BTS stages comeback at Gwanghwamun on March 21 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) -The date is set for an open invite for BTS's long-awaited full-group comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 after Seoul on Thursday granted conditional approval for the large-scale outdoor concert and began preparations for an influx of tens of thousands of fans into the city center. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it approved conditional use of Gwanghwamun Square for the “BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul,” proposed by HYBE and Big Hit Music, during the first Gwanghwamun Square advisory committee meeting of the year. Final authorization will be issued once the event passes a safety management review and organizers submit supplementary measures to prevent overlapping exit times for performers and audiences and to minimize traffic disruption, the city said. Seoul officials expect heavy crowding not only at Gwanghwamun Square but across surrounding districts on the day of the concert. The city said it will closely examine safety and crowd-control plans and coordinate with police, Jongno District and other agencies to ensure public safety. The city will also conduct advance on-site inspections to prevent unfair practices, including excessive accommodation pricing, and to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety risks. Inspections will focus on areas surrounding Gwanghwamun Square, covering 280 lodging facilities in Jongno District and 411 in Jung District. Organizers requested approval for a performance accommodating about 18,000 people at Gwanghwamun Square, with a separate event for up to 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza. City officials cautioned that total turnout could approach 100,000 when accounting for fans gathering in nearby streets and public spaces. The concert marks BTS’s first public appearance as a complete seven-member group in three years and nine months. It follows the release of the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” scheduled for March 20. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok underscored the symbolism of the venue, saying during a town hall meeting at HYBE headquarters that returning to Gwanghwamun — “a space once safeguarded by fans’ light sticks” — carries special meaning. Seoul said it will roll out special experience programs for overseas visitors, including BTS fans known as ARMY, and create a festive atmosphere across major districts by combining K-pop and broader Hallyu content. “Our top priority is safety,” said Kim Chang-gyu, head of Seoul’s Balanced Development Headquarters. “We also aim to turn this into an opportunity to showcase Seoul’s global appeal and establish Gwanghwamun Square as a landmark for K-pop culture.” 2026-01-23 07:18:35

K-Pop Demon Hunters" lands two Oscar nods as Park Chan-wook misses final cut SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) -Netflix’s animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” directed by Korean American filmmaker Maggie Kang, earned two Academy Award nominations, while Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” fell short of the final lineup for best international feature. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nominees for the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday local time. “K-Pop Demon Hunters” was nominated for best animated feature, and its original song “Golden” received a nod in the best original song category. In the animated feature race, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” will compete against “Zootopia 2,” “Elio,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” and “Arco.” The film has emerged as a strong awards-season contender after winning best animated feature at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month. “Golden” will face competition from “I Lied to You” (Sinners), “Train Dreams” (Train Dreams), “Sweet Dreams of Joy” (Viva Verdi!), and “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless. The nomination marks a rare Oscar recognition for a K-pop–driven soundtrack. Park’s “No Other Choice,” despite advancing to the 15-film shortlist in December, did not make the final nominees for best international feature film. The dark comedy, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, marks Park’s second consecutive shortlist appearance following “Decision to Leave” in 2022. This year’s international feature nominees include “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “It Was Just an Accident” (France), “Sentimental Value” (Norway), “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia), and “Sirat” (Spain). The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. 2026-01-23 07:05:16

