Hugel posts record 201.6 billion won operating profit on strong global sales Hugel said Tuesday that its consolidated operating profit for last year rose 21.3% from a year earlier to 201.6 billion won. Revenue increased 14% to 425.1 billion won, and net profit edged up 0.6% to 144.0 billion won, based on preliminary results. The company said it was the best performance in its history. Hugel said results were driven by strong global sales of its botulinum toxin product Botulax and its hyaluronic acid fillers The Chaeum and Byryzn, along with rapid growth in its cosmetics brands Wellage and Byryzn BR. By product, toxin revenue rose 15% to 233.8 billion won, while filler sales increased 1.7% to 129.7 billion won. Cosmetics and other products climbed 45.9% to 61.6 billion won. Combined annual sales of toxin and fillers rose 10% to 363.5 billion won, including overseas sales up 22% to 268.5 billion won. The export share for the two products expanded to 74% in 2025 from 66% in 2024. Growth was strongest in North and South America, including the United States and Brazil. Combined toxin and filler sales in the region jumped 105% to 67.9 billion won, and fourth-quarter revenue surged 310% from a year earlier to 29.2 billion won. Carrie Strom, Hugel’s global CEO, said the company posted sales in the 400 billion won range for the first time, citing “solid global competitiveness.” She said Hugel plans this year to strengthen its mid- to long-term growth base in key markets including the United States, China, Europe and Brazil.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 17:00:00

Korean Sport and Olympic Committee Sends Youth Ski, Snowboard Team to Milan-Cortina Games The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee said Tuesday it has sent a youth athletes delegation to the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics to give promising ski and snowboard athletes a chance to experience the Games firsthand. The delegation will be in Milan, Livigno and other locations from Tuesday through Feb. 17 for a weeklong schedule of on-site activities. Plans include watching competitions in skiing and snowboarding and visiting the Olympic Village, a meal-support center and Korea House, allowing the athletes to see the operating environment and how South Korea’s team is supported. The group includes six top athletes selected by the Korea Ski and Snowboard Association and the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation. All are skiing and snowboarding prospects taking part in a program to develop future national team members. KSOC President Yoo Seung-min said he hopes the visit will be “an important opportunity” for the athletes to build goals and a sense of responsibility by experiencing the Olympics in person.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 16:54:28

NPS' big bet on US tech stocks pay off, with '25 gains near $30 bn SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS) booked nearly $29.4 billion in valuation gains from its U.S. stock portfolio last year from its aggressive bet on Big Tech and artificial intelligence-driven growth despite rising concerns over market froth. The fund - one of the largest institutional players in the world - in its latest 13F filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reported that it held stakes in 561 U.S.-listed companies as of Dec. 31, 2025. The market value of its U.S. equity holdings stood at $135.07 billion, up 27.8 percent from a year earlier and marking an increase of $6.29 billion in valuation terms. The number of stocks in the portfolio rose from 552 to 561 over the quarter, while total shares climbed 3.36 percent to 888.4 million. The rally was led by technology heavyweights, particularly those linked to AI infrastructure and platforms. The largest quarterly increase came from Alphabet, the parent of Google. The valuation of the pension fund’s combined Class A and C shares surged from $5.39 billion in September to $7.16 billion at year-end, despite only a modest increase in share count. Holdings in Apple rose 8.45 percent in value to $8.21 billion, while pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly posted a sharp 42.9 percent jump. Semiconductor maker Micron Technology also stood out, with its valuation nearly doubling to $870 million on strong memory chip demand linked to AI servers. As of end-2025, the largest single holding in the NPS U.S. portfolio was NVIDIA, accounting for 6.9 percent of total assets, or $9.34 billion, followed by Apple (6.1 percent), Microsoft (5.2 percent), and Amazon (3.4 percent). The combined exposure highlights the fund’s continued concentration in U.S. technology and platform leaders that dominate the global AI ecosystem. While maintaining an aggressive stance on Big Tech, the NPS continued selective portfolio adjustments in the fourth quarter. Holdings in Intel fell 2.3 percent, while stakes in Roblox, Nike, and Applied Materials were also reduced. Its holding in Estée Lauder jumped from fewer than 5,000 shares to more than 400,000, while stakes in Reddit, Dollar Tree, and Ulta Beauty increased multiple times. The NPS also initiated new positions in Spotify and space company Rocket lab. 2026-02-11 16:49:42

South Korea to Reopen Search for Korea Creative Content Agency Chief After All 5 Candidates Rejected South Korea’s process to select a new head of the Korea Creative Content Agency will restart from the beginning.   The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday that all five candidates who reached the interview stage were rejected. The ministry plans to launch a new recruitment process soon.  The ministry and the agency began accepting applications on Jan. 13 and later interviewed five finalists, but all were deemed unqualified, according to officials. Those interviewed reportedly included actor Lee Won Jong, who has publicly supported President Lee Jae Myung.    A ministry official said it is too early to say when the new recruitment will begin, noting that an executive recommendation committee must be newly formed each time the process opens. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 16:49:09

