Rain Forecast for Southern Korea, Jeju; Dust to Worsen Air Quality Wednesday the 22nd is expected to be mostly cloudy nationwide, with conditions turning increasingly overcast in the south and on Jeju Island. Rain is forecast to begin on Jeju in the morning, spread to the Jeolla South region by afternoon and reach the Gyeongsang South region by night. Parts of North Jeolla may see brief sprinkles from afternoon into the night, with less than 0.1 millimeter of precipitation. Through the 23rd, expected rainfall is 5 to 20 millimeters in Gwangju and South Jeolla and along the southern coasts of Busan and South Gyeongsang; less than 5 millimeters in Ulsan and inland South Gyeongsang; and 20 to 60 millimeters on Jeju. Morning lows are forecast at 6 to 14 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 16 to 21 degrees. Air quality is expected to deteriorate nationwide due to yellow dust that moved in the previous day, with fine dust levels forecast at “bad.” From late morning through afternoon, PM-10 levels could rise to “very bad.” Ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) is expected to be “moderate.” Seas are expected to remain relatively calm. Waves are forecast at 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and South seas nearshore and about 0.5 meters in the West Sea nearshore. In offshore waters within about 200 kilometers of the coast, waves in the East, West and South seas are expected at 0.5 to 2.0 meters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:21:15

LG H&H’s Physiogel wraps Seongsu pop-up promoting Red Soothing line LG Household & Health Care said Tuesday that Physiogel has successfully concluded its pop-up store, “The Red Trace,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The event ran from April 17-19 at “Anderson C Seongsu” as part of the “Mega Beauty Show Virtual Store.” A related Mega Beauty Show promotion will continue through April 26, the company said. The pop-up focused on Physiogel’s “Red Soothing” line, aimed at calming sensitive skin and reducing redness. Featured products included the Red Soothing AI Repair Cream and the Red Soothing Rosateca Redness Reducing Serum. The serum, launched in February, is designed with enhanced redness-care features, the company said. Built around the “Redness Investigation Unit” concept, the space cast visitors as “clients” tracking down causes of skin redness. The company said mission-style activities, including filling out a case request and searching for clues, were designed to let visitors try products directly. About 3,000 people visited during the three-day run, the company said. Visitors said the game-like format helped them encounter the products naturally and identify options suited to their skin concerns. “We planned an experiential concept to communicate product features in an intuitive way,” a Physiogel official said. “Based on our expertise in solutions for sensitive skin, we will continue to expand consumer touchpoints.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:18:56

Samsung Biologics Faces Strike Threat as Court Ruling Looms Labor tensions at Samsung Biologics are edging closer to a strike after management and the union failed to reach a deal following 13 rounds of wage and collective bargaining talks since last December. With global competition intensifying, industry officials warn a walkout could disrupt production and damage confidence in South Korea’s biotech sector. Industry sources said Tuesday that the Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng Union plans to hold a rally of about 2,000 workers Wednesday at the company’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon, and begin an all-out strike on May 1. The two sides have been unable to narrow differences over pay raises, the company’s excess-profit incentive (OPI) and the size of encouragement payments. The union has argued compensation should reflect Samsung Biologics’ operating profit of about 2 trillion won last year. It has recently stepped up pressure after securing majority status as a local chapter under Samsung Electronics’ umbrella union, according to the report. Samsung Biologics has asked the Incheon District Court to issue an injunction barring union industrial action. A court decision, expected as early as this week, is seen as a key turning point for whether the strike proceeds as planned. The company cited Article 38 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, which restricts actions that obstruct normal operations or halt work needed to protect facilities during labor disputes. The company argues that if skilled workers leave production lines, the stability of its contract manufacturing processes for biopharmaceuticals could be undermined. It has said a production stoppage could result in losses of 640 billion won a day and harm global trust. The union has maintained a hard line. Union leader Park Jae-seong said he expects the court to dismiss the injunction request because the company is making what he called excessive claims. Still, he said even if the ruling favors management, the request does not seek a total ban on all labor action, and the May 1 strike would continue within what is allowed, with possible changes in participation depending on the decision. Park also said the union is planning a second round of action, even if it means going unpaid. The union has also voiced dissatisfaction with follow-up measures after a personnel information leak in November last year. It is demanding that limits on access to personal data be written into work rules and that personnel action be taken against those suspected of union-busting, the report said. Concerns are growing that a strike could weaken the company’s competitiveness and disrupt drug supplies. The medicines Samsung Biologics produces are mainly cancer treatments or therapies for rare diseases that require ongoing dosing, raising fears that supply problems could pose risks directly affecting patients’ lives. Because Samsung Biologics’ business is based on contract development and manufacturing for global drugmakers rather than its own new drugs, a prolonged dispute could also hurt its credibility, industry officials said. Biopharmaceutical production involves cultivating and purifying living cells and requires continuous operation; even a single disruption could force the disposal of batches that took months to produce. A prolonged strike risk could extend beyond the company and erode global trust in the broader “K-bio” brand, the report said. A biotech industry official said that if a strike leads to a production halt, the company’s competitiveness in global contract bids would likely take a serious hit. 2026-04-21 18:17:56

