Hanwha Ocean taps ex-Canadian Navy officer to lead local subsidiary SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has appointed Canadian defense specialist Glenn Copeland to head its local subsidiary as the shipbuilder intensifies its bid for Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, a program the company said could be worth up to 60 trillion won ($45 billion). Hanwha Ocean has established Hanwha Defense Canada to pursue the contract, and said Copeland’s appointment will allow it to step up engagement with Canadian authorities. Copeland served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Navy for 22 years, including roles as an operations and tactics officer and deputy commander of a patrol vessel, before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He later joined Lockheed Martin Canada, where he led the modernization program for the Halifax-class patrol frigates. During his time at Lockheed Martin Canada, Copeland oversaw the full program lifecycle, including finance, engineering processes and software development, Hanwha Ocean said. He also gained experience spanning business development and export programs related to the CMS 330 combat management system. 2026-01-21 09:38:34

OPINION: Why environmental policies keep failing consumers SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Protecting the environment is no longer optional. In the face of climate change and resource depletion, the government's role is clear. The key question is no longer whether to act, but how. South Korea's evolving policies on paper cups and straws including the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's proposed charges on disposable cups demonstrate how environmental regulations can be inadequate when they overlook consumer acceptance. Paper straws, introduced in November 2022 as a substitute for plastic straws, drew complaints that they ruined the taste of drinks and became soggy quickly, while also raising hygiene concerns. The government then indefinitely postponed banning disposable cups and plastic straws in 2023, only to shift policy again late last year by allowing them to be provided only at customers' request. These reversals left consumers skeptical of environmental regulations, which they came to perceive as inconsistent and burdensome. The government now plans to charge for disposable cups by requiring businesses to display separate beverage prices, one with a disposable cup and one without, offering customers a discount if they bring their own cups or tumblers. The goal is to encourage the use of tumblers and other reusable cups, but critics question whether it reflects how people actually consume beverages, as not everyone plans their drink purchases in advance or wants to carry tumblers throughout the day. Moreover, discounts for using tumblers already exist, yet many consumers still opt for disposable cups. It remains unclear whether the proposed cup price of 100 to 200 won would be sufficient to change consumer behavior. While the plan seeks to reduce single-use plastic cups by encouraging the use of personal cups, questions remain as to whether tumblers are always environmentally beneficial. Tumblers reduce waste only through consistent, long-term use. If abandoned after minimal use, they actually generate more resource waste and carbon emissions than the disposable cups they were meant to replace. There is little evidence that the behavioral changes this policy seeks will actually produce meaningful environmental benefits. Another concern is how this affects consumers and small business owners. If the cost of a cup, previously included in the drink prices, is displayed separately, consumers are likely to perceive it as a price increase. These policies reflect that policymakers have prioritized reducing plastic use without adequately assessing consumers' tolerance for inconvenience. Environmental regulation is necessary, but inconsistent policies and ineffective rules can fail to earn public trust and may not achieve environmental goals. The key to solving environmental issues lies not in mandatory regulations, but in earning public support. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 09:27:57

SK Innovation brings KHNP into TerraPower deal to expand global SMR business SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - SK Innovation said on Wednesday it has sold part of its stake in U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) developer TerraPower to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), strengthening a three-way partnership aimed at expanding in the global next-generation nuclear power market. The transaction marks the first direct investment by a South Korean state-run energy company in a global SMR developer. Financial terms were not disclosed. TerraPower, founded in 2008 by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is developing its Natrium reactor technology, which combines an advanced nuclear reactor with a gigawatt-scale energy storage system. The company is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial Natrium SMR plant in Wyoming, with completion targeted for 2030. SMRs use modular designs intended to reduce construction times and costs and allow