Pinkfong signs deal with US entertainment firm to develop family stage shows SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - The Pinkfong Company said on Tuesday it has signed a partnership with U.S.-based live entertainment and touring firm Terrapin Station Entertainment to jointly develop new stage productions for family audiences. Terrapin Station Entertainment has produced and toured live shows based on family-oriented intellectual property, including Disney Junior, Peppa Pig and Gabby’s Magic House, and has operated large-scale tours across North America. Under the agreement, the two companies will plan and develop a K-pop concert-style family show featuring the Pinkfong Company’s intellectual property, including Pinkfong, Baby Shark and Bebefinn. The Pinkfong Company said it has staged performances in more than 200 cities across 16 countries, attracting a cumulative audience of over 1.5 million. It said the partnership is designed to move beyond one-off events toward repeatable, large-scale touring formats and to expand global revenue streams. The new production will target families and adopt a K-pop concert format built around the concept of “a child’s first concert.” The companies said the show will combine music, dance and visual effects with audience-participation segments to recreate the energy of a K-pop performance. Pinkfong and Baby Shark will headline the show, alongside Bebefinn. Jeong Yeon-bin, head of the Pinkfong Company’s U.S. operations, said the partnership provides a “new springboard” for expanding the company’s live entertainment business globally. “We will continue to broaden our engagement with fans worldwide through high-quality performance experiences,” Jeong said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-20 10:14:48

Hyosung Heavy partners with German, Japanese power grid firms SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Hyosung Heavy Industries said on Tuesday it has signed an agreement with Germany’s Skeleton Technologies and Japan’s Marubeni to cooperate on the development and commercialization of “e-STATCOM,” a next-generation power-compensation system. Under the deal, Hyosung Heavy Industries and Skeleton Technologies will jointly develop e-STATCOM through 2027, while Marubeni, a strategic partner of Skeleton, will provide stable supplies of supercapacitors used in the system. e-STATCOM combines a conventional static synchronous compensator, or STATCOM, with a high-performance energy storage device known as a supercapacitor. The system is designed to adjust power supply and power quality in real time, helping improve grid stability. Hyosung said global power markets are increasingly in need of advanced stabilization technologies to address supply-demand imbalances stemming from the rapid expansion of AI-driven industries and the growing share of renewable energy sources. The company said e-STATCOM is emerging as essential infrastructure for future energy markets because it can help maintain stable power systems amid sharp fluctuations in demand. Hyosung Heavy aims to complete development of e-STATCOM in 2027 and pursue South Korea’s first commercialization of the technology. The company has steadily internalized power-stabilization technologies, including STATCOM, to respond to structural changes in electricity markets driven by AI growth and renewable energy expansion. Hyosung first developed a STATCOM domestically in 2006 and has since led the South Korean market. It commercialized a 150-megavolt-ampere reactive (Mvar) STATCOM in 2015 and installed 400Mvar STATCOM units in 2018 at the Sin Yeongju and Sin Chungju substations, which it said were the world’s largest single-unit installations at the time. The company has also supplied STATCOM systems to major overseas markets, including the United States, Europe and the Middle East. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-20 10:03:00

South Korea's Neptune sets sights on India as it scales adtech, game publishing SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Neptune said on Tuesday it will expand businesses that combine advertising technology and gaming this year, centered on three new initiatives, following its acquisition by Krafton. Neptune outlined three strategic pillars: global expansion of its adtech operations, a stronger push into hybrid-casual games and the development of a new demand-side platform, or DSP, for advertisers. India has been identified as the top priority market for its adtech business. The company said its India strategy focuses on optimizing services for local mobile environments. It completed India-specific software development kits, or SDKs, and infrastructure capable of handling large-scale traffic in the third quarter of last year. The technology will be rolled out in phases, starting with popular mobile games in India in the first half of this year. The company has spent about six months establishing internal collaboration models after the takeover by Krafton and is now moving into an execution phase. In its games business, Neptune said it aims to diversify revenue by increasing investment and publishing in hybrid-casual titles that combine in-app purchases, or IAP, with in-app advertising, or IAA. It also plans to expand in-house game development to secure a steady pipeline of hit titles and user traffic. Chief Executive Kang Yul-bin said Neptune plans to leverage traffic from its parent company to gain a foothold in India’s adtech market, which he estimated to be worth about 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion). “By linking the expansion of hybrid-casual games with our India business rollout, we aim to take our adtech business to the next level,” Kang said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-20 09:48:48

