Hanwha Ocean Says It Can Deliver First Canadian Submarine in 2032, Ahead of German Rival Hanwha Ocean, part of a South Korean consortium with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said it has emphasized to Canada the potential for broader industrial cooperation as it competes for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP. The Canadian Press reported on March 3 (local time) that Hanwha Ocean CEO Eo Seong-cheol said the company and the South Korean government view a submarine contract as the start of a deeper industrial relationship between the two countries. Hanwha Ocean and its consortium partner, along with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, submitted final proposals to the Canadian government on March 2, the deadline. The bids included delivery schedules and investment plans tied to the contract. Eo told the outlet the deal would be a “major catalyst” for bilateral ties. He said the proposal includes investments across areas such as steel, artificial intelligence and space, and would create an average of 25,000 jobs a year from this year through 2044. Eo said the final proposal calls for delivering the first submarine in 2032 and four boats by 2035, and includes what the company described as a firm price estimate. Shipbuilding industry officials said that timeline is faster and more specific than the German bid, which they said pledged to deliver at least two submarines to Canada by 2034. “Hanwha’s proposal is not just a platform proposal,” Eo said. “It is a proposal that combines a clear and accurate delivery plan with a multigenerational industrial partnership, and it fully aligns with Canada’s defense industrial strategy.” He said Hanwha is also interested in other Canadian contracts and is reviewing cooperation in areas including ground defense programs, electronic and AI technologies, and Arctic-related capabilities. Eo cited partnerships with multiple Canadian companies to jointly carry out submarine-related work if it wins. “We have already built strong relationships with capable Canadian companies, and we will expand these partnerships regardless of the contract outcome,” he said. The Canadian Press also carried an interview with TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard. Burkhard, referring to comments that Canada’s final selection will weigh how much benefit bidders provide to the Canadian economy and industry, said such demands were driven by the actions of Canada’s “southern neighbor,” and were putting pressure on bidders. On Canada’s desire for expanded manufacturing investment in Canada by South Korean and German automakers, he said it should not be assumed that “if there is no car production, it does not help Canada,” adding that everything should not be treated as if it belongs in one basket.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:12:20

BTS Comeback D-17: 'ARIRANG' tracklist unveiled as heat builds up in countdown             SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - BTS has drummed up anticipation for its long-awaited comeback with the release of the 14-song tracklist for its upcoming album ARIRANG — the group’s first full-member project in nearly four years — due March 20, with fans already preparing to camp out for the closest view of the open-air comeback show the following day. The tracklist was unveiled by HYBE through its official website and social media channels, accompanied by a visual featuring the album’s logo layered over bold red tape-style graphics — an early hint at the intensity of the group’s reunion era. The album contains 14 tracks led by the title song “SWIM,” alongside “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ’bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please,” and “Into the Sun.” HYBE described ARIRANG as BTS’s first full-length album in nearly four years and a project that carries “special significance” in defining the direction of the seven members moving forward. The comeback marks the group’s first full-member release since entering an extended hiatus, raising expectations not only commercially but culturally as well. The title track “SWIM” is described as an upbeat alternative-pop song centered on perseverance and love for life. Rather than resisting life’s turbulent waves, the lyrics express the determination to keep moving forward at one’s own pace. Group leader RM played a major role in the songwriting process. The album took shape largely in Los Angeles last summer, where BTS collaborated with a global roster of producers including Diplo, Ryan Tedder, and Spanish electronic producer El Guincho. The tracklist reveal triggered immediate engagement online. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, HYBE’s official post uploaded shortly after midnight had drawn roughly 4.7 million views, 13,000 comments, 203,000 reposts and 308,000 likes on X, with numbers continuing to rise. Major pop culture accounts showed similar traction, each generating more than one million views within hours — underscoring the global anticipation surrounding BTS’s return as a full group. The album’s title has also fueled discussion among fans. “Arirang,” widely recognized as Korea’s most iconic folk song, carries strong cultural symbolism. With BTS planning its comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square, some fans had expected a stronger Korean-language presence within the album. A number of online comments pointed to the contrast between the Korean title and the predominantly English tracklist. Others expressed curiosity about how the cultural symbolism would translate into the music. Still, many fans voiced confidence in the group’s creative direction, noting BTS’s long-standing ability to blend Korean identity with global pop sounds. As the March 21 comeback event approaches, excitement is spilling beyond the internet. Posts circulating on social media suggest that some fans are already considering camping near Gwanghwamun Square to secure better viewing spots for the open-air performance. The anticipated turnout has prompted the Seoul Metropolitan Government to review the event’s safety preparations. City officials said Tuesday that the safety management plan for the “BTS 2026 Comeback Show” had been conditionally approved, with additional measures to be reinforced in coordination with police and fire authorities. ARIRANG will be released globally at 1 p.m. KST on March 20, followed by “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” at Gwanghwamun Square the next day, with the performance streamed worldwide on Netflix. 2026-03-04 14:10:41