generating capacity to be added in stages. SK Innovation said such reactors can provide stable, around-the-clock power and are seen as well suited for power-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence data centers. SK Innovation said TerraPower’s Natrium technology can adjust output to match electricity demand through integrated energy storage, enabling load-following operations and improving compatibility with variable renewable energy sources compared with other SMR designs. KHNP said it completed a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States in December related to its TerraPower investment, laying the groundwork for deeper participation in the global SMR market. SK Innovation and its parent company, SK Inc., invested in TerraPower in August 2022 and became its second-largest shareholders. SK Innovation said they will retain that position following the partial stake sale. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2023 covering SMR development and demonstration and have since cooperated to expand the global SMR supply chain. Following KHNP’s investment, they plan to sequentially sign commercialization contracts covering additional SMR construction in the United States and other markets, as well as steps toward introducing SMRs in South Korea. “KHNP’s participation in TerraPower’s investment has made the three-way cooperation on global SMR projects more concrete,” Kim Mu-hwan, head of SK Innovation’s Energy Solution Business Division, said in a statement. Kim added that the company will work with KHNP to support the Wyoming project and pursue overseas SMR projects, including localization of materials and components. 2026-01-21 08:45:41

Samsung Display supplies OLED cockpit, rear screens for Zeekr's flagship SUV SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Samsung Display said Wednesday it is supplying three types of automotive OLED displays for the flagship luxury SUV from Chinese electric-vehicle brand Zeekr. The Zeekr 9X has ranked first in China’s large-SUV segment priced at around 500,000 yuan ($70,000) for two consecutive months since November, according to the company. Under the deal, Samsung Display is providing a 16-inch center information display, a 16-inch front passenger display and a 17-inch rear-seat entertainment display. The center and passenger displays are positioned side by side across the front cockpit, extending from the driver’s seat to the front passenger seat. With slim bezels and OLED’s true-black image quality, the two front displays can visually appear as a single wide panel while operating independently, improving usability for both the driver and front passenger, the company said. The 17-inch rear-seat display features a wing-style sliding mechanism. The screen can move up to 88 centimeters along interior rails, addressing the limited visibility of fixed rear-seat displays for third-row passengers. Samsung Display said the large screen size, wide viewing angles, high contrast and deep-black performance are designed to enhance the cabin experience in the six-seat SUV. “Our automotive OLEDs deliver high brightness along with true-black image quality,” said Choi Yong-seok, vice president in charge of automotive sales at Samsung Display. “We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and drive growth in the automotive OLED market through differentiated, high-performance products.” Samsung Display first supplied OLED panels for Zeekr’s 009 model in 2024 and has since expanded the partnership to include the 9X, the company said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 08:35:47

Seoul honors Turkish General Tahsin Yazıcı as first global war hero under new program SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor Brigadier General Tahsin Yazıcı, the Korean War commander of the Turkish Brigade, as the "Korean War Hero of the Month" for January 2026. The Turkish Brigade, known by the code name "North Star" (Kuzey Yıldızı), arrived in the port city of Busan on October 17, 1950. Attached to the U.S. IX Corps, the brigade quickly earned a reputation for ferocity and resilience. Turkish soldiers were particularly noted for their effectiveness in close-quarters combat and their willingness to hold defensive lines against numerically superior forces, playing a pivotal role in protecting United Nations flanks during critical withdrawals. Yazıcı was selected as the first international recipient of the ministry's newly expanded recognition program. While the "Korean War Hero of the Month" initiative has operated since 2011, it previously focused primarily on domestic veterans. Starting in January 2026, the ministry broadened the scope to select two individuals each month—one from the South Korean military and one from United Nations forces—to better publicize the contributions of the international community. The commemoration took place at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul, where Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Yun-jin presented a memorial plaque to Turkish Ambassador to South Korea Salih Murat Tamer. During the ceremony, Vice Minister Kang emphasized that the recognition carried weight beyond a single commander. "While we are honoring