Iran State TV Says Delegation Has Not Yet Left for Islamabad for U.S. Talks Iran’s delegation for a second round of ceasefire talks with the United States has not yet departed for Islamabad, Iranian state television reported, raising fresh uncertainty over whether the meeting expected on April 22 will go ahead as planned. AP and other outlets reported April 21 (local time) that Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said in a breaking report that “no Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad so far.” Al Jazeera also reported that key Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had not left for Pakistan and remained in Iran. The reports contrasted with earlier accounts. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Iran had told mediators it would send a delegation to Islamabad on April 21. Reuters also reported, citing a Pakistani source involved in the talks, that the second round would be held Wednesday, April 22. With Iran’s delegation still not en route, questions have resurfaced about whether the second round will take place. AP said Iran may be engaged in internal debate over how to respond after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian vessel over the weekend. Axios also reported, citing a source, that discussions on the second round had stalled as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urged maintaining a hard-line stance toward the United States. On the U.S. side, Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, was expected to leave for Pakistan no later than the morning of April 21. President Donald Trump told Bloomberg in an interview April 20 that Vance would depart for Islamabad later that day and said the second round would take place “Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.” 2026-04-21 18:16:18

Sleep Tech Heats Up as Samsung, LG Expand Platforms, Stir Small-Business Concerns Sleep tech — applying artificial intelligence, home appliances and health care technology to sleep management — is drawing attention as a next-generation growth industry. But as major conglomerates move in, concerns are also rising that they could squeeze out smaller players.   According to market research firm Straits Research on the 21st, the global sleep tech market topped $20.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $64.6918 billion by 2033.  Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are approaching sleep tech as a connected lifestyle data business. The term combines “sleep” and “technology” and refers to measuring and analyzing sleep data using AI, the internet of things and big data to help people sleep better. Samsung is upgrading a system centered on SmartThings that links sleep data collected from wearables such as the Galaxy Watch with air conditioners, air purifiers and lighting to automatically create an optimal sleep environment. The system adjusts temperature and brightness based on sleep stages, and changes air quality and lighting around wake-up time. LG is also focusing on expanding sleep data across its broader appliance lineup under its “AI Home” strategy. It aims to provide personalized sleep environments by connecting appliances that control air quality, temperature and humidity, and to tie sleep data into health management through integration with health care platforms. LG is also reviewing the possibility of offering sleep management services bundled with its subscription-based appliance business. As big companies enter the market with data and appliance ecosystems, competition is shifting quickly from individual products to platforms. Analysts say that if a structure takes hold in which multiple devices are connected around sleep data, market leadership could move toward appliance and platform companies. That shift is also fueling criticism that large firms could disrupt the existing ecosystem. With sleep tech still in an early growth stage, industry watchers warn that companies with deep pockets and established platforms could rapidly tilt the competitive landscape. Existing sleep tech players are responding by upgrading their technology. Coway, seen as a leading player, is strengthening a “full sleep-cycle management” strategy through its sleep and healing care brand BEREX, building out product lines that include motion beds, massage mattresses and sleep-sensor mattresses. Simmons is also bolstering capabilities through premium mattresses, motion beds and experiential consulting. Jangsu Dolchimdae is pursuing business plans that combine heating technology with sleep and health care functions. “Sleep tech has strong potential to grow into a high value-added industry by combining sleep data with health care,” an industry official said. “But if major companies take control of platforms, existing bed makers could be pushed into the role of simple hardware suppliers, making conflict unavoidable as the market is reshaped.” 2026-04-21 18:15:25

