Asian stocks mostly down on US losses, Korean markets take a header SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) -Korean stocks rode a volatile roller coaster downward Thursday on heavy foreign selling on global tech shares. The benchmark KOSPI tumbled 3.9 percent to close at 5,163.6, marking a steep pullback from recent record highs. The KOSPI 200 slid 4.2 percent to 757, reflecting broad-based losses among large-cap stocks, particularly in semiconductors and export-oriented names. Selling pressure was led by overseas and institutional investors. On the main boa February 5, 2026

BTS comeback D-44: More than a show when Seoul pours its heart into the king's return SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A royal comeback. A literal red carpet for the monarchs of K-pop. A “concert of the century.” These are some of the phrases circulating ahead of BTS’s long-awaited return in March — a national-scale production that brings together state support, cultural symbolism, and the global reach of Netflix. The show, already being hailed as the cultural event of the year, is shaping up as a culmination of South Korea’s most powerfu February 5, 2026

Snow-themed festival underway in Taebaek SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A snow-themed festival is currently underway in Taebaek in the mountainous region of Gangwon Province. The annual festival, now in its 33rd year, kicked off on Jan. 31 and will run through this weekend. Against the stunning backdrop of snow-blanketed Mt. Taebaeksan, visitors can marvel at large-scale snow sculptures and engage in a variety of interactive winter programs. It would the perfect destination for anyone not quite ready to say goodbye to winte February 5, 2026

Frigid weather to linger despite spring's arrival SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - A cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas on Thursday. The advisory, issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration, takes effect at 9 p.m., as freezing temperatures are expected overnight. After a brief spell of balmy weather just a day after Ipchun, the official start of spring by the lunar calendar, Seoul is expected to see morning lows plunge to -12 degrees Celsius on Friday, with the fresh cold snap lingering February 5, 2026

Korea Employers Federation calls AI key to economic recovery SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A leading South Korean business group on Thursday called artificial intelligence a critical tool for reviving the economy and urged companies to accelerate innovation alongside labor-market reforms. The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) is hosting the two-day Korea CEO Forum in central Seoul from Feb. 5–6, bringing together executives from major companies to discuss how AI is reshaping industries and workplaces. In opening remarks, KEF Chairman S February 5, 2026

South Korea to chair multinational initiative on critical minerals through June SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - South Korea will chair a multinational initiative aimed at strengthening "diversified, resilient and secure critical minerals supply chains" through the first half of this year, the U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday. Announcing the creation of FORGE, short for the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as the "successor to the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)" at a U.S.-led mini February 5, 2026

South Korea's Booyoung Group pays 3.6 billion won in birth incentives in 2025 SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - South Korea's Booyoung Group paid 3.6 billion won ($2.46 million) in birth incentives last year to employees who had children, as part of a program offering 100 million won for each newborn. The company said payments were made for 36 children born to employees last year. Total payouts rose about 29 percent from 2.8 billion won a year earlier. Booyoung said that cases involving multiple births have increased since the program began in 2024. February 5, 2026

Police seek arrest warrant for ex-DP lawmaker SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Police on Thursday filed arrest warrants for Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), and Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official, over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The move comes about a month after the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched their investigation into the case. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 loca February 5, 2026

Korean president hints at conscription overhaul in line with demographic changes SEOUL, February 05 (AJP)-South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday hinted at enabling non-conscription options for science talent as part of an overhaul of South Korea's military service system, citing demographic decline and brain drain caused by two to three years of interruption in studies and research. Speaking at a dialogue with young scientists at the presidential office, Lee acknowledged that mandatory service creates unavoidable career gaps for young men and has b February 5, 2026

Overseas outlets of Korean dining brands jump 25 percent in 5 years SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - South Korean dining brands have increased their overseas store count by nearly 25 percent over the past five years, a government survey showed on Thursday. According to the survey, released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT), Korean dining companies operated 4,644 stores across 56 countries last year, up from 3,722 outlets in 48 countries in 2020. Over the same period, the February 5, 2026