Uzbekistan and Tajikistan cement alliance during presidential summit SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hosted President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan for a landmark state visit on March 26 and 27, 2026, marking a significant transition in regional diplomacy, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said Friday. The visit featured the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, a new high-level body designed to move the relationship beyond occasional cooperation and into a permanent, systemic alliance. During the talks, President Mirziyoyev and President Rahmon signed a Joint Statement on Deepening Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations. This agreement builds on the 2024 Treaty on Allied Relations and effectively signals that the two nations have moved past previous regional friction to focus on full-scale integration. The economic goals set during the summit are centered on doubling bilateral trade. After trade reached nearly 912 million dollars by the end of 2025, the leaders officially endorsed a roadmap to reach 2 billion dollars by 2030. To hit this target, the governments are fast-tracking the Oybek-Fotekhobod border trade zone and introducing digital "E-Permit" systems to reduce the bureaucracy that often slows down regional cargo transport. A highlight of the visit was a ceremony to launch 10 major joint projects. These include new textile plants in Tajikistan, furniture and leather factories, and expanded household appliance production. Within Uzbekistan, new facilities for dairy, fruit juice, and metal briquettes are being established in the Andijan, Fergana, and Surkhandarya regions. The visit also featured several cultural and symbolic milestones, including the opening of a new building for the Tajikistan Embassy in Tashkent and the naming of a street in the New Tashkent district after the city of Dushanbe. The leaders also attended a joint concert at the International Forums Palace, emphasizing the shared heritage of the two peoples. The two presidents discussed a five-year program to support the large diaspora communities living in both countries, focusing on education and scientific exchanges. A comprehensive roadmap has been commissioned to ensure that the industrial, energy, and security agreements reached this week are implemented over the next three years. 2026-03-27 22:46:40

South Korean Actor Lee Sang-bo Found Dead at 45; Agency Says It Is Checking Actor Lee Sang-bo has died, South Korean media reported. He was 45. The Hankook Ilbo reported on the 27th that Lee was found dead on the 26th. Police who responded after a report from his family are investigating the exact circumstances of his death, the newspaper said. His agency, Korea Management Group (KMG), told multiple media outlets it was checking the report. Born in 1981, Lee debuted in the 2006 KBS drama “The Invisible Man Choi Jang-soo.” He appeared in dramas including “Miss Monte-Cristo” and “Elegant Empire,” and in films including “Secretly, Greatly” and “Mephisto.” Lee drew public attention in 2022 after police detained him following a report of a man who appeared to be under the influence walking around in public. It was later found to be a misunderstanding linked to his taking prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, according to the report. In media interviews at the time, Lee said he felt wronged but called the incident a turning point, adding that he wanted to be remembered for his acting. He signed an exclusive contract with his current agency earlier this year and had signaled plans for more active work. Reports also said all posts on the social media account he ran during his lifetime have been deleted. 2026-03-27 18:18:19

Lee's approval rating slightly dips to 65% but still remains high SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell slightly after reaching its highest level for three consecutive weeks, a poll showed on Friday. Pollster Gallup Korea surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide earlier this week and found that about 65 percent of respondents said Lee was doing well in his job, down 2 percentage points from the previous week. About 24 percent disapproved of his performance, while 10 percent remained undecided. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) remained steady at 46 percent, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) tumbled even further to 19 percent, down one percentage point from the previous week. The minor Reform Party and Rebuilding Korea Party garnered 3 percent and 2 percent of support, followed by the left-wing Progressive Party at 1 percent. The survey was conducted via automated phone responses from Tuesday to Thursday. 2026-03-27 17:39:48