LG Innotek Begins Mass Production of Variable-Aperture Camera Modules for iPhone 18 LG Innotek is moving into full-scale mass production of variable-aperture camera modules expected to be used in Apple’s iPhone 18 series, due to be released in the second half of this year, according to industry sources. The move is seen as an effort to push past smartphone camera limits that have relied heavily on software processing by improving hardware instead. Industry officials said on the 21st that LG Innotek recently built a dedicated production line for the modules at its plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, and completed preparations for mass production. Chinese suppliers Luxshare and Sunny Optical, which are responsible for key parts such as camera actuators, have also finished setting up their processes and are expected to begin shipping related components starting next month, the sources said. With the supply chain coming online, LG Innotek is expected to start supplying initial volumes as early as July, the sources said, in a step aimed at ensuring stable parts availability for the iPhone 18 series, which is expected to be unveiled in September. Variable aperture is a precision optical technology that adjusts the aperture depending on ambient light to optimize how much light enters the lens. Most smartphone cameras use a fixed aperture and rely on software correction, but a variable aperture physically opens and closes to control light intake. In bright conditions, narrowing the aperture can improve resolution; in low light, widening it can reduce noise and produce clearer images. The technology is also valued for enabling more natural background blur effects, similar to DSLR cameras, through hardware rather than software, industry officials said. The start of mass production is expected to intensify competition among smartphone makers, the sources said. Samsung Electronics is also reported to be accelerating development to add variable aperture to some higher-end models in its Galaxy S27 series, expected as early as next year. Samsung introduced variable aperture in the Galaxy S9 in 2018, but removed it from the following year’s model due to challenges including miniaturization and manufacturing efficiency, the sources said. LG Innotek aims to maximize first-mover advantages in next-generation smartphones by establishing mass production ahead of rivals. The company’s strategy is to demonstrate its camera-module capabilities in global markets as parts have become thinner and manufacturing processes have improved, the sources said. Variable-aperture modules are expected to carry a higher average selling price than existing camera modules, potentially boosting profitability. As performance at the company’s optical solutions business is expected to improve from the third quarter, expectations are rising that annual operating profit could return to the “1 trillion won club.” If market expectations are met, LG Innotek would re-enter the 1 trillion won operating-profit range for the first time in four years since 2022. “Amid growing criticism that the smartphone industry has hit hardware limits, variable aperture could be a decisive factor that stimulates replacement demand,” an industry official said. The official added that LG Innotek’s accumulated precision optical-solution capabilities could serve as a foundation for improving profitability. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:14:25

KOSPI Closes at Record 6,388.47 on Foreign and Institutional Buying South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI on Monday broke past its previous high for the first time in about two months, lifted by heavy buying from foreign investors and institutions. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed up 169.38 points, or 2.72%, at 6,388.47, an all-time closing high. The index opened at 6,302.54, up 83.45 points, or 1.34%, from the previous session and extended gains through the day. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said uncertainty has increased since Trump’s tariff announcement, weakening investor sentiment. He added that the domestic market has been sluggish because it has a high weighting in the auto industry and semiconductor sector. In the main KOSPI market, foreigners were net buyers of 1.7355 trillion won and institutions bought a net 797.3 billion won. Retail investors sold a net 2.3432 trillion won. Among the most heavily weighted stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.10%, SK hynix gained 4.97%, LG Energy Solution jumped 11.42%, Hyundai Motor advanced 3.61%, SK Square added 2.43% and Doosan Enerbility climbed 4.23%. Samsung Biologics fell 1.06% and Hanwha Aerospace slid 2.39%. By sector, gains were led by electrical and electronics, up 3.87%, machinery and equipment, up 3.73%, chemicals, up 2.16%, financials, up 0.72%, and IT services, up 0.19%. Pharmaceuticals fell 1.40% and insurance slipped 0.01%. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ closed up 4.18 points, or 0.36%, at 1,179.03. It opened at 1,186.23, up 11.38 points, or 0.97%, from the previous session. In the KOSDAQ market, retail investors were net buyers of 583.9 billion won, while foreigners sold a net 389.3 billion won and institutions sold a net 124.7 billion won. Among top KOSDAQ stocks, EcoPro rose 5.21%, EcoPro BM gained 5.00% and Lino Industrial added 1.63%. Alteogen fell 0.67%, Rainbow Robotics dropped 1.15%, Samchundang Pharm slipped 0.42% and ABL Bio declined 2.68%. By sector, electrical and electronics rose 1.84%, machinery and equipment gained 2.79%, financials climbed 3.39%, chemicals added 1.39% and distribution rose 0.77%. Pharmaceuticals fell 2.27%, general services dropped 2.97% and IT services declined 0.92%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:13:34

Topical Prescription Treatments Offer New Option for Hyperhidrosis Management Hyperhidrosis can be hard to hide in daily life. When excessive sweating occurs in the armpits, clothes can become soaked and concerns about odor can cause some people to withdraw socially. Even with significant day-to-day discomfort, many patients find it difficult to stick with treatment. Hospital-based procedures or oral medications can feel burdensome, depending on the individual. Recently, a new option has drawn attention: prescription topical treatments that patients apply directly to areas that sweat heavily. The approach is seen as a way to reduce the burden of ongoing care and meet growing demand for simpler symptom management. The treatment works by suppressing nerve signals that trigger sweat production. Because it can be used during everyday routines, it may help patients continue treatment more consistently. Hyperhidrosis has often been dismissed as a personal trait, but as treatment choices expand, it is increasingly viewed as a condition that can be managed in daily life. Shin Jeong-won, a professor of dermatology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, said hyperhidrosis can significantly disrupt daily life, but many people delay care because of the burden of treatment. “Topical treatment is relatively easy to use and may help patients stay on therapy,” Shin said. 2026-04-21 18:12:51

