South Korean parties agree to pass 90 noncontroversial bills, revise filibuster rules Rival parties agreed to pass 90 noncontroversial bills at a National Assembly plenary session on Jan. 29, and to also take up a revision to the National Assembly Act that would change rules for filibusters. Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party’s senior deputy floor leader for operations, and Yoo Sang-bum, the People Power Party’s counterpart, announced the agreement after meeting Tuesday at the National Assembly. Cheon told reporters that of 175 bills on the plenary agenda, the parties agreed to prioritize urgent livelihood-related measures and pass 90. He added that the National Assembly Act revision “needs further discussion” and said he expected floor leaders to finalize it through additional talks. Yoo said the People Power Party would withdraw filibusters it had requested so the agreed-upon bills could be processed. The People Power Party has staged filibusters since late last year, calling Democratic Party-backed proposals — including a dedicated trial division for insurrection cases, a new crime of distorting the law, an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices and the introduction of a court-appeal system — “bad laws that destroy the judiciary.” The party and the minor Reform Party have also pressed the Democratic Party to accept “twin special prosecutors” probes into election nomination donations and the Unification Church. The agreement indicates the People Power Party will cooperate on the livelihood bills by dropping filibusters, while the Democratic Party appears to have delayed action on more contentious measures. It came a day after President Lee Jae Myung said at a Cabinet meeting that the National Assembly was moving too slowly and urged faster action on legislation tied to state priorities. The parties also agreed to handle the National Assembly Act revision at the Jan. 29 plenary session. People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok said after a separate meeting with Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do that they had agreed to pass it. The Democratic Party-backed revision would allow the National Assembly speaker to halt a filibuster if fewer than one-fifth of lawmakers are present during the debate. It also includes changes aimed at easing the physical burden on the speaker’s office by loosening rules on delegating the chair’s presiding authority. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:45:20

Lee Jae Myung urges expanded defense, energy cooperation with Qatar in meeting with emir’s envoy President Lee Jae Myung asked Qatar to expand cooperation with South Korea in areas including defense, the defense industry and energy, his office said Tuesday. Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Nam Jun said in a written briefing that Lee met in the morning with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a special envoy of Qatar’s emir. Lee said the envoy’s swift visit after last week’s phone call with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani showed “the two countries’ firm commitment to cooperation.” He said he hoped the visit would further strengthen “mutually beneficial cooperation” in strategic fields including defense and the defense industry, investment and energy. Al-Khulaifi said he came to personally convey the emir’s “special trust” in South Korea and his will to deepen cooperation. He added he would work to carry out the two leaders’ shared commitment to advancing South Korea-Qatar relations. Lee noted the two countries have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 50 years and have upgraded their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” He said he hoped they would remain true friends who help each other in difficult times and contribute together to regional and international peace amid a complex global situation. Lee also asked the envoy to pass along his hope to hold a candid discussion in Seoul with the emir on ways to develop bilateral ties. In a phone call on Jan. 20, Lee told the emir the two countries should continue expanding cooperation across a range of fields. The emir said South Korea, Qatar’s “comprehensive strategic partner,” has made major contributions to Qatar’s national development, based on Qatar’s trust in and expectations for South Korea. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:45:00

