'I-CON City an experiment in creativity and growth — not urban development': Kessler SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - The ambitious experiment of blending high technology, research, entertainment and community life — while mixing American and Korean cultural elements — is made possible by one decisive factor: location. Cheongna, a 10-minute drive from South Korea’s main gateway at Incheon International Airport, provides the foundation for the $1.4 billion I-CON City project, according to the American developer behind the plan. “This is not just about housing. It’s not just about retirement, a museum or entertainment,” Richard C. Kessler, chairman and founder of U.S. hospitality firm The Kessler Collection, told AJP on Wednesday after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Incheon Metropolitan Government and Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH). “It’s about all of those things coming together to create something you don’t find everywhere,” he said, describing I-CON City not as a conventional real estate development but as an evolving experiment that blends culture, research, entertainment and community. Founded in 1984, The Kessler Collection operates art-driven boutique hotels in cities such as Savannah and Orlando, with 11 properties across the U.S. After 55 years in real estate, Kessler said, the logic was simple. “Location, location, location,” he said. “This site has all three.” I-CON City, short for Incheon Contents City, also reflects the ambition to create a truly “iconic” destination in the capital region. “Creativity gives energy to everything,” the hotelier said. Officially named the Cheongna Culture and Tourism Complex, the project is being developed jointly by Incheon City, The Kessler Collection and LH, with completion targeted for 2031. The development will integrate cultural, tourism, business and residential functions, according to the city. “That’s really critical to what we are trying to build here,” Kessler said, citing the group’s experience with adaptive reuse projects such as the Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia. There, a former power plant was transformed into a major tourist destination by preserving industrial elements such as generators and smokestacks, creating a space where history and cultural arts coexist. At the heart of I-CON City is the diversity of function. Rather than focusing on a single purpose such as housing or tourism, Kessler said the project aligns with Incheon’s broader push to develop a “K-Con Land” across Cheongna, Yeongjong Island — home to Incheon International Airport — and Songdo, linking multiple interests into one organically growing urban space. A large-scale park will anchor the development, occupying roughly 15 to 20 percent of the site. Kessler described Durumi Park as the “heart” of I-CON City, where research facilities, residential areas and entertainment venues intersect. “That park is the heartbeat of the entire project,” he said. “It’s where culture, technology, people and ideas come together — a place that can continue to evolve over time.” The name Durumi Park carries historical significance. Cheongna was once a natural wetland where red-crowned cranes — a protected natural monument in Korea — migrated and wintered before large-scale urban development reshaped the area. Although land reclamation eliminated much of the original habitat, the crane remains a powerful symbol of Cheongna’s ecological heritage. Nearby, the Starfield Cheongna complex — combining a domed stadium with large-scale retail and leisure facilities — is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2027. Kessler emphasized that I-CON City is designed to attract an international audience, particularly from across Asia. Research-oriented office space, a 5,000-seat entertainment complex and an outdoor amphitheater are intended to draw visitors well beyond the local community. “This is not a local show,” he said. “It’s something people will travel to experience.” Another distinctive feature is the project’s approach to senior housing. Rather than viewing retirement as withdrawal, Kessler said the development aims to attract experienced professionals and global talent who can actively contribute to research, cultural programming and community life. “There’s a lot of wisdom in that group,” he said. “And that wisdom can add real depth to this project.” Storytelling will also play a central role. Drawing on the Kessler Collection’s experience with themed hotels and curated cultural spaces in the U.S., Kessler said I-CON City will highlight narratives unique to Korea — including K-pop, shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing and the country’s modern history. “K-pop is one story the world still doesn’t fully understand,” he said. “There are many others — technology, shipbuilding, creativity — that Korea can tell in a very compelling way.” One centerpiece is a planned concert hall featuring hologram performances by past and present stars on a rotating basis. For fans, the show would not depend on comeback tours or overseas schedules — it would, in theory, always be on. Ultimately, Kessler said, the goal is for I-CON City to serve as a model for future developments — flexible, adaptive and open-ended. “This is an experiment,” he said. “But it’s the kind of experiment that can uncover opportunities developers may not have seen before.” 2026-01-21 17:48:53