General Yazıcı as the hero for January, this is intended to express our gratitude to the entire Turkish contingent that fought in the Korean War, not just one individual," Kang said. "The government will never forget the sacrifices of the Turkish veterans." Military historians credit Yazıcı with a critical delaying action against Chinese forces during the Battle of Wawon (Kunuri) in November 1950. When the U.S. 8th Army faced encirclement by a large-scale Chinese offensive in South Pyongan Province, Yazıcı made the independent decision—despite a lack of communication with higher command—to establish a defensive line. This action prevented the destruction of the allied flank and allowed U.S. forces to withdraw to safety. His leadership was further demonstrated during the Battle of Kumyangjang-ni in January 1951. In the area of present-day Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the Turkish Brigade engaged in hand-to-hand combat using bayonets to defeat a Chinese force estimated to be three times their size. The victory is widely regarded as a psychological turning point that dispelled the "invincible" image of the Chinese military among UN troops. In his address, Kang highlighted the humanitarian legacy left by Yazıcı and his troops, specifically the establishment of the "Ankara School" and orphanage in Suwon in 1952. "Even as the war was nearing its end, they created the Ankara School to care for and educate children, sharing beautiful humanity," Kang said. "It makes me realize where the term 'blood brothers' truly comes from." Kang also announced a new bilateral initiative discussed with Ambassador Tamer. The ministry plans to collaborate with the Turkish government to formally review and preserve historical records related to the Ankara School, ensuring the story depicted in the movie "Ayla" is preserved. Ambassador Tamer stated that the relationship between the two nations has evolved beyond a temporary military alliance into a "brotherhood" built on shared sacrifice. "The friendship between Türkiye and the Republic of Korea goes beyond military cooperation established on the battlefields," Tamer said. "It has transformed into a strong, multi-dimensional strategic partnership built on sacrifice, resilience, and shared ideals." Born in Monastir in 1892, Yazıcı was a veteran of World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. Before his deployment to South Korea, he was a pioneer in the Turkish military who established the army's first armored tank unit in 1934. He was known among his troops for his "fatherly compassion" and his willingness to remain on the firing line during combat. Yazıcı retired as a major general in 1952 and served as a member of the Turkish parliament before his death in 1971. 2026-01-21 08:29:14

OPINION: A compound crisis demands compound policy for Korean economy South Korea’s economy is sending mixed signals. Exports are at record highs and the stock market is approaching 5,000 points. At the same time, warning lights are flashing: a weaker won, renewed pressure on home prices and worsening youth employment. Some see the moment as an opening for a major shift; others warn of an economy cooling toward stagnation. In truth, opportunity and risk are advancing together — and that is the most difficult phase of all. The real challenge is no longer what to do, but how fast, in what order and by what method. Yet policy discussions still cling to a familiar sequence: stabilize first, secure growth engines next, then pursue structural reform. That linear roadmap no longer just simplifies reality; it distorts it. Such sequencing assumes a stable external environment, sufficient domestic trust and enough growth momentum to buy time. South Korea has lost all three. Globally, technology, security, energy and currencies are now entangled in constant competition, where delayed decisions can create years-long gaps. At home, widening divides in assets, income and generations are eroding social trust. Growth potential remains, but the room to postpone action under the excuse of “proper sequencing” has disappeared. In this context, saying “stability this year, takeoff next year, reform after that” is not a strategy. It sounds like postponement — and voters and markets no longer trust it. South Korea is not facing separate problems, but a compound crisis in which multiple risks move simultaneously. The country still needs to grow while already carrying the structural burdens of an advanced economy. Catch-up growth tasks and advanced-economy constraints are arriving at the same time. The exchange rate is not merely a foreign-exchange issue. It feeds inflation, raises household burdens, weakens consumption and shapes corporate investment decisions. Treating currency stability as a stand-alone task is unrealistic. Housing is no different. It is tied not only to assets, but also to labor mobility, youth employment, birth rates and demographics. Push housing off as a later “structural reform,” and youth and labor policies fail in practice. The same logic applies to AI and advanced industries. Technology cannot leap ahead while power grids, data infrastructure, permits and regulation remain bottlenecks. Talking about a technological takeoff