Three Late Joseon-Era Woodblocks Returned to South Korea From U.S. The Korea Heritage Service and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation said they received three woodblocks used to print collected works from the late Joseon period and the Japanese colonial era, donated by an American and a Korean American owner.  The donation ceremony was held on Feb. 8 (local time) at the Korean Empire legation in Washington.  The items are woodblocks for Cheokam Seonsaeng Munjip, Songja Daejeon and Beonamjip. The foundation said Americans who worked in South Korea in the early 1970s bought them as souvenirs and took them to the United States.  The Cheokam Seonsaeng Munjip woodblock, carved in 1917, was used to print the collected works of Kim Do Hwa (1825-1912), who served as a militia leader in the Andong area during the Eulmi Righteous Army uprising in 1895. The foundation said there were originally more than 1,000 related woodblocks. In 2015, 19 Confucian woodblocks were collectively inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register as “Korean Confucian Woodblocks.” In 2019, with support from Riot Games, the foundation bought one matching woodblock at a German auction and donated it to the Korea Studies Advancement Center; it has now received another of the same type.  The foundation said the woodblock had been purchased from an antique dealer in South Korea by Alan Gordon (1933-2011), an American who worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Korea mission in the early 1970s, and taken to the United States. After his death, his wife, Tamra Gordon, kept it and in 2025 inquired about donating it to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art; it was then transferred to the foundation’s U.S. office and returned through the donation.  The Songja Daejeon woodblock, carved in 1926, was used for a compilation of writings, a chronology and other materials related to Song Si Yeol (1607-1689), a Confucian scholar of the late Joseon period. The work was first published in 1787. The foundation said all the original woodblocks were destroyed by the Japanese military in 1907, and descendants and Confucian scholars recarved them in 1926. The 11,023 recarved woodblocks were designated a Daejeon city tangible cultural heritage in 1989. The foundation said Alan Gordon bought this woodblock from an antique dealer in South Korea and gave it to his younger sister; it was returned along with the Cheokam Seonsaeng Munjip woodblock.  The Beonamjip woodblock, carved in 1824, was used to print the collected works of Chae Je Gong (1720-1799), a civil official who played a central role in state affairs during the reigns of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo. Of 1,159 woodblocks, only 358 survive, the foundation said. Like the Cheokam Seonsaeng Munjip woodblock, it was included in the 2015 UNESCO Memory of the World inscription.  The foundation said an American who worked in South Korea in the early 1970s bought the woodblock from an antique dealer, took it to the United States and gave it to the family of Kim Eun Hye, a Korean American. After the foundation’s U.S. office confirmed the background and proposed a donation, Kim agreed, and the woodblock was donated and returned with the others.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 09:21:00

Hyundai Wia Debuts at Saudi Arabia’s WDS 2026 With Vehicle-Mounted Firepower Systems Hyundai Wia is showcasing vehicle-mounted firepower systems at one of the Middle East’s largest defense exhibitions. The company said Sunday it is taking part in the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Feb. 8-12 local time. WDS is one of the region’s biggest defense industry exhibitions. This year’s event drew about 750 companies from 45 countries. Hyundai Wia is operating a standalone booth at the show for the first time. Hyundai Wia displayed full-scale vehicle-based firepower systems, led by a “lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer” that mounts an existing 105mm howitzer on a small tactical vehicle. The company said it is more than half the weight of a wheeled self-propelled howitzer currently deployed by South Korea’s military, improving mobility, and has a maximum range of 18 kilometers. For faster fire control and ammunition transport in the field, the system is designed to operate with a fire-control vehicle and an ammunition carrier. It can also be airlifted by helicopter to an operational area, the company said. Hyundai Wia also exhibited a mock-up of a vehicle-mounted 81mm mortar. Using an automatic emplacement method, it cuts setup time from five minutes to 10 seconds and reduces the crew from five to three, the company said. It is designed to be operated like a conventional 81mm mortar when vehicle use is restricted. The company also introduced a remote-controlled weapon station, or RCWS. It displayed a full-scale small RCWS fitted with a widely used 7.62mm machine gun, and a mock-up of a medium RCWS that can mount a 12.7mm machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Hyundai Wia said it has added an AI-based auto-tracking algorithm across its RCWS lineup to detect and identify targets more precisely and quickly. Also on display was a tactical-vehicle-based anti-drone integrated defense system, or ADS, combining “soft-kill” electronic jamming to disable drones and “hard-kill” engagement using an RCWS, the company said. Hyundai Wia said it plans to use the exhibition to expand exports of artillery systems to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern markets. “It is meaningful to open a standalone booth for the first time at WDS, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East,” a company official said. “We will showcase Hyundai Wia’s defense technology across various regions, including the Middle East, and continue full-scale order-winning efforts in overseas markets.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 09:09:00

