Fuel prices spike due to war in Middle East SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Gasoline and diesel prices at gas stations across South Korea on Thursday have increased sharply following airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel late last month. The nationwide average gasoline price has surpassed 1,800 won ($1.2) per liter for the first time in three years and seven months. It is the first time the national average has exceeded the 1,800-won mark since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel prices have also crossed the 1,800-won threshold. The nationwide average diesel price rose to 1,811.03 won per liter, up 82.26 won from the previous day. It marks the first time in about three years and three months that diesel prices have exceeded 1,800 won, since Dec. 12, 2022, when they stood at 1,807.38 won. 2026-03-05 17:10:50

CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun to Star in Interactive Short-Form Drama ‘Kill the Romeo,’ Due in March CRAVITY member Hyeongjun will make his acting debut as the lead in Kitts’ first interactive short-form drama, “Kill the Romeo,” set for release in March. The interactive, multi-ending romantic comedy begins when the narrator — a professional killer whose alter ego is a devoted fan — is assigned a new target: the narrator’s favorite idol. The story opens with an A-list assassin receiving a new mission, only to learn the target is the idol “Hyeongjun,” the person the assassin loves most. Shot in a first-person, interactive FMV (full motion video) format, the drama changes the character’s fate and ending depending on viewers’ choices. Hyeongjun appears as an idol character who shares his name, taking his first step into acting. In the drama, “Hyeongjun” is the center of a popular group and the assassin’s top idol — known for a warm, upbeat personality and a considerate, attentive side. At a fan-sign event, he learns he is the assassin’s target and is left in shock, with outcomes that vary based on the viewer’s decisions. Kitts is expanding its lineup with “Kill the Romeo,” following “Wind Up,” starring NCT’s Jeno and Jaemin, and “Jumpboy LIVE,” starring VERIVERY’s Kangmin. The company said it plans to strengthen competitiveness with premium short-form dramas and FMV content. The drama uses a first-person viewpoint to heighten immersion and builds multiple branching points tailored to the interactive format. Viewers step into the role of a killer torn between protecting or killing a favorite idol, with each decision directly affecting the story’s direction and ending. Production on “Kill the Romeo” has wrapped, and the project is now in postproduction, the company said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 17:09:09

War in Middle East echoes through Seoul SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The war unfolding across the Middle East may be thousands of miles away from Seoul, but its shockwaves are being felt sharply in the capital of South Korea. Rockets are flying across borders in the region with no sign of the conflict abating. On the far eastern edge of the globe, the repercussions are unfolding in diplomatic halls, financial markets and even gas stations across the South Korean capital. A Tale of Two Embassies At 10 a.m. Thursday, Iran’s ambassador stepped to the microphone inside the Iranian Embassy in Itaewon. “The attack is a clear violation of international law,” the ambassador said, unleashing a sharp denunciation of Israel and the United States. The briefing ran long. What had been scheduled as a short press conference stretched well past noon as journalists pressed for answers on Iran’s next move and the risk of a wider war. Yet even before the Iranian envoy finished speaking, another diplomatic confrontation was already unfolding across the city. At 11 a.m., Israel’s ambassador faced reporters at the HJ Business Center near Gwanghwamun. “We could no longer tolerate Iran’s nuclear threat,” he said, defending the strikes and accusing Tehran of destabilizing the region. Two ambassadors. Two narratives. On the same day, in the same city, each laying out opposing justifications for a war that shows little sign of diplomatic resolution. Markets Reeling, Government Scrambling While diplomats traded accusations, South Korean authorities were scrambling to contain financial turmoil triggered by the Middle East conflict. Emergency meetings stretched across government agencies after Seoul’s stock market suffered one of its steepest sell-offs in decades. President Lee Jae Myung ordered the immediate deployment of a 100 trillion won ($68 billion) market stabilization program, while instructing regulators to crack down on oil hoarding and price manipulation. The measures helped trigger a dramatic rebound. On Thursday, the KOSPI surged 9.63 percent, recovering much of the previous session’s historic drop of more than 12 percent. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ jumped about 14 percent, reversing an equally steep fall. The Korean won also stabilized slightly, with the dollar trading around 1,466 won after briefly approaching 1,480 the previous day. Oil Shock Reaches the Streets The ripple effects were not confined to financial markets. As global oil prices surged — with Brent crude rising above $81 a barrel — gas stations across Seoul began raising prices through the afternoon. South Korea imports more than 70 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East, making the country particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic shipping lane through which much of that oil passes. The spike in energy prices, combined with a weaker currency, threatens to push up import costs across the economy. A War 3,700 Miles Away — Felt at Home Analysts warn that if the conflict expands or disrupts energy flows through the Gulf, the economic impact could deepen quickly for Asia’s fourth-largest economy. For many Seoul residents, the geopolitical crisis came into focus not through diplomatic statements or market charts, but through everyday costs — the price displayed on a gas pump or the volatility flashing on a smartphone trading app. At the very moment the two ambassadors traded sharp accusations in Gwanghwamun and Itaewon, motorists across the city were watching fuel prices climb. A war more than 3,700 miles away had suddenly become impossible to ignore. 2026-03-05 17:06:02

