Korea Talent Donation Association Delivers Supplies, Gifts to Seoul Orphanage The Korea Talent Donation Association, led by Chairman Choi Se-gyu, said it visited SOS Children’s Village in Sinwol-dong, Seoul’s Yangcheon District, on the 21st and held a ceremony to deliver daily necessities and gifts for children in need. The event was hosted by announcer Shim So-won. The association said donations and support were provided by Lee Wan-guk, chairman of Shambala CC; Yoon Jong-cheol, CEO of Utrax; Koo Bon-hoon, ESG committee chair at Samgu I&C; Lee Gi-sik, CEO of Hyosung ENG; Song Myeong-ui, chairman of Whale Food; Han Dong-bin, CEO of Winner Technology; Won Mi-hee, head of the Yeowoorak Arts Troupe; Yoo Jeong-yeol, CEO of Hi-Tech Yuil; Kim Dong-oh, CEO of Dongoh Construction; Kim Han-byeol, CEO of Philip Construction; Hwang Cheong-seong, honorary branch manager at Kyobo Life Insurance; Kim Seung-gi, an advisory member of the association; Ko Jeong-yong, CEO of Aizen Pharma Korea; Kim Hye-jeong, CEO of Neokim; Choi Gyu-hyeong, CEO of Daeil E&P; Kang Cheol-su, head of Ace Medical; and singer Jang Hae-ok of Hallyu Star Entertainment. It said Kim Young-gi, chairman of KuuKuu, and Hwang Eun-ju, president of Yonsei University FCEO Alumni Association, donated rice; Jang Jong-cheol, CEO of Imjin Industry, and Myung Jeong-gil, CEO of MG Company/ Tteurak Sangjo, donated ramen; Jung Mi-hwa, CEO of EK Book, donated children’s books; Kim Jeong-an, chairman of People Sharing Hope, donated daily necessities; Hong Seung-soon, CEO of Belcarino, donated wristwatches and wallets; Eo Jeon-gwi, described as the holder of a Guinness record related to one of the world’s three major bicycle categories, donated bicycle helmets; singer Kim Da-hyeon donated a seaweed set; and Ma Seung-hwan of Dalbit donated a kitchen dish set. Choi said, “Everyone is struggling because of high prices, but the warm spirit of giving has not cooled,” adding that “at times like this, it is important to deliver sincere support to places that need help.” He said the association would continue working to establish a sustainable culture of giving. The association said it works to support marginalized groups through volunteer talent donations. Its activities include free weddings for couples with disabilities, performances for military units and prisons, support for multicultural families, concerts to help child-headed households, startup consulting, free moving assistance and rural volunteer work. The association released a list of additional sponsors and attendees after the event: Kim Ju-hyeon; Song Soon-hee, team leader at Samsung Life Insurance’s Mokdong branch; Gong Mi-hwa, a Kyobo Life Insurance consultant; Han Jang-hyeon, CEO of Y&M Construction; Ha Chang-su; Kim Jin-hyeon, head of Lotte Art Planning; Park Myeong-rae, CEO of L&K Pharm; Kim Geum-ju; Choi Jeong-myeong; Jeong Seon-ja, an advisory member of the association; Choi Ji-young of Aranggung; Lee Seok-muk, division head at Builtone; Lee Sang-deok, head of Hanil Trading; Shin Jun-uk, head of Anyang Jungang Hanwoo Gopchang; poet Choi Hae-yeon; Park Ji-hu; Park Sang-jun (Ryu Jeong-a); Lee Sang-yoon, CEO of Hohyeon; Choi Sang-gwi, digital artist; Kim Sang-hyeon of the Incheon New Knowledge Association; Lee Yong-jin, an operations committee member of the association; Kim Ji-yoon, head of Samsung Real Estate; So Chun-seop, CEO of Inszone; Yoon Seung-ho, transportation business; Park Gyeong-seop, chairman of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Reporters Group; Lee Yeo-jin, a director of the association; singer Geumbit Yerim; singer Han Hyeong-gyo of the Korea Entertainment Arts Federation; Yang Seul-gi, a traditional Korean musician; Jeong Bok-hee, director at DMC Trips; Choi Byeong-yeon, deputy director at Seoul Mideum Dental Clinic; Kim Yong-ik, head of Arichai; Jeong Jin-yeong, senior welfare director at the Yeongjong Civic Coalition; actor Han Ji-il; Han Yun-jin, vice president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Reporters Group; Han Ji-yeon, news director of the group; Jeong Eun-gyeong, a freelance broadcaster with the group; Jeong Yeon-ju of the World Women Peace Volunteer Group; Jang Seong-suk; Moon Seong-soon; Han Hye-soon; Choi Cho-young; Kim Young-ju; Park Byeong-gu; Kang Young-soon, a public official; Park Hae-gyeong, a director of the Korea Calligraphy and Painting Association; Oh Du-seong, chairman of the Federation of Small Business Owners; Kim Young-jung, external cooperation chair of the federation; and members of Talent and Creative Golf. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 07:51:19

