Korea Eximbank, KHNP sign nuclear power cooperation MOU with Philippines’ Meralco The Export-Import Bank of Korea said it has moved to strengthen financing support for South Korean companies seeking nuclear power plant contracts overseas. Korea Eximbank and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said they signed a three-party memorandum of understanding with Meralco, the Philippines’ largest private power company, in Manila to cooperate on developing nuclear power projects in the Philippines. The signing ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Roque. Korea Eximbank President Hwang Ki-yeon, KHNP acting CEO Jeon Dae-uk and Meralco Chairman Manuel Pangilinan signed the agreement. The MOU was arranged following President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to the Philippines, with the aim of supporting the local market entry of “K-nuclear” from the financing side. Under the agreement, Korea Eximbank will review possible financing for nuclear projects pursued by Meralco, offer tailored financing packages when South Korean companies participate, and support efforts to build a nuclear industry ecosystem combining KHNP’s technology with Meralco’s local network. Pangilinan said South Korean companies’ proven technology and Korea Eximbank’s financial support would be “meaningful progress” for strengthening the Philippines’ energy security and economic growth. Hwang said the MOU marks a starting point for expanding Korea Eximbank’s financing expertise into nuclear projects in the Philippines, adding that the bank will step up support so the market can become a new growth opportunity for South Korean companies. 2026-03-04 15:54:00

Korean industry minister flies to Canada after Team Korea submits bid for submarine deal SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) -South Korea’s industry minister will head to Canada this week to lend a final push to Team Korea’s bid for Ottawa’s multibillion-dollar submarine program, as Seoul throws its weight behind a national effort to secure one of the world’s largest naval procurement deals. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is scheduled to depart Thursday for Canada to support a South Korean consortium competing for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) — a program valued at up to 60 trillion won ($40 billion) to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging fleet. The Korean team led by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is competing against a European bid spearheaded by Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which is working with partners including Norway. Both sides submitted their final proposals to the Canadian government on Monday, moving the competition into its final phase. Kim’s trip will officially center on attending the completion ceremony for LG Energy Solution’s electric-vehicle battery plant in Ontario, but the visit is expected to double as a diplomatic push for the submarine bid. During the trip, he is expected to meet senior Canadian officials including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly to highlight Korea’s submarine construction capabilities and discuss broader industrial cooperation between the two countries. The CPSP program calls for the procurement of up to 12 conventionally powered submarines, with Canada aiming to deploy the vessels beginning in the early 2030s as its Victoria-class submarines approach retirement. Canadian officials have made clear that the winning bidder will be judged not only on capability, cost and delivery schedule but also on which proposal delivers the greatest economic and manufacturing benefits within Canada. That requirement has effectively turned the competition into a wider industrial partnership race. Hanwha Ocean has framed its proposal as the foundation for a long-term industrial partnership between South Korea and Canada, pledging investment in sectors including steel, artificial intelligence and space technologies. The company estimates the initiative could generate around 25,000 jobs annually between 2026 and 2044, while strengthening Canada’s marine manufacturing supply chain. Hanwha has also signed cooperation agreements with Canadian partners including Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College to support workforce training and shipbuilding capability in Ontario. The plan includes establishing a shipbuilding training hub at the Hamilton shipyard aimed at addressing labor shortages in skilled trades and developing next-generation shipbuilding expertise. Hanwha Ocean is pitching its KSS-III class submarine, a platform currently operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. The design features lithium-ion batteries and an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, allowing extended submerged endurance and a cruising range exceeding 7,000 nautical miles, along with Korean-developed sonar and combat systems. The company says it could deliver the first submarine by 2032 and four vessels by 2035, supported by what it describes as a firm delivery schedule and established supply chain. “In short, this is not just a platform pitch,” Charlie SC Eoh, president of Hanwha Ocean, said in a written response to the Canadian Press on March 2. “It is a risk-eliminated delivery plan paired with a generational industrial partnership that aligns with Canada’s defense industrial strategy.” The rival bid led by TKMS proposes a European partnership model. The German shipbuilder says it could deliver two submarines by 2034, though it has not publicly disclosed detailed cost or employment estimates. TKMS Chief Executive Oliver Burkhard described Canada’s procurement timeline — with a decision expected as early as mid-2026 — as “very ambitious,” noting that earlier plans had envisioned a decision closer to 2028 or 2029. The scale of the contract and Canada’s emphasis on domestic economic benefits have prompted a government-level lobbying push from Seoul, involving multiple ministries and defense agencies supporting the bid. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and other ministries have established a coordinated support framework aimed at facilitating technology transfer, training opportunities for Canadian submarine crews and broader defense-industrial cooperation. Kim’s visit follows an earlier trip to Canada in January alongside senior presidential officials to promote industrial collaboration and the submarine bid. Canada is expected to select the winning bidder as early as mid-2026, making the CPSP one of the largest defense procurement decisions in the country’s history. 2026-03-04 15:41:43