Inside MWC 2026: Korean tech titans redefine the 'Physical AI' and data frontier SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - South Korean telecommunications giants and global infrastructure leaders are shifting the paradigm of artificial intelligence at MWC 2026, moving beyond digital chatbots toward "Physical AI" and hyper-efficient data architectures. LG Uplus: From voice to humanoid action LG Uplus (LGU+) unveiled its vision for Physical AI, integrating its proprietary AI call agent, ixi-O, with humanoid robotics. Unlike traditional voice assistants, ixi-O is designed to understand emotional context and execute physical tasks. In a live demonstration, the AI analyzed a sudden business trip schedule during a call, automatically adjusted the user's calendar, and signaled a humanoid robot developed by A-Robot to pack a suitcase. CEO Hong Beom-sik emphasized that voice is the "most human connection," predicting a future where AI agents transition from simple command-following to autonomous environmental interaction. SK Telecom: Structural innovation in AI data centers SK Telecom (SKT) is tackling the infrastructure bottlenecks of the AI era through a two-track strategy focusing on "construction" and "connectivity". The company signed a tripartite MOU with Supermicro and Schneider Electric to secure "Pre-fabricated Modular" AI Data Center (DC) solutions, a method that allows pre-designed power and cooling units to be assembled on-site to significantly reduce construction time and costs compared to traditional concrete structures. In a separate move to solve memory bottlenecks, SKT partnered with Panmnesia to develop a CXL-based (Compute Express Link) architecture. This technology allows CPUs, GPUs, and memory to be flexibly pooled across racks, eliminating the need to purchase expensive GPUs just to expand memory capacity and reducing data latency. Nokia’s ‘Doksuri’: A nod to Korean engineering Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event, Finnish telecommunications leader Nokia introduced its next-generation Remote Radio Head (RRH) named "Doksuri" (Eagle in Korean). According to Cho Bong-yeol, Nokia’s Lead of Product Management, the name represents the "dominance of the skies" and acknowledges the strength of the Korean market. Powered by Nvidia GPUs, the platform enables telcos to process both communication signals and AI inference on a single unit, maximizing investment efficiency. Nokia also showcased its Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology, which turns existing 3.5GHz base stations into radar resources to detect drones without additional hardware. 2026-03-04 14:04:47

