Seoul city braces for this week's nationwide university entrance exam SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students will take their annual university entrance exam at some 1,300 venues across the country on Thursday, prompting police and relevant officials to brace for safely getting them to their test venues. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday said that more subway trains, buses and taxis will be put into service on the test day, with free transportation and emergency transport vehicles also provided. In Seoul, about 114,158 students will sit for the test at 228 locations. To reduce rush-hour congestion and help students arrive at their test venues on time, the city advised public offices to open one hour late at 10 a.m. The number of subway trains will be increased by 29 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with additional trains on standby in case of disruptions. Additionally, around 646 vehicles will be stationed near subway stations and bus stops to transport students to test venues in case of need. Ye Jang-gwon, a city official, said, "We will provide full support to help students safely arrive at their test venues without any inconveniences and focus on their exams." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 16:35:26

Korean tofu major ventures into Europe, riding on U.S. success and K-food wave SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - After a decade of pushing its tofu onto American dinner tables, South Korea's leading tofu maker Pulmuone is preparing a full-scale entry into Europe, buoyed by the global rise of K-food and growing demand for plant-based diets across the region. The company said Monday it will establish a European subsidiary in Amsterdam as early as the end of this year and begin sales in France, Germany and Spain, marking its first major expansion into the bloc. "Both companies and consumers showed great interest in our products at SIAL Paris 2024 and the recently concluded ANUGA 2025 in Germany. We've held concrete discussions and even reached agreements with global warehouse discount chains," a company spokesperson said. The timing reflects Europe's accelerating shift toward greener diets. A survey released in May by the Good Food Institute Europe found that 60 percent of respondents in Germany and 56 percent in the UK consume plant-based products at least once a month. While the survey confirmed strong interest in meat alternatives, it also noted that product familiarity and improved taste remain critical for wider adoption. Tofu, already recognized as a protein-rich and versatile food, is expected to benefit from this trend as it makes a broader push into European grocery aisles. Pulmuone's expansion also coincides with a major upgrade of its Ayer, Massachusetts plant, scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year. The Boston-area facility, buoyed by robust U.S. tofu sales, will more than double its output to 9,000 blocks per hour from 4,500 currently. Products from the expanded plant will supply both North American and European markets. The company is pushing ahead even as its overseas business remains in the red. Pulmuone plans to streamline operations by shedding unprofitable units, including its Chinese subsidiary. At home, tofu consumption has stagnated as the domestic market remains oversaturated. Tofu exports peaked in 2020 at 7,770 tons worth $11.92 million before plunging during the pandemic to less than one-third of that level by 2022. Exports have since recovered to pre-COVID levels, supported by renewed interest in plant-based protein and Korean cuisine. Although several Korean firms export tofu, Pulmuone far outpaces its rivals with dominant overseas sales and holds about 42 percent of the domestic market. Overseas revenue has steadily increased, rising from 11.9 percent of total sales in 2019 to 19.8 percent last year. The company generated 635.1 billion won in overseas sales in 2024. In the United States, Pulmuone controls roughly 75 percent of the tofu market and has maintained its No. 1 position for a decade. Its success has been driven by extensive product localization—eliminating the bean odor disliked by Western consumers while improving freshness through upgraded logistics and cold-chain systems. The company has set a long-term goal of achieving 1 trillion won in U.S. tofu sales, aiming to increase household penetration across the market. "Much of our U.S. tofu is drier and higher in protein, less silky than domestic varieties. We even sell cheese-like mini tofu cubes, as Western consumers tend to dislike the pudding-like texture of Korean tofu," the spokesperson said. Pulmuone plans to apply the same formula in Europe, with high-protein, extra-firm tofu leading its initial lineup. The company is regarded as a pioneer in exporting Korean food culture. It opened its first U.S. tofu plant in Los Angeles in 1995 and now operates factories in Fullerton, California; Tappan and Ayer in New York; two facilities in Beijing; and five plants across Japan. It is also accelerating expansion into Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. 2025-11-10 16:26:57