South Korea to Offer Youth Culture Pass Worth Up to 200,000 Won for Shows, Exhibits and Movies South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council Korea said Monday they will issue a “Youth Culture and Arts Pass” to people born in 2006 and 2007 who turn 19 or 20 this year. The pass can be used immediately to book performances, exhibitions and movies through partner ticketing platforms and theaters, including NOL Ticket, YES24, Ticketlink, Melon Ticket, Megabox, Lotte Cinema and CGV. Applications open Feb. 25. Launched in 2024 to help young people become active cultural consumers, the program will cover those born from Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2007. Eligible applicants are South Korean youths living in the country who did not use Youth Culture and Arts Pass points in 2025. After applying, youths living in the Seoul metropolitan area — including Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon — will receive 150,000 won in points, while those outside the capital region will receive 200,000 won. Passes will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis within quotas set for each of the nation’s 17 provinces and major cities, and issuance may close early depending on local demand. Unlike previous years, when users had to choose one ticketing outlet in advance, points can now be used across all seven partners to book musicals, classical performances, concerts, exhibitions and movies. Movie use is capped at two visits in the capital region and four outside it, regardless of price. Applications will be accepted through June 30 on the official website after users sign up for an account. Applicants can check issuance status and support amounts in the “My Page” section. The pass is valid through Dec. 31. However, passes issued by June 30 will be disabled starting Aug. 1 if they are not used at least once by July 31. Unused funds will be reclaimed, and the ministry said it plans additional issuance in the second half of the year to expand access. ‘Youth Culture and Arts Pass’ users to get ticket discounts at national arts groups and more; Website to offer information on major performances, exhibitions and films National arts organizations, including the National Symphony Orchestra, and local governments such as Incheon will offer ticket discounts to pass users. Eligible events include the National Symphony Orchestra’s “Sibelius, Symphony No. 2” (March 7), the National Theater Company of Korea’s “Sammaegyeong” (March 12-April 5), the Korea National Ballet’s “Swan Lake” (April 7-12), the Seoul Arts Center’s “2026 Seoul Arts Center Opera ” (July 22-26), Incheon’s play (March 7), Daegu’s “2026 Planned Opera ” (March 27-28), and Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province’s play (March 27-28). Discount rates vary by performance, and details on participating organizations and events will be available on the official website starting Feb. 25. The website and social media channels will also provide information on performances, exhibitions and events that can be booked with the pass. * Instagram (@youthpass19), KakaoTalk Channel (search “청년 문화예술패스”) Jeong Hyang Mi, director general for arts and culture policy at the ministry, said the program expanded both eligibility and where the pass can be used so young people can enjoy arts and culture as part of daily life in their communities. She said the ministry also worked to increase attractions such as high-quality touring performances and exhibitions. “The ministry will continue to pursue policies that help young people build cultural sensitivity and creativity so they can grow as audiences and leaders of K-art,” she said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 09:06:00

Hyundai Glovis Expands Into K-Beauty Logistics With New Fulfillment Service Hyundai Glovis is moving to capture the fast-growing K-beauty logistics market.  The company said Sunday it has signed a third-party logistics, or 3PL, contract with The Skin Factory, which operates the hair and body care brand KUNDAL, and has begun full-scale operations. Under the deal, Hyundai Glovis will handle the entire logistics process for The Skin Factory’s products, from receiving and storage to packing and shipping. The company said it is launching a fulfillment service that provides a one-stop, integrated solution covering storage, packaging and delivery.  Hyundai Glovis will provide fulfillment for domestic customers through an advanced automated logistics center in the Seoul metropolitan area. The center is equipped with the latest automation, including automated guided vehicles, enabling fast and accurate processing for e-commerce orders. It also supports safe storage and efficient shipping tailored to beauty products. Hyundai Glovis said it also plans to support The Skin Factory’s overseas expansion by providing end-to-end export logistics, including cross-border direct-to-consumer shipping, overseas customs clearance, and air and sea export services. The company is betting on growth in K-beauty logistics. U.S. market research firm Allied Market Research forecasts the global K-beauty market will reach $13.9 billion (about 20 trillion won) in 2027.   A Hyundai Glovis official said the company can provide flexible and stable logistics services even when volumes fluctuate, backed by advanced automation. The official said Hyundai Glovis aims to boost clients’ productivity and help cut logistics costs, while serving as a partner responsible for both domestic distribution and export logistics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:51:00

