Korean Air to Showcase AI-Powered Next-Generation Drones at DSK 2026 Korean Air said Tuesday it is taking part in Drone Show Korea (DSK) 2026, running through Feb. 27 at BEXCO in Busan, to present its vision for AI-based next-generation unmanned aircraft and its capabilities in advanced air mobility (AAM) technology. DSK is Asia’s largest drone-focused exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; the Ministry of National Defense; the Korea Aerospace Administration; and the city of Busan. This year’s event centers on unmanned aircraft technology and includes companies in aerospace, defense, carbon neutrality and geospatial information, as well as firms with AI-based convergence technologies. Participating countries increased to 23 from 15. Korean Air said it set up a large, two-story booth to improve visitor flow. The first floor includes an exhibition area and meeting rooms for viewing and discussions, while the second floor is a lounge intended to support networking. In the drone zone, the company will show for the first time in South Korea a physical-AI subsonic unmanned aircraft it is developing with U.S. AI defense company Anduril Industries. Also on display are an AI small multipurpose unmanned aircraft, a small strike unmanned aircraft, a communications relay drone, swarm-flight drone technology, and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) based on swarm-flight drone technology. In the AAM zone, Korean Air will present its in-house AAM traffic management and operations control system, ACROSS, along with a mock-up aircraft from Archer Aviation, a U.S. urban air mobility company that signed an AAM development cooperation memorandum of understanding with Korean Air last year. Korean Air said it will also hold cooperation events alongside the exhibition, starting with an unmanned aircraft technology seminar Tuesday to introduce its capabilities and business roadmap. It plans an AAM technology seminar co-hosted with Archer on Wednesday and is planning MOUs with global AAM companies. “This DSK participation is a good opportunity to inform the broader industry about Korean Air’s AI software-based unmanned aircraft capabilities, which are currently a key production focus, and the latest technologies related to next-generation air mobility,” a company official said. “Korean Air will continue taking on challenges across various fields to grow into a world-class integrated aerospace company.” 2026-02-25 09:15:45

USFK chief expresses regret over drill 'not shared' with Seoul SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has expressed "regret" that South Korean defense officials were not briefed on last week's U.S. air drill over the West Sea. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Brunson said he regretted that South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were "not briefed in time," clarifying that he had discussed the drill with Ahn by phone. USFK conducted a large-scale air drill last Wednesday with about a dozen F-16 fighter jets flying over South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ), prompting China to scramble its own jets, which led to a brief aerial standoff. Raising concerns about the incident, Ahn reportedly complained to Brunson the following day that details of the drill had not been properly shared in advance, saying that it had heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. But U.S. Forces Korea said it regularly conducts drills to "maintain the highest level of readiness," adding "We do not apologize for maintaining readiness." 2026-02-25 09:15:06

Kia Georgia Plant Tops 5 Million Vehicles, Starts Production of 2027 Telluride Hybrid Kia’s Georgia manufacturing unit has surpassed 5 million vehicles in cumulative production 17 years after it was established, the company said. It is also ramping up production of a hybrid version of the all-new Telluride, a key model in North America. Kia said the Georgia plant reached the 5 million mark as of Feb. 24 local time. The milestone vehicle was the 2027 model-year all-new Telluride hybrid, Kia’s first hybrid vehicle produced in Georgia. A ceremony was held with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, local government officials, community leaders and employees attending. The Georgia operation began production in 2009 and has grown into a major local employer and a core manufacturing base for the auto industry in the U.S. Southeast. The Telluride built at the West Point plant is a strategic model developed around North American consumer demand and U.S. driving conditions, Kia said, calling it a symbol of the brand’s growth in the U.S. market. The first-generation Telluride won major awards in 2020, including North American Car of the Year, World Car of the Year and MotorTrend SUV of the Year, helping raise the brand’s profile in North America. “Kia Georgia is the only plant in the world that produces the Telluride, and this production start carries meaning beyond the rollout of a new vehicle,” said Yoon Seung-kyu, head of Kia’s North America regional headquarters and CEO of its U.S. sales unit. Kemp said the Telluride has been produced only in Georgia since its 2019 launch and has become one of Kia’s most successful models. “This achievement is the result of a close partnership with the community and the state government,” he said. Stuart Countess, head of Kia’s Georgia manufacturing unit, said the 5 million milestone reflects employees’ dedication and teamwork. He said the plant’s flexibility and technical capabilities were proven again as it adds hybrid production alongside internal combustion and electric vehicles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 08:54:20

