OTT Platforms Move Into Live Sports, Challenging Traditional TV Broadcasters Live broadcasting has long been considered the crown jewel of TV networks. Traditional live coverage typically requires expensive equipment and highly trained crews, including outside broadcast trucks that send signals by satellite back to a station for transmission. For decades, broadcasters with deep capital and specialized staff — and, in some cases, public funding — have carried major events as part of their role as large news organizations. But broadcasters have already been losing ground to over-the-top, or OTT, platforms in dramas and entertainment. Now, OTT services are moving aggressively into live programming as well. Netflix, which recently live-streamed BTS' comeback performance at Gwanghwamun, has built a track record in live events. After testing live-streaming technology with a U.S. comedy show in 2023, it aired an unconventional golf event featuring Formula One figures and professional golfers, marking a push into sports coverage. Netflix later signed an exclusive deal for WWE Raw and has offered live streams since 2025. In January, it also live-streamed “Skyscraper Live,” featuring a climb up a 101-story building in Taiwan without ropes, drawing global attention. Netflix Live has now moved into Major League Baseball. Netflix said on the 25th it will broadcast the 2026 season opener between San Francisco and the New York Yankees. Netflix said it will work with the Emmy-winning MLB Network production team to live-stream key MLB games. It said the broadcasts will be available in five languages: English, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese. Netflix is not alone. Coupang Play said it will live-stream two international soccer friendlies: a match against Cote d'Ivoire on the 28th and a match against Austria on April 1, described as the national team's final A matches before its final roster is set as it targets a World Cup quarterfinal run. TVING recently exclusively live-streamed every game from the start of the World Baseball Classic main tournament. It also holds exclusive rights for Korean professional baseball live streams on mobile and PC, meaning those broadcasts can be watched only through TVING. With OTT platforms expanding into real-time programming, major terrestrial broadcasters appear to be feeling a sharper sense of threat. If OTT services come to dominate live content, the article asks, what role will remain for free-to-air networks? In Netflix's case, an estimated 19,000 servers deployed worldwide have lowered barriers that once made live broadcasting difficult. Backed by vast capital, Netflix has built infrastructure that can deliver live content directly to viewers around the world. That scale is fueled by subscription fees paid each month by hundreds of millions of people. Traditional media organizations — sometimes labeled “old-fashioned” — face shrinking influence and declining advertising revenue. The article says concerns are growing that legacy media could weaken further as capital tightens and talent leaves. Still, terrestrial broadcasting continues to function as public infrastructure closely tied to daily life, providing news, local information, and programming such as variety shows and daily dramas that reach multiple generations. Its reach, however, is largely limited to local audiences. Korean content is widely favored globally under the banner of K-content, but the article argues that trend can also work against traditional TV broadcasters. It says a local market that once looked solid for decades is shrinking as capital becomes less available. The article concludes by questioning whether legacy media has the tools to compete with global OTT platforms, saying those tools are hard to see even as the pressure intensifies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-26 16:57:18

Son Heung-min Seeks First Open-Play Goal of 2026 With South Korea vs. Ivory Coast 최근 소속팀에서 골 가뭄에 시달리고 있는 홍명보호 '캡틴' 손흥민(로스앤젤레스FC)이 태극마크를 달고 분위기 반전에 나선다. Hong Myung-bo's South Korea national team will play Ivory Coast in its first March A-match friendly at 11 p.m. on March 28 (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America about three months away, the match is intended as a stand-in test for South Africa, South Korea's opponent in the third group-stage game. Hong has called in his core overseas-based players for what he described as the final A match before the World Cup, including Son, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz). Attention is on whether Son can end his scoring drought with his first goal from open play this year. Son's 2026 scoring has been muted. In his first match of the year, he had one goal and three assists in a 6-1 win over Espania (Honduras) in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Feb. 18. Since then, he has gone eight straight official matches without a goal, adding four assists. His goal against Espania came from the penalty spot, leaving him without an open-play goal this year. Some have raised concerns about decline for Son, born in 1992, but Hong said his confidence has not changed. Before the team's first training