T1 wins historic third consecutive LoL World Championship SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - South Korea's esports team T1 won this year's League of Legends (LoL) World Championship in Chengdu, China on Sunday, securing its third consecutive victory and sixth overall. By defeating its perennial rival KT Rolster 3-2, the team, led by iconic player and captain Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker, solidified its dominance in the sport. Faker, who first won the championship at age of 17 in 2013, continues to be a pivotal figure for the team. Sponsor SK Telecom's consistent support has been crucial to T1's continuous success, with the company backing the team since its inception. In 2019, SK Telecom began co-managing T1 with American media giant Comcast, leading to significant growth in sponsorships and merchandise sales. In July, T1 renewed Faker's contract for four more years. In July, T1 also secured a major three-year sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global, alongside partnerships and endorsements with Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull, Samsung Odyssey and Spotify. Capitalizing on its growing fanbase and popularity, T1 is actively expanding into new business ventures, recently hosting large-scale events and fan meets in Incheon and Busan. T1 is expected to achieve its first-ever operating profit this year, after a record revenue of 51 billion won last year, up 47 percent from the previous year, with projected growth of over 50 percent this year. SK Chairman Chey Tae-won praised the team, saying, "Their exceptional skill, teamwork, and perseverance have inspired fans worldwide, demonstrating their ability to overcome challenges." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 10:41:51

North Korean hackers spread malware through stolen smartphone accounts, report reveals SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - North Korean hackers have remotely inflicted smartphones and PCs with malware and bogus apps to steal sensitive data, according to a report released on Monday by Genians, a South Korean cybersecurity company. According to the report, one case involved a hacker who reset a South Korean psychologist's Android-based smartphone and used a stolen KakaoTalk account to spread malware disguised as a "stress relief program" to the victim's contacts in early September. Another similar attack targeted a North Korean human rights activist, affecting dozens of the activist's contacts on Sept. 15. The attackers tricked them into installing malicious software by posing as trusted acquaintances. They also infiltrated devices, used Google location services to track when victims were away from home or work, and then remotely reset the devices. "The use of various tactics to delete data and carry out other attacks appears unprecedented," the report said, highlighting North Korea's increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 10:05:46

South Korea's SK On hosts music festival for disabled in Hungary SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - South Korean battery maker SK On said Sunday it hosted a music festival for people with developmental disabilities at the Aranytiz Cultural Center in Budapest, Hungary, on Nov. 8. This event was co-organized by the Hungarian Association for Music for the Disabled and the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary. The association helped design the program, while the cultural center worked to engage local audiences through its networks and events. Three ensembles performed at the concert: Hungary’s Parapillék and Paraphonia, and Korea’s Vivace Ensemble. Parapillek, an orchestra founded in 2023 with support from SK Innovation and SK On, features musicians with developmental disabilities. Paraphonia, a group with a two-decade history, is recognized for its accomplished performances. The Vivace Ensemble closed the evening with a rendition of Arirang that drew prolonged applause, the company said. The event drew about 200 attendees, including representatives from SK On’s European operations, the Hungarian Ministry of Interior, the Hungarian Association for Music for the Disabled, and the Korean Embassy in Hungary, among others. “It was a meaningful event that united us through music beyond borders and languages,” said Kim Se-jin, head of SK On’s European production unit. “We will continue efforts to bring Korea and Hungary closer, extending our connection beyond economic ties.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-09 16:34:31

