• 
  S. Korea's KAIST researchers develop AI that fixes messy lab data to build better batteries SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korean researchers have built an AI system that predicts how to make better batteries, even when the data from previous lab tests is messy or incomplete. This new tool helps scientists skip the long, expensive process of trial and error by figuring out the best recipe for battery materials before they ever step into the lab. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on January 26 that a team led by Professor Hong Seung January 26, 2026
• 
  South Korea sees sharp rise in FX deposits on equity, trade flows SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - Foreign-currency deposits by residents in South Korea surged by nearly $16 billion in December, marking the largest monthly increase on record, driven by inflows linked to foreigners’ equity purchases, trade-related payments and rising client deposits at securities firms amid robust overseas investment. Data released by the Bank of Korea on Monday showed resident foreign-currency deposits at domestic banks totaled $119.43 billion at the end of Dec January 26, 2026
• 
  Korea's ex-PM Lee Hae-chan to be honored with five-day public funeral SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - The funeral of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died during a business trip to Vietnam, will be held over five days this week in the format of a public funeral in recognition of his contributions to South Korean society, officials said Monday. Lee, the vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) that directly reports to the president, died Sunday at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 73. The f January 26, 2026
• 
  Trams to return to Seoul after 58 years, powered by batteries not overhead wires SEOUL, January 26 (AJP)-Trams are set to return to Seoul for the first time in nearly six decades, but in a distinctly modern form: battery-powered, sensor-equipped and free of overhead wires. The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said Monday it has completed installation of key infrastructure for the Wirye Line tram, including tracks and a depot, and will begin large-scale test operations next month. The city plans to move the first trainset into the depot early Tuesda January 26, 2026
• 
  South Korea to deploy AI-based military command platform by 2029 SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korea has launched development of its first artificial intelligence-based command-and-control system as it prepares for the transfer of wartime operational control, defense authorities and industry officials said on Monday. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Hanwha Systems held a kickoff meeting on Jan. 23 in Seoul for the Allied Command and Control System (AKJCCS) performance upgrade project. Hanwha Systems won the DAPA-led January 26, 2026
• 
  Ssangyong Engineering secures major contracts in UAE, Singapore SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - Ssangyong Engineering said on Monday it has secured major construction contracts in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. The company said it has won a $250 million contract from Dubai state-owned real estate developer WASL to build Avenue Park Tower, a residential project in central Dubai. The project comprises two residential towers ranging from 37 to 43 stories above ground in a key downtown development area about 10 minutes from Dubai Interna January 26, 2026
• 
  Resident FX deposits in Korea jumped nearly $16 bln in December SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) -Foreign-currency deposits at South Korea-based banks surged by nearly $16 billion in December on prolonged weakness in the Korean won, central bank data showed. The Bank of Korea said Monday that resident foreign-currency deposits at local foreign-exchange banks totaled $119.43 billion at the end of December, up $15.88 billion from the previous month. It marked the second consecutive monthly increase. Resident foreign-currency deposits include ho January 26, 2026
• 
  KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – Asian equities opened the week mostly lower, with Japanese stocks retreating on rising bond yields and political uncertainty. South Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ bucked the sentiment, surging past the 1,000 mark for the first time in four years on policy optimism. The benchmark KOSPI opened higher but later pared gains. As of 10:37 a.m. local time Monday, the index was down 0.48 percent at 4,966.31. The KOSDAQ jumped 5.48 percent to 1,048.35, tr January 26, 2026
• 
  Team Korea heads for Canada for final push in $41 bn submarine bid SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung’s chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Canada on Monday as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, seeking to support South Korea’s bid to secure Canada’s major submarine procurement project estimated at up to 60 trillion won ($40.9 billion). Kang left Incheon International Airport for Toronto as South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean competes for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (C January 26, 2026
• 
  Seoul confirms plan to construct two nuclear reactors by late 2030s SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korea will proceed with plans to build two new nuclear reactors by 2037-38, the government said on Monday, reviving a project that had effectively been on hold and paving the way for site selection to begin. Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan said construction of the reactors, included in the current national power plan, would move ahead as scheduled after public consultations showed broad support. “New nuclear power p January 26, 2026