Lee reaffirms conciliatory stance toward North Korea SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday reaffirmed his conciliatory approach toward North Korea to help reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In a televised press conference marking the new year at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Lee pledged to "move forward without wavering toward a future of peaceful coexistence and shared growth," adding that peace-backed stable growth could enable the economy to "take another leap." He added that January 21, 2026

Hyundai Mobis to develop 5G telematics system for autonomous, software-defined vehicles SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Hyundai Mobis said Wednesday it is developing an integrated 5G wireless telematics system aimed at next-generation connected vehicles, as automakers worldwide race to upgrade in-car communication technologies. The South Korean auto parts supplier plans to complete development of its multi-function telematics control unit by the first half of this year. The technology enables high-definition map services, remote autonomous driving control and ultra-HD stream January 21, 2026

Vietnam's U-23 title bid halted by China in semi-finals SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Vietnam's bid to replicate its historic 2018 run under South Korean leadership ended in the semi-finals of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Wednesday, following a 3-0 defeat to China. The loss at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City denies head coach Kim Sang-sik a shot at the title in his first major tournament. Kim had been tasked with reviving a program defined by his compatriot and predecessor, Park Hang-seo, widely revered as a national hero in Vietnam January 21, 2026

Editorial: When East meets West, song and silicon speak first SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - When President Lee Jae Myung welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Seoul, the meeting followed the familiar choreography of modern summitry. There were discussions of supply chains, advanced industries, and strategic cooperation. Yet beneath the formal language of diplomacy, the encounter revealed something more enduring: a convergence of technology, culture, and temperament between two nations that stand at opposite ends of Eurasia. At the ce January 21, 2026

New South Korean rom-com makes strong debut on Netflix's global chart SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Netflix's new South Korean series has cracked the top 10 on the global streaming giant's chart this week. According to Netflix's ranking website Tudum, "Can This Love Be Translated?" garnered 4 million in cumulative views, in less than a week after its release last Friday, securing the No. 2 spot among non-English shows, just behind crime thriller "Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web." The romantic comedy starring Kim Seon- January 21, 2026

LG CNS expands AI transformation into pharma, bio sectors with government and private contracts SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korean IT services firm LG CNS is accelerating its push into the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, securing a major government contract and completing an AI-powered automation system for drugmaker Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical. The company will participate in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's R&D project for clinical and preclinical drug development, a four-year, three-month initiative backed by about 37.1 billion won ($25 million) January 21, 2026

PM to visit Washington this week for first overseas trip SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to visit the U.S. this week, his office said on Wednesday. Kim will travel to Washington, D.C., and New York from Thursday to Monday, marking his first overseas trip since assuming the post in July last year. During his five-day trip, Kim will meet senior U.S. government officials, hold talks with members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and meet with South Korean nationals living there. His office expects the January 21, 2026

Hanwha Ocean taps ex-Canadian Navy officer to lead local subsidiary SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has appointed Canadian defense specialist Glenn Copeland to head its local subsidiary as the shipbuilder intensifies its bid for Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, a program the company said could be worth up to 60 trillion won ($45 billion). Hanwha Ocean has established Hanwha Defense Canada to pursue the contract, and said Copeland’s appointment will allow it to step up engagement with Canadian authorities. January 21, 2026

OPINION: Why environmental policies keep failing consumers SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Protecting the environment is no longer optional. In the face of climate change and resource depletion, the government's role is clear. The key question is no longer whether to act, but how. South Korea's evolving policies on paper cups and straws including the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's proposed charges on disposable cups demonstrate how environmental regulations can be inadequate when they overlook consumer acceptance. Paper January 21, 2026

SK Innovation brings KHNP into TerraPower deal to expand global SMR business SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - SK Innovation said on Wednesday it has sold part of its stake in U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) developer TerraPower to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), strengthening a three-way partnership aimed at expanding in the global next-generation nuclear power market. The transaction marks the first direct investment by a South Korean state-run energy company in a global SMR developer. Financial terms were not disclosed. TerraPower, founded in 2008 January 21, 2026