session of its Europe trip on March 24 in Milton Keynes, Hong told South Korean reporters, "I am not worried because of the time and role Son has played." He added, "He knows well what role he needs to play. It is very important for us to judge the right timing for his strengths to come out." Hong also pointed to tactical options aimed at maximizing Son. If Son starts as a wide attacker, Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) or Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) is expected to play up front. With their size and ability to battle defenders and link play, South Korea hopes Son will have more room for his trademark shooting. Hong said, "Because we have strikers in good condition like Oh Hyeon-gyu and Cho Gue-sung, there is a possibility Son will be used as a winger this time." Son has 54 goals in 140 A matches. If he scores four goals in the March A matches, he would move into a tie for the national record of 58 goals, matching Cha Bum-kun. One more would set a new mark. Ivory Coast, however, is not expected to be an easy opponent. It is ranked 37th by FIFA, below South Korea at 22nd, but is known in Africa for strong defense. It went unbeaten in 10 World Cup African qualifying matches (eight wins, two draws) without conceding a goal. Its squad includes Europe-based players such as Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta) and Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest). South Korea is 1-0 all-time against Ivory Coast. In a friendly in London in March 2010, South Korea won 2-0 on goals by Lee Dong-gook and Kwak Tae-hwi.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-26 16:54:00

Samsung Biologics, Celltrion expand CDMO investment as labor and safety risks rise Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, after posting record results last year, are pressing ahead this year with multitrillion-won investments centered on contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) to expand capacity, industry officials said. Even with strong growth, both companies face rising internal and external risks, including labor friction, a factory safety incident and geopolitical uncertainty. Samsung Biologics reported 4.55 trillion won ($4.55 trillion won) in revenue and 2.06 trillion won in operating profit last year, reinforcing its No. 1 position in the CDMO sector, according to the industry. The company is reinvesting earnings to build Plants 5 and 6 in Songdo, Incheon, and plans to spend about 7 trillion won to develop a third bio campus. It is also moving to expand overseas production, including a $280 million investment to acquire a plant in Rockville, Maryland, as part of its strategy to widen its lead. Celltrion posted 4.16 trillion won in revenue and 1.16 trillion won in operating profit last year, and has been assessed as a global player spanning biosimilars and new drugs. It plans to invest 1.2265 trillion won to complete Plants 4 and 5 in Songdo. In the United States, it plans to invest $330 million to expand its Branchburg, New Jersey, facility to 75,000 liters. Once domestic and overseas expansions are completed, Celltrion expects to secure total production capacity of 570,000 liters, building infrastructure not only for new drugs and biosimilars but also for its contract manufacturing business. Risks have also intensified. At Samsung Biologics, labor-management tensions have deepened in recent years over disputes tied to revisions of internal rules on information security and discipline, including the introduction of a “three strikes” policy. A document was disclosed showing the human resources department separately classified and managed participants in a lawsuit over ordinary wages and union members, prompting allegations of discrimination in promotions and personnel decisions. Distrust has also lingered after negotiations over wages and working hours reductions. In this year’s wage talks, the union has demanded a 4.5-day workweek, higher starting pay and a new hazard allowance for ADC work, with talk of a possible strike. If a strike occurs, production stoppages could delay deliveries to clients and damage global confidence, given the industry’s reliance on continuous operations. It could also disrupt completion of Plants 5 and 6 and the Rockville plant, the report said. Celltrion is also under scrutiny after a subcontractor worker fell to his death at its Songdo plant, drawing criticism over industrial safety and health management. The Ministry of Employment and Labor issued a work stoppage order and launched a full investigation, including whether the case violated the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. At Celltrion’s shareholders meeting on March 24, Chairman Seo Jung-jin appeared in person for the first time in 11 years to address concerns and emphasize “responsible management,” the report said. Geopolitical uncertainty is another factor. As the war in the Middle East drags on, volatility in raw materials and fuel prices and broader supply-chain risks have increased, and there are signs global drugmakers are adjusting clinical and production budgets, the report said. “Companies are facing a new test in which they must design growth and responsibility at the same time, with good news and bad news coexisting,” an industry official said. How well they manage labor issues, major safety risks and geopolitical uncertainty “appears to be a key variable that will determine sustainable growth going forward,” the official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-26 16:36:00

