Short track: Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win first career world championship doubles Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) and Lim Jong-eon (Goyang City Hall) each captured their first career two-gold haul at the 2026 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Championships. Kim won the women’s 1,500 meters final on March 16 (Korean time) at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, finishing in 2:31.003. She beat Sandra Velzeboer of the Netherlands (2:31.298) and Corinne Stoddard of the United States (2:31.386). After taking gold in the 1,000 meters a day earlier, Kim completed a double. The reigning champion in the 1,500, she also repeated in the event for her first world championships two-title performance. Lim led the men’s side, winning the 1,000 meters final in 1:25.805 ahead of Jens van ’t Wout of the Netherlands (1:26.315) and Niall Treacy of Britain (1:26.660). Lim, who also won the 1,500 meters final a day earlier, added the 1,000 to secure his first world championships double. Both skaters also raced in relays but missed the podium. In the mixed relay final, Kim, skating second, collided and fell after contact stemming from a foul by a Dutch skater, and South Korea finished fourth. In the men’s 5,000 relay final, Lim teamed with Lee Jeong-min (Seongnam City Hall), Hwang Dae-heon (Gangwon Provincial Office) and Shin Dong-min (Hwaseong City Hall). South Korea crossed the line first but was disqualified and did not medal. After video review, officials ruled that Lee moved sharply from the outside to the inside before the finish and impeded a Canadian skater, and assessed a penalty to South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 17:12:00

GULF CRISIS: Trump's call to jointly police Hormuz puts allies in a dilemma SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - The United States has initiated the war against Iran, but the fallout from Tehran’s weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz — a maritime route vital to Asia-Pacific economies that together account for roughly 70 percent of global output — is now being shifted onto those countries, according to the logic advanced by President Donald Trump. Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called on South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and China — along with other countries dependent on the strait’s oil flows — to dispatch warships to help restore shipping traffic through the narrow waterway. The appeal came after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, triggering what analysts describe as one of the largest disruptions to global oil supplies in modern history. The request underscores both the strategic importance of the strait and the growing costs facing Washington as the war with Tehran stretches into its third week, with potentially severe consequences for the global and U.S. economies. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making its closure a major shock to energy markets and international trade. For Trump, the logic behind the request appears straightforward: the countries he named include some of the world’s largest naval powers and major beneficiaries of open sea lanes. “The countries named are the leading naval powers after the United States and among the major beneficiaries of open sea lanes,” said Harvey M. Sapolsky of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Expecting the United States to be the sole protector of the international economy is unrealistic.” Some analysts say Trump’s reasoning is consistent with his business-minded approach to geopolitical and diplomatic issues, emphasizing burden-sharing and clear responsibilities. The countries Trump singled out fall into two broad categories. Britain and France are longstanding NATO allies with significant naval capabilities, while South Korea and Japan host major U.S. military bases and depend heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports. “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday. In the interview, Trump also suggested that China should send warships to help secure the Gulf and warned that he could postpone a summit scheduled for early April in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping if China did not comply. According to See Seng Tan of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Washington may be acknowledging that the war will require broader international support. “The United States seems to have come to the realization that its conflict with Iran will require more assistance and resources than Washington anticipated,” Tan said. “These countries are all major users of the Strait of Hormuz, so keeping it open serves their interests as well.” Others interpret Trump’s move as a geopolitical test. Alan Chong Chia Siong, also of Nanyang Technological University, said the U.S. president may be probing what he sees as a group of “new strategic friends” outside traditional alliance structures. By inviting them to participate in a multinational naval patrol, Chong said, Washington could demonstrate that global coordination can function without relying on the United Nations — a possible explanation for Trump’s warning that “we will remember” which countries respond. Still, many analysts remain skeptical of the