Korea's producer prices rise nearly 2% on year amid weak won, surging memory chip costs SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) -South Korea’s producer prices rose for a fourth consecutive month in December, as a weak won lifted prices across a broad range of goods and services, while sharply higher memory chip costs added further upward pressure. According to data released Tuesday by the Bank of Korea, the producer price index for December stood at 121.76 (2020 = 100), up 0.4 percent from the previous month and 1.9 percent from a year earlier. For the full year of 2025, producer prices rose a relatively modest 1.2 percent. Fresh food prices jumped 7.5 percent on month, reflecting cold-weather conditions, while energy prices fell 0.9 percent on softer international prices despite unfavorable exchange-rate conditions. Raw material prices increased 1.8 percent on month, reversing a 0.5 percent decline recorded in November. Manufactured goods rose 0.4 percent. Gains in computer, electronic and optical equipment, which climbed 2.3 percent, and primary metal products, up 1.1 percent, were partly offset by a 3.7-percent drop in coal and petroleum products. Prices for electricity, gas, water and waste services rose 0.2 percent, led by increases in industrial city gas, up 1.6 percent, and sewage treatment services, up 2.3 percent. Service prices also rose 0.2 percent, driven by restaurants and lodging, which increased 0.4 percent, and financial and insurance services, up 0.7 percent. Among key cost drivers, production costs for DRAM surged 15.1 percent from the previous month and 91.2 percent from a year earlier. Costs for assembling flash memory rose 6 percent on month and 72.4 percent on year. By contrast, naphtha cracking costs fell 3.8 percent on month and 17.4 percent on year, reflecting a prolonged downturn in the petrochemical sector and ongoing capacity reductions under industrial restructuring. Lee Moon-hee, head of the Bank of Korea’s price statistics team, said farm product prices were influenced by seasonal supply-and-demand factors and temporary supply disruptions caused by harvest delays for certain fruit items. “Farm product prices typically tend to rise from the previous month in summer and winter, so this is not unusual,” Lee said. On the potential impact on consumer inflation, Lee said the recent rise in producer prices has been driven largely by higher prices for intermediate goods such as semiconductors and primary metals, suggesting the pass-through to consumer prices may take time. He added that international oil prices remain lower than the previous month’s average and could exert downward pressure on consumer prices through petroleum products. The won weakened overnight, with the dollar briefly rising above 1,480 won—widely viewed as a government defense line—before retreating to around 1,474.5 won. 2026-01-20 09:35:03

Snow sledding available along Seoul's Han River SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Kids and other visitors have been enjoying snow sledding at parks along the Han River, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government offers seasonal programs for winter sports fun. Facilities for the programs, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., are available at three location - Ttukseom, Jamwon, and Yeouido - for 6,000 Korean won (about US$4) and will remain open until mid-February. Visitors can enjoy sledding on slopes of varying heights as well as a low-level play area. 2026-01-19 18:12:13

In a weak home market, K-food finds future in overseas SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Beneath the global rise of K-ramyeon lies a harsher reality at home: much of Korea’s food industry is shrinking, squeezed by a prolonged domestic consumption slump, rising input costs and a weak currency that has inflated import prices. On the surface, K-food appears unstoppable. Samyang Foods’ Buldak Spicy Chicken Noodles dominate convenience-store shelves worldwide, while Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun has become a staple at major U.S. retailers such as Walmart. But the export boom is far from universal. Samyang Foods now generates 81 percent of its sales overseas, with Nongshim and Pulmuone also posting steady growth abroad. Beyond this narrow group, however, many food makers remain heavily exposed to weak domestic demand. Binggrae, whose Melona brand has become an icon of “K-ice cream” in North America, still derives only 13.7 percent of its revenue from exports as of 2025. That limited