Hyundai Motor-Kia AVP Chief Park Min-woo Urges Staff to Embrace Conflict as 'One Team' Park Min-woo, head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s AVP division, urged employees to keep a “one team” mindset even when disagreements arise. Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday that Park, who took office Feb. 23, met employees in a town hall meeting and told them, “There will be countless clashes and differences of opinion, but let’s not avoid them.” He added that conflict can be “positive friction” aimed at building the most complete product. Park stressed collaboration as “One Team,” saying real innovation will begin when the AVP division and 42dot work closely and when teams across the group — including R&D, design and product — actively share information and communicate. He urged employees to focus on “the best technology that helps people,” not technology for its own sake. The town hall, held at Pangyo Tech One, the AVP division’s research hub, was themed “Vision & Direction” and shared Park’s strategic direction. About 150 employees attended in person, and more than 500 joined a live online broadcast from Namyang Research & Development Center, overseas research centers and other sites. “True mobility innovation happens when scalable hardware and strong software capabilities are fully integrated,” Park said. He called on the division to become an “execution” organization that applies its technology to mass-produced vehicles without error, and asked employees to practice three priorities: expertise, persistence and agile execution. He also emphasized flexible culture and faster decision-making. Park said he would work with teams to build a flexible collaboration system, while reducing unnecessary hierarchy and complicated decision steps to stay focused on goals and speed up execution. On leadership, Park said his philosophy is “measurable and transparent goal-setting and building trust based on predictability.” He said it is important to set clear success standards, align all teams to those standards and maximize collaboration efficiency across the organization. Park added that employees should join efforts to help Hyundai Motor Group become a leading company in next-generation intelligent mobility that balances technology and people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 14:27:26

Uzbekistan targets Central Asian hub status through South Korea partnership: envoy SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a central transport and logistics hub in Central Asia by leveraging its geographic location and expanding infrastructure partnerships with South Korea, a top envoy said. "True diplomacy is when political dialogue turns into production chains, investments and jobs," Uzbekistan Ambassador Alisher Abdusalomov told AJP in an exclusive interview Wednesday. Without direct access to the sea, the country relies heavily on railway networks for Eurasian freight and passenger transport. That strategy has recently advanced with the arrival of a high-speed train manufactured by South Korean defense and rolling stock producer Hyundai Rotem. The train, named Jaloliddin Manguberdi, is currently undergoing test runs for the Tashkent–Khiva line. "High-speed rail is not only the speed of movement. It is the speed of economic transformation," Abdusalomov said, adding that the government is looking beyond simple procurement toward establishing comprehensive service centers capable of technical maintenance, major repairs and localized assembly of train components. "Purchasing equipment is the first step. Forming industrial competence is the strategic goal," the envoy said. "Whoever maintains the infrastructure becomes its strategic center. We are not just looking to operate modern trains but to become part of the global railway industry." This infrastructure overhaul anchors the Uzbekistan-2030 strategy, a national development plan aimed at elevating the country into the world's top 50 economies. Achieving its economic and social welfare targets requires extensive digital transformation, prompting the government to propose expanding South Korea's e-government, intelligent logistics and big data solutions across Central Asia. The collaboration also extends to physical infrastructure through public-private partnerships, highlighted by the ongoing modernization of Urgench International Airport with Incheon International Airport Corporation. Abdusalomov said the project will serve as a regulatory model for the planned New Tashkent International Airport and future smart city systems. "Modern infrastructure starts not with concrete, but with management philosophy," he said. As global economies transition toward digital and green technologies, demand for critical minerals such as copper and lithium has surged. South Korea currently chairs the Minerals Security Partnership Forum, or FORGE initiative, aimed at strengthening global supply chains. Uzbekistan possesses vast reserves of these minerals but is rejecting the traditional raw-material export model in favor of building full-cycle industrial clusters. The foundation for this effort was laid in 2019 with the establishment of a joint rare metals research center in Uzbekistan, developed in cooperation with the Korea Institute for Rare Metals. "The technological future begins with sustainable access to resources," Abdusalomov said. "We are not discussing abstract prospects — we are already building a joint scientific and production infrastructure." Resource integration is expected to be a key agenda item at the inaugural Korea–Central Asia Summit, which aligns with South Korea's initiative aimed at connecting the regions through technological and industrial networks. South Korea ranked among the top four foreign direct investors in Uzbekistan around 2017 but has since slipped to around 10th place following a surge of capital inflows from China, Russia, Turkey and European Union countries. Restoring South Korea to a top-three position is now a key objective for the Uzbek embassy. To attract investment, Abdusalomov outlined a range of institutional incentives for foreign businesses, including broad tax exemptions, reduced customs fees and state support for infrastructure development. He also highlighted Uzbekistan's macroeconomic stability, predictable exchange rates and its status as the most populous country in Central Asia. He added that political agreements expected at the upcoming summit require long-term vision. "Strong states are recognized not by the loudness of their declarations, but by their ability to think decades ahead and consistently implement the decisions they make," he said. Officials from both countries are currently drafting the financial and institutional mechanisms required to implement the proposed industrial, digital and transport projects ahead of the inaugural summit, scheduled for the second half of this year. 2026-03-05 14:02:45