More workers to get day off as Labor Day set to become public holiday SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - A bill to designate Labor Day as a statutory public holiday passed a committee in the National Assembly on Thursday. If it clears the remaining legislative steps including Cabinet approval, May 1 will be observed as a public holiday, taking effect this year. Labor Day was made a paid holiday in 1994, but public officials, teachers, and platform workers such as deliverymen have not been able to take the day off because they are not classified as employees under the relevant labor laws. 2026-03-26 16:29:44

South Korean ships can pass through Strait of Hormuz only with prior consultation, Iranian envoy says SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - South Korean ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but "only with prior consultation" with Tehran, Iran's top envoy said on Thursday. At a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Yongsan, Seoul, Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi said there have been no safety concerns so far involving South Korean vessels or crew members, adding that the foreign ministers and embassies of both countries are "communicating smoothly" on the issue. Currently, some 26 South Korean vessels and their 178 crew members are stranded in the strategically important waterway, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Koozechi also said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asked South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun over the phone earlier this week to provide a list of stranded South Korean ships. Despite the Middle Eastern country seeing South Korea as a "non-hostile country," it would be "unavoidable" for ships doing business with U.S. firms to face restrictions as part of its "self-defense measures," the envoy said on a radio program earlier in the day. He also claimed that there is no dialogue between Tehran and Washington, saying Iran cannot trust U.S. statements and suspects the U.S. may be trying to buy time to prepare for renewed airstrikes. 2026-03-26 15:51:33

Korean game publishers play it safe as AI reshapes industry fault lines SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - South Korea's major game publishers are sticking to safer bets — stable leadership and proven revenue drivers — as they navigate the uncharted waters of artificial intelligence. A wave of executive reappointments during this year's shareholder season reflects that caution. Krafton renewed the terms of Chairman Chang Byung-gyu and CEO Kim Chang-han for a third consecutive term, while Nexon retained CEO Lee Jung-hun after posting a record 4.5 trillion won in annual revenue. Netmarble and NHN are also set to extend leadership tenures on the back of strong earnings. The continuity underscores a structural shift in the industry, where blockbuster titles now take five years or more to develop, making leadership changes mid-cycle a costly risk. At the same time, publishers are accelerating a pivot beyond their traditional mobile-gaming base toward console and PC platforms, targeting global markets. Netmarble has launched its first cross-platform open-world title, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, spanning PlayStation 5, Steam and mobile, while NC — rebranded from NCSoft — is preparing console-focused titles such as Defect and Limit Zero Breakers. Pearl Abyss' Crimson Desert, a domestically developed triple-A open-world title, has already sold more than three million copies since its March debut, highlighting the industry's growing ambition to compete globally. Yet the rollout also exposed a new tension point: artificial intelligence. Players discovered AI-generated artwork embedded in Crimson Desert, including distorted visual elements, prompting an apology from Pearl Abyss. The company said the assets were created during early development using experimental tools and were unintentionally left in the final version. The backlash contrasted sharply with Nexon's Arc Raiders, which has been widely praised for using procedural AI to enhance gameplay environments. The title has sold over 14 million copies since its October 2025 launch, underscoring how AI can add value when deployed transparently. The divergence highlights a widening fault line across the industry: AI that enhances user experience tends to be rewarded, while undisclosed use — particularly in visible creative assets — risks consumer backlash. "AI output still reaches only about 90 percent of human quality," said Jung Nae-hun, a professor at the Tech University of Korea. "Studios tend to avoid using it for visible elements like characters or interfaces. When it slips through, it invites backlash." Korea's regulatory