Kim Yun-ji becomes first South Korean woman to win Winter Paralympics gold SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - Biathlete Kim Yun-ji on Sunday won gold at the Winter Paralympics, which kicked off last week in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Kim finished with a time of 38:00.1 in the women's sitting sprint 12.5-kilometer biathlon, narrowly ahead of Germany's Anja Wicker, who crossed the finish line with 38:12.09. Kendall Gretsch of the United States took bronze with 38:36.1. With the victory, she became the first South Korean woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Paralympics. The historic achievement was also South Korea's first Winter Paralympics gold medal in about eight years, since skier Shin Eui-hyun won gold in cross-country skiing at the 2018 Paralympics in the alpine city of Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The para biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting over 12.5 kilometers, with the fastest finisher taking gold. Later in the day, Lee Je-hyuk won bronze in the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2, marking South Korea's first-ever Paralympic medal in the discipline. This year's Winter Paralympics run until March 15. 2026-03-09 09:13:38

Hyundai Rotem Unveils Supplier Support Plan for Korea Defense Industry Hyundai Rotem said it will introduce a new profit-sharing program and sharply expand financial support to help its partner companies grow alongside the firm. The company said Monday it unveiled its strategy at the “2026 Hyundai Rotem Defense Co-Growth Cooperation Conference,” held March 6 at its Changwon plant in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. The plan focuses on supporting suppliers’ localization of parts and research and development for future advanced weapons. The strategy is aimed at expanding access to financing and widening opportunities for technological self-reliance, Hyundai Rotem said, as part of efforts to strengthen the quality of South Korea’s defense industry ecosystem. Attendees included local district lawmakers, representatives from 67 partner companies and Hyundai Rotem employees. In welcoming remarks, CEO Lee Yong-bae said the world is paying attention to the capabilities and role of South Korea’s defense industry amid rapidly changing international conditions. He called on Hyundai Rotem and its partners to “bind together as a community of shared destiny” and deepen mutual trust. Hyundai Rotem said it will significantly expand financial support for partner companies starting this year. It will introduce a new “co-growth profit-sharing program” under which, when the company wins new overseas orders, it will share results with suppliers that helped improve export competitiveness. Under the program, after a localized parts development succeeds and a first contract is signed, Hyundai Rotem will return 100% of cost savings from localization to the supplier in the contract year and 50% the following year. If transactions for the localized part or technology continue over the long term, the company said it will provide additional support by guaranteeing order volumes for the supplier. To help suppliers raise funds, Hyundai Rotem said it expanded its “co-growth fund” to 150 billion won, more than double the previous 70 billion won. On March 6, it signed a three-way memorandum of understanding with partner companies and Shinhan Bank on “Hyundai Rotem partner company co-growth and productive financial support.” The company said it plans to support trade finance, guarantees and preferential loan rates, alongside efficient operation of the fund. Hyundai Rotem also said it will invest 200 billion won in R&D through 2027 to support development of future advanced weapons, localization of parts and performance improvements. The scope includes next-generation manned and unmanned ground weapons platforms, aerospace, artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, as well as localization and performance upgrades of key components. The company said it will also run technical support and training programs. It plans to form a consultative group with partner companies, universities and research institutes to facilitate technical exchanges, and to support self-reliance by linking partner proposals and business needs to government projects. Hyundai Rotem said it will expand training for partner-company employees through its technical training institute, with more than 5,600 participants expected this year. Hyundai Rotem said it will step up efforts to prevent leaks of partner companies’ technology and personnel. It will provide expert consulting to improve security management systems, including simulated hacking and training to respond to malicious emails. When requesting technical materials from partners, the company said it will require a strengthened security system, and it will add a clause to its ethics code aimed at preventing poaching of partner-company personnel to protect key talent. The company also reorganized to strengthen co-growth cooperation. Previously handled by the purchasing planning team under the purchasing division, the work will now be led by a newly created co-growth cooperation office directly under the purchasing division, with a co-growth cooperation team under it. The office will form a consultative body with all relevant departments and provide on-site support for partner companies’ technology and quality in coordination with the government and related agencies, Hyundai Rotem said. A Hyundai Rotem official said the technological competitiveness of South Korea’s defense industry comes from growing together with partner companies, and the company will continue support to build a solid industrial foundation where all can grow.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 09:09:25