Proposal for 'dawn delivery' ban stokes controversy in South Korea SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - A heated controversy has erupted in South Korea over a proposal by some unionized delivery workers to ban "dawn delivery" services conducted between midnight and 5 a.m. The dawn delivery market has boomed, growing from 400 billion won in 2015 to 11.8 trillion won ($8.9 billion) last year, predominantly serving fresh foods and perishable goods. This rapid growth is driven not only by small business owners who rely on the service to receive ingredients for their daily operations, but also by working couples with little time to shop and households with young children, for whom the overnight convenience is essential. The debate on the dawn delivery pits concerns over workers' health and safety against the economic impact on delivery drivers, e-commerce platforms, and small businesses. The proposal was spurred by a recent spate of overwork-related deaths among night-shift delivery workers. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) argues that the convenience of early morning delivery comes at a deadly cost. "The convenience of dawn delivery is maintained at the cost of workers' sleep, health, and lives," the KCTU said, emphasizing the health risks of working against the natural circadian rhythm. They pointed out that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies night work as a potential cause of cancer for humans, demanding restrictions as a minimum measure to protect workers' lives. The proposal has met strong opposition from rival unions, e-commerce platforms, and the small business sector, who argue that the ban threatens economic stability. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) rejected a total ban, stating, "Realistically, there are workers who must work to earn a living, and there are also consumer segments for whom dawn delivery is essential." The union representing drivers for Coupang, the country's leading e-commerce platform, also criticized the move, noting that over 40 percent of their members are night-shift drivers and that attempts to curb their work threaten their job security. Many drivers online echoed this sentiment, stressing that dawn shifts are often a voluntary choice providing higher pay, less traffic congestion, or essential flexibility for those working a second job. The ban is also vehemently opposed by the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KFSB). They called it "a measure that threatens the survival of small business owners relying on online platforms for sales amid a sluggish domestic economy." "Banning dawn deliveries is an attempt to collapse the small business ecosystem," the KFSB concluded. 2025-11-09 16:06:49

Global game developers will converge on Busan this week for G-Star festival SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest gaming convention, G-Star 2025, is set to open on Nov. 13 at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, promising its most expansive lineup yet. This year’s event will host 1,273 companies from 44 countries, filling 3,269 booths under the theme “Expand Your Horizons.” Organizers say the annual showcase has evolved into a global cultural festival that reflects the expanding scope of the gaming industry — from blockbuster franchises to independent innovation. Among the most anticipated appearances is Blizzard Entertainment’s return after 12 years, featuring an Overwatch 2 experience zone and participation in the G-Star Cup e-sports tournament. Other global developers, including Sega, Atlus, Bandai Namco, and Warhorse Studios, will also take part, reaffirming G-Star’s status as Asia’s leading hub for the international gaming market. NCSoft, serving as the main sponsor for the first time, will anchor the exhibition with a sprawling 300-booth pavilion showcasing two new titles: the Aion 2 and the sci-fi shooter Cinder City. Both are seen as part of the company’s strategy to move beyond its long-running Lineage franchise. Netmarble will unveil four new games, including the Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, as part of a broader push to expand its platform diversity and reach global audiences. Krafton, meanwhile, plans to debut Palworld Mobile, based on its popular intellectual property. Beyond the game floor, G-Star 2025 will broaden its focus through G-CON, a conference exploring the intersection of gaming, storytelling, and technology. Featured speakers include film director Byun Sung-hyun and several AI researchers discussing narrative design and creative innovation. The Indie Showcase will highlight projects from 80 independent developers, offering a platform for experimental ideas and emerging voices shaping the future of gaming. Festivities will begin a day earlier, on Nov. 12, with the 2025 Korea Game Awards. Nominees include Legend of Ymir from Wemade and Mabinogi Mobile from Nexon. To accommodate the expected crowds, organizers will implement a 100 percent pre-booking system and designate a car-free zone near BEXCO to ensure safety. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-09 14:09:30