South Korea's HMM posts sharp earnings drop on falling freight rates SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - HMM, South Korea’s largest shipping firm, reported a sharp decline in operating profit for 2025, falling nearly 60 percent from a year earlier as weaker freight rates and excess vessel supply weighed on its earnings. In a regulatory filing Wednesday, the company reported consolidated operating profit of 1.46 trillion won ($1.1 billion), down 58.4 percent from the previous year. Revenue declined 6.9 percent to 10.89 trillion won, while net profit reached 1.88 trillion won. The operating margin stood at 13.4 percent. While many global carriers slipped into losses in the fourth quarter amid seasonal slowdowns and weak freight conditions, HMM said its operating profit rose 6.9 percent from the previous quarter. Freight rates fell across major routes last year as container shipping capacity expanded while global trade softened, partly reflecting U.S. protectionist tariff policies, the company said. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaged 1,581 points in 2025, down 37 percent from the previous year’s average of 2,506. Rates on HMM’s key routes recorded steep declines, including drops of 49 percent on services to the U.S. West Coast and Europe, and 42 percent on U.S. East Coast routes. The company also cited rising trade tensions and uncertainty over environmental regulations as factors likely to prompt route adjustments and fleet redeployments across the industry this year. "To navigate market volatility, we plan to expand its service network and strengthen eco-friendly shipping operations," a company official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-11 16:39:50

Shin Yu Bin and Lim Jong Hoon rise to No. 1 in ITTF mixed doubles rankings South Korean table tennis player Shin Yu Bin and partner Lim Jong Hoon have moved to No. 1 in the world in mixed doubles.  The International Table Tennis Federation posted updated world rankings on its website on Tuesday, listing the Lim-Shin pair at No. 1 in mixed doubles. They rose one spot from the Week 7 rankings released on Feb. 9, marking the first time the duo have topped the mixed doubles standings.  The pair were eliminated in the round of 16 at last month’s WTT Star Contender Doha. In the latest calculation, however, points from last year’s WTT Singapore event expired, benefiting Lim and Shin. Lin Shidong and Kuai Man, the previous No. 1 pair, fell two places to No. 3. Lin and Kuai had won Singapore Smash, but their number of ranking events dropped to five as they have played fewer international tournaments recently. WTT rankings can include up to eight tournaments, but points drop off after one year. Lim and Shin earned 1,500 points by winning last year’s Hong Kong Finals and have consistently competed, filling the maximum eight events used for ranking.  Lim and Shin are scheduled to compete at WTT Singapore Smash, running from Feb. 19 to March 1. Lin and Kuai, along with the world No. 2 pair Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, will not participate. Under a rule allowing only one pair per country, the world No. 9 duo of Hwang Yu Jung and Chen Yi will enter instead. 2026-02-11 16:36:41

E-Mart posts sharp profit rebound in 2025 on cost cuts, pricing power SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest retailer E-Mart reported a sharp improvement in profitability last year despite inflationary pressures and sluggish consumer spending. In a regulatory filing Wednesday, the company said consolidated revenue for 2025 slipped 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 28.97 trillion won ($21.7 billion), while operating profit surged 584.8 percent to 322.5 billion won. E-Mart attributed the turnaround largely to cost savings achieved through integrated purchasing, which strengthened price competitiveness and helped draw more shoppers. The company said price-focused promotions that consumers could directly feel helped increase store traffic and sales. For instance, its flagship discount event, “Whale Eat Festa,” attracted 23 million participants last year, with sales during the campaign rising 28.1 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The company said three Starfield Market stores reopened after renovations last year, recording stronger traffic and sales. Visitor numbers at the Ilsan branch rose 61.3 percent after reopening, while sales climbed 74 percent. Customer traffic increased 7.3 percent at Dongtan and 32.4 percent at Gyeongsan, with sales rising 16.5 percent and 19.3 percent, respectively. Warehouse club chain Traders also posted growth, with annual gross sales rising 8.5 percent to 3.85 trillion won and operating profit climbing 39.9 percent to 129.3 billion won. Other offline affiliates also delivered solid results. Shinsegae Property reported revenue rising 27.2 percent to 470.8 billion won on stronger Starfield mall operations and development projects, while operating profit increased by 96.7 billion won to 174 billion won. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-11 16:12:28

