BTS Live D-4: Gwanghwamun transforming into a mega open-air stage SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) -Seoul is turning its historic heart into a carefully controlled arena as nearly 260,000 fans are expected to gather for BTS’s return concert at Gwanghwamun on March 21. At the center of the plan is a transformation of open city streets into a “stadium-style” venue. Thirty-one official entry gates—stretching from the west (W1–W15) to the east (E1–E16)—will funnel crowds into designated zones, preventing dangerous overcrowding in one of the capital’s busiest districts. Security begins early. From 7 a.m., every gate will be equipped with metal detectors to screen bags and block hazardous items. Even those who enter earlier will face additional handheld scanning—an uncommon level of scrutiny for a public concert, reflecting heightened global security concerns. Beyond the square, the city itself bends to the event. Major arteries including Sejong-daero will be shut for up to 33 hours, with nearby roads closing in phases throughout the day. Police will deploy 6,500 personnel across crowd control, traffic management and counterterrorism units. The result is a rare moment when a pop concert reshapes urban space—turning Gwanghwamun from a civic landmark into a tightly managed live venue, built not with walls, but with people, planning and precision. 2026-03-17 16:25:55

Activists rally in Seoul to oppose warship dispatch to Middle East SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - Civic activists held a rally at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on Tuesday to oppose the possible dispatch of warships to the Strait of Hormuz as well as the deployment of South Korean troops to the Middle East. They chanted with banners and stickers reading "no war" and "no deployment," urging an end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which began with U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran late last month. 2026-03-17 16:25:19

Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea to use Ivory Coast, Austria friendlies as final World Cup audition With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America about three months away, competition inside Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea squad is intensifying. Hong has repeatedly stressed that the final roster is not set, setting up what amounts to a last-round audition for players seeking a World Cup place. South Korea (No. 22 in the FIFA rankings) will play Ivory Coast (No. 37) at 11 p.m. March 28 (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. The team then faces Austria (No. 24) at 3:45 a.m. April 1 at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. The two-match European swing is South Korea’s final full-scale test before the World Cup roster is finalized. The opponents were chosen with group-stage preparation in mind: Ivory Coast as a tune-up for South Africa, South Korea’s third group opponent, and Austria as a stand-in for the winner of Europe’s playoff Group D, a potential first-match opponent. Group D currently includes Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland, with the team that will be placed into Group A to be decided through European playoffs later this month. Even so, Hong said the door is not completely closed for players who miss this camp. At a news conference March 16 at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, he said, “The final roster hasn’t been decided right now. I want to pick the players who show the best form in May and take them to the World Cup,” adding, “If they show good form in April and May, they can come back into the national team.” The fiercest battle is at wingback, the role responsible for both attack and defense on the flanks in Hong’s three-back system. Hong has been testing the setup as part of World Cup preparations, using it since the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship last July and in every A-match window since: a 2-0 win over the United States and a 2-2 draw with Mexico in September, a 5-0 loss to Brazil and a 2-0 win over Paraguay in October, and a 1-0 win over Ghana in November. In attack, South Korea kept three defenders back; in defense, it dropped into a five-man back line and looked to counterattack. Among the 27 players called in, wingback options include Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda), Jens Castrop (Borussia Moenchengladbach) and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen). Lee Myung-jae, who had recently played as the team’s left wingback, was not selected because of injury. Yang is the standout returnee, back in the national team for the first time in about nine months since June. He has been in strong form for Celtic, scoring eight goals in 37 official matches this season. On March 15, he scored twice against Motherwell to lead a 3-1 league win. Yang’s appeal is versatility. A natural wide attacker, he has also played right wingback to meet his club’s tactical needs, pairing aggressive dribbling with improved defensive work. Hong called him an increasingly attractive option for a system that demands flexibility. “Yang Hyun-jun showed good things as a wingback under Celtic’s previous coaching staff,” Hong said. “His performance is much better than the last time he was called up. He’s scoring well, too.” Castrop’s role shift is another key storyline. Previously viewed mainly as a central midfielder for South Korea, he appears set to enter the wingback competition starting with this March window. He has started on both flanks as a wingback in Bundesliga matches for Borussia Moenchengladbach, with his work rate, physical play and willingness to join attacks seen as even more effective out wide. On using Castrop at wingback, Hong said, “Right now Castrop is playing wingback for his club. He isn’t playing full 90 minutes consistently, but he’s playing more than 60 minutes. He isn’t training as a central midfielder, so it’s a situation worth testing (him at wingback).” In midfield, injuries to established players are forcing broader experimentation in the two friendlies. Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) suffered a season-ending knee cruciate ligament injury, and Won Du-jae (Khor Fakkan) is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Key midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) has also become uncertain to join the squad, increasing the urgency to find new combinations. Candidates for new midfield pairings include Hong Hyun-seok (Gent), recalled after about 16 months, and Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC), selected as a midfielder after previously being categorized as a defender. “We needed an attacking midfielder. Hong Hyun-seok can play central midfield and also as a wide attacker,” Hong said. “Park Jin-seop, after his transfer, has been playing as a defensive midfielder in a system that uses two midfielders. He should be able to adapt well to the national team’s tactics.” Kwon Hyuk-kyu (Karlsruhe) is also in the mix for the defensive midfield role. Hong pointed to the 191-centimeter player’s physical profile and defensive value, saying, “We don’t have many tall players on the national team. When we’re leading and the opponent tries long balls, we don’t have a player to deal with it. I expect that kind of defensive role from Kwon Hyuk-kyu.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 16:15:20

