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  Korean stocks slip as foreign investors offload $1.34 billion in shares SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Korean stocks closed lower Friday, retreating from recent highs as foreign investors led broad-based selling. Lingering geopolitical uncertainty continued to cap risk appetite despite signs of potential de-escalation in the Middle East. Other Asian markets also traded lower, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling 1.21 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropping 1.2 percent, and China’s Shanghai Composite edging down 0.2 percent. The benchmar April 17, 2026
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  Hanwha Solutions trims capital raise to 1.8 trillion won after regulator pushback SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions announced it will scale back its planned rights offering to 1.8 trillion won ($1.21 billion) from an initial 2.4 trillion won, retreating from a contentious fundraising plan that drew a rare regulatory rebuke and sharp criticism from shareholders. The revised offering, approved by the company's board on Friday, comes just eight days after the Financial Supervisory Service ordered Hanwha Solutions to refile its securities registration, cit April 17, 2026
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  Bakery fair underway in southern Seoul SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - A bakery fair is being held in southern Seoul, with around 300 booths from 100 bakeries and confectionery makers participating. Co-hosted by the Korea Confectionery Master Association and the Korea Bakery Association, the fair at COEX kicked off on Thursday and runs until Sunday under the theme of "Bake the World," showcasing bakery-related machinery, packaging solutions, and raw materials During the four-day run, a competition is also scheduled, April 17, 2026
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  Annual coffee expo brings together industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts in Seoul SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - A large-scale coffee expo is underway in southern Seoul this week, bringing together industry professionals, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts. Co-hosted by the Korea Coffee Association and COEX, the annual expo, now in its 15th year, kicked off its four-day run on Wednesday and runs until Saturday, showcasing coffee-related machines, equipment, beans, and other products. Under the slogan of "Blend the World," the expo features a special pavilion April 17, 2026
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  Wolf escaped from Daejeon zoo undergoes surgery to remove fishhook after capture SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - "Neukgu," a wolf that escaped from a zoo in Daejeon last week and was caught after a nine-day search on Friday, is recovering at a veterinary clinic after undergoing surgery to remove a fishhook found in its stomach. According to Daejeon city officials, an X-ray revealed a 2.6-centimeter fishhook, along with leaves and fish bones. The fishhook, which posed a risk of perforation, was safely removed. The wolf was captured after rescue April 17, 2026
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  OPINION:  Seoul navigates strategic reckoning as West Asia conflict rewrites energy calculus SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -The West Asia conflict is forcing South Korea to confront a fundamental shift: energy security is no longer about efficiency, but resilience. For decades, Seoul optimized its energy system for cost and scale — routing roughly 70 percent of its crude imports through the Strait of Hormuz, refining heavier Middle Eastern oil into high-value fuels, and exporting them across global markets. It was a model built on efficiency. That model is now under st April 17, 2026
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  Samsung Elec seeks court injunction to block union strike SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has moved to legally block a planned general strike by its labor unions, warning that disruptions to its semiconductor cleanrooms could trigger losses exceeding $20 billion and damage key client relationships. The South Korean tech giant filed for a provisional injunction with the Suwon District Court on Thursday to prevent what it described as “illegal” protest activities by a joint strike body formed by its three largest la April 17, 2026
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  Ferry service along Han River tops 100,000 riders since full resumption last month SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - More than 100,000 people have taken ferries along the Han River in less than two months since the service resumed full operations early last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Friday. The water ferry service had been halted on some routes shortly after its bombastic launch in September last year due to a series of technical glitches and other problems, and then fully resumed on March 1 after being partially suspended for about 100 days. The April 17, 2026
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  Seoul flags rising downside risks as Middle East war drags on SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -South Korea’s government on Friday highlighted increased "downside risks" for the economy as the prolonged Middle East conflict fuels inflationary expectation and dampens domestic sentiment. In its monthly “Green Book” report for April, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said “downside risks to the economy are increasing” due to heightened geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the war — toned up from last mo April 17, 2026
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  K-pop girl group KATSEYE to release new album this summer SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Los Angeles-based K-pop girl group KATSEYE will release their new album this summer. According to their agencies HYBE and Geffen Records, their third EP "Wild" is slated for release on Aug. 14, more than a year after their previous mini album "Beautiful Chaos" was released in June last year. KATSEYE, consisting of multinational members, have recently gained traction through appearances at major music festivals like the Coachella Festi April 17, 2026