Koreanness, the answer BTS found for its return SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - As BTS prepares to return as a full group after nearly four years, the question surrounding the comeback has never really been whether it would make an impact, but how the group would choose to reappear. The answer, it seems, is rooted in something familiar — and distinctly Korean. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” on March 20, marking its first full reunion in three years and nine months. Around the album, a series of details has drawn attention for pointing in the same direction: a return framed by Korean sentiment, symbols and space. The group is also reportedly planning a three-day performance at the Gwanghwamun Square from March 20 to 22 to coincide with the album’s release, though details have yet to be officially confirmed. Gwanghwamun Square occupies a central position in Seoul’s historical axis, linking the modern city to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and extending symbolically toward Sungnyemun Gate, the former southern gateway to the capital. The square is home to statues of King Sejong the Great, creator of the Korean alphabet, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a national hero revered for his leadership in times of crisis. Together, these landmarks and figures anchor Gwanghwamun as a space where Korea’s political history, cultural identity and civic life converge — a place shaped by continuity, disruption and restoration across centuries. According to South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration, BTS’s agency HYBE has received conditional approval to use Gyeongbokgung Palace and Sungnyemun Gate for filming. While no official confirmation has been made about whether filming will actually take place — or in what form — the possibility alone has sparked interest. These are not the kinds of locations typically associated with pop productions. Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, while Sungnyemun Gate, long known internationally as Namdaemun, once marked the southern entrance to the capital. Both sites are deeply woven into Korea’s historical landscape, carrying layers of memory shaped by destruction, restoration and daily coexistence with modern city life. The album title adds another layer. “Arirang” is one of Korea’s most widely recognized folk songs, passed down through generations in countless regional versions. With no single composer or definitive form, the song has endured precisely because it has remained open — absorbing different emotions and meanings over time. In a statement, HYBE described ARIRANG as an album that reflects BTS’s identity and the emotions they wish to share with fans, noting themes of longing and deep connection. The agency said the group naturally turned toward its roots as it prepared for its return. Taken together, the choices surrounding the comeback suggest a mood that feels less about spectacle and more about grounding. Rather than chasing something new or unfamiliar, BTS appears to be leaning into symbols that already carry shared meaning — places and melodies that resonate without explanation. For a group that has spent much of the past decade operating on a global stage, the emphasis on Koreanness stands out not as a retreat, but as a point of reference. Gyeongbokgung, Sungnyemun and Arirang are not owned by any single era or creator. Their meanings have been shaped collectively, through repetition and memory, and continue to evolve. As anticipation builds ahead of the album’s release, details about promotional plans remain limited. HYBE has not confirmed how the heritage sites might be used, nor what visual concepts will accompany the album. What is becoming clear, however, is the tone BTS has chosen for its return. In a moment when expectations are high and attention is intense, the group appears to have found its answer not in scale or novelty, but in something closer to home — the familiar pull of Korean roots. 2026-01-21 17:48:13

KOSPI closes higher as won strengthens amid mixed Asian markets SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday as U.S. tariff threats rattled investors, with signs of a broader "sell America" trend adding to volatility across the region. In Seoul, the KOSPI swung more than 100 points before finishing at 4,909.93, up 0.49 percent from the previous session, while the KOSDAQ dropped 2.57 percent to 951.29. Individuals offloaded a net 996.5 billion won ($675 million), while foreign investors and institutions purchased net amounts of 439.5 billion won and 321.6 billion won, respectively. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.96 percent to 149,500 won, while SK Hynix fell 0.40 percent to 740,000 won, Samsung Biologics dropped 2.45 percent to 1,873,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance slipped 0.29 percent to 174,700 won, and LG Energy Solution declined 2.11 percent to 394,500 won. Auto-related stocks traded higher, led by Hyundai Motor, which surged 14.61 percent to 549,000 won, continuing its upward momentum. Kia also gained 5 percent to 172,100 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.46 percent at 1,315,000 won. Shipbuilding-related shares weakened, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 1.56 percent to 631,000 won and Hanwha Ocean sliding 3.81 percent to 141,500 won. The won, which traded at 1,481.4 per dollar earlier in the morning, strengthened to 1,469.40 later in the day, buoyed by remarks from President Lee Jae-myung, who said he would seek to ease concerns over foreign-exchange volatility. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares pulled back, with the Nikkei 225 Index down 0.41 percent to close at 52,774.64, as investors weighed political uncertainty due to a looming snap election along with tax relief proposals as an election sweetener. 2026-01-21 17:27:33