coalition idea, noting that it could draw third countries directly into the conflict and potentially widen the war. The Strait of Hormuz is now effectively an active war zone, where Iranian forces have threatened attacks on vessels linked to the United States or Israel. Deploying naval escorts could significantly increase the risk of confrontation. “Operating in these waters is extremely risky at present,” said Yang Zi of Nanyang Technological University. Any country sending warships, he said, must assume a high probability of clashes with Iranian forces. China in particular is unlikely to participate militarily, Yang added, since Beijing rarely follows Washington’s lead and may prefer negotiating directly with Tehran to secure its energy supplies. Legal experts also point to significant international law questions. Mara Revkin of Duke University School of Law noted that economic interests alone do not justify the use of military force under the UN Charter. Article 2(4) of the charter prohibits the use of force against other states except in cases of self-defense or when authorized by the UN Security Council. While escorting commercial ships through international waters is generally lawful, Revkin said the situation becomes far more complicated in an active war zone. “Any naval deployment by a third-party state — even if intended to protect commercial shipping — could risk being perceived by Iran as entering the conflict,” she said. Beyond the immediate question of naval escorts lies a broader uncertainty: how the war itself will unfold. Many analysts believe the conflict could become prolonged. Iran, they argue, is likely to continue exerting pressure on the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in future negotiations. Barry R. Posen of MIT predicts that the war could ultimately end with both sides claiming victory, even if Iran’s military infrastructure suffers heavy damage. Washington may also have underestimated Iran’s resilience, said Paul Michael Hedges of Nanyang Technological University, noting that Tehran has remained defiant even after the killing of its longtime leader. If maritime disruptions continue, the United States could face mounting pressure to deploy ground forces to secure key areas around the Persian Gulf — an escalation that risks turning the conflict into a prolonged and politically costly war. 2026-03-16 17:05:29

Korea's default risk premiums rise faster than others, yet below 5-year average SEOUL, Mar. 16 (AJP) - South Korea’s sovereign risk indicators are rapidly rising in line with the volatility in capital markets and exposure to oil supply disruptions, potentially further undermining foreign investor confidence in Korean securities. South Korea’s five-year credit default swap (CDS) premium surged 23.83 percent in the past month, exceeding the gain of around 10 percent in China’s CDS and Japan’s remaining largely flat at around 1 percent, even when all three depend heavily on Middle East fuels through the crippled Strait of Hormuz. Last Thursday, the price of South Korea’s CDS rose 4.52 percent to 27.9 basis points, the sharpest single-day increase among major nations, when oil prices hit $100 barrel amid jitters over the prolongment in the war in Iran. Korea's risk premium has risen steeper than emerging markets like Turkey fighting inflation above 30 percent. Among advanced economies, only Italy (30.68 percent) saw a steeper rise in swap rates. Italy’s spike was driven by its massive national debt—approaching 150 percent of GDP—and a widening spread against the German bund, the European benchmark. South Korea’s total household debt reached 2,370 trillion won ($1.62 trillion) at the end of 2025, with a debt-to-income ratio of 174.7 percent. Italy’s trigger was its sovereign debt, which reached 3.13 trillion euros ($3.41 trillion) as of October 2025, or approximately 140 percent of its GDP. Market analysts point to South Korea’s structural weaknesses. A heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil, combined with high leverage, makes the economy hypersensitive to geopolitical "black swan" events. Despite the pace of rise, it is still premature to be alarmed by the CDS level itself, authorities said. "With the CDS premium still below 30 basis points, it is difficult to say it has moved outside the normal range," one Bank of Korea (BOK) official said, noting that the five-year CDS remains stable compared to the 2008 financial crisis or the 2022 shock following the invasion of Ukraine. Still, the rapid rise in CDS could destabilize the bond market. "Rising CDS premiums can increase volatility as they lead to expanded trading in government bond futures," said Kim Yong-gu, head of the Investment Strategy Team at Yuanta Securities Korea. "We are already seeing increased trading volume in three-year bonds by foreigners, and if CDS continues to rise, that volatility could spread to 10-year bonds," he said. A critical theme in common is the heavy dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is a strategically crucial choke point and is being impacted by the war. More than 60 percent of South Korea’s oil imports pass through the strait, while Italy relies on it for up to 40 percent of its supply. In a report explaining the KOSPI’s crash on March 5, the PRS Group highlighted South Korea’s 98 