Hyundai Launches EV Promotion After Ioniq 9 Wins 2026 Car of the Year Triple Crown Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday it will run a series of special EV promotions starting in March to mark the Ioniq 9’s “2026 Car of the Year” triple crown. In South Korea, the three major “Car of the Year” awards are presented separately by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, the Korea Automobile Expert Journalists Association and JoongAng Ilbo. Each group’s jury evaluates factors including price, performance and innovative technology to select what it considers the best vehicle each year. Under the promotion, customers who sign contracts in March and take delivery by April will receive a 1 million won discount on Hyundai passenger EVs, including the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ioniq 9 and Kona Electric. Small electric commercial vehicles, including the Porter Electric and the ST1 (excluding the chassis cab), will receive a 500,000 won discount. Hyundai will also hold an online customer event from March 1 to 15, offering daily vehicle discount coupons worth up to 10.4 million won. Customers can participate through a roulette event on Hyundai’s official website. Prizes include a 3 million won discount coupon for one winner per day, a 1 million won coupon for five winners per day, and a 100,000 won coupon for 24 winners per day. The coupons do not apply to buses, medium and large trucks, commercial vehicles or the Casper model. Hyundai said customers using its “Hyundai EV Burden Down Promotion” will receive additional benefits through a vehicle-care “STRESS-FREE” package. The program is a 36-month installment plan that allows customers to defer returning the vehicle, and it offers a 2.8% interest rate as of March, the company said. Customers who take delivery of an Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 or Kona Electric in March through the program will receive three years of benefits, including body-care service covering up to 1.2 million won for repair and parts replacement (up to three total claims, once per area) and support for auto insurance deductibles (up to three claims, capped at 500,000 won per claim). Hyundai is also offering a “repeat purchase customer program” for existing EV finance customers. For customers currently using a Hyundai passenger EV or the Nexo through Hyundai Capital’s installment financing, rent or lease, Hyundai said it will offer a 2.3% interest rate — 0.5 percentage points lower — if they repurchase an eligible vehicle on installment using the “Hyundai EV Burden Down” program and take delivery in March. Customers who take delivery in March through the “Hyundai EV Rent/Lease Promotion” will receive a monthly payment discount equal to about 10% of the vehicle price, the company said. “The Ioniq 9’s Car of the Year triple crown shows that experts have validated Hyundai’s electrification technology,” a Hyundai official said. “We prepared a range of benefits so more customers can experience the value of EVs.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-02 09:36:19

South Korea’s Top 5 Banks Seen Cutting Household Loans by About 4 Billion Won in February Household loan balances at South Korea’s major banks are expected to fall for a third straight month, as tough government lending rules and rising interest rates squeeze liquidity. The shift is cooling real estate-related borrowing and reshaping money flows across asset markets. Still, concerns persist that funds blocked from property loans could move into stocks, reviving debt-funded investing. As of Feb. 26, household loan balances at the five largest banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — totaled 765.4257 trillion won, according to the financial sector on Sunday. That was down 387.4 billion won from the end of January (765.8131 trillion won). With one business day left and month-end swings typically large, the February decline is expected to be about 400 billion won. The five banks’ household loan balances had appeared to rebound in November, rising 1.5125 trillion won, but turned lower in December, falling 456.3 billion won. The drop widened in January to 1.8650 trillion won. If balances fall again in February, it would mark the first three-month decline since last year. The market increasingly views the government’s strict household debt stance — including last year’s June 27 and Sept. 7 measures — as taking full effect. Banks have also kept lending standards tight in line with regulators. Some analysts cautioned it remains unclear whether the decline reflects structural deleveraging or mainly supply constraints from regulation. Higher borrowing costs are also dampening demand. Deposit banks’ mortgage rates stood at 4.29% in January, the highest level in 1 year and 2 months since November 2024 (4.30%). With interest burdens rising, borrowers are delaying new loans. Real estate-related lending continues to weaken. Mortgage loans fell 1.4836 trillion won in January, switching to a month-on-month decline for the first time in 1 year and 10 months since March 2024. In February, they are expected to slip about 50 billion won from the end of January. Jeonse loans, which have declined for six straight months, are also expected to fall by more than 200 billion won in February. Unsecured credit loans, which saw more repayments due to early-year bonuses and Lunar New Year payments, also moved into decline in February. Through Feb. 26, credit loan balances at the five banks were down 250.1 billion won from the end of January. Asset-market volatility remains a key variable. With the Kospi extending its rally and topping 6,300 for the first time, some observers say investment demand using credit loans could pick up again. Optimism has spread in parts of the securities industry, with some projecting a Kospi target as high as 8,000. A banking industry official said fear of missing out is building as the market heats up. “For now, loans are being restrained by rate burdens and regulation, but if stock-market overheating continues, we cannot rule out an increase in credit loans,” the official said. 2026-03-02 06:03:00

