OPINION: What Belarusian leader's first visit to Pyongyang means SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited North Korea last week, becoming the first Belarusian head of state to do so. With the conflict in the Middle East dragging on with no signs of an end, attention has turned to why North Korea invited a leader from an Eastern European country more than 6,500 kilometers away to Pyongyang. Russia's war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has become more than a regional conflict and is shaking the U.S.-led international order built after World War II. In that upheaval, North Korea appears to be moving quickly to widen its room to maneuver, and it also seems to view the Middle East conflict as another opportunity. U.S. allies in Europe are already weary of a prolonged war. Many are also engaged in tariff disputes with the U.S. and appear reluctant to be pulled into a Middle East conflict that, many feel, lacks a clear rationale for intervention. Time is not on Washington's side. Charbel Antoun, a Washington-based journalist, warned in an op-ed for The Hill that Russia and China could quietly back Iran, turning the situation into a prolonged war the U.S. cannot win. To stabilize soaring global oil prices, the U.S. has eased sanctions on Russian and Iranian crude, a move that replenishes revenue for both countries and, with it, their capacity to fund war materiel. The lesson is not new: prolonged wars erode domestic support, as Presidents Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush learned from the wars in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. North Korea appears to read today's contradictions and fractured coordination among like-minded states as an opportunity to rally anti-Western forces, believing that the dispersal of U.S. strategic assets could hasten what North Korea calls a "multipolar order." North Korea has recently described the Middle East conflict as an "illegal act of aggression” and “the most despicable form of violation of sovereignty," while singling out the United States for criticism. Its state media called the U.S. the “mastermind" behind the Israel-Hamas war and Israel's airstrikes on Iran, accusing both Washington and Tel Aviv of fueling the conflict. The U.S. arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January this year, along with the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February and senior security official Ali Larijani in U.S.-Israeli strikes the following month, likely reminded Pyongyang of Donald Trump's infamous "fire and fury" threat in 2017. Few countries now believe that North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons. Belarus, under Lukashenko, has closely aligned with Moscow, supporting Russia's war in Ukraine and sharing military bases. Belarus and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992, but meaningful ties remained limited for decades. Minsk largely complied with U.N. sanctions on Pyongyang - freezing accounts linked to violations in 2016 and expelling a North Korean intelligence agent in 2017. North Korea did not send an ambassador to Minsk until 2019. Ties deepened after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the 2024 Non-Aligned Movement summit in Uganda, their top diplomats, Choe Son-hui and Maxim Ryzhenkov, met to discuss closer cooperation, followed by reciprocal visits in July and October 2025. A key moment came when Kim and Lukashenko met on the sidelines of China's Victory Day celebrations in September 2025. By February this year, the two countries were exchanging goods banned under sanctions. Both sides agreed to commit to establishing a multipolar world order, maintaining an anti-Western stance, and pursuing broader cooperation in politics, economics, and science and technology. Lukashenko's visit to Pyongyang's Liberation Tower, a symbol of the historic North Korea-Soviet alliance, and his laying of flowers there was no coincidence. It signals that North Korea sees itself as a key pillar of an anti-Western bloc stretching from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. The visit should also be seen alongside North Korea's rare Workers' Party congress, which wrapped up last month. Through the mass party gathering, Pyongyang declared an assertive foreign policy aimed at dismantling the U.S.-led world order and replacing it with its own multipolar vision. Kim described the past five years - including engagement with shifts in global politics such as the Russia-Ukraine war - as a "successful period" that "irreversibly" strengthened the country's status. On South Korea, he hardened his tone, labeling it "the most hostile country" and "a target to be thoroughly rejected," and warned that military response standards would be entirely different. He also abandoned talk of "the nation" and "unification," recasting the Korean Peninsula as an international dispute between two separate states and framing it within his broader multipolar vision. Kim described the past five years including responses to shifts in global politics such as Russia's war in Ukraine as a "successful" period that "irreversibly" strengthened North Korea's status. On South Korea, he struck an even harsher tone, calling it the "most hostile country." He also refused to refer to the South as a country to be "reunited," reframing the division of the Korean Peninsula not as a matter between the two Koreas, but as part of a broader vision of a multipolar world. Iran and Belarus, both under international sanctions, are the ninth and 10th members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a China- and Russia-led security and economic bloc, making them potential partners for North Korea as it looks to expand its ties with the outside world. Lukashenko met with U.S. special envoy John Coale in Minsk in mid-March, and Belarus reportedly freed 250 political prisoners after Washington promised to ease sanctions on Belarusian financial institutions. Like North Korea, Belarus ultimately needs better relations with the West. Some observers have floated the idea of Belarus acting as a mediator between North Korea and the U.S, though this prospect remains premature. As North Korea seeks to build alliances from Eastern Europe to the Middle East under the banner of a multipolar world, South Korea requires a more strategic approach. Many countries that maintain friendly ties with North Korea also have relationships with Seoul, giving South Korea some leverage. Seoul could broaden its diplomatic efforts, for example, by strengthening relations with countries like Cuba and Syria and explore both official and behind-the-scenes channels to counter North Korea's efforts to build a like-minded bloc. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-03-30 10:07:18

