Autopsy: 3-year-old in Yangju died from head injury caused by external force A 3-year-old child who died in a suspected abuse case in Yangju, south of Seoul, was killed by a head injury caused by an external impact, police said. Police said April 29 that the National Forensic Service concluded the boy, identified only as A, died of head trauma and that the injury appeared to have been caused by nonaccidental external force. The agency had earlier said in an initial verbal assessment that it was difficult to definitively determine whether the head injury was caused by abuse. The autopsy findings later clarified that the death resulted from an external impact. Investigators also found signs of bleeding in the child’s abdomen that appeared to have occurred in the past. Police said they will continue investigating the possibility the child was abused over an extended period. The child suffered a severe head injury at a home in Okjeong-dong, Yangju, at about 6:44 p.m. on April 9 and was taken to a nearby hospital. He underwent surgery for a brain hemorrhage but died five days later at about 11:33 p.m. on April 14. Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency said it arrested and forwarded the case on April 17, sending the child’s father, identified only as B, to prosecutors on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death. Police also searched the couple’s home and vehicle. During the investigation, police found messages exchanged by the couple over the past two years that they believe describe abuse of their son under the pretext of “discipline,” and are treating them as evidence of long-term abuse. B’s wife is being investigated without detention, with police citing that the family has multiple children. 2026-04-29 10:01:26

Choo Kyung-ho Resigns as Lawmaker to Run for Daegu Mayor, Vows to Rebuild Conservatives Choo Kyung-ho, the People Power Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, said April 29 he submitted his resignation as a National Assembly member to run in the local election, pledging to restore political balance starting in Daegu. In a statement, Choo, a three-term lawmaker from Dalseong County in Daegu, said, “Korea needs a counterweight to protect the country. I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu.” He called the local election “an important turning point for Korea’s democracy,” adding that “with power tilted to one side,” the country needs a counterweight. “I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu,” he said, adding that he wants to prove “the conservative camp’s economic competence” through results and to “be the start of rebuilding conservatism.” Choo also reflected on his decade in parliament, citing “fierce committee meetings” and late nights in the lawmakers’ office building. He said his party and Dalseong County were always “side by side” before his name and that it was a source of pride. He said that while the lawmaker’s badge weighed “only 6 grams,” the responsibility was hard to measure, and that “even today, 10 years later, that weight has not become any lighter.” He thanked fellow lawmakers for sharing the burden. Choo said he felt heavy and apologetic about stepping away, recalling efforts to protect livelihoods and plan for the future under what he described as a difficult National Assembly in which the Democratic Party holds a majority. “Even if I’m physically farther away, I believe the path we walk is ultimately one,” he said, adding he would keep working to improve people’s lives “in the National Assembly and in the field.” The deadline for lawmakers running in the local election to resign is May 4. If an incumbent resigns by April 30, a by-election in the district will be held alongside the June 3 local elections. If the resignation comes May 1 or later, the by-election will be held in April next year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:00:38

Hyundai Rotem Shares Jump 8% on Poland K2 Tank Local Production Deal Hyundai Rotem shares surged more than 8% for a second straight session after the company said it signed a cooperation agreement tied to local production of K2 tanks in Poland. As of 9:43 a.m., Hyundai Rotem was trading at 265,500 won, up 21,000 won (8.59%) from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The stock rose 5.84% a day earlier. Hyundai Rotem said Tuesday it signed a local production and maintenance cooperation agreement with Bumar-Labedy, a defense company under Poland’s state-run defense group PGZ, covering the Polish-version K2 tank (K2PL) and an armored recovery vehicle. The company said the agreement sets out specific execution measures for a core project under the second implementation contract for Poland’s K2 tanks signed in August last year, and is expected to support efforts to expand defense orders in Europe by building a local production base. With major European countries increasingly seeking local production in defense procurement, Hyundai Rotem plans to use Poland as a production hub for K2 tanks to pursue additional orders. The company said local production of related equipment, including a combat engineering vehicle and an armored bridge-layer, will be discussed in stages. Lee Jaekwang, an analyst at LS Securities, said he expects the stock to rise on increased new defense-export orders rather than further gains in profitability. He said the company appears to be aiming to boost K2 exports by using production hubs in Europe-Poland, Latin America-Peru and the Middle East-Iraq. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:57:07

