SK Eternix Starts Commercial Operations at 40MW SOFC Plant in Chungju SK Eternix said Tuesday it has begun commercial operations at its Daesowon Eco Park fuel cell power plant in the Chungju Megapolis general industrial complex in North Chungcheong Province. Daesowon Eco Park is a 40-megawatt, high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) plant built on a 16,423-square-meter site. It uses 120 Bloom Energy fuel cells rated at 330 kilowatts each and can generate about 330 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year — enough to power about 94,000 households for one year. The commercial launch was carried out in connection with the nearby Chungju Eco Park (40MW), which began operating in December. With the two plants, SK Eternix has established an approximately 80MW distributed power cluster in the Chungju area. The company said it is the world’s largest high-efficiency SOFC fuel cell power complex in a single region and is expected to help improve local energy self-sufficiency and secure a stable power supply base. SK Eternix said the project brings its cumulative fuel cell operating capacity to 169MW. With Paju Eco Green Energy (31MW) now under construction and a 28MW project awarded in South Korea’s general hydrogen power generation market to be completed in stages, the total is expected to expand to 228MW. The company also said it strengthened project stability through strategic cooperation with co-investor Chambit Group. Chambit participates as a major shareholder in the Chungju Eco Park and Daesowon Eco Park projects and supplies city gas, helping secure stability across the process from fuel supply to plant operations. "The start of commercial operations at Daesowon Eco Park is an achievement that proves our capabilities in distributed power and our competitiveness in project execution," CEO Kim Hae-jung said. He said the company will continue expanding distributed power to support national energy transition policy and refine a sustainable energy business model based on coexistence with local communities. SK Eternix operates an eco-friendly energy business based on a portfolio that includes fuel cells, solar, wind and energy storage systems. It has recently been expanding into areas such as power brokerage and U.S. ESS projects to boost corporate value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:24:17

Korea to Launch Welcome Week at Airports and Ports, Spotlighting K-Food to Draw 30 Million Visitors From April 24 to May 9, major gateways across South Korea — including Incheon and Jeju international airports and the ports of Busan and Seogwipo — will be turned into welcome hubs for inbound travelers. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Visit Year Committee said they will run the 2026 first-half Welcome Week, themed around K-food, during the peak spring travel season. The plan combines public-private discounts with promotions tied to local small businesses to boost visitor spending. ◆ Welcome hubs at airports and cruise ports The ministry and the committee will hold the event from April 24 to May 9 to coincide with East Asia’s busy travel period, including Japan’s Golden Week and China’s Labor Day holiday. Organizers said the program is aimed at building a positive first impression from the moment visitors arrive, as part of a national goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists. Welcome booths will be set up at Incheon International Airport, Jeju International Airport, the Busan Port Cruise Terminal and the Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Port. Incheon’s booth will run April 24 to May 9, while Jeju’s will operate April 25 to May 9. Cruise-port events will be staged in line with ship arrival schedules. ◆ K-food theme, linked to the SME ministry’s “Companion Festival” This year’s central theme is K-food. Visitors to the booths will be offered multilingual guides to regional dining, along with hands-on programs such as traditional tea tastings and roulette-style events. Organizers said the effort goes beyond information, with discounts tied to private-sector partners across food and beverage, shopping and exhibitions. Tourists will receive a “welcome card” with a QR code, a Korea travel map and a welcome kit featuring K-food and beauty items. The program will also be linked to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ “Republic of Korea Companion Festival,” aiming to promote products from small merchants and encourage purchases that support local economies. ◆ Additional booth at Busan Station tied to BTS “ARIRANG” concerts Organizers also plan to align the campaign with major K-pop events. A separate welcome booth will be added at Busan Station to match the Busan dates of BTS’ world tour “ARIRANG,” scheduled for June 1-15, targeting fans traveling to Korea for the shows. Cooperation with local governments will be expanded as well. Working with the city of Yeosu in South Jeolla Province, organizers plan a hospitality campaign involving workers in food and beverage, lodging and transportation, as well as residents, to encourage repeat visits. A committee official said the Welcome Week is intended to give foreign tourists “a special experience that leaves a positive first impression of traveling in Korea,” adding that close coordination with private partners and local governments will be used to build a cycle in which visitor satisfaction leads to return trips. 2026-04-22 09:22:24