KOSPI and Nikkei tumble on oil price surge and anxiety over prolonged war SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) — South Korean and Japanese stocks plunged more than 4 percent at the open Monday as oil prices surged on Yemen’s Houthi rebels entering the Iran conflict stoked fears of a broader and prolonged war. May futures for international benchmark Brent crude rose 2.92 percent to $115.86 per barrel during early Asia hours, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were 3.20 percent higher at $102.80 per barrel. Reports that China-linked vessels were forced to turn back from the strait underscored growing supply risks, while speculation over potential U.S. ground operations added to escalation concerns. As of 9:11 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI fell 4.48 percent to 5,195.19, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ dropped 3.71 percent to 1,099.13. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also slid 4.74 percent in early trading. Investor sentiment was further dented by falling U.S. stock futures, as global markets extended a risk-off shift driven by rising energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty. The widening conflict — now entering its second month — is increasingly being priced not as a short-term shock but as a sustained supply disruption. Analysts warn that further escalation, including ground operations or expanded regional involvement, could deepen the energy crisis and prolong market volatility. Institutional selling intensified in Seoul, with heavy liquidation in chipmakers amid fresh concerns over demand outlook. Sentiment was also pressured by hype surrounding Google’s “TurboQuant,” an AI technology that some believe could reduce memory intensity, and reports that AI firm Anthropic is testing a more advanced model, Claude Mythos. The dollar spiked, hitting 1,512.80 won as foreign stock pullout continued. Large-cap stocks moved broadly lower. Samsung Electronics fell 3.78 percent to 172,900 won, while SK hynix dropped 5.31 percent to 873,000 won. Automakers also came under pressure, with Hyundai Motor down 5.66 percent and Kia losing 5.26 percent. Hyundai Mobis slipped 4.53 percent. Battery makers edged lower, with LG Energy Solution falling 1.52 percent and Samsung SDI down 2.22 percent. Biopharmaceutical and internet stocks weakened, with Samsung Biologics declining 4.17 percent, Celltrion dropping 3.20 percent and Naver falling 3.53 percent. Defense and heavy industry shares were also broadly lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 4.72 percent, Hanwha Ocean falling 5.44 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plunging 6.72 percent. Financial stocks followed suit. KB Financial Group fell 4.34 percent, Shinhan Financial Group dropped 3.85 percent, Samsung Life Insurance lost 2.69 percent and Mirae Asset Securities slid 6.56 percent. 2026-03-30 09:58:38

Pulmuone inks MOU with Konkuk University animal hospital to promote canine blood donation culture SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Pulmuone's pet food division has signed a memorandum of understanding with the blood donation center at Konkuk University's veterinary hospital to promote a culture of canine blood donation in South Korea, the food company said Monday. Under the agreement, Pulmuone's pet business unit will provide cash and in-kind support to the KU I'M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center at Konkuk University Animal Hospital over the next three years, backing public awareness campaigns around dog blood donation. The partnership will encompass joint outreach programs, a rewards scheme for blood-donor dogs, and regular donations drawn from product revenues under Pulmuone's pet food brand Pulmuone Amio. "We hope this agreement will help establish a sound canine blood donation culture in Korea and raise public awareness through various campaigns," a Pulmuone spokesperson said, adding the company aims to build "a virtuous cycle where healthy eating and blood donation go hand in hand." Konkuk University opened the KU I'M DOgNOR center in 2022 as Asia's first dedicated companion animal blood donation facility. Pulmuone said it has also been donating to animal welfare organizations and stray animal shelters across the country. 2026-03-30 09:50:09

Actress Lee Yeon-hee Recalls Kim Hee-chul’s Trainee Days at SM Entertainment Actress Lee Yeon-hee shared her connection to Super Junior’s Kim Hee-chul. Lee appeared on the March 29 broadcast of SBS’ “My Little Old Boy.” “I spent my trainee days at SM with Kim Hee-chul,” Lee said, adding that even then “he had a very unique sense of taste.” She said she was quiet and shy around strangers, but that Kim would take her along and buy her meals. Host Shin Dong-yup responded, “Hee-chul has been the same then and now,” drawing laughter. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 09:42:04