SK hynix eyes US ADR listing SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - SK hynix is considering a U.S. stock-market listing in a bid to woo global investors, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said on Monday. Choi, who is currently attending Nvidia's annual GTC conference in San Jose, told reporters, "We are reviewing a listing via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to expand the company's investor base." ADRs allow non-U.S. companies to trade their shares on U.S. stock exchanges through depositary banks rather than by listing shares directly, making it easier for investors to purchase foreign stocks. Global chipmakers such as Taiwan's TSMC, use ADRs to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and attract international investors. Chey's remarks appear to be part of efforts to raise SK hynix's profile among global investors, as the chipmaker's valuation remains relatively low despite its leading position in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, a key component used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, compared with global rivals such as Micron. It is nothing new, as SK Hynix has previously said on several occasions that it is exploring ways to enhance corporate value including a potential U.S. listing. Chey warned of sharp swings in DRAM prices due to surging AI demand and pledged that the company will soon come up with measures to stabilize them. At this year's GTC, which brings together industry leaders and developers to discuss the latest technological trends and runs until Thursday, SK hynix unveiled the world's first 16-layer stack of its sixth-generation HBM, known as HBM4, along with other next-generation memory solutions, showcasing its partnership with Nvidia. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited SK Hynix's booth while discussing cooperation with Chey, under their so-called "HBM alliance." 2026-03-17 16:08:55

Korean Banks Tighten Dollar Liquidity Controls as Won Nears 1,500 per Dollar Geopolitical risks tied to the Middle East have pushed the won-dollar exchange rate to hover around 1,500 won per dollar, prompting South Korean banks to tighten management of foreign-currency funding. Foreign-currency liquidity indicators are not yet at dangerous levels, but banks are raising their guard because further moves in the exchange rate could quickly affect capital adequacy. According to the financial sector on Monday, the foreign-currency liquidity coverage ratio, or LCR, at the five major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — stood at 142.73% to 203.55% as of the end of February. All five were well above the regulatory minimum of 80%. The foreign-currency LCR measures how much high-quality liquid foreign-currency assets a bank holds to meet expected net outflows over the next 30 days. A higher ratio indicates more stable foreign-currency liquidity. Even with ample room to manage foreign-currency assets, banks are reacting quickly as the won has seen unusually large swings, including a break above the psychologically important 1,500 level. In Seoul trading Monday, the won ended daytime trading at 1,493.6 per dollar, down 3.9 won from the previous session. The day before, it rose above 1,500 intraday for the first time in 17 years. Market participants broadly expect volatility to increase further depending on whether the war drags on and where international oil prices head. Sustained upward pressure on the exchange rate could weaken banks’ capital positions. A weaker won raises the won value of foreign-currency assets, increasing risk-weighted assets and putting downward pressure on the common equity Tier 1 ratio, or CET1. The industry generally estimates that a 10-won rise in the exchange rate lowers the CET1 ratio by about 0.02 percentage points. Financial groups are strengthening internal checks as volatility increases the burden on balance-sheet management. KB Financial Group said it is using hedges to minimize foreign-exchange translation gains and losses excluding investment profit and loss, and is managing exposure at the group level by considering each affiliate’s FX position. KB Kookmin Bank introduced a return on risk-weighted assets, or RoRWA, metric to help manage capital adequacy indicators such as CET1 and the BIS capital ratio. Shinhan Financial Group said it treats a rise of 2.5% from the previous day, or more than 5% within 10 days, as a crisis and has prepared response measures by threshold level. Hana Financial Group and Woori Financial Group are also operating emergency response systems to monitor foreign-currency liquidity and money-market conditions. “After the won-dollar rate moved above 1,500 and volatility increased, it will be hard to predict the market for some time,” a financial industry official said. “Groups will likely continue stepping up risk checks and preparing for the possibility of rising corporate funding demand.” 2026-03-17 16:06:00