Underperformance of KRW exposes fragility of economy overly exposed to USD and chips SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - South Koreans involved in trade settlements or overseas spending may need to brace for the U.S. dollar staying above 1,400 won for an extended period, as structural vulnerabilities in the Korean economy and a strong preference for dollar-denominated assets continue to undermine the local currency. The dollar eased to 1,451.50 won on Monday after briefly topping 1,460 late last week — its highest since last April when the country grappled with the presidential impeachment process and tariff threats that escalated under U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite a broadly steady greenback, the Korean won lost nearly 2 percent last week, marking the steepest decline among major currencies. The dollar index edged up just 0.15 percent. The euro strengthened 0.23 percent against the dollar, the yen 0.33 percent, and the pound 0.11 percent. Even currencies that weakened — the Swiss franc (-0.10%), Swedish krona (-0.42%) and Canadian dollar (-0.14%) — fell far less than the won. The immediate catalyst for the won’s sharp slide was heavy foreign selling of Korean equities. Overseas investors offloaded 7.26 trillion won ($5.2 billion) worth of shares on the Korea Exchange between Nov. 3 and 7 — the largest weekly net outflow on record. The amount exceeded the entire October outflow of 5.34 trillion won and almost erased September’s 7.44 trillion won net inflow. The Kospi, which had broken above 4,200 earlier this month, quickly reversed as foreigners dumped chipmakers amid renewed concerns over an AI-driven overvaluation. The selloff added further downside pressure on the won. Another source of structural depreciation is Koreans’ powerful appetite for overseas securities. Between January and September, Korean residents invested $99.85 billion in foreign stocks and bonds — more than triple the $29.65 billion that foreigners poured into Korean securities. Although Korea posted a large current account surplus of $82.77 billion in the first nine months, outbound net assets — driven by direct and portfolio investment — reached $80.99 billion, nearly offsetting the surplus. The promise of government-driven direct investments in the U.S., capped at $20 billion annually as part of a bilateral trade deal, means further outflow. “It’s the substantial outflow of dollars for financial investment,” said Kwon Ah-min, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities. “That’s the only clear direct explanation, given that current-account and capital-market conditions are otherwise favorable.” She added: “The dollar globally is softening, the yuan is strong, and trade conditions are favorable — yet the dollar-won rate hasn’t dropped. That tells the story.” Kwon said a move toward the 1,500 level cannot be ruled out, though it is unlikely this year. “When the rate hit 1,485 earlier this year, Treasury yields were at 4.5 percent and tariff risk was higher. Now yields are more stable and the Fed tone is relatively dovish.” She noted that authorities would likely prevent a break above 1,500, using National Pension Service hedging bands around 1,470–1,480 and conducting smoothing operations if needed. Market consensus is divided on whether the pair will test 1,500 — but most agree that a return below 1,400 will be difficult. The forex market has stabilized somewhat on expectations that the 40-day U.S. federal government shutdown — the longest in history — may soon end. But the relief is likely temporary, analysts say, because the won’s fragility is rooted in Korea’s over-reliance on semiconductor exports and susceptibility to U.S.-driven tariff and policy risks. “It’s no longer a situation that can be controlled by domestic factors,” said Cho Yong-ku, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities. “Stabilization depends on the dollar index easing and foreign funds returning.” Cho added that a Fed rate cut, if it comes, could slow the pace of depreciation, but would not resolve structural vulnerabilities. 2025-11-10 16:05:25

China suspends sanctions on Hanwha Ocean's US subsidiaries SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - China has suspended sanctions on South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean for one year, Beijing's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. The ministry said it decided to halt retaliatory measures against the shipbuilder's five U.S. subsidiaries, after the U.S. suspended its so-called Section 301 measures, which include punitive tariffs on Chinese maritime logistics and other goods. Earlier last month, China imposed sanctions on them to prohibit them from engaging in transactions with Chinese entities, citing their cooperation with the U.S. The affected subsidiaries were Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Hanwha Shipping, Hanwha Ocean USA International, Hanwha Shipping Holdings, and HS USA Holdings. The suspension, which temporarily lifts sanctions on them with immediate effect, came after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed on several trade-related issues to ease tensions during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju late last month. The shipbuilder expressed relief at the move, saying, "We welcome China's decision and hope the suspension will strengthen our partnerships with Chinese businesses." In particular, Hanwha Phil Shipyard is a key site for the country's "MASGA" (Make America Shipbuilding Great Again) project, which is part of a border tariff-related deal with the U.S. Despite Washington's requirement to use U.S.-made parts for security reasons, some experts had expressed worries that, if China's sanctions were to take effect, the shipbuilder could face difficulties in procuring certain components, such as ship valves, which are monopolized by Chinese companies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 15:50:44

HD Hyundai Heavy wins order for two mega container ships SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured an order worth 435.3 billion won for two large container vessels, strengthening its presence in the global market. The company said on Monday that it has recently signed a contract with Thailand's Regional Container Lines to build the vessels at its shipyard in Ulsan, with deliveries scheduled in phases through October 2028. The mega container ships, with a cargo capacity of 13,800 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), will measure 337 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and 27.3 meters in height. They will also be equipped with scrubbers to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Including the latest one, HD Hyundai Heavy has secured 61 orders so far this year, more than double the 28 ordered in 2024 and 29 in 2023. According to shipping service provider Clarksons Research, global demand for container ships is expected to grow by an average of 2.8 percent annually until 2037. Experts believe that the restructuring of global supply chains amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China will create new opportunities for domestic shipbuilders. An HD Hyundai Heavy spokesman said, "There has been strong demand for container ships thanks to our eco-friendly technology and stable quality control. To build on this momentum, we also aim to expand into new global markets. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 14:56:59