while delaying structural change misreads the problem. These challenges are already moving together. Only policy remains trapped in an outdated timetable. What South Korea needs is not a more detailed timeline, but a package strategy that runs in parallel — one in which stability, takeoff and structural change reinforce one another. The objective is not to solve everything by 2026. It is to convince the public and markets that the country has entered a credible, irreversible path. Direction matters more than completion. Stability remains the starting point, but it can no longer be treated as a waiting phase. Uncertainty around exchange rates, prices, housing and finance must be reduced simultaneously. That requires more than technical adjustments; it demands a clear collective signal. The government, the central bank and public pension funds must clarify their roles and deliver a consistent message that these risks will not be neglected. The same is true for takeoff. Policy documents are filled with references to AI and advanced industries, but the issue is not technology itself — it is the conditions that allow it to function. Without addressing power supply, data access, permits, regulation and talent incentives together, “takeoff” remains a slogan. It is not a future phase; it is a present challenge that cannot begin without changing today’s structures. Structural change, meanwhile, is the hardest to postpone. Youth employment, labor mobility, regional gaps and demographic pressures are already unfolding. If direction and principles are not presented now, policy credibility will erode quickly. The task is not to overhaul every system immediately, but to lock in an unmistakable, irreversible direction. This is where governance becomes decisive. A package strategy that advances stability, takeoff and structural change simultaneously cannot be executed by any single ministry. It is not just a finance issue, nor can it be neatly divided among industry, land, labor or science ministries. With exchange rates and fiscal policy, industry and power, housing and jobs, technology and regulation all intertwined, coordination must run through the entire government — not as a collection of siloed policies. That makes the role of the Blue House — a national control tower centered on the president — critical. Setting priorities, resolving interagency conflicts and tying short-term stability to medium- and long-term transition fall squarely within presidential authority and responsibility. This is a test of governance, not paperwork. It is also where presidential leadership is judged most coldly. Leadership is revealed not by rhetoric, but by whether ministries move together, policy direction remains consistent and people feel change. Success restores trust quickly; failure leaves little room for excuses. South Korea’s economy is now at that test. If the president cannot take direct responsibility and bind the government together at a moment when stability, takeoff and structural change cannot be separated, even the most carefully designed policies will struggle to work. One more reality must be confronted: the nationwide local elections scheduled for June. They risk becoming a stronger variable than any economic policy now under discussion. The problem is not elections themselves, but the gravitational pull toward populism. Elections compress policy into short-term results and defer painful decisions. As campaigns near, consistency weakens — especially on sensitive issues such as exchange rates, housing, fees and fiscal policy. Officials begin to say “now is not the time.” Direction is verbally maintained, but execution slows. The public notices. A package strategy — which requires firmness, consistency and shared burden — is especially vulnerable. If momentum falters during the campaign, the damage will extend beyond policy failure to a deeper loss of trust. The question, then, is how to sustain a firm, consistent package strategy amid political pressure. First, policy must be elevated from campaign pledges to governing principles. Without a clear separation, policy will wobble. Stability, takeoff and structural change must be framed not as promises to specific groups, but as operating principles tied to national survival — and articulated even more clearly during the campaign. Second, the direction and baseline timeline should be institutionalized as much as possible. Laws, systems, medium-term plans and independent bodies can buffer policy from the electoral calendar. Not everything can be legislated, but the core direction must be embedded so it cannot swing entirely with politics. Third, results must be shown as in progress, not deferred to the future. Elections dislike uncertainty, but public anxiety grows when nothing seems to be happening. Visible shifts within 2026 are essential to demonstrate that the path is already changing. Finally, presidential leadership becomes even more crucial. As elections approach, ministries hesitate and risk avoidance grows. Only the president can hold the policy line. Without clear priorities and non-negotiable principles set from the top, the package strategy will unravel. Elections are unavoidable. Whether they consume policy is a matter