Toss Says WebView Feature Lifted Lender Conversion Rates 48% on Average, Up to 347% Viva Republica, the operator of South Korean fintech app Toss, said Tuesday that conversion rates for partner financial firms rose by nearly 50% on average using its “WebView in Toss” feature. WebView in Toss lets users check credit limits and complete applications inside the Toss app, without installing a separate financial firm’s app or switching to an external browser. The company said the setup improves convenience for users and helps financial firms raise application completion rates. Based on an analysis of loan products from 2023 through early February this year, Toss said customers using WebView in Toss posted an average conversion rate 48% higher than those using the previous method. By sector, Toss said the improvement was clear. Among 30 financial firms running WebView in Toss for loan services, conversion rates at both first- and second-tier financial institutions rose by at least double digits. Some savings banks saw gains of up to 347%, it said. Toss said it supports the full process — from UI and UX design to development, testing, operational stabilization and further improvements — at no additional cost. It said it plans to keep providing free support to strengthen partners’ digital capabilities and expand benefits for financial consumers. “WebView in Toss reduces drop-offs during applications, improving access to financial services while delivering measurable performance gains for financial firms,” a Toss official said. “We will keep working to build a convenient financial environment that satisfies both financial firms and customers.” 2026-02-25 08:45:00

Actor Yoo Ho-jung Recalls Suspecting Yoon Yoo-sun Was Pregnant Before Wedding Actor Yoo Ho-jung recalled her memories of close friend Yoon Yoo-sun’s wedding. In Episode 427 of SBS’ “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 — You Are My Destiny,” which aired on the 24th, Yoo appeared and shared stories about Yoon. Yoo said she had not done variety shows because she had not been acting in dramas, adding that she decided to appear after learning Yoon had become a regular on “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2.” Yoo said she had known Yoon for a long time and had hoped she would marry soon, but was stunned when Yoon announced her marriage just three months after meeting her future husband. “It was so sudden I even wondered, ‘Did she get pregnant before the wedding?’” Yoo said, adding she had expected Yoon to date for at least a year. Yoo said she married first, but Yoon had a child first. She added that Yoon was cautious about revealing her pregnancy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 08:30:16

Hyundai Mobis Spots Endangered Yellow-Throated Marten in Mir Forest in South Korea Hyundai Mobis said endangered wildlife has been repeatedly recorded near the Miho River inside Mir Forest in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, where the company is running biodiversity conservation programs. The company said Feb. 25 that a research team led by Prof. Park Byeong-gwon of the Korea Institute of Urban Ecology recently confirmed the presence of a marten, a Class II endangered wild species in South Korea, in Mir Forest. The animal captured was a yellow-throated marten, a carnivorous mammal regarded as a top predator. Its presence indicates the lower food chain is also being maintained in a stable way, the company said. Hyundai Mobis said the finding also reflects progress in its biodiversity work around the Miho River in Jincheon, suggesting the local ecosystem is recovering. Last year, the company said it confirmed habitats for an otter, a natural monument and endangered species, and a leopard cat, a legally protected species. Mir Forest is a 108-hectare (about 267-acre) woodland created near Hyundai Mobis’ Jincheon plant, a production base dedicated to automotive electronic components. The company said it invested about 10 billion won over 10 years starting in 2012 to build the forest. After donating the forest to Jincheon County, Hyundai Mobis said it has been running a social contribution project since 2023 with the local government and the social cooperative Hangang to help create a biodiversity ecosystem in and around the forest and the Miho River. The company said it is also encouraging participation by employees and local residents, beyond providing funding for restoration efforts. Han Seong-hui, executive director and head of Hyundai Mobis’ sustainability management office, said the company will work to create social value by not only cutting carbon emissions across its production process and making eco-friendly products, but also by considering the environmental characteristics of communities where its major sites are located.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 08:27:20