Trade chief seeks stronger ties with Mercosur countries amid global uncertainty SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo on Thursday met with ambassadors from four Mercosur countries to discuss ways to enhance cooperation. Formed in 1991, Mercosur is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Thursday's talks follow President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Seoul late last month, as South Korea looks to expand economic and trade ties with the bloc. Citing Mercosur's abundant critical minerals such as lithium and nickel, Yeo called the bloc a "very important partner" as global trade faces "unprecedented" shifts amid rising protectionism and the strategic use of resources. Yeo said that strengthening trade ties with South America's largest economic bloc, home to about 270 million people with a combined gross domestic product of US$2.9 trillion, is essential for boosting investment and exchanges, as well as for providing companies with a stable, forward-looking business environment. He also warned that overreliance on specific regions for trade exposes the global economy to significant risks, stressing the need to diversify supply chains. With the four Mercosur countries also facing growing pressure to navigate challenges including U.S. tariff measures, he added that closer cooperation with South Korea would be needed. He also called for support for South Korean companies operating in Mercosur including steelmaker POSCO's lithium plant in Argentina. 2026-03-05 13:58:39

YouTuber Kim Seon-tae Says Impostor X Account Is Using His Name Kim Seon-tae, who was known as “Chungju Man,” said he has been targeted by an impersonator on X.  Kim wrote on his social media on March 5, “This is an impersonation X account. Please report it,” and posted a photo showing the account. The impersonating account had 4,526 followers.  Online commenters reacted with posts such as “What happened?” “An impersonation account is a sign of success,” and “How far does his influence reach?”  Kim opened his YouTube channel, “Kim Seon-tae,” on March 2. As of March 5, it had about 962,000 subscribers. A video he posted March 3 titled “I’m Kim Seon-tae” had 5.63 million views.  The surge in attention has raised expectations that he will reach 1 million subscribers through his personal channel, a milestone he had hoped to achieve while working as a Chungju city government employee. The report said companies have also been flooding him with advertising inquiries. 2026-03-05 13:48:16