overseas exposure has failed to offset falling local consumption and rising costs, prompting the company to offer voluntary retirement to employees across the organization. A similar pattern has emerged among other domestically focused firms. Lotte Wellfood reported a consolidated operating profit of 63.9 billion won in the third quarter of 2025, down 8.9 percent from a year earlier, citing higher cocoa prices and one-off costs linked to voluntary retirement programs. The contrast with export-driven peers is stark. According to the Korea Customs Service, ramyeon accounted for 13.3 percent of total K-food exports last year, followed by seaweed at 10 percent and confectionery at 6.7 percent. Together, the three categories made up roughly 30 percent of total exports — and the companies most exposed to these segments delivered the strongest earnings. Samyang Foods posted third-quarter consolidated sales of 632 billion won and operating profit of 130.9 billion won in 2025, up 44 percent and 49.9 percent, respectively, from a year earlier, driven by surging overseas demand. Nongshim reported sales of 871.2 billion won and operating profit of 54.4 billion won, with operating profit jumping 44.7 percent. Pulmuone also recorded solid growth, with sales rising 6.6 percent and operating profit up 14.4 percent. Industry observers say the outperformance was driven not only by wider distribution but also by consumer engagement strategies centered on social media. “Rather than relying on traditional marketing, we expanded by communicating with consumers through social media-linked campaigns such as the ‘Fire Noodle Challenge’,” said Lee Hye-ryeong, a manager at Samyang Foods. “We organized events like speed-eating contests at schools and other on-site activities, and the distinctive taste of Buldak created a synergy with those efforts. We plan to continue this approach in 2026.” Such direct communication helped turn online buzz into real demand abroad, accelerating Buldak’s expansion into mainstream retail channels. More broadly, analysts say exports have become the industry’s primary growth engine, fueled by rising shipments of ramyeon and beverages to the United States, Southeast Asia and China. Stronger brand recognition, aggressive overseas marketing and localization strategies have allowed leading players to scale beyond the limits of the domestic market. The message is becoming unmistakable. In an era of weak local consumption, the K-food boom belongs to those that treat overseas markets not as a supplement, but as their main stage. For companies that fail to do so, global popularity alone may not be enough to ensure survival. 2026-01-19 18:05:13

OPINION: Belgium and Korea: An Enduring Friendship SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Belgium is a constitutional monarchy in Western Europe, with Brussels as its capital. Yet beyond its role as a political and diplomatic hub of Europe, Belgium often enters the global imagination through a gentler and more playful symbol: the Smurfs. These small blue characters—whimsical in appearance yet enduring in influence—have become one of the country’s most recognizable cultural ambassadors, reminding us that a nation’s identity is sometimes conveyed as powerfully through imagination and humor as through history and diplomacy. Created by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo (Pierre Culliford, 1928–1992), the Smurfs are an integral part of Belgium’s rich comics tradition. Living together in a magical forest village of mushroom-shaped houses, they embody values of cooperation, friendship, and community. Beloved far beyond Belgium’s borders, the Smurfs are so closely associated with the country that they are officially regarded as a national symbol—proof that cultural soft power can sometimes be expressed most effectively through creativity and warmth. Belgium’s relationship with Korea, however, is grounded not in fantasy but in a long and meaningful shared history. Strong diplomatic ties date back to 1892, even before the two countries formally signed a treaty of friendship in 1901. Belgium opened its first legation in Korea in 1903, marking the beginning of official diplomatic engagement between the two nations. A testament to this early relationship still stands today in Nanhyeon-dong, Gwanak-gu, southern Seoul: the former Belgian Consulate building, constructed in 1905 and renovated in 1983. With its classical Ionic columns and preserved fireplaces, the structure serves not only as a window into early 20th-century Western architecture in Korea, but also as a bridge between classical heritage and modern artistic expression. Recognized as Historical Site No. 254, it remains a protected part of Korea’s architectural legacy. Since September 2004, the building has been home to the Nam(South) Seoul Living Arts Museum. Following Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, most foreign diplomatic missions were forced to withdraw. Belgium closed its post in Seoul in 1918, yet it was among the first nations to recognize Korea as a sovereign state after liberation and the establishment of a new government in 1948. Belgium officially