Korean won drifts toward 1,480 on global dollar strength SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) -The Korean won edged back toward 1,480 per U.S. dollar, a level widely viewed as a government defense line, amid broad dollar strength fueled by rising U.S. tensions with the European Union over Greenland and escalating risks linked to Iran and Venezuela. January 19, 2026

Plum blossoms defy winter as Daehan approaches Gangwon, January 18 (AJP) -Ahead of Daehan, the coldest period in the traditional Korean calendar, plum trees are already beginning to burst into bloom at Naksansa Temple on Korea’s east coast. Daehan, meaning “great cold,” is the 24th and final solar term, falling around Jan. 20 on the Gregorian calendar and marking the depths of winter in the lunar year. It is traditionally associated with biting winds, frozen ground and the harshest conditions of the season. January 19, 2026

Thousands brave winter swim at Haeundae beach SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - About 2,000 people braved chilly winter weather to plunge into the icy waters of Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday for the southern port city's annual swimming festival. Under this year's "colorful" theme for the Haeundae Polar Bear Festival (HPBF), the beach was filled with swimmers in vibrant colors. Before plunging into the water, participants painted themselves with colorful powder symbolizing hope, love, and happiness. They splashe January 19, 2026

Samsung, LG set for showdown in booming data center cooling market SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are set to compete head-to-head in North America as they seek a larger share of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market, which is gaining momentum amid rapid growth in artificial intelligence infrastructure. With demand for home appliances slowing and competition from low-priced Chinese products intensifying, both South Korean companies are increasingly targeting data center heat-management soluti January 19, 2026

Korean Air beats Q4 expectations, positioned for post-merger liftoff SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Korean Air delivered stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, weathering a weak won that pushed up dollar-denominated fuel and aircraft lease costs, and easing concerns ahead of its planned full integration with Asiana Airlines next year. Operating profit came to 413.1 billion won ($280 million) in the October–December period, down 5.1 percent from a year earlier but comfortably above market expectations of around 360 billion won. Revenue rose 1 January 19, 2026

Xiaomi targets budget segment with Poco M8 5G launch in Korea SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Xiaomi Korea said on Monday it will release the POCO-brand smartphone Poco M8 5G in South Korea on Jan. 26, with a list price of 339,900 won ($250). Preorders will run through Jan. 25 via Xiaomi’s official online store, Mi.com, as well as major online retail platforms, the company said. The Poco M8 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, according to Xiaomi. The device supports artificial intelligence features in January 19, 2026

Japanese teenage actor to visit Seoul next month as film becomes sleeper hit SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Japanese actor Soya Kurokawa will visit Seoul next month as his latest film "National Treasure," also known as "Kokuho became a sleeper hit in South Korea, the film’s distributer said on Monday. Directed by Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter of Zainichi Korean descent Lee Sang-il, the film has attracted over 200,000 moviegoers in about eight weeks since its release in mid-November last year, an impressive feat for an indie film her January 19, 2026

North Korean hackers 'spread malware through Google, Naver ads' SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - A hacking group believed to be linked to North Korea has spread malware through ads on Google and Naver. According to an analysis by South Korean cybersecurity firm Genians on Monday, Konni, suspected to be part of APT37, a North Korean state-sponsored cyber espionage group, used online advertising networks to launch cyberattacks by covertly routing users through malicious intermediary web links before landing them on advertisers' websites. Under January 19, 2026

S. Korea, Italy agree to boost cooperation on AI and semiconductors SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed on Monday to strengthen supply chain stability and industrial ties, focusing on semiconductors and artificial intelligence. During a summit at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, the two leaders oversaw the signing of three memorandums of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in technology, disaster response, and cultural exchange. The meeting marked the first o January 19, 2026

South Korea, Sweden sign clean energy cooperation pact SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding with Sweden on Monday to expand cooperation on the clean energy transition and power systems. The MOU was signed at the Westin Josun Seoul in central Seoul. Attendees included Lee Ho-hyun, the ministry’s second vice minister, and Maya Lundbäck, Sweden’s state secretary for energy at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. The minist January 19, 2026