of governance. In South Korea’s current situation, delaying hard decisions because of electoral pressure is not a political choice — it is a national risk. Calling for stability, takeoff and structural change at once does not mean ignoring elections. It means acknowledging that reality and still setting minimum governing standards that must not waver. Elections pass. Economic direction shapes the years that follow. South Korea’s economy is again at a crossroads: whether policy is pulled by the magnet of politics, or whether it holds its course above it. The consequences will be felt directly in people’s lives/ The author is an editorial writer for the Aju Business Daily. About the author ▷Former deputy business editor and Tokyo correspondent at JoongAng Ilbo ▷Former visiting professor at Seoul National University’s College of Engineering ▷Former chair professor of technology management at Hanyang University ▷Former head of Gyeonggi Science & Technology Promotion Agency ▷Currently a special professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology’s AI Policy and Strategy Graduate School and a visiting professor at Gachon University ▷Currently editorial writer at Ajou Economy * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 07:27:33

KOSPI catches its breath after two-week rally SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI pulled back on Tuesday, ending its year-opening rally, as selling pressure in major technology and auto shares outweighed gains in select growth and thematic stocks. The index fell 0.4 percent to close at 4,885.8, snapping a 13-session winning streak that included a series of record highs. Despite the pullback, it briefly climbed to an intraday high of 4,935.48, extending its run of fresh peaks before momentum faded in later trading. The KOSPI 200 dropped 0.8 percent to 708.5, reflecting pronounced weakness among large-cap constituents. By contrast, the tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed, rising 0.8 percent to 976.4, near the 980 level and its highest point in four years, highlighting the growing divergence between the main board and smaller, theme-driven stocks. On the KOSPI, institutional investors were heavy sellers, offloading a net 606.1 billion won ($410 million), more than offsetting net purchases by individuals of 352.5 billion Korean won and foreign investors' buying of 79.3 billion won. Foreign investors extended their buying streak to a fourth consecutive session, while retail investors ended a six-day run of net selling that had persisted since Jan. 12. On the KOSDAQ, institutional investors dominated buying with net purchases of 284.4 billion won, while retail investors offloaded 260.4 billion won. Foreign participation remained subdued, with only a marginal net inflow of 1.8 billion won. Semiconductor giants pulled the index lower as profit-taking intensified amid ongoing concerns about global trade tensions and potential U.S. tariffs. Samsung Electronics slid 2.75 percent to 145,200 won, while SK hynix dropped 2.8 percent to 743,000 won, both underperforming after sharp rallies earlier this month. Hyundai Motor fell 3.02 percent to 479,000 won, adding to the index's losses. Trading was more mixed for other stocks, with Naver rising 2.5 percent to 244,000 won, defying the broader decline. Robotics-related shares remained in focus, with Doosan Robotics surging 9.7 percent to 118,100 won. Samsung SDI gained 3.8 percent to 326,000 won, leading advances among battery-related stocks. Thematic trading continued beneath the surface. Shares linked to nuclear power plant decommissioning surged 8.4 percent, while the aerospace sector climbed 7.8 percent, reflecting sustained investor appetite for policy- and technology-driven growth areas even as blue-chip stocks cooled. The Korean won weakened to 1,479 per dollar, down 4.5 won from the previous session, tracking broader dollar strength. Across Asia, sentiment was subdued. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent to 52,991.1 as fiscal concerns and rising bond yields weighed on technology shares, while China's Shanghai Composite edged down 0.009 percent to 4,113.7. 2026-01-20 17:56:29

More young Koreans abandon job searches: BOK SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - The number of economically inactive or “idled” young people in South Korea has risen sharply, with a growing share abandoning job searches, underscoring mounting risks to the country’s long-term growth potential, the central bank said on Tuesday. According to a report from the Bank of Korea (BOK), the proportion of the idled population within the economically inactive group climbed to 15.8 percent in 2025, up from 12.8 percent in 2019. The trend is most pronounced among young people, where the idled share surged to 22.3 percent last year from 14.6 percent in 2019. The report showed that the number of idled individuals with prior work experience jumped 32.5 percent over the period, rising from 360,000 in 2019 to 477,000 in 2025. By contrast, the number of young people without any work experience who fall into the "NEET" category — not in education, employment or training — remained broadly unchanged at around 100,000. The data suggest that those who have