percent energy dependence and its 70 percent reliance on Middle Eastern crude. Any disruption in energy supply inevitably causes South Korea’s "risk premium" to skyrocket. Experts warn that unlike Italy, South Korea faces greater risks because it does not use a reserve currency. "Italy operates within the framework of the euro, a reserve currency, and is already included in the WGBI (World Government Bond Index)," one financial official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "For South Korea, where there are talks of the won depreciating to 1,500, the situation could deteriorate much further." As of Monday, the won traded at 1,496.9 per dollar, standing on the precipice of the psychological 1,500 barrier. While the three-year bond yield edged down 3.3 basis points, the 10-year yield rose 0.8 basis points to 3.709 percent, heightening fears of long-term stagnation. 2026-03-16 17:04:58

BTS Live D-5: Gwanghwamun begins dressing up as a giant open-air stage SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) -Seoul is redecorating Gwanghwamun Square to transform the historic plaza into a vast open-air stage for global K-pop group BTS, whose comeback performance will be livestreamed worldwide on Saturday. Stage installations are taking shape across the square, while large banners announcing BTS’s return line nearby streets and buildings. Foreign tourists stopped to take photos in front of the displays, adding to the growing buzz ahead of the concert. Phased traffic controls will be introduced around Gwanghwamun Square from 9 p.m. on March 20, the night before the event, until 6 a.m. on March 22 for concert preparations and safety management. The BTS comeback performance is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 21 and will be livestreamed globally via Netflix. 2026-03-16 16:41:15

New Books: “Tips from the Top” Collects Advice From 70 Leading Architects Tips from the Top=By Ken Yang and others, translated by Jeong Ji-hyeon, Dplot. A new book gathers advice from 70 internationally known architects — figures the industry might liken to master chefs — organized into seven themes: getting started, inspiration, values, focus, process, self-development and decision-making. The project began when Raghdah Alhayal, an architect in her 20s in the United Arab Emirates, asked senior architects for guidance on success. What started as personal outreach expanded into a broader “Tips from the Top” project. While the book features guidance from architects at the top of their field, it also underscores that strong ideas do not flow only from the top down: The collection itself grew from a younger architect’s questions, a bottom-up start that suggests major ideas can come from below. The advice is paired with the pleasure of recalling landmark works by the contributors. William Pedersen, who participated in designing Lotte World Tower, recommends “comparative design,” urging architects to present multiple options rather than a single answer to a given set of requirements. Mario Botta, who designed Leeum Museum of Art’s Museum 1 (M1), Gangnam Kyobo Tower and Phoenix Island Agora in Jeju, offers a blunt message: “Work, work, and keep working.” Arthur Gensler, who designed Nvidia’s headquarters, advises leaders to “give people greater authority as they make wiser decisions.” Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle, who led a MoMA project, say: “Be true to your identity.” Other lines read like life guidance: “Not missing the basics is the basic” (Dong Gong); “Flip it, flip it, and flip it again” (Yu Kongjian); and “Grow first as a human being” (Li Hu). Some counsel speaks to endurance in a fast-changing era, including “Make architecture that will stand the test of time” (Gordon Gill) and “Be a flame that burns slowly and for a long time” (Sharon Johnston & Marklee). The book does not demand that readers follow every tip. It suggests taking any sentence that resonates and reshaping it to fit one’s own life — a process that can be a lesson in itself. "Architecture is like a long-term romance. If I dare to offer a formula: two spoonfuls of optimism, one spoonful of obsession, plus a bit of denial and an almost constant admiration for absurdity. Luck clearly plays a role, too. But architecture’s true power comes from a commitment to keep exploring an infinite realm that is still unknown — or even beyond what can be conceived." (p. 152, Thom Mayne) Korea Financial Crisis=By Hong Jong-hak, Econ. The author, an economist and policy expert, served as the first minister of SMEs and Startups in 2017. He introduced the concept of predatory lending in South Korea and helped spur entrepreneurship by abolishing the practice of joint guarantees that had blocked second chances. In the book, he argues that “a financial crisis is not something that arrives suddenly, but the result of accumulated choices.” He outlines the historical backdrop of repeated crises and the structure of the Korean economy, assesses where the economy now stands, and examines possible policy and social choices to avoid a crisis. He identifies household debt as the weakest link and describes the recent rise in delinquency rates and default risks in vulnerable sectors as a “gray rhino” — a danger he says has been chosen and neglected by policymakers. "Above all, what