framework is also evolving. The Framework Act on Artificial Intelligence, which took effect in January, requires disclosure of AI-generated content, though the industry has raised concerns that additional rules could create overlap and confusion during iterative development processes. Beyond AI, publishers are facing broader structural challenges. Game production remains excluded from Korea's content production tax credit system, even as film and television receive incentives of up to 30 percent. Officials have acknowledged the gap, noting that flagship game titles now routinely cost more than 1 trillion won to develop. Meanwhile, legal risks are also emerging alongside technological shifts. A U.S. court recently ruled that Krafton breached its acquisition contract with Unknown Worlds Entertainment, after executives consulted ChatGPT in shaping a takeover strategy — a case that underscores the growing intersection between AI use and corporate governance. Despite these headwinds, the industry continues to grow modestly. Domestic game revenue reached 23.85 trillion won in 2024, up 3.9 percent on-year, while exports rose to $8.5 billion. Console games recorded the fastest growth, reinforcing the strategic pivot. North America's share of exports climbed to 19.5 percent, signaling early traction in Western markets, while industry employment expanded to around 87,600. Still, publishers say the numbers mask deeper constraints. "The biggest thing the government can do is curb excessive regulation," Jung said. "That remains a heavier drag on the industry than any tax gap." 2026-03-26 15:43:07

Chong Kun Dang CEO Kim Young-joo Pledges Profit Growth, Higher Corporate Value in 2026 Major drugmakers including Chong Kun Dang, Dong-A ST and Ildong Pharmaceutical held annual shareholder meetings on March 26, approving agenda items as proposed, including new director appointments and cash dividends aimed at boosting shareholder value. According to the industry, Chong Kun Dang held its 13th annual general meeting that morning at its headquarters in Chungjeong-ro. Shareholders approved a cash dividend of 500 won per share, equal to 20% of par value. In opening remarks, Chong Kun Dang CEO Kim Young-joo said the company would “deliver profit growth this year” by launching new products on schedule, strengthening product competitiveness and improving market responsiveness. He said it would also raise drug development efficiency through Achela, described as an NRDO (No Research Development Only) specialist, and “increase corporate value” by building a Baegot bio complex development cluster to secure biotech competitiveness. Chong Kun Dang Holdings also held its 71st annual general meeting on March 26. The company reported 2025 consolidated revenue of 959 billion won and operating profit of 58.3 billion won, and approved a cash dividend of 1,400 won per share, equal to 56% of par value. Dong-A ST held its 13th annual general meeting at its headquarters in Seoul’s Dongdaemun district, approving six items as proposed, including approval of financial statements, amendments to the articles of incorporation and director appointments. Shareholders approved a cash dividend of 700 won per common share and a stock dividend of 0.05 shares per share. The meeting also approved a 30 billion won reduction in capital reserves and a transfer to retained earnings to secure funding for tax-exempt dividends. CEO Jeong Jae-hoon said the company is also stepping up investment in digital health care, which he said will be central to future medical technology, and is building a foundation for growth. Dong-A Socio Holdings also held its 78th annual general meeting at its headquarters in Seoul’s Dongdaemun district. Shareholders approved five items as proposed: approval of the 78th financial statements and consolidated financial statements, partial amendments to the articles of incorporation, director appointments, appointment of an outside director who will serve on the audit committee, and approval of the cap on director compensation. They also approved a cash dividend of 1,000 won per share and a stock dividend of 0.03 shares per share. The company said the dividend is tax-exempt and not subject to dividend income tax. Ildong Pharmaceutical and Ildong Holdings each held annual shareholder meetings on March 26 at Ildong Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Seoul’s Seocho district. Ildong Pharmaceutical CEO Yoon Woong-seop said the company will focus this year, under its management policy of “creating results with competitive advantage,” on generating sales and profit, securing new growth engines and building a sustainable business structure, while strengthening its core businesses such as pharmaceuticals and concentrating capabilities on future growth including R&D. At the meeting, all agenda items were approved as proposed, including approval of financial statements, partial amendments to the articles of incorporation, and the appointment of directors and an auditor. Ildong Holdings also approved its agenda items as proposed, including approval of financial statements reflecting its dividend plan, partial amendments to the articles of incorporation, and the appointment of directors and an auditor. Ildong Holdings CEO Park Dae-chang said the company will continue to pursue management efficiency and reform across group affiliates to strengthen its business foundation and build momentum for growth, adding that it also plans to work to enhance corporate value and increase shareholder returns.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-26 15:33:00

