Woori Bank, Kim & Chang and Samil PwC Form Joint Team for Business Succession Support Woori Bank said on the 13th it signed a memorandum of understanding with Kim & Chang and Samil PwC to cooperate on business succession services. The agreement aims to provide integrated support across finance, legal services and tax matters. The three organizations said they will work together to address issues that arise during succession and to jointly design practical, executable succession strategies, going beyond simple advice. As founders of small and midsize companies age rapidly, business succession is increasingly seen as a key issue affecting corporate survival and employment, not just a family inheritance matter. If succession is not handled smoothly, companies can face abrupt sales or closures, increasing the need for specialized support. Under the MOU, the partners will provide legal and tax advice on succession, jointly run education programs and seminars for companies, and share research and information to help develop related systems and the market. They also plan to support structures tailored to each company, reflecting a shift from child-centered succession to broader options such as third-party sales, including mergers and acquisitions, and to assist through execution. "Business succession is not simply a transfer of shares, but a process of designing a company's future," Woori Bank CEO Jeong Jin-wan said. He said the partnership will help companies transition more steadily to the next generation through a model that combines financial, legal and tax support. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 17:07:02

Kiss of Life dance challenge for new song draws sexualization backlash Girl group Kiss of Life has come under criticism over a dance challenge for its new song, with some viewers calling the choreography sexually suggestive. The group recently posted a choreography challenge video for its new track, ‘Who is she,’ on its official YouTube channel. In the clip, members face each other and perform a move that appears to mimic choking. The routine also includes both members thrusting their hips at the same time, drawing surprise and complaints online. Some internet users said the scene evokes a specific sexual image and said they were uncomfortable. Comments included: “A producer who fits the team is important,” “It’s unpleasant,” “This is a bit much,” “I don’t know what concept this is,” and “The songs are always good, but the choreography is disappointing.” Despite the controversy, the ‘Who is she’ music video has surpassed 30 million views and continues to gain traction. 2026-04-13 17:06:38

S. Korean special envoy enters Tehran as failed US-Iran talks trap tankers in Hormuz SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - Special envoy Chung Byung-ha arrived in Tehran on Monday to negotiate the release of 26 South Korean tankers and 173 crew members currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The diplomatic surge follows a direct order from Foreign Minister Cho Hyun as Seoul attempts to bypass the paralysis of international mediation to protect the maritime corridor that provides 70 percent of the crude oil imports of the nation. The arrival of the envoy marks a strategic pivot for Seoul, which has traditionally relied on Washington to secure the Persian Gulf. By launching this high-stakes bilateral channel, South Korea is effectively signaling that it can no longer wait for a global consensus that has evaporated following the collapse of multilateral peace efforts over the weekend. The regional crisis escalated on February 28 when a coalition led by the United States and Israel launched massive strikes against the nuclear and naval infrastructure of Iran. While a fragile ceasefire briefly paused the violence, the Islamabad Talks between Washington and Tehran failed on Sunday after 21 hours of deadlock. The breakdown centered on demands from Tehran for control over the strait and the unfreezing of billions in assets, which the United States flatly rejected, leading to the current effective blockade of the waterway. Chung is scheduled to hold discussions with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior leaders to establish a safe passage for Korean-linked vessels. These ships, primarily ultra-large crude carriers and liquefied natural gas tankers, are currently frozen in place as insurers and shipping companies treat the passage as a total war zone. This diplomatic initiative draws on a deep, decades-long reservoir of bilateral goodwill that has persisted despite the geopolitical friction of the last decade. The relationship is famously symbolized by the 1977 agreement to rename streets in each capital, resulting in the prominent Teheran-ro in the Gangnam district of Seoul and Seoul Street in Tehran. These landmarks represent a history of economic and cultural exchange that both nations have sought to preserve even as international sanctions complicated official trade. Throughout the era of heightened sanctions, Seoul maintained a functional relationship with Tehran under the surface, often serving as a quiet intermediary for humanitarian concerns. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean government prioritized the delivery of medical equipment and test kits to Iran, utilizing a specialized humanitarian channel to bypass financial restrictions. This history of cooperation provides the current envoy with a unique level of access that other Western-aligned diplomats currently lack. The visit by the special envoy took place while desperation in Seoul is driven by a dwindling energy clock, with internal reports suggesting that strategic petroleum reserves have fallen to critical levels. The economic security of the country is at stake as long as these vessels remain trapped behind an Iranian naval screen that requires individual coordination for safe passage. In a parallel move, the government has appointed Lee Kyung-chul as the new Special Representative for Middle East Peace to address the broader geopolitical fallout. Lee, a veteran of United Nations Security Council affairs, will focus on long-term stability and the resolution of the Palestinian conflict to prevent the current war from expanding into a permanent regional conflagration. The return of the envoy remains unscheduled as the ministry monitors the progress of the talks and the evolving military posture of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Seoul continues to coordinate with the European Union and regional partners to ensure that any breakthrough for its own vessels does not further destabilize the fragile security of the strait. 2026-04-13 16:56:51