BTS to Livestream Gwanghwamun Comeback Show Worldwide on Netflix BTS will meet fans worldwide from Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, a landmark at the center of South Korea’s modern civic life, in a comeback performance that will be livestreamed on Netflix. “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang (ARIRANG),” set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, will be broadcast live to more than 190 countries via Netflix. Organizers and tourism officials say the event is expected to showcase Korean cultural identity to a global audience and potentially translate interest into travel.  Gil Gi-yeon, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization, said at a Seoul tourism business briefing held on the 24th that because BTS’ comeback show will be livestreamed on Netflix, “Seoul will likely become more widely known,” and he signaled plans to use the exposure to expand global tourism demand. The draw, the article said, is Netflix’s reach. Subscribers can watch without additional fees on mobile devices and TVs, allowing fans to join simultaneously under the same subscription model rather than being limited by venue capacity or ticket access. Netflix demonstrated the scale of its live streaming in 2024 with the boxing live event “Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson,” which it said drew 65 million concurrent connections. Netflix has also argued that viewing can lead to visits. In a survey it conducted in seven countries — Brazil, France, the United States, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan — Netflix was the main service through which overseas viewers encountered Korean content. Among foreigners who watched Korean content on Netflix, 72% said they intended to visit South Korea, compared with 37% among nonviewers. BTS’ livestream announcement has already fueled interest in the venue among overseas fans.  On social media, users posted comments such as, “I’m excited for a stage at Gwanghwamun,” and, “A performance with Gyeongbokgung Palace as the backdrop is symbolic.” Some fans have shared historical context about the area and exchanged information about Korean culture, reflecting how real-time streaming can broaden curiosity about the host city and its cultural sites. The article also pointed to broader economic spillover effects tied to global platforms, including tourism, dining and cultural industries. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture Information Service Agency’s “2025 Global Hallyu Trend Analysis Report,” reservations for K-pop experience packages rose 80% during the travel off-season from June to August after the success of “K-pop Demon Hunters.” It added that after the release of “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” international passengers at Jeju Airport hit a record 2.8 million. It also said Korean food featured in productions such as “Culinary Class Wars” and “Squid Game” drew renewed attention, with keywords including “kimchi” and “chef” frequently cited in overseas media coverage related to K-food. An industry official said the BTS livestream will help imprint both the current state of K-culture and South Korea’s appeal on viewers in more than 190 countries, adding that with global attention focused on Gwanghwamun, the economic and cultural ripple effects across related industries could be significant. With Netflix as its global distribution channel, the Gwanghwamun performance is expected to serve as a high-profile invitation for fans to look beyond the screen toward South Korea itself. 2026-03-05 13:36:23

Seoul hires legal advisers as U.S. Coupang investors move toward arbitration SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -South Korea has recruited legal advisers to respond to a notice of intent to arbitrate filed by U.S. investors in e-commerce giant Coupang, the Ministry of Justice said Thursday, marking the first formal step in a potential investor–state dispute under the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The ministry said it selected South Korean law firm Peter & Kim and U.S.-based Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP to represent the government during the initial phase of the dispute. Officials said the firms were chosen for their experience in international investment arbitration, including their previous representation of South Korea in the high-profile dispute with U.S. private equity firm Lone Star over the sale of Korea Exchange Bank. The legal teams will assist the ministry during the 90-day “cooling-off period” that follows a notice of intent under the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), during which the parties may attempt consultations before formal arbitration can be filed. The dispute was triggered after Greenoaks Capital Partners LLC and Altimeter Capital Management LP, U.S. investment firms holding shares in Coupang, submitted a notice of intent to arbitrate on Jan. 22. The investors argue that South Korea’s regulatory and political response to a major personal data leak at Coupang violated protections for foreign investors under the bilateral trade agreement. In the notice, the investors claim Seoul’s actions amounted to “discriminatory, disproportionate, and pretextual” measures against the company and damaged U.S. investments worth billions of dollars. The filing states that the investors collectively hold more than $1.5 billion worth of Coupang shares, and alleges that government actions — including investigations and regulatory measures following the data breach — threaten further losses. The dispute centers on a cybersecurity incident disclosed by Coupang in November 2025 involving the leak of over 30 million customer accounts. The breach sparked a wave of regulatory probes, parliamentary hearings and public criticism from Korean officials. Coupang, founded in 2010 and dubbed as the “Amazon of Korea,” operates primarily in South Korea but is incorporated in Delaware and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Its shareholder base is dominated by U.S. investors, placing the case within the scope of the investment protections contained in the KORUS FTA. Under the treaty’s investor–state dispute settlement provisions, foreign investors can seek damages through international arbitration if they believe government actions violated treaty obligations such as fair and equitable treatment or protection from expropriation. Additional notices of intent were filed in February by other investors, including Foxhaven Capital GP LLC, Durable Capital Associates LLC and Abrams Capital LLC, expanding the group of claimants considering arbitration. The Justice Ministry said its international investment dispute response team will work with the appointed advisers to review the claims and prepare the government’s response during the consultation period. If arbitration proceeds, the case could become one of South Korea’s most closely watched investment disputes since the long-running Lone Star case, which tested the country’s defenses under international investment treaties. 2026-03-05 13:03:03