KOSPI's bull run pushes South Korea to world's 10th-largest stock market SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI continued its bull run, closing at 5,170.81, while the junior KOSDAQ also finished above the 1,100 level at 1,133.52. The weeks-long rally that began at the start of the new year has lifted South Korea's stock market to a valuation of $3.25 trillion, surpassing Germany's $3.22 trillion and making it the world's 10th-largest stock market, just behind Taiwan, according to Bloomberg's compiled data. Wednesday's rally was led by semiconductor-related shares. Shares of SK hynix closed up 5.13 percent at 841,000 won, buoyed by the chipmaker's fourth-quarter earnings that showed operating profit surged 137.2 percent to 19.17 trillion won on strong chip demand. Samsung Electronics closed up 1.82 percent at 162,400 won, Samsung Biologics rose 0.06 percent to 1,791,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.73 percent to 192,200 won, and LG Energy Solution jumped 5.51 percent to 431,000 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace rising 4.72 percent to 1,288,000 won. But shipbuilding-related shares were mixed, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 0.34 percent to 586,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean rose 2.06 percent to 143,400 won. Auto-related stocks also traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor closing up 0.82 percent at 492,500 won, while its affiliate Kia fell 2.48 percent to 149,700 won. Individual investors snapped up a net 1.213 trillion won, while foreign investors and institutions sold a net 13.52 billion won and 1.0397 trillion won, respectively. Individual investors snapped up a net 1.213 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors offloaded a net 13.52 billion won and 1.0397 trillion won, respectively. The won strengthened sharply against the dollar, trading around 1,420 per dollar, its strongest level in weeks. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.05 percent to 53,358.71 and China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.27 percent to 4,151.24. 2026-01-28 17:43:05

KSD: 25 Listed Companies Changed Par Value Last Year, Down 12 From Prior Year The Korea Securities Depository said on Tuesday that 25 listed companies, including Young Poong Co., changed their shares’ par value last year, down 12 from the previous year. By market, five companies on the Korea Exchange’s main board and 20 on the Kosdaq carried out par value changes, down two and 10, respectively. Par value changes include stock splits and reverse stock splits. By type, 13 companies conducted stock splits, often aimed at improving trading liquidity, while 12 carried out reverse stock splits, often aimed at enhancing corporate image. Stock splits were more common on the main board (four companies), while reverse stock splits were more common on the Kosdaq (11 companies). Among stock splits, the most common change was from 500 won to 100 won at four companies, followed by 1,000 won to 500 won at three and 5,000 won to 100 won at two. For reverse stock splits, 100 won to 500 won was most common at five companies, followed by 500 won to 1,000 won at two. As of the end of last year, 500-won par value shares accounted for the largest share of the stock market: 50.2% on the main board and 75% on the Kosdaq. On the main board, 500 won (50.2%) was followed by 5,000 won (26.9%) and 1,000 won (13.6%). On the Kosdaq, 500 won was followed by 100 won (19.1%) and 1,000 won (2.2%). The stock market includes shares with par values of 100 won, 200 won, 500 won, 1,000 won, 2,500 won and 5,000 won, as well as no-par-value shares.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:42:42