matters is our society’s sense of community. True crisis recovery begins with letting go of the selfish belief that only my home price must not fall. Today’s high home prices are a house of cards built on debt that future generations will have to carry. What use are expensive apartments in a country where young people cannot dream and the sound of babies crying disappears?" (p. 385) The King’s Road=By Baek Seung-gi. Baek, a South Korean architect and urban engineer, writes what he calls a vivid, walking-centered exploration of history, based on his own on-the-ground visits to sites where the Joseon Dynasty’s triumphs and failures intersect. The routes he documents — King Taejong’s “road of founding,” King Sejong’s “road of preservation,” and the “road of humiliation” experienced by King Injo and King Gojong — are presented as connected to realities people face today. He asks whether readers will remain “consumers” who settle on smooth roads built by others, or become “pioneers” who take the controls and design their own path. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 16:39:21

South Korea hit hard by rising costs as Middle East conflict drags on, think tank warns SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - A prolonged conflict between the U.S. and Iran could drive up energy and logistics costs for South Korea, with a 10-percent rise in global oil prices projected to push domestic manufacturing production costs up by an average of 0.71 percent, a report released by a state-run think tank on Monday suggests. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) warned that ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, have already pushed oil prices higher, and further escalation there could intensify supply disruptions and inflationary pressures on South Korea's energy‑intensive industries. Oil prices have jumped sharply since U.S.‑led airstrikes on Iran late last month, as the conflict has escalated into a broader regional war with the U.S. vowing further strikes and Iran responding with retaliatory attacks. Dubai crude oil has risen more than 40 percent, to about US$103 a barrel from around $72 before the fresh conflict began in the already volatile region. With Middle Eastern crude accounting for about 70 percent of South Korea's oil imports, and most shipments passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, cost pressures on the country are intensifying further. Exporters also face uncertainty. South Korea's shipments to the Middle East have grown steadily since 2020, though the region accounts for just about three percent of total exports. Even so, the institute warned that shipping disruptions could hit exporters directly or indirectly through higher freight costs, delivery delays, and broader supply chain disruptions. The institute called for steps to stabilize energy supply chains through various measures including diversifying import sources and tapping strategic oil reserves, given South Korea's heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude and liquefied petroleum gas. "If the rise in global oil prices is prolonged, higher manufacturing costs and mounting price pressures could fuel inflation and raise the possibility of stagflation," said Hong Seong‑uk, the KIET's head. 2026-03-16 16:35:13

KB Kookmin Bank Rebrands Family Office Service, Targets 2 Trillion Won in Assets KB Kookmin Bank said on the 16th it has rebranded its “KB Wise Family Office” service as “KB The First Family Office” to strengthen comprehensive, long-term wealth management for client families. To support the expanded offering, the bank created a dedicated family office unit, the “Solution Team (F/O Solution Team),” bringing together specialists in investment strategy, tax, law, accounting and real estate. The bank said it will provide on-site, end-to-end services including restructuring family asset portfolios, corporate and governance consulting, tax strategies for business succession, inheritance and gifts, and advice on domestic and overseas investments, including alternative assets. It also plans to broaden nonfinancial services by holding regular family-focused seminars and running a “successor development education program” for next-generation leaders. The bank said the program will cover core principles of wealth management, business management, key knowledge in finance, real estate and taxation, and support for building professional networks. KB Kookmin Bank said it aims to increase family office assets under management to 2 trillion won within the year, from about 1.1 trillion won as of the end of January. A bank official said the bank will offer “comprehensive solutions” spanning asset management and succession, adding that it aims to establish itself as a leading family office by strengthening customer-focused innovation and expertise built on long-term trust. 2026-03-16 16:30:00