Hyundai Mobis Pledges 'One Team' Partnership With Suppliers at 2026 Partners Day Hyundai Mobis said it held its “2026 Partners Day” event on Feb. 6 at the Haevichi Hotel in Jeju, inviting about 230 executives from major partner companies. The company said the event was designed to strengthen communication and cooperation with key suppliers as it seeks to expand globally in the future mobility market. “Whether we have independent innovative technologies is the key standard that will determine the survival of all of us,” Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu Seok said. He added that suppliers, as well as Hyundai Mobis, need bold investment and early technology proposals. Lee said the company would provide broad support and would practice horizontal communication and relationship-building as a “one team” working to open new markets. Hyundai Mobis said it presented awards to 17 suppliers across 10 categories, including a grand prize, for areas such as quality, safety, new-vehicle development, purchasing and shared growth. The company said the event also focused on sharing strategy and vision and reviewing priorities such as quality management and industrial safety. Hyundai Mobis said it has worked to build a cooperative system with suppliers since announcing its “seven beautiful promises” alongside a shared-growth master plan in 2010. The company said it runs financial support programs, including a shared-growth fund and co-prosperity loans, and supports the full process from parts development to completion to help suppliers build technology capabilities. Over the past three years, Hyundai Mobis said it provided a total of 180 billion won to support new products and new technology development by domestic suppliers, and the number of patents jointly filed with suppliers has surpassed 850. Last year, the company launched the “Mobius Bootcamp” to train software talent and connect participants to hiring by partner companies. Hyundai Mobis said the first cohort selected 300 people — 200 job seekers and 100 employees at partner companies — who are receiving specialized training in mobility software. Hyundai Mobis said it paid about 150 trillion won in purchase payments to suppliers over the past three years through 2024. Based on those results, it was named a “top” company for seven consecutive years in the shared-growth index evaluation announced last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:42:00

South Korea’s Kim Sang-gyeom Wins Olympic Silver in Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Kim Sang-gyeom, a snowboarder who kept chasing his Olympic dream while working construction day jobs to make ends meet, has won a long-awaited silver medal at age 37. Kim took silver in the men’s parallel giant slalom final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on Feb. 8 (Korea time) at Livigno Snow Park in Italy. It was the first medal for South Korea’s team at these Olympics. Kim’s path to the podium was marked by years of financial strain. As a child, he struggled with asthma and started track and field to improve his health. In his second year of middle school, he took up snowboarding at a physical education teacher’s suggestion. After graduating from Korea National Sport University in 2011, he found it difficult to continue as an athlete without a corporate team. During training seasons, he worked part-time one day each weekend, and in the offseason he took daily construction labor jobs. He showed early promise by winning the parallel giant slalom at the 2011 Erzurum Winter Universiade in Turkey, but the Olympics proved tougher. At the 2014 Sochi Games, he became the first South Korean to compete in the event but finished 17th in qualifying and missed the round of 16. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, he lost in the round of 16. At the 2022 Beijing Games, he placed 24th in qualifying and again failed to reach the round of 16. His best finish at the world championships was fourth in the parallel giant slalom in 2021. Kim’s results improved in his mid-30s. In November 2024, he won a World Cup silver medal in Meilin, China, his first World Cup medal in 15 years on the circuit. He added a bronze medal in March last year in Krynica, Poland. In his fourth Olympics, Kim advanced from qualifying in eighth place and moved into the 16-rider bracket. In the quarterfinals, he upset Roland Fischnaller of Italy, the No. 1 rider in this season’s World Cup rankings. Kim reached the final and lost to Benjamin Karl of Austria by 0.19 seconds to secure silver. In a postrace interview, Kim said, “I finally did it. I’m really happy. I’m so glad to win a medal at my fourth Olympics. Today I rode at more than 90 points.” Asked who he thought of most at the moment he won the medal, Kim mentioned his wife, tearing up as he spoke. “Thank you for waiting,” he said. “My family gave me so much strength. Thanks to the many people who believed in me, I didn’t give up and made it this far. I’ll hang this medal on my mom, dad and my wife,” he said with a smile. “Snowboarding is my life,” Kim said. “There’s still a lot to get through. But I believe if I keep at it, there will be better results.” Kim’s medal also marked a milestone for South Korean winter sports. South Korea’s ski and snowboard athletes added a medal in the same event for the first time in eight years, after Lee Sang-ho won silver in the parallel giant slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games for the country’s first Olympic podium finish in skiing and snowboarding. The silver was also South Korea’s 400th Olympic medal. South Korea won its first Olympic medal at the 1948 London Summer Olympics, when weightlifter Kim Seong-jip took bronze. Through the 2024 Paris Games, South Korea had won 320 Summer Olympic medals (109 gold, 100 silver, 111 bronze). Through the 2022 Beijing Games, it had won 79 Winter Olympic medals (33 gold, 30 silver, 16 bronze), for a total of 399. Kim’s silver pushed the overall count to 400. 2026-02-09 08:15:00