Dozens of South Korean tourists return home after being stranded in Middle East SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - Some 36 South Korean tourists returned home on Thursday after being stranded amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The tourists, who were traveling on a package tour arranged by the country's largest travel agency Hana Tour, arrived at Incheon International Airport via Taipei at around 3:40 p.m. after being stuck in Dubai due to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)' closure of its airports following last week's U.S.-led airstrikes against Iran under the military operation of "Operation Epic Fury." Another 39 tourists are also expected to return home later in the day after boarding an alternative flight arranged by their travel agency Mode Tour. Some 330 South Korean tourists and visitors remain in Dubai, while those in other Middle Eastern cities, such as Cairo in Egypt and Amman in Jordan have reportedly returned without major disruptions. Meanwhile, government authorities here are continuing to assist South Korean nationals in the Middle East after about 140 nationals and embassy staff who had been staying in Iran and Israel were safely evacuated to neighboring countries like Egypt and Turkmenistan earlier this week. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 20,000 South Korean nationals including some 4,000 short-term visitors, are currently in around a dozen Middle Eastern countries. 2026-03-05 17:05:43

BTS Comeback D-16: South Korea to launch anti-scalping system ahead of BTS comeback concert SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - South Korean authorities are rolling out a dedicated counter-scalping system to protect fans ahead of the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed the plan following a surge in illegal ticket trading for the high-profile event. Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called ticket scalping a "chronic disease" during a press briefing on February 12. The minister said that the government is monitoring the situation with extra care because free events, like the "BTS The Comeback Live: ARIRANG" show, often see even more aggressive resale activity than paid concerts. The ministry is coordinating its response through a specialized subcommittee of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee. This group includes officials from the ministry and HYBE, the management agency for BTS. The culture minister noted that while the government has developed specific countermeasures, it will not reveal the technical details to prevent scalpers from finding ways to bypass the new safeguards. The concert is expected to draw a crowd of about 15,000 to the landmark civic square in Seoul. Although the tickets are free, concerns are high that prices on the black market could skyrocket. During the group’s 2022 concert held in the southern port city of Busan, tickets for the free show reportedly reached prices as high as 4 million won ($2,731). According to data from the Korea Creative Content Agency, suspected online scalping cases have skyrocketed from 6,237 in 2020 to more than 259,000 as of August 2025. Approximately 75 percent of the cases reported in 2024 involved music performances, with many scalpers using automated "macro" software to snatch up tickets the moment they are released. To combat this, the South Korean government passed amendments to the Public Performance Act on January 29. The new rules ban the use of macro programs for ticket purchases and allow the state to confiscate profits from illegal sales. Violators could face fines up to 50 times the amount of the original resale price, though the law will not be fully enforced until later this year. The crackdown also involves tax authorities, who recently identified 17 high-volume professional scalpers. These individuals, who included public-sector employees and business owners, allegedly moved more than 20 billion won worth of tickets through illegal channels. Minister Choi said the government will lead a public campaign to discourage ticket hoarding and illegal sales before the new legal penalties take full effect. He stated that the goal is to see a significant reduction in scalping during the busy autumn performance season. 2026-03-05 16:59:00