BTS’ Jung Kook Ranked Among World’s 25 Most Famous People, Website Says BTS member Jung Kook has been named to a list of the “Top 25 Most Famous Persons in the World.” According to a recent ranking released by the information website WorldFamousThings.com, Jung Kook placed 18th. The list includes major figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Taylor Swift. Jung Kook was the only K-pop singer included, the site said. The outlet described him as a “globally influential music star,” saying his “powerful voice and strong performances” have won fans worldwide and helped establish him as an international icon. It highlighted his solo work, including “Seven” and “3D,” pointing to his strong fan base and market power. His profile has also been reflected in fashion and luxury branding. Jung Kook was recently selected as an official global ambassador for Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot, and was named the first male global ambassador for Chanel Beauty, the report said. The article also noted that he was included in AOL’s “Top 15 Most Famous Persons in the World,” and ranked 11th on Esquire’s list of the “50 Most Stylish Men in Music.” 2026-02-25 08:09:16

Park Yeon-su Shares Photos of Daughter Song Jia on Sedona Day Trip Actress Park Yeon-su shared an update on her daughter Song Jia’s daily life. On the 25th, Park posted photos on social media with the message, “A day trip to Sedona. I hope this year is full of good luck.” In the photos, Song poses in front of a rock formation in Sedona, a small city in Arizona. Song, born in 2006, began playing golf in her first year of middle school and became a full member of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association tour in August last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 07:24:16

USMCA Review Puts Tighter Auto Rules of Origin Back in Focus The United States, Mexico and Canada are set to hold a joint review on July 1 to decide whether to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, with the possibility of tighter rules of origin for autos and parts emerging as a key issue. An industry analysis report published Tuesday by the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, known as KATECH, said the review could raise the prospect of strengthening or revising rules of origin in ways that reflect the U.S. position. USMCA is a trade pact among the United States, Canada and Mexico that took effect in July 2020. It has a 16-year term and includes a sunset clause requiring a joint review every six years to determine whether to extend it. If the three countries submit recommendations to the Free Trade Commission by one month before the review, the meeting proceeds based on those proposals. The report said the talks are expected to focus on the 75% regional value-content requirement, labor value-content rules, and possible new requirements for the share of steel and aluminum sourced within the region. The report identified the main auto-sector issue as “strengthening or revising rules of origin reflecting the U.S. position,” warning that additional tightening would likely force significant changes in regional production and parts-sourcing structures. While the finished-vehicle and auto-parts industries support extending USMCA, they are calling for transition periods if standards are tightened and for improved consistency in documentation and requirements. The report stressed the need to assess scenarios tied to possible rule changes and to build and manage a supply-chain database. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 06:03:36