SF9’s Yoo Tae-yang wraps solo fan meeting ahead of military enlistment SF9 member Yoo Tae-yang spent a day with fans at a solo fan meeting held ahead of his military enlistment. Yoo held two sessions of his fan meeting, titled “The Room: Together,” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Grand Auditorium of Sungshin Women’s University’s Woonjung Green Campus. The event was held on his birthday, days before his scheduled enlistment on March 3. He opened by singing “Reality,” from the soundtrack of the film “La Boum.” After the song, Yoo smiled at fans and said he chose the opening number because he wanted to convey his feelings through the lyrics. Built around a “ROOM” theme, the fan meeting featured segments including “Play ROOM,” where he revealed fans’ votes for his “Top 4” cover songs they wanted to hear again and performed all four. He also played a telepathy-style balance game, took on multiple dance challenges and interacted closely with the audience. In the “FANTASY ROOM” segment, fans held a birthday celebration with songs and letters. Yoo posed for photos using various items and gestures. The show, backed by a live band, was staged in a mini-concert format. Yoo performed band-arranged versions of SF9’s “Melodrama” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and also sang cover songs and an unreleased self-composed track. During the second session, SF9 members Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon and Hwiyoung appeared as special guests. They performed together and shared lighthearted talk. Near the end, Yoo told fans, “I won’t forget the memories in this room today. I think I’ll miss it. Thank you for spending my birthday with me and for letting me make good memories with you.” The fan meeting ran about 120 minutes. After an encore, Yoo held a “hi-bye” send-off, greeting fans one by one before leaving. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-01 16:30:20

South Korea's February exports surge 29% to record high on semiconductor boom SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) - South Korea's exports jumped 29.0 percent in February from a year earlier to $67.45 billion, marking the highest tally for the month on record, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Sunday. The result was especially striking given that the Seollal, or Lunar New Year, cut working days by three compared with the same month last year, a factor that typically weighs on shipment volumes. On a daily average basis, exports soared 49.3 percent to $3.55 billion, breaching the $3 billion threshold for the first time. Semiconductors powered the rally. Chip exports rocketed 160.8 percent to $25.16 billion, an all-time monthly record fueled by surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and a sharp run-up in memory prices. The benchmark price for 8GB DDR4, a standard PC memory chip, leapt to $13.00 from $1.35 a year ago, while 16GB DDR5 climbed to $30.00 from $3.79. 128GB NAND flash memory prices jumped to $12.67 from $2.29. Semiconductor shipments have now topped $20 billion for three consecutive months, climbing from $15.7 billion in October through $20.8 billion in December to $25.2 billion in February, extending a streak of nine straight months of record exports stretching back to June last year. Computer exports rose 221.6 percent to $2.56 billion on robust solid-state drive demand, while wireless communication devices gained 12.7 percent to $1.47 billion, buoyed by new handset launches. Shipbuilding exports advanced 41.2 percent to $2.2 billion and bio-health shipments edged up 7.1 percent to $1.31 billion. However, the holiday drag hit manufacturing-heavy sectors. Automobile exports fell 20.8 percent to $4.81 billion and auto parts declined 22.4 percent to $1.45 billion as production volumes shrank. General machinery slid 16.3 percent, petrochemicals dropped 15.4 percent amid a global supply glut, and petroleum products dipped 3.9 percent as weak crude prices offset higher shipment volumes. By destination, exports to the United States climbed 29.9 percent to a February record of $12.85 billion, led by chips and computers. Shipments to China rose 34.1 percent to $12.75 billion, driven by a 141 percent spike in semiconductor exports. Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations surged 30.4 percent to $12.47 billion, also a February record, while European Union-bound shipments gained 10.3 percent to $5.6 billion. Imports rose 7.5 percent to $51.94 billion, producing a trade surplus of $15.51 billion — the largest monthly surplus on record and an increase of $11.55 billion from a year earlier. The trade balance has now stayed in the black for 13 consecutive months. The ministry cautioned that external uncertainties remain elevated, citing heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and U.S. tariff policies as persistent risks. Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan said the government would "closely monitor export and import trends to minimize the impact of geopolitical risks originating from the Middle East" and maintain close communication with Washington to safeguard the conditions secured under a bilateral tariff agreement. Kim added that Seoul would push for swift parliamentary passage of a special law on U.S.-bound investment and pursue a cross-ministry export expansion plan unveiled last month, aiming to propel South Korea into the ranks of the world's top five exporters this year. 2026-03-01 14:43:54