The Boyz File Embezzlement Complaint Against One Hundred Label CEO; Agency Denies Allegations The dispute between K-pop group The Boyz and their agency, One Hundred Label, has escalated into a criminal complaint as their exclusive-contract fight continues. The Boyz’s legal representative said on 21 that nine members filed a complaint accusing One Hundred Label CEO Cha Ga-won of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. The complaint was filed by nine members, excluding member New, the representative said. The conflict had already surfaced over the group’s exclusive contract. The Boyz signed with One Hundred in December 2024, and in February this year nine members filed for an injunction to suspend the validity of their exclusive contracts. At the time, the group said the agency had not paid settlements since July last year and had refused to allow access to materials needed to verify transparency in the accounting. One Hundred countered that it could not accept demands to terminate the contracts. One Hundred rejected the new criminal allegation. Attorney Hyun Dong-yup, the agency’s legal representative, said the embezzlement claim against Cha was “groundless” and said the company had “faithfully carried out” its settlement obligations. He said the agency would respond by using “all legal means,” including a potential false-accusation charge, while adding that it still wants all 10 members to promote together. In an additional statement, One Hundred also argued the complaint lacks a sufficient legal basis. According to One Hundred, Yongsan Police Station asked to merge the case into an investigation being handled by Team 6 of Unit 1 of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Major Crime Investigation Division, which is investigating Cha, but the investigative team declined. Citing Hyun’s view, One Hundred said the refusal appeared to reflect that “the property’s belonging to another person” had not been recognized based solely on the complaint. The agency called the filing a “smear” complaint with “markedly weak” legal grounds. One Hundred also disputed the accounting claims, saying accountant Kim Geon-young of accounting firm Hyun completed account analysis and an overall audit and confirmed there was no misuse of funds or embezzlement. The agency again said it would pursue legal action, including for false accusation, over what it called an unfounded criminal complaint. One Hundred said the dispute has worsened in part because of how The Boyz’s legal representative has responded, alleging false information was provided to some members to encourage internal division. It also pointed to the first hearing on 20, saying the other side requested more than a week for an explanation period, and claimed the goal was to delay through a public-relations fight rather than resolve the matter. The agency said it has already paid members large signing bonuses and settlements, and that its settlement payment plan is transparently established. Despite the legal battle, The Boyz plan to proceed with scheduled concerts. The group is set to hold a solo concert from 24 to 26 at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park in Seoul’s Songpa district. 2026-04-22 07:48:16

Korea's March producer price surge by steepest in nearly four years SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s producer prices surged at their fastest monthly pace in nearly four years in March, driven by supply-chain disruptions stemming from an energy shock triggered by the outbreak of war in the Middle East, coupled with a global semiconductor shortage, in a prelude to a broader spike in inflation. The Bank of Korea (BOK) reported on Wednesday that the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 1.6 percent from the previous month, the sharpest increase since June 2022. On an annual basis, the index climbed 4.1 percent, signaling a potential bump-up in consumer inflation after a two- to three-month lagged pass-through. The spike was primarily driven by industrial goods, which rose 3.5 percent on month. Energy-related products bore the brunt of geopolitical volatility following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with coal and petroleum prices skyrocketing 31.9 percent, the highest since December 1997, when the country was in a bailout crisis. Naphtha and diesel prices soared 68.0 percent and 20.8 percent, respectively. Chemical products also felt the heat from rising raw material costs, climbing 6.7 percent as prices for key inputs such as ethylene and xylene jumped significantly. The technology sector added to cost pressures on the manufacturing front. Prices for computers, electronics and optical instruments rose 4.1 percent, led by a staggering 101.4 percent surge in computer memory and an 18.9 percent increase in DRAM prices. Agricultural and fishery prices offered slight reprieve, falling 3.3 percent. Seasonal factors led to sharp declines in the prices of strawberries and onions, which dropped 42.5 percent and 53.4 