S. Korean researchers develop protective layer to enable fast charging for lithium batteries SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University has developed a technology to overcome stability issues that have hindered the commercialization of lithium metal batteries. The team created an intelligent protective layer that allows for rapid charging within 12 minutes while preventing the internal damage that typically shortens battery life. Lithium metal batteries are considered the next generation of energy storage because they can hold much more energy than current lithium-ion batteries. This could allow electric vehicles to travel much further on a single charge. However, during charging, lithium often forms needle-like structures called dendrites. These structures can pierce internal components, causing the battery to fail or catch fire. To solve this, the researchers added a substance called thiophene to the battery electrolyte. This additive creates a smart protective film on the electrode surface that acts like a flexible traffic management system for ions. Using a chemical structure known as a pi-conjugated system, the film rearranges its internal electrical charge in real time to create the easiest path for lithium ions to move through. By guiding the ions smoothly, the technology ensures that lithium builds up evenly on the surface rather than forming dangerous needles. The researchers confirmed this process at the molecular level using specialized microscopes that allowed them to watch the battery charging in real time. The study demonstrated that the battery could operate at high currents exceeding 8 milliamperes per square centimeter, which is double the level usually considered high in battery research. This performance level is close to what is required for the rapid acceleration and fast charging of real-world electric vehicles in South Korea and abroad. Professor Choi Nam-soon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering stated that the research solves fundamental battery problems by designing the electronic structure of the materials. He noted that the technology could become a core foundation for next-generation electric vehicle batteries that require both fast charging and long lifespans. The technology is compatible with various existing battery materials, including lithium iron phosphate and nickel-cobalt-manganese oxides. This versatility suggests it could be applied to a wide range of future industries, including long-range electric vehicles and urban air mobility such as flying taxis. The research involved Professor Choi Nam-soon and Professor Hong Seung-bum from KAIST, alongside Professor Kwak Sang-kyu from Korea University. The findings were published in the academic journal InfoMat on February 2. (Paper information) Journal: InfoMat Title: Conjugation-mediated and polarity-switchable interfacial layers for fast cycling of lithium-metal batteries DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/inf2.70126 2026-02-24 15:22:55

SM Line Named Top Partner by China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai Ports SM Line, the shipping affiliate of South Korea’s SM Group, has been named an outstanding partner by major Chinese port authorities, a recognition the company said reflects confidence in its growth potential. The company said Tuesday it was selected as a carrier with “sustained growth potential” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port annual port-transport exchange meeting recently held in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is among the world’s top three ports by container volume. It handled 39.31 million TEUs in 2024, trailing Shanghai (51.51 million TEUs) and Singapore (41.12 million TEUs). SM Line said its volume at Ningbo-Zhoushan topped 200,000 TEUs last year. SM Line first called at Ningbo in 2017 after launching its U.S. West Coast service (CPX), and added a Pacific Northwest service (PNS) the following year, expanding service in the region. The company said it was recognized alongside global carriers including Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport, T.S. Lines, China’s Sinotrans and SITC, and Singapore-based Sea Lead. Separately, Shanghai Port selected SM Line as a “carrier with promising prospects.” The award is tied to Shanghai’s 15th five-year development plan, which aims to upgrade logistics links among Shanghai Port, the Yangtze River and nearby rail networks. SM Line said the designation reflects its status as a key partner expected to share and help carry out the port’s long-term strategy. SM Line said it plans to step up efforts this year to win export cargo from China bound for the Americas and Asia, while working closely with local ports to provide stable capacity and respond flexibly to shifts in global trade and the shipping market. “It is meaningful and gratifying that major Chinese ports have recognized our future value and potential,” SM Line CEO Kang Ho-jun said. “As a bridge linking Asia and the Americas and competing with global carriers, we will devote ourselves to accelerating growth in the China market and strengthening trust.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 15:13:00

