Volkswagen Korea Launches ‘Feel & Drive’ Test-Drive Campaign for Atlas SUV Volkswagen Korea said Feb. 20 it selected the Atlas large SUV as its February featured vehicle for its customer-participation social test-drive campaign, “Feel & Drive.” Feel & Drive is a recurring program that lets customers take an in-depth drive of Volkswagen’s core models each month, including the Golf, Atlas and Touareg, tailored to individual lifestyles. The program offers a 3-night, 4-day test drive, including a weekend, aimed at highlighting the vehicles’ detailed strengths and the finish of German engineering, the company said. The February model, the Atlas, is positioned as a large SUV with one of the biggest body sizes in its class and a roomy cabin, along with powerful driving performance and a broad set of advanced convenience and safety features. Built on German engineering and space efficiency proven in the U.S. market, the Atlas was also named the “2026 Internal Combustion SUV of the Year” by the Korea Automobile Writers Association (AWAK). Winners of the test-drive campaign will be able to drive the Atlas from March 6 to 9. Applications are open through Feb. 22 by leaving a comment matching the theme on the event post on Volkswagen’s official Instagram channel. Winners will be announced Feb. 23. “Atlas is a versatile family SUV with strong driving performance and solid stability, and customers will be able to experience its true value through a deep, 3-night, 4-day test,” said Shin Dong-hyeop, executive director of marketing communications at Volkswagen Korea. “This year as well, we will provide Volkswagen’s differentiated customer experience through the Feel & Drive campaign across our lineup.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 13:03:18

Samsung Heavy Wins $268 Million Order for One LNG Carrier Samsung Heavy Industries said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that it won an order for one liquefied natural gas carrier from an Oceania-based shipowner for 368 billion won. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered by May 2028. The company’s year-to-date orders total eight ships worth $1.9 billion, reaching 14% of its annual target of $13.9 billion. By vessel type, the orders include three LNG carriers, two ethane carriers, two container ships and one crude oil carrier, for a total of eight ships. The tally reflects a $400 million increase tied to a preliminary contract for offshore production facility pre-work that the company disclosed on Feb. 13. “Since the start of the year, orders for LNG carriers have continued smoothly,” a company official said, adding that Samsung Heavy plans to maintain a selective order strategy focused on high-value ships.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 12:09:14

K-pop girl band Hearts2Hearts to drop new single 'RUDE!' SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -K-pop girl band Hearts2Hearts will release a new single "RUDE!" on Friday to celebrate its first anniversary. Along with the new song, its music video will also be released through the SMTOWN YouTube channel. SM Entertainment said in a statement that the eight-member band's new track RUDE!, a synth house dance track, will be released at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) through various music and video platforms. The band's agency said that the new track offers a different vibe compared to "FOCUS," Hearts2Hearts' cool and chic house-based song relesed in October last year. The group is set to unveil the very first actual performance stage of RUDE! during the band's fan meeting "2026 Hearts2Hearts FANMEETING HEARTS 2 HOUSE," scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22 at Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park. The group is also to meet international fans through a North American showcase in New York on Mar. 19 and Los Angeles on Mar. 22, followed by a fan meeting in Jakarta on Mar. 28. 2026-02-20 11:30:13