South Korean Film Director Jeong Jin Woo Dies at 88 South Korean film director Jeong Jin Woo, who made movies including "Does the Cuckoo Cry at Night" and "The Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed," died on Saturday, the film industry and his family said. He was 88. Jeong died at about 8:00 p.m. at a nursing hospital in Seoul’s Gangnam district, they said Sunday. He had been hospitalized after a fall while walking his dog about two months ago and later contracted COVID-19, and he did not recover, they said. Shortly before his death, longtime friend director Im Kwon Taek and Lee Woo Seok, chairman of Dong-A Export Co., visited the hospital to say goodbye. Born in 1938, Jeong debuted at age 24 with the 1962 film "Only Son," starring Choi Mu Ryong and Kim Ji Mi. He went on to direct films including "Betrayal" (1963), starring Shin Seong Il and Eom Aeng Ran, and helped lead South Korean cinema’s resurgence from the 1960s through the 1980s. In the 1980s, he drew critical and popular attention with films rooted in local themes. "Does the Cuckoo Cry at Night" (1980) won nine awards at the 19th Daejong Film Awards, including best actress, best actor and cinematography. "A Parrot Cried in Its Body" (1981) won six awards at the 20th Daejong Film Awards. Jeong also gained international recognition. "Long Live the Island Frog" (1972) was selected for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, and "Janyeomok" (1984) was invited for a special screening at the 42nd Venice International Film Festival. That year, he was also named one of the "world’s 10 greatest directors" at the Venice festival. He directed 54 films through his 1995 movie "The Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed" and produced 135 films through his own company, Woojin Film. Jeong also worked as a film administrator focused on welfare and industry development. He helped found the Korean Film Directors Association in 1967, established the Film Welfare Foundation in 1984 and served as chairman of the Korean Film Association in 1985. In 1989, he founded the multiplex Cine House, helping drive changes in theater culture. In 1993, he received France’s Order of Arts and Letters for his contributions. Survivors include his wife, a son and two daughters. A funeral altar will be set up at the mortuary of Samsung Medical Center in Seoul’s Gangnam district.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:03:00

South Korea’s Yoo Seung-eun reaches Olympic women’s snowboard big air final in 4th Eighteen-year-old Yoo Seung-eun (Seongbok High School) made South Korean snowboard history by reaching the Olympic big air final, keeping her in medal contention after Kim Sang-gyeom (High1) delivered the team’s first medal of the Games. Yoo placed fourth out of 29 riders in women’s big air qualifying at Livigno Snow Park in Sondrio, Italy, with 166.50 points from her first and third runs. The top 12 advanced to the final. She opened with 80.75 points, scored 77.75 on her second attempt, then posted 88.75 on her third with a high-difficulty trick. Qualifying standings were determined by adding the best two of three scores. It is the first time a South Korean snowboarder has advanced to an Olympic big air final. Yoo was 0.5 points behind third-place Mia Brookes of Britain (167.00). Joy Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand led qualifying with 172.25, followed by Japan’s Kokomo Murase with 171.25. Born in 2008, Yoo has emerged as a top prospect. She was runner-up at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Junior Championships in 2023, and in December she finished second at a World Cup event in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, becoming the first South Korean to win a World Cup big air medal. The women’s big air final is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 10.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 06:42:00

