Ramyeon, haenyeo among latest Korean-origin words added to Oxford English Dictionary SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) -As Korean dramas, music and food continue to spread across global streaming platforms and dining tables, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added eight new Korean-origin words to its latest update, underscoring how Korean culture is becoming part of everyday English usage. The newly added entries include ramyeon, haenyeo and sunbae, along with bingsu, jjimjilbang, ajumma, Korean barbecue and officetel. The additions follow last year’s inclusion January 7, 2026

KOSPI unfazed in upward march as Asian markets turn subdued SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - South Korean stocks surged Wednesday while most Asian markets traded lower, as renewed foreign buying and strength in artificial intelligence-related shares propelled the benchmark to fresh highs. In Seoul, the KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to 4,572.50 as of 11:00 a.m., extending its year-to-date rally and marking another record level. The advance followed a rotation in investor leadership, with foreign investors taking the baton from retail traders after Tuesday&# January 7, 2026

Record amounts of smuggled cigarettes seized SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - Record amounts of smuggled cigarettes were seized last year, the Korea Customs Service (KCS) said on Wednesday. The customs watchdog said it has worked closely with major foreign customs authorities to crack down on multinational smuggling, seizing some 5.16 million packs or 103 tons of cigarettes bound for South Korea in separate cases, the largest since 2021, when about 3.6 million packs were detected. The massive seizure came after the KCS monitored January 7, 2026

LG CNS to lead key projects in Korean military's IT transformation SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - LG CNS said on Wednesday it has secured back-to-back defense information technology contracts, strengthening its role in South Korea’s push to digitally transform its military. The company said it signed agreements for the Armed Forces Command, Control and Communications Command’s communications network integration project and the Defense Information Agency’s next-generation integrated defense facilities information system project. January 7, 2026

Lee begins final leg of China trip with startup forum in Shanghai SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to China, is set to meet entrepreneurs from both countries to discuss partnership and promote future cooperation at a forum in Shanghai on Wednesday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that the final leg of Lee’s four-day trip to China begins with a forum attended by about 400 entrepreneurs from startups and venture companies, where they will discuss ways to strengthen co January 7, 2026

Lee encourages Oceans Ministry staff with hearty meals SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has sent pizza to encourage staff at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries which was relocated to the southern port city of Busan recently, the ministry said on Wednesday. The relocation from the administrative city of Sejong, which was finalized last month, was part of Lee's campaign pledges during last year's presidential election, aimed at taking the lead in the era of Arctic shipping routes while fostering new growth engi January 7, 2026

South Korea's Taihan wins power grid contract in California SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korea’s electricity equipment maker Taihan said on Wednesday that its U.S. subsidiary, T.E.USA, has secured a contract worth about 100 billion won ($77 million) to supply equipment for a 230-kilovolt extra-high-voltage power transmission project in the United States. The project involves construction of a new 230-kV transmission line in the Riverside area of Southern California and is aimed at meeting rising electricity demand while ensuring January 7, 2026

South Korea seeks major economic leap through innovation-led growth SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korea will accelerate a shift toward an “ultra-innovation economy” to lift its potential growth rate, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Tuesday, describing this year as the starting point for a major economic leap. Speaking at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Koo said the ministry will deploy active macroeconomic policies, including measures to boost overall demand and to help reviv January 7, 2026

Actor Lee Hee-jun's directorial feature set for release later this month SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - Actor Lee Hee-jun's directorial debut feature is set to be released later this month. "Rectangle, Triangle," slated to hit local theaters on Jan. 21, tells the story of a family gathering meant to be pleasant but instead brings long-simmering conflicts to the surface. Beneath its comic setup, the film lays bare the emotional rifts that have built up under the name of family, leaving a lasting impression. The 46-minute film starring Jin Sun January 7, 2026

Korean shipbuilders ride eco-friendly, LNG vessels to stronger earnings outlook SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korea’s three major shipbuilders are expected to post profits for a second consecutive year, with momentum likely to carry into 2026 as demand for high-value, eco-friendly vessels remains strong, analysts said. Expectations have also risen that orders for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and special-purpose ships could flow to Korean yards as the South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation initiative known as MASGA moves into full operatio January 7, 2026