Hanwha pitcher Moon Dong-ju left off 2026 WBC roster with shoulder injury This series takes a closer look at issues involving players on the field, using interviews, records and career context. <Editor’s note> Hanwha Eagles pitcher Moon Dong-ju has been left off South Korea’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March because of a shoulder injury.  The Korea Baseball Organization announced the WBC roster on Thursday at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, with national team manager Ryu Ji-hyun and KBO Strengthening Committee chairman Cho Kye-hyun in attendance. Moon’s absence drew attention because he had been included in the team’s first training camp last month in Saipan. Ryu said Hanwha notified him on Jan. 30 that Moon’s shoulder condition was not good. “He was preparing for a bullpen session, but we were told the pain actually got worse,” Ryu said, explaining the decision to exclude him. Moon is scheduled to visit a hospital on Friday, and the results could shape Hanwha’s season.  Hanwha signaled a win-now push in free agency by signing Kang Baek-ho to a four-year deal worth up to 10 billion won. The club also retained Son Ah-seop — described as the KBO’s all-time hits leader — on a one-year contract worth 100 million won. After finishing as runner-up last season, Hanwha’s lineup depth has improved.  But the pitching staff faces clear holes compared with last year. Foreign starters Cody Ponce (Toronto Blue Jays) and Ryan Weiss (Houston Astros) left for the United States, and left-hander Kim Beom-su moved to the Kia Tigers as a free agent. Hanwha added foreign pitchers Wilkel Hernandez and Owen White, and selected Wang Yen-cheng under the league’s newly introduced Asia quota, but questions remain about how much they can cover those losses — especially with Moon, expected to fill a No. 3 or No. 4 starter role, now hurt.   The severity of Moon’s injury is still unknown, but shoulder problems are often viewed as more difficult for pitchers than elbow injuries. Even if he returns, concerns remain that he could lose velocity or effectiveness. Hanwha’s title chances are expected to hinge in part on how quickly Moon recovers.   2026-02-06 13:15:00

LIG Nex1, L3Harris Begin Developing Weather Payload for Cheollian Satellite 5 LIG Nex1 said it has begun developing a weather payload for the geostationary meteorological and space-weather satellite Cheollian Satellite 5 with L3Harris, a global space and defense company. The company said Friday that it held a project kickoff meeting on Feb. 4 (local time) at L3Harris’ site in Fort Wayne, Indiana, formalizing a cooperation framework between the two companies. The Cheollian Satellite 5 program is designed for a private company, rather than the government, to serve as the lead R&D organization and carry out the full process from satellite design to manufacturing, testing and integration. Under the agreement, L3Harris will handle the payload’s core design and development, while LIG Nex1 will oversee domestic quality control, performance testing and system integration with the satellite bus, the company said. The new payload is expected to significantly improve forecast accuracy and timeliness compared with the currently operating Cheollian Satellite 2A. It will be optimized for observing East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, and will include hazardous weather tracking and monitoring functions. LIG Nex1 previously signed a 274.5 billion won agreement with the Korea Meteorological Industry Technology Institute to develop the Cheollian Satellite 5 weather payload. A LIG Nex1 official said the partnership is “a strategic cooperation model” that goes beyond a simple technology transfer by integrating advanced space technology into South Korea’s development system and building expertise. The official said it will serve as a key foundation for expanding localization and strengthening technological self-reliance in next-generation satellite programs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 12:57:00

