South Korean trade minister urges swift passage of US investment bill SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s trade minister Yeo Han-koo on Thursday urged swift passage of a special law to support investment in the United States, warning that delays in the National Assembly risk being misinterpreted in Washington as a lack of commitment. Speaking after returning from Washington, Yeo said progress on the bill has slowed, raising concerns that the United States could see this as reluctance by Seoul to carry out agreed tariff measures. Duri February 5, 2026

Korean conglomerates vow nearly $200 bn over 5 years for regional growth SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) -South Korea’s major business conglomerates have pledged to invest about 300 trillion won ($186 billion) across non-capital regions over the next five years, responding to President Lee Jae Myung’s call for more inclusive growth and balanced regional development. “As our companies work hard and the economy gradually begins to recover, I hope the fruits of growth will be shared more broadly,” Lee said at a meeting with February 5, 2026

Kim Jae-youl elected to IOC executive board, second Korean to serve on the body SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) -Kim Jae-youl, president of the International Skating Union and a member of the International Olympic Committee, has been elected to the IOC Executive Board, becoming only the second South Korean to serve on the body. Kim was chosen Tuesday (Korea time) during the 145th IOC Session in Milan, host city of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. He received 84 votes in favor out of 100 valid ballots, with 10 against and six abstentions. He joins the late Ki February 5, 2026

KOSPI and Samsung Elec tower over Asian bourses SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Korean stocks continued to dominate regional markets on Wednesday, extending their record-setting streak and reinforcing South Korea’s growing influence in Asian equities. Samsung Electronics powered the rally, becoming the first Korean company to surpass 1,000 trillion won ($688 billion) in market capitalization based solely on common shares. The milestone cemented the chipmaking giant’s role as the anchor behind the KOSPI’s push into February 4, 2026

Seoul's FX battle costs $4 bn over the last two months SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - South Korea has deployed nearly every tool in its policy playbook to defend the won, which authorities say has weakened “excessively” beyond its fundamentals — a view shared even by the U.S. Treasury secretary. Measures have ranged from pressuring public and private institutions to sell dollar holdings to offering tax incentives aimed at drawing capital back home. Yet despite these efforts, the national coffers have paid a heavy price. February 4, 2026

Knock, knock, spring is here SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) -“May every household be filled with joy and good fortune throughout the year.” On a quiet Tuesday morning, as winter loosened its final grip, the words of blessing were once again pinned to wooden gates at Namsangol Hanok Village in central Seoul. To mark Ipchun — the first seasonal division of spring — a demonstration of the traditional posting of ipchuncheop unfolded at the village’s main gate. A family born in 1990, th February 4, 2026

South Korea eyes top-10 finish at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - South Korea aims for a top 10 finish with at least three gold medals at this year's Winter Olympics which kick off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan later this week. At the previous Olympics in Beijing four years ago, the country finished 14th, winning two gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. Its most recent top-10 finish came at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where it placed seventh overall with five gold, eight silver, and four bronze medals. Th February 4, 2026

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

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

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