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  Korean stocks remain turbo-charged, local won returns to year-end level SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Korean markets are on a roll, refreshing new heights, with traction added by overnight news from Washington hinting at room for compromise before it moves to slap higher tariffs on Korean exports. As of 10:30 a.m. Seoul time, the benchmark KOSPI jumped 1.6 percent to 5,165.03, extending its advance into uncharted territory. The KOSPI 200 climbed 1.6 percent to 757.5, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ surged 3.2 percent to 1,116.7, marking another strong push towa January 28, 2026
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  Incheon airport expands global reach with record number of airlines SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Incheon International Airport has surpassed 100 airlines in operation for the first time since opening in 2001, underscoring its growing role as a regional aviation hub, operator Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) said on Wednesday. As of December, 101 airlines were operating at the airport, up from 47 at its opening, the company said. Seven new carriers were added last year, including Scandinavian Airlines. With the increase in airlines, I January 28, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-52: Jimin's 'Who' earns double platinum in Canada SEOUL, January 28 (AJP)-BTS member Jimin’s solo single “Who” received a Double Platinum Single certification on January 19, according to a music chart in Canada. Music Canada, formerly known as the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), grants certifications based on combined figures from digital downloads, streaming and physical single sales. For singles, Music Canada awards Gold certification at 40,000 units, Platinum at 80,000 units and Double January 28, 2026
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  Hyundai Mobis posts record annual revenue, profit in 2025 SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Hyundai Mobis, South Korea's largest automotive parts maker, reported record annual revenue and operating profit on Wednesday, though quarterly net income declined sharply amid tariff pressures and rising costs. The company posted consolidated revenue of 61.12 trillion won ($42.67 billion) and operating profit of 3.36 trillion won for 2025, up 6.8 percent and 9.2 percent year-on-year respectively, according to a regulatory filing. For the fourth quar January 28, 2026
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  Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' fails to make BAFTA final nominees SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's film No Other Choice failed to make the final list of five nominees competing for next month's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards. Among the five final nominees, announced on Tuesday about a month ahead of the annual awards, were Iran's "It Was Just an Accident," Brazilian historical thriller "The Secret Agent," Norway's "Sentimental Value," Spanish-French January 28, 2026
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  Asia's largest cruise ship to sail from Incheon under Lotte Tour partnership SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Lotte Tour Development has partnered with global cruise operator MSC Cruises to operate a large cruise ship with South Korea as its home port. The company said on Wednesday it signed a strategic partnership agreement with MSC Cruises on Jan. 27 covering charter operations. Under the agreement, the 170,000-ton MSC Bellissima will begin sailings from Incheon Port in June 2027. Lotte Tour Development described the vessel as the largest cr January 28, 2026
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  EV battery materials maker Ecopro sets up European sales unit in Germany SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korean battery materials maker Ecopro has established its first Europe-based sales unit. The company said on Wednesday it has set up a European sales unit in Germany and appointed Kimbal Virdi as director. Ecopro said the new unit will function as a European business hub, tasked with identifying growth opportunities in the region’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle and battery supply chain. Ecopro said regulatory changes, including the Eu January 28, 2026
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  Trump says Washington will "work something out" with Korea over tariff issue SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) -U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to reinstate “reciprocal tariffs” on South Korean exports, hinted at a possible compromise on Tuesday before departing for Iowa on a campaign-style trip focused on the economy. “We’ll work something out with South Korea,” Trump said when asked about his earlier remarks suggesting tariffs on Korean products — including automobiles — could be raised to 25 percent from 1 January 28, 2026
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  North Korea 'tests upgraded multiple rocket launcher system' SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - North Korea has test-fired an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), state media reported on Wednesday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the test, conducted the previous day, was intended to "verify the effectiveness of a renewed large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system which employed new technology." With its leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, accompanied by key military officials, Tu January 28, 2026
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  HBM4 production nears as Samsung, SK hynix vie for AI chip dominance SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are set to begin mass production of sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) as early as next month, intensifying competition in the fast-growing market for artificial intelligence semiconductors. According to industry sources on Wednesday, the two South Korean companies plan to start HBM4 mass production in February, with Samsung operating lines at its Pyeongtaek campus and SK hynix at its Icheon facility. The mov January 28, 2026