Celltrion tops 4 trillion won in annual sales, posts record operating profit Celltrion said it surpassed 4 trillion won in annual revenue and 1 trillion won in operating profit for the first time. In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the company said 2025 revenue rose 17% from a year earlier to 4.1625 trillion won, while operating profit surged 137.5% to 1.1685 trillion won on a consolidated basis. Operating margin climbed 14.3 percentage points to 28.1%. Celltrion attributed the results to steady growth in established products and rapid expansion of higher-margin newer drugs. Global biopharmaceutical sales rose 24% to 3.8638 trillion won as products including Remsima SC, Yuflyma, Vegzelma, Zymfentra, Stekima, Omliclo and Stoboclo-Osenvelt gained traction alongside Remsima, Truxima and Herzuma. New products accounted for 54% of sales. Remsima held a 59% market share in Europe and 30% in the United States, the company said. Truxima posted market shares in the 30% range in the U.S. and Europe. Herzuma ranked No. 1 in Europe and had a 75% share in Japan. Yuflyma and Vegzelma also ranked No. 1 in Europe. Five products — Stekima, Stoboclo-Osenvelt, Omliclo, Aptozma and Idencelt — were launched in the second half of last year but still generated more than 300 billion won in annual sales, Celltrion said. For 2026, Celltrion set a revenue target of 5.3 trillion won. It said it will pursue a “selection and concentration” strategy by reducing the share of high-cost products and focusing bids on newer, higher-net-profit products, aiming to lift the new-product sales share to about 70%. The company also said its Branchburg, New Jersey, manufacturing facility, whose acquisition was completed at the end of last year, will begin generating contract manufacturing (CMO) revenue this year. Celltrion said it signed a deal with Eli Lilly to supply biopharmaceutical products worth 678.7 billion won over three years through 2029. A Celltrion official said the company expects strong growth to continue this year as structural cost improvements take hold and the impact of new product launches becomes more pronounced. The official said Celltrion will work to expand its biosimilar pipeline and secure new growth engines, including new drugs and CMO, to become a global big pharma company.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 10:03:00

Actor Kim Seon Ho Says He Paid Additional Income Tax After One-Person Company Questions South Korean actor Kim Seon Ho acknowledged he previously received payments through a one-person corporation amid allegations it was used to avoid taxes, and said he has paid additional personal income tax. His agency, Fantagio, said in a statement on Tuesday that Kim established the company in January 2024 for acting work and theater production. It said he received settlement payments through the corporation for activities up to before a new contract with Fantagio began in February 2025. Fantagio said Kim stopped operating the corporation after recognizing it could be misunderstood, adding that there has been virtually no activity through it for more than a year. Since the exclusive contract was signed in February 2025, the agency has paid him directly as an individual, it said, stressing the corporation has no connection to Fantagio’s contract process or his activities with the agency. Regarding the shutdown, Fantagio said Kim returned corporate card records, family salaries and a corporate vehicle as a preemptive step to correct what it described as his earlier lack of understanding about running a corporation. It said he has completed additional personal income tax payments on amounts previously settled through the company, on top of corporate taxes already paid. The agency said the company is in the process of being closed and the administrative steps are expected to be finished soon. Kim had previously said the family corporation, registered at his home address, was created for theater-related work after allegations of tax evasion surfaced. Fantagio issued the new statement after it became known that he temporarily received settlement payments through the corporation during his time with a previous agency. Fantagio said Kim is “deeply reflecting” on establishing and maintaining the corporation for about a year without sufficient understanding, and apologized. The agency also apologized for causing confusion and concern and said it will more closely manage its artists’ overall activities going forward. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 09:54:00

T’way Air Holds 2025 Aviation Security Awards Ceremony T’way Air said Wednesday it held its “2025 Aviation Security Awards Ceremony” and recognized departments and employees for contributions to aviation security. The company said the event was aimed at preventing security incidents through active employee participation and strengthening on-site security capabilities. Awards were presented in two categories: the Aviation Security Excellence Award and the Aviation Security Contribution Award. The Excellence Award went to departments and employees credited with identifying and preventing potential security threats in advance or reducing risks through new, decisive ideas. The Contribution Award recognized departments and employees for supporting aviation security work through strict compliance with procedures. The Paris branch received the Excellence Award, and Cabin Crew 4 received the Contribution Award. In the individual category, Tokyo branch manager Seok Da Mi won the Excellence Award, while Kim Jae Cheol, a senior captain with B737 Flight Crew 3, and cabin crew manager Kim Gi Rang of Cabin Crew 1 received Contribution Awards. “A small amount of attention in the field and strict adherence to procedures are the starting point for preventing aviation security incidents,” a T’way Air official said. The official said the airline will continue the awards program to build an advanced aviation security culture with participation from employees, worksites and partner companies across the industry. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 09:45:00