South Korea to Revamp Fintech Support, Add Incentives and One-Stop Help Desk The Financial Services Commission said it will overhaul its fintech support programs, naming the sector a key growth priority as the financial industry undergoes major change. The FSC said it held an event titled “Fintech, a Place for Connection” on Tuesday, chaired by FSC Chairman Lee Eok-won. The gathering brought together fintech firms and aspiring founders, financial companies, investors and policy finance institutions to share examples of successful cooperation. “Over the past decade, fintech companies have brought innovation to our financial industry,” Lee said. He added that advances in artificial intelligence are not only accelerating change but also “fundamentally reshaping how finance works,” putting the industry at another turning point. To spur growth, the FSC said it will revamp its support projects and designate regional and youth entrepreneurship, along with AI transformation (AX), as priority areas. It plans to offer incentives such as extra points in selecting recipients, dedicated budget allocations and additional support for companies with strong results. The FSC also said it will form public-private consultative groups by region, centered on existing local financial infrastructure such as financial firms, local governments and startup support organizations. The goal is to develop fintech models linked to key local industries and to back the launch and growth of differentiated fintech startups. In addition, the FSC said it will set up a fintech support help desk. It is expected to connect FSC programs, partner searches through financial firms’ fintech labs, funding support from policy finance institutions and startup assistance offered by local governments. “Innovation often begins by connecting different ideas and people,” Lee said, pledging continued support so financial companies and investors can help sustain fintech firms’ ongoing challenges. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:56:19

South Korean Won Rises Early as UAE OPEC Exit Stirs Oil Volatility The won weakened early against the U.S. dollar but soon turned lower, as traders weighed easing Middle East-related concerns and shifting oil-price expectations. In Seoul’s foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,473.5 per dollar as of 9:30 a.m. on the 29th. The exchange rate opened at 1,474.0, up 0.4 won from the previous session, then reversed direction shortly after trading began. Markets are watching the United Arab Emirates’ decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which has fueled expectations of increased crude supply in the near term. Traders said the prospect of independent production increases after the exit could curb the recent run-up in oil prices. International crude prices remain elevated, but volatility has increased. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June West Texas Intermediate briefly rose above $100 a barrel before paring gains to settle up 3.7% at $99.93. The dollar was slightly weaker. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, fell 0.02% to 98.593. Min Kyeong-won, an economist at Woori Bank, said position adjustments ahead of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee meeting were likely to drive a pullback. He added that importers’ demand for dollars to settle payments has remained “consistently active,” contributing to an intraday backdrop in which upward pressure can dominate. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:55:35

King Charles III Highlights U.S.-U.K. Alliance in Address to Congress Britain’s King Charles III, on a state visit to the United States, used a joint meeting of Congress on April 28 (local time) to underscore the alliance and friendship between the two countries, citing shared history and democratic values. According to The New York Times and other foreign media, Charles described the relationship as a “partnership born in conflict.” He noted that Britain and the United States once had a fundamental disagreement over the principle of “no taxation without representation,” but said the idea reflects democratic values the United States inherited from Britain. Foreign outlets said the remarks amounted to a reminder that, despite recent friction over issues including the Iran war, the relationship remains rooted in a close alliance. Charles did not directly mention tensions between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump. Instead, he pointed to Britain’s support after the Sept. 11 attacks and its participation in the Afghanistan war. He said that when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time after 9/11 — treating an attack on one member as an attack on all and obligating support — “we answered (America’s) call,” as Britain has done for more than a century. Politico interpreted the passage as a carefully aimed rebuff to Trump and pro-Trump forces in Congress. Trump has criticized European allies, including Britain, for not joining the Iran war, saying the United States spent trillions of dollars and did not receive adequate help. Charles also appealed for support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. On trade, Charles struck a reciprocal tone. He said annual bilateral trade worth $430 billion continues to grow, and he praised $1.7 trillion in mutual investment that he said drives innovation and has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. He called it a strong foundation that can be expanded. Charles also quoted a line Trump used during a state visit to Britain last year: “The bonds of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom are priceless and everlasting. They are irreplaceable and unbreakable.” Charles noted that the trip was his 20th visit to the United States and his first as king, and he expressed affection for Americans. The speech drew praise from some observers. James Lyons, a former communications chief at Starmer’s office, told Politico that the royal family is like “the Heineken of British diplomacy,” saying it can reach places diplomats cannot. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on social media platform X that it was a “perfect speech” blending wit, humor and history, adding that it felt unusual but welcome to sense a divided Congress coming together. Charles has been viewed as a monarch who reigns but does not rule, while playing a behind-the-scenes role in advancing the national interests of Britain and Commonwealth countries. The NYT reported that in January, after Trump said NATO personnel including Britons stayed only in the rear during the Afghanistan war, Britain reacted with unease, noting it lost 457 service members. The report said the palace conveyed Charles’ concerns to the White House, which later issued a clarifying statement. The NYT also said that after Trump remarked in March last year that the United States should absorb Canada, Charles visited Canada in May that year and signaled support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:49:32