KOSPI unfazed by geopolitical risks in its record-setting winning streak SEOUL, February 20 (AJP)- South Korean shares extended their relentless rally in early Friday trading, brushing off global market weakness and rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. The benchmark KOSPI surged past the 5,700 mark to set another record high. As of 10:50 a.m., the index was up 1.26 percent at 5,748.65. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.25 percent to 1,157.77. In regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index opened lower after a holiday break, falling 0.27 percent to 26,633.60 as of 9:31 a.m. local time. Wall Street retreated overnight as concerns grew over a potential U.S. strike on Iran. With nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran showing little progress, reports that the U.S. military had reinforced its assets in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.54 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.28 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.31 percent. Despite the global pullback, brokerage stocks in Seoul rallied across the board. SK Securities and Sangsangin Investment & Securities hit fresh 52-week highs, jumping 24.89 percent and 20.94 percent, respectively, as of 10:05 a.m. Other major brokerages also posted strong gains, including NH Investment & Securities (11.29 percent), Daishin Securities (7.16 percent), Mirae Asset Securities (4.11 percent), Samsung Securities (5.65 percent) and Kyobo Securities (8.53 percent). The rally was driven by rising trading volumes and growing expectations that a revision to the Commercial Act requiring the cancellation of treasury shares will be approved. The Korean won strengthened slightly, trading at 1,449.40 per dollar, up 1.60 won from the previous session. Investor flows were mixed. Individual and foreign investors sold a net 79.1 billion won and 430.4 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while institutions bought a net 587.6 billion won. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix slipped 0.16 percent and 0.67 percent to 189,300 won and 888,000 won, respectively. Battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 0.37 percent to 405,000 won. Meanwhile, nuclear power equipment maker Doosan Enerbility and defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace climbed 6.50 percent and 6.70 percent to 104,800 won and 1,226,000 won, respectively. Financial and biotech stocks also advanced. Samsung Life Insurance jumped 7.18 percent to 224,000 won, while Samsung Biologics added 0.87 percent to 1,735,000 won. Automakers showed mixed performance. Hyundai Motor fell 0.78 percent to 509,000 won, while affiliate Kia gained 0.29 percent to 170,500 won. Shipbuilders were among the gainers. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries jumped 2.61 percent to 589,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean climbed 2.70 percent to 144,400 won. In Tokyo, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.17 percent to 56,796.91. China’s Shanghai market is set to resume trading next Tuesday following the holiday break. 2026-02-20 11:13:36

New IBK CEO Jang Min-young Pledges 300 Trillion Won in ‘Productive Finance’ and AI Shift ‘A 37-year IBK veteran,’ new IBK Industrial Bank of Korea CEO Jang Min-young began his official duties on Feb. 20, calling for the bank to serve as a catalyst for “productive finance.” He said IBK will expand financing for small and midsize businesses amid low growth and industrial restructuring, while overhauling the bank through AI-driven digital transformation and stronger internal controls. “At a time when our economy faces structural crises of low growth and polarization, we are also confronting upheaval from AI, digital change and an energy transition,” Jang said at the inauguration ceremony. “IBK must play the role of a catalyst for productive finance.” He named three core management priorities: productive finance, trust-based finance and digital transformation. “Over the past 65 years, IBK’s corporate-finance DNA built alongside small and midsize companies is a unique asset no one can replicate,” he said, pledging to “push ahead without disruption” with 300 trillion won in productive finance by 2030. Jang also called for expanding investment in new industries. “With a trained eye, we will identify future industries such as AI and semiconductors and powerfully activate our growth engine,” he said. He pledged broad financial support tailored to a company’s life cycle, “from early-stage startups through growth and maturity.” On digital transformation, Jang said he wants to redefine IBK as an “AI company.” “We will secure AI-based, best-in-class capabilities across all areas and realign our organizational DNA to be AI-friendly,” he said, adding that the bank will combine long-accumulated data with AI to upgrade credit reviews and soundness management. He also described stablecoins as a key technology that could change the capital paradigm and said the bank will review adopting related systems, with safety as a prerequisite. Jang emphasized a shift to trust-based finance as well. “We will build an internal control system that can proactively manage even unseen risks,” he said, signaling tighter risk management. He added that IBK faces the challenge of competing on equal footing with commercial banks while balancing public and commercial roles, and said he will foster a culture of mutual respect and discussion. The ceremony was held about a month after his appointment on Jan. 23, after the bank’s labor union staged a campaign to block employees from reporting to work over overtime pay issues tied to a total wage cap system. Labor and management agreed on Feb. 19 to normalize unpaid allowances, easing the dispute and allowing the bank to move toward normal operations. For his first official schedule, Jang plans to visit a Seoul branch with heavy customer traffic to encourage staff. With his term starting later than planned, he also aims to accelerate the 300 trillion won productive-finance initiative. The government’s National Growth Fund is also expected to expand IBK’s role in areas such as balanced regional development and support for advanced strategic industries, and some observers say his capital-markets background could speed up decisions on large-scale fund investments. Asset quality management is also cited as a key task. Analysts say the bank must stabilize a delinquency rate that rose into the 1% range in the third quarter of last year while continuing support for small merchants and small and midsize businesses. How the new leadership balances expanded support with risk controls is expected to be an early test. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 11:09:00