already entered the labor market are increasingly likely to exit and fail to return. The number of so-called “resting” youth — individuals who reported having no desire to work — also rose sharply, reaching 450,000 last year, a 56.8 percent increase from 287,000 in 2019. While people with an associate degree or lower continue to account for about 60 percent of the idled youth population, the number of university graduates and those with higher education who are “just resting” has been steadily increasing, the BOK said. The central bank found a strong link between prolonged unemployment and permanent labor market exit. Each additional year of unemployment raises the probability of a young person becoming idled by an average of 4 percent, while reducing the likelihood of finding a job by 3.1 percent. “The increase in the idled youth population poses a risk of shrinking the long-term labor supply and weakening South Korea’s potential growth,” the BOK report said. “As the likelihood of labor market exit rises with the length of unemployment, it is crucial to implement measures that prevent prolonged stagnation among job seekers.” 2026-01-20 17:45:24

Uzbekistan president calls for results-oriented diplomatic shift SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for a fundamental restructuring of the country's diplomatic missions on January 15, urging ambassadors to pivot from traditional political representation to aggressive economic advocacy and the protection of citizens abroad. Speaking at an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mirziyoyev said the shifting geopolitical landscape and increasing threats to state sovereignty require a "new generation" of diplomats capable of delivering concrete outcomes rather than just managing relations. "In the current environment, an ambassador is not just a person who conducts political dialogue," Mirziyoyev said. "An ambassador is a state representative who attracts investment and technologies, opens new export markets, launches transport and logistics corridors... and, most importantly, protects the rights of our citizens." The president emphasized that future performance evaluations for heads of diplomatic missions will rely on specific key performance indicators. These include the volume of export revenues generated from their host countries, the growth of tourist flows to Uzbekistan, and the effective organization of legal labor migration. Reviewing the previous year, Mirziyoyev noted that 2025 was productive for Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Foreign trade turnover exceeded $80 billion for the first time, with exports reaching $33.5 billion and foreign investment topping $43 billion. The country also established strategic partnerships with 11 additional nations, bringing the total to 19. Despite these figures, the president criticized the underutilization of existing potential. He pointed to the failure to secure available international funding, estimating that better coordination between ministries and embassies could have attracted an additional $200 million to $300 million in grants last year. Mirziyoyev also highlighted the negative impact of rising logistics costs on the competitiveness of domestic products. He instructed diplomats to work on diversifying transit routes and optimizing supply chains, particularly to reduce transportation costs for goods entering European markets. The meeting also addressed the welfare of Uzbek citizens working abroad. Mirziyoyev directed embassy staff to abandon "office diplomacy" and establish direct dialogue with compatriots, ensuring qualified legal assistance is available for labor migrants. To formalize these shifts, the president announced the need to update the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The revised document will reflect long-term goals in economic diplomacy, security, transport logistics, and climate issues. "The time has come for a new generation of diplomats – those who achieve concrete results and firmly defend the interests of Uzbekistan in the international arena," Mirziyoyev said. To recognize effective service under these new standards, the president proposed the establishment of a new state award, the title of "Honored Diplomat of the Republic of Uzbekistan." 2026-01-20 17:39:48

Most powerful cold wave of winter hits South Korea SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - An intense cold wave gripped the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday, coinciding with Daehan, the final of the 24 traditional lunar terms marking the peak of winter. Temperatures plummeted below minus 10 degrees Celsius across the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province, prompting authorities to issue cold wave advisories for most of the country. In the capital, the morning wind chill factor plunged to a staggering minus 18 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest day recorded so far this winter. The biting conditions forced commuters to bundle up in heavy layers as the city faced its most severe sub-zero stretch of the season. The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted that the frigid conditions will persist through the weekend. 2026-01-20 17:13:58