Kakao Pay Says 10-Year Transfers Totaled 447 Trillion Won, Saving 1.5 Trillion Won in Fees Kakao Pay said Tuesday that since it launched its money transfer service in April 2016, users have sent a cumulative total of about 447 trillion won over the past 10 years. The company said that is equivalent to people nationwide exchanging 120 billion won a day, or 5 billion won an hour, through Kakao Pay. Over the same period, cumulative transfer transactions topped 4.8 billion, it said. Annual transfers rose from about 2.65 million in 2016 to about 843.1 million last year, a 320-fold jump over a decade. This year, as of last month, average daily transfers exceeded 2.3 million, with about 240 billion won moving each day. That works out to roughly 1,600 transfers per minute, the company said. Kakao Pay said the service has expanded beyond a simple way to send money. In 2016, users sent money to an average of five acquaintances each; by 2025, that figure had grown to an average of nine. The company also said the service helped lower barriers to financial services, estimating users saved about 1.5 trillion won in fees over the past decade. A Kakao Pay official said the past 10 years have focused on reducing the hassle of transfers and improving users’ daily lives, adding the company will continue upgrading the service so users can feel that finance is “closer” and keep sharing “feelings and value.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:45:17

Han Na Chang Says Seoul Arts Center Must Compete With Netflix and YouTube The Seoul Arts Center at the foot of Mount Umyeon in Seoul’s Seocho district has long been seen as a symbol of the country’s cultural standing. But symbolism does not pay operating costs, and prestige alone does not erase deficits. That is the context for the appointment of world-renowned cellist Han Na Chang as president of the arts center, a move the article describes as a test of how the institution should adapt. In her inaugural address, Chang framed the challenge in digital terms. “The Seoul Arts Center’s competitors are not Japan’s arts centers, not America’s Lincoln Center, and not China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. Our real competitors are Netflix and YouTube,” she said. The article argues that the arts center has been treated primarily as a facility — defined by halls, acoustics and exhibition space — while audiences increasingly consume culture through smartphones, streaming and short-form video. It says time has become fragmented, viewing habits more individualized, and culture has moved into a subscription economy. The arts center’s chronic deficits, it says, reflect that shift: audiences have declined while costs have risen, and innovation has been slow under the constraints of a public institution. It cites accumulated losses of “hundreds of billions of won,” calling them a warning that cultural institutions need survival strategies. By naming digital platforms as the main competition, the article says, Chang is signaling an intent to treat the arts center less as a building and more as a content-driven organization aimed at younger audiences and an era shaped by artificial intelligence. The article recounts Chang’s career as evidence of her ability to execute change. It says she first studied piano, then switched to cello after being drawn to its “deep and human” tone. At age 11, it says, Chang won the Rostropovich International Cello Competition as the youngest winner and the first Asian to take the top prize — a moment when legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich recognized her talent. It says she later performed with leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. Critics and conductors, the article adds, have described her playing as combining “flame-like concentration” with human depth. The article says Chang’s achievements were built on intense discipline, describing practice sessions of more than 10 hours a day. It also credits family support, saying her father changed the direction of his life to back her talent and her mother helped build her musical foundation. The article references a scene from the film “Tár,” in which a student says he does not like Bach for reasons tied to identity rather than music. It argues that Chang’s stature rests not on identity but on performance, saying the stage ultimately judges skill. It also portrays Chang as committed to education and outreach. The article says that when Lee Jae-myung served as Seongnam mayor, Chang helped introduce classical music to young people through performances at the Seongnam Arts Center. Looking ahead, the article says the Seoul Arts Center should not remain a destination only for classical enthusiasts. It calls for a broader platform that includes classical music, opera and ballet, as well as film, AI-based art, game music, digital performance and global collaboration. It argues that competing with major venues abroad cannot be reduced to facilities, and that Seoul needs its own story and cultural appeal. It says the arts center should become a place the world seeks out — not only to watch performances, but to experience the future of Korean culture. The article says culture in the AI era is shifting from passive viewing to participation, with audiences connecting, sharing and re-creating content. It argues the arts center should expand beyond venue operations toward digital platforms, global streaming, educational content and cultural-technology industries — consistent with Chang’s view that Netflix and YouTube are the real competition. Citing the phrase “Great vessels are late to mature,” the article says the arts center, long a national symbol, must be reborn as a global platform. It concludes that Chang’s appointment is not simply about turning one institution profitable, but about shaping the next phase of Korean culture, including what it calls the goal of “K-classical.” 2026-04-29 09:42:49

