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  S. Korean broadcaster wins final copyright suit against China's video platform Bilibili SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - South Korean broadcaster MBC has secured a final victory in its high-stakes copyright infringement suit against the Chinese video-sharing platform Bilibili, the company said Monday. The Jiangsu High People's Court delivered a definitive blow to the digital "safe harbor" defense long utilized by Chinese tech giants, signaling a critical shift in how Beijing enforces international intellectual property standards for foreign content providers. By March 23, 2026
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  Korean cracking facilities shuttering amid naphtha crunch, Seoul reacting to crisis SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - South Korea's major naphtha cracking facilities at the Yeosu Industrial Complex are shuttering as a worsening naphtha supply crunch triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz forces the industry into emergency measures. LG Chem, the country's largest petrochemical firm, said Monday it would suspend operations at its No. 2 naphtha cracking center (NCC) plant in Yeosu, which has an annual ethylene production capacity of 800,000 tons. The company March 23, 2026
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  FX deposits fall for second month on overseas investment, import payments SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Resident foreign currency deposits in South Korea declined for a second straight month in February, as corporate demand for overseas investments and import settlements weighed on balances. According to data released Monday by the Bank of Korea (BOK), outstanding resident foreign currency deposits at foreign exchange banks stood at $117.53 billion at end-February, down $490 million from a month earlier. The decline follows a sharper $1.4 billion drop in Janu March 23, 2026
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  Kookmin University holds industry seminar on robot skin research SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - The Robot Functional Skin and Hyper-Sensory Research Center at Kookmin University (KMU) held a meeting with 16 participating companies on March 17 at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square to share first-year research outcomes. The center, led by Professor Lim Si-hyung of the KMU Department of Mechanical Engineering, operates as part of the Engineering Research Center (ERC) project supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The project involves 10 p March 23, 2026
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  Asia markets slide as foreign flows unwind amid U.S. ultimatum on Iran SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) — A sharp pullback in foreign positioning rippled across Asian markets Monday after Washington issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting investors to cut exposure to risk-sensitive assets. Chip-heavy markets led regional losses. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped below the 51,000 mark for the first time since Jan. 5, according to Kyodo News, dragged down by semiconductor stocks. Advantest plunged 6.76 percent, while Tok March 23, 2026
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  BTS week continues with back-to-back Tonight Show and Netflix documentary  SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - BTS moved immediately into the next phase of its comeback campaign after officially returning as a full group through a livestreamed concert at Gwanghwamun on Saturday, departing for New York the following day. The K-pop superstars are set to appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on March 25 and 26. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook will join Fallon in studio for their first public interview tied to a new album release i March 23, 2026
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  NK assembly reaffirms Kim Jong-un as head of state, watched for Iran response SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was reappointed as head of state at the opening session of the new Supreme People’s Assembly, closely watched for Pyongyang's rhetoric on inter-Korean relationship, U.S., and nuclear amid U.S.-led attacks on Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The Korean Central News Agency said the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly opened in Pyongyang and “again highly elevated Comrade Kim Jong-un March 23, 2026
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  Kim Hyo-joo captures Founders Cup title to reclaim throne after 11 years SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Kim Hyo-joo secured her eighth career LPGA Tour title on Sunday, winning the Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in California. The 30-year-old South Korean finished the tournament at 16-under 272, holding off a late challenge from world number two Nelly Korda to win by a single stroke. The victory marks a historic return to the winner's circle for Kim at an event she first conquered as a rookie in 2015. By reclaiming the title March 23, 2026
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  Scientists turn toxic gas into medical tool using electric signals SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a technology to control hydrogen sulfide using electrical signals, turning a gas typically known for its toxic nature and foul odor into a precise medical treatment tool. KAIST said Monday that the study, led by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering's Professor Park Ji-min, introduces a bioelectronic platform capable of generating and delive March 23, 2026
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  KOSPI sinks more than 6%, Korean won hits fresh 17-year low SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI tumbled at the open on Monday, triggering a sell-side sidecar as investor sentiment soured sharply on energy crisis after an U.S. ultimatum on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. As of 9:54 a.m., Seoul's main index sank 6 percent 5,430.24, and the KOSDAQ nearly 5 percent to 1,105.33. Losers overwhelmed gainers by 859 to 57. The dollar hit 1,510.40, the first time above 1,510 since March of 2009 amid the global fi March 23, 2026