Drugmakers Expand Portfolios Through Co-Promotion Deals Co-promotion deals between multinational drugmakers with branded medicines and South Korean companies with local sales networks are continuing, as partners combine strengths to speed market penetration and lift revenue. Industry officials said March 27 that co-promotion has long been used in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector. Multinationals gain access to the domestic market, while local firms broaden their presence in specific therapeutic areas by selling established products. Huons said it entered the vaccine business after signing a domestic distribution and co-promotion agreement on March 25 with global drugmaker Sanofi for injectable vaccines. Starting next month, Huons will handle distribution and marketing for five vaccines, including the influenza vaccine Vaxigrip. The company plans to leverage its injectable-drug sales force and cold-chain capabilities, drawing on refrigerated distribution experience built through products such as the vitamin C injection Merit C and the immune-boosting adjunct injection Hudaxin. It recently set up a dedicated Vaccine Business Division to run the effort. Bukwang Pharmaceutical is also expanding, teaming with Servier to strengthen its cardiovascular portfolio. Under a strategic co-sales agreement covering seven products, including treatments for hypertension and angina, Servier will cover general hospitals and other facilities with 300 beds or more. The two companies will jointly cover medical institutions with 100 to 299 beds, while Bukwang will lead sales and marketing for facilities with fewer than 100 beds. Bukwang, which has focused on gastroenterology and endocrinology, has been widening its prescription-drug lineup, including by acquiring Korea Union Pharmaceutical earlier this year for its chronic-disease products. The Servier partnership is seen as part of that push into cardiovascular care. Hanmi Pharmaceutical has sought to deepen share in areas where it already has a strong sales base. Earlier this year, it signed a co-promotion deal with Ferring Pharmaceuticals Korea for the nocturia and enuresis treatments Minirin and Nocdurna. It also agreed with Handok Teva to distribute and sell Ajovy, a preventive migraine treatment, expanding into the neurology field. Co-promotion is valued for enabling faster sales growth and more efficient market access. But if sales fall short or profitability weakens, contract terms may be adjusted, leaving local companies with the task of turning near-term gains into stronger in-house competitiveness. Jung Yoon-taek, head of the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Research Institute, said the industry has long relied on collaboration built on specialization and efficiency. “By combining each company’s areas of expertise, co-promotion can raise both sales and profits at the same time,” he said. “That makes its importance likely to grow.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-27 17:24:00

Asian stocks drift lower as Iran conflict drags on, AI memory jitters weigh SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - Asian equities ended the week on a subdued note as the Iran conflict stretched into a month-long standoff, while fresh concerns over AI-driven memory demand added another layer of uncertainty for investors. Brent crude rose 1.5 percent to $109.5 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate gained 0.9 percent to $95.3, keeping pressure on energy-importing economies already strained by prolonged geopolitical risks. Regional markets moved in mixed directions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.4 percent to 53,373.1, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.6 percent to 3,913.8. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.7 percent to 25,023.6, supported by improving economic signals from China and expectations of further policy support. Global risk sentiment remained fragile. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index tumbled 4.8 percent, while the VIX jumped 8.3 percent to 27.4, underscoring elevated volatility. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.4 percent to close at 5,438.9, recovering from early losses that briefly pushed the index toward the 5,200 level. Retail investors helped cushion the decline despite heavy foreign outflows. Foreign investors sold 3.88 trillion won ($2.58 billion), extending their selling streak, while institutions and retail investors bought 777.7 billion won and 2.71 trillion won, respectively. Foreigners have offloaded nearly 30 trillion won so far this month, including more than 10 trillion won this week alone, highlighting persistent external pressure on Korean assets. Chipmakers remained under strain. Samsung Electronics edged down 0.2 percent to 179,700 won, while SK hynix fell 1.2 percent to 922,000 won, as concerns grew over emerging AI compression technologies that could dampen future memory demand. The latest trigger came from Google’s unveiling of “TurboQuant,” a data compression algorithm designed to significantly reduce the working memory requirements of AI systems without sacrificing performance. If widely adopted, the technology could challenge the growth trajectory of high-bandwidth memory chips that have driven recent earnings momentum for Korean chipmakers. By contrast, autos and battery shares showed resilience. Hyundai Motor rose 1 percent to 495,000 won, while LG Energy Solution gained 2.6 percent to 394,500 won on expectations of expanding demand beyond electric vehicles, particularly in energy storage systems. Over the week, the KOSPI swung sharply, rising from 5,405.75 on March 23 to 5,642.21 on March 25 before retreating to 5,460.46 on March 26 and ending at 5,438.9 on Friday. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.4 percent to 1,141.5, rebounding from earlier losses. Foreign investors sold 234 billion won, while institutions and retail investors bought 50.7 billion won and 170.0 billion won, respectively. Biotech stocks led gains, though Samchundang Pharm fell more than 4 percent after recent rallies, closing at 1,111,000 won. The Korean won weakened, with the dollar closing at 1,505.3 won after briefly breaching the 1,510 level intraday, reflecting sustained external pressures tied to oil prices and capital outflows. 2026-03-27 17:14:15

