Samsung SDI signs major battery deal in US, possibly with Tesla SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Samsung SDI has signed a large battery supply contract in the United States for energy storage systems, the company said on Friday. Samsung SDI said details of the contract, including its value and duration, will remain confidential until Jan. 1, 2030. The counterparty was not also disclosed, but industry officials widely view Tesla as the leading candidate. Tesla has been actively securing battery supplies for ESS, including a 6 trillion won contract January 30, 2026

BTS Comeback D-50: How Korea's folk songs and heritage turned cool—and global SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) — BTS has long stood for K-pop stardom, polished choreography and messages of resilience and love. But as the group matures, its center of gravity is shifting. The world’s most influential idol group is digging deeper into its Korean roots—and the global audience is following along. In the countdown to their long-awaited comeback, every move by the seven members is read as a cultural signal. Where they go, what they reference, even what January 30, 2026

Coupang's interim CEO appears for questioning over massive data breach SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Harold Rogers, e-commerce giant Coupang's interim chief in South Korea, appeared for questioning in Seoul on Friday over allegations related to a massive data breach detected late last year. Rogers arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno, central Seoul, at around 2 p.m. and said, "Coupang has fully cooperated and will continue to fully cooperate with all investigations." But he declined to comment further, despite a barrag January 30, 2026

Hyundai Rotem posts record profit on K2 tank exports to Poland SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Rotem surpassed 1 trillion won in annual operating profit for the first time, driven by strong export contracts including K2 battle tanks for Poland. In a regulatory filing on Friday, the company said revenue rose 33.4 percent from a year earlier to 5.84 trillion won, while operating profit surged 120.3 percent to 1.01 trillion won. Fourth-quarter revenue increased 12.8 percent to 1.6 trillion won, and operating profit climb January 30, 2026

Kazakhstan launches nationwide environmental movement to promote ecological culture SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - The government of Kazakhstan has implemented a large-scale national environmental campaign titled Taza Kazakhstan, or Clean Kazakhstan, following an initiative by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The movement aims to improve the environmental state of the country while fostering a culture of nature conservation and civic responsibility among its population. The campaign serves as a central pillar of the country's social policy, focusing on both immedi January 30, 2026

Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korea Feb. 13 – 22 Daegwallyeong Snow Festival Feb. 2 – 4 Tamnaguk Ipchun Gut Nori Feb. 4 – 8 Gongju Gunbam Festival Japan Feb. 7 – 27 As The Sun Rose at UltraSuperNew Kura Feb. 3 Setsubun Festival Japan Jan. 20 – Feb.8 Kobe Luminarie Thailand Feb. 21 – 22 Chiang Mai Flower and fusion Festival Feb. 11 – 15 Singha Park chiangrai International Ballon Fiesta Feb. 15 Kyoto Marathon Si January 30, 2026

Korean Economy/Business Calendar SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Feb 2 (Mon) 4Q 2025 & Annual Results - Samsung SDI Feb 3 (Tue) Jan. 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Ministry of Data and Statistics Feb 4 (Wed) 4Q 2025 Results - Hanwha Ocean Feb 5 (Thu) 4Q 2025 Results - Hanwha Systems Feb 5–6 (Thu–Fri) 4Q 2025 Results - NAVER Feb 6 (Fri) Dec. 2025 Balance of Payments (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Feb 8 (Sun) 4Q 2025 Results - HD Hyundai Heavy In January 30, 2026

South Korean destroyer heads to India for fleet review, naval exercise SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - A 4,400-ton destroyer will take part in an international fleet review to be held in India next month, the Navy said on Friday. The destroyer dubbed Gang Gam-chan departed from a naval base in Jeju on Friday, weeks ahead of the fleet review scheduled for Feb. 17-19 in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, which will feature warships from 20 countries including Australia, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. A week later, the vessel will also participate in variou January 30, 2026

Korea's finance minister touts AI, new growth sectors in talks with Moody's SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with a delegation from Moody’s Investors Service on Friday, outlining the country’s plan to bolster medium- and long-term competitiveness through artificial intelligence and new growth industries. Koo met the Moody's team, which included Anushka Shah, a director overseeing sovereign ratings, at the Government Complex Seoul to discuss recent economic develo January 30, 2026

A number ticks down at the family table SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) -In "Number One", Ha-min (Choi Woo-shik) notices something unsettling: each time he eats his mother’s cooking, an invisible number drops. When he understands that zero would mean the end of his mother, Eun-sil (Jang Hye-jin), the meals become acts of love—and resistance—against time itself. Set for release on Feb. 11, the film draws from a tender premise by Japanese writer Uwano Sora. Adapted from the short novel There Are 328 Ti January 30, 2026