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  Chinese copycat of Olive Young raises concerns over South Korean brands' reputation SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - As retail giant CJ's health and beauty chain has become a popular destination for foreign tourists visiting Seoul, a copycat brand has emerged in China, raising concerns about potential damage to the reputation of South Korean beauty products. According to industry watchers on Tuesday, a beauty store called "Only Young," reminiscent of Olive Young, has opened in Changsha, the vibrant capital of China's Hunan Province, and has been January 13, 2026
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  South Korea joins US-led talks on critical minerals SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Koo Yun-cheol, joined counterparts in Washington on Monday for talks aimed at strengthening cooperation on critical minerals, the ministry said Tuesday. Participants at the meeting of finance ministers agreed on the need for swift action to address risks in the supply of minerals essential to advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defense industries. U.S. officials urged countries to m January 13, 2026
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  SK hynix expands AI chip capacity with new $14 billion plant in Cheongju SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - SK hynix will invest about 19 trillion won ($14 billion) to build a new advanced semiconductor packaging plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, in a move to meet surging global demand for high-bandwidth memory. The South Korean chipmaker said Tuesday that the investment will bolster its next-generation memory competitiveness, particularly in HBM, a critical component for AI data centers, while aligning with the government’s push for more b January 13, 2026
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  Esports gears up for biggest year with major global events SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The booming esports industry is poised for its biggest year yet, fueled by its recognition as an official discipline at major global sporting events and international tournaments. Major events are scheduled throughout the year including the quadrennial Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan in September, the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in July and the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, also in Riyadh, in November. The upcoming Asian Ga January 13, 2026
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  Korea Exchange to extend stock trading hours to 12 starting in June SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The Korea Exchange plans to introduce premarket and after-hours trading starting in June, extending daily stock trading to 12 hours to keep pace with global moves toward near–round-the-clock markets. The exchange currently operates from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beginning in June, it aims to double that window. Exchange officials said the move is intended to broaden investor access in line with international standards, referring to long-term ambitions for January 13, 2026
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  South Korea to chair global renewable energy agency SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korea has been selected to chair the next General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, a role that will place Seoul at the center of global discussions on the expansion of clean energy. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that South Korea was designated as chair at IRENA’s 16th Assembly, held Jan. 11–12 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The chairmanship runs for January 13, 2026
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  OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Japan Tuesday for a two-day summit, a week after a state visit to China. His rapid back-and-forth diplomacy reflects intensifying friction between China and Japan, which has escalated since November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested possible armed intervention “in a Taiwan contingency.” As the dispute grows, both countries are courting Seoul. During Lee’s China trip, Beijing rolled out a high-profi January 13, 2026
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  South Korea's Lee to hold summit with Japan's Takaichi in Nara SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a one-night, two-day visit to Japan starting Tuesday for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as Seoul seeks to advance pragmatic, national interest-focused diplomacy amid escalating U.S.-China tensions. The presidential office said Lee will depart from Seoul Air Base for Japan’s Nara Prefecture, Takaichi’s hometown, at her invitation. The visit comes days after Lee’s s January 13, 2026
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  Icy rush-hour disruption inevitable as Seoul city bus strike begins SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -Seoul commuters faced inevitable rush-hour disruption amid icy temperatures Tuesday as city bus drivers launched an indefinite strike after last-minute wage talks collapsed overnight. Members of the Seoul City Bus Workers Union began the walkout with the first buses of the day at 4 a.m., after negotiations with the Seoul City Bus Transport Business Association broke down around 1:30 a.m., according to both sides. The talks, mediated by the Seoul Regional January 13, 2026
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  Sweet, stretchy, but Dubai's chewy cookie craze leaves a sticky mark on prices SEOUL, January 12, 2026 (AJP) — South Korea has a new dessert obsession, and it doesn’t crumble quietly. The Dubai Chewy Cookie, locally nicknamed dujjonku, is selling quite literally like hot cake — except hotter, thicker and far more Instagrammable. What began as a café novelty has now spilled across menus nationwide, with sushi joints and sandwich shops alike slipping the chewy chocolate slab into delivery apps, as if dessert were now a compulsory add-o January 12, 2026