GULF CRISIS: Trump's coalition push puts Korea's Cheonghae Unit in spotlight SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for other countries to help escort commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has drawn cautious and broadly noncommittal responses from allies, with South Korea’s Cheonghae Unit emerging as the most likely naval asset should Seoul decide to participate. South Korea and other countries asked by Washington to help protect merchant vessels from Iranian attacks in the strategic waterway are quietly weighing the request, while officials in Seoul stress that no formal decision has been made. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly 20 percent of global crude oil shipments. At its narrowest point, the channel is about 39 kilometers wide. As the conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, Iran has begun laying naval mines in the waterway after U.S. strikes degraded much of its conventional military capability, effectively halting civilian shipping. Trump has argued that countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy should take responsibility for securing the route. “We have already destroyed 100 percent of Iran’s military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close-range missile somewhere along this waterway,” Trump said, emphasizing the need for naval escort operations. He claimed the United States itself does not rely heavily on the route for energy supplies and urged countries that do to help protect it, with his tone shifting within a day from “hopefully” urging allies to participate to saying “I’m demanding” that they join and adding “we will remember” if they do. Governments identified as potential members of an escort coalition are weighing their responses as pressure from Washington grows more direct. For South Korea, the naval unit most suited to such a role is the Cheonghae Unit, an anti-piracy force deployed in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia. Formed in March 2009, the unit is the South Korean Navy’s first permanently deployed overseas combat unit. Its name comes from Cheonghae-jin, the maritime base established by the Unified Silla naval commander Jang Bogo. Under United Nations Security Council resolutions addressing piracy, the unit’s mission has been to escort Korean and foreign vessels in waters off Somalia and protect Korean nationals in the region. Since its establishment, the Cheonghae Unit has maintained a continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden on a rotational basis. Each deployment typically includes a 4,400-ton destroyer, a maritime operations helicopter and a 30-member UDT/SEAL boarding team, with roughly 300 personnel in total. The destroyer is equipped with anti-ship missiles, a 127-millimeter main gun, surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes and a close-in weapon system. Through operations such as the rescue of hijacked vessels in the “Dawn of the Gulf of Aden” mission and the escort of hundreds of merchant ships, the unit has become a symbol of the Korean Navy’s blue-water operations. The Cheonghae Unit operates under the direct control of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, allowing the navy to maintain a permanent operational presence in distant waters. Its deployment is based on an overseas troop dispatch mandate that requires annual approval from the National Assembly. The mandate designates the Gulf of Aden off Somalia as the primary area of operations and defines the mission as counter-piracy, escort duties and protection of Korean nationals. However, it also includes a clause allowing operations in “other waters designated for the protection of our nationals in emergency situations.” In 2020, when tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after Washington killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, the South Korean government used this clause to expand the Cheonghae Unit’s operational area to waters near the Strait of Hormuz without separate parliamentary approval. At the time, Seoul avoided formally joining the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct and instead carried out an independent mission focused on protecting Korean vessels. Defense experts say any redeployment to Hormuz now would likely require renewed review by the National Assembly because the situation has evolved into an active armed conflict. Six years ago the unit operated largely on its own in a limited mission. Any new deployment would take place during an ongoing war and potentially as part of a multinational naval operation. Military analysts also note that the operational environment in the Strait of Hormuz differs significantly from the anti-piracy missions the Cheonghae Unit typically performs. “The biggest threats to tankers in the Strait of Hormuz are Iran’s land-based anti-ship missiles and drones,” said Jeong Kyung-woon, a research fellow at the Korea Association of Military Studies. “If those land-based threats are not neutralized, the risks will remain even if naval forces escort tankers,” he said. Iran’s remaining naval capabilities include small attack craft and mine-laying operations, while missiles and drones launched from coastal areas and nearby islands pose additional threats. International reaction to Trump’s proposal so far has been negative. China’s state-run Global Times criticized the idea, saying it resembled “someone who set the fire now asking the whole world to help put it out.” Japan has also signaled caution. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that Tokyo is considering possible responses within the limits of domestic law. Its defense minister said the government wasn't considering the option of sending its self defense forces to the Middle East. Australia's transport minister also made a similar remark. The South Korean Navy maintained a reserved stance. “The U.S. president has made certain remarks, but those need to be translated into concrete requests before we can offer any real opinion,” a Navy official in Seoul said. “We need to see exactly what is being asked before discussing whether it is feasible.” 2026-03-16 16:21:39