South Korea’s Kim Sun Young, Jeong Yeong Seok beat Canada 9-5 for third straight mixed doubles win South Korea’s mixed doubles curling pair Kim Sun Young (Gangneung City Hall) and Jeong Yeong Seok (Gangwon Provincial Office) beat Canada on Sunday for their third straight win after a five-game losing streak. Kim and Jeong defeated Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant 9-5 in their eighth round-robin game at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. South Korea improved to 3-5 and were tied for sixth with Norway. The teams traded one point each in the first and second ends, but Canada took two in the third to lead 3-1. With last stone in the fourth, Kim knocked out a Canadian stone in the house to score three and put South Korea ahead 4-3. South Korea added two more in the fifth to make it 6-3. Canada used its power play in the sixth and scored two to close to 6-5. South Korea used its power play in the seventh to score two and extend the lead to 8-5, then added one in the eighth to seal the win. The mixed doubles field includes South Korea, the Czech Republic, Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and Norway among 10 nations. In round-robin play, the top four advance to the semifinals (No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3). With four teams already at five wins or more, South Korea have been eliminated from semifinal contention. South Korea play Norway later Sunday in their final round-robin game. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 05:12:00

Low-Priced Tesla, BYD EVs Gain in South Korea, Pressuring Hyundai and Kia Imported electric vehicles are rapidly expanding in South Korea, increasing pressure on domestic brands such as Hyundai Motor and Kia. Tesla, which sold nearly 60,000 vehicles last year, has already overtaken Hyundai in sales, and value-focused Chinese brands led by BYD are also gaining ground, raising the stakes for Hyundai and Kia in their home market. According to Kaizu Data Research Institute data released on Feb. 8, South Korea registered 5,733 EVs in January, up 141.1% from 2,378 a year earlier. More than half were Tesla (1,968) and BYD (1,347). Tesla helped drive the domestic EV market last year with sales nearing 60,000. Since 2023, it has lowered prices by importing China-made versions of the Model Y and Model 3. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association said Tesla’s U.S.-made models cost 59 million won, compared with about 53 million won for China-made models. BYD also topped 6,000 sales in its first year in South Korea, signaling room to grow. With Tesla and BYD performing strongly, sales of China-made EVs totaled 74,728 last year, more than doubling from the previous year. In its second year in South Korea, BYD recently unveiled the compact hatchback Dolphin to sharpen its value pitch. Its price is 24.5 million won after tax benefits for eco-friendly vehicles, before subsidies are applied. Hyundai and Kia are responding by expanding incentives to defend their domestic market. Kia has cut prices this year for the EV5 long-range compact SUV by 2.8 million won and for the EV6 by 3 million won. For the EV5 standard model, the out-of-pocket price could fall to the 34 million won range after central and local government subsidies, the company said. Hyundai is also strengthening low-interest financing for EVs. Last month it lowered the installment-loan rate under its “Hyundai EV Burden Down Promotion” by 2.6 percentage points, from 5.4% to 2.8%. The discounted rate applies to the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kona Electric. Under the promotion, Hyundai said buyers could save about 2.5 million won in interest on the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, and about 2.1 million won on the Kona Electric. Jung Myung Hoon, a senior researcher at KAMA, said the EV market rebound in 2025 reflects a combination of demand concentrated in a few popular models, government support such as subsidies and manufacturers’ price competition, rather than broad-based mass adoption or a structural shift in demand. He warned that the rapid inflow of China-made EVs can help expand adoption by lowering prices and widening consumer choice, but it is also intensifying pressure on South Korea’s manufacturing base and supply-chain competitiveness. He added that because major competitors are already using strong policies to protect their industries, South Korea should discuss support measures such as a “domestic production promotion tax system” to bolster price competitiveness for locally made EVs and protect the manufacturing ecosystem.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 05:03:00