BTS Live D-1: Gwanghwamun already bustling with crowds and excitement SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) -Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul has gone all purple to match BTS signature color from signboards to ice cream as it receives a swarm of guests for the blowout street-stage BTS comeback show that is expected to draw nearly 300,000 crowds and livestreamed for global audience. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, an estimated 46,000 to 48,000 people had gathered around Gwanghwamun and Deoksugung as of 2 p.m., marking a 26.7 percent increase from the four-week average for the same time slot. The swelling crowd brought a mix of reactions: some voiced discomfort over barricades and heavy police presence, while others embraced the charged atmosphere, capturing the moment as anticipation built toward the evening’s spectacle. 2026-03-20 17:40:57

Last tanker to clear Hormuz before closure arrives in Korea SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - A crude oil tanker that narrowly passed through the Strait of Hormuz before Iran’s closure has arrived in South Korea on Friday, raising concerns over potential supply disruptions. The government and the refining industry are bracing for a worsening supply situation, viewing the vessel as the last shipment to clear the strait before the blockade took effect. According to industry sources, the tanker Eagle Vellore arrived at the Port of Daesan in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday. The Malaysia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) departed from Iraq’s southern port of Al-Basra in late February, carrying crude oil for HD Hyundai Oilbank, and managed to escape the Strait of Hormuz just before Iran imposed its blockade. The vessel left Al-Basra on Feb. 26 and was transiting the strait two days later, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran took place. Despite warnings from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that passage through the strait would not be allowed, the crew accelerated to full speed and managed to exit the waterway shortly before it was effectively sealed off. With the strait now closed, the Eagle Vellore is believed to be the last crude carrier to have passed through the route. The tanker is carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, roughly equivalent to South Korea’s daily oil consumption. The shipment, contracted by HD Hyundai Oilbank, will be unloaded and stored in tanks before being refined at the Daesan petrochemical complex. With around 70 percent of South Korea’s crude imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz, prolonged disruption is expected to significantly affect supply. Domestic refiners are already facing a near halt in tanker arrivals from April, leaving them little choice but to rely on existing inventories for the time being. The government has secured 24 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, but it is expected to take considerable time before the shipments arrive in Korea. In response, Seoul is also exploring the possibility of resuming imports of Russian crude oil for the first time in nearly four years since April 2022. The government is additionally weighing the release of 22.46 million barrels of strategic reserves in coordination with the International Energy Agency, though it remains cautious about taking that step. 2026-03-20 17:18:09

KOSDAQ shines alone; Nikkei suffers "Black Friday" on Gulf crisis, hawkish BOJ SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) — Asian equity markets showed mixed results with limited volatility on Friday, yet a sharp divide emerged between Seoul and Tokyo. While the tech-heavy KOSDAQ rallied by over 1 percent, Japanese stocks suffered a bruising "Black Friday" as monetary tightening fears gripped the Nikkei. The South Korean won showed no signs of recovery amidst the prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance on interest rates. Although the won rose to the 1,480 level during intraday trading, it surrendered all gains to close at 1,500 per dollar, unchanged from the previous session. Signals from the Bank of Japan (BOJ) regarding a potential rate hike on Thursday - right after the rate freeze - also weighed heavily on regional currency markets. With both the Fed and the BOJ maintaining hawkish leanings, as the impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade on the South Korean economy began to materialize, the yield gap between South Korea’s long-term and short-term bonds narrowed further.The 10-year treasury yield fell 4.3 basis points to 3.736 percent, while the 3-year yield jumped 8.1 basis points to 3.410 percent. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 5,781.20, up 0.31 percent. Despite a mountain of external risks, the index managed a slight gain, led by a rally in alternative energy stocks. Retail investors net purchased 2.23 trillion won ($1.50 billion) and institutional investors bought 403.4 billion won, while foreign investors offloaded 2.67 trillion won in flight to safety and profit-taking moves. Alternative energy stocks, including nuclear and solar power, surged as the Middle East conflict continued to choke petroleum supply chains. Doosan Enerbility, a leader in domestic gas turbines, rose 3.1 percent to 109,600 won ($73.68). SK Innovation also climbed 3.26 percent to 113,900 won after its subsidiary, TerraPower, received a construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Daewoo E&C, which declared its entry into the nuclear sector last year, posted the largest gain, soaring 18.18 percent to 19,110 won. Hanwha Solutions, the nation’s top solar module maker, recovered previous losses to close at 51,700 won, up 3.92 percent. In contrast, heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix weakened, falling 0.55 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. The KOSDAQ index experienced a solitary surge, largely driven by the biotech sector ahead of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in April. Samchundang Pharm reclaimed the top spot in market capitalization, jumping 14 percent to 112,000 won following its success in developing a biosimilar for Eylea. Peptron, specializing in peptides, also soared 9 percent to 28,500 won. The Nikkei 225 plummeted 3.38 percent to close at 53,372.53. Beyond the Middle East risk and the Fed’s rate freeze, remarks from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda acted as a major headwind. Ueda signaled a potential rate hike, noting that "the view to prioritize upside risks to inflation is prevailing." Export-driven stocks, which have long benefited from low rates, took a hit. Market leader Toyota fell 2.32 percent to 3,325 yen ($21.84), and Honda dropped 3.2 percent. Semiconductor-related stocks also suffered, with Advantest and Tokyo Electron falling 4.58 percent and 2.38 percent, respectively. Notably, SoftBank Group Corp. plunged 5.12 percent to 3,558 yen on concerns over rising interest expenses as the "weak yen" era nears its end. Taiwan’s TAIEX edged down 0.43 percent to 33,543.88. While TSMC fell 0.54 percent to 1,840 TWD ($58.12) and Foxconn lost 1 percent, MediaTek rose 1.2 percent to 1,700 TWD, buoyed by its partnership with Nvidia and the success of the Dimensity 9500 chip. In Mainland China, sentiment remained subdued. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.24 percent to 3,957.05 on recession fears linked to the Hormuz blockade, while the SZSE Component remained relatively flat, dipping only 0.25 percent to 13,866.20. 2026-03-20 17:13:01