Seoul's two landmark statues get spring wash SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - Seoul's two landmark statues in Gwanghwamun are being bathed this week as part of regular maintenance and preservation efforts. As spring arrives, dust and other stains that have accumulated on the statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-shin over the long winter months will be washed off on Monday and Tuesday. Any damaged areas will also be touched up and recoated to prevent rust and preserve the statues' original condition. 2026-04-13 16:53:58

Review Preview: 'Hind’s Voice' Recreates Gaza Girl’s Final Call for Help War often reaches people first through social media — a sudden surge of posts on X, many showing children injured or killed. At first, it is hard to look away. Over time, the images become unbearable, and the instinct is to scroll past — even as the scenes linger. When news reports later describe airstrikes hitting military sites, schools or hospitals somewhere far away, the faces of those children return. For many viewers, that is where the mourning stops. The docudrama “Hind’s Voice” forces audiences to stay with that discomfort, centering on the voice of a child who is dying somewhere in the world. The film is based on a real incident. On Jan. 29, 2024, as the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the Gaza Strip, gunfire struck a car carrying a fleeing family. Only Hind, 6, survived long enough to call for help and speak with emergency responders. The movie uses the actual recorded audio of the calls between Hind and a call center worker. Actors playing the call center staff performed while listening to the real voice from the recording. Rescuers were about eight minutes away, but they needed permission from the Israeli military to move safely. It took five hours before they could depart. Because the case is widely documented, the film’s ending can be found with a simple search — and it is as devastating as many would fear. The director adopts an experimental approach that blurs documentary and drama, aiming to deliver “Hind’s case” with maximum impact. For viewers, the film becomes a confrontation with guilt and grief — mourning people killed in war despite having no role in starting it, and imagining that such violence could one day reach their own skies. Those who choose “Hind’s Voice” knowing what it contains may be prepared to carry that grief, even if it feels imposed. The film suggests that doing so may ease, if only slightly, the weight of looking away. “Hind’s Voice” opens April 15.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 16:45:47