US, Chinese fighter jets in brief aerial standoff over West Sea SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A brief aerial standoff between U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) aircraft and Chinese fighter jets occurred over the West Sea earlier this week, multiple military sources said on Friday. The faceoff arose when China scrambled its own fighter jets in response to a large-scale air drill conducted by the USFK. According to the sources, about a dozen F-16 fighter jets took off from Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province last Wednesday and reportedly flew over South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ), prompting China to dispatch its own. Though the encounter briefly raised tensions, neither side was reported to have entered the other's airspace. The air defense identification zone does not constitute territorial airspace but is established in order to identify air traffic. It is common protocol for aircraft to obtain prior permission before entering another country's air defense identification zone. USFK reportedly notified South Korea's military authorities ahead of the drill but did not elaborate on its specific objectives. Some observers said it is unusual for USFK to conduct such a large-scale exercise near China's airspace. 2026-02-20 11:07:51

South Korea's AI Basic Act sparks demand for industry-specific compliance guidelines SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Basic Act for AI has taken effect, but businesses are struggling to translate the sweeping legislation into concrete operational practice, prompting growing calls for tailored, industry-specific compliance guidelines. The law imposes transparency obligations and governance requirements on companies deploying generative AI and other artificial intelligence technologies, with administrative penalties including fines for non-compliance. Analysts say firms that demonstrate accountability under the new framework stand to gain a competitive edge in the long run. Despite the government's efforts to ease the transition — including the early release of subordinate regulations — uncertainty on the ground remains unresolved. The AI Basic Act Support Desk, jointly operated by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea AI·Software Industry Association (KOSA), received 172 inquiries within just ten days of opening. The surge in interest is visible in the data. Big data analytics platform Quettai recorded about 16,175 mentions of the "AI Basic Act" keyword in January, a 233 percent jump from the same period a year earlier. Notably, related terms such as "difficult," "complicated," and "ambiguous" ranked among the top associated keywords, signaling widespread confusion over compliance requirements. Industry practitioners argue that a one-size-fits-all approach falls short given the wide variance in how AI is deployed across sectors. The same legal provision can carry different implications depending on the industry, making generic guidance insufficient for frontline decision-making. DeepBrain AI, a domestic generative AI firm, recently published a practical compliance guide tailored to the financial, education, and portal sectors — one example of how industry players are moving to fill the guidance gap left by broad regulatory language. With enforcement now underway, businesses and regulators alike face pressure to move beyond interpretation and toward actionable standards before compliance gaps begin to widen. 2026-02-20 10:51:33