HiteJinro’s Filite Hits Record 2025 Shipments; Cass Tops Brand Hall of Fame Again HiteJinro’s Filite posts record 2025 shipments HiteJinro said Tuesday that 2025 annual shipments of Filite, the top brand in South Korea’s malt-based sparkling beer category, reached about 340 million cans (based on 350 milliliters), the highest on record. Cumulative sales totaled 2.66 billion cans, nearing 2.7 billion. According to Nielsen Korea data through December 2025, Filite kept its No. 1 position, widening its lead over the No. 2 brand by more than fourfold. It ranked first in sales across all major retail channels, including neighborhood supermarkets, convenience stores and big-box retailers. HiteJinro attributed the performance to steady sales of its flagship Filite Fresh and the April launch of Filite Clear. The company said Filite Double Cut, released as a limited run in December, was nearing an early sellout, with consumers asking for a relaunch. Filite Clear uses the company’s “Super Clear” process to deliver a cleaner taste, HiteJinro said. Filite Double Cut is positioned as a functional sparkling beer, with purines reduced by 90% and calories cut by 33% compared with existing products. Amid high inflation, HiteJinro said it lowered prices on some products to ease consumer 부담. In September, it applied price cuts to key Filite Clear items, and it also set a lower factory price for Filite Double Cut to improve affordability. A HiteJinro official said Filite has focused on developing products that reflect diverse consumer needs while working to help stabilize everyday prices. The official said the company plans to expand social contributions in 2026, including support for jjokbangchon neighborhoods and Lunar New Year sharing events. Cass named No. 1 beer brand in Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for seventh straight year OB Beer said Tuesday that Cass was selected No. 1 in the beer category at the “2026 Korea Brand Hall of Fame” awards for the seventh consecutive year. The awards are organized by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies and sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Winners are chosen by evaluating business performance, brand value and customer satisfaction, among other factors. OB Beer said Cass was recognized for ongoing product innovation and efforts to strengthen consumer engagement, particularly through sports and festival events. Cass has continued brand updates to match shifting consumer trends. Last year, it rolled out a new design across its lineup emphasizing a “fresh” image and introduced differentiated products including nonalcoholic Cass All Zero, Cass Lemon Squeeze 7.0 and Cass Ice. The brand has also expanded consumer experiences through activities tied to sports and culture, including the large-scale music festival CassCool and marketing supporting South Korea’s national soccer team. OB Beer said Cass plans to participate as an official partner of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics and the North America World Cup in 2026. Seo Hye Yeon, OB Beer’s marketing vice president, said the seven-year streak reflects continued consumer support. “We will continue product innovation and consumer experience-focused activities,” she said. Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun appears on ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Nongshim said Tuesday that Shin Ramyun appeared on ABC’s late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in an episode that aired Monday (local time). The product was shown naturally as a prop in a short skit segment. Cast member Guillermo Rodriguez is depicted eating Shin Ramyun during a tiring day and then regaining energy, in a comedic scene. After the broadcast, viewers posted positive comments on the show’s official YouTube video, including, “It’s a fresh combination of Shin Ramyun and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’” and “Seeing Shin Ramyun late at night makes me want to eat it right now.” Industry observers said the appearance suggests Shin Ramyun has moved deeper into mainstream U.S. pop culture. Nongshim has stepped up local marketing, including digital ads tied to its collaboration with K-pop Demon Hunters, outdoor advertising in New York’s Times Square and offline campaigns. Analysts said those efforts helped lead to exposure on a major U.S. broadcast program. A Nongshim official said Shin Ramyun’s appearance on a major U.S. TV program shows it has become an icon representing K-food, beyond being a simple food product. The official said the company will continue using varied content to deliver the value of its global slogan, “Spicy Happiness In Noodles,” to consumers worldwide. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” first aired in 2003 and has remained a leading U.S. late-night talk show for more than 20 years, the company noted. It is known as a must-stop program for U.S. presidents as well as Hollywood actors and singers, and it has strong influence among adult viewers in their 20s to 40s. Sangha Farm rolls out Lunar New Year gift sets ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​ Maeil Dairies said Tuesday that Sangha Farm, a rural-experience theme park, has launched gift sets for the Lunar New Year holiday. Sangha Farm is an affiliate of Maeil Dairies and is located in Gochang County, North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province. The sets feature signature items from Sangha Farm workshops, including fermented foods, ham, cheese, sesame oil, castella and fruit, along with new fermented products, premium ingredients and seasonal winter produce. The company said the lineup emphasizes practicality for use during the holiday and afterward. The “all-purpose cooking master” set includes naturally fermented products designed to add deep savory flavor and can be used in stir-fries, braises and seasoned dishes. Other offerings include a premium ham workshop set made with handmade ham and sausages using antibiotic-free domestic pork, and a ham-and-cheese set that adds cheese made from Grade 1A milk. The lineup also includes a sesame oil and perilla oil set made with cold-press extraction and a castella set baked fresh daily. Sangha Farm also released a Jirisan fermented black dried persimmon set developed with Chef Yang Jae Jung and a mullet roe set made using natural drying. The company positioned both as premium gifts made with time and craftsmanship. A Sangha Farm official said the gift sets were planned to reflect workshop artisans’ philosophy and the time required for natural production, combining new products, premium ingredients and seasonal produce. Sangha Farm’s 2026 Lunar New Year gift sets will be sold for a limited time during the holiday season, with details available on its official website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:42:00

Blue House Says End of Multiple-Home Tax Surcharge Grace Period Follows Administrative Principles Breaking: The Blue House said ending the grace period for heavier taxes on owners of multiple homes is a matter of administrative principle, adding it is reviewing whether to allow a one- to two-month extension.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:39:00