Trump Says He’ll ‘Remember’ Companies That Don’t Seek Tariff Refunds U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “remember” companies that do not apply for refunds of tariffs he imposed, comments that appeared to reward firms that forgo repayment while pressuring those that pursue it. Trump made the remarks in an interview with CNBC, Reuters reported Monday. He said of companies that do not seek refunds, “I’ll remember them.” He cited Apple, Amazon, Target and Walmart, saying he viewed it positively that they had not yet applied. He also used hostile language toward companies moving ahead with refund claims. The comments followed a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that found the Trump administration’s tariff measures illegal. After the decision, U.S. Customs and Border Protection activated an electronic refund system to allow companies to reclaim tariffs already paid. The total amount potentially eligible for refunds is estimated at up to $166 billion. Even with the system running, payments are expected to take time. Reuters reported refunds could take about 60 to 90 days, and legal review is continuing over claims involving firms that provided tariff bonds. Trump also signaled he does not intend to abandon his tariff policy even as the earlier tariffs were invalidated. He indicated he could impose tariffs again using Section 301 of the Trade Act, though that route is expected to involve more complex procedures and take longer. Markets have speculated that large companies are likely to file for refunds eventually, given the size of the potential repayments and pressure from shareholders and earnings expectations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:21:37

Solbi Says She Was Hit by a Drunk Driver as a Middle School Student Singer and painter Solbi said she was struck by a car driven by someone who had been drinking when she was a middle school student. A video titled, "I got hit by a car and survived? Solbi reveals a shocking true story for the first time," was posted on April 20 to her YouTube channel, "Solbi Is Back." Solbi said she once talked with friends about close calls with death. She recalled that she ran into a crosswalk in front of her home when the light turned green, and was suddenly hit by a car. She said the impact threw her into the air. She added that a woman at a nearby high school saw the crash, was so startled that she collapsed, and Solbi fell on top of her. Solbi said the crash happened on April 1, April Fools' Day, and people around her did not believe it. She said even her mother did not believe it when her friends called. She also said that when she arrived at the emergency room, she told a doctor she had narrowly survived, and that afterward she saw stars, adding she suffered a head injury. She said the driver who caused the crash was intoxicated, and urged people never to drive after drinking.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:18:43

BNK Securities Raises LS Eco Energy Target Price on Record Quarterly Results BNK Investment & Securities on April 22 raised its target price for LS Eco Energy to 80,000 won from 60,000 won, citing the company’s record quarterly revenue and expanding demand for power transmission lines. It maintained its “buy” rating. Kim Jang-won, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities, said first-quarter revenue and operating profit both hit all-time highs, driven by orders for an extra-high-voltage power line project in Vietnam and strong performance in the materials business. He said the company has entered a period of structural growth as investment in power infrastructure expands. Kim added that LS Eco Energy is diversifying demand by exporting to the United States while producing in Vietnam, and that a higher share of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage power lines is improving profitability. Kim said demand for higher-margin products such as underground cables, extra-high-voltage power lines and subsea cables is expected to rise under Vietnam’s power development plan and urbanization policies, which he said should further widen profit growth over the medium to long term. He also said the company has significant room to expand its business, supported by affiliates that are competitive in the global power infrastructure market, and that a valuation re-rating is possible given its higher profitability than peers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:18:14

