KOSPI flirts around record highs amid signs of de-escalating Gulf tensions SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) -Korean stocks extended gains Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI hovering near a record close on signs of de-escalating Gulf tensions and renewed institutional buying. The KOSPI rose 2.2 percent to close at 6,226.10, a tad below last record finish of 6,307.27 on Feb. 26. Institutions led the advance, purchasing 1.10 trillion won($746.7 million), while foreign investors added 464.4 billion won. Retail investors sold 1.81 trillion won, locking in gains after recent rallies. Large-cap stocks broadly advanced, led by semiconductors and autos. Samsung Electronics rose 3.1 percent to 217,500 won, supported by renewed foreign buying. SK hynix gained 1.7 percent to 1,155,000 won despite some profit-taking following recent gains. Hyundai Motor jumped 5.1 percent and Kia rose 4.2 percent, extending momentum in auto shares. The strength in chipmakers reflects continued confidence in the memory cycle, as tight inventories and expectations of sharp price increases in DRAM and NAND reinforce earnings visibility. Supply constraints in high bandwidth memory (HBM), driven by surging demand from AI infrastructure, have further strengthened pricing power across the broader semiconductor sector. At the same time, diverging foreign flows between Samsung Electronics and SK hynix suggest growing sensitivity to valuation levels, as investors weigh whether current earnings momentum can be sustained beyond the first quarter. Sector rotation was also evident, with paper and wood products surging 12.2 percent, followed by retail and distribution-related shares, indicating broad-based participation beyond index heavyweights. The KOSDAQ rose 0.9 percent to close at 1,162.97, after trading between 1,168.77 and 1,156.31. Retail investors led buying on the secondary board, purchasing 361.0 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold 246.0 billion won and 64.5 billion won, respectively, suggesting continued retail-driven risk appetite. Gains were concentrated in select technology and thematic names. Komico surged 14.5 percent to 151,000 won, while Philoptics jumped 15.2 percent to 45,950 won. Kona I rose 17.1 percent to 71,100 won, and Interflex advanced 7.7 percent to 13,030 won, highlighting strong momentum in high-beta growth and component plays. Global markets provided supportive cues. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.6 percent and the S&P 500 gained 0.8 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 2.4 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.6 percent. Oil prices remained elevated, with Brent crude holding above $95 per barrel, as markets weighed the possibility of an extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran alongside ongoing supply risks tied to the Strait of Hormuz. The Korean won strengthened slightly against the dollar, with the currency rising to 1,473.1 per dollar, while the VIX volatility index edged lower, signaling easing near-term risk sentiment. 2026-04-16 17:51:44

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Ariana Grande Set for 'Meet the Parents 4' in November 'Meet the Parents 4' has set a November release and unveiled its first poster and trailer. The 'Meet the Parents' franchise is a comedy built on the tense, often awkward standoff between a father-in-law and son-in-law. It has centered on Jack Byrnes, a CIA veteran, and Greg Focker, who is trying to win approval to marry into the family. The first film earned $330 million worldwide, and the second topped it with $522 million. In the fourth installment, Greg’s son, Henry, introduces his girlfriend, Olivia, to the family. Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller return, and Ariana Grande joins the cast as Olivia. The newly released poster highlights the friction among the characters, contrasting Stiller’s Greg with De Niro’s Jack glaring at him, alongside a confident Olivia. The trailer uses BLACKPINK’s “JUMP” as background music. Jack tells Olivia, “Don’t worry. We do this with all potential new family members,” as he puts her through a lie detector test. Greg also tries to determine whether Olivia is right for Henry. Olivia, described as a former FBI hostage negotiator, pushes back in unexpected ways, raising the stakes. The film’s team said Stiller’s character, once the son-in-law under scrutiny, now faces a reversal. They said the sparring between Stiller as a prospective father-in-law and Grande as a formidable prospective daughter-in-law will be a key draw. '’Meet the Parents 4’ is directed by John Hamburg, who worked on the scripts for all previous films. De Niro, Stiller, Owen Wilson and Grande star. The film is scheduled for release in November.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 17:48:26

