BMW Korea Says BMW M FEST 2026 Draws About 10,000 Visitors in Incheon BMW Korea said April 27 that BMW M FEST 2026, its high-performance car festival that opened April 23, ended with about 10,000 visitors.  The four-day event on Yeongjong Island in Incheon was open to BMW M owners and anyone interested in the BMW M brand. Attendance was about double last year’s level, the company said. Interest was strong even before the festival began. All time slots for the driving programs sold out within 30 minutes of online reservations opening, BMW Korea said. A total of 35 BMW M models were displayed, including vehicles currently sold in South Korea. The festival also featured a 40th anniversary exhibit for the BMW M3 and showcased the BMW XM Label KITH Edition, produced in collaboration with luxury lifestyle brand Kith, the company said. Dedicated areas were set up for BMW Motorrad M motorcycles, M Performance parts and lifestyle products, highlighting the M brand’s design and identity. The festival ran ride-along driving experiences in BMW M models driven by professional drivers, allowing visitors to feel the vehicles’ performance and handling.  Programs included the M Taxi, Convertible Taxi, Exclusive Taxi, Gymkhana Taxi, Drift Taxi and Off-Road Taxi, giving attendees a chance to experience BMW M driving capabilities firsthand. Evening concerts closed out the festival. On April 25, BIBI, No Brain and Crying Nut performed. On April 26, Jaurim and Dynamic Duo took the stage, BMW Korea said. BMW Korea said it also offers M-focused services beyond the festival, including the GEN M Privilege membership program and the M Performance Garage service network.  2026-04-27 09:41:34

Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Russia After Returning to Pakistan Amid Stalled Talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Russia after making a return trip to Pakistan shortly after visiting Oman, as negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war remain stalled. Iranian media said the flurry of travel and calls reflects efforts to align negotiating terms and secure support from regional partners. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Araghchi on April 26 (local time) met in Oman with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, then immediately returned to Islamabad to meet Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and other officials. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency said the visit was aimed at using Pakistan, described as a mediator, to convey Iran’s demands for ending the war. Araghchi presented key agenda items to Pakistani officials, including a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damage, guarantees against renewed attacks by the parties to the conflict, and lifting a maritime blockade on Iran. An Iranian official said the ongoing discussions are focused on conditions to end the recent military conflict and are “not related at all” to the nuclear issue. After Pakistan, Araghchi is expected to head to Moscow, the final stop on his trip. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed he plans to hold high-level talks there. Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, told ISNA news agency that Araghchi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 27. Jalali said Araghchi will hold in-depth talks with senior Russian officials on the status of the ceasefire and the ongoing negotiations, as well as recent shifts in the regional situation. In a post on X, Jalali said Araghchi would meet Putin as part of what he called continued “diplomatic jihad” to advance Iran’s national interests amid external threats. He said Araghchi is expected to outline Iran’s negotiating goals and plans and seek Russian support. Iran has also expanded diplomatic contacts with neighboring and other countries. Iranian state media reported that Araghchi held a series of calls on April 25-26 with the foreign ministers of Egypt, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and met Oman’s ruler the same day. The outreach comes as the United States and Iran have not finalized a schedule for a second round of talks, leaving negotiations in a deadlock, according to the report. CNN reported that Araghchi discussed “diplomacy and a ceasefire” and “recent regional developments” with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. In his call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Araghchi said European countries have an important role to play in sustaining a ceasefire. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told Araghchi that Qatar is ready to continue playing an active role in mediation and promoting dialogue to end the war. Iranian media also reported that Araghchi briefed Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Iran’s diplomatic efforts to end the war and ease tensions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:40:43

Koyote’s Shinji Fiancé Moonwon Draws Backlash Over Comments on Taking Manual Jobs Comments by Moonwon, who is set to marry Koyote member Shinji in May, have again sparked criticism online. Moonwon and Shinji appeared on the KBS2 program “New Release Pyeonstorang,” aired on April 24, and talked about the backlash that followed their marriage announcement. Moonwon said he was “very surprised” by online opposition, adding that it was “the first time” he had experienced something like it. Shinji said Moonwon had previously done a lot of singing-related work, including performances and wedding songs, but that after the controversy “all the work was cut off.” Moonwon said he started working at a logistics center and cleaning stairwells while looking for what he could do, adding that he “wanted to be of help.” Some online commenters reacted negatively to the remarks, calling them disrespectful to people who make a living in those jobs and questioning why the couple framed the work that way. One commenter wrote, “Are you looking down on certain jobs? Saying ‘all the work was cut off’ and then mentioning logistics and cleaning like that feels off,” adding, “Most people live off that kind of work.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:39:59