AhnLab Warns of Fake Claude Phishing Sites Spreading Info-Stealing Malware AhnLab said it has identified cases in which an information-stealing malware strain was distributed through phishing sites impersonating the generative AI service Claude, and urged users to be cautious. On 22, AhnLab said the phishing site displays the message “Bring Claude to your Desktop” and offers download buttons by operating system, including Windows and macOS, to lure users into installing it. When a user clicks the download button for their OS, a pop-up appears instead of an installer, providing installation instructions. The notice says the download will begin if the user copies a specific command and pastes it into their PC, but following those steps installs malware. Once installed, the malware steals files on the PC, browser-stored information and cryptocurrency wallet data, then sends it to an attacker-controlled server. AhnLab said this tactic — disguising instructions or error messages to get users to copy and paste a malicious command themselves — is known as the “ClickFix” technique and has recently been used in a range of malware distribution attacks. The company said the phishing site was found appearing near the top of Google search results for keywords such as “Claude app” and “Claude desktop.” It said attackers may have manipulated rankings by using search ads. AhnLab said such attacks continue to exploit users’ tendency to trust sites shown at the top of search results, and called for heightened vigilance. To reduce risk, it advised users to verify official domain addresses regardless of search rankings, apply the latest security updates for PCs, operating systems, software and browsers, and enable real-time monitoring in antivirus software such as V3. AhnLab said its V3 product line supports detection of the phishing site and blocks access, and that related threat information is available through its next-generation threat intelligence platform, AhnLab TIP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:15:07

Hanwha signs MOU with Alberta to expand energy, defense and shipbuilding cooperation Hanwha Group said it will strengthen cooperation with the government of Alberta across key industries including energy, defense and shipbuilding. The group said April 22 it plans to systematically expand local industrial partnerships and broader economic cooperation, linked to Hanwha Ocean’s bid for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP. Hanwha signed the memorandum of understanding April 21 (local time) at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton. Attendees included Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Joseph Schow, South Korean Ambassador to Canada Lim Ki-mo and Hanwha Energy CEO Lee Jae-gyu. The two sides agreed to pursue joint, mid- to long-term investment and industrial ecosystem development with Alberta as a base, beyond individual projects. Hanwha Energy, Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Power will take part, expanding cooperation in oil, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and defense and shipbuilding supply chains. Hanwha said the MOU focuses on a shift to low-carbon energy, industrial growth and stronger supply-chain stability. In the near term, the sides plan to expand trade in resources such as natural gas. Over the mid to long term, they aim to broaden cooperation to hydrogen- and ammonia-based clean energy and carbon-management infrastructure. Hanwha also said it will support efforts aligned with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, including building independent industrial capabilities, strengthening maintenance and operations capacity, and developing a region-based defense industrial ecosystem. Alberta is attracting about $6.5 million in investment from the federal government as it grows into a defense manufacturing hub. Smith said, “Alberta is a global business hub, and this agreement with Hanwha Group shows our competitiveness as a destination for international investment.” Lee said, “This MOU has elevated our cooperative relationship with Alberta,” adding that the group will “bring together its capabilities to deliver tangible results across a range of fields.” Hanwha said it is mounting a groupwide effort to win the Canadian submarine project. Earlier, Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheol visited Halifax on April 14 and discussed defense and industrial cooperation with officials from Nova Scotia.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:12:10

HD Hyundai Heavy Wins First Overseas Icebreaker Order, Eyes Arctic Shipping HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it has won its first overseas order for a dedicated icebreaker, a milestone it described as establishing a foothold for entering Arctic shipping routes. The company said it signed a contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration to build one icebreaker for $348.9 million (about 514.8 billion won). HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it was highly rated on price competitiveness, delivery schedule and technology. The vessel is to be delivered in 2029 and will operate in the Baltic Sea, providing icebreaking support as well as fleet operations, towing and ice management. The company said the deal was secured amid competition with major icebreaker-building countries including Finland and Norway, marking the Korean shipbuilding industry’s entry into the global icebreaker market. It also cited public-private cooperation supported by the South Korean Embassy in Sweden and KOTRA’s Stockholm office. Icebreakers are specialized ships designed to open routes through ice-covered waters by crushing and pushing aside sea ice, using reinforced hulls, powerful propulsion and dedicated hull designs. The ordered vessel will be 126 meters long with a displacement of 15,000 tons and will have PC (Polar Class) 4 icebreaking capability, the company said. With an electric propulsion system, it can continuously break through ice about 1 to 1.2 meters thick. Industry officials say commercializing Arctic routes will require not only icebreakers but also merchant ships with icebreaking capability, including LNG carriers and bulk carriers, and they view the order as a foundation for entering related markets. Competition to secure icebreakers is also intensifying globally. The United States passed legislation last year to expand its icebreaker budget by about $9 billion, and together with Canada and Finland formed the “ICE Pact” to pursue construction of 70 to 90 vessels over the next decade. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it plans to expand its special-purpose ship business based on its icebreaking technology and will also push to enter global markets for naval vessels and other special-purpose ships that require icebreaking capability. “This icebreaker order shows our business capabilities have been recognized in the global market,” CEO Ju Won-ho said. “Based on our technology and integrated business capabilities, we will expand export markets in the special-purpose ship sector.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:09:56