South Korea's Lee orders emergency readiness during Singapore, Philippines trip SEOUL, March 01 (AJP)-South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Sunday for a four-day state visit to Singapore and the Philippines, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advanced industries and strategic sectors. Lee left Seoul Air Base following his attendance at the 107th Independence Movement Day ceremony earlier in the day. He was accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung aboard the presidential aircraft. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae, Floor Leader Han Byung-do, and Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung were among officials who saw the presidential couple off. In Singapore on Monday, Lee is scheduled to hold a summit and official luncheon with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Discussions are expected to center on expanding bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing and nuclear energy — sectors identified by both governments as key future growth engines. Lee will also meet Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attend a state banquet. As part of the visit, he is set to participate in the “AI Connect Summit,” a forum designed to promote exchanges between Korean and Singaporean AI industry leaders and researchers. On Tuesday, Lee will travel to Manila for talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., where discussions are expected to include economic cooperation, supply chain resilience and regional security. The Philippines and Singapore will serve as ASEAN chair this year and next, respectively, adding strategic weight to Lee’s first Southeast Asian trip of the year. Ahead of departure, Lee posted on X that “the Korean people hold special affection for ASEAN,” emphasizing that Korea and Southeast Asia “have grown together over many years based on deep trust and friendship.” He expressed hope to visit all ASEAN member states in the coming years and looked ahead to meeting regional leaders again at the 2029 Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. “Korea will always stand with ASEAN as a partner for growth and innovation, a supporter of dreams and aspirations, and a pillar of peace and stability,” Lee wrote. He also posted the message in English. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said the trip is expected to produce “tangible outcomes” in strategic cooperation areas and enhance coordination on the international stage. Aides said Lee will continue to receive real-time briefings during the trip on developments in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The escalating situation has raised concerns over potential energy and economic impacts on Korea, particularly given the country’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil imports and major shipping routes through the region. Lee is expected to remain closely engaged with security and economic officials while abroad, the presidential office said. 2026-03-01 14:08:08

Oil shock and shipping risks loom over Korea's 2% growth and bullish stock outlook SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) -Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran are threatening to splash cold water on Korea’s stock market rally and fragile economic recovery, underpinned by stable fuel prices and exchange rates. Given the country’s heavy dependence on imported energy and maritime trade routes, even a limited disruption in the Gulf region could ripple quickly through oil markets, shipping costs and industrial production. Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak convened an emergency meeting Sunday with officials from the foreign, climate, oceans and finance ministries, along with state-run energy firms and major business groups. The session reviewed vulnerabilities across energy supply, trade, logistics, financial markets and sector-specific exposures. The immediate concern is the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow artery through which roughly 27 percent of global seaborne oil trade passes. Korea imports 70.7 percent of its crude oil and 20.4 percent of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Middle East. Any prolonged disruption would directly hit refining margins, petrochemical feedstock costs and electricity generation. Officials said Korea holds several months’ worth of strategic oil reserves and maintains gas inventories above mandatory levels, providing short-term cushioning capacity. If private-sector crude stocks fall below a critical threshold, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to release reserves stored at nine strategic bases nationwide, including Yeosu and Geoje. But contingency planning now includes more severe scenarios. Global investment banks such as JPMorgan have warned that a full-scale closure of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with broader military escalation, could push Brent crude toward $120–130 per barrel — nearly double the $64 baseline assumed in the Bank of Korea’s latest economic outlook. The Bank of Korea last month projected 2.0 percent GDP growth and 2.2 percent inflation for 2026, premised on stable oil prices near $64 per barrel. Those forecasts did not factor in the current escalation. A sustained oil spike would quickly erode Korea’s terms of trade, raise production costs across manufacturing and compress