Chinese fishing boat capsizes in Yellow Sea; Two dead, three missing SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - A Chinese fishing vessel with 11 crew members aboard capsized in the international waters of the Yellow Sea early Sunday, leaving two crew members dead and three missing, according to the Korea Coast Guard. The 98-ton vessel overturned at 6:50 a.m. in international waters about 81 kilometers southwest of Gageodo Island in Sinan-gun, South Jeolla Province. A nearby Chinese fishing boat immediately initiated rescue efforts, saving six of the crew. The KCG arrived shortly after and rescued two additional crew members who were drifting in the sea. While the six initially rescued showed no major health issues, the two rescued by the KCG were found in cardiac arrest and later confirmed dead. The search continues for the three missing crew members. KCG divers inspected the capsized vessel but found no external signs of collision. The KCG said it is working in cooperation with the Chinese coast guard to continue the search and rescue operation in the accident area. 2025-11-09 13:43:22

Foreign visitors surge 17.6 percent as S. Korea approaches post-COVID record in arrivals SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - Nearly 6.5 million foreign visitors arrived in South Korea between January and September with the country on track to match last year’s post-pandemic record of 7.54 million, according to data from the Ministry of Justice's immigration office, Sunday. The figure represents a 17.6 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, when 5.52 million tourists entered the country. Monthly arrivals have consistently topped 500,000 this year, with each month from July through September surpassing 800,000. Tourism had plunged after the onset of the pandemic, dropping from a high of 7.15 million visitors in 2019 to just 939,000 in 2020 and a mere 115,000 in 2021. The recovery began in earnest last year, with 7.54 million visitors marking a full rebound from the COVID-19 downturn. The ministry also reported a growing number of entries through the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, or K-ETA, system. In September, 92,000 travelers entered the country using K-ETA, about 10,000 more than in August. Introduced in 2021, the system allows citizens from 112 countries to apply online for entry authorization before traveling. The largest groups of K-ETA users in September came from Thailand, with 24,000 visitors; Malaysia, with 22,000; Russia, with 9,000; and Kazakhstan, with 4,000. Since its launch, nearly 6 million travelers have used the system, the ministry said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-09 09:50:06

K-pop nears "golden moment" by scoring big on Grammy nominations SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) -K-pop is approaching a “golden moment” on the global stage as a wave of Korean female artists secured nominations in top categories for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. “APT.,” BLACKPINK member Rose’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, and “Golden,” an original soundtrack piece from Netflix’s blockbuster anime KPop Demon Hunters, were both shortlisted for major honors including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The Recording Academy announced the 2026 nominees across 95 categories on Thursday ahead of the Feb. 1 ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Rose earned multiple nods, with “APT.” shortlisted for Song of the Year and Record of the Year — two of the Grammys’ prestigious “Big Six” general field categories — in addition to Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Golden" from "Kpop Demon Hunters" was nominated for the Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Remixed Recording. The film was also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. International girl group Katseye under Hybe, the label behind K-pop superband BTS -- was nominated for the Best New Artist and the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. It marks the first Grammy nominations for K-pop act since BTS received a nomination with "My Universe," a collaboration single with global pop icon Coldplay, in 2023. If any of them take home a Golden Gramophone in February, it would be the first for a Korean artist. Rose's "APT”, a track from her first full-length album, "rosie” dominated major music charts in South Korea and abroad after its release for its addictive hook rhythm and playful twist on Korean’s drinking game. In September, Rose won Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States for "APT." "Golden" is performed by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as the singing voices behind fictional girl group Huntr/x. It achieved a milestone for K-pop, topping both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. Additionally, 2025 Tony-awarded Korean musical and Broadway hit "Maybe Happy Ending" was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album. Final-round voting to select the winners will run from Dec. 12 through Jan. 5. 2025-11-08 11:40:28