U.S. investors asks Washington to probe Seoul's treatment of Coupang SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) -Two major U.S. investors in Coupang Inc. have asked the U.S. government to investigate its Korean counterpart over what they describe as discriminatory treatment of the U.S.-based e-commerce platform commanding dominant market in Korea, raising the prospect that a corporate dispute could spill into a bilateral trade issue. Technology investment firms Greenoaks and Altimeter said Thursday that they have petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to examine South Korea’s actions under U.S. trade law and consider remedies, including tariffs or other measures. Separately, the investors notified the South Korean government of their intent to file arbitration claims under the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). The moves follow a consumer data breach disclosed by Coupang in November, after which a number of Korean authorities launched sweeping investigations and lawmakers called for tougher penalties. The investors argue that the government response went far beyond normal regulatory enforcement and has inflicted heavy losses on shareholders. Coupang reported that personal data of about 33 million users in South Korea had been compromised, triggering public backlash, regulatory scrutiny and a wave of lawsuits from consumers and investors. Since the disclosure on Nov. 30, Coupang’s New York–listed shares have fallen about 27 percent, according to market data. Greenoaks and Altimeter allege that South Korean authorities mounted a “whole-of-government” response against Coupang, involving labor, tax, financial and customs probes that they say are unrelated to the data incident. They claim the actions amount to discriminatory treatment of a U.S.-based company operating in Korea. “Our main concern is the scale and speed of the government’s response, which has led to significant damages and threatens the value of our investment,” said Marney Chee, a partner at law firm Covington, which represents Greenoaks. The investors said their notice under KORUS triggers a 90-day consultation period before full arbitration proceedings can begin. Separately, the USTR has up to 45 days to decide whether to launch a formal investigation under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, a step that could lead to hearings and potential U.S. countermeasures. Seoul has stood firm on its stance and rejected claims of discrimination. President Lee Jae Myung, who previously called for tougher penalties following the data breach, said at a news conference Wednesday that South Korea would address the issue “fairly according to the law and principles,” emphasizing the country’s sovereignty. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said earlier this month that the government was not singling out Coupang and that U.S. officials had “misunderstandings.” Speaking after meetings in Washington with USTR Jamieson Greer and members of Congress, Yeo said the data breach — which he described as unprecedented — and Coupang’s response should be treated separately from trade and diplomatic issues. Greenoaks was founded by Neil Mehta, a Coupang board member. Greenoaks and related entities hold more than $1.4 billion worth of Coupang shares, according to filings. In 2023, Coupang partnered with Greenoaks to acquire luxury fashion platform Farfetch in a $500 million deal. Altimeter is a technology-focused investment firm investing across public and private markets. 2026-01-22 21:11:22

BTS countdown begins as album drop, Gwanghwamun street show take shape SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) — The countdown has begun. Global K-pop phenomenon BTS is preparing a long-awaited return — not on a closed stadium stage, but potentially on the streets of central Seoul — as the group plans to unveil new music for the first time in nearly four years ahead of its upcoming ARIRANG world tour. The focal point of the comeback calendar is March 20, when BTS is set to release a new album and make its first public appearance as a full seven-member group since 2022. The performance is planned for the Gwanghwamun area, a dense civic and cultural hub surrounded by government offices, royal palaces and major tourist sites. Authorities have granted conditional approval for the event, though the precise venue and timing remain under review due to safety considerations. The date falls on a Friday during business hours, complicating crowd-control planning in one of Seoul’s busiest districts. Even so, anticipation is already reshaping travel behavior. According to Hotels.com on Wednesday, inbound travel searches to South Korea surged within 48 hours of the world tour announcement on January 13. Compared with the previous week, searches for Seoul jumped 155 percent, while Busan spiked 2,375 percent. By country, demand for Seoul was led by Japan, where searches rose 400 percent, followed by Taiwan (260 percent), Hong Kong (170 percent) and the United States (95 percent). For Busan, Japan again topped the list, with searches soaring 10,545 percent, while Hong Kong rose 7,100 percent, Taiwan 1,275 percent and the United States 835 percent. The online surge is already translating into fully booked rooms. “We have seen a noticeable increase in online bookings for the period around the Gwanghwamun performance,” said Kim Jae-heon, a hotel manager in Seoul. The spillover effect is visible across other tour cities as well. According to the Goyang city government, 820 rooms at nearby accommodations — including Sono Calm Goyang — sold out shortly after the tour dates were announced. At the same time, prices are rising sharply. Listings on Agoda show that one hotel near a concert venue priced rooms at 76,000 won per night as of early June, but raised the rate to 587,000 won for the concert date — nearly an eightfold increase. The combination of search spikes, rapid sell-outs and abrupt price hikes underscores the scale of BTS’s return — not just as a cultural event, but as a nationwide economic ripple already visible in real-world data. Online, the sense of anticipation is equally intense. On social media platform X, international fans are amplifying the countdown with posts blending humor, encouragement and ticketing anxiety. One fan wrote that “there is no bad seat at a BTS concert,” sharing footage from upper-level seats while praising the synchronized glow of the “ARMY Bomb” light sticks. Others posted parody videos pretending to sneak into venues disguised as security staff, only to burst into dance once the music starts. Still, excitement comes with pressure. “Future me is happily vibing at a BTS concert right now,” one user wrote, “while present me is going bald from the stress of getting tickets.” Whether on the streets of Gwanghwamun or thousands of kilometers away, fans are now united by a single calendar — counting down to a return that is already moving markets before the first note is played. 2026-01-22 17:58:51