Impeached ex-president appeals life sentence over martial law debacle SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday filed an appeal of his life sentence on charges of insurrection and abuse of power related to his martial law debacle in December 2024. It comes about a week after the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of the botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which it ruled was an act of insurrection in violation of the Constitution, condemning his actions as having "fundamentally undermined the core values of democracy." Yoon's legal representatives argued last Thursday's ruling was riddled with factual and legal errors. "We have a responsibility to clearly point out the problems with it, not only for court records but for future historical records," they said in a statement. They also vowed to fight what they called the prosecutors' "excessive indictment," which they claimed was politically motivated. Prosecutors also appealed the case earlier in the day. Yoon, who was ousted from the presidency on April 4 last year after the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld his impeachment, had already been sentenced last month to five years in prison in a separate trial on one of several charges related to the debacle. 2026-02-24 14:55:12

Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Apologizes for Segment Involving Fallen Police Officer, Firefighter The producers of Disney+’s “Fate War 49” apologized Tuesday after the show drew backlash for a mission that asked contestants to guess the causes of death of a fallen police officer and firefighter. In a statement, the “Fate War 49” team said that while a shaman contestant was performing a reading without knowing the deceased, “inappropriate language and descriptions” were used. The producers said they “sincerely apologize” to those who died in the line of duty, their bereaved families, colleagues and others who were distressed by the segment. They added that staff are listening to the families, apologizing for failing to consider their feelings in advance, and working to resolve the issue. The producers also said they will take greater care across production and strengthen internal review and production processes going forward. “Fate War 49” is a survival variety show in which 49 fortune-tellers carry out missions to test their fate. In Episode 2, released Feb. 11, a mission asked contestants to guess the cause of death of the late Senior Police Officer Lee Jae-hyeon, who died in 2004 while apprehending a suspect in a violent crime case. During the segment, one shaman said, “People commonly call getting stabbed a ‘kalbbang,’ don’t they? I can see being stabbed, too.” The National Police Officers’ Workplace Council, described as an alternative organization to the police union, protested in a statement, saying it was “deeply angry and devastated” by what it called the cast and producers’ “senseless behavior” in belittling a public servant’s sacrifice with a crude slang term and turning it into entertainment. In the same episode, some contestants also discussed possible causes — including fire, collapse and being crushed — in connection with the death of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Cheol-hong, who died in 2001 at a fire scene in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul. The family and a firefighters’ union also raised objections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 14:54:15

KLPGA Winner Bae So-hyeon Signs Management Deal With BeNumberOne Golf marketing firm BeNumberOne said Feb. 24 it signed a management contract with Bae So-hyeon (Mediheal), a four-time winner on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. Bae is known on the KLPGA Tour as a late-blooming player. She struggled through 2023 with a back injury but worked her way back and established herself as one of the tour’s long hitters. She won three times in 2024 and added one win last year. Her goal this year is two wins, including a major title. Ahead of the new season, Bae said, “I was preparing for the season with various possibilities in mind. Just starting the new season with BeNumberOne, which will support me strongly, gives me strength. With sponsors, family and fans cheering me on, I’ll push forward.” BeNumberOne also said it has signed KLPGA players Yang Hyo-ri (Very Good Tour) and Jo Eun-chae (Kyunghee Co.), and KPGA player Jeong Tae-yang (Kyunghee Co.). The company manages KPGA players Kim Hong-taek, Park Hyun-seo, Yeom Seo-hyun and Jeong Han-mil; Lee Seung-taek, who has entered the PGA Tour; and KLPGA players Kim Yun-gyo, Lee Se-hee and Lee Ji-young5. BeNumberOne CEO Choi Yong-seok said, “We will do our best so players can achieve their best results without inconvenience.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 14:51:00

Actor Lee Jong-hyuk’s Son Lee Jun-su Enters Chung-Ang University Actor Lee Jong-hyuk’s second son, Lee Jun-su, has entered Chung-Ang University. Lee posted photos on social media on the 24th from the “2026 academic year Chung-Ang University College of Arts freshman entrance ceremony,” along with an image of the campus. He previously was accepted through early admissions to several programs, including the acting major in the Department of Performing Arts at Seoul Institute of the Arts — Lee Jong-hyuk’s alma mater — as well as the theater (acting) major in Chung-Ang University’s School of Performing Arts and Film and the acting arts major in Sejong University’s College of Film and Arts, in both the first and second rounds. Lee chose Chung-Ang over Seoul Institute of the Arts. With that decision, all three in the family will have studied theater: Lee Jong-hyuk graduated from the theater department at Seoul Institute of the Arts, and his eldest son, Lee Tak-su, is studying theater at Dongguk University’s College of Arts. 2026-02-24 14:48:15