Korea's record C/A surplus pales by near-tripling capital outflows SEOUL, Feb. 06 (AJP) -The black figure in South Korea’s current account stretched to a monthly high in December and an annual high for 2025 thanks to red-hot chip sales, but the bulk of the gains went to defending the Korean currency against rapid depreciation and funding outbound investments, data showed. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, the current account in December recorded a surplus of $18.7 billion, an increase of more than $6 billion from the previous month. This marked the largest monthly surplus on record. For the full year, the surplus reached $123.05 billion, also rewriting the all-time high. Much of the glow fades when the data is set against the financial account, which measures capital flows. The financial account posted net asset increases of $23.77 billion in December, more than doubled from a year earlier, and $119.76 billion for full-year 2025, compared with $96.87 billion in 2024, implying that much more Korean money flowed out than in. The current-account surplus was driven largely by exports, which rose more than 13 percent to $69.54 billion. Chips were the primary earner, with exports expanding 43.1 percent to about $20.92 billion. Information and communication technology devices, including mobile phones, also performed strongly, rising 24 percent to $4.77 billion. Petroleum product exports reached $4.24 billion, up 6 percent from a year earlier, following a four-week improvement in refining margins through late December and a year-end surge in demand. Ships, once a pillar of export growth through October, fell 3 percent to $2.89 billion, marking a second consecutive month of decline. Automobile exports, which exceeded $6 billion in November, slipped back to $5.59 billion. Major automakers such as Hyundai and Kia have entered “contingency plans” as inventories subject to a potential 25 percent tariff under U.S.-Korea trade negotiations hit the market. Steel products also remained sluggish. Although the decline narrowed from November’s 6.3 percent drop, exports still fell 1.7 percent to $4.02 billion. Home appliance exports slid 8.1 percent to $560 million amid competition from cheaper Chinese products. Imports totaled $57.37 billion, up 4.6 percent from a year earlier. The decline in raw material import prices, which hovered around 8 percent in November, slowed sharply to just 1 percent. This reflected the won’s weakness, which averaged 1,467.3 per dollar in December, and rising prices for selected items. While crude oil imports fell 14.4 percent to $5.59 billion and gas dropped 33.4 percent to $2.03 billion, mining imports surged. Mineral imports rose 22.3 percent to $2.55 billion, while other metals, including rare earths, climbed 11.8 percent to $1.55 billion. The largest increase was seen in consumer goods, which jumped 17.9 percent to $9.72 billion. Durable goods, in particular, surged 30.8 percent to $4.37 billion, reflecting soaring prices for smartphones and computers as general-purpose chips were diverted to the AI business-to-business market, along with rising imported car sales. The problem is that much of the money earned has failed to build wealth at home. Investment income reached a record $30.17 billion in 2025, up $1.47 billion from a year earlier. Dividend income accounted for more than two-thirds of the total, at $20.19 billion. But the devil is in the details. In December, outward securities investment by residents rose 17.2 percent to $14.37 billion, with equities accounting for $11.83 billion. In contrast, inward investment by foreigners fell to $5.68 billion from $5.81 billion in November, with just $410 million flowing into stocks and the remainder into bonds. For full-year 2025, outbound securities investment reached $140.3 billion, nearly triple the $52.54 billion invested in local securities by foreigners. Direct investment showed a similar trend. Outward investment rose $6.49 billion, while inward foreign investment increased by only $5.17 billion. The gap, however, narrowed sharply from October, when outbound investment was nearly ten times larger than inbound. For 2025, outbound direct investment reached $41.23 billion, nearly tripling the $15.8 billion invested in Korea by foreign entities. It is little wonder that Korea’s pledge of up to $350 billion — including about $200 billion in cash — to the United States has weighed on the won, despite strong exports and a buoyant stock market. Reserve assets fell $4.44 billion in December, compared with a $1.69 billion increase in November. The country’s foreign exchange reserves fell $2 billion in December and $2.15 billion in January as authorities intervened to support the won and curb import-driven inflation through currency swap arrangements with the National Pension Service. As of 10:15 a.m. Friday, the won was trading at 1,470.2 per dollar, down 1.2 won from the previous close. After stabilizing briefly near the 1,420 level earlier this month, the currency is again facing renewed weakness. 2026-02-06 12:10:58