household real incomes through higher gasoline and utility prices. Energy-intensive industries would feel the strain first. Refiners could see short-term inventory gains, but petrochemicals, steelmakers and airlines would likely face margin compression. LNG-dependent power generators would encounter higher fuel procurement costs, complicating electricity pricing and public utility finances. The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) held a separate emergency logistics meeting Sunday to review contingency routes in case of Hormuz disruption. While many container carriers have already been bypassing the Suez Canal via the Cape of Good Hope since the Red Sea disruptions in late 2023, crude and LNG tankers remain heavily exposed to Gulf transit routes. If shipping lanes are rerouted via Omani ports such as Salalah or Duqm, freight rates could surge by 50 to 80 percent, with transit times extended by three to five days. War-risk insurance premiums have historically risen as much as sevenfold during regional crises — costs that would feed directly into export prices. Direct export exposure to Gulf states remains relatively small. The seven countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz account for just 1.9 percent of Korea’s total exports, or $13.68 billion. But indirect effects through higher energy prices and freight costs are far more consequential. According to KITA estimates, a 10 percent rise in global oil prices increases Korea’s export unit prices by 2.09 percent but reduces export volumes by 2.48 percent, resulting in a net 0.39 percent decline in export value. In an economy where exports account for roughly 40 percent of GDP, that dynamic carries significant macroeconomic weight. The government has pledged liquidity support for affected exporters and expanded logistics vouchers to offset freight cost spikes. Authorities are also reviewing the possible deployment of temporary vessels should maritime congestion intensify. So far, supply-chain vulnerabilities beyond oil and gas appear limited. Only a handful of chemical inputs — including bromine used in flame retardants and ethylene glycol for synthetic fibers — rely heavily on Middle Eastern sourcing. Officials say domestic production expansion and supplier diversification are underway. Still, the broader macroeconomic risk is unmistakable. Korea’s 2 percent growth outlook rests heavily on a semiconductor rebound and export recovery. A sustained oil shock could offset that tailwind by squeezing corporate margins and dampening consumer spending simultaneously. For now, Seoul’s strategy is defensive: manage reserves, stabilize logistics and prevent excessive pass-through of oil prices into consumer inflation. Vice Minister Moon emphasized that authorities would “thoroughly manage” the transmission of global oil volatility into domestic fuel and gas prices. If escalation remains contained, the damage may prove manageable. But should tensions intensify, Korea’s 2026 growth narrative may hinge less on semiconductor momentum and more on the price of a barrel of oil — and the safety of a narrow shipping lane thousands of miles away. 2026-03-01 13:56:46

Blackpink's Rosé becomes first K-pop artist to win at Brit Awards with 'APT.' SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) - Rosé of K-pop group BLACKPINK made history on Sunday, becoming the first K-pop artist to claim a trophy at the Brit Awards, one of Britain's most prestigious music ceremonies. The New Zealand-born South Korean singer took home the International Song of the Year award for "APT.," her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, at the 46th Brit Awards held at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. "Give a shoutout to BLACKPINK. Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa; I love you guys so much. Thank you for always inspiring me," said Rosé after receiving the trophy in Manchester, naming her fellow group members. She also expressed gratitude to Bruno Mars, calling him her "greatest mentor and closest friend." "APT.," a pre-release single from Rosé's debut studio album "rosie," became a global sensation after its October 2024 release. Inspired by a popular Korean drinking game, the track logged a 45-week run on the Billboard Hot 100 — the longest ever for a K-pop song — peaking at No. 3. The win adds to a remarkable awards streak for Rose. In September 2025, the track earned her two trophies at the MTV Video Music Awards, including Song of the Year. It was also nominated in three categories at this year's Grammy Awards, though it did not secure a win there. Rosé is also the only K-pop artist to have been nominated at the Brit Awards twice — once as a member of Blackpink and once as a solo act. K-pop's presence at the ceremony extended beyond Rosé's win, as performers EJae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami took the stage to perform "Golden," the theme song from the Netflix original series "KPop Demon Hunters." 2026-03-01 11:08:12