KB Kookmin Bank to Offer Free AI Cognitive Screening for Senior Customers KB Kookmin Bank said it will provide a free artificial intelligence-based cognitive screening service for senior customers as it strengthens expertise in senior-focused wealth management. The bank said on the 27th it will offer the AI cognitive test service, called AlzWIN, in partnership with dementia diagnostics company Sevenpointone. AlzWIN is an AI-based tool developed by Sevenpointone to measure cognitive ability. It can estimate brain health age and brain energy levels through about one minute of speech. The service is part of the bank’s KB Golden Life nonfinancial offerings. It will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to 1,000 customers age 55 and older who visit branches nationwide for inheritance-related consultations, including dementia trusts or will-substitute trusts. A KB Kookmin Bank official said the benefit is intended to help senior customers manage not only financial assets but also health and overall retirement planning. The official said the bank will continue to roll out services as a long-term partner for customers in retirement. Separately, the bank said it operates 18 KB Golden Life Centers nationwide to expand its senior business. On the 24th, it provided dementia-partner training to center heads and Golden Life division staff and received dementia-partner certificates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:36:47

Cleanzone’s Tissue Dori Builds on Online Sales in Korea, Prepares Expansion to Japan and U.S. Cleanzone Co. said its household hygiene brand Tissue Dori is accelerating business expansion by preparing to enter overseas markets, building on its performance in South Korea’s online market. Tissue Dori has grown on promotional and commercial wet wipes. The company said it differentiates itself by relying on in-house manufacturing rather than distribution alone. Drawing on 18 years of experience, it now operates more than 100 SKUs, with online sales accounting for about 85% of revenue. In the commercial wet-wipe segment, Tissue Dori runs 19 product lines, targeting self-employed customers such as restaurants and cafes. The company said it has established a stable supply system with production capacity of up to 1 million sheets a day, and has recently introduced value-focused new products after improving production-line efficiency to strengthen price competitiveness. The company also said it has reinforced quality control, operating manufacturing and quality management based on ISO 22716 certification to ensure product safety and consistent quality. Cleanzone said it is also preparing overseas expansion. For Japan, it said it has proceeded with export steps under cosmetics classification standards and has reached a stage where shipments are possible. In the United States, it said it has completed registration under MoCRA, the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act. The company said it plans to expand its footprint step by step with distribution strategies tailored to local market conditions. “Tissue Dori is a brand that has secured both quality and price competitiveness based on its manufacturing foundation,” a Cleanzone official said. “We will steadily expand the business overseas based on the production and sales experience we have built in Korea.” The company said Tissue Dori will continue to strengthen competitiveness in the domestic and overseas household hygiene markets by diversifying its product lineup and improving production efficiency.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:36:15