KB Kookmin, Shinhan to Launch Online Refinancing for Sole Proprietor Credit Loans Online refinancing for sole proprietors’ credit loans is now allowed, and competition among banks is picking up.  According to the financial industry on the 17th, KB Kookmin Bank and Shinhan Bank will begin offering refinancing services for sole proprietors’ credit loans starting on the 18th.  At KB Kookmin Bank, the maximum loan amount eligible for refinancing is 300 million won through branches and 200 million won through non-face-to-face channels. All customers who refinance into KB Kookmin through non-face-to-face channels will receive a refinancing-only preferential rate discount of up to 0.3 percentage points. The service will be available at all KB Kookmin branches and via KB Star Banking, KB Business Star Banking and the mobile web. It will also be offered through major loan comparison platforms including Kakao Pay, Toss and Naver Pay. To mark the launch, KB Kookmin will run an event through May 15. Customers who move their loans to KB Kookmin via the non-face-to-face loan transfer service can receive cash support of up to 100,000 won from the interest paid in the first month. Shinhan Bank will also offer refinancing for sole proprietors’ credit loans starting on the 18th through its Shinhan SOL Bank app and loan comparison platforms.  Eligible applicants are sole proprietors age 19 or older with a business registration certificate, and the program covers working-capital credit loans of up to 100 million won. Some products, including loans tied to real estate rental businesses, are excluded. Shinhan said it plans to allow “increased refinancing,” letting borrowers raise their loan limit when they need additional funds while paying off an existing loan. Banks expect the expanded service to intensify competition in the sole proprietor finance market. The Financial Services Commission, based on past data, expects more than 1 trillion won in loans to move to more favorable terms through this refinancing program. A financial industry official said, “As loan comparison services expand, rate competition is bound to become more intense,” adding that companies are likely to step up customer promotions, including related events. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 15:21:00

BTS Live D-4 - Latest from Gwanghwamun SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - With BTS’s comeback performance four days away, large-scale stage installation is underway at Gwanghwamun Square, where equipment and structures are being assembled across multiple sections of the site. Heavy machinery and staging crews were seen operating near the main installation area, while nearby sidewalks and elevated vantage points filled with onlookers photographing and recording the preparations. Some visitors were observed using professional cameras and mobile devices to document the setup process as anticipation builds ahead of the event. Moreover, crowds have begun gathering at vantage points overlooking Gwanghwamun Square, where the stage is currently being installed. At the rooftop of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, which offers a clear view of the site, people were seen taking photos and recording videos as preparations for the concert continued. Crowds are gathering around Gwanghwamun Square to photograph and document the comeback story from stage construction phase, with some livestreaming preparations using DSLRs and action cameras. Rooftop vantage points overlooking the venue are filling up as fans treat the event as a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The influx is also being felt across nearby commercial districts. Currency exchange operators in Myeong-dong report a noticeable uptick in Japanese and Taiwanese tourists over the past week, while restaurants and takeaway chains are preparing for what some describe as an “unimaginable” surge in demand. Seoul city officials have launched a multilingual live information page covering transport changes, safety rules and venue logistics, signaling a full-scale readiness effort as the concert approaches. 2026-03-17 15:18:37

Cabinet approves bill to implement investment pledges under trade deal with US SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - A special bill outlining South Korea's massive investment pledges to the U.S. was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung at the government complex in the administrative city of Sejong on Tuesday. The approval comes about a week after the bill was passed at a plenary session in the National Assembly and roughly two months after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in January to raise reciprocal tariffs on South Korea from 15 percent back to 25 percent, complaining about delays in Seoul's legislative process for the trade deal. The bill would provide a legal framework to establish a fund for implementing bilateral agreements with the U.S., along with investment pledges of US$350 billion under a broader trade deal reached between the two countries last fall that includes $150 billion for shipbuilding and $200 billion for other key strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, and artificial intelligence. The fund will be created with a capital of 2 trillion won (US$1.34 billion), fully funded by the government, with the exact timing and method of the contribution to be set by presidential decree. The fund will be used for areas of mutual interest between the two countries as well as for loans and guarantees supporting shipbuilding-related projects. The bill shall take effect three months after its promulgation. 2026-03-17 15:17:45