Inside the Final Road Tests for South Korea’s 2026 Car of the Year Engines were already roaring early in the morning at the final on-road evaluation for the 2026 Korea Car of the Year. At the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI) proving ground in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the finalist vehicles lined up in the parking area at regular intervals. In the first round, 18 vehicles from 10 domestic and overseas brands advanced to the final list. After holding a regular general meeting that morning, members of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association moved straight to the track for the road tests. The evaluation ran across four courses: a high-speed circuit, a steering-handling course, an automatic emergency braking test and a special durability road. About 40 reporters split into two groups and rotated through the vehicles for side-by-side comparisons. The first vehicle tested by a reporter on site was Kia’s PV5. On the special durability road, which features rough pavement, the focus was on suspension performance and body response. Though it is a relatively compact boxy vehicle, it absorbed bumps steadily, and cabin noise was not pronounced. Next was Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 9. Its stable driving, supported by the low center of gravity typical of electric vehicles, stood out. One reporter riding along said, “An expensive car delivers what you pay for.” At K-CITY, a test facility at KATRI designed to replicate South Korean road conditions, reporters conducted automatic emergency braking tests. They drove at 30 kph without touching the brake to see whether the vehicles would stop in front of a dummy. Most vehicles stopped normally, though drivers occasionally hit the brake out of tension. Steering performance tests followed, with vehicles pushed through sharp turns to check handling. Despite a short course with consecutive curves, the finalists showed stable performance. High-performance models such as the Mercedes-AMG GT, Audi RS e-tron GT and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N were especially notable. The highlight for many was the high-speed course. On a banked track, drivers increased speed to as much as 200 kph to assess high-speed capability. The BMW Touring M5, with its distinctive green exterior, showed quick responses backed by a powerful engine. The Land Rover All New Defender Octa maintained a heavy, planted feel at speed. Because the final round compressed high-speed driving, steering, automatic emergency braking and durability into a single day, the atmosphere remained tense throughout. The final results will be announced at the “2026 Korea Car of the Year” awards ceremony on Feb. 26 at the Sebitseom Convention Hall in Banpo, Seoul. 2026-02-06 11:54:00

Regional winner becomes this week's biggest loser due to foreign selloff SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Markets across Asia flashed red Friday following a broad Wall Street pullback, with hitherto regional winner Korean stocks hardest hit by a global institutional selling spree. Losses in AI and big-tech shares on Nasdaq loomed over the KOSPI amid a decisive position shift by domestic and foreign institutions this week, setting off the second sell-side sidecar this week. Traders said the correction was inevitable after an almost nonstop rally this year until this week, while retailers jumped on the opportunity to join the stock-boom bandwagon, helping to defend the hard-won 5,000 mark for the KOSPI and 1,000 for the KOSDAQ. The selloff reflected profit-taking after recent sharp gains, compounded by overnight weakness in U.S. markets. Investor sentiment deteriorated further as concerns resurfaced over the profitability outlook for AI-related big-tech companies. As of 10:54 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI was 2.65 percent lower at 5,024.75 and the secondary KOSDAQ retreated 2.61 percent to 1,079.45. Individual and institutional investors bought a net 1.519 trillion won ($1.03 billion) and 17.1 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 1.5763 trillion won. The won came under pressure as the U.S. dollar strengthened amid global risk aversion. The dollar shot up above 1,470 in early trading on heavy foreign equity selling, but eased to 1,480.40, up 0.60 won from the previous session. Foreign selloff mostly targeted the biggest winners. Samsung Electronics fell 2.57 percent to 155,200 won and SK hynix dropped 2.97 percent to 817,000 won earlier in the session. Battery maker LG Energy Solution also edged down 3.54 percent to 381,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also remained under pressure. Samsung Life Insurance slipped 4.02 percent to 184,000 won, and Samsung Biologics fell 2.76 percent to 1,653,000 won. Automakers extended the slide, with Hyundai Motor down 4.61 percent at 466,000 won and Kia dropped 2.56 percent at 152,200 won. Defense and aerospace shares weakened further, with Hanwha Aerospace retreating 6.19 percent to 1,151,000 won. Shipbuilders joined the broad downturn. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 4.36 percent to 526,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean slid 4.72 percent to 129,200 won. The Hang Seng Index retreated 1.57 percent to 26,463.87 soon after opening, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.87 percent to 4,040.30, reflecting U.S. and regional losses. The impact was milder for Japan’s Nikkei 225, which lost 0.3 percent to 53,677.22. 2026-02-06 11:19:32