Bridgerton Season 4’s Ha Yerin Addresses Racism Controversy, Urges Restraint Actor Ha Yerin has spoken publicly about a recent racism controversy tied to Netflix’s series “Bridgerton 4.” At a news conference held Tuesday afternoon at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung-gu district, Ha addressed the issue while appearing as the show’s lead actor. The series previously drew criticism during global promotion after actions that included excluding Ha, prompting allegations of racial discrimination. Fans in South Korea and abroad also lodged complaints with the show’s production company, Shondaland. “While I was on set, I never felt it was racism,” Ha said. “I do think there were times when certain details were overlooked. But I don’t think it was intentional or done consciously.” Ha added that while she did not personally feel slighted, she understands why some people reacted the way they did. She said the moment could be a chance to show tolerance for what was missed and for media outlets to learn that such details should not be overlooked. She also said she hopes the controversy does not lead to excessive criticism or hatred. “Bridgerton 4” follows Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), a free spirit indifferent to marriage, as he navigates love, identity and class between a “lady in a silver dress” he meets at a masked ball and Sophie Baek (Ha), a maid in real life. Part 1 was released on Netflix on Jan. 29, and Part 2 on Feb. 26.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 15:24:31

OPINION: What 'Operation Epic Fury' signals to North Korea SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations as "the most hostile state-to-state relationship," calling South Korea an "eternal enemy" at a rare party gathering that wrapped up late last month. He also said the North has "nothing to discuss with Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Since former U.S. President George W. Bush labeled Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis of evil" in January 2002, the U.S. has waged a sustained war on terror. It toppled Iraq's Saddam Hussein and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, and carried out precision strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year. With Iran continuing to refuse U.S. demands to ship its enriched uranium abroad - despite having had its nuclear facilities severely damaged, Trump took the drastic measure, risking being drawn deeper into a conflict in the already volatile region. The U.S. appears to have concluded that Iran's nuclear program had reached a point where it could no longer be left unchecked, posing a threat to both U.S. and regional security. Trump also seems to have acted swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating into an even more dangerous nuclear standoff by allowing Iran's program to advance further. These developments are likely to heighten pressure on Kim. By removing Iran's supreme leader, just two months after detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife early this year, Trump showed that his "FAFO" warning, which stands for "fool around and find out," was not empty. But it would be contradictory for the Trump administration to engage with North Korea while recognizing it as a nuclear-armed state, making talks between the U.S. and North Korea unlikely anytime soon. Concerns are also growing that a military option could be considered as a last resort to address North Korea's nuclear program, as the U.S. has previously considered striking North Korean nuclear facilities. After North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1993 and appeared to be moving toward reprocessing spent fuel rods from its reactor to produce nuclear weapons in Yongbyon, the U.S. considered a "precision strike" or a "surgical strike" the following year. William Perry, the then-Defense Secretary who reviewed the option, later recalled that it was not carried out over fears that North Korea might retaliate against South Korea, consequences that would have been difficult to call "surgical." The U.S. would have to take different approaches to nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea, given their differing geopolitical situations and other factors. Iran lacks a major power to back it, while North Korea borders China and Russia, both of which are its traditional allies. Another factor is that North Korea can effectively hold South Korea "hostage." Believing an agreement could be reached through direct negotiations with North Korea's top leader, the U.S. struck deals at every nuclear crisis, helping avert military conflict on the Korean Peninsula, but failing to stop North Korea from advancing its nuclear arsenal. Choosing a military option to denuclearize North Korea would likely trigger a full-scale war and mutual destruction. President Lee Jae Myung has said, "No matter how expensive, peace is better than war." Both Trump and Kim adhere to "peace through strength," making diplomatic efforts essential to prevent a clash, and South Korea, as Lee suggested, may be best placed to serve as a "pacemaker" between them. For now, as Lee said in his address marking March 1 Independence Movement Day last Sunday, South Korea should "communicate closely with the U.S. and neighboring countries so that dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea can resume as soon as possible." With the world growing more unpredictable, South Korea cannot afford to let geopolitical risks intensify on the Korean Peninsula. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-03-04 15:23:18