Eastar Jet Expands Cargo Service to 10 International Routes 이스타항공은 22일 화물 운송 사업을 일본, 중화권, 동남아 등 10개 국제 노선으로 확대했다고 밝혔다. 이스타항공은 지난해 1월 인천-방콕 노선에서 화물 운송을 처음 시작한 뒤 도쿄, 오사카, 타이베이, 상하이, 옌타이, 다낭 등으로 노선을 단계적으로 늘려왔다. 지난달 기준 순 화물 수송량은 전년 동기 대비 약 870% 증가했다. 이달에는 홍콩, 정저우, 알마티 노선을 새로 구축했다. 연내 삿포로와 후쿠오카 노선에서도 화물 운송을 이어갈 계획이다. 이스타항공은 여객기 하부 수하물 칸을 활용하는 이른바 ‘벨리 카고’ 방식으로 화물을 운송하고 있다. 이커머스 상품을 비롯해 전자제품, 자동차 부품, 화장품, 의류, 과일 등을 실어 나른다. 또 시장 분석부터 예약, 추적 조회, 품질 평가까지 전 과정을 관리하는 토탈 카고 매니지먼트(TCM) 솔루션을 운영 중이라고 밝혔다. 이스타항공 관계자는 “꾸준히 증가하는 글로벌 항공 화물 수요에 대응해 사업 노선을 적극적으로 확대하고 있다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:09:14

SK Securities Raises Seobu T&D Target Price 54% on Hotel Strength, Development Outlook SK Securities on Tuesday raised its target price for Seobu T&D to 20,000 won from 13,000 won, a 54% increase, citing a strong hotel business and accelerating real estate development momentum. It maintained its “buy” rating. Na Seung-du, a researcher at SK Securities, said hotel occupancy has “effectively recovered to near-full levels,” while average daily room rates still have room to rise. He added that profits from unit sales should become more visible as site development ramps up starting this year. Seobu T&D’s hotel business has shown a clear rebound since the pandemic-era downturn, supported by an increase in foreign tourists. The Yongsan Dragon City hotel is posting high occupancy on both weekdays and weekends, staying at levels close to full capacity. Because hotel room supply is difficult to expand quickly, SK Securities said higher room rates are likely to be a key driver of earnings improvement. It said the property’s location, hotel grade and facility quality suggest ample pricing power, and that steady demand should continue in line with stronger interest among foreign visitors to South Korea. In real estate development, growth drivers are also coming into focus as projects at the Yongsan Najin Shopping Center site and the Seobu Truck Terminal site in Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, move into full swing, lifting expectations for higher asset values and sales profits. The Yongsan Najin site is aiming to break ground in October, with office facilities and high-end officetels planned, and some presales expected to begin from year-end. The truck terminal site is being pursued as a mixed-use complex combining an urban fulfillment facility with commercial, office and residential space. SK Securities said that in similar past cases, share prices tended to respond when sales profits began to materialize, suggesting the projects could become a catalyst. It added that Seobu T&D’s current valuation can be explained by hotel growth alone, and that the investment case could strengthen further if development gains are reflected.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:05:05