Kim Keon Hee Says She Accepts Court’s Stern Criticism, Apologizes for Concern Breaking: Kim Keon Hee said she “humbly accepts” the court’s stern criticism and apologized for causing concern.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:36:00

Celltrion, Hanmi, Dong-A ST, HLB and Jaseng report U.S. growth, deals and approvals Celltrion’s Zymfentra posts record weekly prescriptions, ramps up U.S. marketing Celltrion said Wednesday that prescriptions for its subcutaneous infliximab treatment Zymfentra rose about 27% from the same period a month earlier and about 352% from a year earlier, based on the second week of January. The company said the figure was the highest weekly total prescriptions (TRx) recorded since the drug’s U.S. launch in March 2024, according to IQVIA. Celltrion said its ongoing online and offline advertising in the United States helped drive the increase in prescriptions. It also cited the rapid buildout of a reimbursement base for patients as a key factor. Celltrion said it expects Zymfentra’s growth to accelerate starting this year and plans to step up efforts to promote the product’s competitiveness. Hanmi Pharmaceutical signs Mexico export deal with Sanfer for GLP-1 obesity drug and diabetes products Hanmi Pharmaceutical said Wednesday it signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Mexican drugmaker Sanfer covering the GLP-1 obesity drug efpeglenatide and its diabetes combination products sold under the Daparone family brand. Under the deal, Hanmi will supply finished products of efpeglenatide and the Daparone family — Daparone tablets and Daparone Duo extended-release tablets — while Sanfer will handle regulatory approval, marketing, distribution and sales in Mexico. Hanmi said Mexico has an obesity prevalence of 36.86% and a diabetes prevalence of 16.4%. The companies said they plan to expand cooperation step by step, including on efpeglenatide and broader metabolic-disease treatments. Dong-A ST wins Canadian approval for Stelara biosimilar Imuldosa Dong-A ST said Wednesday it received approval from Health Canada for Imuldosa, a biosimilar to the autoimmune disease treatment Stelara (ustekinumab). Stelara posted 2024 sales of US$21.552 billion (about 29.9357 trillion won), the company said. Imuldosa was co-developed by Dong-A Socio Holdings and Meiji Seika Pharma starting in 2013 and is used to treat inflammatory conditions including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The product has been launched in 19 countries, including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom, and has received approvals in Middle Eastern markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. HLB says it completed FDA filing for bile duct cancer indication for lirafugratinib HLB said Wednesday that its U.S. subsidiary, Elevar Therapeutics, completed a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for lirafugratinib, an FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement-targeted cancer drug, as a second-line treatment for bile duct cancer. HLB said Elevar completed the filing after submitting an application on Jan. 23 for a first-line liver cancer indication, starting the FDA review process aimed at both indications. Lirafugratinib received FDA orphan-drug designation in 2022 and breakthrough therapy designation in 2023 for the bile duct cancer indication, HLB said. The company said it reached agreement with the FDA, after a formal meeting last year, to file for accelerated approval based on Phase 2 results without an additional confirmatory Phase 3 trial. HLB said the drug is likely to be considered for priority review, with the FDA to decide whether to grant it when the agency begins its full review. Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital study finds benefits of integrative treatment for older traffic-accident patients A research team led by Shin Ju Yeon, a Korean medicine doctor at Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital’s Spine and Joint Research Institute, said Wednesday it published results in the SCI(E)-indexed international journal Medicine on the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment for older traffic-accident patients. The team retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records of 1,788 patients ages 65 and older who were hospitalized from 2021 to 2023 at four facilities: Gangnam Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, Bucheon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital and Haeundae Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. The study assessed effectiveness and safety. During hospitalization, patients received integrative treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and Chuna manual therapy. Acupuncture was administered twice a day. Treatments included Shinbaro pharmacopuncture and herbal medicines such as Anshinjitongtang and Hwanghyeoljitongtang. Average length of stay was about 10 days. The team reported significant improvements in pain and functional recovery at discharge, around 10 days after admission, across four areas: neck, lower back, shoulder and knee. The EQ-5D quality-of-life measure improved by an average of 0.12 points, with gains across all indicators.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:34:19