'Avatar' sequel to get world premiere in South Korea in time for Christmas SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - The third installment of director James Cameron's epic "Avatar" series will have its world premiere in South Korea in mid-December, just in time for Christmas, the film's distributor Walt Disney Company said on Monday. Expectations for the upcoming franchise "Fire and Ash" are already high ahead of its release slated for Dec. 17, as it is set to depart from the previous serene setting of its fictional planet Pandora to explore a fiery, ash-covered world, encountering new tribes along the way. The sci-fi fantasy film captivated audiences with its cutting-edge 3D technology, attracting a record 13.22 million viewers when its first installment was released in 2009 and remaining the highest-grossing film worldwide for 16 years. Its 2022 sequel "The Way of Water" also drew a record 10.8 million viewers here. Returning cast members include Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, with newcomers such as Oona Chaplin and David Thewlis joining the lineup. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 14:28:37

Korea's record Q3 exports expose over-reliance on chip exports SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) -South Korea’s exports hit an all-time high in the third quarter, while trade reliance on the country’s top 10 exporters also reached a record level, underscoring the economy’s growing exposure to the volatile semiconductor sector as chips accounted for one quarter of outbound shipments, government data showed Monday. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, exports totaled $185 billion in the July–September period, up 6.5 percent from a year earlier and accelerating from the 2.1 percent gain in the second quarter. The mining and manufacturing sector posted exports of $159.5 billion, an 8 percent increase, largely driven by a 26.6 percent surge in semiconductor exports to $46.4 billion. Chips accounted for 25.1 percent of total shipments, up from 21.1 percent a year ago. Reliance on major exporters also deepened. The top 10 exporters shipped $74 billion worth of goods, representing 40 percent of total trade. SK hynix, enjoying a streak of strong earnings on the back of high-bandwidth and server memory demand for AI and data-center chips, saw its share of total exports jump to 8.4 percent from 6 percent a year earlier. Large companies reported record exports of $122.3 billion, up 5.1 percent. Smaller players also made strides on the external front. Mid-sized firms also reached a fresh high with a 7 percent rise to $32.3 billion. Exports by small firms climbed 11.9 percent to $29.8 billion, the fourth-largest quarterly performance on record. Imports rose 1.5 percent to $162.4 billion in the third quarter. Imports by large firms slipped 0.9 percent to $94.9 billion, while mid-sized and small firms saw increases of 4.6 percent and 8.5 percent to $28.4 billion and $37.4 billion, respectively. Petrochemical exports and imports weakened as the sector continued to struggle against intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. Exports to the United States fell 3.9 percent in the third quarter, while imports from the U.S. were down 6.7 percent amid delays in settling a bilateral trade agreement. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 14:02:43

KOSPI bounces back above 4,000 to lead Asian markets early Monday SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s stock market rebounded sharply on Monday as foreign investors returned on signs of a breakthrough in the U.S. government shutdown. KOSPI jumped 2.8 percent, reclaiming the 4,000 mark, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged up a mere 0.5 percent to hover below 900. The early rally was driven by strong buying from foreign and institutional investors. Foreigners — who dumped more than 7 trillion won ($4.8 billion) worth of Korean shares last week — turned net buyers of 120.4 billion won in the main market. Institutions also net-purchased 216.9 billion won. Among blue chips, Samsung Electronics rose 1.6 percent to 99,500 won ($68), while SK hynix climbed 4.1 percent to 603,500 won. Financial stocks continued their strong run. KB Financial gained 4.4 percent to 129,100 won, BNK Financial Group added 3.5 percent to 15,210 won, Shinhan Financial Group rose 2.7 percent to 79,500 won, and iM Financial Group advanced 4.7 percent to 14,160 won. According to Hana Securities, bank stocks climbed 5 percent last week, sharply outperforming the KOSPI’s return of –3.7 percent. The sector’s momentum has been fueled by expectations of dividend tax cuts and rising government bond yields. The government and the ruling Democratic Party are reportedly fast-tracking a plan to lower the top rate on separately taxed dividend income from 35 percent to 25 percent, a move analysts say could shift investment away from real estate and toward dividend-paying equities. Investor sentiment also improved on optimism that the U.S. federal government shutdown may soon be resolved. On Friday, Wall Street ended mixed, with the Dow up 0.2 percent, the S&P 500 up 0.1 percent, and the Nasdaq down 0.2 percent. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.9 percent to 50,716.35. Fast Retailing, operator of Uniqlo, rose 0.7 percent to 57,630 yen ($375), while SoftBank advanced 2 percent to 22,130 yen. Auto stocks retreated, with Toyota down 0.8 percent to 3,094 yen and Honda sliding 4.8 percent to 1,509 yen. China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.2 percent to 4,005.57, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.6 percent to 26,395.23. 2025-11-10 11:35:52