Celltrion Expands Omliclo Prescriptions Across Europe, Wins Key Tenders Celltrion expands Omliclo prescriptions across Europe Celltrion said April 13 that Omliclo (omalizumab), used to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria and allergic asthma, is gaining prescriptions across Europe and posting tender wins. In Italy, Celltrion’s local unit won bids from 10 regional governments. Supply has begun in some areas, including Umbria, Trentino-Alto Adige and Tuscany, the company said. In the United Kingdom, Celltrion said it won National Health Service tenders in all four administrative areas, including England, the largest omalizumab market. As of January, before the official tenders opened, Omliclo had already reached a double-digit market share, it said. In Germany, Celltrion said Omliclo, launched in September last year, reached a double-digit share within one month and continues to grow. The German unit completed listing agreements with all public health insurers shortly after launch, it said. In Northern Europe, Celltrion said results are becoming clearer. In Denmark, after winning a national tender, the company moved the launch up by four months through talks with the tendering body and secured exclusive supply status through September. Omliclo held a 98% share in Denmark as of January, based on IQVIA and market data, it said. In Finland, it posted a 73% share as of February, as switching from the original product accelerates in key Nordic markets. In Spain, Celltrion said it was selected as the top-ranked supplier in tenders to supply all public medical institutions in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Ha Tae-hoon, head of Celltrion’s Europe headquarters, said, “We will continue expanding our sales coverage so the results achieved in launch countries can spread across Europe.” Daewoong Bio launches 5 mg Glivixa, completing full lineup Daewoong Bio said April 13 it will launch a 5 mg low-dose version of Glivixa (memantine hydrochloride), a treatment for Alzheimer’s-type dementia. The addition completes the product’s dose lineup alongside 10 mg and 20 mg tablets. The company said Glivixa posted a compound annual growth rate of 18% from 2021 to 2025. It ranks No. 2 among prescription memantine products by outpatient prescription sales, and No. 1 in the generic market excluding the original product, it said. Daewoong Bio said it plans to accelerate prescribing based on the full lineup and to maximize synergy with its central nervous system portfolio, including Gliatamin, Cerebrain and Beacept. Memantine hydrochloride works by regulating excessive activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to Alzheimer’s-type dementia, helping prevent brain-cell damage and improve cognitive function, the company said. It added that early treatment can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache and drowsiness, requiring careful dose adjustment. Memantine therapy typically starts at 5 mg and is increased gradually over three weeks to reduce the risk of adverse reactions, it said. Patients with moderate or worse renal impairment must reduce the dose to 10 mg per day, which has driven steady demand for low-dose products. A Daewoong Bio official said the 5 mg product is expected to provide a safer option for patients starting treatment or those with moderate renal impairment, improving tolerability. Yuyu Pharma pushes AI-based work innovation toward a smart factory Yuyu Pharma said April 13 it is expanding AI-based work innovation beyond its factory, sharing use cases with staff in sales and marketing, research and development, and management support, and rolling out the enterprise AI solution WorksAI companywide. The company said it formed a production AI task force in the second half of last year to support smart-factory operations, including process optimization. The team identified six improvement areas, including manual Excel work, document review and the risk of human error. It compared five paid AI tools, including ChatGPT and Claude, and began applying selected tools tailored to each factory team’s work, it said. Yuyu Pharma said the effort produced practical tools, including production and quality data dashboards, precise comparisons of labeling materials and design drafts, searches and interpretation for GMP and regulatory documents, and equipment manual troubleshooting. The company said frontline staff in production management, quality management and product technology built the tools using AI despite limited IT expertise, with the IT department stepping in only where technical support was needed, such as real-time connections to internal servers. Yuyu Pharma said the tools are now being used to optimize processes, reduce bottlenecks by shifting repetitive tasks to AI, and lower risk factors by detecting structural errors, improving confidence in quality and safety. CEO Park No-yong said the company will deepen and expand AI use in production, including automating labor-hour analysis through data integration and conducting industrial safety risk assessments, while continuing to identify AI models suited to factory needs. CHA Women’s Medical Center signs agreements with Jeju providers to build infertility-care network CHA Women’s Medical Center Seoul Station said April 13 it has signed a series of agreements with four major medical providers in Jeju to build an infertility-care network: Hanmaeum Hospital, Seogwipo Medical Center, Hyundai Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, and L Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. Under the agreements, the organizations will work on referrals and return referrals based on patient symptoms, share clinical information to ensure continuity of care, and operate a cooperative system aimed at improving public health, the center said. A key goal is to help patients in Jeju receive follow-up care near home after undergoing advanced infertility procedures at the Seoul Station center, it said. The center said the network is expected to help patients focus on preparing for pregnancy and prenatal care without gaps caused by long-distance travel. Director Yoon Tae-gi said, “Through a close referral and clinical cooperation system, we will do our best to provide patients with the greatest convenience and, together with regional hub hospitals, contribute to the task of addressing the low birthrate.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 16:39:25

Tehran blames shifting US demands as marathon Islamabad talks fail SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - Indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington concluded in Islamabad after a 21-hour marathon session ended without a final agreement. According to a debriefing released on Monday by the Iranian Embassy in South Korea, the discussions represented the highest level of engagement between the two sides in the past year. While the talks were the longest held in twelve months, the Iranian mission detailed a collapse in momentum just as the parties were reportedly "a few steps away" from a breakthrough. The main agenda for the session, which began on April 11, focused on a proposed Iranian framework and various positions held by Washington. Mediated by Pakistan, the delegations addressed a range of high-stakes issues, including regional developments and the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The engagement pitted the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, against Vice President JD Vance in an effort to de-escalate recent military tensions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that "Iran entered the negotiations in good faith with the aim of ending the conflict". However, the embassy statement suggests that the potential "Islamabad Understanding" was derailed by what Araghchi described as "excessive demands, shifting conditions, and threats of blockade". Reflecting on the outcome, Araghchi remarked that "No lessons have been learned. Goodwill begets goodwill; hostility brings hostility". Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that reaching a comprehensive agreement in a single session was not realistic given the prevailing atmosphere of distrust. While significant gaps remain on key points, the embassy indicated that Tehran views diplomacy as an ongoing process rather than a single event. Iran has stated it will continue to utilize diplomatic channels to safeguard its national interests and security. 2026-04-13 16:24:42

Seoul city to bring books outdoors with libraries on lawns next week SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - With the return of balmy weather, several spaces in central Seoul will be transformed into outdoor libraries starting next week, where Seoulites can read books on the lawn in front of City Hall, at Gwanghwamun Square, or along Cheonggye Stream. These open-air libraries, part of the city government's annual summer events, are scheduled to open next Thursday and will feature bookshelves with more than 12,000 books, as well as bean bags, mats, and parasols, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Monday. Seoul residents and visitors are welcome to read free of charge, meditate, or enjoy side events such as performances, hands-on activities, lectures, and exhibitions, with each space offering its own distinct vibe and atmosphere. In cooperation with foreign embassies in Seoul, the city will also launch a weekly walking tour program for foreign tourists this year, scheduled to run 20 sessions between May and June and September and October. It will offer a chance to explore different cultures through books and engage with local communities. "Through these events, we want to promote Seoul as a city where reading is part of everyday life," said Kim Tae-hee, a Seoul city official. 2026-04-13 16:19:17