PHOTOS:The story of fishing village in Sokcho Gangwon, January 22 (AJP) — The sea off Sokcho was calm. Walking along Cheongcho Lake toward the gaetbae landing, the ferry began to move slowly as people pulled hard on the iron rings attached to the cable. For visitors, the gaetbae is a novel experience. For locals, it was once the only way to get across. Riding the pulley-operated ferry leads to Abai Village, a neighborhood shaped by displacement and time. Abai Village was formed by displaced people who fled south from Hamgyong Province in North Korea during the Korean War. “Abai” is a Hamgyong dialect word referring to an elderly man. Those who escaped the war settled along the sandy shore of Sokcho’s coast, believing they would soon be able to return home. The land was inhospitable—building homes and securing drinking water were difficult—but people from the same hometowns gathered together and formed communal settlements. What began as a temporary refuge became a permanent home over the decades. Walking through the narrow alleys, low fences and weathered signboards come into view. Amid restaurants catering to tourists, traces of everyday life remain. Abai Village is the only remaining collective settlement of displaced people in South Korea and a place where the pain of division and the hope for reunification coexist. Its stories resurface whenever inter-Korean relations shift, whether toward reconciliation or tension. Sokcho is often described as a tourist city where the sea meets Seoraksan, but its roots lie in the settlement history of displaced people. After the war, many who arrived here made their living through fishing, helping drive the city’s growth. The Cheongho-dong area remains the heart of Sokcho’s fishing industry. Fresh catches move through the live fish centers and the Sokcho Fisheries Market, where the sea continues to shape daily life. Food in Abai Village tells this history most directly. Hamheung-style cold noodles, abai sundae, squid sundae, gajami sikhae and various fermented seafood dishes reflect culinary traditions carried from the north. Combined with East Sea specialties such as red snow crab and steamed fish, they form Sokcho’s distinctive food map. For tourists they are local delicacies; for residents, they are tastes preserved in longing for home. From the top of Seorak Geumgang Bridge, the view widens. The East Sea, Cheongcho Lake and the cityscape of Sokcho unfold at once. While it is a popular photo spot for visitors, for displaced residents this sea once stood in for a homeland they could not return to. Where scenic beauty overlaps with painful memory, Sokcho’s tourism moves beyond simple consumption. A walk through Abai Village is a journey between past and present. The brief crossing on the gaetbae, old signboards in the alleys and a plate of sundae on the table connect into a single narrative. Sokcho remains a tourist destination, but its appeal is built upon layers of time shaped by division. To truly travel Sokcho is not only to look at the sea, but to face the lives of those who have lived while gazing toward it. 2026-01-22 17:58:03