Japanese bond yields trigger global tantrum, South Korea most sensitive SEOUL, Jan 21 (AJP) - Major sovereign bond yields, including South Korean treasuries, jumped on Tuesday after a sharp surge in Japanese government bond yields — bringing the elephant in the room back into focus: the massive yen carry trade. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield closed up 7 basis points at 2.34 percent, its highest level in nearly three decades. The move quickly spilled over abroad, pushing the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield up 7.5 basis points to 4.295 percent and Australia’s 10-year yield up 6.9 basis points to 4.799 percent. South Korea proved particularly sensitive. The 10-year Korean government bond yield surged 8.8 basis points to 3.653 percent, marking its highest level in almost two years. Japan has long functioned as a global liquidity provider, with near-zero borrowing costs encouraging yen-funded carry trades for decades. The recent rise in JGB yields is now prompting capital repatriation, as Japanese investors pull funds back home to capture higher domestic returns. Because the yen serves as a major funding and reserve currency, this reversal has acted as a destabilizing force for global bond markets. Notably, the latest spike in yields was driven less by monetary policy than by fiscal concerns. The Bank of Japan is set to announce its interest rate decision on Friday, and the advanced trigger came from political developments surrounding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policy agenda. On Tuesday, Takaichi announced plans to dissolve parliament on Jan. 23 and call snap elections for Feb. 8. Although the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai already controls 233 seats, she is seeking at least 240 seats to consolidate legislative dominance. Markets reacted sharply to her populist stimulus pledges, particularly proposals to cut consumption taxes on food and beverages to 8 percent — a move estimated to create a 5 trillion yen ($31.6 billion) revenue shortfall — without clear funding measures. Bond yields retreated after Takaichi later pledged that “there will be no additional debt issuance,” with the 10-year JGB yield falling about 8 basis points by Wednesday morning. However, skepticism remains, as yields continue to hover above 2.3 percent and investors question whether stimulus can be financed without new borrowing. Demand for Japanese debt has already weakened. A recent 20-year JGB auction recorded a record-low bid-to-cover ratio, underscoring investor caution. The rise in government yields has filtered through to consumer lending. As of Wednesday, 10-year fixed mortgage rates at Japan’s megabanks — Mizuho, MUFG and SMBC — were approaching 3.8 percent, nearly double the roughly 2 percent ceiling seen a year earlier. Analysts have compared the episode to the U.K.’s 2022 “Truss Shock,” when unfunded tax cuts proposed by then–Prime Minister Liz Truss sent 10-year gilt yields soaring from about 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent in less than a week. After Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama urged markets to “maintain calm,” the 10-year JGB yield slipped further, down 8.6 basis points to 2.29 percent. The recovery in Korea has lagged. The 10-year Korean yield stood at 3.619 percent on Wednesday morning, still up 3.4 basis points and failing to fully reverse the previous day’s sharp jump. Part of the drag stemmed from Korea's own fiscal stimulus agenda. On Tuesday, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the possibility of a supplementary budget, instructing Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young to review potential increases in arts and culture spending. Although Lee later clarified at a Wednesday press conference that there would be “no reckless supplementary budget,” the initial comment had already unsettled the bond market. U.S. Treasury yields also eased slightly, with the 10-year yield ending Wednesday at 4.275 percent, down 2 basis points, but still short of a full recovery. Persistent geopolitical risks — including Washington’s threat to impose a 10 percent tariff on countries opposing its push to acquire Greenland — continued to weigh on sentiment. Caution urged over expansionary fiscal trends While analysts say fears of a systemic shock in South Korea are overstated, they warn that a broader global tilt toward fiscal expansion among major currency issuers poses ongoing risks. “Mentioning a supplementary budget in January is unusual, but South Korea is likely to exceed its tax revenue targets this year, making large-scale bond issuance unlikely,” said Kang Seung-won, a researcher at NH Securities. Kang added that a projected 30 percent increase in earnings among KOSPI and KOSDAQ-listed companies should help buffer the domestic bond market. Still, expansionary fiscal policies elsewhere remain a concern. “We are seeing a recurring pattern where fiscal concerns push up bond yields and market rates, which then weigh on currencies,” said Kwon Ah-min, another researcher at NH Securities. Kwon pointed to Japan’s record 122.3 trillion yen budget for fiscal 2026 — with 29.6 trillion yen expected to be financed through debt — as a key risk factor. “Rising bond issuance among major economies remains a volatile variable for global financial markets,” she said. 2026-01-21 17:20:01