KAIST researchers uncover secret of anticancer compound production in native Korean shrub SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have identified the core process by which the native Korean plant Flueggea suffruticosa, commonly known as leaf flower or gwangdaessari, produces securinine, a compound known for its anticancer properties. The discovery, made after 70 years of scientific uncertainty, provides a foundation for the stable production of anticancer substances using synthetic biology. KAIST announced on January 30 that a joint research team led by Professor Kim Sang-kyu from the Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Han Sun-kyu from the Department of Chemistry has mapped the biosynthetic pathway of securinine-type alkaloids. These substances were first discovered in the leaf flower in 1956, and while more than 130 related compounds have since been reported, the mechanism of their formation within the plant remained unknown. The leaf flower is a shrub commonly found in the mountains and fields of the Korean Peninsula. Its leaves and roots have long been used as traditional medicine in Northeast Asia. Among the alkaloids it produces, securinine has demonstrated efficacy in killing tumor cells and assisting in nerve regeneration by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Alkaloids like securinine, morphine, and caffeine are highly complex molecules, making the identification of their biosynthetic pathways—the step-by-step process involving various enzymes—extremely difficult. To solve this, the KAIST team combined chemical synthesis expertise with single-cell transcriptomics. The researchers analyzed the genome of plants collected from the KAIST Ecological Forest in Seongnam. By using single-cell analysis on leaf tissues where securinine production is most active, they tracked which genes were expressed in specific cells. Simultaneously, the chemistry team synthesized virosine B, a predicted precursor, to observe how it transforms within the leaf flower. The study revealed that a specific group of enzymes called sulfotransferases plays a critical role in reshaping the molecular skeleton of the precursor into securinine. Previously, sulfotransferases were primarily thought to assist in making substances more soluble or easier to break down. This research marks the first documented case where these enzymes actively remodel an alkaloid scaffold. The researchers also found that the genes responsible for this process are concentrated in the vascular bundle cells of the leaf flower. This specialized cellular environment coordinates the production of amino acids and necessary co-factors to facilitate the synthesis of these high-value compounds. "This research identifies the molecular formation of high-value natural products found in native Korean plants," Professors Kim Sang-kyu and Han Sun-kyu said. "It establishes a basis for the stable production of anticancer substances using microbes or cells, which can lead to various medical applications." The study, featuring co-first authors Dr. Jeong Seong-jun, Dr. Kang Kyu-min, and doctoral student Kim Tae-in, was published in the journal Nature Communications on January 23. (Paper information) Journal: Nature Communications (IF 15.7) Title: Chemically guided single-cell transcriptomics reveals sulfotransferase-mediated scaffold remodeling in securinine biosynthesis DOI: https://bit.ly/4azf4iz 2026-02-06 11:17:01

