Kori 3, 4 units cleared to delay retirement 10 years SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - The lifespan of two of first-generation nuclear reactors in Busan has been extended by another 10 years. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) approved continued operation of the Kori-3 and Kori-4 reactors at the country's oldest nuclear power plant in the southern port city in a 5-2 vote on Tuesday. Under the approval, the Kori-3 reactor is allowed to operate until September 2034 and the Kori-4 reactor until August 2035, extending both October 27, 2026

Two Koreas return to UN after déjà vu DMZ mine crisis SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South and North Korea have sent competing complaints to the United Nations Security Council over last month’s land mine explosion, reviving questions about what international diplomacy can achieve in a conflict still governed by a seven-decade-old armistice. The exchange also highlights a distinction between the Security Council’s diplomatic role and the military responsibilities of the United Nations Command (UNC). The 1953 Korean War Armist October 27, 2026

Korea Inc.'s stock-funded cash calls face a market reckoning SEOUL, October 27 (AJP)— Retail investors borrowed money to buy stocks while Korean companies worked in reverse, using their shareholdings to raise cash. Both strategies came under pressure as stocks plunged and borrowing costs rose. For Korea Inc., one route was the price return swap (PRS), a financial arrangement that allows companies to raise funds while retaining potential gains from the underlying shares. The catch is that they also remain exposed to losses. Companies October 27, 2026

Mystery suitors put JYP's ownership and earnings under scrutiny SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - JYP Entertainment, the K-pop powerhouse behind Stray Kids and Twice, has unexpectedly become the subject of a takeover proposal that has puzzled investors accustomed to seeing the company under the stewardship of founder J.Y. Park. Park now also holds a senior government role promoting K-pop. But the immediate uncertainty concerns the would-be buyers, their financing and what they want from the company. NEXROC Group and SVCV announced plans October 27, 2026

Hanmi Q3 profit slides 31% ahead of Eppe obesity drug rollout SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hanmi Pharmaceutical's third-quarter operating profit sank 31.3 percent from a year earlier to 37.8 billion won ($28.5 million), the company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday. Revenue rose 4.2 percent to 377.4 billion won, while net profit plunged 69.1 percent to 14 billion won, according to the preliminary consolidated figures. Eppe, a once-weekly GLP-1 injection and the first obesity drug of its kind developed in South Korea, won approval from th October 27, 2026

Samsung's screen, Apple's growing pains SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Samsung Display supplies the OLED panels for Apple’s first foldable iPhone as well as the passport-sized Galaxy foldable introduced earlier this year by sister company Samsung Electronics. But just four days after Apple’s long-awaited debut, reports of cracked displays have highlighted a challenge that goes beyond sourcing advanced components: making them work reliably together. The iPhone Duo, which went on sale Friday starting at 3.29 mil October 27, 2026

Hanwha Ocean's Q3 operating profit 68% higher SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean's operating profit rose 68 percent from a year earlier to 485.7 billion won (US$350 million) in the third quarter, buoyed by increased construction of high-priced vessels, the shipbuilder said Tuesday. For the first nine months of this year, revenue climbed 28 percent to 12.07 trillion won, while operating profit jumped 81 percent to 1.66 trillion won, reflecting improved profitability from orders for higher-value vessels. But both reven October 27, 2026

Norway seeks deeper defense partnership with Korea: defense min SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Norway, which signed a $922 million contract in January to purchase Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, is seeking a broader and longer-term defense partnership with South Korea, including on the maritime front, to fortify security fortress against the Russian threat, according its defense minister. The partnership could extend beyond weapons purchases to maritime security, technology development and industrial cooperation, Norwegian Defense Minister Tore October 27, 2026

Sookmyung professor earns IEEE Computer Society honor SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A Sookmyung Women's University professor whose research spans databases, big data and artificial intelligence has been named a 2026 Distinguished Contributor by the IEEE Computer Society, which calls itself the largest global community of computer scientists and engineers. Shim Jun-ho, a professor in the university's Division of Computer Science, was recognized for his research and international academic work in database systems, big data analysis October 27, 2026

Memorial event to mark 4th anniversary of Itaewon stampede this week SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A memorial service marking the fourth anniversary of the 2022 Itaewon stampede will be held in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul later this week, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Tuesday. Jointly organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the association of victims' families and civic groups supporting them, the event is scheduled to begin at 10:29 a.m. on Thursday in remembrance of the deadly disaster in which about 160 people were killed October 27, 2026