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra wins 'Best in Show' at MWC 2026 SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26 Ultra was awarded the 'Best in Show' title at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, on Thursday. The award is part of the annual Global Mobile Awards hosted by the GSMA. It is widely regarded as a top honor at the exhibition, as the winner is selected by a specialized judging panel consisting of global analysts, journalists, and influencers. The accolade is given to the most innovative product leading the industry among numerous exhibits. Launched on the 26th of last month, the Galaxy S26 Ultra was recognized for integrating advanced hardware with its One UI 8.5 software to deliver enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy features. The device is powered by a dedicated Galaxy chipset designed to accelerate mobile AI experiences. Additionally, the smartphone features the world's first 'Privacy Display,' an engineering technology that protects user data without compromising screen clarity. "It is an honor for the Galaxy S26 Ultra to win 'Best in Show,' the highest exhibition product award, at this year's Global Mobile Awards," said Choi Seung-eun, Executive Vice President and Head of Marketing for Samsung's Mobile eXperience (MX) Business. "The Galaxy S26 Ultra is an agentic AI phone that concentrates Samsung Electronics' capabilities, and we will continue to drive mobile innovation that pushes technological boundaries". 2026-03-05 16:38:22

Korea Tightens Delisting Rules, Raising Risks for Low-Priced Pharma Stocks Tighter delisting requirements are heightening anxiety across South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech sector, particularly among smaller drugmakers that have posted losses for years and now trade below 1,000 won a share. Industry officials said March 5 that starting in July, any stock that stays below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive trading days will be designated an “issue for administration.” If it then fails to recover for at least 45 trading days within 90 days, it must enter delisting procedures. The single-price threshold effectively strengthens oversight of so-called “penny stocks.” Joa Pharmaceutical and Kyungnam Pharmaceutical are among companies currently trading below 1,000 won per share. Drugmakers typically must invest in research and development before generating revenue from successful commercialization. New-drug development generally requires spending more than 10% to 15% of sales on R&D, and shares often plunge when planned technology-transfer deals fall through. That makes it difficult to judge companies solely on short-term earnings or price-to-earnings ratios, industry officials said. “The pharmaceutical business has characteristics that make it hard to evaluate only by short-term performance or PER,” one industry official said. “We need to consider whether a single standard like share price sufficiently reflects a company’s intrinsic value.” Others argue the risks are not only structural. Some companies have accumulated firm-specific problems such as aging brands, a lack of new growth engines and unstable management, another industry official said. “Companies that failed to move beyond brand dependence or delayed restructuring will be hit hardest by the tighter rules,” the official said. Joa Pharmaceutical has posted losses for seven straight years. Its business is weighted toward over-the-counter drugs and relies on a pharmacy sales network. It operates a network through its subsidiary Medipharm, which runs about 1,000 franchised pharmacies nationwide, but it has not shown clear results in securing new growth drivers, according to the assessment in the industry.Kyungnam Pharmaceutical has strong brand recognition centered on its vitamin C product Lemona. But its revenue is concentrated in a single brand, a structural limitation often cited. The company has recently expanded its inner-beauty product lineup, but a new growth engine that could replace Lemona has yet to take hold. Repeated management changes and recurring talk of a sale have also weighed on investor sentiment. Its largest shareholder, Humasis, also trades below 1,000 won, and market concerns about financial stability have not fully eased. Some in the industry said the new rules could become a turning point that separates stronger and weaker smaller drugmakers. Even accounting for the R&D-heavy nature of the sector, the market is demanding both financial soundness and credible growth strategies, they said. “The intent is reasonable as a warning to companies that have settled for the domestic market,” one official said. “The market will more strictly distinguish between companies with innovation capabilities and those without.” Still, some observers said a wave of delistings is unlikely. They expect selective restructuring or consolidation through mergers and acquisitions rather than broad removals. “Considering the market impact, a phased cleanup is more realistic than blanket delistings,” an industry official said. With profitability pressured by factors such as drug price cuts, companies may look to M&A for synergies or shift into higher-margin areas such as health functional foods, the official said. “If management stabilizes and R&D results become visible, it could be a turning point for corporate value,” the official added.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 16:36:10