SK Biopharmaceuticals posts record operating profit on strong U.S. cenobamate sales SK Biopharmaceuticals said Thursday that its consolidated operating profit jumped about 112% last year to 203.9 billion won, the highest on record. Revenue rose 29.1% from a year earlier to 706.7 billion won. Net profit increased 11.6% to 253.3 billion won. Its main product, cenobamate (sold in the U.S. as Xcopri), posted annual U.S. sales of 630.3 billion won, up about 44% year over year. The company said the surge drove operating profit and generated about 27.0 billion won in annual royalty income. Monthly U.S. prescriptions for cenobamate reached 47,000 in December. Total fourth-quarter prescriptions rose 6.8% from the third quarter and 29.2% from a year earlier. SK Biopharmaceuticals’ fourth-quarter revenue increased 19.2% from a year earlier to 194.4 billion won, while operating profit fell 34% to 46.3 billion won. The company said prescriptions held up, but year-end seasonality and in-transit inventory kept results around the prior quarter’s level. SK Biopharmaceuticals said it is focusing on expanding prescriptions through its direct sales and marketing in the U.S. market. It also said it plans to use cash flow from cenobamate to broaden its research and development portfolio in central nervous system treatments, radiopharmaceutical therapeutics and targeted protein degradation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 11:09:00

30-man roster unveiled for next month's World Baseball Classic SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - A 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament, was unveiled by the Korea Baseball Organization on Friday. The tournament will be held from March 5 to 17, with games played in Houston, Miami, Puerto Rico and Tokyo. The roster includes two Major League Baseball players such as outfielder Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants and shortstop Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angles Dodgers. Also included are four MLB players of Korean descent - Jahmai Jones of the Detroit Tigers, Shay Whitcomb of the Houston Astros, Dane Dunning of the Atlanta Braves, and Riley O'Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals. South Korea, grouped with Australia, Chinese Taipei, the Czech Republic, and Japan, will have its opening game against the Czech Republic in Tokyo on March 5. The national team led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun must finish in the top two in the group-stage games to advance to the quarterfinals. 2026-02-06 10:50:35

HD Hyundai Marine Solution wins power plant maintenance deal in Ecuador SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - South Korea's HD Hyundai Marine Solution has signed a $56 million maintenance contract with Ecuador’s state power utility to support operations at thermal power plants amid the country’s ongoing energy shortages. Under the agreement, the company will supply engine and auxiliary equipment maintenance packages through early 2027 for eight thermal power plants operated by the utility, with combined generation capacity of about 400 megawatts. The contract is intended to help alleviate Ecuador’s power crisis. The country, heavily dependent on hydropower, has suffered prolonged drought conditions that have reduced generation capacity and led to electricity outages lasting up to 20 hours in some areas, the company said. HD Hyundai Marine Solution said it plans to provide technical support to help stabilize operations at thermal plants, which are being used to compensate for reduced hydropower output. A company official said the deal would serve as a starting point to strengthen strategic cooperation with Ecuador. "We plan to expand higher-margin aftermarket services, including for land-based power plants, to improve profitability," the official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-06 10:49:53

Hanwha Aerospace, KAI sign pact to develop aircraft engines, drones SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have agreed to cooperate on key future defense and aerospace projects, including development of aircraft engines and unmanned aircraft systems, the companies said on Friday. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 5 at Hanwha Building in central Seoul aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of South Korea’s defense industry. The signing ceremony was attended by Hanwha Aerospace Chief Executive Son Jae-il and KAI Chief Executive Cha Jae-byung. Under the agreement, the companies will pursue joint development and export opportunities in unmanned aircraft, collaborate on development and marketing of aircraft equipped with homegrown engines, and work together to expand into the global commercial space market. Hanwha Aerospace and KAI, both long-time participants in South Korea’s state-led aerospace programs, said their combined experience in airframe and engine development is expected to generate synergies, particularly in next-generation defense platforms. The companies plan to conduct joint research and development and technical cooperation, including work toward an advanced engine for a future aircraft expected to succeed South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 fighter jet. They will also establish a regular “Future Aerospace Strategy Committee” involving senior executives to coordinate mid- to long-term cooperation plans. Cha said the partnership would help expand exports of Korean defense products while supporting government efforts to promote balanced regional development. Son said the agreement aims to create “a new model for exports and shared growth” across the defense and aerospace ecosystem, adding that Hanwha Aerospace plans to gradually expand cooperation with KAI in future projects. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-06 10:26:28