ASIA INSIGHTS: Beyond tech rivalry: IMF's warning and Asia's path on coexistence The International Monetary Fund’s latest annual assessment of China reads less like a routine economic report than a structural warning for Asia’s manufacturing powerhouses. The IMF points to China’s widening trade surplus, effective currency undervaluation, expanding industrial subsidies, weak domestic demand and persistent deflationary pressure. Together, they signal the limits of an export- and investment-driven growth model that has powered China for decades. One figure stands out. The Fund estimates that subsidies to key industries amount to roughly 4 percent of GDP and recommends cutting them to about 2 percent over the medium term. This is not merely a call for fiscal restraint. It is a demand to redesign the architecture of industrial policy itself. The report notes that China’s rising net exports have pushed its current account surplus beyond 3 percent of GDP, deepening external imbalances and placing strain on trading partners. Low inflation has effectively weakened the real exchange rate, boosting price competitiveness — but also increasing the risk of protectionist backlash. “Deflation” appears repeatedly in the report. Prolonged price declines, the IMF warns, could erode growth potential. At the same time, government debt is projected to rise rapidly, possibly exceeding 130 percent of GDP. These assessments are not absolute truths. China’s development strategy has long been shaped by historical vulnerability and the pursuit of technological self-reliance. State support for strategic industries and manufacturing-led growth has delivered rapid industrial upgrading. In an era of intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, no major economy is leaving semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles or batteries to market forces alone. The United States and Europe are strengthening their own industrial policies. In that sense, the IMF’s recommendations do not reject national strategy. They reflect a concern for systemic balance. Excessive reliance on exports and capital investment leaves economies exposed to external shocks. Without sufficient domestic consumption, large-scale production capacity eventually turns into overcapacity — and trade friction. If subsidies fail to translate into productivity gains and technological breakthroughs, but merely expand output, they become long-term fiscal burdens. Here, China and South Korea face a shared question. In the era of physical AI and advanced scientific convergence, what growth path should manufacturing-based economies choose? Few regions possess ecosystems as integrated as those of Korea and China — linking design, production, R&D and commercialization. Dense digital infrastructure and fast execution cultures accelerate technological diffusion. In China, emphasis on speed and implementation has intensified, further shortening the path from innovation to market. Physical AI — reshaping factories, logistics, robotics, energy systems, defense and healthcare — goes beyond software. It reorganizes the physical world. No country can master this transition alone. Supply chains are transnational. Technical standards and data governance require multilateral coordination. Fragmentation increases costs for everyone. The IMF’s message is not to slow competition, but to refine the structures that sustain it. Strengthen domestic demand. Gradually shift toward consumption-driven growth. Improve the efficiency and transparency of industrial support. This applies to Korea as much as to China. Korea remains highly export-dependent and sensitive to global slowdowns and trade barriers. It must continually examine whether technology investment and subsidies raise productivity, or merely concentrate benefits in a narrow set of firms. Asia’s future lies in coordination, not confrontation. If Korea and China define each other solely as rivals, Asia risks becoming a fault line in great-power competition. But if they manage interdependence through supply-chain cooperation, joint research and shared standards, the region can emerge as a new center of global growth. Collaboration in semiconductors, batteries, electric vehicles, hydrogen, AI and biotechnology extends beyond bilateral interests. Broader networks linking Southeast Asia, India and Central Asia could combine technology, infrastructure and talent into a new development model. This is a positive-sum strategy. Yet one condition is essential. Technology is not value-neutral. It can enable surveillance, exclusion and control. Innovation must be guided by universal principles — truth, justice and freedom. When the IMF emphasizes “balance,” it is not referring merely to macroeconomic indicators. It is pointing to institutional maturity. Asia must move beyond technological nationalism. Strategic industries and industrial pride are legitimate. But they should not become sources of systemic conflict. Asia already holds more than half of the world’s population. Unlocking that potential requires trust, cooperation and credible rules. The IMF report is a warning: excess and imbalance eventually impose costs. But it is also an opportunity. If Korea and China can combine technological ambition with structural discipline and regional coordination, Asia can become a platform for coexistence rather than confrontation. When technology is built on the foundations of truth, justice and freedom, the region can move beyond development — toward civilizational leadership. *The author is a columnist of AJP. 2026-02-20 10:38:22

Ex-bobsleigh medalist elected to IOC Athletes' Commission SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Bobsledder Won Yun-jong was elected to the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday, becoming the first South Korean athlete in winter Olympic disciplines to serve. According to the IOC, Won secured 1,176 votes from some 2,393 athletes participating in this year's Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, finishing first among 11 candidates. The silver medalist at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics became the third South Korean athlete to serve in the role, following Moon Dae-sung, the 2004 Athens Olympic taekwondo champion, and Ryu Seung-min, the 2004 Olympic table tennis gold medalist. Won is also joining Kim Jae-youl, better known as the husband of conglomerate Samsung's heiress Lee Seo-hyun, as one of only two current South Korean IOC members. Kim was elected in October 2023 in his capacity as president of the International Skating Union (ISU). Established at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the IOC Athletes' Commission is elected through a direct vote by fellow athletes for a term of eight years. It has the same rights as other IOC commissions, including the right to vote on summer and winter Olympic host venues. Won is set to be formally introduced as a new member at the closing ceremony of this year's quadrennial sporting event on Sunday, with his term beginning the following day. Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung congratulated him in a message posted on social media, promising that the government would "actively support his work" for the 23-mbmer commission. 2026-02-20 10:31:36