National Museum sound of Silla-era bell used in BTS album track, merch The National Museum of Korea said March 20 that the sound recording and decorative motifs of the “King Seongdeok Bell,” a cultural heritage item held by the Gyeongju National Museum, were used in a BTS full-length album and related collaboration merchandise. The museum said the project stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in October last year by the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum Foundation of Korea and HYBE to help expand Korean cultural heritage and K-culture. At HYBE’s request after the agreement, the museum provided a high-quality bell-sound recording of the King Seongdeok Bell that is available as a public-use work. The recording was used in the BTS track “No.29” on the group’s new album, “ARIRANG.” After the MOU was signed, museum director Yu Hong-jun guided HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk through the museum’s third-floor sensory exhibition gallery, where they listened to and discussed the bell’s resonance, the museum said. The King Seongdeok Bell is a major Korean bronze bell made in 771 during the Unified Silla period. It stands 3.6 meters tall and weighs 18.9 tons, and is known for its imposing sound and design. The museum said the collaboration offers a new way to experience the bell’s distinctive “beating” effect, in which the sound swells and fades repeatedly and lingers softly. The bell is displayed outdoors at the Gyeongju National Museum. Visitors can experience its sound and vibrations at the National Museum of Korea’s third-floor sensory gallery, “Space_Between,” and hear the original recording at the Gyeongju National Museum’s digital video hall, the museum said. Separately, the National Museum Foundation of Korea and HYBE developed graphics based on the bell’s donor figure and surrounding cloud patterns for a five-item “2026 BTS X MU:DS Collaboration Merch.” line: a shoulder bag, card holder, hair clip, hairpin and layered skirt. The National Museum of Korea said it will continue interpreting and expanding the historical value and appeal of Korean cultural heritage in modern ways, and strengthen its role as a cultural platform linking tradition and the present, museums and popular culture.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 17:12:20