Bridgerton Season 4 Star Ha Yerin Says Grandmother Son Sook Watched — and Blushed at Intimate Scenes Actress Ha Yerin on Tuesday shared her grandmother Son Sook’s reaction after watching Netflix’s series “Bridgerton 4.” Ha attended a press event for “Bridgerton 4” on Tuesday afternoon at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung District. Ha, a Korean Australian actor, is known in Korea as the granddaughter of Son, often described as a leading figure in theater. Ha said Son had watched all of “Bridgerton 4,” adding that her grandmother, whose eyesight has recently worsened, watched from close to the TV. “She sent me a message saying, ‘I’m proud of you, I love you,’ and it made me feel warm — and a little emotional,” Ha said. Ha added with a laugh that Son told her that morning, “The revealing scenes are a bit embarrassing.” Ha said she thought her grandmother would skip the sex scenes, “but she watched them all.” Ha said she began dreaming of becoming an actor after watching Son perform on stage when she was young. “I tried to come from Australia to Korea about once a year, and every time, my grandmother was always doing a play,” she said. Ha said she does not remember the title, but recalled seeing a one-person show and a scene in which Son cried while holding a pillow like a baby. “Seeing the audience crying, I thought, ‘This is the power of art,’” she said. “People are all the same, and the emotions we feel are similar. I thought it was an amazing job — to comfort people and help them empathize through theater — and that’s when I started to dream of acting. I’ve been inspired by my grandmother a lot.” Ha said Son is currently performing in a play titled “Noinui Kkum.” Ha said she is leaving on Friday and plans to see the production on Wednesday because her grandmother wants her to attend. Ha added that Son recently told her, “I used to be called Ha Yerin, Son Sook’s granddaughter, but these days I’m called Son Sook, Ha Yerin’s grandmother,” a remark Ha said made her feel both emotional and proud. “Bridgerton 4” follows Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), a free spirit uninterested in marriage, as he navigates love, identity and class between a masked-ball “lady in a silver dress” and Sophie Baek (Ha), a maid in real life. Part 1 was released on Netflix on Jan. 29 and Part 2 on Feb. 26. 2026-03-04 15:06:58

Ha Yerin Says Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton 4’ No. 1 Ranking Still Hasn’t Sunk In Actor Ha Yerin shared her thoughts on the global popularity of Netflix series “Bridgerton 4.” A press event for “Bridgerton 4” was held on the afternoon of March 4 at Community House Masil in Seoul’s Jung District. Ha, who stars in the series, attended. “When ‘Bridgerton 4’ hit No. 1 on the global chart, it honestly didn’t feel real,” Ha said. “It felt like something happening outside of me, so it didn’t really sink in.” The series also ranked No. 1 in South Korea shortly after its release. Ha said she had heard it can be difficult for a foreign production to top the local chart, adding that she was “truly grateful” to hear “Bridgerton 4” had reached No. 1 in Korea as well. “Bridgerton 4” is a romance series about Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), a free spirit indifferent to marriage, who meets a “lady in a silver dress” at a masked ball and becomes caught between her and Sophie Baek (Ha), a maid in real life, as love, identity and class boundaries collide. Part 1 premiered on Netflix on Jan. 29, and Part 2 was released Feb. 26.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:48:25