BTS Comeback D-16: BTS teaser sparks global buzz ahead of 'ARIRANG' comeback SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - BTS ignited massive online buzz Thursday after releasing a teaser for its upcoming comeback performance "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE : ARIRANG," sending anticipation among global fans soaring ahead of the group’s long-awaited return. The K-pop sensation unveiled the trailer across its major social media platforms, quickly drawing millions of views and reactions from fans worldwide. The video opens with the roar of ARMY, BTS’ global fanbase, echoing from past concerts. The familiar sound sets the tone for what many fans view as a symbolic reunion between the band and its supporters. Scenes of Gyeongbokgung Palace — one of Seoul’s most iconic historic landmarks — appear throughout the teaser, blending traditional Korean imagery with BTS’ modern global identity. At the center of the trailer is a message from leader RM: "We promised our fans that we’d be back." The screen then flashes bold phrases such as "THE WORLD’S BIGGEST BAND IS BACK" and "WITNESS THE HOMECOMING," underscoring the scale and symbolism of the group’s return. The teaser rapidly gained traction online shortly after its release. On YouTube, the video garnered more than 32,000 views, 6,100 likes and 496 comments as of 4:30 p.m. (0730 GMT), seven hours after the initial upload. Engagement was even stronger across social media platforms. The teaser post on X generated about 4.1 million views, 211,000 likes, 141,000 reposts and roughly 8,600 comments. On Instagram, it collected more than 2.03 million likes and over 77,000 comments, highlighting the group’s massive global reach. Fans flooded comment sections with messages celebrating the group’s return, "Not everyone will understand why this feels so emotional. But if you’ve been here for years, you know this isn’t just a trailer. BTS don’t just release music, they release memories, healing, and pieces of our lives. Years later they still give the same feeling, excitement, pride, and little bit of tears," the YouTube comment posted by "Anusha15-1" gained over 4.1 thousand likes in five hours, with many noting that a performance in Seoul’s historic center adds symbolic weight to the comeback. "THE SHOT OF THEM WALKING WITH LIGHTED LAMPS IN THEIR HANDS LOOKED SO COOL!!" said "berryberryblueberryy" on YouTube. A teaser poster released alongside the video shows the silhouettes of all seven members standing before Gwanghwamun, reinforcing the theme of reunion. BTS is expected to release its fifth studio album "ARIRANG" on March 20. The following evening, the group will hold a major comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The concert will be streamed worldwide through Netflix, making it one of the platform’s most high-profile live music broadcasts. The show will be directed by Hamish Hamilton, known for staging global events such as the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony and the Super Bowl halftime show since 2010. The album’s title track, "SWIM," reflects on moving forward through life’s waves rather than being swept away by them. RM participated in writing the song, adding a personal narrative to the project. For BTS, the teaser signals more than the release of new music. It marks the beginning of a long-awaited reunion with fans around the world. 2026-03-05 16:33:55