Blunt FX language fuels speculation, but steadies the won — for now SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Alongside South Korea’s blistering equity rally, the foreign-exchange market has emerged as the economy’s most sensitive fault line, dominating monetary policy briefings and even the president’s New Year’s press conference. From U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remark that the won’s level is “not in line with Korea’s strong economic fundamentals,” to Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong’s blunt assertion that the currency’s slide has been “excessive,” policymakers have adopted unusually direct language to deter one-sided bets that could distort trade conditions and undermine financial stability. President Lee Jae Myung joined the verbal defense in a televised New Year’s news conference — and went a step further. What stirred markets was a rare attempt to sketch a future trading range for the won. Citing compound external factors behind the currency’s weakness, Lee said that if the won were to track the Japanese yen closely, it would be trading near 1,600 per dollar. He then predicted that the won would stabilize around 1,400 within one or two months, without elaborating on the basis for the forecast. The comment abruptly halted short positions and triggered a reversal, pulling the won back from near 1,480 to below 1,470. As of Thursday, the dollar was quoted at 1,469.30. Earlier on Thursday, Governor Rhee reinforced the message with his own forceful verbal intervention at an AI conference co-hosted with Naver. “By any objective measure, the dollar-won exchange rate is too high and has ample room for adjustment,” he said. Where does the confidence come from? Some point to the roaring stock market, with the KOSPI briefly breaching the 5,000-point threshold — a level increasingly discussed as a symbolic gateway toward eventual MSCI developed-market status. Others focus on the bond market. South Korean sovereign debt is set to enter the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) in stages from April through November. WGBI inclusion requires a minimum maturity of one year, excluding short-term debt entirely. More importantly, the index’s credibility attracts long-duration capital: its average holding period is about 9.6 years, far longer than that of most global bond benchmarks. Longer duration typically translates into lower volatility and higher perceived credit quality. With inclusion beginning in April — precisely one to two months from now — President Lee’s timeline has not gone unnoticed. “As the government expects capital inflows of $50 billion or more from WGBI inclusion, it likely views this as a key catalyst for won appreciation,” said a foreign-exchange trader, speaking on condition of anonymity. Potential inclusion in the MSCI Developed Markets (DM) Index is also viewed as a strategic defensive line. If upgraded, South Korea would likely carry a weight of around 2 percent, potentially drawing between $250 billion and $350 billion in inflows. Crucially, DM capital is “sticky”: funds typically remain invested for five to ten years, compared with roughly three years for emerging-market flows. That durability helps dampen capital flight and stabilize the exchange rate. “DM inclusion would anchor capital flows and enhance Korea’s international credibility, which would be supportive for the won,” said Kim Jong-young, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities. Still, few expect an immediate boost. South Korea must first be placed on MSCI’s watch list this June and maintain that status for at least a year. Realistic inclusion is widely seen as a 2028 story at the earliest. Temporary relief from delayed U.S. investment Another theory circulating in markets is that the government may be implicitly defending the won by slowing the execution of a $350 billion investment package promised to the United States during tariff negotiations. The package includes $200 billion in direct investment and $150 billion in shipbuilding cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol hinted at such delays in an interview with Reuters last Friday. “It will be difficult to execute major investments in the U.S. during the first half of this year,” Koo said, adding that “given current foreign-exchange market conditions, it is unlikely that these investments will materialize within the year.” Whether President Lee and Governor Rhee had this specific lever in mind remains unclear. “The remarks likely refer to measures such as Repatriation Incentive Accounts (RIA), but as Minister Koo noted, deploying U.S. investment funds within the first half appears difficult,” a Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, requesting anonymity. The comments follow an earlier signal of “pace adjustment” from Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan on Nov. 14, when he clarified: “The commitment was to proceed with investments by January 2029 — not necessarily to disburse the full amount by then.” 2026-01-22 17:55:42

