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  Korean tanker safely clears Red Sea in first Hormuz workaround SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -A South Korea-linked crude carrier has safely exited the Red Sea after loading oil in Saudi Arabia despite Iranian military's threat of attacks on the corridor along the Saudi coast in protest to U.S. naval blockade of Tehran ports. The Korean sea flag carrier makes the first confirmed shipment to reach Korean-bound routes via a Hormuz bypass since the Gulf conflict disrupted one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, according to the governm April 17, 2026
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  Samsung Electronics unveils AI-driven 'Home Companion' appliances for North American market SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics showcased its latest vision for an artificial intelligence-integrated lifestyle during its "The Brief New York" technical seminar held from Thursday to Friday. The South Korean tech giant introduced its "Home Companion" scenario, a suite of appliance-based solutions designed to reduce household labor and enhance quality of life through advanced AI recognition technologies tailored specifically for North American consumer April 17, 2026
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  Hormuz crisis fuels air and sea charges, adding to input pressure in Korea SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korean shipping lines are introducing emergency bunker surcharges as the prolonged conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition drives up fuel costs, adding to input pressures and, ultimately, consumer prices. Sinokor Merchant Marine, one of Korea's largest container operators, said it will impose an emergency bunker surcharge of $100 per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on export cargo bound for Southeast Asia, effective this month. Industry o April 17, 2026
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  Asian shares edge lower ahead of U.S.-Iran talks; Samsung Electro-Mechanics hits record SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Asian markets traded lower Friday as recent rally momentum faded, with investors weighing mixed signals from the Gulf over whether the conflict may begin to wind down through renewed U.S.-Iran talks and separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.98 percent to 58,937.04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.81 percent to 26,180.23 and China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.18 percent to 4,048.38. South Korea& April 17, 2026
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  A village, a baby — and the limits of Korea's birth incentives SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - It takes a village to raise a child — and in Mungok-ri, a mountain-ringed hamlet in northeastern South Korea, it took a village just to welcome one. For the first time in 20 years, the community of barely 100 residents heard the cry of a newborn. Banners lined the narrow roads to celebrate Seo-yoon, the second child of Kim Hyun-dong and Chang Yoo-jin. Gifts poured in from neighbors and local groups. Even the provincial governor sent his congratulation April 17, 2026
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  Kpop big 4 unite to launch Coachella-scale Kpop festival  SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-pop powerhouses — HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment — are moving to institutionalize a Coachella-style annual K-pop festival, marking a rare joint initiative among the industry’s fiercest rivals. The four agencies have jointly submitted a joint-venture proposal, tentatively titled “Fanomenon” a portmanteau of “fan” and “phenomenon” to the Fair Trade Co April 17, 2026
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  Seasoned economic expert tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to UK SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Kim Heung-chong, the former head of a state-run think tank was tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to the U.K., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Kim, who headed the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) from 2020 to 2023, also served as an adviser in South Korea's negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and sat on committees under various ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Ind April 17, 2026
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  South Korea holds talks with Algeria, Libya to secure alternative oil supplies SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea has discussed energy-related cooperation with Algeria and Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Park Jong-han, a ministry official, visited Algeria and Libya earlier this week to assess the possibility of securing emergency supplies of crude oil and naphtha, according to the ministry. His four-day trip, which began last Monday, was part of efforts to secure alternative supply routes that would remain unaffected by the closure o April 17, 2026
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  Samyang Foods' Buldak spice brand ventures into reality TV with dating show SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samyang Foods has launched a reality dating show built around its Buldak spicy noodle brand, marking the company's latest push to embed the product into global youth culture beyond conventional food marketing. The South Korean food company announced Friday that it has partnered with U.S. media platform Nectar to produce "Heat Match," a dating show filmed against the backdrop of a major California music festival. The first episode aired April 11 April 17, 2026
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  Washington 'very close' to deal with Iran as talks may resume this weekend, Trump says SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - The U.S. is "very close" to reaching a deal with Iran to end the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with talks between the two sides likely to resume as early as this weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Las Vegas, Trump suggested some progress has been made in negotiations, though Tehran has yet to comment. "The big thing we have to do is we have to make su April 17, 2026