Hyundai, Kia’s X-ble Shoulder wearable robot wins South Korea KS certification Hyundai Motor and Kia said Monday their industrial wearable robot, the X-ble Shoulder, has received KS certification from the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement. KS certification is a state-run system that verifies products and services meet Korean Industrial Standards. The process is carried out through organizations designated by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards; in robotics, it is administered by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement. The company said the approval is the first case in South Korea in which the quality of a wearable robot has been secured under nationally recognized standards. The X-ble Shoulder is designed to reduce musculoskeletal strain for workers in industrial settings, and the certification formally recognizes its safety and quality, Hyundai Motor and Kia said. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they are continuing development and commercialization of the X-ble series, which they describe as human-centered robotics technology. The X-ble Shoulder uses a non-powered torque-generation structure, making it lightweight and eliminating the need for charging, the company said. It also applies a muscle-compensation module to generate assistance, which can reduce shoulder joint load by up to 60% and activation of the anterior and lateral deltoid muscles by up to 30%, it said. The robot is being used at worksites across Hyundai Motor Group affiliates as well as at Korean Air and Korea Railroad Corp., the company said. It added that it is expanding the business scope, including by signing a memorandum of understanding last year with the Rural Development Administration. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they are also developing the X-ble Waist to help reduce strain for workers handling heavy loads. In addition, research and development is underway on the X-ble MEX, a wearable robot intended to help paraplegic patients walk, for use in rehabilitation and medical fields. Choi Ri-gun, a managing director at Hyundai Motor and Kia Robotics Lab, said the X-ble Shoulder “has come to lead safety and quality standards for industrial wearable robots in Korea” through KS certification. He said the company will focus on developing products that improve the practicality of robotics technology and can contribute to industrial worksites globally. Hyundai Motor and Kia also cited overseas safety recognition. The company said the X-ble Shoulder received ISO 13482 certification from DNV (Der Norske Veritas), a European Union integrated certification mark registration body, in February last year, and later obtained additional certification under the EU Machinery Directive in May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:52:47

Actor Baek Il-seop Says He Hasn’t Heard From Choi Bul-am, Voices Concern Actor Baek Il-seop said he is worried about the health of senior actor Choi Bul-am. Baek appeared on the MBN entertainment program “Altoran,” which aired on the 8th. “I keep feeling an emptiness in my stomach,” Baek said, adding that senior colleagues have been “leaving one by one.” He said he has not been able to reach Choi. “Bul-am hyung hasn’t been in touch. He doesn’t answer the phone,” Baek said. “I can’t press him with questions, but I’m worried.” Baek added, “I hope Bul-am hyung shakes it off and gets back on his feet soon.” Choi was born in 1940 and Baek in 1944. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:52:06

Samsung SDI to Debut All-Solid-State Battery Sample for Physical AI at InterBattery 2026 Samsung SDI will unveil, for the first time in South Korea, an all-solid-state battery technology it is developing for the era of physical artificial intelligence, including humanoid robots. According to industry sources on the 9th, Samsung SDI will publicly display a sample of a pouch-type all-solid-state battery under development for physical AI applications at InterBattery 2026, which opens March 11 at COEX in Seoul for a three-day run. The company also plans to highlight its competitiveness in core AI infrastructure by showcasing battery solutions for energy storage systems, along with ultra-high-output batteries used in uninterruptible power supplies and battery backup units that are essential for AI data centers. At the exhibition, Samsung SDI will use the slogan, “AI’s imagination, made real by batteries,” and plans to present a wide range of technologies and products in what it said will be the largest exhibition space among participating companies. Samsung SDI said it is expanding its form factors from prismatic all-solid-state batteries developed for electric vehicles to pouch-type designs, aiming to broaden applications to humanoid robots, aviation systems and next-generation wearables. The company noted that robots, with limited space for onboard components, require compact batteries that deliver both high energy density and strong output. Samsung SDI will also introduce battery solutions for AI data centers, including its UPS battery “U8A1” and a high-output battery for BBUs installed inside servers. The BBU battery is designed to quickly supply power to servers during outages to prevent data loss and to support stable power delivery even when demand surges. In addition, Samsung SDI will debut its integrated ESS solution, Samsung Battery Box (SBB), and its AI-based battery health diagnostic software, Samsung Battery Intelligence (SBI). The company said SBI analyzes battery condition, lifespan and abnormal signs to predict risks such as fires in advance. It will also display differentiated battery technologies, including a next-generation prismatic battery with an energy density of 700Wh/L. A Samsung SDI official said the company aims to show how its battery technology can “complete all possibilities in the AI era,” adding that it will present high-quality battery solutions suited to the AI era based on capabilities built up over many years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:51:19