S. Korea's Lee calls for peace, reconciliation on March 1st Independence Movement anniversary SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, as he marked the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement at a ceremony held at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul. Lee personally presented awards to independence movement meritorious persons at the ceremony before delivering his address. The following is the full text of President Lee's commemorative address: Respected citizens of Korea and 7 million compatriots overseas, and independence movement meritorious persons and their families, 107 years ago today, the powerful cries of "Long live Korean independence!" rang out to the world. On that day, everyone was one. There were no differences of class or status, no differences of age or gender. Yeongnam and Honam were one, and there was no distinction between left and right. From Pyongyang, Seoul, Busan and Sinuiju — truly, from Mount Halla to Mount Baekdu, the entire country was filled with the sound of hurrah. Our forebears stood against Japanese imperial suppression through active resistance at home, and armed and diplomatic struggle abroad, carrying that spirit forward into the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Because they united as one for a greater cause beyond small differences, the March 1st Revolution was at last able to bear fruit in the joy of liberation. On the occasion of the 107th March 1st Independence Movement Day, I offer infinite respect and wholehearted tribute to the patriotic forebears who gave their lives for the independence of our nation. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the four surviving independence movement meritorious persons and their families. Had it not been for our forebears who threw everything aside for the independence of the motherland and for the hope of tomorrow in which their descendants would live, the free and prosperous Republic of Korea we enjoy today could never have existed. Therefore, honoring and paying tribute to the devotion of our forebears is a special reward for a special sacrifice, and the minimum measure necessary for the maintenance of our community. As I announced on Liberation Day, I will take special care to expand the discovery and commendation of undecorated independence movement meritorious persons, and to more substantially support their bereaved families. I will designate the area around Hyochang Park as the "National Hyochang Independence Park," and establish a broad plan for the utilization of the Shanghai provisional government building, so that the spirit of independence of our forebears may be honored for generations to come. Furthermore, in this year that marks the 150th birth anniversary of Baekbeom Kim Gu, I will carry on his noble aspirations through commemorative projects in which all citizens can participate together. I will surely build a fair nation where common sense prevails — where the self-deprecating saying "three generations are ruined if you join the independence movement" disappears, where those who devoted themselves for the nation are respected, and where acts of betrayal against the community are sternly judged. Respected citizens, The world a century ago, when the March 1st Revolution broke out, was an era of upheaval in which the strong preyed upon the weak. Korea and many other nations suffered the pain of losing their sovereignty and enduring colonial rule. Only after experiencing the devastation of the World Wars did the international community establish new norms to mediate disputes between nations and manage peace. However, a century later today, the world is once again entering a period of upheaval. The international norms established over the 80-plus years since the World War II are being seriously threatened by the logic of force. In order not to repeat the same mistakes, we must seek lessons from history. The spirit of the March 1st Revolution of our forebears offers great teachings to us and people around the world today. The March 1st Revolution was a declaration of independence and a declaration of peace, a compass that pointed to the future of peace and coexistence toward which we must advance. Through the March 1st Declaration of Independence, our forebears lamented "the loss of the opportunity to contribute to world culture with new technology and originality." Upon achieving independence, they also expressed their grand aspiration that they would "illuminate the dawning light of a new civilization in human history with the humanitarian spirit cultivated over thousands of years." They dreamed of a democratic republic in which the people would be the true masters, and they dreamed of a peaceful world of great harmony — not one that exploited other nations through force, but one in which people understood and supported each other, stood together in solidarity, and lived together in harmony. This is why, in this era of crisis in which democracy and peace are once again under threat, we must all deeply reflect on the spirit of the March 1st Revolution. In 1919, we were a powerless colonial people, but the citizens of the Republic of Korea in 2026 are becoming a people with the power to move the hearts of people around the world and with infinite potential to change the world. The Republic of Korea is the only nation among those liberated from colonialism to have simultaneously achieved industrialization and democratization. Our great citizens of the Republic of Korea achieved industrialization after liberation through the "Miracle on the Han River." Even under the oppression of dictatorship, we realized democracy through the April 19th Revolution, the May 18th Democratization Uprising, and the June 10th Democracy Uprising, and we astonished the entire world by illuminating the light of popular sovereignty through the Candlelight Revolution and the Revolution of Light. Our Republic of Korea, equipped with a top-10 global economic power "sufficient to enrich the lives" of our people and a top-5 global military strength "sufficient to repel the invasions of others," is making the dreams of our forebears into reality — expanding the breadth of understanding and empathy and spreading peace — with our "strength of high culture" that ranks 7th in world influence. What made this possible was the spirit of the