re-established its embassy in Korea in 1970. Perhaps the most profound demonstration of Belgium’s dedication to Korea came during the Korean War (1950–1953). Under the United Nations Command, approximately 3,000 Belgian volunteers fought alongside Korean and the U.N. allied forces. More than 100 of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Their contribution remains a deeply respected chapter in the shared history of the two nations. In September 2011, the 110th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Belgium was commemorated with a special concert and reception at the KBS Hall. Organized jointly by the Belgian Embassy in Seoul and KBS, the event featured the KBS Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Belgian conductor Patrick Davin. The invited guests also enjoyed the distinctive flavors of Belgian beer—an art form in its own right, with over 1,000 varieties produced across the country. More recently, Korea welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, who led a 256-member delegation during Belgium’s fourth economic mission to South Korea, held from June 10 to 17, 2017 Since King Philippe’s accession, Princess Astrid has been entrusted with leading Belgian economic missions abroad, underscoring their strategic importance. The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders, as well as Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Pieter De Crem. During her visit, Princess Astrid was appointed an honorary citizen of Seoul. One of the most symbolic moments of the mission was her visit to Panmunjom, the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone—a place that powerfully represents both division and the enduring hope for peace. I had the honor of attending the Korea–Belgium Friendship Concert and reception on June 12, 2017, held at Kumho Art Hall at Yonsei University. Princess Astrid and many distinguished guests were present, including Belgium’s Ambassador to Korea, Adrien Théatre, and Yonsei University President Kim Yong-hak. The chamber music concert, performed by outstanding musicians from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel—under the honorary chairmanship of Her Majesty Queen Paola—was refined, moving, and deeply memorable. Exchanging greetings and shaking hands with Princess Astrid was a personal honor. I was particularly impressed by her genuine interest in Korean culture and media. Her visit, I believe, further strengthened the foundation for fruitful bilateral relations between Korea and Belgium. I also had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Belgian King’s Day reception in Seoul, held on November 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul. The event celebrated the strong bilateral ties between Belgium and Korea and looked ahead to the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. Ambassador Bruno Jans highlighted the upcoming commemorations, including the 75th anniversary of Belgian troop involvement in the Korean War. Belgium is also a cultural crossroads, blending Germanic and Roman influences into a distinctive national identity. Like its neighbors France and Germany, it possesses remarkable diversity, yet it has forged its own unique artistic, musical, and culinary voice. That voice resonates powerfully in world music through the legacy of Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor of the saxophone in the 1840s. In his hometown of Dinant, saxophone sculptures line the streets, and commemorative events continue to celebrate his enduring influence, including those marking the 200th anniversary of his birth. From Smurfs to saxophones, from battlefields to concert halls, Belgium’s connection with Korea reflects not only shared history but also shared values. It is a relationship built on respect, sacrifice, creativity, and cultural exchange—one that continues to evolve with quiet strength and enduring friendship. ---About the Author--- Choe Chong-dae is a prominent columnist and a longstanding member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea. An enthusiast of international cultural and historical affairs, he has contributed regular opinion columns to The Korea Times for more than four decades. He also serves on the editorial board of the Newsletter of the Korea-America Association and is the founding director of the Korea–Swedish Association. In 2010, he was awarded Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the country’s most prestigious honors. 2026-01-19 18:00:24

US, South Korean officials meet for working-level talks on nuclear energy cooperation SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korean officials visited Washington last week to prepare for working-level talks on nuclear energy cooperation with the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. During his two-day trip last Thursday and Friday, Rim Kap-soo, who leads a task force for the talks, met with senior U.S. officials at the State Department and the Energy Department, including Christopher Yeaw, a State Department assistant secretary, and Matthew Napoli, a deputy administrator at the National Nuclear Security Administration. Rim and other South Korean officials reportedly emphasized cooperation with the U.S. on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and enriching uranium for commercial and peaceful purposes. According to the ministry, U.S. officials will visit Seoul soon for follow-up talks to implement agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet signed by the leaders of both countries during their summit in Seoul last fall. Rim's visit comes after national security adviser Wi Sung-lac traveled to the U.S. and met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. 2026-01-19 17:52:41