BTS Live D-5 : Seoul turns into citywide festival as BTS makes comeback SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - Seoul is poised to burst into light and sound this weekend as a quarter million fans descend on the Korean capital for a comeback performance by the mega-group BTS. The concert in Gwanghwamun Square will be the first in four years, following the completion of mandatory military service by the group members. The performance will follow the release Friday of ARIRANG, BTS’ fifth studio album. All 22,000 concert seats sold out rapidly, underscoring global demand for the return of the world’s most influential K-pop act. Seoul is making the best of the global attention, with a city-wide “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL” campaign running from Friday thru April 19, and featuring fan events, cultural programs, and public installations across major landmarks throughout the capital. The city’s project effectively expands the concert from the stage to all of Seoul itself, turning it into spaces where visitors can encounter the music and themes of the new album. Foreign fans have already begun arriving in the Myeongdong and Hongdae areas of the city ahead of the concert week, filling K-pop merchandise stores and popular fan gathering spots. Landmarks lighting up across Seoul Many of Seoul’s most recognizable landmarks will be lit up in celebration of the BTS comeback. Displays will appear Friday and Saturday at 15 locations across the city, including the Sebitseom floating islands on the Han River. A 500-meter stretch of the walkway along the downtown Cheonggyecheon stream between the Ogansugyo and Beodeuldari bridges will turn into an “Arirang Light Walk” nighttime promenade featuring lighting installations and visual elements inspired by BTS and the new album. With the installation running from April 6 through April 19, visitors will be able to experience themed displays as they take a springtime stroll along one of Seoul’s most popular urban public spaces. Meanwhile, the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, one of the capital’s best-known riverside light shows, will stage special performances set to BTS music Saturday and Sunday, pairing the group’s songs with the nighttime skyline of the Han River. Across the city, ten large media facade screens will display welcome messages for visiting fans, while banners will line Sejong-daero, the main boulevard leading to Gwanghwamun Square. To assist international visitors, multilingual welcome messages will also appear at major tourist sites and traditional markets. Fan events and interactive experiences The citywide project also introduces several fan participation programs. At Yeouido Hangang Park, a riverside park along the Han River, there will be a temporary venue titled the “Love Song Lounge” Friday and Saturday. The space will host listening sessions, busking performances and fan activities linked to the album’s campaign theme, “What Is Your Love Song?” Fans can also take part in a stamp rally connecting multiple BTS-themed locations across Seoul. Meanwhile, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the landmark cultural complex designed by architect Zaha Hadid, will host additional programs including a music light show and live performances from April 6 to April 12. Events along the Han River Celebrations will extend beyond central Seoul to the Han River and surrounding districts. The 2026 Seoul Spring Festival will run from April 10 to May 5, while the opening performance of the Han River Drone Light Show is scheduled for April 10. Visitors can also explore the river with a one-day unlimited Hangang bus pass offered on Friday and Saturday, providing views of landmarks such as Sebitseom and N Seoul Tower from the water. Traditional and contemporary performances will also take place at river terminals in Mangwon, Yeouido and Apgujeong under the program “Arirang on Seoul Stage.” 2026-03-16 16:08:19

Samsung Bioepis Invests 20 Billion Won in G2GBio to Develop Obesity Drug; Celltrion Leads Japan Shares Samsung Bioepis enters obesity drug development, invests 20 billion won in G2GBio Samsung Bioepis has moved into obesity drug development with a 20 billion won investment in G2GBio. Samsung Bioepis and EpisNex Lab, both subsidiaries of Samsung Epis Holdings, said they signed a joint research and licensing agreement with G2GBio on March 16 to develop obesity treatments. The deal aims to develop long-acting obesity drugs and secure platform technology using G2GBio’s microsphere-based drug-delivery technology. Samsung Bioepis will receive exclusive development rights to two candidates, including a long-acting semaglutide-based obesity treatment, and will pay an upfront fee and development-stage milestones. EpisNex Lab will conduct joint research with G2GBio to build a long-acting drug-delivery platform. The companies