Jin Air to Launch Busan-Phu Quoc Route, Expanding Service From Gimhae Jin Air said Tuesday it will launch a new route from Gimhae Airport to Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese resort island often dubbed the country’s “pearl.” The Busan-Phu Quoc service, the carrier’s third new route introduced from Busan this year after Taichung and Miyakojima, is aimed at strengthening its network based in Busan. Flights begin April 30 and will operate four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departures leave Gimhae at 7:55 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and at 8:05 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, arriving in Phu Quoc at 11:25 p.m. The return flight departs Phu Quoc at 12:25 a.m., with a flight time of about 5 1/2 hours. Tickets are available through the airline’s website and mobile web and app. The route includes free checked baggage up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Located at Vietnam’s southern tip, Phu Quoc is seen as an emerging resort destination linking Da Nang and Nha Trang. Vietnam’s largest island has been designated a government economic special zone and was selected to host the 2027 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit, helping drive rapid development of global infrastructure, the airline said. Jin Air said the launch is part of its push to expand its Busan network. Since 2023, it has opened routes including Nha Trang, Tokyo and Nagoya, it said. With the new service, Jin Air’s international routes departing Busan will rise to 17. A Jin Air official said the airline hopes travelers “experience healing in everyday life” in Phu Quoc, adding it will continue working to develop new routes from Busan and build demand.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:15:00

Hanwha Ocean Says It Can Deliver First Canadian Submarine in 2032, Ahead of German Rival Hanwha Ocean, part of a South Korean consortium with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said it has emphasized to Canada the potential for broader industrial cooperation as it competes for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP. The Canadian Press reported on March 3 (local time) that Hanwha Ocean CEO Eo Seong-cheol said the company and the South Korean government view a submarine contract as the start of a deeper industrial relationship between the two countries. Hanwha Ocean and its consortium partner, along with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, submitted final proposals to the Canadian government on March 2, the deadline. The bids included delivery schedules and investment plans tied to the contract. Eo told the outlet the deal would be a “major catalyst” for bilateral ties. He said the proposal includes investments across areas such as steel, artificial intelligence and space, and would create an average of 25,000 jobs a year from this year through 2044. Eo said the final proposal calls for delivering the first submarine in 2032 and four boats by 2035, and includes what the company described as a firm price estimate. Shipbuilding industry officials said that timeline is faster and more specific than the German bid, which they said pledged to deliver at least two submarines to Canada by 2034. “Hanwha’s proposal is not just a platform proposal,” Eo said. “It is a proposal that combines a clear and accurate delivery plan with a multigenerational industrial partnership, and it fully aligns with Canada’s defense industrial strategy.” He said Hanwha is also interested in other Canadian contracts and is reviewing cooperation in areas including ground defense programs, electronic and AI technologies, and Arctic-related capabilities. Eo cited partnerships with multiple Canadian companies to jointly carry out submarine-related work if it wins. “We have already built strong relationships with capable Canadian companies, and we will expand these partnerships regardless of the contract outcome,” he said. The Canadian Press also carried an interview with TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard. Burkhard, referring to comments that Canada’s final selection will weigh how much benefit bidders provide to the Canadian economy and industry, said such demands were driven by the actions of Canada’s “southern neighbor,” and were putting pressure on bidders. On Canada’s desire for expanded manufacturing investment in Canada by South Korean and German automakers, he said it should not be assumed that “if there is no car production, it does not help Canada,” adding that everything should not be treated as if it belongs in one basket.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 14:12:20