OPINION: Modern security is a foundation for development, not just a military task SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) -In the vision of the President of Uzbekistan, security is not an isolated military task, but a multidimensional foundation for the sustainable development of the state in the digital age To mark Defenders of the Homeland Day and the 34th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a number of significant state events were held. Key events included an expanded meeting of the Security Council chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a tour of the defense industry's production facilities, and the head of state's address to military personnel and compatriots. In this regard, a correspondent of Dunyo IA approached Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, with a request to comment on the key outcomes of these events and the tasks outlined by the country’s leader: - It's no exaggeration to say that today, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Uzbekistan laid the foundation for a new stage in the modernization of the national army—its high-tech transformation. I would even say that Shavkat Miromonovich's congratulations this year were not simply a tribute to tradition, but a kind of manifesto for the "New Look Army," where intelligence and technology must finally supplant outdated approaches to warfare. In the President's vision, security is not an isolated military task, but a multidimensional foundation for the sustainable development of the state in the digital age. By analyzing the key messages of the head of state, one can trace a clear and consistent logic for the transformation of all elements of the public administration system. The key innovation of the current stage of reforms lies in the recognition of the profound transformation of the very nature of modern warfare, in which technological superiority, rather than personnel numbers, is decisive. This is why the President of Uzbekistan has set the task of a large-scale doctrinal update: the development of a new version of the Defense Doctrine and the National Security Concept has been initiated. This is dictated by the need to adapt strategic documents to the conditions of hybrid threats while simultaneously maintaining Uzbekistan's non-aligned status and reliance on multilateral diplomacy. This sends a clear signal to the country about the predictability and sovereignty of the republic's course. The central element of the updated strategy is the transition to a “proactive mode of operation,” in which the security system must not only respond to emerging threats, but also be capable of predicting risks in advance and neutralizing them at an early stage. This intellectualization of security naturally requires a review of the Armed Forces' technical makeup. In this regard, the head of state initiated a thorough re-equipment of the army, prioritizing the implementation of artificial intelligence, robotic systems, and modern cybersecurity systems. It was emphasized that in modern conflicts, victory is achieved not by the number of bayonets, but by technological superiority and the speed of information processing. In this context, the digital transformation of the army becomes an undisputed priority. In other words, in modern warfare, intelligence is more important than mass, and victory is determined by the quality of technology and management. At the same time, high technology demands a fundamentally new level of competence. Therefore, a true personnel transformation has been initiated: the army is being positioned not as a closed institution, but as a modern educational and technological platform. It is becoming a school of life and professional growth, as well as a driver of economic development. Every year, 5,000 conscripts will undergo training under the "One Million Programmers" and "Five Million AI Leaders" programs. This strategic move allows us to simultaneously address two objectives: increasing the army's cyber resilience and creating a pool of in-demand specialists for the country's economy. Furthermore, the program provides for training soldiers in civilian professions, with the issuance of state-issued certificates upon completion of their service. For military personnel opening a business after demobilization, the state will reimburse 6% of the loan interest rate. Educational incentives are also being introduced: the opportunity to take university entrance exams directly at military units, interest-free student loans for those entering universities after service, and reimbursement of the