Stocks at record highs, growth at 1%: Korea's market–economy divide widens SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) -Korean stock market pushed deeper into uncharted territory Thursday, with the KOSPI briefly climbing over the 5,000 mark before closing just below the milestone, a historic high unfolding even as economic growth remains stuck near 1 percent, highlighting a widening gap between buoyant asset prices and a fragile real economy. The growth outlook marks the weakest performance since the economy contracted 0.7 percent in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lowest growth rate on record outside the pandemic period since GDP data collection began in 1954. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.9 percent to finish at 4,952.5 after hitting a historic high of 5,019.54, extending its rally and reinforcing views that the market is entering a higher valuation regime. The KOSPI 200 gained 1.03 percent to 722.3, reflecting renewed demand for heavyweight stocks, even as trading showed clear signs of sector rotation rather than broad-based risk-taking. On the main board, foreign investors and institutions were major sellers, offloading 297.2 billion won ($202 million) and 102.8 billion won, respectively, while retail investors bought in 155.6 billion won. Investors increasingly view the advance toward — and brief move above — 5,000 as more than a liquidity-driven rally. Expectations of improved corporate governance following revisions to commercial law, a recovery in the semiconductor cycle and ample liquidity have helped lift the market’s valuation range. Hopes that long-standing governance concerns could be addressed have also fueled expectations of a narrowing “Korea discount,” drawing sustained interest toward large-cap stocks. Gains were led by technology and electronics shares. Samsung SDI surged 18.7 percent to 384,500 won, lifting the broader electrical equipment sector by 8.4 percent. Semiconductor heavyweights also advanced, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.9 percent to 152,300 won and SK hynix gaining 2.03 percent to 755,000 won. Internet stocks outperformed as well, with NAVER up 2.9 percent at 245,500 won. Not all sectors participated. Automakers and heavy industry shares lagged, with Hyundai Motor falling 3.6 percent to 529,000 won. Energy and shipbuilding names also weakened, as Doosan Enerbility slipped 1.42 percent to 90,000 won and Hanwha Ocean dropped 2.7 percent to 137,700 won. In the secondary market, the KOSDAQ outperformed. The index climbed 2.0 percent to 970.4, supported by individual and selective foreign buying. Foreign investors purchased a net 66.1 billion won worth of shares, while institutions sold 138.6 billion won and retail investors added 104.6 billion won, underscoring continued appetite for growth-oriented names despite elevated volatility. Currency exchange rate and bonds sent mixed signals. The won weakened slightly, with the dollar closing at 1,469.6 won, up 1.9 won, or 0.13 percent. Government bond yields edged lower, with the 10-year yield around 3.06 percent and the 3-year at about 2.98 percent, reflecting lingering expectations for future rate cuts alongside a cautious growth outlook. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.73 percent after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would not proceed with additional tariffs linked to Greenland-related trade disputes, easing risk aversion. 2026-01-22 17:46:33

Gwangyang wildfire fully contained after 13-hour operation SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Authorities have contained a major wildfire in Gwangyang, South Jeollanam Province, that triggered Level 1 emergency response measures due to rapid spread driven by strong winds. The blaze, which broke out at 3:31 PM on the 21st in the hills of Mukbaek-ri, Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang, reached 100 percent containment as of 10:00 AM today, 13 hours and 37 minutes after ignition. Forest authorities activated nighttime firefighting operations at sunset, deploying Surion helicopters and thermal imaging-equipped drones for fire line monitoring to develop suppression strategies. Specialized wildfire units and high-performance fire trucks were mobilized throughout the night to prevent further spread. The overnight operation involved 997 firefighting personnel and 108 fire trucks. The affected area is estimated to span 49 hectares. The wildfire originated from sparks that spread from a nearby factory fire and rapidly expanded in the strong wind conditions. 2026-01-22 17:32:30

BTS's V holds photo book exhibition SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - BTS member V is holding an exhibition to commemorate the release of his photo book from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1 at Frieze Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. The exhibition, titled "V TYPE 非: ON-SITE IN SEOUL," features three-dimensional displays of photos from the book along with previously unreleased photos and videos available only at the venue. Meanwhile, V and BTS are set to make a comeback on March 20 with their fifth full-length album "ARIRANG." The album marks the group's first new release in three years and nine months since their anthology album "Proof" in June 2022. It will contain a total of 14 tracks. According to their agency, BTS has captured the group's identity as a Korean act along with themes of longing and deep love in this album. The title "ARIRANG" represents Korea's signature folk song and symbolically embodies the emotions the members wish to express. Additionally, BTS is planning a comeback stage at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul in late March. 2026-01-22 17:32:08

Prosecutors appeal ex-president's sentence in martial law-related case SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's case over charges of alleged obstruction of law enforcement will go to an appeals court after Yoon and prosecutors decided to appeal the first ruling. Independent prosecutors said they reached the decision on Thursday, days after Yoon immediately appealed last week's verdict. In the first ruling delivered last Friday, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing investigators and other officials who attempted to detain him over his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, one of several charges related to the short-lived, late-night debacle. Prosecutors had earlier sought 10 years in prison, but the court handed down a sentence roughly half of that, although it found him guilty on most charges. With both sides presenting differing arguments, the case will be the first to proceed to an appeals court among Yoon's eight different cases related to the debacle. Meanwhile, a verdict on the main charges of insurrection and abuse of power is expected to be handed down next month. 2026-01-22 16:57:47