Museum Director Kim Myung-in Pledges National Script Research Institute Kim Myung-in, director of the National Museum of World Writing Systems, on April 17 announced a new vision for the museum: “World cultures through writing systems, an open museum preparing for the future.” Speaking at a news briefing at the Korea Press Center, Kim said the museum will pursue the creation of a National Script Research Institute as a key driver, aiming to become a “global hub for writing-system culture” where exhibitions and research operate in tandem. He outlined major initiatives for the museum’s future growth. The proposed institute would be a specialized body to study writing systems broadly, from their origins to changes in the digital era. Through networks of researchers in Korea and abroad and an archive of global writing-system materials, the museum plans to move beyond an “exhibitions and education” focus and build a model that integrates professional research. Kim said the institute would also serve as a central platform to protect shared human heritage by systematically documenting and studying scripts at risk of disappearing. “We will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to push ahead with the institute step by step and establish the museum’s identity,” he said. To expand visitor experiences, the museum will strengthen its domestic and international exhibition lineup. It will open “Geulssi Shop” on May 1, highlighting the meaning and artistry of handwriting. In the second half of the year, it plans a special exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Korean Braille, tentatively titled “Dots That Communicate — Hunmaengjeongeum.” The museum also plans to deepen global ties. In July, it will hold an exchange exhibition, “A King’s Dream, the Speech of All People,” at the Champollion World Writing Museum in France to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, highlighting the history of writing-system exchanges between the two countries. In May 2027, the museum plans a show tentatively titled “ASEAN Fairy Tales,” introducing scripts from Southeast Asian countries alongside traditional stories. In October 2027, it plans a more in-depth special exhibition tentatively titled “Great Exhibition of Chinese Characters.” The show, in cooperation with the Palace Museum in Beijing to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, will examine the origins and development of Chinese characters, the formation of the broader Chinese-character cultural sphere, and their cultural influence and future significance through the modern era. The exhibitions are being planned as part of a “World Writing History Series,” with future special shows expected to cover additional scripts and civilizations, including the Latin alphabet (English) and kana (Japanese). 2026-04-17 11:42:19

Asian shares edge lower ahead of U.S.-Iran talks; Samsung Electro-Mechanics hits record SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Asian markets traded lower Friday as recent rally momentum faded, with investors weighing mixed signals from the Gulf over whether the conflict may begin to wind down through renewed U.S.-Iran talks and separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.98 percent to 58,937.04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.81 percent to 26,180.23 and China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.18 percent to 4,048.38. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI opened higher and moved in a narrow range around the 6,200 level in early trading before turning lower, shedding 0.42 percent to 6,199.97. Despite the broader weakness, Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed to a fresh record high. As of 10:30 a.m., the stock had surged 6.26 percent from the previous session to 679,000 won, extending gains for an eighth straight session since April 8. The rally reflected growing expectations of an industry upturn, with improving earnings prospects in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and flip-chip ball grid array (FC-BGA) products underpinning investor sentiment. The company’s market capitalization rose to 50.79 trillion won, lifting it to 12th on the KOSPI from 21st at the start of the month. Among chipmakers, Samsung Electronics slipped 0.23 percent to 217,000 won, while SK hynix fell 0.95 percent to 1,144,000 won. Samsung Biologics also declined 0.80 percent to 1,603,000 won. In the industrial sector, Hanwha Aerospace dropped 5.27 percent to 1,439,000 won, while Doosan Enerbility lost 1.90 percent to 108,700 won. Automakers were mixed. Hyundai Motor traded flat at 534,000 won, while Kia edged down 0.25 percent to 157,500 won. Financial stocks posted limited gains, with KB Financial Group rising 0.25 percent to 162,700 won. Elsewhere, LG Energy Solution added 0.36 percent to 417,500 won, while SK Square rose 0.14 percent to 691,000 won. The KOSDAQ swung between gains and losses before edging up 0.05 percent to 1,163.56 as of 10:59 a.m. Among biotech names, Alteogen fell 0.54 percent to 367,500 won, Samchundang Pharm dropped 3.66 percent to 486,500 won, HLB declined 3.61 percent to 61,400 won and LigaChem Biosciences slid 2.42 percent to 193,200 won. Among gainers, Ecopro rose 1.94 percent to 152,100 won, Ecopro BM gained 1.46 percent to 208,000 won and Koh Young Technology advanced 2.12 percent to 111,000 won. The Korean won also weakened slightly against the dollar, with the greenback trading at 1,478.30 won, compared with the previous close of 1,474.60 won. Overnight on Wall Street, major indexes ended higher on expectations for a potential second round of U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks this weekend, along with news that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day truce, lifting investor sentiment. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.26 percent and 0.36 percent, respectively, both extending record highs for a second straight session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also added 0.24 percent. The Nasdaq has now risen for 12 consecutive sessions, marking its longest winning streak since 2009. 2026-04-17 11:34:09