Samsung Biologics becomes first Korean drugmaker to join 2 trillion won income club SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics on Wednesday posted record annual operating profit for 2025, becoming the first pharmaceutical and biotechnology company in South Korea to surpass the 2 trillion won threshold. The contract drug manufacturing giant posted an operating profit of 2.07 trillion won ($1.4 billion) for 2025, soaring 56.6 percent from a year earlier, according to a regulatory filing released Wednesday. Revenue climbed 30.3 percent to 4.55 trillion won, while net profit jumped 55.2 percent to 1.61 trillion won. Fourth-quarter operating profit reached 528.3 billion won, up 67.8 percent year-on-year, driven by full-capacity operations across all four manufacturing plants in Incheon. Quarterly revenue stood at 1.29 trillion won. The company attributed its robust performance to the ramp-up of Plant 4 operations, stable utilization of Plants 1 through 3, and favorable foreign exchange effects. Samsung Biologics has served over 110 clients, including 17 of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies. "2025 has been a year of steady progress for Samsung Biologics as we expanded collaboration with both pharma and biotech companies, supported by our focus on operational and quality excellence," said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. The Incheon-based firm made strategic moves throughout 2025 to bolster its global footprint, including acquiring a manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, securing land for a third bio campus, and completing the construction of Plant 5. Cumulative contract value has exceeded $21.2 billion since its founding in 2011. Samsung Biologics forecast revenue growth of 15 to 20 percent for 2026, excluding contributions from the Rockville facility acquisition, which remains pending regulatory approval. The company maintained a solid financial position with total assets of 11.06 trillion won and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.4 percent at year-end. It achieved the 2 trillion won operating profit milestone just two years after becoming the first Korean drugmaker to post annual operating profit exceeding 1 trillion won in 2023. Shares of Samsung Biologics closed Wednesday 1.35 percent lower at 1,894,000 won per stock. The regulatory filing came after market closure. 2026-01-21 17:19:50

Seoul weighs weekly half-price movie tickets to lure audiences back to cinemas SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea is considering offering half-priced movie tickets and free admission to royal palaces every Wednesday, instead of once a month, as part of a broader effort to revive cultural consumption — though doubts remain over whether the move can rescue a struggling cinema industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday it plans to expand “Culture Day,” currently held on the last Wednesday of each month, to every Wednesday. The timing of the change has not yet been finalized. Since its launch in 2014, Culture Day has allowed the public to visit national heritage sites such as Changgyeong Palace and Deoksu Palace for free and receive discounts at movie theaters and other cultural venues. Under the program, major cinema chains including CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox have offered 2D movie tickets priced at 7,000 won — less than half the average ticket price of about 15,000 won — for screenings between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. While roughly one-third of moviegoers used the discount in 2014, participation surged to 85 percent by 2024, highlighting how deeply audiences have come to rely on price incentives. The proposed expansion comes as alarm grows over the state of South Korea’s film industry, which has been hit hard by the rapid shift toward streaming platforms. “The uncomfortable truth is that the film industry has practically collapsed,” said Kim Han-min, director of The Admiral: Roaring Currents, at a film forum hosted by the Korean Film Council and the National Assembly’s Culture Committee in January 2024. Director Kim Sung-soo echoed that assessment at the 2025 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. “If I had to describe it in one word: collapse,” he said. “Korean films simply aren’t being made.” “There used to be 50 to 60 commercial features shooting at any given time,” said one production executive. “Now it feels like barely half that.” Industry observers say the decline in theater attendance reflects deeper structural problems in Korean filmmaking. “When films like Avatar or Zootopia 2 succeed, it’s not a crisis