ABL Bio to Join East-West Biopharma Summit; Dongkook Launches Centellian24 Ampoule; Medytox Promotions ABL Bio to attend East-West Biopharma Summit ABL Bio said March 5 it will attend the 5th East-West Biopharma Summit: Seoul, set for March 9-11. The event is co-hosted by global biotech publication BioCentury and biopharma executive network BayHelix, with McKinsey & Company participating as an insights partner. The summit brings together pharmaceutical and biotech industry officials to share insights on global markets and explore new business opportunities. Companies expected to attend include Eli Lilly, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck (MSD) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). ABL Bio CEO Lee Sang-hoon is scheduled to join the “Deal Maker Showcase” session on March 10 as a panelist. He plans to discuss key strategies for successful technology-transfer deals with global companies, along with lessons learned from negotiations, including missteps. The company said it also plans business development talks with global firms and will seek partnership opportunities. Dongkook Pharmaceutical launches Centellian24 ‘Expert Madeca Mela Capture Toning Shot Ampoule’ Dongkook Pharmaceutical said March 5 it will release a new “mela-proof” ampoule under its dermacosmetic brand Centellian24, called the “Expert Madeca Mela Capture Toning Shot Ampoule.” The company said the product is the latest version of its “Expert Madeca Mela Capture Ampoule,” which has sold more than 21 million units cumulatively since its 2019 launch. The new product applies a “mela-proof” solution designed to manage multiple factors that accelerate melanin production. The company said it showed results indicating skin temperature dropped by about 6.68 degrees Celsius immediately after use, and it was designed to address melanin concerns linked to ultraviolet exposure and skin heat. Dongkook said it combined its key ingredient, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica (TECA), with its patented melanin-related ingredient “MELA-WHITE,” and applied a three-step ultra-low-temperature cooling method, “Mela Freeze,” that goes down to minus 120 degrees Celsius. The company said the resulting proprietary ingredient, “SNOW-TECA,” is included at 20,000 ppm. Medytox group carries out 2026 promotions Medytox said March 5 it carried out employee promotions for 2026. In the reshuffle, Kim Hak-woo was promoted from director to managing director. The company said Kim earned a master’s degree from Yonsei University and has worked at Medytox for 25 years, overseeing operations at the Osong Plant 3 and the Ochang Plant 1. Kim Min-ju, a department head at affiliate Newmeco, was also promoted to director. Medytox Group said a total of 114 employees were promoted across research, production, sales, clinical, regulatory affairs and management functions for strong performance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 16:33:00

Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group Chair Song Young-sook Apologizes Over Sexual Misconduct Controversy Song Young-sook, chair of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group, issued a formal apology over a recently raised sexual misconduct controversy and reiterated the company’s commitment to an independent, board-led governance structure under a professional management system. In a statement released on the 5th, Song said that as a family member of the company’s founder and one of its major shareholders, she feels a heavy responsibility for failing to prevent the situation. She apologized “sincerely” to the person harmed by the sexual misconduct case and to employees who she said would have felt deep disappointment. “Anyone, regardless of position, who engaged in inappropriate conduct must offer an apology and show a responsible attitude,” she said, adding that only “genuine remorse and reflection” can open a path back to unity. Song also referred to the ongoing in-house placard protests by some employees. She said watching staff continue the daily demonstrations made her feel devastated, as it suggested her pledge to be a reliable support for their lives had not been fully kept. She used the episode to restate Hanmi’s governance principles. “Hanmi is not a company that any one individual can run with full authority,” she said. She described the “advanced professional management system” promised to customers and shareholders as a principle designed to respect professional managers’ roles and authority and to ensure independent management centered on the board. Song added that major shareholders should support sound direction rather than intervene directly in management, calling it a management philosophy emphasized by the late Chairman Lim Seong-gi and the path Hanmi should pursue. On preventing a recurrence, she urged professional managers across group affiliates to overhaul systems and internal controls to make them fairer and more transparent. Song said the group’s driving force is the unity of its employees, rooted in Lim’s spirit of “respect for humanity.” As group chair, she said, she will hold the line so the company can regain trust.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 16:30:00