Hyundai Motor, Kia Launch MobED Alliance to Expand Robotics Solutions Ecosystem Hyundai Motor and Kia said they are building a multilateral partnership ecosystem centered on MobED to provide customized robotics solutions for customers. The automakers said Tuesday they held a launch ceremony for the “MobED Alliance” at the 2026 Smart Factory & Automation Industry Expo (AW2026) at COEX in Seoul and began full-scale domestic sales of MobED. Attendees included officials from Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab, parts makers such as Hyundai Transys and SL, robotics solution companies including LS TiraYutech and Gaon Robotics, and related organizations such as the Korea AI & Robot Industry Association, the companies said. Hyundai Motor and Kia said the alliance was designed to meet demand for ready-to-deploy, customized solutions for industrial sites, rather than simple hardware adoption. MobED, the alliance’s core platform, is a small mobile platform with a new wheel-drive system, the companies said. It is based on four independently driven DnL (Drive-and-Lift) mechanisms to improve its ability to handle changes in ground conditions. They said MobED can flexibly combine various “top modules” tailored to industry needs, enabling uses such as delivery, patrol, research and video filming. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they plan an ecosystem-led commercialization strategy, supplying complete solutions with specialized partners instead of selling the platform alone. The MobED Alliance will operate as a four-party cooperation framework involving Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab, domestic parts suppliers, robotics solution companies and related organizations, the companies said. The Robotics Lab will provide MobED platform development and core technology, while 10 parts suppliers, including Hyundai Transys and SL, will produce and supply key components such as sensors, electronics and batteries, they said. Five robotics solution companies, including LS TiraYutech and Gaon Robotics, will design customized services based on on-site industrial needs, the companies said. Related organizations, including the Korea AI & Robot Industry Association, will support demonstrations and adoption conditions to help complete a virtuous cycle for the domestic robotics industry, they added. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they plan to use the alliance to establish a business structure supplying MobED to B2B and B2G markets and to strengthen competitiveness across South Korea’s robotics industry through a sustainable ecosystem model. At AW2026, the companies said they unveiled a mass-production MobED model in South Korea for the first time and set up a 180-square-meter hands-on booth so customers could experience the technology. The booth included structures simulating outdoor conditions — such as drainage channels, uneven surfaces, slopes and curbs — to show MobED navigating terrain that is difficult for conventional autonomous mobile robots, they said. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they are offering hands-on trials and purchase consultations at the booth. Customers who cannot visit can submit consultation requests and partnership proposals through the Robotics Lab website, they said. “MobED, whose innovation has been recognized on the global stage, has been reborn as an even more advanced robotics solution through this alliance,” said Hyun Dong-jin, executive director and head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab. “Together with our key partners, we will enhance the competitiveness of the domestic robotics industry and lead the expansion of the physical AI ecosystem.” MobED previously won the Best of Innovation award in the robotics category at CES 2026, the companies said. Hyundai Motor and Kia said they will use the alliance to apply physical AI capabilities — combining intelligent software and hardware — more broadly at industrial sites and continue developing technology so robots become practical solutions in customers’ daily lives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:03:11

Hanmi Group Unveils Bronze Plaque Honoring Late Founder Lim Seong-gi’s Drug R&D Vision Hanmi Group has unveiled to the public for the first time a bronze plaque sculpture honoring the achievements and new-drug development philosophy of its late founder, Lim Seong-gi. The group said March 4 that it held an unveiling ceremony March 2 at Hanmi C&C Square near Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Seoul’s Songpa district, following the fifth Lim Seong-gi Researcher Award ceremony hosted by the Lim Seong-gi Foundation. Family members Song Young-sook, the group’s chairwoman, Vice Chairwoman Lim Ju-hyun and CEO Lim Jong-hoon took part in the unveiling. The plaque features Lim’s likeness and his handwritten phrase, “Innovative management for a strong pharmaceutical nation.” It also summarizes his key accomplishments in four sections: beginnings, the start of innovation, R&D-driven management and a major paradigm shift. It lists milestones in chronological order, starting with the 1973 founding of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Industry and the launch of its first product, “T.S Powder.” Other achievements include completion of the Paltan GMP plant, construction of the Dongtan R&D center and what the company described as the largest new-drug technology export deal in South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry. The inscription also includes Lim’s belief: “New drug development is like my life.” The display also highlights his career from the founding of Im Seong-gi Pharmacy to major technology exports, as well as initiatives tied to his “respect for humanity” management philosophy, including pediatric drug development, Hanmi Love Blood Donation drives and stock gifts to employees. Song Young-sook said, “The spirit of Lim Seong-gi is Hanmi Group’s most precious value and legacy that we must keep and engrave,” adding that she hopes Hanmi employees will keep his intentions close to heart.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:00:00

