IBK Bank Gains as Film ‘The King and the Man He Lives With’ Nears 6 Million Viewers IBK Industrial Bank of Korea is drawing attention again for its track record in cultural-content investing, as the film ‘The King and the Man He Lives With’ continues a strong run and is closing in on 6 million admissions. According to the Korean Film Council’s box-office tracking system, the movie drew 1,414,207 viewers over its third weekend, Feb. 20-22, bringing its cumulative total to 5,828,885. It has held the No. 1 spot since release, and some are even discussing the possibility of topping 10 million admissions. For IBK, which participated as an investor, the box-office momentum could translate directly into returns. The film has already passed its break-even point of 2.6 million admissions, and its pace suggests returns comparable to the bank’s past hits. IBK previously invested 790 million won in the 10 million-viewer film ‘Extreme Job,’ posting a 377% return. It invested 1 billion won in last year’s ‘Exhuma’ and earned a 129% return. Its investment in ‘The King and the Man He Lives With’ is also 1 billion won. Building on its experience in cultural content, IBK plans to invest more than 50 billion won this year. In line with its policy goal of fostering small and midsize content companies that struggle to raise funds, the bank said it will continue to back projects with both commercial appeal and artistic quality. IBK has also been expanding beyond film into performances and musicals. After investing 3 billion won in the musical ‘Wicked’ last year, it invested 1 billion won in the musical ‘Life of Pi,’ which drew attention as a Korean premiere. It also plans to participate in an investment for the musical ‘Lempicka,’ set to open in March. A financial industry official said IBK’s cultural-content investing is positive because it shows a policy lender can go beyond loans and serve as a catalyst for industry growth. The official added that the bank appears to be maintaining strong results by selecting content that combines broad appeal with quality. 2026-02-23 14:54:00

South Korea and Brazil upgrade ties to strategic partnership SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership following a summit at the presidential Blue House on Monday. During a joint press briefing in the afternoon, Lee announced the adoption of a four-year action plan designed to foster a new leap forward in the bilateral relationship. The leaders oversaw the signing of 10 memorandums of understanding covering sectors such as small businesses, health regulations and agriculture. The talks highlighted several main areas of cooperation, prioritizing artificial intelligence, aerospace, defense, biopharmaceuticals and critical minerals. Both countries also plan to expand collaboration across the digital and green economies. Addressing international trade, Lee said he emphasized the need to quickly resume negotiations for a trade agreement between South Korea and the South American trade bloc Mercosur. Lee noted that Lula agreed the pact is a crucial task, and both leaders committed to seeking a breakthrough based on mutual trust. Brazil is currently unable to negotiate a conventional bilateral free trade agreement with South Korea due to institutional rules within Mercosur, which requires the bloc to negotiate trade deals collectively. Regarding the newly signed memorandums, Lee stated that the agreement focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises will help diversify bilateral trade and investment, which has historically been dominated by large conglomerates. Another key agreement addresses health and regulatory cooperation, which Lee said will further boost the popularity of South Korean cosmetics in Brazil. The arrangement facilitates the exchange of regulatory information for cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals, alongside technical cooperation to streamline market access. South Korean cosmetics have seen significant growth in the region. According to the Korea International Trade Association, cosmetic exports to Latin America grew by more than 40 percent annually over the past four years, reaching roughly $400 million in 2024. The two governments also signed three memorandums focused on agriculture, food security and supply chains. Lee described Brazil as an agricultural powerhouse with advanced technology, calling the partnerships vital for South Korea's food security and the sustainable development of rural economies in both nations. 2026-02-23 14:43:37

