North Korea unveils upgraded solid-fuel ICBM engine, signaling push toward multiple-warhead capability SEOUL, March 29 (AJP) - North Korea disclosed a ground test of a new carbon-fiber solid-fuel engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile, showcasing a 26 percent leap in thrust as Pyongyang seeks to sharpen its nuclear deterrent amid widening U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The engine revealed Sunday generated a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons (kN), up from 1,971 kN recorded in a September 2024 test, the Korean Central News Agency reported. The upgraded powerplant is widely believed to be destined for the Hwasong-20, a new solid-fuel ICBM Pyongyang has been developing. Analysts say the thrust increase points less toward extending range — the North is already assessed to field ICBMs capable of reaching the U.S. mainland — and more toward enabling a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warhead configuration. A MIRVed ICBM can strike several targets simultaneously, making interception far more difficult. The test came about a month into the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, whose own multi-warhead ballistic missiles have penetrated allied missile defense shields to hit targets. With Washington also having moved against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, Pyongyang appears intent on reminding the United States that it possesses strategic weapons capable of striking the American homeland. North Korea has not launched an ICBM since the Hwasong-19 flight on Oct. 31, 2024, and has refrained from direct criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, leaving a narrow diplomatic channel open. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies are "closely monitoring" the North's weapons development activities. 2026-03-29 09:56:05

South Korea routed 4-0 by Ivory Coast in World Cup-year friendly, hits post three times Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup year with a lopsided loss, falling 4-0 to Ivory Coast in a friendly at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, on March 28 (Korea time). South Korea, ranked 22nd by FIFA, had won three straight friendlies last year — beating Paraguay 2-0 in October, then Bolivia 2-0 and Ghana 1-0 in November — but struggled throughout against Ivory Coast’s pressure and conceded four times. Ivory Coast is ranked 37th. The all-time series between the teams is now 1-1. The match was also South Korea’s 1,000th men’s A international. The first came in August 1948, a 5-3 win over Mexico in the London Olympics round of 16. South Korea’s overall record stands at 542 wins, 245 draws and 213 losses. Using a three-back system, South Korea hit the post three times. In the 19th minute of the first half, Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) fired a left-footed shot off a forward pass from Seol Young-woo (Crvena zvezda), but the ball struck the frame. South Korea fell behind in the 35th minute after Cho Yu-min (Sharjah), playing as the right-sided defender, was beaten by Marcial Godo (Strasbourg). The move ended with a goal by Evan Guessand (Crystal Palace). Seol then hit the right post with a long-range attempt in the 43rd minute, and South Korea conceded again three minutes later when Simon Adingra (AS Monaco) dribbled past defenders and scored with a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area. In the 17th minute of the second half, Yang Hyeon-jun (Celtic) headed a ball toward South Korea’s goal area on a corner, but it went to an Ivory Coast player and Godo scored to make it 3-0. South Korea’s Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), on as a substitute, struck the right post with a sharp left-footed shot in the 31st minute as South Korea pushed for a response. South Korea conceded a fourth in stoppage time on a counterattack, with Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray) finishing after a pass from Amad Diallo (Manchester United). South Korea will travel to Vienna to play Austria at 3:45 a.m. April 1 in its second March A-match friendly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-29 01:42:00

Fire Near Gyeongbokgung’s Sambimun Gate Put Out in 15 Minutes; Minor Damage Reported A small fire near Jaseondang Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace damaged parts of a nearby doorway, including a pillar and door, but did not spread further. The Korea Heritage Service said the fire started around 5:35 a.m. March 28 at a side door near Sambimun Gate in front of Jaseondang Hall. A safety officer on patrol spotted smoke and used a fire extinguisher and a hydrant to put out the flames in about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. Officials said the fire was contained before it could spread, but one auxiliary pillar of the side door and part of a crossbeam were burned or scorched. In a text alert, the agency said a joint review with the fire department and other authorities indicated the blaze was believed to have started spontaneously. It said no suspicious activity was detected nearby, and no cigarette butts or flammable materials were found. The exact ignition point and how the fire began have not been confirmed. 2026-03-28 19:33:13

Chef Son Jong-won draws buzz with crisp first pitch at SSG home opener Son Jong-won, head chef at Eatanic Garden and La Mange Secrete and a cast member of Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars 2,” drew attention after taking the mound for a KBO season opener. SSG Landers selected Son as the ceremonial first-pitch thrower for its 2026 home opening game against the KIA Tigers on Friday at Incheon SSG Landers Field. The ballpark hosted fan events and cheering programs that added to a festive atmosphere. Son drew cheers with what spectators described as a sharp uniform look, a clean throwing motion and steady posture. Before the pitch, he said, “It’s an honor to throw out the first pitch for the opener, and I hope SSG carries good energy through the season and wins the championship.” Online commenters praised the moment, writing, “His form is almost like a player,” “Isn’t he a pitcher, not a chef?” and “Perfect from the visuals to the first pitch.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 19:24:17