Renault Korea’s Filante Crossover Arrives at 175 Showrooms Nationwide Renault Korea said Wednesday that display vehicles of its E-segment crossover, the Renault Filante (FILANTE), have begun arriving at showrooms ahead of customer deliveries scheduled to start in March. Since its world premiere event in January, the Filante had been shown only at select locations including Renault Seongsu, COEX Mall and Starfield City Myeongji in Busan. The company said Filante display vehicles are expected to be in place at 175 Renault Korea showrooms nationwide, including SS locations, by the end of this week. Renault introduced the Filante as a new global flagship model, featuring a crossover design that blends sedan and sport utility vehicle characteristics. Its hybrid E-Tech powertrain delivers a maximum system output of 250 horsepower. All trims come standard with active noise cancellation (ANC). The Filante is now available for order at showrooms nationwide. Prices range from 43,319,000 won to 49,719,000 won depending on trim, based on a reduced individual consumption tax and eco-friendly vehicle tax benefits. The Esprit Alpine 1955, a launch edition limited to 1,955 units, is offered at 52,189,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 09:39:00

Hyundai Motor expands hydrogen truck push in Europe SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor is stepping up promotion of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles in Europe and North America, as its hydrogen-electric truck fleet in Europe surpassed 20 million kilometers in cumulative driving, the company said Thursday. The milestone underscores Hyundai’s push to expand hydrogen mobility overseas as governments and logistics companies seek to cut transport emissions. Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks first entered service in Switzerland in October 2020 and have since expanded across Europe. A total of 165 trucks are now operating in Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Austria, serving roles ranging from refrigerated and freezer transport to street sweepers, hook-lift container trucks and cranes. In Germany, hydrogen-related firms have deployed about 110 trucks, mainly supporting logistics operations for supermarket chains, Hyundai said. In France, the vehicles are used in supermarket logistics as well as municipal and industrial services, including street cleaning and heavy-duty transport in regions such as Paris, Lyon, Pays de la Loire and Burgundy. In Switzerland, the Netherlands and Austria, the trucks are mainly used to transport food, beverages and industrial textiles. Hyundai said the trucks produce no carbon dioxide emissions while driving. Citing guidelines from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the company estimated that diesel trucks covering the same 20 million kilometers would emit roughly 13,000 metric tons more carbon dioxide — equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of about 1.5 million pine trees. Hyundai plans to use operational data collected from the fleet — including driving distance, hydrogen consumption and fuel cell performance — to improve future hydrogen fuel cell technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-05 09:36:38

Ham So Won Says She Lived With Ex-Husband Jin Hua for a Year After Divorce Actress Ham So Won said she continued living with Jin Hua for a year after their divorce. A video titled “Ham So Won lived for a year after divorce in one home with her mother, Jin Hua and daughter Hyejeong?!” was posted Tuesday on the MBN “Dongchimi” YouTube channel. Ham said she finalized the divorce in December 2022, and that when she went to Vietnam in 2023, Jin Hua came and the four of them lived together — Ham, Jin Hua, her mother and their daughter, Hyejeong. A doctor on the program reacted with surprise. Ham said that after she completed the divorce process and left for Vietnam, Jin Hua asked, “So we’re divorced now?” She said she replied, “How many times do I have to say it? It’s over.” She said he then asked, “But where am I supposed to live?” After that, she said, the four ended up sharing a home. Ham said that when it was just the two of them, they would argue, but they would stop when her mother was around. Living together in Vietnam, she said, made it hard to know what to do when she got angry because her mother could see their fights. She said she would raise her voice and then say, “My mom can hear.” She said the stress built up and “it was so hard.” Ham debuted in entertainment after winning Miss Korea Pacific in 1997. She drew attention after registering her marriage to Jin Hua in early 2018, and they had a daughter in December that year. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 09:36:00

Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu signs with Turkish club SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu has transferred from Belgium's KRC Genk to Turkey's Beşiktaş JK. According to the Turkish club, he signed a deal running through June 2029 for a transfer fee of 14 million euros. Beşiktaş JK, based in Istanbul, are one of Turkey's most decorated clubs with 16 Turkish Süper Lig titles and 11 Turkish Cup trophies. Oh began his European career in January 2023 with Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC after leaving Suwon Samsung, then moved to Genk in the summer of 2024, where he scored 10 goals along with three assists in 32 appearances this season, including in the UEFA Europa League. 2026-02-05 09:30:19