King Charles III’s U.S. State Visit Draws Focus Amid Iran War Tensions and Shooting Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a U.S. state visit from April 27 to 30 (local time), timed to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The trip is drawing attention as it comes amid rising tensions between the allies over the Iran war led by the United States and Israel. According to The New York Times and other outlets, Charles and Camilla will visit Washington and New York. Charles is to arrive in Washington on April 27 and meet with President Donald Trump and the first lady, including a private tea. A speech to the U.S. Congress is scheduled for April 28; Queen Elizabeth II also addressed Congress in 1991. A White House state dinner is planned afterward. Charles will then travel to New York on April 29 to pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. On April 30, he is to return to Washington to visit Arlington National Cemetery and attend a party celebrating the 250th anniversary before heading home. The NYT reported the visit was planned before the Iran war began in February and is intended to celebrate the U.S. anniversary. The royal household said the trip is an opportunity to recognize the countries’ shared history and the broad ties that have developed in economic, security and cultural areas, as well as deep people-to-people links. But NPR reported Trump has criticized Britain for not joining the Iran war. It said Trump has belittled Britain’s military capabilities and has repeatedly said of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “The person we’re dealing with is not Winston Churchill.” NPR said anti-Trump sentiment has grown in Britain, along with opposition to Charles’ U.S. trip. In polling, a majority of Britons opposed the visit. Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey criticized the plan in Parliament, saying the prime minister should not send the king to someone who treats Britain “like the mafia collecting protection money.” Relations worsened further after a leaked internal Pentagon document showed the United States was considering retaliatory steps over Britain and Spain barring U.S. Air Force use of their airspace for the Iran war. The NYT said Trump has long expressed affection for the British royal family and that the visit could help ease recent strains. In a phone interview with the BBC, Trump was asked whether Charles’ trip would help restore ties and replied, “(Charles is) a fantastic person, and my answer is yes.” Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, is under police investigation in connection with U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Charles is not expected to meet Epstein victims during the visit. Attention has also focused on whether a shooting at a White House correspondents’ dinner on April 25 could affect the trip. The BBC reported the royal household said in a statement on April 26 that the visit would proceed as planned, though it may make minor adjustments to reduce risk. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was confident about security during the visit, Reuters reported.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:34:55

Ok Taecyeon Wedding Photos Leak Sparks Privacy Concerns 2PM member and actor Ok Taecyeon has come under scrutiny after photos from his private wedding to a non-celebrity woman were leaked online. On the 27th, images from the wedding held on the 24th spread across Chinese social media and online communities. Ok’s side had kept the ceremony closed to protect the bride’s privacy, but the leaked photos show the couple linking arms and include clear shots of the bride’s face. The images were reportedly taken by a tourist staying at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, where the wedding was held, and posted after being shot through a guest-room window. The poster wrote, “After checking into the hotel, I looked out the window and saw a wedding, and it turned out to be Ok Taecyeon’s.” Some users reacted with comments such as, “Tourists are faster than reporters,” “They didn’t expect a tourist to take photos,” and “The wedding photos look nice.” Others said the bride’s face being exposed amounted to an invasion of privacy, noting that Ok had previously asked for understanding so details of the ceremony would not be shared publicly. Ok debuted in 2PM in 2008 and began acting in the 2010 KBS2 drama “Cinderella’s Sister,” later appearing in a range of dramas. He married after dating his bride-to-be for 10 years. He is the second married member of 2PM, following Hwang Chan-sung, who married in 2022.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:34:07

Joint research team develops gene scissors speed-based method to identify multiple viruses SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Researchers from South Korea and the United States have developed a diagnostic technology that simultaneously identifies various viruses and variants by measuring the reaction speed of gene scissors, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Sunday. The method allows for the identification of different pathogens in a single test without the need for complex laboratory procedures or multiple chemical markers. The study was led by Professor Son Sung-min from the KAIST Department of Bio and Brain Engineering in collaboration with teams from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Gladstone Institutes. The researchers utilized a protein called Cas13, a type of gene scissors that targets ribonucleic acid (RNA). When Cas13 identifies a specific viral target, it activates and produces a fluorescent signal by cutting surrounding molecules. While conventional diagnostic methods often require different enzymes or multiple fluorescent colors to detect several viruses at once, this team focused on the speed of the reaction. By observing the process at a single-molecule level within microscopic droplets, they found that the gene scissors operate at distinct speeds depending on the specific virus or mutation they encounter. The team established a technique called kinetic barcoding, which treats these varying reaction speeds as unique signal patterns. By adjusting the design of the guide RNA, which directs the scissors to their target, the researchers can program the speed of the enzyme. This allows a single type of gene scissors to distinguish between a wide range of respiratory viruses and variants. The new approach also simplifies the testing process by detecting RNA directly. Most current tests for RNA viruses require a step called reverse transcription to convert the genetic material into DNA, which adds time and technical complexity. This platform eliminates that requirement, potentially allowing for faster results in clinical or field settings. In clinical trials, the system accurately identified various respiratory viruses and variants of SARS-CoV-2 in a single reaction. "This study is the first instance of using the reaction speed of gene scissors as a new type of information for diagnostics, moving beyond simply checking for the presence of a virus," Professor Son Sung-min said. "It will serve as a next-generation platform capable of diagnosing various infectious diseases simultaneously in the field." Journal/Source: Nature Biomedical Engineering Title: Programmable kinetic barcoding for multiplexed RNA detection with Cas13a Link/DOI: https://bit.ly/4sTo8on 2026-04-27 09:33:22