costs of obtaining international language certificates. This approach reflects the current trend of developing "smart forces," in which the country's defenders are also qualified specialists in demand in the civilian sector. In this way, the army is organically integrated into the civil society system, providing young people with real tools for personal and professional success. For this model to function effectively, a solid social foundation is essential. Therefore, an unprecedented strengthening of social protection for military personnel has become a logical continuation of the reforms. The decisions to double officers' length-of-service bonuses and pay veterans pensions equal to 100% of their pay are, in my view, a strategic investment in the prestige of military service. Additionally, a 10% increase in pay for privates and contract sergeants is envisaged, as well as a 20% increase in the salaries of civilian defense personnel this year and a further 50% increase next year. The President clearly demonstrates that the state takes full responsibility for the well-being of those who defend the Motherland, thereby raising the prestige of military service and strengthening the principle of unity between the people and the army. The final element of this comprehensive strategy is achieving profound technological self-sufficiency. The modernization of the national defense-industrial complex, the creation of domestic military technology parks, and the development of unmanned systems production are aimed at minimizing external dependence. A visit to the Chirchik Aircraft Plant and defense technology parks clearly demonstrates that Uzbekistan is focusing on localization, a service economy, and the development of its own industrial base. The creation of a regional hub for Airbus equipment maintenance is not only a matter of prestige but also a practical step toward technological independence and integration into global production chains. All this strengthens state sovereignty, enabling the effective protection of national interests by relying on its own innovative potential and competencies. At the same time, the military is becoming a driver of innovative development: technologies developed for defense purposes inevitably find application in civilian sectors. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that the announced initiatives mark a definitive departure from outdated models. Essentially, we are witnessing the emergence of a new model of statehood, one in which high-tech sovereignty, intellectual capital, and social justice are integrated into a single strategy. A highly mobile, technologically advanced army is being created, capable of effectively countering hybrid threats in the changing nature of warfare. The army serves not only as a shield for the state but also as a driver of education, the economy, and social mobility—a modern, pragmatic, and deeply national approach to development and security in the new global reality. 2026-01-19 17:51:57

South Korean stocks extend rally to 12th session on robotics surge SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korean stocks extended their rally to a 12th consecutive session on Monday, driven by strong gains in robotics-related shares. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.32 percent to close at 4,904.7, marking another record high after maintaining gains throughout the session. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ advanced 1.4 percent to 968.4, while the KOSPI 200 climbed 1.3 percent to 713.96. Foreign investors led the advance. In the KOSPI market, foreigners posted net purchases of 551.3 billion won, while retail investors and institutions were net sellers of 751.1 billion won and 23.8 billion won, respectively. On the KOSDAQ, foreign investors bought a net 202.6 billion won, while individuals and institutions sold 137.5 billion won and 29.6 billion won. Robotics stocks were at the center of the rally. Doosan Robotics surged 19.14 percent to 107,700 won. Shares of Hyundai Motor Group also jumped on growing optimism over its robotics strategy, particularly its humanoid robot Atlas. Hyundai Motor soared 16.2 percent to 480,000 won, while Kia gained 12.2 percent to 169,600 won. The strength in robotics shares reflected a broader thematic rotation in the market. With renewed tariff pressure on semiconductors in the United States, investors have increasingly turned to sectors seen as less directly exposed to trade frictions, including robotics, automation and next-generation mobility. Expectations are also building that investment momentum is shifting from generative artificial intelligence toward practical industrial and manufacturing applications. By contrast, former market leaders showed more subdued performance. Naver fell 3.1 percent to 238,000 won, while Samsung Electronics edged up 0.3 percent to 149,300 won. In currency markets, the won strengthened slightly against the dollar to close at 1,474 won. Elsewhere in Asia, markets were mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.7 percent to 53,583.6, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.3 percent to 4,114. 2026-01-19 17:50:42