Jungkook’s TikTok Follow of aespa Rekindles Rumors Linking Him to Winter Reports that BTS member Jungkook followed girl group aespa on TikTok have resurfaced online rumors linking him to aespa member Winter.  On social media and online communities, users said they spotted Jungkook following aespa’s official TikTok account. The activity prompted renewed discussion of earlier dating rumors involving Winter. The two previously faced speculation that they were dating. Online posts claimed they wore matching fashion items such as shoes and even got couple tattoos, drawing attention from fans. Photos also circulated showing Jungkook attending an aespa concert during his military service. At the time, neither agency issued a clear statement, leading some fans to interpret the silence as tacit confirmation.  Reaction to the latest follow has been divided. Many commenters criticized Jungkook, saying he should have avoided actions that could reignite speculation, while others argued the relationship was already widely assumed and voiced support for the pair. BTS recently drew about 20,000 people to a comeback concert in Gwanghwamun. The group is set to begin a monthlong South American world tour in October.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 18:48:16

Kim Jong-un reaffirms closer ties with Beijing in message to Xi SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirming Pyongyang’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, state media reported Saturday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim sent a reply on Friday to Xi, who had congratulated him on his reappointment as chairman of North Korea’s State Affairs Commission. Kim expressed “deep thanks,” saying he felt the “invariable support and emotion of friendship” from Xi and the Chinese government toward him, his party and North Korea’s government. Referring to what he described as key agreements reached during a North Korea-China summit held last September on the sidelines of China’s 80th Victory Day parade, Kim said he was pleased that the “traditional DPRK-China relations are being put on a new high stage in keeping with the aspiration and desire of the two parties and the peoples of the two countries.” He also stressed that North Korea’s position remains firm in continuing to deepen and develop bilateral cooperation centered on socialism. Kim further expressed confidence that China, under Xi’s leadership, would achieve “fresh progress” in building a modern socialist state. North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s parliament, reappointed Kim as chairman of the State Affairs Commission on March 22. Xi sent a congratulatory message on Thursday, saying that safeguarding, consolidating and developing China–North Korea relations is a consistent and unwavering policy of the Communist Party of China and the government. 2026-03-28 17:14:39

EDITORIAL: Tokenized securities are reshaping U.S. markets — Is Korea ready? SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - The U.S. capital market is once again attempting to reshape the backbone of financial infrastructure. This time, the catalyst is not artificial intelligence, but tokenized securities — asset tokenization built on blockchain technology. The Financial Times recently observed that tokenized stocks may succeed precisely because investors hardly notice the transition. In an opinion piece titled “Tokenised stocks are coming, and ideally nobody will notice,” the newspaper argued that real-time, blockchain-based settlement could transform trading infrastructure without dramatically changing the user experience. Industry leaders are echoing this view. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has repeatedly emphasized tokenization as a key evolution in capital markets, arguing that expanding access to investments through tokenization could modernize financial ownership structures. Meanwhile, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev has argued that token-based ownership could soon demonstrate advantages over traditional stock ownership, highlighting faster settlement and broader access. The core issue is not marketing hype but efficiency — speed, cost reduction and simplified market infrastructure. Today’s stock trading is digital, yet it still relies on multiple intermediaries and layered record-keeping systems, resulting in delayed settlement. Blockchain-based tokenized assets, by contrast, could theoretically enable near-instant settlement and 24-hour trading. What matters most is that major exchanges are already moving. Nasdaq received approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March to allow certain securities to trade in tokenized form. Initially, the program will cover companies within the Russell 1000 index and major ETFs, with settlement conducted through the Depository Trust Company, integrating blockchain into existing infrastructure. The New York Stock Exchange is taking a different approach. NYSE recently partnered with digital asset firm Securitize to develop a blockchain-based platform for tokenized securities. The proposed system aims to enable round-the-clock trading, instant settlement and even the use of stablecoins for transactions. London is not standing still either. The London Stock Exchange Group announced plans to develop an on-chain settlement service called the Digital Securities Depository, designed to support tokenized bonds, equities and private market assets. The first deliverables are expected in 2026, pending regulatory approval. This signals that tokenization is no longer an experiment within the crypto industry. Traditional exchanges and financial institutions are now competing to shape the next generation of capital market infrastructure. However, the future is not without risks. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring investor protection. Tokenized securities can blur the boundaries of ownership, custody and settlement finality. If investor rights are not clearly defined, trust in markets could erode quickly — as seen in past financial crises. Critics also note that some tokenized securities currently available in global markets resemble price-tracking instruments rather than actual shares, lacking full shareholder rights such as dividends or voting power. The real challenge, therefore, is not whether tokenization happens, but whether it can be implemented without weakening investor protections. Where does Korea stand? Despite active discussions around digital assets, Korea has been slower to address how tokenization could reshape capital market infrastructure. Tokenized securities should not be viewed merely as another financial product. They represent a fundamental redesign of issuance, custody, settlement, disclosure and investor protection. The direction emerging from the United States is clear. First, regulated exchanges must take the lead. Second, regulators must allow controlled experimentation. Third, the goal must be market efficiency — not speculative hype. Korea’s task is equally clear. The Korea Exchange, Korea Securities Depository, brokerages, banks, asset managers and fintech firms should jointly develop a roadmap for tokenized securities infrastructure. This does not mean immediately tokenizing listed equities. A phased approach — beginning with private securities, private debt, fund shares and alternative assets — would allow regulators to build safeguards gradually. Financial history often changes quietly. When markets transitioned from paper to digital records, investors did not immediately grasp the magnitude of change. Tokenization may follow the same path. But by the time the shift becomes visible, the infrastructure leadership may already be decided. The digital tokenization of U.S. securities markets is not merely an American experiment. It is a competition to define the future standard of global capital markets. If the era of tokenized securities truly arrives, Korea should not be a spectator — but a designer. 2026-03-28 16:23:50

