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  Korean tire makers weather US tariff headwinds, turn focus to high-end segment SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - South Korean tire manufacturers reported higher sales last year despite the impact of U.S. tariffs on auto parts, supported by solid replacement-tire demand and price increases. Hankook Tire & Technology said Wednesday its tire business recorded sales of 10.32 trillion won ($7.7 billion) last year, up 9.6 percent from a year earlier and surpassing the 10 trillion won mark for the first time. Operating profit, however, fell 4.4 percent to 1.68 trill February 4, 2026
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  Seoul, Washington likely to set 2028 target for wartime command handover SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - South Korea and the U.S. are expected to set 2028 as the target year for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) at their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington this October, reflecting growing confidence in Seoul’s ability to lead combined defense operations. According to government sources on Wednesday, the allies are considering 2028 as the most realistic timeline, aiming to complete the handover during the respective February 4, 2026
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  South Korea's KakaoBank posts record profit in 2025, eyes overseas expansion SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - South Korean internet-only lender KakaoBank reported record annual earnings on Wednesday with pledges to pursue overseas expansion and mergers and acquisitions to secure future growth. In a regulatory filing, KakaoBank said net profit last year rose 9.1 percent to a record 480.3 billion won ($360 million), compared with 440.1 billion won a year earlier. The bank said declining market interest rates weighed on interest income, but noninterest income pos February 4, 2026
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  Lee honors war veterans, others with Lunar New Year gifts SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has extended Lunar New Year greetings through gifts to war veterans, the underprivileged, and other vulnerable groups, with the country's biggest holiday just around the corner, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. The gift package contains a bowl-and-spoon set and ingredients for hearty meals consisting of grains, vegetables, and other local staples selected from across the country, as part of efforts to promote regional develop February 4, 2026
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  Price war at home as K-beauty expands overseas SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - The quality of K-beauty is no longer in question. With low entry barriers and easy access to standardized ingredients and manufacturing, producing cosmetics has become relatively simple. What now separates winners from losers is speed, packaging, branding and, increasingly, price. As Korean beauty brands continue to expand their global footprint — especially in the United States — competition at home is intensifying around affordability. Whil February 4, 2026
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  Hanwha Ocean's 2025 profit nearly quadruples on LNG carrier, naval ship demand SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean's operating profit nearly quadrupled in 2025 from a year earlier, driven by strong sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and special-purpose vessels. In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the South Korean shipbuilder reported revenue of 12.69 trillion won ($9.5 billion) for 2025, up 18 percent from the previous year, while operating profit surged 366 percent to 1.11 trillion won. The company attributed the earnings improvemen February 4, 2026
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  Trade chief vows to find 'mutually beneficial' tariff solution with US SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the United States have been working closely to come up with a "reasonable solution" to tariff-related issues after U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt threat last week to raise tariffs, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Yeo Han-koo said on Wednesday. While wrapping up his weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., Yeo told reporters that he met with numerous U.S. government officials including representatives fr February 4, 2026
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  Songs and poems told by hands SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Poetries were read and choir songs sung, but not aloud at Modu Art Theater in Seodaemun, western Seoul on Feb. 3. At 2 p.m., the 6th Korean Sign Language Day commemorative ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, began not with applause, but with raised hands, flowing gestures and attentive silence. Each movement carried rhythm. Each pause held meaning. Here, language was not spoken — it was performed. Korea February 4, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-45: Seoul scrutinizes crowd safety and price gouging SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - As visitor numbers are expected to rise ahead of BTS’s comeback in March, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun reviewing comprehensive measures, including crowd safety management and a crackdown on price gouging. On Wednesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon chaired a meeting at 10 a.m. to review key issues surrounding the BTS comeback event and discuss measures to ensure public safety and welcome global fans. During the meeting, officials reviewe February 4, 2026
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  Korea Zinc to develop next-generation battery material for drones, robots SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Korea Zinc said on Wednesday it has signed partnerships with two materials companies to develop composite copper foil, a next-generation battery component used for lightweight, high-performance batteries for drones and humanoid robots. The partnered firms are Taesung and Neo Battery Materials Korea. Korea Zinc said the three firms will jointly develop advanced battery technologies using composite copper foil for small mobility applications. Compo February 4, 2026