LIV Golf Postpones New Orleans Event From June to Fall Amid Funding Questions 최근 재정 위기설에 휩싸인 LIV 골프가 오는 6월 미국 루이지애나주 뉴올리언스 대회를 가을로 연기한다. LIV 골프는 29일(한국시간) AP 통신에 보낸 보도자료에서 "루이지애나주 정부와 협력해 새로운 일정으로 대회를 옮기는 결정을 내렸다"며 "이는 한여름의 극심한 더위를 피하고 글로벌 스포츠 일정(FIFA 북중미 월드컵)과 충돌하지 않기 위한 것"이라고 밝혔다. LIV 골프는 "가을에 대회를 할 수 있도록 노력하고 있다"며 "가까운 시일 내에 확정된 날짜를 공유하기를 기대한다"고 덧붙였다. 뉴올리언스 대회가 미뤄지면서 LIV 골프는 6월 4일 개막하는 스페인 안달루시아 대회 이후 7월 23일 영국 대회까지 약 2개월간 공백이 생기게 됐다. 이번 결정은 사우디아라비아 국부펀드(PIF)가 LIV 골프에 대한 자금 지원 중단을 검토하고 있다는 현지 보도 직후 나와 관심을 모았다. 최근 4년간 약 50억 달러(약 7조 3680억원)를 투입해 온 PIF가 더는 지원에 나서지 않을 수 있다는 관측이 나오며 LIV 골프는 존폐 위기설에 휩싸였다. LIV 골프는 위기설을 부인했다. 스콧 오닐 LIV 골프 최고경영자(CEO)는 지난 28일 부산 아시아드 컨트리클럽에서 열린 국내 기자회견에서 "우리는 2026년 시즌을 운영할 자금을 이미 충분히 확보한 상태"라며 "주요 파트너들의 후원 규모도 약 5억 달러 수준으로 커졌다. 사업성과 경기력 양면에서 드라마틱한 성장을 이뤘다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 09:42:05

FSS chief’s expense account disclosed for first time; averaged 2.09 million won a month over 8 months Details of official expenses used by Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin since taking office have been disclosed for the first time, with most spending tied to discussions on supervisory issues, staff encouragement and media briefings. According to financial authorities on the 29th, the FSS posted the governor’s expense-account records on its website the previous day. The disclosure covers eight months of spending from August last year, when Lee took office, through March this year. Total spending during the period was 16,677,500 won across 76 transactions, averaging about 2.09 million won a month. Monthly totals were 1,621,100 won in August 2025; 2,167,000 won in September; 1,629,000 won in October; 2,336,600 won in November; 2,068,400 won in December; 2,268,300 won in January 2026; 2,204,100 won in February; and 2,383,000 won in March. Most expenses were incurred at restaurants around Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul, where the FSS headquarters is located. By purpose, work-related meetings accounted for a large share, including discussions on key supervisory issues and work plans and sharing difficulties by division. Other items included staff encouragement, meetings with news organizations, consultations with related agencies, and condolence or congratulatory payments. The disclosure follows Lee’s pledge during a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit in October last year. After criticism over how the FSS exercises its authority, he said he would improve transparency in the use of official expenses. Separately, official expenses used under the previous FSS governor from January through May last year totaled 12.10 million won, averaging 2.42 million won a month: 2.37 million won in January, 2.55 million won in February, 1.82 million won in March, 2.45 million won in April and 2.89 million won in May. 2026-04-29 09:40:16