BTS sets Latin America tour across five cities in October SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - BTS will embark on a Latin America leg of its world tour in October, performing across five cities, the group’s agency said Saturday. Big Hit Music released detailed schedules for the “Arirang” world tour in Latin America, with concerts set to begin in Bogotá on Oct. 2–3. The tour will then continue to Lima on Oct. 9–10, Santiago on Oct. 16–17, Buenos Aires on Oct. 23–24, and São Paulo on Oct. 28 and 30–31, for a total of 11 shows. The concerts will mark BTS’s first full-group performances in Colombia, Peru and Argentina. Member Jin previously appeared as a guest during Coldplay’s world tour concert in Buenos Aires in 2022. The world tour will kick off on April 9 at Goyang Stadium in Goyang. According to the agency, all 46 shows across South Korea, Japan, North America and Europe have already sold out. BTS returned as a full group on March 21 after nearly four years. The group held a special comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square the following day, drawing about 22,000 fans. 2026-03-28 15:43:45

KBO League Opens 2026 Season With Sellouts at All Five Ballparks Marking its 45th anniversary, South Korean professional baseball opened the 2026 season with strong turnout from the first day. The KBO League said 105,878 fans attended the season openers held March 28 at five ballparks nationwide. It was the third-largest opening-day total on record, behind 2019 (114,021) and 2025 (109,950). All five stadiums sold out. The first sellout came at Incheon SSG Landers Field for the KIA Tigers-SSG Landers game, where all 23,000 seats were gone by 10 a.m. The Daejeon game between the Kiwoom Heroes and Hanwha Eagles also sold out about two hours before first pitch. Sellouts followed at Jamsil for kt wiz-LG Twins, in Daegu for the Lotte Giants-Samsung Lions game, and in Changwon for Doosan Bears-NC Dinos. The league has now recorded sellouts at all opening-day venues for four straight years. After topping 10 million in total attendance in back-to-back seasons — about 10.88 million in 2024 and about 12.31 million in 2025 — the KBO is on track to reach the mark for a third consecutive year. Before the season began, exhibition games drew more than 440,000 fans, setting a record and adding to expectations for strong interest this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 15:42:00

BTS to Tour South America in October With 11 Shows in Five Cities BTS will launch a South American leg of its world tour in October, with 11 concerts across five cities, its agency said. According to the detailed schedule released on the 28th for the “World Tour ‘ARIRANG’ in Latin America,” the group will open in Bogota, Colombia, on Oct. 2-3, then play Lima, Peru, on Oct. 9-10; Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 16-17; Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 23-24; and Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30-31. The agency said it will be the first time BTS visits Colombia, Peru and Argentina as a full group. The agency also said all 46 dates on BTS’ world tour — starting with an April 9 show at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province and continuing through Japan, North America and Europe — have sold out. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 15:18:15