of theaters — it’s a crisis of Korean cinema,” said one film distributor. Domestic audiences have continued to reward strong local titles, including The Roundup series, 12.12: The Day (2023) and Exhuma (2024), during the post-pandemic recovery period. Yet not a single Korean film surpassed 10 million viewers last year, an unprecedented result except for 2021, when theaters were largely shuttered by social distancing rules. Globally, the film market has recovered to roughly 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, but Korea’s remains “stuck at the bottom,” industry insiders say. The Culture Day expansion has drawn support from lawmakers, though many describe it as only a temporary remedy. Rep. Lee Ki-heon of the ruling Democratic Party said the proposal demonstrates “a strong and proactive will by the government to revive an industry on the verge of collapse by lowering barriers to cultural consumption.” He added that consistent pricing incentives could help “rebuild the habit of moviegoing.” However, Lee cautioned that discounts alone cannot address deeper issues. “The crisis in the film industry stems not only from financial burdens, but also from a shortage of compelling content,” he said. Progressive Party lawmaker Son Sol called the measure “necessary and timely” to expand cultural access, but stressed that participation by private businesses — which operate nearly all theaters — is essential. “Public enthusiasm is high, but the system relies on voluntary participation,” she said. “The government must actively engage theater chains and production companies to sustain it.” Son also warned of a “vicious cycle” in which falling attendance has reduced Film Development Fund revenues, weakening support for emerging directors and film workers. “Korea’s global cinematic standing is at risk,” she said. Rep. Jung Yeon-wook of the opposition People Power Party supported the intent of the policy but criticized its rollout as rushed. “Without financial support, it could place undue burdens on private theaters,” he said. “Without proper consultation, it risks becoming a well-meaning but hollow gesture.” As the government collects public feedback on the proposed decree through Feb. 28, questions remain over whether cheaper tickets can truly reignite a film ecosystem facing structural decline. 2026-01-21 15:58:18

Busan's Gwabeop elementary school holds graduation event SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Gwabeop Elementary School in Sasang-gu, Busan, held its 44th and final graduation ceremony on Jan. 20. The event included a graduation for eight last graduates followed by a farewell ceremony, marking the end of the school's long history. According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Gwabeop Elementary opened on March 5, 1982, with 28 classes and 1,261 students. Student enrollment declined sharply in recent years—6 new students in 2022, 12 in 2023, 6 in 2024, and 9 in 2025—leaving the school with just 52 total students. The consolidation with nearby Gamjeon Elementary was finalized last August. Gwabeop Elementary is one of three elementary schools in Busan closing this year due to declining school-age population. 2026-01-21 15:38:54

Bupyeong fire station conducts winter water rescue training 2026-01-21 15:36:59

Samsung's foldable lead holds as Apple's entry nears SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Selfies taken by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have served diplomatic and branding purposes alongside their social media role. During a state visit to Beijing, selfies were taken on a Xiaomi smartphone gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. More recently, photos during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Seoul were taken on a Samsung Electronics device. President Lee gifted Meloni a pink Galaxy Z Flip 7, matching the prime minister’s well-known preference for the color. While the idea of gifting a smartphone may echo Xi’s earlier gesture, it also underscored Seoul’s confidence in Samsung’s foldable leadership — a category the company pioneered and continues to dominate. Foldable smartphones have moved beyond novelty into the ultra-premium segment as durability, performance and software optimization have improved. The appeal now extends beyond design and status to functionality, particularly larger, tablet-like displays that enable multitasking and productivity. Market research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts global foldable smartphone panel shipments will rise 46 percent in 2026, signaling renewed expansion after several years of uneven demand. Foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow about 14 percent in 2025 before accelerating to roughly 38 percent in 2026. Grand View Research estimates the global foldable smartphone market at $27.79 billion in 2024 and projects it will more than double to $74 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of 13.5 percent. Much of the renewed traction is expected to come from Apple’s entry into the segment. “Apple’s entry into the foldable market will act as a key growth driver,” said Guillaume Chansin, research director at Counterpoint Research. “The launch of a foldable iPhone is expected to reinvigorate the foldable smartphone segment and significantly boost panel shipments in 2026.” Despite the