Korea Showcases Dramas and Webtoons at Series Mania 2026 in France The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency said Monday they ran a guest-of-honor program at the Series Mania Forum, an industry event held alongside Series Mania 2026 in Lille, France.   The forum, held March 24-26, brought together global players in the television and video content industry. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France, Korea was selected as the event’s first guest of honor. During the event, KOCCA Acting President Yu Hyeon-seok met with Gaetan Bruel, president of France’s National Center of Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC), along with Jeremy Kessler, director of European and international affairs, and Amelie Reinhardt, director of audiovisual content, to discuss ways to expand cooperation.  KOCCA operated a Korea pavilion during the forum to support overseas business for Korean broadcast and video companies. The pavilion hosted business meetings with local buyers including major broadcasters, production companies and platforms. Participating companies logged about 130 consultations, discussing potential co-productions and content distribution partnerships. KOCCA also held a showcase, “COMING NEXT FROM KOREA,” featuring series from Korean producers including “Dear X” and “Judge Lee Han-young.” A special session, “Webtoon Adaptations: Integrating and Expanding IP,” shared drama production cases based on webtoon intellectual property and strategies for global expansion. Panelists included Lee Dong-geon, creator of the webtoon “Yumi’s Cells,” Lee Hye-young, a Studio Dragon CP who worked on the drama “Becoming a Legend in the Military Cook,” and Kwon Mi-gyeong, CEO of Studio N, which produced “Severe Trauma Center” and other titles.  Yu said KOCCA will continue supporting Korean broadcast and video companies as they expand overseas to help spread K-content globally.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 09:21:05

Survey: Nearly 70% of foreigners view Korean content favorably, with gains in U.S. and Europe Foreigners’ favorability toward K-content is nearing 70%, a survey found, underscoring the growing reach of K-culture, including its positive influence on purchases of Korean products and services.  According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, 69.7% of respondents said they had a favorable view of K-content in the “2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey (based on 2025),” released Monday.  The survey targeted people in 30 overseas markets who had experienced Korean cultural content. Compared with the previous year, it added countries including Singapore, Chile and Poland and expanded the sample to 27,400.  By country, favorability was highest in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines (87.0%), India (83.8%), Indonesia (82.7%) and Thailand (79.4%). Favorability also rose from a year earlier in the Americas and Europe, where it had been relatively lower. The biggest increases were in the United Kingdom (up 8 percentage points), Japan (up 6.4), Spain (up 6.2), the United States (up 6.1) and Australia (up 6.0).  As the Korean Wave has spread, negative perceptions have also grown. The share agreeing with negative views of Hallyu was unchanged from last year at 37.5%, but that was up 6.8 percentage points from five years earlier, in 2021.  By content category, popularity was led by food (55.1%), music (54.0%), beauty (52.6%), dramas (51.3%) and films (48.9%). Experience rates were highest for food (78.0%), films (77.9%), dramas (72.9%), music (71.9%) and beauty (61.8%). The results, as in the previous year, suggest that food and beauty have become core areas of Korean culture alongside traditional industries such as music, dramas and films.  For characters, domestic popularity in respondents’ countries was 38.9% and the experience rate was 52.6%, similar to other categories. For live performances excluding K-pop, popularity was 34.4% and the experience rate was 35.1%, indicating an early stage of diffusion.  For the ninth straight year, K-pop ranked first as the image most associated with South Korea at 17.5%, followed by food (12.1%), dramas (9.5%), beauty (6.2%) and films (5.9%). By contrast, “the Korean War” and “North Korea’s nuclear threat/war risk,” which previously ranked high, fell out of the top 10.  Asked what matters most in recognizing content as Korean cultural content, respondents most often chose “content reflecting Korean cultural elements” (23.3%), followed by “many Korean people appear” (21.8%) and “Korea is the setting” (19.1%). “Content produced by Korean directors and production companies” ranked fourth at 18.0%, suggesting respondents place more weight on identity in the content than on whether it was made in Korea.  Preferences for specific dramas and films largely held steady. Netflix’s “Squid Game” (12.4%), which ended with Season 3, ranked No. 1 among dramas for the fifth consecutive year. “Parasite” (8.4%) was selected as the most popular film for the sixth straight year.  In a newly added question on the “most influential Hallyu star,” BTS ranked first at 6.9%. E-sports player Faker entered the rankings at 1.9%, pointing to the Korean Wave’s diversification into gaming.  Average monthly time spent consuming Korean cultural content was 14.7 hours, and average spending per category was $16.6, up 0.7 hours and $1.2 from a year earlier. The most cited reason for buying Korean products and services was “quality” (61.8%), followed by “price” (43.0%) and “ease of use” (33.4%), largely unchanged from last year.  As for how people access Korean cultural content, dramas, films, animation and music were most often consumed through “OTT and video platforms,” while variety shows were most often accessed through social media and short-form video platforms.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 09:06:22

Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open, First PGA Tour Title in Nearly Seven Years After Brain Tumor Surgery Gary Woodland of the United States completed a long comeback from brain tumor surgery and its aftereffects, winning a PGA Tour event for the first time in six years and nine months. Woodland shot a 3-under 67 on Sunday in the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course (par 70) in Houston. He had four birdies and one bogey in the $9.9 million tournament. He finished at 21-under 259, beating runner-up Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark by five shots. Woodland earned $1,782,000 (about 2.68 billion won). The victory carried added weight for the 41-year-old. Woodland won his first PGA Tour title in 2011 and captured the U.S. Open in 2019, establishing himself among the tour's top players. But his career was threatened after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2023. He underwent surgery in September that year and later was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, among other severe aftereffects. He returned to the tour in the 2024 season, but struggled. He missed the cut 11 times in 26 starts and recorded only one top-10 finish. Woodland kept chasing another win and finally broke through in Houston, securing his fifth PGA Tour title and his first in nearly seven years. Among South Koreans in the field, Kim Joo-hyung finished tied for 56th at 2-under 278, and Im Sung-jae tied for 60th at 1-under 279. Lee Min-woo of Australia, a Korean Australian who won this event last year, closed tied for third at 15-under 265.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 08:48:54

BTS Documentary Sparks Controversy Over New Album 'Arirang' Following the release of a Netflix documentary, controversy surrounding BTS's new album 'Arirang' has resurfaced. BTS released 'Arirang' on April 20, receiving praise for its modern reinterpretation of traditional themes. However, it sparked debate online over excessive nationalism, known as 'gukppong' in Korea. Criticism also emerged towards RM, a key producer for the group. In response, their agency announced legal action against malicious comments directed at the members. The documentary, which details the album's production, reignited discussions. It features Bang Si-hyuk, the head of HYBE, discussing the album's concept. Bang stated, "When you gather 60,000 to 70,000 people for a performance, having over 50% of foreigners singing along to the chorus of 'Arirang' is incredibly iconic," and expressed concerns about not discussing significant ideas. He dismissed the opinions of members like J-Hope and Jungkook when they cautiously disagreed, insisting that even if their suggestions were better, the larger benefits outweighed any losses. The documentary's release led to widespread discussion on domestic online platforms. Comments included, "If the documentary hadn't been released, BTS would have faced all the criticism," and "BTS is not a cultural ambassador but an artist." One user remarked, "The decision to finalize and release this documentary shows a lack of awareness," suggesting it aimed to validate Bang's perspective against the members' views. Additionally, a review published on the music community 'Eizm' on April 23 drew attention. Critic Han Seong-hyun noted, "BTS is no longer just the seven members' names; it has become a proxy for the long-standing thirst for recognition from the West and a key factor for HYBE's stock fluctuations." Meanwhile, BTS continues its global activities, with the new album receiving mixed reactions. 2026-03-30 08:48:22

BTS returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 'ARIRANG' SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - BTS has claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 with ARIRANG, the group's fifth studio album, earning 641,000 equivalent album units in its first week, the largest opening for a group album since the chart adopted unit-based tracking in December 2014, Billboard reported Sunday. The Billboard 200 ranks albums based on physical and digital sales, streaming activity converted into album units, and track-equivalent albums. Of that total, 532,000 came from pure album sales, the biggest sales week for a group in more than a decade. Physical sales accounted for 516,000 units, driven by a release configuration of 17 vinyl variants and nine CD editions. Vinyl alone tallied 208,000 units, the strongest vinyl sales week ever recorded for a group in the modern era. The achievement marks BTS's seventh No. 1 on the Billboard 200, extending a run that began in 2018 when LOVE YOURSELF Tear became the first K-pop album to top the chart. ARIRANG was released March 20 alongside a Netflix live special and lead single "SWIM." The group followed with back-to-back appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 25 and 26. A supporting world tour opens April 9 in Goyang, South Korea, with the North American leg running from April 25 through Sept. 6. 2026-03-30 08:41:00

Actress Sa Mija Seen Using Cane After Fall, Colleague Says Actress Sa Mija has been seen in an update following a fall. Actor Han Ji-il posted a message and video on his social media on the 29th, writing, "National mom senior Sa Mija had a fall and can’t walk well, so she is getting help from juniors. Please recover quickly." In the video, Sa uses a cane and takes steps with assistance from younger colleagues. Sa debuted in 1964. She has previously said she collapsed from a heart attack in 2005 and again from a cerebral infarction in 2018.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 08:09:13