A village, a baby — and the limits of Korea's birth incentives SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - It takes a village to raise a child — and in Mungok-ri, a mountain-ringed hamlet in northeastern South Korea, it took a village just to welcome one. For the first time in 20 years, the community of barely 100 residents heard the cry of a newborn. Banners lined the narrow roads to celebrate Seo-yoon, the second child of Kim Hyun-dong and Chang Yoo-jin. Gifts poured in from neighbors and local groups. Even the provincial governor sent his congratulations. In a country confronting demographic decline, the birth felt less like a private milestone than a communal event — a rare interruption in a long silence. It was not entirely by chance. Jeongseon County, where Mungok-ri is located, provides monthly subsidies of 100,000 won ($74) for up to two children in their first year, with payments extended to age 12 from the third child onward. Across South Korea, local governments are deploying increasingly aggressive incentives to slow population decline and revive shrinking communities. Some are pushing further. South Jeolla Province offers a monthly child allowance of 200,000 won starting a year after birth. The province recorded a fertility rate of around 1.1 — the highest in the country — even as the national rate remains well below one. In Incheon, combined central and local government support can exceed 100 million won per child born since 2024, including transport subsidies, childcare allowances and other benefits. Housing has become another lever. Jeonnam’s “10,000-won housing” program offers subsidized rental units for young couples at a fraction of market rates. The competition is intensifying — and becoming more expensive. Yet the results remain uneven. South Korea’s total fertility rate rose slightly to 0.80 in 2025 from 0.75 a year earlier, with births increasing 6.8 percent to 254,457. It marked the first uptick in nearly a decade, but the country still holds the lowest fertility rate in the OECD. The longer-term trend is stark. Annual births have collapsed from over 1 million in 1970 to around 250,000 today, while fertility has fallen from 4.53 to below one. Since 2006, more than 380 trillion won has been spent on pro-natal policies. The return, so far, has been marginal. Recent regional data offers some optimism. Several provinces — including Jeonnam, Sejong and Gangwon — have recorded fertility rates above the national average. But much of the increase reflects delayed marriages rebounding after the pandemic and the temporary demographic boost from the “echo boom” generation entering peak childbearing years, while the underlying trajectory remains unchanged. Japan offers a useful, if cautionary, comparison. Tokyo has rolled out a far more comprehensive policy mix: higher childbirth grants, expanded child allowances, stronger parental leave benefits and workplace reforms aimed at improving work-life balance. It has also moved to reduce the cost of childbirth and expand housing and education support for families. Despite this, Japan’s fertility rate remains stuck around 1.1 to 1.2, with births continuing to decline. The lesson is clear: policy alone has limits. In South Korea, the growing reliance on local incentives raises additional concerns. While subsidies may lift birth rates in specific regions, they risk shifting population rather than increasing it. “Local governments may see higher births, but often because women move into those areas or delay leaving,” said Yang Jae-jin, a professor at Yonsei University. “At the national level, the impact is limited.” Financial support, experts say, addresses only part of the problem. “To increase births, parents need better pay during parental leave, more flexible working hours and reliable childcare,” Yang said. At a deeper level, the issue is structural. “For many young people, avoiding marriage and childbirth has become a rational choice,” said Yee Jae-yeol, a sociology professor at Seoul National University. Employment insecurity, high housing costs and intense competition have reshaped life decisions. In Seoul, marriage itself has become a financial burden. “For younger generations, marriage is no longer a step toward stability, but a decision that may lower their quality of life,” Yee said. The labor market offers little relief. Compared with countries such as the Netherlands or Denmark, where flexible and part-time work is more common, Korea’s rigid employment structure makes it harder to balance work and family. Geography compounds the challenge. Jobs remain heavily concentrated in the capital region, which houses more than half the population on just 12 percent of the land. Young people continue to migrate to Seoul, intensifying competition, driving up housing costs and raising barriers to both marriage and parenthood. A Bank of Korea study found between 2015 and 2021, youth inflows accounted for 78.5 percent of population growth in and around Seoul, while youth outflows made up 75.3 percent, 87.8 percent and 77.2 percent of population decline in the southeast, southwest and Daegu–Gyeongbuk regions, respectively. The trend is even more pronounced among the highly educated, who are disproportionately drawn to the capital. Across all regions, the share of college graduates is higher among those leaving than in the overall youth population. The capital region stands out as the only area where the proportion is higher among inbound migrants, reflecting a stronger tendency for highly educated individuals to remain in or move to Seoul. Rural incentives alone are unlikely to reverse the broader decline. “Providing financial support without addressing the broader context misses the point,” Yee said. Back in Mungok-ri, the village is celebrating — and holding on to a rare moment of hope. But one baby, however cherished, does not change the math. 2026-04-17 11:33:53