Kim Seong-hyeon Ties for 42nd at Puerto Rico Open; Ricky Castillo Wins First PGA Tour Title Kim Seong-hyeon finished in the middle of the standings at the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open, which had a $4 million purse. Kim shot a 1-under 71 in the final round at Grand Reserve Golf Club (par 72) in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, with five birdies and four bogeys. He finished at 6-under 282 and tied for 42nd. Kim was the only South Korean in the field. Ricky Castillo of the United States won with a 17-under 271 total, edging Chandler Blanchet of the United States by one shot (16-under 272). Castillo, born in 2001 and a PGA Tour rookie in the 2004-2005 season, earned his first victory. He took home $720,000 in prize money (about 1.07 billion won). With the win, Castillo also secured spots in next week’s Players Championship and the PGA Championship in May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:36:00

Netflix Releases Official Teaser for BTS 'Comeback Live: Arirang' Netflix has released an official teaser for “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” kicking off a global countdown to BTS’ return. The teaser, unveiled on the streamer’s official social media accounts and YouTube on the 21st, compresses Korean aesthetics and the group’s artistic narrative into a short clip. Jimin appears briefly in the video, drawing attention and prompting a strong fan response as the teaser highlights his dreamy, elegant style. Netflix said the event is expected to be its first live broadcast of an event held in South Korea, streamed in real time to more than 190 countries. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” worldwide at 1 p.m. on March 20, a day before the performance. On March 21, the group will debut stages for 14 new songs in Gwanghwamun. On the 27th, Netflix will release the documentary “BTS: The Return,” which follows the album’s production, before the group begins an 82-show world tour starting in April in Goyang.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:33:42

Actor Lee Min-woo Says He Has a Girlfriend, Sparking On-Air Backlash Actor Lee Min-woo has revealed he is dating someone. On the March 8 episode of SBS’ “My Little Old Boy” (“Miu Sae”), Lee and Kim Seung-su visited Go Joo-won’s home. Asked about marriage, Lee said his thinking has shifted. “Until last year, I strongly felt I didn’t need to get married, but these days I’m keeping an open mind because I could,” he said. When Go asked what prompted the change, Lee replied, “Even if I get hit a few times, I’ll be honest. I have a girlfriend right now.” In the studio, Seo Jang-hoon reacted by asking why Lee was “acting pitiful” on the show. Kim also challenged him, saying Lee had claimed he did not have a girlfriend when they met in August. Lee responded that he never said he did not. “I should have asked for your understanding in advance, but I fell short,” he said. Kim shot back, “Then why are you here? Are you here to officially announce you have a girlfriend?” drawing laughter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:33:04