March 1st Revolution that has been continuously passed down through the blood of our people. The spirit of the March 1st Revolution — which our forebears championed and our people have carried forward — is surely a bright light that will guide the people of the world living through this era of crisis, in which democracy and peace are shaking, toward a new world of hope. Respected citizens, Let us begin realizing the dream of peace and coexistence that our forebears so earnestly desired, starting here and now, on the Korean Peninsula. Building a peaceful Korean Peninsula that grows together — through coexistence and cooperation rather than hostility, on the foundation of trust rather than distrust — is the path to fully inheriting the spirit of the March 1st Revolution. Let us never turn away from the firm lesson of history that hostility and confrontation bring no benefit to either side. Let us bring an end to this era of conflict and confrontation that has continued for well over half a century, and advance boldly toward a Korean Peninsula of peace, coexistence, and shared prosperity. As I have made clear on numerous occasions, our government respects the system of the North, and will neither engage in any hostile acts nor pursue any form of absorption unification. Just as we have proactively taken various measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas and restore mutual trust through actions rather than words, we will consistently pursue the necessary steps for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the restoration of inter-Korean trust. The drone infiltration incident last year, which occurred entirely contrary to the intentions of this government, was a grave criminal act that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and something that must never happen. Any act that provokes tension and conflict on this Korean Peninsula where both Koreas live together cannot be justified by any excuse. So that such a thing never happens again, we will thoroughly investigate the truth, hold those responsible accountable, and establish institutional preventive measures. We will continue efforts to resume dialogue with the North. As a "pacemaker," we will communicate with the United States as well as neighboring countries so that North Korea-U.S. dialogue can resume at the earliest possible time. We will do everything in our power to transform the armistice regime into a peace regime through substantive reduction of inter-Korean tensions and cooperation with relevant nations. As the North is also establishing and implementing a new five-year plan, we hope it will come to the table for dialogue without delay, leave behind the dark past, and draw a new future together. We hope that the mansei cries of our forebears, who yearned for world peace, will ring out again as a shared pledge between North and South toward a Korean Peninsula of peace and shared prosperity. Relations with Japan must also be developed on the basis of the March 1st spirit, which pursued peace and shared prosperity. The two countries of Korea and Japan have shared a turbulent history. Throughout our society, painful traces of that history still remain, and there are victims and bereaved families who continue to suffer. In the past, the two nations opened the door to the normalization of diplomatic relations for the sake of a future of good neighborly friendship and cooperation, even while carrying unhealed pain and wounds. Over the past 60 years, Korea and Japan have deepened their cooperation in all areas — diplomacy, economy, society, and culture — and have developed their relationship as close neighboring countries sharing a front yard. Now, as we face a harsh international situation, is precisely the time for Korea and Japan to respond to reality and open the future together. The people's sovereignty government will make efforts through practical diplomacy to face the past squarely, resolve current challenges together, and advance toward the future together. We will continue shuttle diplomacy with Japan and actively support both nations' citizens to further feel the effects of relationship development and open new opportunities together. We expect the Japanese government to respond in kind so that the two countries can open a "new world of good relations based on genuine understanding and empathy." In order to wisely respond to an era of upheaval, harmony in Northeast Asia is more important than ever. The late patriot Ahn Jung-geun, through his "Theory of Peace in the East," argued that cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan is the path to contributing to world peace. Reflecting on the significance of peace and harmony in Northeast Asia, I have visited China and Japan in succession since early this year, emphasizing that the three nations of Korea, China, and Japan must find common ground, communicate, and cooperate. We will not stop our efforts for harmony and prosperity, as our forebears who sought to carry the peace of Northeast Asia to the peace of the world wished. Respected 52 million citizens of the Republic of Korea and 7 million compatriots overseas, Our forebears transcended small differences, united as one, achieved independence, and laid the foundations of the Republic of Korea. If our great citizens of the Republic of Korea, who have inherited that spirit, pool our strength together and fully exercise the potential we possess, there is no reason we cannot make the peaceful world our forebears dreamed of into reality. Let us together build the advanced democratic model nation, the peaceful Korean Peninsula free from the fear of war, and the Republic of Korea where culture blossoms and prosperity flourishes — the very things our martyred forebears and patriotic independence fighters gave their lives wishing for. With the spirit of the March 1st Revolution, let us together open the path of peace and democracy, mutual prosperity and shared benefit. Together with the great citizens of the Republic of Korea, I will advance toward that light — the light our forebears longed for without ceasing. Thank you. 2026-03-01 10:42:22

