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  Asian markets surge to record highs as CES week kicks off SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Asian equity markets rallied in a synchronized surge on Monday as investor focus shifted to major technology players ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas. Benchmarks in Seoul and Taipei led the advance, with both markets scaling fresh record highs. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI jumped 3.43 percent to close at 4,457.52, marking its sharpest daily gain this year and pushing the index to the doorstep of the 4,500 level after s January 5, 2026
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  HOT STOCK: Hopes of China K-pop ban easing fizzle, sending shares lower SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) -South Korea’s K-pop sector retreated Monday as high expectations for an easing of China’s long-standing de facto ban on Korean entertainment though the momentum of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Beijing fizzled out. Shares that had rallied on optimism over renewed access to the Chinese market reversed sharply. HYBE fell 2.5 percent, JYP Entertainment slid 6.2 percent, and YG Entertainment dropped 7.5 percent. SM Entertainment p January 5, 2026
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  PHOTOS:Brushstrokes of heritage: A mother-daughter duo redefine tradition in Bukchon SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Tucked away in the winding alleys of Gahoe-dong, the Bukchon Hanok Office serves as a serene sanctuary from the city's modern pulse. In late 2025, this traditional space — operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government — offered more than just a glimpse of historic architecture; it became the stage for a deeply personal convergence of art and lineage. The exhibition, titled "Yeon: A Mother-Daughter Story Connected by Brush," br January 5, 2026
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  Korea–China Summit: Seoul bets on diplomatic reset, pundits doubt breakthrough SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Expectations remain muted over tangible outcomes from the Korea–China summit in Beijing, as experts warn that the first state visit by a South Korean leader in nearly nine years is more likely to deliver symbolic reassurance than substantive policy breakthroughs. President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to exchange what many analysts describe as “ceremonial cordiality” at a time when Beijing has moved closer to Nort January 5, 2026
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  Incheon's third sea bridge opens with world's highest bridge observatory SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Incheon's Third Sea Bridge, connecting Yeongjong Island—home to Incheon International Airport—to the mainland, opened at 2 p.m. on January 5. The new crossing is expected to cut travel time from Gangnam in southern Seoul to the airport to about 45 minutes. The 4.68-kilometer-long, 30-meter-wide bridge features six lanes for traffic, plus 3.5-4-meter-wide bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways on both sides. Linking Jungsan-dong in Jung-gu January 5, 2026
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  [CES 2026] Global tech giants, startups converge in Las Vegas SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - CES 2026, the world’s premier consumer electronics and information technology exhibition, is set to open its doors in Las Vegas from Jan. 6 to 9. An annual fixture of the global tech calendar, CES serves as the primary stage for the technology industry to debut latest trends and signal future strategic directions. This year’s event is expected to host approximately 4,500 companies from across the globe. South Korea will maintain a significa January 5, 2026
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  Lights-out warfare and why it should worry South Korea SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a lightning U.S. raid last weekend was not merely a dramatic geopolitical shock. It marked a decisive shift in how modern wars are fought — quietly, surgically and increasingly in the dark. The operation, carried out by U.S. Delta Force commandos, removed a sitting head of state from his bedroom in just five minutes, completing an end-to-end mission in under five hours. Yet the most striking January 5, 2026
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  [CES 2026] Samsung sets AI-led daily-use theme at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will showcase its vision for integrating artificial intelligence into everyday life at 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), opening a standalone exhibition space and hosting a series of events during the annual technology trade show in Las Vegas. The South Korean tech giant said it will operate a dedicated exhibition hall at the Wynn and Encore Las Vegas from Jan. 4 to 7 (local time), alongside its annual “First Look” January 5, 2026
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  US surprise armed intervention in Venezuela renews flight to safe-haven assets SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - The United States’ surprise armed intervention in Venezuela is sending shockwaves through global markets, rekindling demand for traditional safe-haven assets as investors reassess geopolitical risk. The overnight operation targeting Venezuela’s leadership — followed by U.S. President Donald Trump publicly touting it as an “incredible thing” that could be repeated because “nobody can stop us” — has raised fea January 5, 2026
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  The Korean won wobbles after Venezuela turmoil SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) -Strenuous efforts to shore up the Korean won were undermined Monday on escalating tensions between between Venezuela and the United States after a surprise armed intervention. The dollar shot near to 1,450 won Monday on deepened bias towards safe-haven assets at times of geopolitical risks. The volatility may continue depending on developments related to energy and oil markets. January 5, 2026