Hong Hyeong-pyo Solo Show 'DENSITY' Opens March 10 at MOMA K Gallery Seoul’s MOMA K Gallery in Gwanak District will present artist Hong Hyeong-pyo’s solo exhibition, “DENSITY; Time That Piled Up, Grew and Remained,” from March 10 through April 9. The show centers on how repeated time and labor accumulate on the canvas, featuring Hong’s “Gobongbap” and “Pumpkin” series. Hong builds up and presses down layers of paint in a repeated process, creating a distinctive texture and sense of weight. The approach emphasizes visible traces of time rather than quick completion. While the two series use different subjects, they share the same perspective. A heaping bowl of rice and a pumpkin grown from the ground are both outcomes shaped over a long period. Hong focuses less on what is depicted than on the time in which it existed. Admission is free. More information is available from the gallery. The gallery said, “Through this exhibition, visitors will have an opportunity to newly discover the weight of time accumulated in everyday objects we have passed by without noticing, and the rhythm of life condensed within it.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:45:15

WAIFF D-2: Seoul edition marks global expansion in 2026 SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), which debuted in Nice, France on April 11, 2025, will expand globally in 2026, with Seoul emerging as one of its key host cities. Putting emphasis on collaboration between artificial intelligence and human creativity, WAIFF aims to bridge technology, industry and artistic expression. The 2026 circuit will move through China, Korea, Japan and Brazil before culminating in April at the WAIFF Cannes Edition in France. Select award-winning works from the Seoul edition will receive official invitations to screen in Cannes, placing Korean creators before an international audience of filmmakers and industry professionals. Eligibility and Submission Framework WAIFF Seoul 2026 was limited to Korean nationals and residents, excluding employees of WAIFF institutions, partner organizations and their family members. Nominees invited to official events must have no restrictions affecting their entry or stay in Korea, and participants under 19 were required to submit parental consent. Eligible works were required to have been completed after Oct. 1, 2024, with one entry permitted per category. The festival stipulated meaningful integration of artificial intelligence, requiring each project to employ at least three AI tools, including one image-generative system. Submissions were required to include a synopsis, poster and still images, a production journal, a director’s biography or CV, and the video. English subtitles were mandatory, and videos had to meet a minimum technical standard of Full HD resolution at 24 frames per second. Entries that failed to comply with the guidelines or were submitted after the deadline were deemed invalid. Once selected as nominees, works could not be withdrawn. Competition Structure The Seoul edition will feature four categories reflecting different storytelling formats. The AI Short Film section accepts works running between five to ten minutes, with a recommended 16:9 aspect ratio and a declared genre among animation, action, drama or fantasy. The AI Shorts Series category centers on vertical content. Participants must submit a 9:16 series comprising four to six episodes, each 15 to 60 seconds, delivered as a single file with clearly separated segments. The AI Advertisement category invites short-form commercials for fictional products or services, incorporating a product name, logo and narrative concept. The Youth AI Film category consists of participants under 24 as of Feb. 10, 2026, with entries required to run between five to ten minutes. Team submissions are permitted, provided a designated representative is appointed to hold authority over awards and prize matters. The organizers do not intervene in internal disputes among team members. Event Schedule WAIFF Seoul 2026 will kick off on March 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lotte Concert Hall, located on the 8th floor of Lotte World Mall in Seoul. Admission is free. The following day, March 7, the “WAIFF Seoul 2026: Creative Intelligence Forum” will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lotte Cinema World Tower Seoul. Tickets are priced at 89,000 won ($59.97). 2026-03-04 13:42:46

Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears Chungju City’s ChungTV Subscriber Count Kim Seon-tae, who became widely known as “Chungju Man” while working as a public official, is seeing rapid growth for his newly launched YouTube channel and is closing in on the subscriber count of Chungju City’s official channel, “ChungTV.” News spread on March 3 that Kim opened the channel “Kim Seon-tae” on March 2, drawing attention online. As of the morning of March 3, it had not yet reached 10,000 subscribers. By about 1:20 p.m. on March 4, the channel had about 720,000 subscribers. Viewers are now watching to see whether Kim’s channel will overtake ChungTV, which has about 774,000 subscribers. ChungTV is a channel Kim planned and built himself. After news of his retirement, ChungTV’s subscriber count, which had topped 900,000, fell sharply. In a video posted the previous day, Kim said, “The fundamental reason I started thinking about leaving was that I’d done what I could,” adding, “1 million was the original goal, and I felt I’d done my duty.” He said, “In the end, I started YouTube because I wanted to try things freely,” adding, “This is the only thing I can do. I wanted to make more money.” Kim also said he is 40 and wanted to show what he can do before getting older. “Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m not the type to have regrets, so I want to establish myself as a YouTuber,” he said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:30:10