South Korea’s Young Stars Lift Milan-Cortina Winter Games With Snowboard Breakthrough The 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, which opened Feb. 7 (Korea time), ended with the closing ceremony Feb. 23 at the Verona Arena in Italy. South Korea sent a delegation of 130, including 71 athletes, and finished 13th with three gold, four silver and three bronze medals, driven by a surge in snow events and strong performances by younger athletes. The pre-Games goal of a top-10 finish fell short. Still, the team improved on the Beijing Games four years ago, when it placed 14th with two gold, five silver and two bronze medals, increasing both its gold-medal total and overall medal count. ◆Snowboarding delivers a breakthrough South Korea’s snowboarding team, long considered a weak point in winter sports, won one gold, one silver and one bronze — the country’s best-ever result in snow events since it first competed in the Winter Olympics in 1960 at Squaw Valley. It was also the first time South Korea won two or more medals in snow events at a single Olympics. In snowboarding, South Korea ranked third by medals behind Japan (4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze) and Austria (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). Kim Sang-gyeom opened South Korea’s medal account by taking silver in the men’s parallel giant slalom on Feb. 8, becoming the nation’s 400th Olympic medalist across the Summer and Winter Games. Yoo Seung-eun then won a surprise bronze in the women’s big air, becoming South Korea’s first female Olympic medalist in snowboarding. Choi Ga-on captured gold in the women’s halfpipe, delivering South Korea’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in a snow event. Short track speedskating produced seven medals — two gold, three silver and two bronze — improving on Beijing (2 gold, 3 silver). The women’s team returned to the top of the 3,000-meter relay for the first time in eight years, swept gold and silver in the 1,500, and added bronze in the 1,000. The men won two silver and one bronze but went without a gold for the first time in 12 years. Speedskating, once a reliable medal sport for South Korea, ended the Games without a podium finish. South Korea won four medals in speedskating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but none this time. It was the first time since the 2002 Salt Lake City Games — 24 years ago — that South Korea failed to win an Olympic speedskating medal. Curling and sliding sports (bobsleigh, skeleton and luge) also finished without medals. ◆Average age 24.1 highlights a new generation A major takeaway for South Korea was the rise of younger medalists. The average age of South Korean athletes who won individual medals at these Games was 24.1. Of the seven, three were teenagers. Short track standout Kim Gil-li, born in 2004, was named the Games’ most valuable athlete among South Korean competitors. She won her first Olympic gold in the women’s 1,500 meters and powered the team to victory in the 3,000-meter relay, becoming South Korea’s only double gold medalist. She also took bronze in the women’s 1,000, reaching the podium three times. Team youngest Lim Jong-eon, born in 2007, won bronze in the men’s 1,000 after running near the back for most of the race before surging on the final lap. In snow events, 2008-born Choi Ga-on and Yoo Seung-eun set new milestones. Choi won gold after falling and suffering a serious injury in her first final run, then delivering a decisive performance on her third attempt. NBC called it one of the best moments of the first half of the Games and named Choi among “13 rising stars” of the Winter Olympics. ◆Choi Min-jeong closes her Olympic career with a record Short track star Choi Min-jeong ended what she called her third and final Olympics by setting a South Korean record for most Olympic medals across the Summer and Winter Games. She won gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay and silver in the 1,500, bringing her career total to seven medals (4 gold, 3 silver) from Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022 and Milan-Cortina 2026. That moved her past Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Soo-nyung (archery) and Lee Seung-hoon (speedskating), who each had six. She also tied short track skater Jeon I-kyung (4 gold) for the most Winter Olympic gold medals by a South Korean athlete. After the race, Choi announced her retirement from the Olympics. “This is my last Olympics. While preparing this season, my knee and ankle weren’t good, and mentally it was very hard,” she said. “From the start to the end of the competition, I kept thinking it was my last Olympics. Even after it ended, all I could think was, ‘This is really the last.’ I don’t think you’ll see me at the Olympics anymore.” She said she has not decided whether to retire from competition entirely. “Retiring from my athletic career isn’t something I can decide alone. It’s something I have to coordinate with my team,” she said. “I only thought about the Olympics. It’s something to think about while I rest for a while.” On why she chose to step away from the Olympics, she said, “It happened naturally. This season I had a lot of places that hurt, and it was difficult in many ways to raise my condition. I set a lot of records on the Olympic stage. I think I did everything I could.” ◆Sports diplomacy gains South Korea also recorded gains in sports diplomacy. Kim Jae-yeol, president of the International Skating Union and an International Olympic Committee member, was elected to the IOC Executive Board. He became the second South Korean to serve as an IOC Executive Board member after the late Kim Un-yong, a former IOC vice president. The Executive Board oversees the Olympic host-city selection process and decides major policies and issues. Bobsleigh figure Won Yoon-jong finished first in the IOC Athletes’ Commission election, which is decided by a vote of athletes. He became South Korea’s third IOC athlete member after Moon Dae-sung (taekwondo), elected at the 2008 Beijing Games, and Yoo Seung-min (table tennis), elected at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and now president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Won is the first South Korean athlete member from a Winter Olympic sport. With Won’s election, South Korea now has two IOC members. Only 20 countries have two or more IOC members. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 00:05:52