Seoul opts for antidumping duties on Chinese, Japanese steel for industry relief SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korea's shipbuilders enjoy heyday on robust orders and backlog, but they had limited trickle-down effect on steelmakers at home as they struggled with the flood of cheaper Chinese and Japanese imports. The government stepped in for relief as the industry undergoes stringent cost-saving streamlining to survive a global glut, a protectionist environment and the U.S. 50-percent tariff on steel imports. On Monday, it warned of antidumping duties of up to 33.43 percent on steel imports after a yearlong investigation. The Korea Trade Commission (KTC), which operates under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, recommended a set of penalty duties to the Minister of Economy and Finance for final approval. The tariffs, ranging from 28.16 percent to 33.43 percent depending on the exporter, will replace provisional duties that have been in force since September 2025. It will hear counterclaims from nine exporters — three Japanese and six Chinese firms — that together accounted for about 81 percent of South Korea's total hot-rolled steel imports over the past three years. Focus on hot-rolled coils The judgment centers on hot-rolled coils (HRC), the foundational building block of the modern steel supply chain. Produced by rolling heated steel slabs at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, HRC serves as the primary feedstock for downstream products including cold-rolled sheets, galvanized steel, steel pipes and color-coated plates. South Korea's domestic HRC market alone is valued at about 10 trillion won ($6.92 billion) annually. Because HRC is a commodity-grade material with minimal technical differentiation, pricing is the dominant factor in purchasing decisions, making it especially vulnerable to low-cost import competition. Sector downturn deepens The antidumping action comes as South Korea's broader steel sector grapples with its worst downturn in years. Domestic reinforcement bar (rebar) consumption plunged to a 25-year low in 2025, dragged down by a prolonged slump in the construction industry, according to the Korea Iron & Steel Association. Rebar usage shrank 14.4 percent year on year to 6.66 million tons, the lowest since the association began tracking the data in 2000. Local steelmakers, strained by Chinese oversupply, slowing domestic demand and U.S. tariffs, have resorted to restructuring to survive. Hyundai Steel has decided to permanently shut down one production line at its Incheon rebar plant, while Dongkuk Steel halted production at its own Incheon facility due to similar overproduction issues. Earnings under pressure End-year results show that the financial toll has been stark. Dongkuk Steel's full-year 2025 operating profit tumbled 42.1 percent to 59.4 billion won on revenue of 3.2 trillion won. POSCO Holdings saw consolidated operating profit drop 16 percent to 1.83 trillion won as revenue slipped 5 percent to 69.1 trillion won. Hyundai Steel, which filed the original antidumping petition in December 2024, posted 2025 revenue of 22.7 trillion won, down 2.1 percent, though its operating profit rose 37.4 percent to 219.2 billion won, buoyed by lower raw material costs. However, the company posted an earnings shock in the fourth quarter, with revenue of 5.5 trillion won and operating profit of 43.3 billion won, plunging 53.6 percent from the previous quarter and sharply missing market expectations. Price gap narrows The root of the trade remedy lies in a widening price gap. Japanese and Chinese HRC was sold in the Korean market at an average of about 708,000 won per ton in July 2025, roughly 12.8 percent cheaper than comparable domestic products priced at 812,000 won. After stripping out tariffs and logistics costs, exporters' home-market prices were estimated to be 15 to 20 percent below Korean mills' prices. Provisional duties took effect in September 2025, narrowing the price differential to about 5 percent and resulting in import decline. The government projected that domestic HRC shipments could rise by more than 1 million tons, lifting local producers' market share by about 8.9 percentage points. Some analysts say the latest U.S. tariff measures may have a more limited impact than feared. "The steel tariffs were already imposed during Trump's first term under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the president to impose duties on national security grounds, so the impact is limited," said Park Sung-bong, an analyst at Hana Securities. "The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing a reduction in tariffs on derivative products containing steel and aluminum. If this materializes, exports of those products to the U.S. could recover, which is expected to have a partially positive effect on domestic steel demand." 2026-02-24 14:32:32

