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  IMF keeps Korea growth view at 1.9% on 'energy buffers' despite Gulf shock SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -The International Monetary Fund on Thursday maintained its growth outlook for South Korea at 1.9 percent for this year, holding steady from its January projection as it pointed to “sufficient buffers” to withstand energy shocks stemming from the Gulf conflict. The assessment came as the war-driven surge in oil and gas prices adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to the global economy, with Asia seen as particularly exposed due to its heavy reliance o April 17, 2026
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  Nation honors Sewol victims as 12th anniversary deepens calls for accountability SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - A synchronized silence descended upon the plaza fronting the Seoul City Council building at precisely 4:16 p.m. on Tuesday, as hundreds of citizens bowed their heads to mark twelve years since the Sewol ferry disaster. The gathering was held at the "Memory and Light," a civic space that served as a solemn anchor for a nation still grappling with the loss of 304 lives. The vast majority of victims were Danwon High School students from the city of A April 16, 2026
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  Sewol families still trapped in that day 12 years ago as closure never arrives SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - The familiar ache — the rage, the self-hate, the gut-wrenching grief, and finally the emptiness — returns every April. It is, for Choi Soon-hwa, the cruelest month. Each night in the days leading up to April 16, she returns to that day, now twelve years ago. “Why did so many people have to die? Why weren’t they saved? Why didn’t anyone tell them to come out, to jump, to escape?” For twelve years, these questions have April 16, 2026
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  After Gulf war, Section 301 looms as next hit to Korean economy SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) — As South Korean markets price in a winding down of the Middle East conflict, another front is quietly opening — this time in trade. With the KOSPI hitting fresh highs on easing war concerns, attention is shifting to Washington, where a new round of investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act is gathering pace, raising the risk of fresh tariffs on key trading partners, including South Korea. Seoul, alongside Japan and China, is among April 16, 2026
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  KOSPI flirts around record highs amid signs of de-escalating Gulf tensions SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) -Korean stocks extended gains Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI hovering near a record close on signs of de-escalating Gulf tensions and renewed institutional buying. The KOSPI rose 2.2 percent to close at 6,226.10, a tad below last record finish of 6,307.27 on Feb. 26. Institutions led the advance, purchasing 1.10 trillion won($746.7 million), while foreign investors added 464.4 billion won. Retail investors sold 1.81 trillion won, locking in gains afte April 16, 2026
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  Car exports edge up last month despite Middle East conflict PYEONGTAEK, April 16 (AJP) - South Korea's car exports increased last month despite the prolonged conflict in the Middel East. According to a report by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, the total amount of car exports stood at $6.37 billion in March, up 2.2 percent from the same period last year. Exports of hybrid vehicles drove the increase, surging by over 60 percent, despite a significant decline in shipments to the Middle East. April 16, 2026
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  Spring gives way to early summer heat SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - This year's spring, which had only just begun, has suddenly disappeared, giving way to early summer heat this week, with daily highs hovering above 20 degrees Celsius nationwide. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), temperatures in most parts of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area soared to 27 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking one of the warmest levels recorded for April. The unusually high temperatures, compared with April 16, 2026
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  Lee to embark on trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend for summit talks SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a weeklong trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Sunday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, followed by a series of expanded discussions with key officials. Lee's visit to the world's most populous nation co April 16, 2026
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  Samsung Electronics unveils 2026 AI TV lineup at European tech seminar SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics held its '2026 Europe Tech Seminar' in Frankfurt, Germany, from Wednesday to Thurdsay, showcasing its 2026 artificial intelligence (AI) TV and audio product lineups to European media and industry professionals. During the event, Samsung demonstrated its 'Vision AI Companion,' an integrated TV platform that functions as a smart home hub. The platform provides real-time information on viewed content and supports tasks such April 16, 2026
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  SK hynix to test Samsung's shock earnings as AI memory boom deepens SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - After Samsung Electronics’ mind-blowing first-quarter numbers, its memory-focused rival SK hynix will be closely watched to see whether its three-month earnings can match — or even eclipse — expectations when it reports January–March results next week. According to financial data tracker FnGuide, the consensus among domestic brokerages estimates SK hynix’s operating profit for the period at 34.9 trillion won ($24.8 billion), wi April 16, 2026