Kpop big 4 unite to launch Coachella-scale Kpop festival  SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-pop powerhouses — HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment — are moving to institutionalize a Coachella-style annual K-pop festival, marking a rare joint initiative among the industry’s fiercest rivals. The four agencies have jointly submitted a joint-venture proposal, tentatively titled “Fanomenon” a portmanteau of “fan” and “phenomenon” to the Fair Trade Commission, according to sources on Friday. The initiative has also been tabled at the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, a policy advisory body launched in October 2025 and co-chaired by Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young and Park Jin-young, founder of JYP. Park is aiming to debut the festival in South Korea in December 2027 as an annual event, with plans to expand into a global touring format across major cities starting in May 2028. He envisions building the project into a large-scale event on par with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which spans two weekends and draws more than 120,000 attendees per day. The companies said the project remains under development, with key details on structure, operations and execution yet to be finalized. 2026-04-17 11:25:30

Seasoned economic expert tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to UK SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Kim Heung-chong, the former head of a state-run think tank was tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to the U.K., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Kim, who headed the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) from 2020 to 2023, also served as an adviser in South Korea's negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and sat on committees under various ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The veteran economist is seen as a suitable fit to support President Lee Jae Myung's "pragmatic" diplomacy and economic policies focused on pursuing national interests, given his long career advising the government on trade and economic policy. His appointment also appears to reflect his close involvement with the Lee administration, as he assisted the then presidential candidate of the Democratic Party (DP) during his campaign last year. Kim also co-authored Lee's book on "inclusive innovative growth" with a group of economic experts, published in March last year, just months ahead of a snap election following the ouster of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched declaration of martial law the previous year. 2026-04-17 11:23:46

South Korea holds talks with Algeria, Libya to secure alternative oil supplies SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea has discussed energy-related cooperation with Algeria and Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Park Jong-han, a ministry official, visited Algeria and Libya earlier this week to assess the possibility of securing emergency supplies of crude oil and naphtha, according to the ministry. His four-day trip, which began last Monday, was part of efforts to secure alternative supply routes that would remain unaffected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil supply, amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Park met several ministers and senior officials in both countries as well as the heads of state-run oil companies including Algeria's Sonatrach and Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC). Their talks covered mid- to long-term cooperation in the energy sector, as Libya is the world's 10th-largest oil producer and holds Africa's largest oil reserves, estimated at about 48.4 billion barrels. Park asked the NOC to allocate some of its heavy crude to South Korea. The NOC replied that it could do so if technical conditions such as crude grades, delivery timing, and other requirements such as buyer reliability are met. Park told Algerian and Libyan officials that South Korea relies entirely on crude oil imports but exports petroleum products across the Asia-Pacific region thanks to its advanced refining facilities, adding that securing steady supplies is directly linked to maintaining stability in regional supply chains. Before returning home, Park also met with South Korean expatriates and businesspeople there to hear about their difficulties and discuss possible support measures. 2026-04-17 10:28:28

Callaway Golf Korea Launches Quantum Mini Series Clubs Callaway Golf Korea has introduced the new Quantum Mini Series, built on the technology of its Quantum lineup. The series includes three clubs: the Quantum Mini Driver, Quantum Mini Bertha and Quantum Mini Spinner. The company said the clubs are designed to close common distance gaps between a driver, fairway wood, hybrid and long iron, allowing more precise yardage control depending on course conditions. The Quantum Mini Driver is intended to blend driver distance with the stability of a fairway wood. A compact head and shorter shaft are meant to reduce pressure on tee shots. It uses the Step Sole structure found in fairway woods to reduce turf friction, enabling use on second shots from the fairway. The club also features a Tri-Force Face and a next-generation AI-optimized face design aimed at delivering consistent ball speed. The Quantum Mini Bertha is positioned as a 4-wood concept to bridge the gap between a 3-wood and 5-wood. A larger head and shorter shaft are designed to improve center-face contact. Its Speed Wave 2.0 structure places about 40 grams of weight low on the front of the head to maximize energy transfer efficiency. It also includes an OptiFit 4 hosel to adjust loft and lie angle. The Quantum Mini Spinner is designed for attacking greens with a higher launch and more spin. Callaway said a draw-biased AI face design, deep-face structure and higher center-of-gravity design increase spin. The club is about 0.5 inch shorter than a standard fairway wood to improve impact accuracy and control. A Callaway Golf Korea official said the Quantum Mini Series was developed to address the distance gaps and club-selection challenges golfers most often face during rounds. The official said the clubs, optimized for specific situations, are intended to help golfers deliver more consistent performance and play with greater confidence.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-17 10:21:00