looming competition, Samsung Display is expected to remain the dominant supplier of foldable OLED panels, with its global market share projected to exceed 50 percent. The growing adoption of book-style foldables is also expected to lift average selling prices, Counterpoint said. The market is also shifting in form factor. While clamshell-style models such as the Galaxy Z Flip series continue to attract attention for their compact design and fashion appeal, book-style foldables are gaining a larger share of value and profitability, driven by demand for bigger screens and productivity-oriented use cases. Multi-fold devices, including tri-fold models, are expected to account for only a low single-digit share of the market in 2026. Samsung strengthened its position in 2025 after regaining momentum in the premium foldable segment. The company held about 64 percent of the global foldable smartphone market in the third quarter of 2025, up from 56 percent a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research. Analysts say 2026 could mark a turning point as foldables transition from niche products to a more established premium category amid intensifying competition. “Brand loyalty between Apple and Samsung remains strong, but younger consumers are becoming less defined by legacy preferences,” said Park Jung-eun, a professor of business administration at Ewha Womans University. “Among Gen Z users, there is growing interest in differentiation and design-driven devices rather than simply following long-standing brand norms.” Samsung Electronics said it was unable to confirm whether the device had been provided as part of any sponsorship arrangement. Whether heightened visibility and renewed momentum translate into sustained growth will depend on pricing, software optimization and competition — particularly as Apple prepares to enter the foldable arena. 2026-01-21 15:33:32

Polls show strong support in South Korea for new nuclear plants SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - A majority of South Koreans support building new nuclear power plants as electricity demand surges with the expansion of artificial intelligence, two public opinion polls showed, adding pressure on the government to reconsider its energy policy stance. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Wednesday it had conducted nationwide surveys last week on a new-reactor plan. The ministry commissioned Korea Gallup and Realmeter to survey 1,519 and 1,505 respondents, respectively, using proportional allocation by gender, age and region. In the Gallup poll, 69.6 percent of respondents said the plan to build new nuclear reactors should proceed, compared with 22.5 percent who said it should be halted. In the Realmeter survey, 61.9 percent supported moving ahead, while 30.8 percent opposed the plan. Support for nuclear power more broadly was also strong. In the Gallup poll, 89.5 percent said nuclear power is necessary, while 82 percent said the same in the Realmeter poll. On safety, about 60 percent of respondents in both surveys said nuclear power is safe, outnumbering those who viewed it as dangerous. When asked which power sources should be expanded, respondents most frequently cited renewable energy and nuclear power. In the Gallup poll, renewables ranked first at 48.9 percent, followed by nuclear at 38 percent and liquefied natural gas at 5.6 percent. In the Realmeter poll, renewables accounted for 43.1 percent and nuclear for 41.9 percent. The results are expected to serve as a key reference as the government weighs whether to proceed with plans for two new large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Those plans were previously finalized but later put on hold after the government decided to reopen public deliberations. Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan has said since taking office that the new-reactor plan would be reviewed “from scratch,” citing insufficient public input during the drafting of the Lee Jae Myung administration's electricity plan. President Lee has previously expressed skepticism about expanding nuclear power, noting at a September news conference that nuclear plant construction typically takes more than 15 years and that suitable sites are limited. He has argued that solar and wind power, which can be built within one to two years, should be expanded on a large scale. More recently, however, growing electricity demand from AI development has prompted renewed calls within and outside government for stable baseload power. At a New Year’s news conference on Wednesday, Lee said that global trends point to “enormous energy demand” and acknowledged that renewable energy faces intermittency challenges. He said the government should keep an open mind and assess whether new reactors are needed, whether they are safe and what the public wants. A day earlier, he told a Cabinet meeting that public opinion “overwhelmingly” supports expanding nuclear power to address electricity supply concerns. The ministry said it will review whether to pursue new nuclear construction by considering the poll results alongside policy discussions. A ministry official said the government is examining “realistic” power supply options that take into account growth in advanced industries such as AI and semiconductors, as well as carbon-neutrality goals. 2026-01-21 15:31:30