Korea Drug Regulator Eases Biosimilar Phase 3 Rules; Kolon Names New CEO MFDS releases guidance to ease biosimilar Phase 3 trial requirements, offers pre-review South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said March 27 that its National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation has released guidance outlining what to consider when deciding whether a biosimilar needs a Phase 3 comparative efficacy trial. The agency also said it will run a pre-review process to support faster biosimilar development. The guidance covers the theoretical basis for easing Phase 3 requirements, quality and clinical factors to weigh, and the procedures and documents needed to discuss a waiver. The ministry said it also plans to revise approval regulations to apply the eased requirements. It includes criteria under which a Phase 3 trial may not be required when sufficient similarity and safety to an already approved original drug are demonstrated based on quality data and Phase 1 results. The ministry said it will set up a pre-review system so biosimilar developers can consult on whether Phase 3 requirements can be eased for products under development. Kolon Life Science appoints Lee Han-kook as CEO Kolon Life Science said March 27 that it appointed Vice President Lee Han-kook as CEO at a shareholders meeting and board meeting held March 26. Born in 1973, Lee is a pharmaceutical and biotech industry professional with experience across the full process of developing and commercializing new drugs, generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients, from R&D and manufacturing to regulatory approvals and business development at home and abroad. He worked at Daewoong Pharmaceutical on synthetic research, overseas regulatory approvals, overseas business and building overseas research hubs, and later served as an executive in regulatory affairs at a biotech company in San Diego. He then moved to Kunwha Pharmaceutical, where he led the medical and R&D divisions and served as CEO. Lee said, “Based on Kolon Life Science’s strong bio and chemical capabilities, I will build renewed trust in the global biotech market and deliver visible results.” Gachon University Gil Medical Center holds free public lecture for Heart Failure Day Gachon University Gil Medical Center said March 27 that it held a “heart failure public lecture” on March 25 to mark the Korean Society of Heart Failure’s Heart Failure Day. Hosted by the hospital’s Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Center, the event aimed to explain heart failure, treatment, rehabilitation and overall management in an accessible way. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart’s function declines and it cannot supply enough blood. The hospital said patient numbers have steadily increased with population aging. Because early symptoms can be mistaken for simple fatigue or shortness of breath, early diagnosis and ongoing management are important. The lecture was chaired by cardiology professor Shin Ik-kyun and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery professor Park Cheol-hyeon, with specialists presenting by field. A question-and-answer session followed. Jaseng Medical Foundation donates 30 million won for children’s spine health program The Jaseng Medical Foundation said March 27 that it donated 30 million won on March 26 to the child welfare organization ChildFund Korea to support a children’s spine health initiative. The donation ceremony was held in a meeting room at ChildFund Korea’s office in Seoul’s Jung District, with officials from both organizations attending. The foundation said the funds will be used through September for about 600 children at 25 community child centers in the Seoul metropolitan area, including tailored stretching programs, instructor support, and providing InBody body composition tests and portable height-measuring devices. This year’s program is scheduled to run from July through September for 10 sessions, once a week. The foundation said it has worked with various organizations on the project since 2011. It began with eight institutions but has expanded to 25, more than tripling in scale, to support children’s spine health. In 2017, it received an excellence award for a program at the Seoul Social Contribution Awards.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-27 17:09:00

South Korean businesses in race to expand presence in Viet Nam SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - With Viet Nam further solidifying its status as a strategic hub in Asia, major South Korean conglomerates are accelerating their push to make deeper inroads into the Southeast Asian country through investment and partnerships. These efforts are being led by companies likes SK Group, HD Hyundai, and GS Energy. In response, Viet Nam is also wooing foreign investors, pledging support to attract more investment from global firms. The country's General Secretary, Tô Lâm on Thursday vowed that his country will support international businesses as it seeks to "play a more active role in building sustainable and resilient global supply chains," speaking at a forum hosted by the Asia Business Council (ABC) forum in Hanoi. Lâm said that Viet Nam is "ready to work with global companies," stressing that foreign-invested firms play an integral role in the Vietnamese economy. Earlier this week, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won visited Viet Nam to inspect several ongoing projects, including the construction of a 1.5-gigawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Quynh Lap, central Viet Nam, secured in February by its affiliate SK Innovation. SK Group has been expanding its presence there in resources and renewable energy including solar power facilities in Ninh Thuan in south-central Viet Nam since 2020. Choi's trip coincided with HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun's visit to the country, during which he toured the construction site of the company's petrochemical carrier (PC) plant and other production facilities. GS Energy Vice Chairman Huh Yong-soo also met Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh in Hanoi the previous day to discuss expanding cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors. GS Energy is currently involved in major projects including the construction of an integrated refining and petrochemical complex in the northern province of Thanh Hóa, as well as a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plant in the southern province of Long An. The company is also eyeing the Vietnamese retail market as part of its broader strategy to diversify its business there. Viet Nam is, meanwhile, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewable and new energy sources, creating new opportunities for foreign investors. South Korean firms, already standing out among the pack in the country, are increasingly positioning themselves to play a central role in this transition while deepening industrial and supply chain partnerships. 2026-03-27 17:07:20