Regional dialogue in Seoul seeks stronger security cooperation SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - A two-day regional dialogue aimed at strengthening security governance and exploring long-term policy cooperation in East Asia was held in central Seoul from Thursday, bringing together experts and scholars from across the region. Co-hosted by the Seoul-based International Policy Studies Institute (IPSI) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the dialogue brought together security scholars, policy experts, and researchers from Taiwan, Japan, China, and Singapore to discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation. DCAF, founded in 2000 in Geneva, works to help countries develop security and justice systems that are both effective and accountable. The organization supports security sector reform, or SSR, projects around the world and took part in the Seoul dialogue to foster regional partnerships and share expertise with East Asian counterparts. Discussions centered on strengthening regional cooperation in East Asia to address evolving security challenges, including climate change, maritime disputes, and other nontraditional threats. Participants underscored the importance of joint action and more robust information-sharing to reinforce stability and resilience across the region. The first day focused on Korea's military education system and looked at how Japan and Taiwan have reformed their officer training programs. A follow-up discussion at the Korea Military Academy examined ways to strengthen transparency and accountability in military leadership across the region. On Friday, participants turned to practical steps for closer cooperation, such as launching joint research, organizing policy workshops, and expanding exchange programs to build a more stable and sustainable framework for security governance in East Asia. Several international experts also joined the discussions online. "We hope to build lasting connections among partners in East Asia and provide a platform where they can exchange ideas, learn from each other, and promote good governance in the security sector," said Dr. Albrecht Schnabel, Head of the Asia-Pacific Unit at DCAF, highlighting the organization's commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative regional network. 2025-11-07 23:59:25

KOSPI sinks below 4,000 as U.S. tech selloff deepens; KRW nears 1,460 per USD SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Asian stocks tumbled on Friday as a sharp overnight correction in U.S. technology shares reignited concerns about a potential “AI bubble,” sending investors toward safe-haven assets and pushing the Korean won to its weakest level in months. The won briefly touched 1,458.0 per U.S. dollar during intraday trading, pressured by simultaneous foreign selling, lingering uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff negotiations, and a broad pullback from risk assets after the renewed tech rout on Wall Street. The dollar eased slightly to 1,457.35 won as of 4:40 p.m., up 9.65 won from the previous session, whereas it lost 0.24 yen to 153.50 yen. The Nasdaq slump was led by Tesla and Nvidia, both key customers for South Korean suppliers. Additional pressure came from renewed scrutiny of OpenAI’s financial structure, which revived questions about overheated AI valuations, while U.S. labor concerns resurfaced after data indicated 150,000 layoffs in October, clouding the broader economic outlook. Sentiment further weakened on reports that at least six of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism over the legality of the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, dimming prospects for timely policy clarity and complicating expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI fell 1.81 percent to 3,953.76, slipping below the 4,000 threshold for the first time in weeks. Foreign investors sold a net 433.3 billion won ($297 million), and institutions offloaded 220 billion won, while retail investors stepped in to buy 651.3 billion won on bargain hunting. Semiconductor bellwethers retreated in tandem, with Samsung Electronics down 1.31 percent to 97,900 won and SK hynix sliding 2.19 percent to 580,000 won. EV-linked stocks tracked Tesla’s decline, with Samsung SDI tumbling 4.97 percent to 306,000 won and LG Energy Solution dropping 1.38 percent to 463,500 won. Some stocks managed to resist the broader weakness. Kakao rose 3.46 percent to 62,800 won after reporting record-high third-quarter earnings driven by advertising, platform services and music-related content revenue. Innotech, a manufacturer of reliability and environmental test equipment and a key supplier to Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics, delivered a standout KOSDAQ debut. The stock surged 300 percent from its offering price of 14,700 won to close at 58,800 won, one of the session’s few bright spots. Across the region, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.21 percent to 50,270 as technology and AI-related names weighed heavily, with semiconductor test equipment maker Advantest down 5.54 percent to 19,960 yen ($130) and SoftBank Group tumbling 6.87 percent to 1,600 yen. China’s Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.25 percent to 3,997 after export and import data disappointed, reinforcing concerns over sluggish domestic demand. Taiwan’s TAIEX fell 0.89 percent to 27,651.41, pressured by global tech weakness, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down 1.02 percent at 26,214 as of 4:15 p.m., with Xiaomi sliding 3 percent to HK$42.1 ($5.4) amid a broad selloff in Chinese technology stocks. 2025-11-07 16:47:58