percent, respectively, partially offsetting the broader industrial gains. The underlying data suggest deepening cost pressures across the supply chain. The domestic supply price index rose 2.3 percent, while the cost of imported raw materials surged 5.1 percent. The total output price index, which includes exports, rose 4.7 percent, bolstered by a 14.6 percent spike in export prices of industrial goods. This was exacerbated by continued weakness in the Korean won, which averaged 1,493.83 against the U.S. dollar in March — the fourth-lowest monthly average on record. The rapid cost buildup presents an immediate challenge for new BOK Governor Shin Hyun-song. During his inauguration on Tuesday, Shin identified stabilizing prices as his top priority, warning that “rising international oil prices are simultaneously exerting upward pressure on inflation and downward pressure on economic growth.” 2026-04-22 07:28:18

Seo In-young Recalls Peak Fame: ‘I Did Eight Schedules a Day, Even by Helicopter’ Singer Seo In-young looked back on her busiest years at the height of her career. A preview clip for tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” was uploaded Monday to the show’s official channel. Seo said she was “really busy” during her peak and added, “If you told me to go back, I could never do it.” Host Yoo Jae-suk said Seo’s breakout with “Cinderella” made headlines, down to her “choco songi” hairstyle. Seo said she was grateful for the memories but slept about two hours a day. She said she also studied while filming the variety show “KAIST,” adding that she was told she would be cut if she did not study. She said the work felt “almost real,” as she filmed “We Got Married” and, with her boss eager for more, did as many as eight event appearances in a day. “I even took a helicopter to get to schedules,” she said, adding that she was so busy she had no time to enjoy the feeling of success. Seo debuted in 2002 as a member of the girl group Jewelry and later released hits with the group and as a solo artist, including “One More Time” and “Cinderella.” She also gained popularity for her candid appeal on programs including MBC’s 2008 variety show “We Got Married.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 07:27:18

Korea’s Financial Regulator Plans Major Hiring as KOSPI Sets Record High ◆Aju Economy Top Stories ▷At least 70 hires planned this year as a bigger, more powerful FSS expands -According to the financial industry on the 21st, South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service recently completed selection of 40 experienced hires — 30 certified public accountants and 10 lawyers — and is preparing final placements. It is the largest experienced-hire intake since such recruiting was halted after a 2017 hiring scandal and resumed in 2023. -The FSS also plans additional hiring to strengthen its special judicial police function. FSS Gov. Lee Chan-jin said 30 more personnel would be added. Including that, experienced hiring this year is expected to exceed at least 70 people. -The expansion would push the FSS workforce close to a record high. Total headcount stood at 2,392 as of the end of last year, and is expected to rise above 2,500 if new graduate recruitment proceeds. -An FSS official said, “As President Lee Jae-myung has stressed strict punishment of unfair trading, the presidential office frequently contacts front-line departments,” adding, “This staffing increase is an extension of that policy direction.” -Concerns are also growing as authority expands. Critics point to worries about a gap in investigative oversight tied to changes in the prosecution’s command structure, and unresolved issues of overlapping roles with existing bodies such as joint response teams. ◆Key Report ▷KOSPI retakes highs after two months, sets new record -On the 21st, the KOSPI rose 2.7% and the KOSDAQ gained 0.1%. Despite mixed moves in U.S. stocks the previous session, the rally continued and the KOSPI set a new record, topping the prior 6,307 points. The report said markets appear increasingly accustomed to volatility, with attention shifting from geopolitical risks to fundamentals such as earnings. -Exports for April 1-20, released that day, totaled $50.4 billion — up 49.4% from a year earlier — with semiconductor exports up 182.5%, a record that lifted earnings expectations. News flow about U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s departure for a second round of talks and the possibility of participation in Iran talks also supported sentiment, the report said. -Using an unchanged earnings-per-share assumption, the 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio stood at 7.67 times. The report cited deep-value appeal and expectations for further semiconductor profit growth, with gains led by large caps including SK hynix, up 5.0%, and