Gang Gam-chan sails with global fleet as Korea rises on Indo-Pacific Seas VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA, February 20 (AJP) - From the deck line to the distant horizon, the waters off Visakhapatnam shimmered with steel, color and motion on Wednesday as one of the world’s largest multinational naval formations assembled for the 2026 International Fleet Review. Flying the South Korean flag Taegeukgi high against a stiff Bay of Bengal wind, the 4,400-ton destroyer ROKS Gang Gam-chan cruised in tight formation alongside 18 other flag-bearing warships, cutting a steady line through rolling swells. From the press boat trailing the formation, her angular silhouette and brownish-gray hull stood out sharply under the tropical sun — a visible symbol of Seoul’s growing blue-water ambitions. For several hours, the Bay of Bengal became a moving stage of maritime power. Warships advanced in sequence, their signal flags fluttering, flight decks cleared and crews standing at attention along the rails. At the heart of the spectacle was the host, the Indian Navy, showcasing the rapid transformation of its fleet — from coastal defense to full-spectrum ocean-going force. The review was the third such event hosted by India, following earlier editions in 2001 and 2016. A “Blue Water” Presence Among the multinational lineup, Gang Gam-chan — the fifth vessel of South Korea’s Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers — stood out. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and commissioned in 2007, the KDX-II-class vessel represents the backbone of the Republic of Korea Navy’s long-range surface fleet. Designed for anti-submarine, anti-air and surface warfare, she has participated in distant deployment missions, including anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. During the live broadcast by Doordarshan, commentators singled out the Korean destroyer as a core “blue-water asset,” highlighting its record in international maritime security operations. From the bridge wing, Korean sailors in white dress uniforms saluted as the formation passed the reviewing stand, where President Droupadi Murmu observed the parade. The event’s theme — “United Through Oceans” — was echoed in her address, in which she stressed collective responsibility and cooperative action among like-minded maritime partners. From Ancient Trade Routes to Modern Fleets The setting carried historical weight. These same waters once carried merchant vessels linking the Indus Valley, Southeast Asia and East Africa, and later the naval expeditions of the Chola Empire in the 11th century. On Wednesday, they hosted satellite-linked destroyers, stealth frigates and an aircraft carrier — a vivid illustration of how India’s maritime legacy has evolved into modern sea power. Leading the host nation’s formation was India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, followed by the Project 15B destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and the stealth frigate INS Nilgiri — centerpieces of New Delhi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” self-reliance strategy. Behind them sailed vessels from key Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia and Japan, reinforcing the review’s message of collective security. Korea’s Expanding Maritime Footprint For South Korea, Gang Gam-chan’s appearance was more than ceremonial. She departed Jeju Naval Base on Jan. 30 to join the fleet review before taking part in the ensuing seven-days MILAN naval exercise until Feb. 25 — meaning 'meeting' in Hindi — symbolizing Seoul’s growing operational reach across the Indian Ocean. In parallel with the sea review, the Republic of Korea Navy delegation, led by Rear Adm. Kim Kyung-cheol, attended the plenary session of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium for the first time as an observer. The delegation held bilateral meetings and promoted Korea’s “total solution” approach to naval logistics and defense exports. Officials said the outreach reflects Seoul’s broader effort to link operational deployments with defense-industry diplomacy. A Floating Showcase of Strategy From the press vantage point, the choreography was precise. Each ship maintained exact intervals. Helicopters hovered briefly overhead. Signal flags snapped in unison. Even in moderate swells, the column remained steady — a moving demonstration of interoperability. Industry and defense analysts watching from shore said the review underscored how maritime security in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly shaped by networks rather than individual navies. While large aircraft and maritime patrol planes roared faintly beyond the horizon, Gang Gam-chan continued her measured advance, radar masts scanning and wake trailing cleanly behind her stern. On waters once ruled by sail and monsoon winds, South Korea’s gray-hulled destroyer now sailed as part of a multinational security web — a quiet but unmistakable statement of its place in a changing maritime order. As the formation dispersed toward sunset, the Korean vessel turned eastward, her navigation lights blinking on one by one — carrying with her the message that in today’s Indo-Pacific, presence itself has become policy. 2026-02-20 10:27:12