Samsung union chief: 'No. 1 means nothing without first-class treatment' PYEONGTAEK, March 20 (AJP) - Riding a two-year windfall from the global AI boom, Samsung Electronics is ramping up investment and shareholder returns at an unprecedented scale — but one stakeholder feels left out of the bounty: its employees. The company is pouring more than 110 trillion won ($74.6 billion) into semiconductors and has pledged to return 50 percent of its free cash flow to shareholders. Yet workers say the rewards of the AI-driven surge are not being shared on the ground. “We aren’t asking for the impossible,” said Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the Samsung Electronics Union Joint Action Committee, in an interview with AJP near the company’s Pyeongtaek fabs. “We are asking the company to act like the world-class leader it claims to be.” “Profit-hoarding days must end.” The rhetoric marks a shift from wage negotiations to a broader challenge of Samsung’s corporate identity, as the union escalates pressure following a 93.1 percent vote in favor of industrial action. Plans are now underway for a mass rally in April and a potential general strike in May. At the core of the dispute is compensation — and a widening gap with rival SK hynix that the union warns is fueling a “talent exodus.” While Samsung employees are widely perceived as elite earners, Choi pointed to a different reality for mid-level staff. A manager earning a base salary of around 76 million won ($57,000) often struggles to reach 100 million won in total compensation after taxes and relatively modest bonuses — a level increasingly out of step with the industry’s AI-driven gains. The contrast with SK hynix is stark. In 2025, its employees received average performance bonuses of 120 million to 130 million won under a transparent profit-sharing model. Comparable roles at Samsung, the union says, received roughly 37 million won — less than a third. “That gap creates a profound sense of deprivation,” Choi said. The union is demanding the removal of Samsung’s “Economic Value Added” (EVA) bonus cap, which limits payouts to 50 percent of salary and is based on a complex internal formula widely criticized by employees as a “black box.” By contrast, SK hynix shares 10 percent of operating profit directly with employees and removed its bonus cap last year. Tensions have been further aggravated by what the union calls a “divide-and-conquer” approach. Management recently proposed conditional bonuses tied to 100 trillion won in operating profit — but only for the Memory division, excluding Foundry and System LSI workers. “We were hired on the promise of equal treatment across the semiconductor pillar,” Choi said. “Excluding certain divisions now is nothing short of employment fraud.” The internal conflict comes as Samsung accelerates investment to maintain its lead in AI chips and high-bandwidth memory. Under its latest value-up plan, the company will boost facility and R&D spending to 110 trillion won this year, including a 37.7 trillion won R&D budget. At the same time, it reaffirmed its shareholder return policy, maintaining a payout ratio of 50 percent of free cash flow and planning to distribute 9.8 trillion won in dividends this year. For the union, the contrast is stark. “The company says it cannot afford to improve compensation, yet it commits over 100 trillion won to capital and generous shareholder returns,” Choi said. “There is no equivalent concept of ‘employee return.’” The stakes are rising quickly. Samsung’s Pyeongtaek production lines are estimated to generate up to 10 billion won per hour, meaning an extended strike could inflict losses exceeding 5 trillion won. “We are preparing,” Choi said, noting plans for large-scale mobilization ahead of April’s rally. He dismissed criticism that the dispute reflects excessive demands from high-paid engineers, framing it instead as a structural issue behind the so-called “Korea discount.” “If Samsung wants to maintain leadership in the HBM race, it must choose coexistence over disruption,” he said. “Without fair rewards, we cannot stop the outflow of talent.” Choi added that feedback from engineers who have already moved to SK hynix has been telling. “They report extremely high satisfaction,” he said. “When a company provides what employees feel they deserve, the result is obvious.” His final warning was blunt. “If this continues, the union may end up helping people leave,” Choi said. “We will support each other in finding opportunities elsewhere. 2026-03-20 16:36:44

Kakao Mobility launches recruitment drive for end-to-end autonomous driving engineers SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Kakao Mobility announced it has launched a recruitment drive targeting engineers in four autonomous driving specialties as the South Korean mobility platform accelerates its push to develop in-house end-to-end self-driving technology. The company said Friday it has created a dedicated "Physical AI" tab on its hiring page and will recruit experienced engineers in autonomous driving AI, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), hardware, and electrical and electronic systems. Candidates are required to have at least five years of relevant experience, and the company said it has set no cap on the number of hires or the duration of recruitment, though it has designated March 29 as the end of an intensive intake period. The hiring push is part of a broader strategic pivot toward what Chief Executive Ryu Geung-sun has described as a "Physical AI-based future mobility company." Kakao Mobility said it has been refining its AI Planner — the core decision-making system of its autonomous vehicles — using complex urban driving data gathered from areas including Pangyo and Gangnam in Seoul. "Those who join now, at a moment when technological maturity, urban infrastructure and market demand converge, will directly write a new chapter in South Korean mobility," said Kim Jin-gyu, head of the Physical AI division. The four roles being recruited cover the full stack of autonomous vehicle development: AI engineers to build the integrated end-to-end neural system using Vision-Language-Action models; SLAM engineers for precision localization; hardware engineers for sensor packaging and control systems; and E/E engineers for high-speed in-vehicle data networks. Kakao Mobility said the recruitment drive is intended to further internalize core autonomous driving capabilities and accelerate its ambition to become a leading Physical AI company with global competitiveness. 2026-03-20 16:12:26