South Korea’s Black Eagles Get First-Ever Refueling Support at Japan Air Base South Korea’s Air Force aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, received refueling support at a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base. The Yomiuri Shimbun and other outlets reported that the team refueled Tuesday at the JASDF base in Naha, Okinawa. It was the first time the JASDF has provided refueling support to a South Korean Air Force aircraft. The aircraft departed from Wonju Air Base in Gangwon Province and arrived at Naha around 10 a.m., one after another. Pilots also met with JASDF personnel at the base. Masahisa Miyazaki, Japan’s vice defense minister, said, “As the security environment surrounding our country grows more severe, Japan-South Korea defense cooperation is very important,” adding that the Black Eagles’ first stopover carried “great symbolic significance.” The Black Eagles were to depart Okinawa and travel via the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Oman, arriving in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 2 to take part in the International Defense Industry Exhibition 2026. Japan had previously agreed to provide refueling support for the Black Eagles as they traveled to the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates in November, but later refused after raising an issue over the T-50B aircraft conducting routine training near Dokdo. After South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi discussed defense coordination in a phone call on Dec. 26, talks resumed on a Japan stopover. A military attache message was sent Jan. 5 seeking approval for the stopover and airspace transit. The Yomiuri described the refueling in Japan as part of Japan-South Korea defense cooperation and said the Japanese government wants to link cooperation with South Korea to a mutual logistics support agreement, known as an ACSA. It said an ACSA between the Self-Defense Forces and the South Korean military would allow smoother, broader mutual provision of fuel and food and improve operational flexibility. Ahn is scheduled to visit Japan on Wednesday and meet Koizumi on Thursday in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:33:54

South Korea’s Kospi Closes at Record 5,170.81; Kosdaq Jumps 4.7% South Korea’s Kospi, which has held above the 5,000 mark, set another record high on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session. The Kosdaq surged more than 4% to finish above 1,130. According to the Korea Exchange, the Kospi rose 85.96 points, or 1.69%, to close at 5,170.81. It opened up 60.54 points, or 1.19%, at 5,145.39 and climbed further on buying by foreign and institutional investors. In the main market, foreigners bought a net 574.2 billion won and institutions bought a net 1.1534 trillion won. Retail investors bought a net 1.7229 trillion won. Most heavyweight stocks ended higher, including Samsung Electronics (up 1.82%), SK hynix (up 5.13%), LG Energy Solution (up 5.51%), Hyundai Motor (up 0.82%), Samsung Biologics (up 0.06%) and SK Square (up 6.55%). Samsung Electronics gained 2,900 won to close at 162,400 won, while SK hynix jumped 41,000 won to 841,000 won. Both set record closing highs. By sector, electronics rose 3.18%, financials gained 0.25% and pharmaceuticals added 1.43%. IT services fell 0.79% and machinery and equipment slipped 0.36%. The Kosdaq also rallied. The index rose 50.93 points, or 4.70%, to close at 1,133.52. It opened up 10.88 points, or 1.00%, at 1,093.47 and accelerated on net buying by institutions. Individuals sold a net 2.5981 trillion won, while foreigners bought a net 453.5 billion won and institutions bought a net 2.3268 trillion won. Institutions have been net buyers for three straight sessions in the Kosdaq market. Among top Kosdaq stocks, Alteogen rose 6.62%, EcoPro surged 21.82%, EcoPro BM gained 7.26%, Rainbow Robotics added 6.92%, Samchundang Pharm rose 5.52% and HLB gained 1.36%. ABL Bio fell 0.82% and Kolon TissueGene slipped 1.12%. By sector, electronics rose 6.07%, pharmaceuticals gained 2.90%, machinery and equipment climbed 6.69% and general services added 3.87%. Telecommunications fell 1.57%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:33:30