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun visits Philippines to expand economic cooperation Chung Ki-sun, chairman of HD Hyundai, visited the Philippines as part of a South Korean government economic delegation, seeking to deepen ties and expand economic cooperation between the two countries, the company said March 5. HD Hyundai said Chung paid tribute at a Korean War memorial, attended a Korea-Philippines business forum and inspected HD Hyundai Philippines Shipbuilding (HD Hyundai Philippines). On March 4, Chung visited the Korean War memorial at the National Heroes Cemetery in Manila and laid flowers. The Philippines was the first Asian country to organize a combat unit for the war and deployed the largest contingent, sending 7,420 troops, the company said. Earlier that morning, Chung attended the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, co-hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where participants discussed detailed steps to expand bilateral economic cooperation. On March 5, Chung visited HD Hyundai Philippines in Subic Bay, touring a construction site for a new employee dormitory and the yard, and encouraging staff working there. Over lunch with local employees, he said, "I will take even more special care in areas such as housing, medical services and public safety so employees have no inconvenience," and added, "Above all, I ask that you put safety first and do your best in the work you have been entrusted with." HD Hyundai has continued business cooperation with the Philippines. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding business, signed a lease in May 2024 with U.S.-based Cerberus Capital for part of a Philippine shipyard site and launched HD Hyundai Philippines. In September last year, HD Hyundai Philippines held a steel-cutting ceremony to begin building its first vessel, a 115,000-ton petrochemical product carrier. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has won orders for a total of 12 naval vessels from the Philippines since 2016, the company said. In 2022, it established a local logistics support center and has been providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for delivered ships, including frigates and patrol vessels. Chung said, "Beyond a simple business partnership with the Philippines, we have been serving as a key bridge to strengthen friendship between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines," adding, "We will continue to build deep trust with the Philippines with pride in representing Korea."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 11:48:20

Seoul issues strong verbal intervention after two-day rout, markets rebound SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -Seoul authorities issued a strong verbal intervention to calm markets Thursday, signaling readiness to deploy large-scale liquidity if needed after the country’s stock market suffered its steepest two-day rout on record following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Officials reassured investors that Seoul stands ready to tap a 100 trillion won ($75 billion) market stabilization program should financial volatility intensify, as the benchmark KOSPI plunged more than 20 percent in two sessions, rattled by soaring oil prices and geopolitical risks stemming from U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. President Lee Jae Myung urged financial authorities to swiftly execute the stabilization package if needed during an emergency Cabinet meeting in Seoul. “The crisis in the Middle East is worsening the global economic and security environment,” Lee said. “I ask that the 100 trillion won market stabilization program prepared to preempt instability in funding markets be executed and managed promptly and appropriately.” Lee instructed ministries to draw up contingency plans and actively respond to heightened volatility in financial markets, including equities and foreign exchange. Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won said regulators have already convened multiple financial market monitoring meetings and reiterated that authorities are prepared to operate the stabilization program “at full readiness.” “We have delivered preemptive stabilization messages to the market and will actively operate a market stabilization program worth 100 trillion won plus additional measures if needed,” he said. “Given the high level of uncertainty, we will maintain maximum vigilance to stabilize financial markets and minimize spillover effects on the real economy.” Separately, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) held an emergency meeting with market experts to assess the recent spike in volatility and review the outlook for domestic equities. Participants — including strategists from global investment banks, brokerage research heads and analysts from the Korea Capital Market Institute — said the latest market swings were driven largely by geopolitical risks from the Middle East crisis and short-term profit-taking after the market’s strong rally earlier this year. Despite the sharp correction, experts broadly agreed that the underlying fundamentals of South Korea’s equity market remain intact and that the shock could prove temporary. They noted that corporate earnings remain solid and the government’s push for shareholder-friendly policies has strengthened market conditions in recent months, suggesting that excessive declines could form meaningful support levels. Before the Middle East conflict erupted, analysts had been steadily revising upward their 2026 KOSPI forecasts, citing improving corporate profitability and structural reforms in the capital market. FSS Senior Deputy Governor Hwang Sun-oh said regulators are reviewing a range of contingency measures and stand ready to implement phased responses under emergency stabilization plans if necessary. “We are closely examining various response options with the highest level of vigilance,” Hwang said. Authorities also warned that they would take a zero-tolerance approach to misinformation and market manipulation during the period of heightened volatility. “Criminal acts such as the distribution of fake news or price manipulation that exploit public anxiety must be thoroughly blocked,” President Lee said. “Those attempting to profit by causing confusion in the national economy will be held strictly accountable.” The stock and currency market sharply rebounded Thursday. The KOSPI is up 10 percent and KOSDAQ 12.6 percent higher as of 11:30 a.m.. The dollar is quoted at 1,463.80, down from Wednesday close of 1,476.6. 2026-03-05 11:33:41

