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  OPINION: The end of tariffs is not the end of risk The possible judicial dismantling of Donald Trump’s so-called “reciprocal tariffs” has been greeted by parts of the global market with cautious relief. The assumption is straightforward: fewer tariffs mean less friction, smoother trade flows and a calmer world economy. But that assumption risks mistaking the removal of a symbol for the resolution of a problem. Tariffs were never the core issue. Uncertainty was. Trump’s tariff policy, controversial as it January 12, 2026
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  K-Pop Demon Hunters claims double "golden" at Golden Globes SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Harvesting last year’s syndrome K-Pop Demon Hunters has finally reached the moment awards seasons are meant to deliver: recognition catching up with momentum. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards held on Jan. 11 in Los Angeles, Netflix’s animated feature claimed two of the night’s most coveted prizes — Best Animated Motion Picture and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for its breakout hit “Golden.” It was a January 12, 2026
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  South Korea seizes record 1,150 tons of illegally imported Chinese farm goods SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korea has uncovered a large-scale scheme to illegally import Chinese agricultural products that bypassed quarantine procedures or included items banned from entry. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency said Monday it had identified 12 suspects — three brokers and nine importers — accused of bringing uninspected Chinese dried jujubes, raw peanuts and dried chili peppers, as well as prohibited items such as fresh fruit and apple seedlin January 12, 2026
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  HanmiGlobal, KEPCO team up with UK firm on overseas nuclear projects SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korea's HanmiGlobal said Monday it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Korea Electric Power Engineering & Construction and U.K.-based project management firm Turner & Townsend to jointly pursue nuclear power projects overseas. The agreement follows a nuclear cooperation MOU signed last year between HanmiGlobal and KEPCO E&C. The three companies will build an integrated advisory package covering nuclear plant design, eng January 12, 2026
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  Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold wins top honors at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Monday its Galaxy Z TriFold device won top honors at CNET’s Best of CES 2026 Awards, taking the overall “Best Product” prize as well as the “Best Mobile Tech” award. CNET, a U.S.-based technology outlet and an official partner of the Consumer Technology Association, works with the CTA to select winners from products unveiled at the annual CES. More than 40 technology experts evaluated entries showca January 12, 2026
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  Asian stocks start week buoyant, led by Seoul and Tokyo SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) — Asian equity markets opened the week on a strong note Monday, with Seoul and Tokyo leading gains as optimism over robotics and artificial intelligence continued to lift technology and industrial value chains across the region following last week’s CES showcase. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6 percent to 51,939.9 in early trading, supported by gains in exporters and technology shares amid a weaker yen and renewed optimism over global demand. January 12, 2026
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  K-pop anime wins two awards at Golden Globe Awards SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Netflix's hit anime "KPop Demon Hunters" won two awards at the annual Golden Globes in the U.S. on Sunday. The 110-minute film by Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang won "Best Motion Picture – Animated" and "Best Original Song -Motion Picture" at the 83rd prestigious awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, recognizing both excellence in international film and television. After earning three nominations about January 12, 2026
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  DP's newly elected floor leader calls for unity ahead of local elections SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - The ruling Democratic Party (DP)'s newly elected floor leader Han Byung-do, has called for unity to build momentum for a resounding victory in the upcoming local elections slated for this summer. The three-term lawmaker Han Byung-do was elected on Sunday to replace Kim Byung-ki, who resigned late last year amid a spate of bribery allegations and other misconduct. In a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Han said, "There is no January 12, 2026
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  Kia unveils EV2 compact SUV at Belgium motor show SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Kia Corp. on Monday unveiled the EV2, a new compact electric sport-utility vehicle, making its global debut at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. Inside, the vehicle features a wide digital display layout comprising a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Kia retained physical buttons for key controls and added ambient lighting and a column-mounted shift-by-wire system. The EV2 GT Line in January 12, 2026
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  Lingering cold brings snow and rain across country SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Snow or rain is expected nationwide, as cold wave warnings have been issued for most parts of the country including the capital region, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Monday. Up to 8 centimeters of snowfall is expected in the central region including Chungcheong provinces, while Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province may see less than 1 centimeter of snowflakes. Morning lows hovered between -10 and -5 degrees Celsius, with icy winds making January 12, 2026