Uzbekistan's business climate signals decoupling from historical stagnation as demand surges SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - The Center for Economic Research and Reforms in Uzbekistan reported Wednesday that the national business climate reached 65 points in February 2026, an 11-point increase over the previous year. This shift signals a significant decoupling from historical stagnation, marking a fundamental transition in how the private sector navigates the regional economy. The acceleration aligns with a broader macroeconomic surge shown by data from the Statistics Agency of Uzbekistan. The country's GDP growth reached 6.0 percent in 2025 according to World Bank estimates, supported by record gold export revenues and a 10.5 percent growth in fixed asset investments. The February data marks a shift in private sector sentiment, as the composite index for expectations climbed 13 points to 81. This optimism is anchored by expansion in the real economy. 19 percent of enterprises reported increasing their workforce, up from 12 percent a year earlier. These developments suggest that Uzbekistan is moving into a high-velocity growth cycle, where domestic demand is becoming a primary engine. Agriculture has emerged as the vanguard of this expansion, with its sectoral index jumping 29 points to 73. This growth is reinforced by structural shifts, including a zero VAT rate for most agricultural producers that took effect in January 2026. Approximately 52 percent of agricultural entrepreneurs now report rising demand, up from 35 percent in early 2025. This reflects the success of new export corridors and an increase in domestic processing capacity. In the services and construction sectors, indices rose to 61 and 69 points, respectively. Construction activity has remained resilient, with the sector expanding by 14.2 percent throughout 2025. This is mirrored in the labor market, where 27 percent of construction firms expanded their payrolls. The industrial sector, while growing more moderately at 67 points, continues to benefit from a stabilization in energy supply. National utility reforms aim to commission 6.7 GW of new power capacity by the end of 2026, a move that has already led to a decline in the number of firms citing electricity shortages as a barrier to growth. Geopolitical and fiscal stability have supported these figures. Inflation in Uzbekistan was recorded at 8.8 percent over 2025, which provided a more predictable environment for the 61 percent of surveyed entrepreneurs who reported an absence of operational constraints. This is an improvement from the 57 percent recorded just one month prior. The survey highlights emerging friction points as the economy matures. While concerns regarding credit and logistics have receded, entrepreneurs are increasingly citing the cost of land resources and a 7 percent indexation of land and property taxes as rising challenges. Furthermore, tax reforms introduced in early 2026, including a move toward turnover-based taxation for smaller entities, represent a shift in the fiscal landscape. 2026-03-26 15:31:20

Online P2P lenders seek looser investment caps as cumulative loans near 20 trillion won Online investment-linked finance firms, known as on-tu-eop, are calling for deregulation — including higher investment caps for retail investors — to improve profitability and expand inclusive finance. With cumulative lending nearing 20 trillion won, the sector is increasingly seen as an alternative source of credit, drawing attention to whether talks on easing rules will gain momentum. According to the financial industry, the sector held a policy forum at the National Assembly on March 26 under the theme of measures to revitalize online investment-linked finance. The business connects investors and borrowers through online platforms. Investors participate in loans and earn returns through claims to principal and interest. After the relevant law took effect in 2020, the sector was brought into the regulated financial system. Recently, through linked investments with savings banks, firms have supplied midrate credit loans averaging in the 12% range to borrowers in the bottom 50% of personal credit scores, serving as a channel for working-class lending. At the forum, participants highlighted the need to broaden institutional investor participation and raise investment limits for individuals. Institutional investors are currently capped at 40% of investment per loan. The limit for general retail investors is 40 million won, while products tied to real estate-collateralized loans are capped at 20 million won. Lee Hyo-jin, CEO of 8percent, said the sector differs from traditional banks because it relies on transaction fees rather than net