IVE Returns With Second Full-Length Album 'Revive+'; Promotes Title Track 'Black Hole' IVE is making a comeback with its second full-length album, 'Revive Plus.' A comeback showcase for the album 'REVIVE+ (Revive Plus)' was held Monday afternoon at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin district. The title track, 'Black Hole,' is a shuffle-based song with a cinematic feel, featuring a wide sense of space and film-like sound textures meant to heighten immersion and deliver a strong hook. Using the image of a black hole—where disappearance and birth coexist—the group said it expresses how IVE views the present and change. Member Gaeul said it felt special to return with a full-length album after three years, adding, “We worked hard to show an evolved IVE that doesn’t stop at change.” She added, “We seem to be getting a lot of love starting with the pre-release track 'Bang Bang,' which makes me happy. Riding that momentum, we’ll promote 'Black Hole' as well.” Member Rei said, “I’m proud that we captured what we’ve built under the name IVE in a full-length album in a cooler, more IVE-like way. We’ll show our diverse charms, like our identity, so please give this album lots of love, too.” IVE’s second full-length album, 'Revive Plus,' is set for release at 6 p.m. Monday. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 14:42:16

Ju-ae or Ju-hae? Name debate over North Korea's young heiress SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sunday was re-elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, reaffirming the supreme-leader status he has held since 2012. But what has increasingly drawn international attention is not Kim himself, but his brash, omnipresent teenage daughter. The confident, bubbly-looking girl has frequently appeared at her father’s side in recent years, prompting North Korea watchers to speculate that she could be an unconventional choice as the country’s next ruler — breaking with a succession system that has passed power from father to son for three generations. South Korean intelligence authorities estimate her age at 12 to 13, while foreign analysts put it at around 13 to 14. Now, even her name has become a matter of debate. The girl has so far been widely known as Ju Ae, but some close observers believe her real name may be Ju Hae. According to a senior government official, intelligence agencies are verifying the reports that the young girl is playing an unofficial role comparable to “director of the Missile General Bureau” within the regime. They have been closely following the ninth party congress under way in Pyongyang since Feb. 19 for signs of her growing political presence. Kim Ju Ae — or Ju Hae — has increasingly accompanied her father to key weapons tests, fueling speculation about an emerging hereditary succession plan. One intelligence source said she is believed to be receiving briefings and issuing directions to some officials, in place of Jang Chang-ha commanding the missile bureau. Earlier this month, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service briefed lawmakers that Kim’s daughter had entered what it called the “succession designation stage.” The agency said she has begun expressing views on certain state policies, a possible sign of her rising influence. She first drew international attention in 2013, when former NBA star Dennis Rodman told The Guardian that he had “held baby Ju Ae” during a visit to North Korea. Defector testimonies, including that of former diplomat Ryu Hyun-woo, have also cited “Ju Ae” as Kim’s chosen name for his second child, allegedly meaning “one who is loved by all.” However, alternative versions such as “Ju Ye” and “Ju Hye” have circulated for years, and analysts now believe her name may have been altered after she was designated as a successor. Kim Jong Un himself is known to have changed the Chinese character of his given name in 2009, when his own succession path began. For years, Kim Ju Ae was believed to be the second of Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju’s three children, though neither the total number nor their birth order has ever been publicly confirmed. She remains the only child acknowledged through state media appearances. Since her first official appearance alongside her father at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in November 2022, she has featured prominently at military parades and official banquets. By early 2023, state outlets began referring to her as the “respected daughter,” an honorific previously used for Kim himself before his leadership was announced. By January 2024, the NIS identified her as the “most likely successor,” while cautioning that “many variables” remain, given Kim’s relatively young age and North Korea’s patriarchal political culture. Her expanding public role — and recent intelligence suggesting her name may be Kim Ju Hae — indicates that Pyongyang may be quietly preparing for a fourth-generation transfer of power under the Kim dynasty. Whether that process will include formally recognizing her new name remains one of the regime’s closely guarded secrets. 2026-02-23 14:40:29