WAIFF D-1: Live human-machine symphony to open Seoul artificial intelligence film festival SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 will open Friday with a live performance blending human artists and machine generation, signaling a shift in how the entertainment industry approaches artificial intelligence. Kicking off on March 6 at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, the two-day event begins with a special performance titled "The Symphony of AI & Human." Organizers programmed the opening ceremony to move away from traditional film festival screenings, opting instead to showcase real-time artistic collaboration between generative systems and live performers. The central competition operates under strict technological mandates that function as a creative hurdle. To qualify, creators of the 25 competing films were required to integrate at least three distinct artificial intelligence tools, including one mandatory image-generative system, into their production pipelines. The submissions span six categories, ranging from traditional short films to micro-series designed for vertical mobile screens and commercials for fictional products. Competitors are vying for a share of a 27 million won prize pool and an official invitation to screen their work at the festival's grand finale in France this April. Son Seung-hyun, chief executive officer at visual effects studio Westworld, leads an 11-member jury evaluating the entries. The Seoul event aims to demonstrate that artificial intelligence has evolved past post-production experimentation and is now shaping the core narrative and visual structures of modern media. The festival's opening ceremony on March 6 is free to the public, while the subsequent Creative Intelligence Forum on March 7 at Lotte Cinema World Tower requires a paid ticket. The global circuit will continue with upcoming stops in Japan and China following the South Korea edition. 2026-03-05 11:14:46

Korea hopes to win full fleet of Canadian submarines - industry minister SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -South Korea will push to win the full order of Canada’s next-generation submarine fleet rather than settle for a split contract with a European rival, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Thursday, as Ottawa is said to be weighting the option of dividing one of its largest-ever defense awards. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Canada, Kim said Seoul is working “with everything it has” to secure the entire fleet of 12 diesel-electric submarines under Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). “Without prejudging whether things are going well or not, we are doing everything we can,” Kim said. “Twelve is a symbolic number for us.” Kim cited the famous line from Joseon naval commander Admiral Yi Sun-sin — “I still have 12 ships” — a rallying cry during the 16th-century Japanese invasions of Korea, adding that South Korea would strive to achieve a similar “12-ship miracle” in the Canadian submarine competition. His comments come as Canadian media reported that the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering splitting the multibillion-dollar contract between the two finalists — buying six submarines each from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean consortium and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The CPSP aims to acquire up to 12 diesel-electric submarines to replace Canada’s aging Victoria-class fleet, which is expected to retire by the mid-2030s. Under the reported split scenario, Germany’s Type-212CD submarines would patrol the Atlantic, while South Korea’s KSS-III Batch-II submarines would be deployed on the Pacific coast and potentially in the Indo-Pacific region. Defense experts have warned that operating two different submarine classes could complicate supply chains, training and maintenance. Carney himself previously expressed skepticism about a mixed fleet, saying a single-class fleet offers “overwhelming” efficiency advantages. Still, Ottawa is also weighing the broader economic benefits of the procurement as it seeks to diversify trade ties with Europe and Asia amid rising economic friction with the United States. Both bidders have emphasized industrial cooperation and job creation in Canada. Hanwha has projected that its proposal could generate roughly 25,000 Canadian jobs annually between 2026 and 2044, while TKMS has signaled it could build some submarines in Canada. Kim said the scale of industrial cooperation would inevitably differ depending on whether Seoul wins all 12 submarines or only part of the order. “The scale of cooperation will naturally differ between 12 and six submarines,” he said. “Ultimately, it depends entirely on the decision of the Canadian government.” Kim is visiting Windsor, Ontario, for the completion ceremony of an LG Energy Solution battery plant and plans to meet Canadian officials, including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, to promote South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities and industrial partnership proposals. Canada’s government is expected to review the final bids submitted this week before making a decision as early as June, with the contract targeted to be awarded before the end of the year. 2026-03-05 11:13:02