Turkey Pitches Overland Energy Route for South Korea as Hormuz Strait Is Blocked South Korea’s industrial base, including production lines in Ulsan and semiconductor hubs in Gyeonggi Province, is facing an existential threat after the Strait of Hormuz was paralyzed by an all-out war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, cutting off crude oil supplies bound for South Korea. Turkey’s Embassy in Seoul held an emergency briefing on April 21 at its compound in central Seoul, presenting what it called an essential overland energy bypass route for the survival of the South Korean economy. The session, led by Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer, Commercial Counselor Ozlem Untez and Press Counselor Sercan Dogan, focused on positioning a “middle corridor” as a key lifeline for South Korea to circumvent the maritime blockade. Tamer described the crisis as a decisive fracture point in the international order and said turmoil in the Persian Gulf had exposed severe vulnerabilities in the global economy. “The international environment we face today is taking on a form that goes beyond the existing concept of crisis,” Tamer said. Citing price pressures and supply-chain disruptions since hostilities began, he said South Korea’s industrial model — built on full reliance on sea access — should pivot immediately to Turkey’s established energy and logistics networks. Ankara is offering to serve as a security anchor for South Korea through its pipeline infrastructure. Tamer cited the TANAP and TurkStream networks, which he said transport 30 billion cubic meters and 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas, respectively, and described them as stable gateways linking the Mediterranean and European markets. Tamer warned that any disruption in the flow of goods would be devastating for both countries. “Korea’s miracle lies in finding technology, inventing it, refining it to make it attractive, and inserting it into production lines,” he said. “Any disruption in this supply chain will hurt Korea, hurt Turkey, and hurt the whole world,” he added. Turkish officials urged South Korean companies to use Turkey not only as a market but as a strategic base for production and logistics. Untez highlighted Turkey’s economic scale and workforce of more than 86 million, noting 2025 GDP growth of 3.6%. She pointed to global connectivity through Turkey’s customs union with the European Union as a key advantage. “Thanks to the customs union with the EU, we can sell products to EU countries without any restrictions, tariffs or barriers,” she said. She said Turkey is seeking to promote foreign direct investment as part of efforts to rebalance trade ties in which Seoul currently posts a sizable surplus. In 2025, South Korea exported $9.11 billion to Turkey, while imports totaled $2.0 billion. Untez also cited Turkey’s rise as a major exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles and pointed to potential cooperation in defense and green energy. At the center of strategic cooperation is the Sinop nuclear power plant project. Tamer described it as a “100-year partnership” involving Korea Electric Power Corp. Negotiations on the plant — including 15 years of construction and 80 years of operation — have continued since President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Ankara in November 2025. Tamer said such projects are essential to repairing damage from the war. “This Middle East war will wound us and cause pain, but we must stitch up the wound so it does not remain a permanent scar,” he said. Dogan said the embassy was pursuing a proactive communications strategy. “The Turkish Embassy in South Korea is the most media-friendly embassy in Korea,” he said, adding it was ready to communicate on any Turkey-related issue. “Our door is always open. I, too, am personally always ready for anything related to Turkey,” he said. Turkey also pointed to the potential operation of the port of Ceyhan as an alternative route for Iraqi crude. The 960-kilometer Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, used to transport energy to a Mediterranean terminal, resumed operations on March 18, 2026. The embassy said technical teams from both countries would continue coordinating how to scale up the route to bypass the unstable Persian Gulf. The teams aim to increase integrated transport capacity to 350,000 barrels a day in the coming months.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:11:42

Israel’s Katz Says Goal in Lebanon Is to Disarm Hezbollah, Pairing Military and Diplomatic Pressure Israel has again increased pressure on Lebanon, putting the disarmament of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah at the center of its approach. Asharq Al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned pan-Arab outlet, reported on the 21st that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the goal of Israel’s operation in Lebanon is “to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to northern Israel.” He said Israel is pursuing military and diplomatic steps in parallel. That stance has also been reflected in recent talks with Lebanon. Reuters reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in negotiations on the 15th that Israel’s two goals are dismantling Hezbollah and achieving long-term peace backed by military strength. He signaled that even if talks proceed, Israel will continue its military offensive in southern Lebanon and the establishment of a buffer zone. Israel has also tightened control on the ground. Reuters reported that Israel on the 20th released a map restricting residents’ access to 21 villages in southern Lebanon and parts of areas near the Litani River, and reinforced its troop presence. Israel described the move as part of creating a buffer zone to prevent Hezbollah from re-infiltrating. The United States is mediating negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to contain the clashes. Reuters reported the sides are set to hold a second ambassador-level meeting in Washington on the 23rd, though progress is expected to be difficult.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 18:10:52