Samsung Electronics, up 2.1%. ◆Major filings after the close (21st) ▷LS ELECTRIC posts 126.6 billion won in Q1 operating profit, up 45% from a year earlier ▷CSA Cosmic: “Additional acquisition of shares in subsidiary Gentro Group for 2.5 billion won” ▷KG Steel: “Acquisition of Daehan Electric Wire shares worth 110 billion won; stake 4.9%” ▷Bukwang Pharmaceutical Q1 operating profit plunges 63%; “impact of expanded outsourced production” ▷KB Financial makes voluntary information-security disclosure; “strengthening financial consumer protection” ◆Fund flows (as of the 20th, excluding ETFs) ▷Domestic equity funds: 53.4 billion won ▷Overseas equity funds: -23.1 billion won ◆Key events today (22nd) ▷South Korea: Producer Price Index (March) ▷United Kingdom: Consumer Price Index (March), Producer Price Index (March) ▷Eurozone: Consumer confidence (April) ▷Bonds: U.S. Treasury auctions for 5-year and 20-year notes* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 07:00:43

South Korea’s March Producer Prices Rise 1.6% as Oil Products Jump 31.9% A sharp rise in international oil prices driven by the war in the Middle East pushed South Korea’s producer prices higher for a seventh straight month.  The Bank of Korea said on the 22nd that the producer price index for March came to 125.24, up 1.6% from the previous month. It was the biggest monthly increase since April 2022, when the index also rose 1.6%. Producer prices have increased each month from September last year through March. By category, agricultural, forestry and fishery products fell 3.3% from February, led by declines in agricultural products (-5.0%) and livestock products (-1.6%). Manufacturing products rose 3.5% on higher oil prices. Coal and petroleum products surged 31.9%, the steepest increase since December 1997 (57.7%). Prices for electricity, gas, water and waste edged down 0.1% as industrial city gas fell 3.0%. Services were unchanged: restaurant and lodging services rose 0.1%, while transportation services slipped 0.2%. Among major items, naphtha jumped 68.0% from February and diesel rose 20.8%. Computer memory devices climbed 101.4%, and DRAM increased 18.9%. DRAM prices were up 261.4% from a year earlier. The domestic supply price index rose 2.3% in March from the previous month, driven by gains in raw materials (5.1%) and intermediate goods (2.8%). Domestic shipments of raw materials fell 2.0%, but imports rose 7.3%. For intermediate goods, domestic shipments and imports increased 2.4% and 4.9%, respectively. The total output price index rose 4.7% from February as manufacturing products increased 7.9%. Exports and domestic shipments of manufacturing products rose 14.6% and 3.5%, respectively. The central bank said the Middle East war’s inflationary impact is expected to extend into April. Lee Moon-hee, head of the BOK’s price statistics team, said that after international oil prices surged in March, the average price so far in April has fallen from the previous month’s average. Still, he said the impact of raw material prices that rose before March is expected to spread gradually and add upward pressure to producer prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 06:05:37

Korea Faces Record 91 Trillion Won Corporate Bond Maturities as Rates Rise Corporate bond maturities due this year are expected to exceed 91 trillion won, a record that is pushing companies to prioritize refinancing over new investment. If the policy rate rises in the second half of the year, interest costs could jump further, raising concerns about weaker investment and hiring and broader financial-market stress. The Korea Financial Investment Association said that as of Monday, corporate bonds maturing this year totaled 91.2262 trillion won. That is the highest level since the data series began, up 12.3295 trillion won from last year’s 78.8967 trillion won. Maturities in the first half amount to 57.8962 trillion won, or 63.4% of the total, concentrating repayment pressure early in the year. Much of the debt was issued in 2020 and 2021, when ultra-low rates of about 1% to 2% enabled companies to raise large sums to secure liquidity. Since then, the market backdrop has shifted with policy-rate increases and Middle East-driven geopolitical risks, leaving firms to refinance those bonds at far higher rates. With the Bank of Korea’s rate-cutting stance effectively over, upward pressure on rates has returned amid external factors including the possibility of a supplementary budget and a sharp rise in Japanese government bond yields. As of March 23, yields on three-year AA- rated corporate bonds rose to 4.197%, while BBB- rated bonds climbed to 9.979%. Markets increasingly expect the central bank could raise the policy rate once or twice in the second half of the year. That would likely push refinancing rates higher