National Museum’s MU:DS to Expand Globally With New BTS Collaboration The National Museum’s merchandise brand MU:DS, which drew attention last year with an “open-run” rush for limited items, is preparing to push further into global markets on the back of a new collaboration with BTS. Attention is also on whether MU:DS can produce another hit following the popularity of its “magpie-and-tiger” badge. A “BTS MU:DS” line is currently in development, though details such as designs and a specific release date have not been disclosed. Industry watchers expect the products to be released around the timing of BTS’ comeback. The partnership is also expected to accelerate MU:DS’ overseas expansion. BTS are set to hold a festival blending tradition and modern culture on the 21st at Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The performance is scheduled to be livestreamed via Netflix to more than 190 countries and regions, a move seen as a major platform to publicize the group’s return. MU:DS’ approach of reinterpreting traditional cultural elements with a modern sensibility aligns with the stated intent of the Gwanghwamun event. With global fans awaiting a full-group comeback, some observers expect MU:DS to benefit from a so-called “BTSnomics” effect. MU:DS previously collaborated with BTS on a 2024 “Dalmajung” series, which drew attention at home and abroad with items inspired by national-treasure-level artifacts such as the pensive bodhisattva and a white porcelain moon jar. The brand’s wider recognition was also boosted after BTS leader RM disclosed that he owns a MU:DS miniature modeled on the National Treasure gilt-bronze pensive Maitreya bodhisattva, the article said. The latest collaboration is also viewed as a step toward a full-scale global rollout. The National Museum of Korea, the National Museum Foundation of Korea and HYBE signed a memorandum of understanding in October last year to cooperate on MU:DS’ overseas expansion and promotion using HYBE’s global distribution network. With BTS set to begin with the Gwanghwamun performance and continue through next year with “BTS World Tour Arirang” across 34 locations for a total of 82 shows, analysts say MU:DS could also raise its profile worldwide. At the signing, National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun said the partnership with HYBE would help “deliver the beauty of Korea’s cultural heritage to the world” by bringing tradition and modernity together and “further broaden the horizons of K-culture.” HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk responded that the company would “do its best to share our cultural pride with the world, with all of HYBE’s infrastructure and sincerity.” MU:DS posted record annual sales last year of 41.3 billion won. Riding the popularity of “K-pop Demon Hunters,” the magpie-and-tiger badge sold about 90,000 units over the year and generated 1.3 billion won in sales, with strong demand across the product lineup. MU:DS has also promoted the value of Korean cultural heritage overseas. MU:DS items sold out within a week during an overseas touring exhibition of donations from the late Lee Kun-hee held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington. During the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, 19 popular MU:DS products — including the “pensive bodhisattva miniature Mind series,” the magpie-and-tiger badge and key rings — will be sold at Korea House in Italy. 2026-02-05 09:27:00

KAIST researchers create faster AI chip to speed up YouTube-style recommendations SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new AI chip called AutoGNN that makes digital recommendation systems significantly faster and more energy-efficient. The technology speeds up the way computers analyze complex connections, such as those used to suggest videos on YouTube or detect credit card fraud. Professor Jung Myoung-soo and his team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) School of Electrical Engineering solved a major technical problem that usually slows down artificial intelligence. Before an AI can make a recommendation, it has to organize a massive pile of messy data—a step called preprocessing. This preparation phase is so slow that it takes up nearly 90 percent of the total processing time, creating a digital bottleneck that even powerful Nvidia chips struggle to clear. The team created a semiconductor that acts like a shape-shifter. Unlike standard chips that have a fixed internal layout, AutoGNN changes its own internal circuitry in real time to match the specific shape of the data it is analyzing. It uses two specialized parts: one to pick out the right data and another to count and organize it instantly. In testing, this new technology was 2.1 times faster than high-end Nvidia graphics chips and 9 times faster than a standard computer processor. It also used 3.3 times less electricity, making it both faster and greener for large data centers. Because the chip adjusts itself automatically, it can handle different types of information without slowing down. This could lead to more accurate real-time results for social media apps, banking security systems, and even the development of new medicines. The research was presented on February 4 at the IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture in Sydney, Australia. (Paper information) Journal: IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA 2026) Title: AutoGNN: End-to-End Hardware-Driven Graph Preprocessing for Enhanced GNN Performance DOI: https://bit.ly/4avvoRj 2026-02-05 09:24:54

K Car Holds 2025 Employee Awards, Highlighting Collaboration and Challenge K Car said Wednesday it held its “2025 Employee Awards” event a day earlier at the Paradise City hotel on Yeongjong Island in Incheon. The company said it honored employees who delivered standout results across business areas including sales, customer satisfaction and safety management, helping strengthen the organization’s competitiveness. Awards were also presented to teams and larger units, underscoring K Car’s emphasis on creating greater value through collaboration. The event included year-end and fourth-quarter awards. Categories included Proud K Car Person, Top Performance, Excellence in Safety and Health, Excellent CS Branch, Top Member and Top Leader, with prize money awarded alongside the honors. Lee Dong Min, who won the top vehicle purchasing award for the second straight year, said, “My know-how is to carefully inspect and purchase vehicles as if I were choosing my own car,” adding, “I feel very proud to be making a big contribution to the company’s performance.” Im Neung Seop, who received the top sales performance award, said he believed the recognition reflected his focus on trust with customers and doing his best in the field. CEO Jeong In Guk said he thanked employees for producing results despite a difficult business environment, and said K Car will continue to build a workplace where staff can take pride in their work and fully develop their capabilities while growing as a company that earns greater trust from customers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 09:21:00