Stage Review: 'Record of Bones' Finds Humanity When Perfection Breaks “I will do my utmost to see you on your final journey.” The central figure in the play 'Record of Bones' is a funeral director robot named Robis. His service is flawless. In the way he handles the dead, he shows a calm, craftsmanlike precision. His gestures are delicate, his gaze steady. Robis carries out standardized procedures without a fraction of error — no mistakes, no hesitation, no complaints. Within a fixed system, his work can seem like the ideal. What changes is the body before him: a man in his 80s, a woman in her 20s, a 9-year-old child. Different lives leave different “records” in bone. Robis reads them evenly. A twisted ankle, head trauma — such traces intersect with a family’s memories and become grief. But for Robis, death is an area he cannot interpret — until the death of his only friend, Momi, a cleaner at the funeral home. The production has been described as a story of a robot “more human than humans,” echoing the robots in the Korean original musical 'Maybe Happy Ending,' which found success on Broadway. The play asks why audiences sense humanity in machines like Robis. Momi is human — and incomplete. Unable to speak, he communicates in sign language. He is not orderly. He likes to stare at a wall because its patterns have no obvious logic. What looks like the same wall and the same butterfly to Robis appears as different shapes to Momi. Unlike a machine that can mimic warmth through empathy-coded language, humans are full of contradictions: jealousy, guilt that keeps them awake, and feelings they cannot always explain even to themselves. Each person carries a distinct pattern. That is why the audience feels something human when Robis, who always stood in the same spot in the cold morgue, suddenly runs out the front door. He does more than read the record of bones: he remembers that Momi disliked hot things, and he misses Momi’s smile. In that moment, Robis breaks from strict procedure and the frame built for him. Devotion, the play suggests, comes from sincere communication and time spent together — something Robis demonstrates as he sees his friend off on his final journey. The show runs through May 10 at the Jayu Small Theater in the Opera House at the Seoul Arts Center. 2026-04-17 10:13:10

Samyang Foods' Buldak spice brand ventures into reality TV with dating show SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samyang Foods has launched a reality dating show built around its Buldak spicy noodle brand, marking the company's latest push to embed the product into global youth culture beyond conventional food marketing. The South Korean food company announced Friday that it has partnered with U.S. media platform Nectar to produce "Heat Match," a dating show filmed against the backdrop of a major California music festival. The first episode aired April 11 on Nectar's official YouTube channel, with the finale set for release Saturday. The show features 10 single contestants board a Buldak-branded bus and travel to a desert party venue. A central conceit of the format is using Buldak's heat level as a compatibility test, with contestants gauging mutual tolerance for spice as a proxy for emotional chemistry. "This campaign is an elevation of the Buldak brand spirit into cultural entertainment," a Samyang Foods spokesperson said, adding that the company aims to offer young audiences worldwide a shared experience through the Buldak brand. Samyang said the initiative is part of a broader effort to position Buldak as a cultural icon woven into the lifestyles of young consumers globally. 2026-04-17 10:11:21

Uniwon to Hold ‘Dark Museum’ Tactile Art Exhibit in Yongsan for Disability Day Uniwon, a MICE industry company, is hosting a special exhibition titled “Dark Museum for the Visually Impaired” at the Yongsan Cultural Foundation’s pop-up hall in Seoul’s Yongsan district to mark Disability Day, highlighting exhibition content designed to broaden sensory experience. The show is billed as a “multi-sensory” exhibition that shifts art appreciation away from a primarily visual approach. In a darkened setting, visitors are guided to experience works mainly through touch and sound, offering both visually impaired and non-disabled audiences a different way to perceive and interpret art. A central feature is tactile reproduction technology. The exhibition includes well-known works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” and “Portrait of Dr. Gachet,” and Pablo Picasso’s “Portrait of Dora Maar.” Uniwon said an AI algorithm analyzed brushwork, texture and light-and-shadow data from the originals and rendered them in 3D form. Visitors can trace outlines and surface textures with their fingertips to better understand structure and technique. Audio is also integrated. Voice-based commentary is provided for each work so visitors can learn background and meaning without relying on sight. Organizers described the touch-and-audio format as an effort to expand, not just improve access to, the way art is experienced. The exhibition is free and does not require reservations, with visitor routes designed for safe movement in the dark. Organizers said the open, no-cost model is intended to reduce both physical and financial barriers for a wide range of visitors, including those with visual impairments. Uniwon said the project also reflects a “co-production” accessibility model. The Korea Federation of the Blind participated directly in the production process to review accessibility from the perspective of users, a step organizers said improved completeness and practical effectiveness. The company added that corporate sponsorship helped enable the technology and physical production, making it an example of public-private cooperation in culture. The exhibition uses a curation built around famous paintings, aiming to help visitors reconstruct familiar images through tactile experience and reinterpret prior encounters with art through different senses. Uniwon said it plans to continue developing sensory-based exhibition content and contribute to creating an environment where anyone can experience art on equal terms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-17 09:27:18