and add to companies’ interest burdens. As funding conditions tighten, companies are focusing on short-term liquidity rather than expansion. Rising demand for working capital suggests firms are emphasizing survival over growth. Higher interest costs are likely to squeeze research and development and capital spending, undermining competitiveness over the medium to long term. If that is compounded by reduced hiring and smaller performance bonuses, household income and consumption could also weaken, raising the risk of a negative cycle. The strain is expected to be heavier for mid-sized and small businesses. Large companies may refinance more steadily thanks to cash holdings and stronger credit, but lower-rated firms, including those rated BBB or below, and many mid-sized and small companies could face a credit crunch that makes funding difficult. If refinancing fails or borrowing costs surge, some companies could face liquidity crises. Policy factors are adding to the pressure. As the government encourages greater shareholder returns, companies face interest-payment burdens alongside demands for dividends and share buybacks, highlighting a dilemma between financial soundness and shareholder payouts. Analysts say the path of interest rates could turn corporate debt into a broader drag on the economy. If rate hikes materialize in the second half, higher interest costs could deliver a combined shock that restrains investment, employment and consumption. Jung Hwa-young, a research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute, said, “For lower-credit companies, interest expenses can rise quickly when profitability and financial soundness deteriorate.” She added, “Authorities need to closely monitor funding conditions for vulnerable firms and respond in a timely way to market instability.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 06:04:31

Korean Firms Shift From Investment to Debt Repayment as Rate Volatility Rises Korean companies are taking a more defensive stance, choosing to repay debt rather than invest for future growth. With Middle East-driven geopolitical risks adding to interest-rate volatility, corporate profitability and financing conditions have worsened at the same time. Economists warn that a pullback by businesses could slow growth and add downward pressure across the broader economy. Companies repay debt instead of tapping the bond market early in the year According to the Bank of Korea on April 21, the corporate bond market posted net redemptions of 6.4 trillion won from January through March. That marked a shift from net issuance in the same period in 2024 and 2025. Early in the year typically brings an “early-year effect,” when companies issue bonds to secure funding for annual business plans, helped by fresh allocations from institutional investors and relatively favorable borrowing terms. This year, however, companies focused on paying down debt even during the usual funding window, underscoring heightened caution. The backdrop has been unpredictable external risks. Government bond yields have continued to rise this year, while war in the Middle East has pushed up international oil prices and the exchange rate, adding to cost pressures. Markets have also priced in the possibility that the central bank could raise its policy rate to curb inflation, sending sovereign yields sharply higher. In March, the three-year government bond yield climbed to 3.617%, a move that appeared to reflect expectations of at least two rate hikes. As uncertainty has grown, companies have been prioritizing “survival” — cutting interest costs and building cash — over expansion financed by borrowing. The concern is that this caution could weigh on the broader economy. If corporate investment falls, hiring could weaken, which could then reduce household spending and further hurt domestic demand. Restarting growth momentum once it cools can take significant time and cost. Business sentiment weakens, raising risk of a negative investment cycle Business indicators are already reflecting unease. The Bank of Korea said the all-industry Corporate Business Sentiment Index, or CBSI, for March slipped 0.1 point from the previous month to 94.1. The CBSI is calculated from key Business Survey Index components — five for manufacturing and four for nonmanufacturing — with 100 as the baseline; readings above 100 indicate optimism and below 100 pessimism. April outlook readings, when the spillover from the Middle East war is expected to become more pronounced, deteriorated further. The April CBSI outlook fell 3.0 points month over month to 95.9 for manufacturing and dropped 5.6 points to 91.2 for nonmanufacturing. The declines were the steepest since January last year, following the “emergency martial law incident” in December 2024, when manufacturing fell 