Seoul tells Koreans to leave seven Middle East countries "immediately" SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - South Korea has raised its travel alert for parts of the Middle East to Level 3 — “leave immediately” — as the U.S.–Israel war with Iran widens across the Gulf region and threatens key energy infrastructure. The Foreign Ministry said Sunday it upgraded a special travel advisory for Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, urging South Korean citizens to leave areas where the new alert applies. Under the revision, Level 3 warnings now cover the entirety of Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, replacing the previous special travel advisory. In Saudi Arabia, the warning applies to the Ras Tanura area, home to major Saudi Aramco refining facilities, as well as a 20-kilometer radius around the Shaybah oil field and Prince Sultan Air Base. In Jordan, the Level 3 alert was adjusted to cover the eastern region along the boundary of Zarqa city. The ministry urged South Koreans planning to travel to the affected areas to cancel or postpone visits, while those already there were advised to leave unless their stay is essential. The warning reflects rapidly escalating regional tensions nine days after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, triggering a widening military confrontation across the Middle East. The war’s targets have increasingly expanded beyond military facilities. Israeli strikes hit fuel storage depots near Tehran, sending large fires across the skyline, while Bahrain reported damage to a desalination plant following a drone strike blamed on Iran. Desalination facilities are critical infrastructure for Gulf states, which rely heavily on processed seawater for drinking supplies. Iran has also launched missiles and drones toward Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, though several attacks were intercepted by regional air defenses. Saudi Arabia reported its first civilian deaths, saying a projectile struck a residential area and killed two foreign workers while injuring several others. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — the key shipping lane carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies — has effectively halted, with shipping companies avoiding the route amid military threats. Iraq said its crude production has plunged to about 1.3 million barrels per day, less than one-third of its normal output, after Baghdad cut production amid storage constraints following the disruption of tanker traffic. Oil prices have surged sharply, with Brent crude jumping about 27 percent in the first week of the war, marking the fastest weekly gain since the pandemic shock in 2020. State media reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain leader, has been selected as the country’s next supreme leader — a move that appears to contradict U.S. President Donald Trump’s public insistence that Washington should have a say in Iran’s postwar leadership. Trump has vowed to continue the military campaign, describing it as going “unbelievably good,” while warning that Iran’s new leadership “is not going to last long” without U.S. approval. The White House has indicated the war could last four to six weeks, while U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran that attacks on Americans would trigger direct retaliation. The conflict has already expanded beyond Iran. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes on Beirut targeted commanders linked to Iran’s Quds Force while fighting resumed with Hezbollah in the south. In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across southern regions after new Iranian missile launches, while the Israeli military reported its first combat deaths since the war began. The conflict has so far killed more than 1,300 people in Iran, nearly 400 in Lebanon and at least 11 in Israel, according to official tallies. U.S. casualties have also risen, with the Pentagon confirming seven American service members killed in attacks on U.S. forces in the region. The widening war has also triggered diplomatic backlash across the Arab world. The Arab League condemned Iran’s strikes on neighboring countries as “reckless,” while the Gulf Cooperation Council warned that attacks on member states threaten regional stability. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for some cross-border attacks but other senior officials signaled the strikes could continue as long as Gulf countries host U.S. military bases. With missiles and drones already striking across the Gulf, Seoul’s decision to raise its travel warning underscores concerns that the conflict — now entering its second week — could spill further across the region. 2026-03-09 08:32:40

Actor Lee Jae-ryong’s Wife Yoo Ho-jung Previously Spoke About His Drinking Actor Lee Jae-ryong was questioned by police after an alleged drunk-driving crash in Seoul’s Gangnam district, drawing renewed attention to past comments by his wife, actor Yoo Ho-jung, about his drinking. Yoo spoke about Lee’s drinking in a 2015 appearance on SBS’ “Healing Camp.” “We fought a lot because of drinking when we were dating. There were times he drank until dawn without telling me,” Yoo said. She said he broke promises to her for several days in a row and then came home at dawn “dead drunk.” Yoo added that Lee wrote pledges — even stamping them with a fingerprint — promising to limit how many times a week he would drink and what time he would come home, but “he kept repeating the same mistakes and never changed.” Police said Lee is suspected of driving while intoxicated and crashing into a median near Samseong Jungang Station on Seoul Subway Line 9 at about 2 a.m. on March 7, then fleeing the scene. Lee allegedly left after the crash, parked at his home, then went to an acquaintance’s house before police detained him. His blood alcohol level was reported to be high enough to warrant a license suspension. Police said they plan to investigate the circumstances, including reviewing dashcam footage.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:27:21