Korean Air to Open Renovated Flagship Lounge at LAX Korean Air said Saturday it will open a next-generation flagship lounge on March 6 (local time) at Los Angeles International Airport in California. The new lounge is in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Ahead of the opening, the airline held a two-day preview event starting Feb. 26 (local time), drawing about 200 guests for an introduction and tour. Korean Air said it invested about 65 billion won and completed the lounge after 22 months of construction. The facility consists of two lounges: a first-class lounge on the sixth floor and a Miler Club and Prestige lounge on the fifth floor. With a total area of 1,675 square meters — 1.27 times larger than before — it is the largest overseas lounge directly operated by Korean Air, the company said. The lounge sits on an upper level of the terminal and includes a balcony terrace and an open layout with floor-to-ceiling windows, designed to provide a more spacious environment and broad views of the terminal interior. Korean Air said the interior was designed to bring in natural light and reflect Los Angeles’ energy. It combines warm wood textures and premium stone to express what it called “Modern Korean Luxury,” blending Korean restraint with a contemporary feel. The airline said it also installed artworks inspired by Korean aesthetics throughout the space, including pieces referencing buncheong ware, brushstroke-style ink work and the curved form of a moon jar. The first-class lounge includes two private rooms and will offer personal a la carte dining service, the airline said. The Miler Club and Prestige lounge will feature an open-kitchen live station where chefs prepare food, along with local craft beer and a signature blended coffee available only on site, Korean Air said. The Miler Club will offer both a buffet and a dedicated special menu, with ordering available by scanning QR codes at seats. Beyond dining, the lounge includes a business zone, a family zone and shower rooms, the airline said. Korean Air said LAX, California’s largest airport, is a key North American hub for the carrier, linking Asia, Central and South America, and the U.S. mainland. The airline said it plans to continue expanding and upgrading lounge infrastructure at home and abroad to meet customer demand after the launch of an integrated airline. Following LAX, it plans to proceed with lounge expansion and renovations at major overseas hub airports, including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, with openings to be announced within the year. A Korean Air official said the new lounge will strengthen the airline’s standing at LAX and deliver “a new level of premium service,” adding that the company will continue investing to improve the travel experience. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-01 10:12:17

S. Korea enters era of 1 million foreign patients, moves to regulate medical fees SEOUL, March 01 (AJP) - South Korea's medical tourism boom shows no signs of slowing, with the number of foreign patients having surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time in 2024 and no meaningful reversal in sight — prompting the government to tighten oversight of fees charged to overseas visitors. The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced proposed amendments to the enforcement decree and rules of the Act on Supporting Overseas Expansion of Medical Services and Attraction of International Patients, establishing a clearer legal basis for investigating fees and medical charges at facilities catering to foreign patients. Under the existing law, the ministry is authorized to examine commission fees — payments that medical institutions make to brokers for attracting foreign patients — as well as the medical charges levied on those patients. However, the scope of duties that could be delegated to its supporting agency, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), had remained ambiguous until now. Ministry officials say the law had long allowed for such investigations but that the delegation framework under the enforcement decree lacked clarity, adding that the revised rules would also require medical institutions to report commission fees and medical charges when submitting their annual performance records. The ministry noted that the amendments do not impose new mandatory obligations and that reporting systems were already in place, meaning significant changes on the ground were not expected. Authorities said they hope the clearer mandate will help generate reliable policy statistics on the foreign patient attraction market. According to a statistical report by the KHIDI, the number of unique foreign patients treated in South Korea in 2024 — excluding repeat visits — reached about 1.17 million, surging 93.2 percent from the previous year. It marked the first time the figure has crossed the 1 million threshold since the medical tourism program began in 2009, when just about 60,000 foreign patients were recorded. Among foreign visitors that year, about 919,000 patients who used overseas-issued cards spent a combined 1.4 trillion won ($972 million) on medical services, averaging about 1.5 million won per person. 2026-03-01 09:48:54