BTS Comeback D-17: 'ARIRANG' tracklist unveiled as heat builds up in countdown             SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - BTS has drummed up anticipation for its long-awaited comeback with the release of the 14-song tracklist for its upcoming album ARIRANG — the group’s first full-member project in nearly four years — due March 20, with fans already preparing to camp out for the closest view of the open-air comeback show the following day. The tracklist was unveiled by HYBE through its official website and social media channels, accompanied by a visual featuring the album’s logo layered over bold red tape-style graphics — an early hint at the intensity of the group’s reunion era. The album contains 14 tracks led by the title song “SWIM,” alongside “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ’bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please,” and “Into the Sun.” HYBE described ARIRANG as BTS’s first full-length album in nearly four years and a project that carries “special significance” in defining the direction of the seven members moving forward. The comeback marks the group’s first full-member release since entering an extended hiatus, raising expectations not only commercially but culturally as well. The title track “SWIM” is described as an upbeat alternative-pop song centered on perseverance and love for life. Rather than resisting life’s turbulent waves, the lyrics express the determination to keep moving forward at one’s own pace. Group leader RM played a major role in the songwriting process. The album took shape largely in Los Angeles last summer, where BTS collaborated with a global roster of producers including Diplo, Ryan Tedder, and Spanish electronic producer El Guincho. The tracklist reveal triggered immediate engagement online. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, HYBE’s official post uploaded shortly after midnight had drawn roughly 4.7 million views, 13,000 comments, 203,000 reposts and 308,000 likes on X, with numbers continuing to rise. Major pop culture accounts showed similar traction, each generating more than one million views within hours — underscoring the global anticipation surrounding BTS’s return as a full group. The album’s title has also fueled discussion among fans. “Arirang,” widely recognized as Korea’s most iconic folk song, carries strong cultural symbolism. With BTS planning its comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square, some fans had expected a stronger Korean-language presence within the album. A number of online comments pointed to the contrast between the Korean title and the predominantly English tracklist. Others expressed curiosity about how the cultural symbolism would translate into the music. Still, many fans voiced confidence in the group’s creative direction, noting BTS’s long-standing ability to blend Korean identity with global pop sounds. As the March 21 comeback event approaches, excitement is spilling beyond the internet. Posts circulating on social media suggest that some fans are already considering camping near Gwanghwamun Square to secure better viewing spots for the open-air performance. The anticipated turnout has prompted the Seoul Metropolitan Government to review the event’s safety preparations. City officials said Tuesday that the safety management plan for the “BTS 2026 Comeback Show” had been conditionally approved, with additional measures to be reinforced in coordination with police and fire authorities. ARIRANG will be released globally at 1 p.m. KST on March 20, followed by “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” at Gwanghwamun Square the next day, with the performance streamed worldwide on Netflix. 2026-03-04 14:10:41

Inside MWC 2026: Korean tech titans redefine the 'Physical AI' and data frontier SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - South Korean telecommunications giants and global infrastructure leaders are shifting the paradigm of artificial intelligence at MWC 2026, moving beyond digital chatbots toward "Physical AI" and hyper-efficient data architectures. LG Uplus: From voice to humanoid action LG Uplus (LGU+) unveiled its vision for Physical AI, integrating its proprietary AI call agent, ixi-O, with humanoid robotics. Unlike traditional voice assistants, ixi-O is designed to understand emotional context and execute physical tasks. In a live demonstration, the AI analyzed a sudden business trip schedule during a call, automatically adjusted the user's calendar, and signaled a humanoid robot developed by A-Robot to pack a suitcase. CEO Hong Beom-sik emphasized that voice is the "most human connection," predicting a future where AI agents transition from simple command-following to autonomous environmental interaction. SK Telecom: Structural innovation in AI data centers SK Telecom (SKT) is tackling the infrastructure bottlenecks of the AI era through a two-track strategy focusing on "construction" and "connectivity". The company signed a tripartite MOU with Supermicro and Schneider Electric to secure "Pre-fabricated Modular" AI Data Center (DC) solutions, a method that allows pre-designed power and cooling units to be assembled on-site to significantly reduce construction time and costs compared to traditional concrete structures. In a separate move to solve memory bottlenecks, SKT partnered with Panmnesia to develop a CXL-based (Compute Express Link) architecture. This technology allows CPUs, GPUs, and memory to be flexibly pooled across racks, eliminating the need to purchase expensive GPUs just to expand memory capacity and reducing data latency. Nokia’s ‘Doksuri’: A nod to Korean engineering Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event, Finnish telecommunications leader Nokia introduced its next-generation Remote Radio Head (RRH) named "Doksuri" (Eagle in Korean). According to Cho Bong-yeol, Nokia’s Lead of Product Management, the name represents the "dominance of the skies" and acknowledges the strength of the Korean market. Powered by Nvidia GPUs, the platform enables telcos to process both communication signals and AI inference on a single unit, maximizing investment efficiency. Nokia also showcased its Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology, which turns existing 3.5GHz base stations into radar resources to detect drones without additional hardware. 2026-03-04 14:04:47