Culture minister vows crackdown on BTS concert scalping; says Netflix stream was agency’s call Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said March 4 that the government would step up efforts to prevent ticket scalping and price gouging tied to BTS’ planned “Gwanghwamun comeback” concert. Speaking at a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Choi responded to questions from Rep. Lee Gi-heon of the Democratic Party. Lee said hotel rooms near Gwanghwamun that had cost 250,000 won were being raised to 800,000 won, and that some operators were canceling existing reservations and reselling rooms at sharply higher prices. “Scalping is also an emergency,” he said. The BTS Gwanghwamun comeback concert is free, but scalpers have been selling access through practices such as transferring IDs and wristbands. Choi said authorities were “actively monitoring and cracking down,” but acknowledged limits. “We will work aggressively during the remaining period so there are no unfortunate incidents,” he said. Lawmakers also criticized Netflix’s exclusive live broadcast of the concert. Rep. Lim Oh-kyeong of the Democratic Party said it was contradictory to stress fostering domestic streaming platforms while a major national event’s rights went to a foreign company. Choi said the decision was made by the group’s agency after weighing various factors, and that it was difficult for the government to intervene. He added that domestic platforms appeared to face limitations in carrying the broadcast, and said he was concerned the ministry’s views were not more fully reflected. Separately, lawmakers urged stronger action against so-called “one-click publishing,” in which generative AI is used to produce thousands of e-books in a short time. Under the current legal deposit system, there are no standards to identify AI publications, no labeling requirement and no separate management framework. The ministry established a “Culture AI Policy Division” last March to oversee AI-related work. Rep. Kim Jae-won of the Rebuilding Korea Future Party said the government should define the institutional status of AI-generated works and create a comprehensive plan covering eligibility for public support programs and measures to address market distortion and overproduction. Choi said books “churned out by AI” should be excluded from legal deposit, and said the ministry was strengthening monitoring and pursuing institutional changes to create a legal basis. He said a comprehensive plan was needed so AI could be used to support growth in culture and the arts, and that the new dedicated unit would lead the work. In another exchange, lawmakers called on government officials to join efforts after President Lee Jae-myung put up for sale a home he had lived in for 29 years as part of a push to normalize the real estate market. Rep. Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party said Choi and his spouse owned an apartment in Anyang and a multi-family home in Pyeongchang, and that Choi’s mother and children held commercial and single-family properties. Min also said nine of the heads of 16 agencies under the ministry owned two or more properties, and urged a ministry-level review. Choi said all of the properties he owns are primary residences, adding that the ministry was reviewing the issue and that he agreed with the intent.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 11:51:18

BOK issues verbal intervention amid near-4% slide in won since war outbreak SEOUL, Mar 04 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) issued a verbal intervention Wednesday, pledging a “timely” response after the Korean won briefly touched crisis-era levels around 1,500 per U.S. dollar amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil concerns. The warning came after the dollar in the offshore market climbed above the 1,500-won mark overnight — the first time since March 2007 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong postponed his departure for Thailand, where he was scheduled to attend an International Monetary Fund conference, and instead presided over an emergency meeting at the central bank. “Volatility in financial markets — including foreign exchange, interest rates and equities — may be inevitable depending on developments in the Middle East,” the bank said in a statement after the meeting. The BOK warned it would respond to “excessive movements” that diverge from economic fundamentals and work with the government to correct any “one-sided” market bias. Seeking to calm investors, the central bank said Korea’s financial system remains liquid and that key external risk indicators — including sovereign borrowing spreads and credit default swap (CDS) premiums — remain stable. As of Tuesday, the CDS premium stood at 25.555 basis points, up 0.53 percent from the previous day. Although the premium had declined for seven consecutive trading days since Feb. 23, it remained near the psychological stability threshold of 25 basis points. By comparison, during the global financial crisis CDS spreads fluctuated around 600 basis points. As of 11:11 a.m., the Korean won traded at 1,480.30 per dollar, marking a decline of nearly 3.9 percent from its Feb. 26 close before the weekend attacks on Iran. 2026-03-04 11:32:25