Hyundai Motor Group Weighs Multitrillion-Won Investment in Saemangeum for AI, Robotics and Hydrogen Hyundai Motor Group is pushing a multitrillion-won investment in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, to expand its artificial intelligence, hydrogen and robotics businesses. Government and business officials said Monday the group is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province and the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency on investing several trillion won in the area to foster future businesses. The likely focus is AI, hydrogen and robotics, which Hyundai Motor Group has identified as key growth areas. The exact amount has not been set, but officials expect it to reach several trillion won. The group has previously announced plans to invest a total of 125.2 trillion won in South Korea through 2030 over five years. Saemangeum is seen as a strong candidate for building hubs tied to the group’s priority growth engines, including AI, software-defined vehicles, electrification, robotics and hydrogen. Of the 125.2 trillion won plan, Hyundai Motor Group has pledged to spend 50.5 trillion won in those fields. When it announced the investment plan, the group said it would consult with the government and local authorities and consider investments to help create a “hydrogen AI new city” that applies its core technologies, including AI, hydrogen and V2X. The Saemangeum area is expected to attract facilities such as an AI data center, a physical AI application center, a robot factory and a water electrolysis plant. Saemangeum, with land about 140 times the size of Seoul’s Yeouido and ample sunlight, is considered favorable for building power-hungry AI data centers. Plans for robot manufacturing and foundry plants have also been discussed as part of a push to become a physical AI company. A Hyundai Motor Group official said the company is reviewing investment plans in various ways to help boost regional economies, adding that no specific plan related to Saemangeum has been confirmed. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 14:30:15

Entertainer Nam Chang-hee Marries Former Actress Yoon Young-kyung, Now an Office Worker Entertainer Nam Chang-hee’s wife has been identified as Yoon Young-kyung, a former actress who now works an office job.  T&N Entertainment, Nam’s agency, said on the 23rd, “Nam Chang-hee’s wife is Yoon Young-kyung, who previously worked as an actress,” adding, “She is currently an office worker.” Earlier that day, a media outlet reported that Nam’s wife is Yoon. Yoon graduated from Dongduk Women’s University’s Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment and was named a runner-up in the 2013 Miss Chunhyang pageant. She debuted in the 2014 film “Ode to My Father” and appeared in the dramas “Hwajeong” and “Ms. Temper & Nam Jung-gi.” In 2014, she appeared on MBC’s variety show “Infinite Challenge” in a special titled “Hongcheol, Get Married,” and was nicknamed “Han River IU.”  Nam and Yoon held their wedding on the 22nd at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Nam was born in 1982 and Yoon in 1991, a nine-year age gap.  2026-02-23 14:00:05

HMM Launches Generative AI Chatbot for Shippers to Streamline Service HMM said on the 23rd it has introduced a generative AI-based chatbot service for shippers, stepping up digital transformation at customer touchpoints. The chatbot, co-developed with LG CNS, is aimed at improving customer experience and strengthening service competitiveness that shippers can directly feel, the company said. HMM said the service is designed so shippers can get needed information through natural Q&A, like talking with an agent, without knowing precise shipping terms or complex procedures. It can help users check vessel schedules and freight rates, and handle tasks that require specialized knowledge, including △country-specific customs procedures △complex regulatory requirements △whether cargo qualifies as dangerous goods for transport. To serve shippers worldwide, the chatbot includes real-time translation in 17 languages. HMM said it expects shippers will be able to handle needed tasks immediately, anytime and anywhere, without language barriers, easing their workload. HMM said it will continue to upgrade its digital services based on actual customer usage data and gradually expand digital transformation closely aligned with shippers’ overall business flow. An HMM official said the chatbot is focused on fundamentally addressing inconveniences shippers have faced, adding that the company will strengthen its differentiated competitiveness by innovating the shipper experience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 13:24:17

