Asian markets end week upbeat as KOSPI, KOSDAQ hover near milestones SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Asian equities finished the week on a firm footing Friday, with South Korea’s main stock indexes hovering near key psychological thresholds amid brisk sector rotation and steady foreign inflows. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.7 percent to close at 4,990.10, after briefly breaking above the 5,000 mark earlier in the session. Gains were capped by profit-taking near the milestone, though demand for large-cap shares remained intact. The KOSPI 200 also advan January 23, 2026

HYBE and Seoul weigh safety as BTS plans unprecedented public-stage comeback SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Seoul authorities and HYBE are moving cautiously as they prepare for what could become one of the most closely watched public performances in K-pop history: BTS’s planned 2026 comeback show in the Gwanghwamun area, the heart of the capital’s government, business and tourism district. It took several days for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to grant a conditional go-ahead to HYBE’s request to stage the concert in the downtown ar January 23, 2026

Foreign shoppers make cash registers ring at department stores amid weak won SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Amid concerns over soaring consumer prices due to the weaking won against the greenback, South Korea has become a destination for luxury goods among many overseas shoppers. Foreign tourists have been lining up outside department stores in central Seoul even before they open for days' business. According to industry data released on Friday, foreign sales at Shinsegae's main branch in downtown Seoul jumped 82 percent last year, while its Gangnam January 23, 2026

In BTS' spring comeback season, even birthdays become world tours SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - The return of BTS as a full seven-member group this spring is dominating headlines, charts and countdown clocks. But for fans, the calendar holds more than just album drops and stage schedules. In the BTS universe, every detail matters — including birthdays. SUGA turns 33 on March 9, and long before the candles are lit, the celebration has already spilled into cafes, timelines and city streets. For fans, this is not a side event. It is the event. January 23, 2026

South Korea is aging fast, but policy is falling behind SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - South Korea has officially entered the ranks of super-aged societies, but its policies remain anchored in a younger past. The result is a deepening crisis marked by the OECD’s highest old-age poverty rate and one of the world’s most alarming suicide rates among seniors—outcomes that experts say reflect years of delayed and fragmented responses to demographic change. According to the OECD’s Pensions at a Glance 2023, four out of ten K January 23, 2026

Korea tops Japan in exports, but growth engine overly reliant on chips SEOUL, Jan 23 (AJP) - East Asia emerged as the standout winner in global trade last year, with the region’s major exporters all setting new records as demand surged for artificial intelligence–related hardware. South Korea posted a record $709.5 billion in exports in 2025, up 3.8 percent from the previous year and overtaking Japan’s $696 billion in data released Thursday by Japan’s Ministry of Finance. It marked the first time South Korea surpassed Japan in January 23, 2026

Senior US defense official to visit Seoul next week SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - A high-ranking U.S. defense official is expected to visit Seoul next week. Elbridge Colby, the under Secretary of defense for policy, is scheduled to meet with South Korean foreign and defense officials here from Jan. 25 to 27 as part of his Asia trip, which will also include a stop in Japan. The close aide to U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to outline the White House's new security strategy, announced early last month, which urges allies t January 23, 2026

Italy makes final preparations for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - With about two weeks remaining until the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, South Korea’s national team has pledged a strong showing at the Games. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held a send-off ceremony for the national delegation on Wednesday at Olympic Parktel in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The Games will feature around 5,000 athletes from more than 90 national Olympic committees (NOCs), competing across eight sports and 16 dis January 23, 2026

BLACKPINK's Jennie opens first solo photo exhibition SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - BLACKPINK member Jennie is holding her first solo photo exhibition to commemorate her birthday. The exhibition "JENNIE PHOTO EXHIBITION J2NNI5" is running from the 16th to the 29th at YOUTHQUAKE in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The exhibition is particularly significant as Jennie directly participated in the project, capturing her own perspective and sensibility. Rather than showcasing her glamorous on-stage image, the exhibition highlights candid moments o January 23, 2026

Samsung heir to participate in multinational exercise in Thailand SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Lee Ji-ho, the son of Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong, will participate in his first overseas combined exercise next month since being commissioned as an ensign in November last year. According to military sources on Friday, Lee junior is expected to be dispatched to Cobra Gold, the largest multinational combined exercise held annually in Thailand since 1982, hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This year's exercise, slated to be held f January 23, 2026