Car exports edge up last month despite Middle East conflict PYEONGTAEK, April 16 (AJP) - South Korea's car exports increased last month despite the prolonged conflict in the Middel East. According to a report by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, the total amount of car exports stood at $6.37 billion in March, up 2.2 percent from the same period last year. Exports of hybrid vehicles drove the increase, surging by over 60 percent, despite a significant decline in shipments to the Middle East. 2026-04-16 17:44:49

Jung Woo Returns as Jjangu in New Film, Co-Directing Autobiographical Story 2009’s hit film “Wish” (“Baram”), often dubbed an “unofficial 10 million” blockbuster and long embraced by many Korean men as a defining movie, is bringing back its character Jjangu after 16 years — this time as the focus of a new film. “Jjangu” follows the character in his 20s after high school, thrown into what the film portrays as a jungle-like adult world, fighting to survive while chasing a single goal: becoming an actor. A press screening and news conference for “Jjangu,” co-directed by Oh Seong-ho and Jung Woo, was held Wednesday afternoon at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. Oh, Jung and cast members Jung Soo-jung, Shin Seung-ho, Kwon So-hyun and Jo Beom-gyu attended. Set in the 2000s, the film depicts Jjangu (played by Jung) as he starts living on his own in Seoul and confronts the realities of pursuing his dream. The project draws heavily from Jung’s own story; he wrote the screenplay and also co-directed. Capturing the atmosphere and sensibility of Busan, where the story is rooted, was a key challenge, Oh said. “Gyeongsang Province’s sensibility was very important,” Oh said, adding that locations needed to feel lived-in rather than like tourist spots. He said the team practiced to avoid “fake” dialect and deliver authentic Busan speech. For Jung, filming in his hometown came with a warm reception. He said some locations — including a nightclub and a gukbap restaurant — were initially difficult to secure, but local contacts offered support after hearing he was making the film. “They sponsored us and even lent us the places,” Jung said. “I thought, ‘I’m not done yet,’ and that people in Busan still care about me. I filmed with a grateful heart.” Like “Wish,” which drew attention for its lively chemistry among friends, “Jjangu” leans on fast back-and-forth between characters. Jung said he wrote the script as if he were hanging out with his real friends, while also doing extensive rehearsals and read-throughs. He said the cast was chosen not only for dialect but for acting ability and fit with the roles, adding that their personalities helped create the on-screen rhythm. Co-stars credited Jung’s drive on set. Jo said he felt he would learn a lot by working alongside Jung, whose energy helped shape the chemistry between their characters. Shin said the set was consistently enjoyable and that he hoped that feeling would carry to audiences. He said Jung’s leadership allowed the actors to perform in a “live” tone and situation, to the point he sometimes forgot they were filming. Jung said returning to the role of Jjangu — and taking on directing — carried special meaning. He said “Jjangu” has been his nickname since he was 2 or 3 years old, and that the character again brought thoughts of his father. “It was nice to revisit the acting I did 16 years ago as Jjangu,” he said. “I thought audiences might be happy to see him again, too. I hope they feel that way.” Jung said that while co-directing and starring can bring practical burdens, he had fun during production. He also said he was grateful to have the chance to make the film at a time when the movie market is difficult. Asked about how autobiographical the characters are, Jung said not all of them are based on real people. He described Min-hee as a “wannabe” figure for men, and said characters such as Beom-gyu and So-hyun reflect things he saw and experienced indirectly. Jung Soo-jung plays Min-hee, Jjangu’s first love, described as skilled at pushing and pulling in relationships. She said she enjoyed “Wish” and had long been curious about a follow-up. “When I got the offer, I enjoyed reading it, and I wanted to work with Jung Woo,” she said, adding that the cast filmed in a good mood together. On Min-hee’s feelings, Jung said that while the character may seem hard to read, she played every moment as sincere. “Min-hee’s feelings for Jjangu are real,” she said, adding that what begins as a joke gradually becomes an honest confrontation with her true emotions. “Jjangu,” which revisits 2000s nostalgia and the bittersweet growing pains of youth, is expected to offer fans of “Wish” a sense of return while introducing new audiences to Jung’s personal story. It opens in theaters on the 22nd. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 17:42:35