Shinhan Bank CEO Jeong Sang-hyeok Joins SOL Mate Trusts to Boost Senior Wealth Services Shinhan Bank CEO Jeong Sang-hyeok has moved to strengthen the bank’s competitiveness in senior wealth management. Shinhan Bank said April 13 it held a pledge ceremony for executives to enroll in its Shinhan SOL Mate will-substitute trust and dementia-care trust. Jeong and 21 executives took part. The bank said the campaign was designed to have management consider the purpose and need for specialized trust products from a customer’s perspective. The Shinhan SOL Mate will-substitute trust allows customers to manage their assets during their lifetime while designating beneficiaries in advance when needed. The Shinhan SOL Mate dementia-care trust is intended to help customers plan asset management in advance in case of dementia or other health issues. A Shinhan Bank official said the campaign reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting senior customers’ stable retirement and the transfer of assets. The official said the bank will continue expanding senior-focused financial services that closely address customers’ needs across their lives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 16:09:00

TXT Returns With 8th EP After Renewing Contract, Shifts to More Personal Stories TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) returned with a new album that the group said reflects their own stories more directly, after passing a major career milestone: renewing their contracts seven years after debut. A showcase for the group’s eighth EP, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” was held Sunday afternoon at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul. The release is TXT’s first since all five members renewed their contracts with BigHit Music in August 2025. The group said the album compares the anxiety and uncertainty they felt over the past seven years to “thorns,” and looks back on that period while committing to a new start. Leader Soobin said, “We’re greeting you with our eighth EP. It feels new because it’s our first album after renewing our contracts. We’ll show you a great side of ourselves.” Hueningkai said the group “put a range of emotions into the music.” Beomgyu added, “We came back with a heartbreaking love story. It’s already our eighth year, and time feels like it flew by. Thank you for being with us as we grew.” Yeonjun said the group prepared “with the mindset of debuting” because it is their first comeback after renewing. Taehyun said, “As always over the past seven years, we’ll work hard.” The group also spoke about moving smoothly through what is often called the “seven-year hurdle” in K-pop, when many groups face difficult contract talks. Taehyun said aligning the members’ views “didn’t even take an hour.” “We wanted to keep promoting as a team, and we wanted to keep promoting with our fans, so it was like, ‘Of course we’re doing this, right?’” he said. He added that the group wanted to reassure fans quickly, and said they sought advice from BTS member RM, who “warmly” congratulated them and reviewed documents with care. Soobin said people told them coordinating among members can be harder than negotiating with the company, but the group reached agreement quickly. He said the company talks took longer than the members’ discussion, but he later learned the process was still considered early and that cases like theirs are rare. The members said the album marks a shift away from a “persona” toward more personal material. Taehyun said the group held long interviews with the production team and found their thinking was similar as they looked for “the most honest story” they could tell at this point. He said the change also raised questions about how to keep the work truthful when drawing from real life. Beomgyu said that while there were many happy moments, there were also periods of anxiety and worry, and he wanted to capture those feelings honestly. Yeonjun said that even after renewing and entering their eighth year, the experience is not “only glamorous,” and he still feels a desire to go higher. He said he once thought debuting would automatically make them global stars, but reality was different, and the process helped him learn and grow. Yeonjun also said he experienced a severe burnout during preparations, while also working on a solo album. “It was a meaningful time,” he said, adding that what he wants at the end of that process is “the team.” He said he hopes to keep the group together “as long as possible” and promote happily with the members. Soobin said discussing their seventh anniversary contract made the members feel especially precious to him. He recalled that the group struggled after COVID-19 hit about a year after debut, cutting off many experiences they expected to have, but said the members matured mentally and became closer through what they went through. The title track, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” continues TXT’s pattern of long song titles. Hueningkai said people see the long title and say it feels like a TXT song, calling it part of the group’s identity. Soobin said he was glad to have a Korean-language title again, and that fans saying it reminds them of the group’s early days felt like a compliment because TXT prepared with a debut-like mindset. Yeonjun said he suggested a hand-tutting move in the chorus and said the choreography turned out well. The EP includes six tracks: “Bed of Thorns,” “Stick With You,” “Take Me to Nirvana,” “So What,” “21st Century Romance” and “Next of Next.” Taehyun said that while achievements such as Billboard rankings matter, the group’s top priority is staying healthy and happy, and that the process should be enjoyable. “If we need something measurable, I want to be No. 1 on Billboard,” he said. TXT’s eighth EP, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” will be released worldwide at 6 p.m. Sunday. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 16:03:25