea House set up at Villa Necchi Campiglio, introducing Korean holiday traditions to local residents and Koreans living in the area. The event included traditional folk games such as jegichagi, along with a K-pop cover dance performance and a stage by the Jeonbuk State Gugak Center. Participants also shared tteokguk, a rice-cake soup commonly eaten for the holiday. About 100 people attended, including Kim Jun-gu, South Korea’s ambassador to Italy; Choi Tae-ho, consul general in Milan; and Noh Hee-young, head of the Korea House support team.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 02:15:00

South Korea women fall 7-5 to top-ranked Switzerland in Olympic curling round-robin South Korea’s women’s curling team lost 7-5 to world No. 1 Switzerland in Olympic round-robin play, tightening the race for a spot in the semifinals. World No. 3 South Korea — skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Seol Ye-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and alternate Kim Su-ji — fell in its seventh round-robin game at the Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 18 (Korea time). South Korea dropped into a tie for fourth at 4-3 with Canada. Sweden led at 6-1, followed by Switzerland and the United States at 5-2. South Korea had been tied for second a day earlier. The teams were even early after South Korea scored first in the opening end, but Switzerland seized momentum with three points in the second. The match stayed close through the middle ends as the teams traded single points. Switzerland pulled away in the ninth with a double takeout that produced two points. South Korea tried to set up a big final end but could not score enough in the 10th to complete the comeback. In women’s curling, 10 teams play a round-robin, with the top four advancing to the semifinals and a medal-round bracket. South Korea next faces Sweden on Feb. 18 and then Canada on Feb. 19.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 01:39:00