Korean won recovers from 7-mo lows amid KOSPI rebound SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - The U.S. dollar has retreated below 1,460 won as the Korean currency benefited from the global softening in the greenback and renewed foreign stock buying. The dollar fell 6.70 won to 1,453.30 in Seoul Monday morning after shooting up to 1,461.5 last Friday - the highest since 1,472 on April 9 amid presidential impeachment and U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff barrage. Foreign investors sold 7.26 trillion won ($5.4 billion) in Korean stocks over the five sessions last week - the largest weekly record. The heavy selling sent the won down 2 percent - the steepest among core currencies - with selling primarily targeting the two chip majors for their association with questions about bubbles around AI boom. The won has been one of the weakest even as the KOSPI has been performing strongest among key market and country has been keeping up record trade surplus thanks to red-hot chip exports - further exposing the Korean economy's vulnerabilities from over-dependence on chipmaking. The unfazed demand for the U.S. dollar also points to won's structural fragility. From January to September, South Koreans bought $99.85 billion overseas securities - mostly on the Wall Street -, more than tripling the $29.65 billion foreign purchase of Korean securities during the period. Companies have been holding export earnings in greenback amid continued volatility in external trade environment and pressure over Korea's $20 billion annual commitment of investment in the U.S. under a bilateral trade deal. Any foreseeable upside in the Korean won is unlikely, analysts agree. "With expectations of U.S. rate cuts diminishing and strong -dollar environment firmly in place on top of heavy foreign stock sales, the won faces persistent downward pressure," said Moon Da-un, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities. Lee Jin-kyung, an economist at Shinhan Investment Corp., forecast the dollar-won exchange rate to go as high as 1,500 won in the first half of next year, given "structurally overwhelming outflows versus dollar inflows." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 11:35:24

KAIST–Johns Hopkins team uncovers how cancer cells choose their own moving path SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - KAIST researchers, working with Johns Hopkins University, have discovered how cells determine their direction of movement without any external signals, a finding that reveals the internal logic of cancer metastasis, immune responses, and tissue development. The study, led by Professor Won Do Heo from the KAIST Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, together with Professor Gabsang Lee of Johns Hopkins University, identified an intrinsic "self-driving mechanism" that enables cells to decide which way to move. The results were published in Nature Communications on October 31. To achieve this, the team developed a new imaging method called INSPECT (INtracellular Separation of Protein Engineered Condensation Technique) — a system that visualizes protein interactions inside living cells. Using INSPECT, they uncovered how specific combinations of signaling proteins dictate whether a cell moves straight ahead or turns in a new direction. Their work focused on Rho GTPases — the Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA proteins that control cell polarity and motility. The researchers found that these proteins do far more than divide a cell into front and rear sections. Instead, they form dynamic partnerships that act like a built-in navigation system. For instance, the Cdc42–FMNL complex drives linear motion, while the Rac1–ROCK pairing governs turning behavior. INSPECT recreates a process known as phase separation, allowing scientists to see how proteins cluster and interact. By tagging proteins with ferritin and fluorescent DsRed, the team visualized condensate droplets forming as proteins bound to one another. Among 285 tested pairs, 139 were confirmed to interact in living cells. When the team slightly altered one amino acid in Rac1 — preventing it from binding properly to its "steering handle" protein ROCK — cells lost their ability to turn and moved only in straight lines. Normal cells, by contrast, formed curved "arc stress fibers" that allowed them to pivot sharply when changing direction. Additional experiments showed that while normal cells adjusted their speed in response to environmental cues, the modified Rac1F37W cells moved at a constant rate regardless of surroundings. This demonstrated that the Rac–ROCK axis finely tunes how cells sense and adapt to external environments. Professor Heo said, "Our findings show that cell movement is not random but governed by an intrinsic program coordinated by Rho signaling proteins and their partners. INSPECT provides a powerful new tool for visualizing protein interactions in real time and will accelerate research on cancer metastasis, neural migration, and immune cell movement." The paper's authors include Heeyoung Lee, Sangkyu Lee, Yeji Seo, Dongsan Kim, Yohan Oh, Juae Jin, Bobae Hyeon, Younghyun Han, Hyunjun Kim, Yong Jin Lee, Ho Min Kim, Gabsang Lee, Kwang-Hyun Cho, and Won Do Heo. 2025-11-10 11:21:13