interest margins, meaning higher volume directly supports growth. “If we expand transaction volume through easing investment regulations, a virtuous cycle is possible — more funding supply, lower rates and stronger demand,” Lee said. He added that improving the operating environment is needed to meet policy goals such as spreading inclusive finance and supporting financial innovation. Speakers also called for expanding the scope of loans eligible for linked investment by lending institutions. Lee Jung-min, an attorney at Kim & Chang, said linked-investment products are currently limited to personal credit loans where risk can be managed. “Given the purpose of the On-tu Act to supply midrate financing to blind spots in lending, the scope should be expanded to include loans to sole proprietors, where funding demand is high,” he said. Other proposals included easing limits on on-tu firms’ own-capital investments and restructuring investment frameworks. Financial authorities and some experts urged caution. Jeong Seon-in, director of digital finance at the Financial Services Commission, said investment risks can emerge years later, requiring a careful approach. “Efforts to strengthen qualitative management and build trust must go hand in hand,” Jeong said. Seo Byeong-ho, head of the Financial Innovation Research Division at the Korea Institute of Finance, noted that deregulation such as raising minimum capital requirements was implemented in 2022 and 2023, and said the focus now should be on boosting trust, including stronger disclosure. 2026-03-26 15:24:00

Seoul deploys "wartime" policy arsenal to fight Gulf shockwaves SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) -South Korea is deploying “all possible” fiscal and policy tools — including a supplementary budget of around 25 trillion won ($18.7 billion), expanded fuel tax cuts and market stabilization measures — as it moves into what the government described as a “wartime” economic response to the prolonged Middle East conflict. “In the face of a grave wartime situation, we will mobilize all policy means and the optimal mix to ensure the hard-won recovery momentum is not derailed,” Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Koo Yun-cheol said in a televised briefing Thursday after an emergency cabinet meeting. The emergency package comes as the conflict enters its fourth week, driving sharp volatility in global oil prices and financial markets, with South Korea particularly exposed due to its heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy imports. Under the plan, the government will expand temporary fuel tax cuts to 15 percent for gasoline and 25 percent for diesel through May 31, nearly doubled from current reductions, in a bid to cushion rising energy costs. The measures are part of a broader push to stabilize prices and supply chains, while preventing spillovers into vulnerable sectors such as small businesses, farmers and low-income households. To contain inflation and energy price shocks, authorities will maintain a ceiling price system on petroleum products, strengthen market surveillance against collusion and expand subsidies for freight and public transport operators. On the supply side, the government will secure alternative crude and liquefied natural gas sources, including increased imports from the United Arab Emirates and swap arrangements with Japan, while preparing to release strategic reserves in coordination with the International Energy Agency if needed. A crisis-level supply chain task force has also been launched to monitor key items such as naphtha and urea on a daily basis, with emergency financial support and import diversification measures to mitigate disruptions. To support affected businesses, policymakers will expand policy financing by more than 4 trillion won, provide low-interest loans and extend maturities for firms facing liquidity stress, while fast-tracking approvals for emergency funding. Additional targeted support will be directed at small merchants, farmers and transport operators, including energy subsidies, logistics cost assistance and temporary toll exemptions. In financial markets, authorities pledged “timely” intervention to curb excessive volatility in the won and bond markets, including liquidity injections, bond buybacks and activation of a 100 trillion won-plus market stabilization program if necessary. The finance ministry separately announced 5 trillion-won buyback program to bolster the bond market, with government bonds yielding more than 100 basis points over the base rate. The government will conduct stress tests across the financial sector and maintain 24-hour monitoring of foreign exchange and capital markets to guard against systemic risks. The U.S. dollar hit 1,506.90 won as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday, unshaken by the Seoul government response. The markets instead pay heed to the government warning. “The longer the situation persists, the greater the downside risks to the economy, including slower growth, higher inflation, supply chain disruptions and financial market volatility,” the government said in its assessment. 2026-03-26 15:18:42