IU donates 200 million won to charities SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Singer and actress IU has donated 200 million won (about US$ $139,000) to charities, sharing holiday joy with the underprivileged. According to her management agency EDAM Entertainment, IU made the donation to several charities, which will be distributed to support single mothers facing economic hardship and social prejudice, children and youth in poverty, individuals with hearing disabilities, and the elderly at risk of going hungry during the cold winter December 31, 2025

Lee to lead large entourage for his trip to China SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will be accompanied by a group of financial leaders on his trip to China next week for a summit with President Xi Jinping. Among his entourage is Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, who will join Lee during his state visit to China from Jan. 4 to 7, according to industry sources on Tuesday. With the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) organizing the entourage, Jin, who chairs the business lobby's financi December 31, 2025

K-haircare push expands in US as LG H&H's Dr. Groot draws crowds in New York SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-beauty influence is extending into the hair-care sector as LG Household & Health Care’s derma scalp-care brand Dr. Groot drew nearly 1,700 visitors during a pop-up event in New York earlier this month, reflecting growing overseas interest in Korean premium hair-care products. Dr. Groot operated a two-day “pop-up truck” in Manhattan on Dec. 11–12, offering scalp-analysis services and product trials that th December 31, 2025

To shorten working hours, Korea wants employers to pay strictly by hours  SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea is known for long working hours. The five-day workweek is only a generation old, and the 52-hour cap has been in place for less than eight years. Average working hours remain above the OECD average, and the government now wants to address this by overhauling the way wages are calculated. It plans to tackle the loosely defined "comprehensive wage" system, under which various allowances and overtime pay are bundled into an annual or mon December 31, 2025

Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Homigot Sunrise Festival Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival Jan. 10 – Feb. 1 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Jan. 31 – Feb. 8 Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival Japan Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2026 Jan. 14 Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival Jan. 20 – Feb.8 Kobe Luminarie Thailand Jan. 10 – 1 December 31, 2025

Korean Economy/Business Calendar SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Jan 8 (Thu) 3rd–4th Quarter 2025 Flow of Funds (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Jan 2nd week (estimate) Q4 Results (Preliminary) - Samsung Electronics Q4 Results (Preliminary) - LG Electronics Q4 Results (Preliminary) - LG Energy Solution Jan 14 (Wed) Dec. 2025 Export and Import Price Index & Terms of Trade Index (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Dec. 2025 Annual Employment Trends - Ministry of Data and Statistics Nov. 2025 Househol December 31, 2025

South Korea to launch Asia-Pacific's first AI Basic Law on Jan. 22 SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea will become one of the first countries in Asia-Pacific to enforce comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation on Jan. 22, but unlike the European Union's stringent compliance regime, Seoul is opting for a business-friendly approach with at least a one-year grace period before imposing penalties. The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday that the government will provide consulting services and financial support to help companie December 31, 2025

Cold snap grips Seoul on New Year's Eve SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - A cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul and surrounding areas on Wednesday as sub-zero temperatures gripped the capital on New Year's Eve. Such an advisory is issued when morning temperatures are expected to drop by more than 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, or at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average, or when the morning low is forecast to remain at or below -12 degrees for two or more consecutive days. As the bitter cold snap is December 31, 2025

Hanwha Systems wins $30 mln deal to supply combat systems to Philippine Navy SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems said on Wednesday it has signed a contract worth about 40 billion won ($30 million) to supply additional combat management systems (CMS) and tactical data links (TDL) for two next-generation frigates of the Philippine Navy. The deal covers CMS and TDL equipment for two 3,200-ton-class frigates, the company said. A CMS, often described as a warship’s “brain,” integrates data from onboard sensors to detect and assess t December 31, 2025

South Korea's Daebang, Woomi, Jungheung builders face probe for unfair internal dealings SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s antitrust watchdog said on Wednesday it had uncovered four cases of unfair internal transactions involving large business groups this year, imposing a combined 93.5 billion won ($70 million) in fines and referring three companies to the prosecution. Corrective orders and fines were issued against Daebang Construction, Jungheung Construction, Woomi Construction and CJ Group, while the three builders were reported to prosecutors, acco December 31, 2025