3.8 points and nonmanufacturing dropped 9.7 points. Measures of profitability also weakened. The profitability BSI for March fell 3 points from the previous month to 73, and the next-month outlook (70) plunged 9 points. Sentiment on funding conditions also worsened: the funding conditions BSI edged down 1 point in March to 79, while the April outlook came in at 77, down 3 points from the prior outlook reading of 80. Such pressure on profits and funding is likely to translate into weaker investment. The facilities investment execution BSI slipped from 95 for March’s outlook to 94 for April, signaling companies may scale back capacity expansion or new projects. The Bank of Korea has previously said Korea’s slowing growth is rooted in weak corporate investment. Lee Jong-ung, deputy head of the BOK’s survey and research team, said, “The slowdown in growth after the economic crisis stemmed from weak investment due to deteriorating corporate profitability and the failure of self-correcting mechanisms to function smoothly,” adding, “Weak corporate investment is driven less by financing constraints than by a fundamental decline in profitability.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 06:03:18

Trump Extends Ceasefire Until Iran Presents Unified Proposal U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 21 local time that he would extend a ceasefire until Iran’s leadership and negotiating team present a unified proposal. In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he had received a request to hold off on attacks “based on the fact that the Iranian government is seriously divided and at Pakistan’s request,” until Iran’s leadership and delegation put forward a single proposal. He added that he would extend the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and talks conclude “one way or the other.” Trump said the maritime blockade on Iran would remain in place and that other readiness measures would continue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 06:00:18

China’s EV Market Tilts to Local Brands, Testing Hyundai’s Comeback Strategy China’s electric-vehicle market is rapidly consolidating around domestic brands, leaving even Tesla and Germany’s top automakers — Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen — struggling. Hyundai Motor’s renewed push into China is now being tested. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on April 21, China produced 34.53 million vehicles last year, up 10.4% from a year earlier. Over the same period, sales of new-energy vehicles — including EVs and hybrids — totaled 16.49 million, meaning one out of every two new cars sold was an electrified model. Chinese policymakers and industry moved quickly toward electrification, judging it would be difficult to catch up with the U.S., Europe and Japan in internal-combustion technology. Backed by strong government support, domestic automakers have sharply increased market share. BYD has begun applying its autonomous-driving system, branded “God’s Eye,” across its lineup this year. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu pledged that “all customers” would be able to use smart driving. Huawei, Xpeng and others are also using deep-learning, end-to-end systems to absorb real-world urban driving data. Features such as driving in autonomous mode on certain routes and the car finding a parking space and stopping on its own have become commonplace. Domestic brands’ share of China’s auto market rose to 69.5% last year, up 4.3 percentage points from the previous year. BYD (14.7%) and Geely (11%) further solidified their top-two positions, while Volkswagen Group (10.9%) slipped to third. Tesla’s Shanghai plant shipments fell 7% from a year earlier to 851,732 vehicles. China’s advantage is often described as economies of scale. Automakers expanded production on the back of domestic demand, strengthening price competitiveness. A Bank of Korea report published this month, titled “Review of the Key Drivers of Growth in China’s Auto Industry,” said China supplemented core technologies such as engines and transmissions through cooperation with Western manufacturers. Instead, it focused investment on areas where it holds an edge, including batteries, electric motors and rare earths. The report said this helped lower production costs and build a structure able to respond flexibly to policy shifts. Hyundai’s latest bid comes amid that shift. This month, at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing, the company formally announced the Ioniq brand’s entry into China and unveiled two concept cars. In a market far different from the earlier, combustion-engine era, Hyundai must find a way to compete with domestic giants while also facing established global brands.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 05:05:24