BTS Live D-1: Leader RM injured ahead of landmark Seoul comeback SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - K-pop sensation BTS' leader and rapper RM has injured his ankle during a rehearsal for the seven-member band's comeback performance scheduled on Saturday, the agency said. The injury means fans will be unable to witness a full-scale choreography by the rapper or the group as a whole during their highly anticipated return. This setback occurred just as the ensemble concluded a nearly four-year hiatus necessitated by mandatory military service. The performance, titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," was intended to be a complete demonstration of the septet's reunited power at one of the nation's most symbolic landmarks. Big Hit Music announced on Friday that the incident took place on Thursday during a practice session for the free concert at Gwanghwamun Square. Medical examinations revealed an accessory navicular sprain, a partial ligament tear, and a talus contusion. Following the diagnosis, physicians fitted the performer with a cast and mandated a minimum of two weeks of restricted physical activity to facilitate recovery. Consequently, the agency confirmed that his participation in the complex choreography will be strictly curtailed for the duration of the show. Big Hit noted that while the leader maintained a strong desire to deliver a full performance at the historic venue, the health of the artist remained the primary concern. "RM's will to create a high-quality performance in such a symbolic space as Gwanghwamun was very strong," the agency said in a statement. However, management opted to minimize his movements on stage to prevent further aggravation of the injured area. The remaining members will proceed with the original production routines while the rapper performs from a stationary position. The live event is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. (1100 GMT) on March 21 at the central Seoul landmark. This comeback marks the first major public appearance for the group since their last collective activity nearly four years ago. The agency pledged to provide all necessary support to ensure the artist returns to full health for future activities. The performance will be broadcast live to a global audience as the group transitions back to active status. 2026-03-20 16:07:26

Korea Music Copyright Association backs BTS comeback, eyes renewed “BTSnomics” boost After a wait of three years and nine months, BTS is set to return as a full group on March 21 with a comeback live show at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, with a global broadcast reaching 190 countries. The Korea Music Copyright Association, led by Chairman Lee Si-ha, said it is moving to support copyright-related work tied to the group’s return, citing the expected cultural and economic ripple effects. The association said March 20 that it has received and processed album-approval applications for 14 tracks, including the title song “SWIM,” ahead of the release of BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG.” It said it will also proceed with settlements for performance-use fees related to the Gwanghwamun live show and plans close cooperation to help ensure the event runs smoothly. The concert is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people and, combined with the global live broadcast, is projected to be one of the largest events of its kind. The market is already focusing on the so-called “BTSnomics” effect. Analysts expect spillover across albums, concerts, merchandise, tourism and platform spending, with a direct lift for the music copyright market. According to the association, total music copyright collections continued to rise in 2025, but the reproduction-fee category fell 2.7% from a year earlier, reflecting reduced reproduction-based use such as album purchases after the pandemic. It said the success of “ARIRANG,” which has surpassed 4 million in preorders, could help physical albums and the digital reproduction market rebound. An 82-show world tour is also seen as a key factor for expanding performance-use fees. The association said performance-use fees, including stage performances, totaled 60 billion won last year, showing steady growth. With the tour expected to draw more than 4 million people at stadium-scale venues worldwide, it said the domestic and overseas performance copyright markets could gain strong upward momentum. The association also highlighted that all BTS members are its members and write music as creators. It said the group has built extensive music copyright intellectual property, including RM’s leading role in writing lyrics for “SWIM,” underscoring that they are rights holders whose work must be protected. “BTS singing ‘Arirang,’ which carries the emotions of our people, at Gwanghwamun is a symbolic scene that shows the expansion of creation,” Lee said. He added that the association will “stand firmly” to ensure the results of the members’ creative work are fairly compensated worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 16:03:22

Refiners, Gas Stations Clash Over Fixes as Oil Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran War As oil prices surge amid the war between the United States and Iran, refiners and gas station operators say their business burdens are growing. Lawmakers convened an industry meeting at the National Assembly to discuss countermeasures, but the roughly hourlong session ended without agreement, underscoring the gap between the two sides. The Democratic Party’s Euljiro Committee held the meeting on March 20 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, citing rising household costs as international oil prices jump on Middle East risks. Attendees included the Korea Gas Station Association and representatives from SK Innovation, GS Caltex, HD Hyundai Oilbank and S-Oil. Gas station operators focused on what they called structural disadvantages in the retail market. Ahn Seung-bae, chairman of the Korea Gas Station Association, said stations do not set prices but sell at prices determined by refiners. When prices rise, he said, stations are blamed for profiteering despite lacking pricing power. Ahn urged refiners to address practices including all-volume purchasing, after-the-fact settlement, credit card fee burdens and what he described as prices being reflected in advance. He said many stations are effectively tied to buying nearly 100% of their fuel from a single refiner, and that paying before supply prices are finalized — followed by later settlement — increases financing pressure. Refiners said they shared the need to stabilize supply and ease consumer burdens but were cautious about offering specific solutions on distribution structure, citing limits on what companies can do as crude supply risks intensify. Lee Sang-yoon, a vice president at SK Innovation, said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has become the biggest variable for crude supply, and that any disruption would inevitably have a major impact on the domestic market. Ahn Young-mo, a managing director at GS Caltex, said the company is using all private inventories to supply petroleum but described the situation as severe. If the Strait of Hormuz blockade is not lifted, he said, “there could be a situation where even naphtha cannot be helped.” Refiners’ stockpiled volumes could be depleted as early as April, the article said. Additional supplies secured from outside the Middle East and through diplomatic efforts would not be enough to replace existing volumes. The refining industry is asking the government to release strategic reserves. However, even in a closed-door discussion after opening remarks, participants did not meaningfully address crude supply plans, which refiners consider the top issue. The meeting was seen as confirming the reality of supply uncertainty and the perception gap between refiners and gas stations, rather than producing detailed steps to respond to the price surge. The Democratic Party’s Euljiro Committee said it plans to form a social dialogue body as early as next week to begin fuller discussions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 15:55:01