107th National Winter Sports Festival Opens Feb. 25 in Gangwon; Yu Seung-eun, Cha Jun-hwan to Compete The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee said Tuesday it will hold the 107th National Winter Sports Festival, the country’s largest winter sports event, from Feb. 25-28 across Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Competition will be held in eight sports: skating, ice hockey, skiing, biathlon, curling, bobsleigh and skeleton, mountaineering, and luge. A total of 4,380 people — 2,797 athletes and 1,583 officials — from 17 cities and provinces will take part across five divisions: under 12, under 15, under 18, university and general. Speedskating (Jan. 12-14) and short-track (Jan. 15-18) were staged as preliminary events. The main competition begins on the opening day, Feb. 25. The opening ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Feb. 25 at Mona Yongpyong Bliss Hill Stay. The committee said the event is expected to carry the momentum of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at home. Competitors are to include Yu Seung-eun, who won bronze in women’s snowboard big air at the Winter Olympics, along with South Korea’s figure skating stars Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in. Detailed information, including schedules and results, will be provided in real time on the official website. Figure skating will be televised live on KBS N SPORTS, while ice climbing (mountaineering) and luge will be streamed via YouTube on the official site.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 14:27:00

S-Oil Promotes Key Executives Ahead of Shaheen Project Startup S-Oil has reshuffled and promoted executives ahead of the planned January commercial startup of its Shaheen Project, moving key leaders to the forefront to strengthen launch preparations and stabilize early operations. The company on Monday announced promotions for three vice presidents, eight senior managing directors and four managing directors. Many of those promoted lead organizations responsible for Shaheen Project operations. Among the vice president promotions was Lee Jeong-ik, head of the Shaheen Project Headquarters. Promoted to senior managing director were Lee Uk-yong, who leads Shaheen Project operations, and Heo Seong-hun, head of the project technology division. The moves bolster both overall management and the operations and technology lines as the company focuses on stabilizing the project’s operating organization. Also promoted to vice president were Jeong Yeong-gwang, head of the chemical production headquarters, and Lee Geon-myeong, head of the domestic sales headquarters. Promoted to senior managing director were Lee Gyeong-mun, head of the new business division; Lee Jeong-il, head of the central region headquarters; Kim Seung-hu, head of the supply and demand division; Shin Jong-cheol, head of the lubricants sales division; Seo Gyeong-seop, head of the general affairs division; and Shin Bong-su, head of the RFCC1 plant. Promoted to managing director were Ahn Jeong-woo, head of the management planning division; Lee Hyeon-min, head of the southern region headquarters; Yang Hyeon-jun, head of the logistics division; and Kim Hyeon-woo, head of the domestic sales division. The Shaheen Project is a large-scale development in the Onsan National Industrial Complex, with a total investment of 9.258 trillion won on about 880,000 square meters. Construction began in March 2023, with mechanical completion targeted for late June this year. After test runs, the project is scheduled to begin commercial operations in January next year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 14:12:19

More South Koreans flock to national parks, with Mt. Bukhansan most visited SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Some 43.31 million people visited national parks last year, with Mt. Bukhansan seeing the most visitors, according to data released by the Korea National Park Service on Monday. It was a 6.5 percent increase from the previous year and a full recovery from the sharp drop seen during the coronavirus pandemic, when the number of annual visitors fell into the 30 million range from a pre-pandemic high of around 43 to 44 million. The number climbed back above 40 million in 2024 and has remained there since. Mt. Bukhansan was visited by 7.53 million people, up about 540,000 from the previous year, accounting for 17.4 percent of all national park visits. Its steady draw reflects its easy access from the Seoul metropolitan area, along with a diverse range of trails and walking paths. People also headed in large numbers to other major parks. Gyeongju National Park in the southeastern city ranked second with 4.21 million visitors, up 9 percent from a year earlier, largely due to the city's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last fall. It was followed by Hallyeohaesang National Park with 3.79 million visitors and Jirisan National Park with 3.23 million. The service's chairman, Joo Dae-young, said it will strive to "provide a safe and comfortable environment so that national parks remain a leading natural retreat for the public." 2026-02-24 14:10:03