Korea’s Hwarang Art Fair to Open at Record Scale With 169 Galleries South Korea’s longest-running art fair, the Hwarang Art Fair, will return this spring at its largest scale yet, with 169 leading domestic galleries taking part. Lee Seong-hoon, chairman of the Korea Galleries Association, said at a news conference Tuesday at the Seoul Press Center that the fair will “spotlight 19 artists through expanded solo booths.” He added, “We have prepared docent programs and special exhibitions so visitors can appreciate the works more deeply.” The fair, now in its 44th year, is widely seen as a bellwether for the country’s art market and a major event that helps set the tone for the year. It will run April 8-12 at COEX in Seoul. Tickets have been on sale since March 9 through the fair’s official website. Major galleries including Gana Art, Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Johyun Gallery, Hakgojae and PKM will participate, joined by newer galleries that opened after the 2010s, organizers said. Gallery Hyundai will show works by Dansaekhwa master Chung Sang-hwa, who died earlier this year, and by Lee Kang-so, regarded as a leading figure in experimental art. Samter Gallery will present works by Dansaekhwa masters Park Seo-bo and Yun Hyong-keun, along with pieces by young Chinese abstract painter Chen Lizhu. Kukje Gallery plans to show works by Zhang Peili, who held a solo exhibition at its Seoul space last year, as well as Korean Canadian artist Lotus Kang and emerging Korean artists including Park Jin-a, Kim Se-eun and Kim Young-na. Gallery Sklo will present works by Shin Sang-ho, described as a pioneer of contemporary ceramics, along with Lee Sang-min, Kim Nam-doo and Park Sung-hoon. Sun Gallery will show works by Woo Byung-yoon, and Keumsan Gallery will present works by Lee Yoon-jung. The association is also marking its 50th anniversary with added programming aimed at drawing more visitors. The “solo booth” section, launched last year and drawing strong interest, will feature 19 galleries focusing on a single artist each. Participating artists include Jung Hyun, Moon Hyung-tae, Gil Woo-jung, Woo Byung-chul, Huai Ying and Patrick Hughes. A separate special exhibition will look back at the Korea Galleries Association’s history and the evolution of the country’s art market. Organizers said it will display materials including the association’s magazine Hwarang Chunchu, early Hwarang Art Fair catalogs, press clippings on the art market and previously unreleased photographs. The exhibition will also feature interviews with seven former association chairmen, tracing the group’s growth, changes in the art market and key turning points. Meanwhile, the association will participate for a second straight year in Expo Chicago 2026, running April 9-12. Twelve major Korean galleries will present more than 250 works by artists representing contemporary Korean art. In Chicago, the second stop of the overseas traveling exhibition of the Lee Kun-hee Collection, titled “Korean National Treasures: Korean Art 2000 Years,” is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Lee said of the second consecutive year of participation that he felt “Korean galleries raised the level of the Chicago art fair.” He said the association is exploring ways to expand into overseas markets including Singapore. “It’s true that going overseas comes with a heavy financial burden,” he said, adding that he expects government support to expand once the Art Promotion Act takes effect. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 15:06:55

South Korea to Inspect 2,100 Restaurants Near BTS Event Sites Ahead of Comeback South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said March 17 it will conduct advance hygiene inspections and food-poisoning prevention outreach at about 2,100 restaurants near BTS comeback event sites, including Gwanghwamun, Namdaemun and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), through March 21. The ministry said the effort is aimed at raising sanitation standards ahead of an expected surge in visitors during the events and preventing consumer harm, including overcharging. Inspectors will focus on hygienic handling of food and kitchens, whether expired food is stored or used, and compliance with price-display rules, the ministry said. The ministry said it will also distribute sanitation supplies such as disinfectant and hygienic gloves to nearby restaurants and promote basic food-safety practices, including handwashing, to visitors. It said it plans to continue inspections around BTS concert venues in Goyang and Busan. The ministry said it will keep strengthening inspections of food and beverage facilities and education on preventing food poisoning to help ensure food-safety incidents do not occur at large gatherings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 14:27:00