Spring gives way to early summer heat SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - This year's spring, which had only just begun, has suddenly disappeared, giving way to early summer heat this week, with daily highs hovering above 20 degrees Celsius nationwide. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), temperatures in most parts of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area soared to 27 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking one of the warmest levels recorded for April. The unusually high temperatures, compared with seasonal averages, are expected to last through this weekend. 2026-04-16 17:30:42

Mimiirose’s Yoon Ji-a Leaves Group, Ends Agency Contract Yoon Ji-a has left the girl group Mimiirose. In a post on social media on the 15th, Yoon said she recently departed Mimiirose and that her contract with the agency has also ended. She said the decision came after she and the other members spent ample time thinking it over and talking. She apologized for the sudden news, saying she believed it likely surprised the group’s fans, known as “Blueme.” Yoon said the time she spent with Blueme was a major source of strength and something she will cherish for a long time. She added that she will never forget seeing Blueme from the stage. She said she is working to be able to stand in front of Blueme again in some form, and encouraged fans to find small, everyday happiness in their own ways. Yoon debuted in 2022 as a member of Mimiirose, a girl group under Yes I Am, an agency founded by Lim Chang-jung. In 2024, she and the other members moved to Pocket7 Entertainment, but she is leaving the group two years later.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 16:51:15

Osstem Implant Wins EU Certification for Dental Unit Chairs; SK Chemicals Launches Low-Dose Triple Hypertension Pill Osstem Implant’s dental unit chairs meet EU medical device rules Osstem Implant said Thursday it has obtained European Union Medical Device Regulation certification, known as CE MDR, for its dental unit chairs, following certification for its implant products. The certified models are the K3 and K5, the company said. It described them as flagship products with cumulative global sales of 60,000 units. A dental unit chair is used to seat or recline patients during treatment and combines multiple small devices and precision parts, requiring advanced development and manufacturing capabilities, the company said. Osstem Implant launched its first unit chair, the K3, in 2013 under the concept of a “back-to-basics chair.” The company said it designed the height adjustment range and table movement structure for flexibility, aiming for stable usability across different clinical settings. SK Chemicals launches low-dose triple-combination hypertension drug Telamclo SK Chemicals said Thursday it has launched Telamclo, a low-dose, triple-combination drug for hypertension. Telamclo combines telmisartan 20 milligrams, amlodipine 2.5 milligrams and chlorthalidone 6.25 milligrams. SK Chemicals said each ingredient is set at about half the standard dose used in single-ingredient products. The drug was developed in cooperation with Yuhan Corp., which previously marketed Truset tablets with the same ingredients and doses, the company said. SK Chemicals said the launch reflects a treatment trend toward using drugs with different mechanisms from the early stages of care. It said hypertension involves multiple mechanisms, and single-drug therapy can have limits in controlling blood pressure, driving broader use of combination products. The company said telmisartan works to inhibit blood vessel constriction, amlodipine helps relax blood vessels, and chlorthalidone regulates the excretion of sodium and water, addressing multiple causes at once. SK Chemicals said it plans to strengthen its market push by building on synergy with its existing hypertension lineup, including Cosca tablets, and by offering a portfolio spanning single-ingredient and combination therapies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-16 16:48:00

Lee to embark on trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend for summit talks SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a weeklong trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Sunday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, followed by a series of expanded discussions with key officials. Lee's visit to the world's most populous nation comes just a few months after Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das told AJP in an exclusive interview in January that a summit between the two leaders could take place soon with focus on elevated partnership in shipbuilding, energy and semiconductor sectors, as well as advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI). According to Das, shipbuilding, in particular, is one of the country's top industrial priorities. "There is a huge demand for ships in India," he pointed out earlier, adding that this would offer great opportunities for South Korea, given its technical prowess and competitiveness. Reflecting this, Wi said, "India is a key partner in expanding the scope of South Korea's pragmatic diplomacy in pursuit of national interests," adding that Lee's visit would further strengthen bilateral ties for "mutually beneficial and strategic cooperation." He also expressed hope that the two leaders would "lay the groundwork to achieve $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 through various strategic projects in the fields of AI, defense, shipbuilding and maritime industries, opening a new chapter in economic cooperation between the two countries." Before the summit with Modi, Lee will meet with South Korean nationals in New Delhi upon his arrival and visit a memorial to Indian spiritual leader Mohandas Gandhi to lay flowers in honor of his legacy of nonviolent resistance and civil rights advocacy. After wrapping up his trip to India with a forum with business leaders there, Lee will fly to Hanoi on Tuesday for talks with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party. Lee will be accompanied by around 200 business leaders and executives from major conglomerates such as Hyundai Motor, LG, Samsung and SK, as well as representatives from business lobbies including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). A slew of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on the sidelines of the summit talks are expected to be signed as they seek to expand into emerging markets and strengthen supply chain cooperation. Lee will return home on Friday. 2026-04-16 16:44:22