10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2026: Marvel, Pixar, Top Directors and Korean Films 2026 is shaping up to be a crowded year at the box office, with major sequels, big-budget franchise entries, new films from marquee directors and several closely watched Korean releases. Among the most widely discussed titles is “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. The film is set for a worldwide first release on April 29. With the original long treated as a workplace and fashion touchstone, attention is on whether the sequel can feel current rather than relying on nostalgia. In the blockbuster category, Marvel’s “Avengers: Doomsday” is positioned as one of the year’s biggest bets. Marvel has set a North American release date of Dec. 18, targeting the lucrative year-end season. Other high-profile releases include “Michael,” a biopic of Michael Jackson, due May 13, and Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” scheduled to open June 10. Family audiences will also see familiar brands return. Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” is set for release in June, with the studio pitching a clash between traditional toys and cutting-edge technology. Christopher Nolan’s “Odyssey” is also on the calendar. Universal plans to release it July 15. Several Korean films are drawing attention as well. Na Hong-jin’s “Hope” is expected to open this summer, marking his first new film since “The Wailing.” Director Lee Chang-dong’s “Possible Love” has also been cited as a 2026 title to watch. It has been introduced as starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, and is reported to be planned for a limited theatrical run along with a Netflix release. For fans of source material, a live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s “Look Back” is set to be directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, with a 2026 theatrical release in Japan announced. The story previously made an impression in animated form, and attention is on how it will be reinterpreted in live action. A year-end showdown is also taking shape. Both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part 3” are pointing to December release plans, setting up a high-stakes battle for attention and screens. 2026-03-27 16:21:25

Lee Yeongdo’s ‘The Bird That Drinks Tears’ Makes French Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire Longlist Lee Yeongdo’s fantasy novel “The Bird That Drinks Tears” has been named a preliminary nominee in the foreign novel category of France’s Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, publisher Golden Bough said on March 27. The Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire is regarded as France’s top science fiction and fantasy literary prize, selected by a jury of experts including journalists, writers and critics. A total of 13 works made the first-round list. “The Bird That Drinks Tears” will compete for a spot among the finalists alongside new titles by authors including Man Booker Prize nominee Ned Beauman, Philip K. Dick Award winner Bethany Jacobs and World Fantasy Award winner Nnedi Okorafor. Finalists are to be announced March 30. The first volume of the French edition has sold more than 20,000 copies in four months, the publisher said. The series has also been released in major European markets including Germany, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. In Germany, it sold 50,000 copies in the first year after all four volumes were published. The novel has also drawn renewed attention in South Korea. During the Lunar New Year holiday, it ranked No. 1 overall on the e-book platform Ridibooks, while the print boxed set sold more than 2,000 sets and moved into the upper tier of fantasy and genre rankings at major bookstores. The publisher said interest was also boosted by Krafton’s open-world action role-playing game “Project Windless,” based on the novel. The game was unveiled at PlayStation’s “State of Play” showcase and drew attention from users worldwide. “The Bird That Drinks Tears” is being translated into 17 languages for publication in more than 30 countries. In June, the first volume is scheduled for release in the United States and Britain with major promotions, translated by Anton Hur, known for translating “Cursed Bunny.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-27 15:54:07

IOC to Bar Transgender Athletes From Women’s Events Starting With 2028 LA Olympics 2028년 로스앤젤레스(LA) 올림픽부터 성전환자(트랜스젠더) 선수의 여성 부문 경기 출전이 전면 금지된다. The International Olympic Committee said it adopted a policy to protect the women’s category in sport that will bar transgender athletes from women’s events starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The IOC said its executive board approved the policy at a meeting on March 26 (local time). Under the new rules, eligibility for women’s events — individual and team — at the Olympics and all IOC-run competitions will be determined by a one-time sex test for the SRY gene, a gene linked to male sex development on the Y chromosome. The IOC said the move brings back sex testing for the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Athletes who test negative will permanently meet the eligibility requirements for the women’s category. Those who test positive will be barred from women’s events at IOC-hosted competitions, except in rare cases involving a diagnosis of differences of sex development (DSD). Athletes with a positive result may compete in men’s events, in men’s positions on mixed teams, or in open-category sports that do not classify athletes by sex. The IOC said the policy will apply starting with the 2028 LA Olympics. It will not be applied retroactively to earlier competitions and will not apply to amateur or recreational sports programs. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the decision was necessary to ensure fairness, safety and integrity in women’s competition. “At the Olympics, extremely small differences in performance can decide the outcome,” she said. “It is clear that it is not fair for biological males to compete in the women’s category,” adding that in some sports it is also directly tied to athlete safety. The IOC decision aligns with the direction of U.S. sports policy, the article said. It said U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in February last year calling to “keep men out of women’s sports,” and that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee later announced steps to bar transgender athletes from women’s events in domestic competitions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-27 15:46:16