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  South Korea rejects Lotte Insurance turnaround plan, moves toward stricter corrective action South Korea’s financial regulators plan to step up prompt corrective action against Lotte Insurance to a management improvement demand after rejecting the insurer’s turnaround plan. The Financial Services Commission said it disapproved Lotte Insurance’s management improvement plan, submitted on Jan. 2, at a regular meeting on Tuesday. The FSC said the plan lacked specificity, feasibility and supporting grounds. After a prior-notice process, the company’s current management improvement January 28, 2026
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  Lee Jun Hyuk Cast in SBS Occult Drama 'Awakening' as an Exorcist Priest Actor Lee Jun Hyuk has confirmed his casting in SBS’ new drama “Awakening.” SBS’ “Awakening,” written by Jang Yoon Mi and directed by Oh Jun Hyuk, is an occult drama set in an exam-driven high school that has become a playground for evil spirits. An exorcist priest fights to save students. SBS, which expanded interest in Korean-style occult dramas with its 2023 series “Revenant,” is developing the new project with a goal of airing it in 2027. Lee will play Antonio, a new head January 28, 2026
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  PHOTOS:Mobile game meets Korean traditional art SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) -Once confined to mobile screens, familiar characters step into the physical world — reimagined through brushstrokes, fabric and light. “CookieRun: Kingdom Art Collaboration Special Exhibition – Legacy of the Great Kingdom,” presented by Devsisters, brings the popular game’s universe into dialogue with Korean traditional crafts and interactive media art. The exhibition runs through April 12 at Ara Art Center in Insa-dong, Jongn January 28, 2026
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  Trump' tariff threat has nothing to do with Coupang, Science and ICT minister says SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump's post on social media earlier this week about raising tariffs on South Korea has nothing to do with regulating big-tech companies including disputes over e-commerce giant Coupang, Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said on Wednesday. Shortly after Trump's abrupt threat on Monday, it was revealed that Seoul had received a letter from the U.S. about two weeks ago raising concerns over South Korea's push to regulat January 28, 2026
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  Korea's top battery firms post losses as EV demand slump drags earnings SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s three major battery makers reported losses in the fourth quarter of 2025 as a prolonged slowdown in global electric-vehicle demand weighed on shipments. SK On posted an operating loss of 441.4 billion won in the October–December period and a full-year operating loss of 931.9 billion won. LG Energy Solution also recorded an operating loss of 122 billion won in the fourth quarter, swinging to a loss from a year earlier. Samsung January 28, 2026
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  Korean batteries built for cars are finding new lives — in orbit and inside humanoid robots SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Korean battery makers are broadening their footprint beyond electric vehicles, expanding into space and humanoid robotics as global EV demand cools and major supply contracts unravel. The industry has slowed sharply in line with stalled EV sales. SK Innovation said Wednesday its battery unit SK On recorded fourth-quarter revenue of 1.46 trillion won ($1.03 billion) with an operating loss of 441.4 billion won. For 2025, SK On posted revenue of 6.98 trilli January 28, 2026
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  Seoul hails Beijing's move to dismantle dubious structure in West Sea SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea on Wednesday welcomed China's decision to remove one of a couple of structures installed along the West Sea, calling it "meaningful progress." In a statement, Cheong Wa Dae said the government "has continued talks with Beijing" over the dubious steel structures on the submerged shelf of Ieodo in the West Sea, which overlaps with maritime zones of both South Korea and China. "While actively protecting our maritim January 28, 2026
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  Solar project backed by Hyundai E&C enters full construction in Texas SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - A large-scale solar power project South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction is participating in has entered full construction in Texas following the completion of financing and preparatory work. The company said on Wednesday it held a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 27, local time, in Dallas for the "Lucy" project. The project is being developed by a consortium known as “Team Korea,” which includes Hyundai E&C January 28, 2026
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  Vehicles registered in Seoul decline for third straight year SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - The number of registered vehicles in Seoul has been declining, while the number of electric vehicles continues to rise. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the total number of registered vehicles in the capital stood at around 3.16 million last year, down 18,335 from the previous year, making Seoul the only city to see a decline, while other cities and provincial areas saw increases. It was the third consecutive decline, following 3.18 million January 28, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-52: Jin's solo run draws renewed spotlight in Mexico SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - BTS’ Jin has been named “2025 K-POP Artist” in Mexico for the second consecutive year, underscoring his rising solo profile in a country where even the president has publicly appealed for additional BTS concert dates on behalf of young fans. The title was awarded by House Radio, Mexico’s leading digital pop music station, as Jin’s solo work continues to gain momentum ahead of BTS’ full-group comeback. Jin&rs January 28, 2026