Samsung Electronics unveils 2026 AI TV lineup at European tech seminar SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics held its '2026 Europe Tech Seminar' in Frankfurt, Germany, from Wednesday to Thurdsay, showcasing its 2026 artificial intelligence (AI) TV and audio product lineups to European media and industry professionals. During the event, Samsung demonstrated its 'Vision AI Companion,' an integrated TV platform that functions as a smart home hub. The platform provides real-time information on viewed content and supports tasks such as trip planning and recipe recommendations. The company also detailed its latest AI-driven picture and sound features, including 'AI Upscaling Pro' for enhancing low-resolution video, 'AI Football Mode,' and 'AI Sound Controller Pro.' On the hardware front, Samsung highlighted its new 'Micro RGB' TV, emphasizing that it meets 100 percent of the BT.2020 color gamut standard established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The 2026 OLED TV models feature 'Glare Free' technology to reduce light reflection, along with Pantone's 'ArtfulColor' certification. Additionally, Samsung introduced an OLED gaming monitor (FG600S) with a 500Hz refresh rate, a 6K resolution monitor (G80HS), and the 'Music Studio' Wi-Fi speaker series, which supports 3D surround sound. "By applying advanced AI technology across our entire lineup, from premium to entry-level models, we will usher in an era of AI TV popularization for everyone," said Lee Heon, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business. Samsung has hosted tech seminars annually since 2012 to present its latest technologies to global video and audio experts. 2026-04-16 16:25:08

Why Toss Is Publishing Books to Boost Users’ Financial Literacy Toss, the mobile finance platform known for simplifying money transfers, is expanding its push to raise users’ financial literacy by publishing books. After releasing two personal finance titles in 2024 and 2025, it has now added a standalone book based on an industry tour of the United States. According to the financial industry on the 16th, Toss Securities, a Toss affiliate, published “We Went!: Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., and Texas,” a compilation of U.S. field reports. The book records analysts’ visits to key hubs of the U.S. economy. In May 2024, Toss published “THE MONEY BOOK,” covering basic knowledge and everyday questions across saving, investing, loans, real estate and insurance. It ranked No. 1 on Kyobo Book Centre’s overall bestseller list online and offline and No. 1 in Aladin’s business and economics category. In November last year, Toss also published the economics magazine “The Money Issue.” The steady publishing effort reflects Toss’ founding identity of building “a world where anyone can use finance conveniently and equally.” The company says people handle money throughout their lives but often lack opportunities to learn about it properly. Rather than focusing only on tactics for growing wealth, Toss has aimed to change how users think about money and plan their lives. The book strategy also aligns with the MZ generation’s “text-hip” trend, in which reading is treated not only as self-improvement but as a shareable personal taste. As short-form content dominates, a culture of expressing values through text has spread, and efforts to explain finance in everyday language have drawn a positive response, the industry says. Toss also appears to view higher financial literacy as a path to stronger brand trust. At the end of March, the Toss Bank website recorded 650,000 monthly visitors. The site offers financial content across 11 categories, and users have increasingly turned to it to find and read information they need. Toss is also preparing a follow-up edition to “Unusual Challenge,” a book published for the company’s 10th anniversary in 2022, according to industry officials. A Toss official said the company is explaining finance in everyday language to break the perception that it is difficult and rigid. “Through books, we want to narrow gaps in financial understanding and create an environment where anyone can naturally build economic knowledge,” the official said. 2026-04-16 16:15:52