HD Hyundai Heavy Delivers Philippine Offshore Patrol Vessel 5 Months Early HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered the first offshore patrol vessel, or OPV, ordered by the Philippine Navy ahead of schedule. The company said Monday it recently delivered the Rajah Sulayman, the first of six OPVs it is building for the Philippine Navy, nearly five months earlier than the contracted delivery date. The 2,400-ton ship is equipped with an anti-submarine acoustic detection system and includes space to operate various mission modules. It was designed for use in multiple settings, including maritime surveillance, maritime security missions and military operations. HD Hyundai Heavy said the accelerated delivery will help the Philippine Navy field the ship sooner. Delivery schedules are considered a key measure of a shipbuilder’s capability because they directly affect force readiness and a country’s ability to sustain defense capabilities. Ahead of delivery, the company also provided a pre-delivery training program with cooperation from the South Korean navy to support stable operation of the vessel. “Through the early delivery of this Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessel, we proved both our reliability and our competitiveness in meeting delivery schedules,” a company official said. The official added that HD Hyundai Heavy will continue building and delivering the remaining ships to support modernization and stable operations for the Philippine Navy. HD Hyundai Heavy has participated in the Philippine Navy modernization program since 2016 and has won orders for 12 ships, including frigates and offshore patrol vessels. It delivered the first frigate, Jose Rizal, one month early and has delivered five ships ahead of schedule to date.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 13:09:26

Korean sovereign wealth fund reaps 13.91% return in 2025, AUM at record high SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) -Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) posted a double-digit investment return in 2025 thanks to global equity rally that bolstered its assets under management to a record high. The sovereign wealth fund said Monday that it recorded an annual return of 13.91 percent last year, while its 10-year annualized return from 2016 to 2025 stood at 7.07 percent. Total assets under management (AUM) rose to $232 billion, driven by net investment gains of $28.5 billion. Cumulative net investment gains since inception reached $122.4 billion, exceeding entrusted principal of $118.6 billion for the first time, marking a symbolic milestone for the state-run fund. By asset class, traditional assets — equities and fixed income — accounted for 78.1 percent of total AUM, while alternative assets, including private equity, real estate, infrastructure and hedge funds, made up 21.9 percent. Traditional assets generated a return of 15.1 percent, led by equities at 22.24 percent and fixed income at 7.46 percent. Alternative assets posted a 10-year annualized return of 8.48 percent, reflecting their long-term investment nature. KIC said disciplined portfolio management helped lift returns, with traditional assets outperforming benchmarks by 24 basis points. Fixed income strategies generated 47 basis points of excess return through currency and duration management, while equities delivered 16 basis points of excess performance. “Despite persistent global interest-rate volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, KIC delivered balanced performance through disciplined analysis and rigorous risk management,” said Il Young Park, chief executive officer of KIC. “With market volatility expected to persist, we will focus on enhancing long-term portfolio stability and resilience,” Park said, adding that KIC will implement its Total Portfolio Approach this year to strengthen sustainable returns. Still, the fund, which is restricted to relatively conservative strategies and overseas assets as part of managing the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, performed modestly when compared to the National Pension Service (NPS), which reaped investment return rate of 20 percent last year. 2026-02-23 12:11:29

EastSoft's AI dubbing platform surpasses 460,000 users, with 90% from overseas SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - South Korean software firm EastSoft said that its artificial intelligence dubbing and AI human video generation platform, Perso AI, has surpassed 460,000 registered users, with about 90 percent of sign-ups originating from markets in North America and Europe. The milestone announced Monday underscores Perso AI's rapid pivot toward a global user base. While Korean-to-English dubbing dominated early adoption, the platform has since seen a surge in multilingual demand, particularly for English-to-French and English-to-Spanish conversions. EastSoft said it has identified untapped potential in the Japanese and Spanish-speaking markets and plans to sharpen its international strategy accordingly. The company pointed to a series of technical upgrades as key drivers of its competitive edge, including prompt optimization tailored to Google's latest large language model Gemini, performance benchmarking against leading global audio engines, and the adoption of a content delivery network to bolster service stability. The company said it plans to continue refining the platform based on usage patterns from paying subscribers while lowering the entry barrier for new users through hands-on trial content. An EastSoft spokesperson said the platform's strength lies in its accessibility, noting that users can generate AI human video content as simply as building a presentation by entering prompts and making minor adjustments, while also creating digital characters with distinct identities as standalone intellectual properties. "With language demand expanding well beyond French and Spanish into a growing number of countries, we will strengthen our foothold in the global AI dubbing market through continued technological advancement and user experience optimization," the spokesperson said. 2026-02-23 12:05:11