Celltrion Wins Canada Approval for Stekima Auto-Injector as Pharma, Biotech Updates Roll Out Celltrion: Stekima Auto-Injector Wins Approval in Canada Celltrion said it has secured additional approval for an auto-injector version of its autoimmune disease treatment Stekima (ustekinumab). The company said March 20 that Health Canada approved Stekima in auto-injector (AI) form, adding two presentations in Canada: 45 mg/0.5 mL and 90 mg/1.0 mL. “With Stekima, we have added an AI formulation that the original product does not offer in Canada, completing a full lineup across doses and formulations and further strengthening competitiveness,” Celltrion said. Celltrion said the approval supports its strategy to accelerate its push into the North American market. A company official said demand for self-injection options has been rising in major markets, including North America. “With tailored prescribing now possible based on administration settings and patient characteristics, we plan to respond strategically to needs across diverse clinical sites,” the official said. Celltrion said it also aims to quickly raise market share by leveraging synergies with its existing portfolio built in Canada as it expands its presence in the autoimmune disease market. Protein, Vitamins Added: Koryo Eundan Launches ‘Balance Care Energy Bar’ Koryo Eundan said March 20 it has launched the “Balance Care Energy Bar.” The company said the bar uses ingredients such as peanuts, oats and lentils and is designed for convenient nutrition or as a meal replacement. It contains 7 grams of plant-based protein — about the amount in one egg — and 4 grams of dietary fiber, which the company said is comparable to 1.5 bananas. Koryo Eundan said it also includes 12 vitamins and minerals formulated with premium ingredients from global supplier DSM. The company said each bar contains about 0.19 grams of sugars, positioning it as a low-sugar product. “We planned a bar-type product so people can easily supplement nutrition as outdoor activities increase,” the company said. “It can be used in various situations, such as a meal replacement or a snack before or after exercise.” HK inno.N Partners With Seongnam Mental Health Center for Employee Program HK inno.N said March 20 it will work with the Seongnam Mental Health Welfare Center to run a workplace mental health management program for employees. The company said it held a memorandum-of-understanding ceremony with the center on March 18 to promote employee mental health and prevent job-related stress. HK inno.N said the partnership is part of its ESG efforts in safety and health management. It also cited a revision last year to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’s KOSHA GUIDE, which emphasizes preventing job stress through organization-level health promotion programs. Under the agreement, HK inno.N will recruit participants and, starting in April, run a six-week program with 12 sessions. The company said activities will include mental health checkups, meditation and horticulture, aimed at teaching effective ways to manage mental well-being. Seoul National University Hospital Reports 15-Year Benefits After Total Knee Replacement Patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) saw major improvements in function and quality of life within six months, and those gains remained above pre-surgery levels up to 15 years later, Seoul National University Hospital said March 20. The hospital said an orthopedic surgery team led by professors Choi Byeong-seon, Noh Doo-hyun and Han Hyeok-su tracked patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for up to 15 years in 1,264 patients ages 50 and older who received TKA between 2005 and 2013. The average age was 68.5, and 93.7% were women. The team analyzed changes from before surgery through six months and at 1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 years. All measures improved significantly within six months. While patterns differed by indicator afterward, all measures remained higher than pre-surgery levels at 15 years, the hospital said. Disease-specific indicators were relatively stable through about five years. However, the KSFS score — reflecting daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs — showed a clinically meaningful decline between 10 and 15 years after surgery, it said. By age group, patients in their 80s and older had lower physical function scores than younger patients but higher social function scores, which remained elevated over the long term, the hospital said. The findings were published in the latest issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 15:48:00