also agreed on a right of first negotiation to develop three additional new drug candidates. Financial terms were not disclosed. Samsung Epis Holdings also said it will invest in 20 billion won worth of convertible bonds issued by G2GBio, establishing cooperation that includes both technology collaboration and financial investment. Celltrion keeps No. 1 market share in Japan for cancer drugs including Vegzelma Celltrion said its oncology products are leading the market in Japan, a key pharmaceutical market in Asia, backed by strong prescribing results. IQVIA data show that as of December last year, Vegzelma (bevacizumab), used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer, held a 58% share in Japan. Celltrion attributed the momentum to earlier performance by Herzuma (trastuzumab), a breast and gastric cancer treatment. As of the same period, Herzuma held a 76% share in Japan. Herzuma was first launched in Japan in 2019, and prescriptions have steadily increased since it won approval in August that year for a three-week dosing regimen that extended the dosing interval. Celltrion’s autoimmune disease treatments have also gained ground in Japan. Remsima (infliximab) and Yuflyma (adalimumab) posted shares of 43% and 17%, respectively, the highest prescription volumes among biosimilars, the company said. Celltrion said it expects the performance in Japan to continue. After launching Stekima (ustekinumab) in August last year, it plans to add another autoimmune treatment, Aptozma (tocilizumab), in Japan in the second quarter of this year. Hanmi Science launches balanced nutrition drink for growing children Hanmi Science, the holding company of Hanmi Group, said March 16 it has launched a children’s balanced nutrition drink, TenTen Kids Nutrition, along with its in-house character, Tendungi. The product is designed to balance the three major nutrients needed for children’s growth — carbohydrates, protein and fat — and contains 19 vitamins and minerals, the company said. It also includes EPA and DHA, described as brain components, at about 10% of the daily recommended intake to make daily nutrition easier to consume in a busy routine. Hanmi Science said the drink is formulated with 2 grams of sugar and includes 7 grams of complete protein, making it suitable as a snack or supplement. It uses cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor aimed at improving children’s acceptance for daily use. The company said TenTen Kids Nutrition contains 10 billion postbiotic cells and has received a quality certification for children’s preferred foods. Hanmi Science said it manages everything from ingredient selection to manufacturing under strict quality standards. Dongkook Pharmaceutical wraps dkma symposium, shares total aesthetic solutions Dongkook Pharmaceutical said it held its dkma symposium on March 14 at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul. The symposium was organized to share procedure strategies and combination-treatment know-how that can be used in clinical settings, based on key products from the company’s medical aesthetics brand, it said. In the first session, Lee Yong-haeng, director of Wellga Clinic, served as chair. Ahn Seong-hwan, director of Gangnam Yonsei Line Clinic, presented a strategy using the DCA fat-dissolving injection Millifit to improve submental fat for a smoother facial contour. Kim Geon-woo, director of Cellinic Clinic, shared clinical experience with Madecaiel, discussing synergy between EBD procedures and a skin booster containing Centella asiatica extract and chitosan. In the second session, Yoo Jae-uk, director of Baromi Clinic, served as chair. Lee Dong-jin, director of BLS Clinic, discussed improving facial harmony using HA fillers and botulinum toxin, explaining contour correction through combined procedures using Bellast and Bienox. Jo Chang-hwan, director of Dongan Center Clinic, presented clinical cases of the new product Inhillo under the theme “new possibilities for HA skin boosters.” A Dongkook Pharmaceutical MA marketing official said the company plans to continue strengthening the dkma brand’s expertise and competitiveness through academic exchanges with medical professionals. “Hope it helps children’s treatment” — QWER donates 30 million won to Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital Asan Medical Center said March 16 that QWER donated 30 million won to support pediatric patients. The donation came from proceeds of a flea market the group organized with fans last month. The effort began after QWER was contacted by a child fan hospitalized at the center’s Children’s Hospital, the hospital said. After learning the child’s story, QWER visited the hospital to offer encouragement and spent time with pediatric cancer patients during an art activity. QWER said, “We are grateful that the flea market proceeds prepared with fans can help, even in a small way, with children’s treatment,” adding, “We sincerely hope the children overcome their illness and achieve the dreams they want.” The hospital said it plans to use the funds to improve clinical facilities and the medical environment for pediatric and adolescent patients, and to support home medical care for critically ill children and psychological healing programs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 15:57:00