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  Hyundai Motor's Palisade named North America's top utility vehicle of the year SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor said on Thursday that its Palisade sport utility vehicle has been named this year's North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, citing the model’s upgraded hybrid system and strong appeal in the U.S. market. Finalists in the 2026 utility category included the Hyundai Palisade, Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf. Hyundai said the Palisade emerged as the winner following close competition. Judges cited the Palisade’s next-gener January 15, 2026
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  South Korea trade chief tells US officials, lawmakers Coupang probe is not 'trade issue' SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s trade minister Yeo Han-koo has told U.S. officials and lawmakers that a domestic probe into e-commerce firm Coupang should not be interpreted as a diplomatic or trade issue, officials here said on Thursday. Yeo made the remarks during a visit to Washington from Jan. 11 to 14, where he held outreach meetings with U.S. lawmakers, government officials and industry representatives, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energ January 15, 2026
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  Hong Sang-soo's latest film set for world premiere in Berlin SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Director Hong Sang-soo's latest film has been invited to compete at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, which opens next month. "The Day She Returns" will get its world premiere in the festival's non-competitive section, organizers said Wednesday, praising Hong's 34th feature for offering a "subtle reflection on the acting profession itself." The film revolves around a woman who completes an independent f January 15, 2026
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  BOK stays pat for eighth month as weak won and high debt constrain policy SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent on Thursday, extending its policy pause to an eighth consecutive month as policymakers remain constrained by a weak currency, elevated household debt and divergent inflation pressures. At its first rate-setting meeting of 2026, the central bank decided to hold the base rate steady, unchanged since a 25-basis-point cut in May last year. The decision reflects what officials ha January 15, 2026
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  LG CNS invests in Cha Biotech to scale AI-driven healthcare SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - LG CNS said on Thursday it is moving to scale up its digital healthcare business through a strategic partnership with Cha Bio Group. The IT services firm, led by Chief Executive Hyun Shin-gyun, said it signed a partnership agreement with Cha Biotech. The deal includes a 10 billion won ($7.4 million) equity investment and cooperation on artificial intelligence transformation and digital transformation projects. Hyun and Cha Won-tae, vice chairman of Cha January 15, 2026
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  Korean founders told to prioritize profit over growth at Silicon Valley summit SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - South Korean startup founders hoping to break into the United States market were advised to abandon aggressive growth strategies in favor of proving their "unit economics," as investors at a major industry gathering here warned of a tightened global capital environment. The advice was delivered at the UKF 82 Startup Summit 2026, held from January 9 to 12 at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City. The event drew approximately 4,000 participants, making January 15, 2026
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  BLACKPINK to release new album next month SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will release a new album next month. "Deadline," the quartet's third mini album, was teased by their management agency YG Entertainment on Thursday, ahead of its release slated for Feb. 27. "We'd like to thank fans who have waited for quite a long time," the agency said in a press release. The much-anticipated album is expected to reflect the memories and moments of their ongoin January 15, 2026
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  Samsung working with US labs to develop next-generation clothes dryer SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that its research into next-generation clothes-drying technology has been selected for official support by the U.S. Department of Energy. The South Korean electronics giant said the project aims to develop a high-performance dryer that sharply reduces energy use while maintaining drying efficiency. Samsung is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the U.S. and the University of South Carolina’s depart January 15, 2026
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  Building on Partnership: UK-Korea Priorities for 2026 As we begin 2026, the partnership between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea has never been stronger. Elevated to a Global Strategic Partnership in 2023, our relationship reflects shared democratic values, a commitment to the rules-based international order and a vision for a more prosperous, secure and sustainable future. The inaugural UK-Korea High Level Forum held in Seoul in December brought together leaders from government, business and academia to chart the cour January 15, 2026
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  KRX eyes AI-driven overhaul to support 24-hour trading, reviews startup acquisition SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -The Korea Exchange (KRX) said Tuesday it is pursuing an artificial intelligence–based innovation strategy as groundwork for a future 24-hour trading system, including a possible acquisition of an AI startup. The exchange said it plans to integrate AI into market oversight and operations, calling the technology a core strategy that will determine the competitiveness of South Korea’s capital markets. AI is expected to be applied across market January 15, 2026