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan vows overhaul to spur companies’ return to South Korea Kim Jung-kwan, minister of trade, industry and energy, said on the 27th that the need for South Korean companies operating overseas to return home is growing, but current reshoring policy has not kept pace, leading to stalled returns and repeated calls for change. He said the government will “overhaul” the policy so reshoring investment can energize regional economies and help build up core capabilities at home. Kim made the remarks during a visit to cosmetics manufacturer Kolmar Korea, selected as this year’s first reshoring company, where he held a meeting with returning firms. Kolmar Korea plans to close its overseas sites and invest 187 billion won in Sejong City after returning to South Korea. Since the enactment of the Act on Assistance to Returning Companies, reshoring policy from 2014 to 2025 generated 7 trillion won in investment and created 8,000 jobs. But new reshoring has stagnated as rapidly changing investment conditions — including stronger global protectionism and supply-chain restructuring — have not been sufficiently reflected in the policy. The ministry noted that major countries are competing to attract investment to keep advanced industries and key supply chains within their borders. It said policy needs to be redesigned not only to support relocating overseas operations back home, but also to secure core industrial capabilities. Companies at the meeting asked for stronger government support for investment amid uncertain global supply chains and accelerating artificial intelligence-driven transformation. They said eligibility for reshoring support is too narrow, citing a requirement that products and services made at overseas sites and at the returning domestic site must be the same or similar — making it difficult to qualify when switching production to different items or investing in research facilities in South Korea. They also said an obligation to maintain existing sites for the three-year implementation period, rather than the returning site, limits flexible operations. They urged more flexible employment standards as automation expands. The ministry said it will prepare improvements focused on expanding eligibility and refining detailed requirements, diversifying subsidy support based on the type of reshoring, and strengthening strategic attraction and close support for investment implementation. Kim thanked reshoring companies and said Kolmar Korea’s investment would be a leading example of productivity innovation through process automation. He said the government will strengthen the strategic approach to reshoring support, back investment implementation through completion, and assign a dedicated project manager to provide close, end-to-end assistance. “Corporate and national competitiveness has become an era determined by ‘how stable a supply chain you can secure,’” Kim said, adding that the government will actively support companies so returning home and investing in regional areas can be the most reasonable and attractive choice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:33:15

Reform New Party’s Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor Cho Eung-cheon, a former Reform New Party lawmaker, announced on the 27th that he will run for Gyeonggi governor in the June 3 local elections. In a Facebook post, Cho declared his candidacy, saying, “Other than the candidates from the two entrenched parties who I just can’t bring myself to support, I’m the only person I truly want to vote for.” He said he had “hesitated for a long time and thought hard,” arguing that while the two major parties “fight while only paying lip service to people’s livelihoods,” the 14 million residents of Gyeonggi have been forced into “the life of an ‘egg white’ surrounding Seoul.” Cho added that he understands “what the problems are,” saying he has served as a Democratic Party lawmaker and also held a role under a conservative administration. “I’m running for Gyeonggi governor. Cho Eung-cheon will do it,” he wrote. A former prosecutor, Cho served as senior presidential secretary for public service discipline at the Blue House under the Park Geun-hye government. He was elected to the 20th and 21st National Assembly as a member of the Democratic Party, then left the party after conflicts with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction. He switched to the Reform New Party in 2024 and ran in that year’s 22nd general election but lost. With Cho formalizing his bid, the Gyeonggi governor’s race is increasingly likely to take shape as a three-way contest. The Democratic Party has selected Rep. Choo Mi-ae as its candidate, and the People Power Party is set to decide its nominee on May 2. Because the People Power Party and the Reform New Party are both generally classified as conservative, concerns have been raised that conservative votes could split, fueling talk of a possible future unification of candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:31:59