Lee to meet DP, PPP leaders over luncheon SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to sit down for talks with the leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) later this week. In a press briefing on Wednesday, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters that Lee is scheduled to hold a meeting with DP leader Jung Chung-rae and PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday to "seek bipartisan cooperation on state affairs and discuss ways to improve people's livelihoods." "They are expected to discuss various issues without limiting the agenda," Kang added. Possible topics could include the impasse over a broader tariff-related deal with Washington, after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly threatened late last month to raise tariffs back to 25 percent, citing delays in implementing the deal, which includes Seoul's massive investment in the U.S. The luncheon meeting comes about five months after the previous one, held in September last year. 2026-02-11 16:08:47

Actor Park Jung Min Apologizes After 'Life of Pi' Show Is Canceled Minutes Before Curtain Actor Park Jung Min apologized after the play "Life of Pi" was abruptly canceled shortly before it was to begin in Seoul. Park posted a message Tuesday through his agency, Sam Company, saying he was "sincerely sorry" to everyone who came to the show the night before. He said he used the agency account because he does not have a personal social media account. "No reason can ease the shock you felt in that moment, and I believe this was our fault," Park wrote. "Thinking of how empty you must have felt turning back with the theater doors still closed, I have nothing I can say." He added that the time, energy and support audiences gave to see the show were "a debt" he cannot repay. Park said he suggested adding a special performance and that the production company agreed. "I know a re-performance cannot make up for everyone’s disappointment, but I hope it can offer at least a small comfort," he wrote. He added, "I’m sorry to have put you through an experience you did not want. The actors and all staff will work even harder for the remaining performances. If you can, I hope to see you on the day of the re-performance. On behalf of the team, I apologize again." Online commenters responded with messages such as, "It’s not the actor’s fault," and, "I’m worried about his condition." The show scheduled to open Feb. 10 at GS Arts Center in Seoul notified audiences of the cancellation at about 7:25 p.m., about five minutes before the 7:30 p.m. start time. The production company said a sudden technical problem occurred in some lighting equipment before the performance. It said it attempted repairs but decided it could not proceed and canceled the show. After controversy over the cancellation, the "Life of Pi" production said it will stage an additional performance at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 with the same cast. Audience members who had tickets for the canceled show can attend in the same seats and will receive a refund of 10% of the ticket price. Those who do not want to attend the additional performance will receive a refund of 110% of the ticket price. The following is Park Jung Min’s full statement. Hello. I’m Park Jung Min. First, I want to sincerely apologize to all the audience members who came to last night’s performance. It seems the production company decided to cancel because problems occurred with some lighting equipment and they judged it would cause major inconvenience. There also may have been safety concerns for the puppeteers who must move inside the puppets. However, I believe no reason can ease the shock you felt in that moment, and this was our fault. Thinking of how empty you must have felt turning back with the theater doors still closed, I have nothing I can say. I believe the precious time, energy and heartfelt support you gave to see this show are a debt that cannot be repaid. My apology comes late. Before apologizing, I felt I needed to work with the production company to prepare as much of an alternative as possible, even if it could not be enough. I also thought an apology without an alternative could be irresponsible. I suggested adding a special performance, and the production company willingly accepted. It seems time was needed to confirm details with the many people involved with the theater and the production, and with the audience members who came yesterday. I know a re-performance cannot make up for everyone’s disappointment, but I still hope it can offer at least a small comfort. Thanks to the many audience members who have come so far, the actors and staff go onstage each day with gratitude. It has been a while since I last performed onstage, so I am very nervous and afraid in every moment, but I feel your support gives me great strength. Even so, I’m sorry to have put you through an experience you did not want. For the remaining performances, the actors and all staff will work even harder. If you can, I hope to see you on the day of the re-performance. I will work very hard. And on behalf of the team, I once again offer my sincere apology. I’m sorry. Sincerely, Park Jung Min (I do not have a personal account, so I borrowed the company account to post this. Thank you for your understanding.) 2026-02-11 15:57:00

'Life of Pi' Adds Feb. 16 Show After Last-Minute Cancellation in Seoul The stage production "Life of Pi," starring actor Park Jung Min, will add a performance on Feb. 16 after a show was canceled just five minutes before curtain, organizer Clip Service said Tuesday. The performance had been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday at the GS Arts Center in Seoul but was abruptly called off shortly before it was to begin. Clip Service said it found a lighting equipment error during a final inspection of the Feb. 10 performance and that "unexplained malfunctions" continued despite repair efforts. It said the technical problem involved lighting equipment that affected performers' movement, and it decided to cancel the show with safety as the top priority. The added 7:30 p.m. performance on Feb. 16 will be offered only to ticket holders for the canceled Feb. 10 show, with the same seats and the same cast. Seat changes will not be allowed. Those who do not want to attend the added performance will receive a refund of 110% of the ticket payment amount. Cancellations can be made without fees through the ticket seller's customer service center until 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 15:48:00