Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold wins top honors at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Monday its Galaxy Z TriFold device won top honors at CNET’s Best of CES 2026 Awards, taking the overall “Best Product” prize as well as the “Best Mobile Tech” award. CNET, a U.S.-based technology outlet and an official partner of the Consumer Technology Association, works with the CTA to select winners from products unveiled at the annual CES. More than 40 technology experts evaluated entries showca January 12, 2026

Asian stocks start week buoyant, led by Seoul and Tokyo SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) — Asian equity markets opened the week on a strong note Monday, with Seoul and Tokyo leading gains as optimism over robotics and artificial intelligence continued to lift technology and industrial value chains across the region following last week’s CES showcase. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6 percent to 51,939.9 in early trading, supported by gains in exporters and technology shares amid a weaker yen and renewed optimism over global demand. January 12, 2026

K-pop anime wins two awards at Golden Globe Awards SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Netflix's hit anime "KPop Demon Hunters" won two awards at the annual Golden Globes in the U.S. on Sunday. The 110-minute film by Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang won "Best Motion Picture – Animated" and "Best Original Song -Motion Picture" at the 83rd prestigious awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, recognizing both excellence in international film and television. After earning three nominations about January 12, 2026

DP's newly elected floor leader calls for unity ahead of local elections SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - The ruling Democratic Party (DP)'s newly elected floor leader Han Byung-do, has called for unity to build momentum for a resounding victory in the upcoming local elections slated for this summer. The three-term lawmaker Han Byung-do was elected on Sunday to replace Kim Byung-ki, who resigned late last year amid a spate of bribery allegations and other misconduct. In a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Han said, "There is no January 12, 2026

Kia unveils EV2 compact SUV at Belgium motor show SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Kia Corp. on Monday unveiled the EV2, a new compact electric sport-utility vehicle, making its global debut at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. Inside, the vehicle features a wide digital display layout comprising a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Kia retained physical buttons for key controls and added ambient lighting and a column-mounted shift-by-wire system. The EV2 GT Line in January 12, 2026

Lingering cold brings snow and rain across country SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Snow or rain is expected nationwide, as cold wave warnings have been issued for most parts of the country including the capital region, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Monday. Up to 8 centimeters of snowfall is expected in the central region including Chungcheong provinces, while Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province may see less than 1 centimeter of snowflakes. Morning lows hovered between -10 and -5 degrees Celsius, with icy winds making January 12, 2026

South Korea's HMM installs wind-assist propulsion system on oil tanker SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - HMM said Monday it has become the first South Korean shipping company to deploy a Wing Sail wind-assist propulsion system, as vessel operators seek to curb fuel costs and comply with tightening environmental rules. Wind-assist propulsion systems harness wind power to supplement conventional engines and are regarded as an environmentally friendly technology. They are typically installed on vessels without deck cargo and have been adopted primarily by bul January 12, 2026

Germany's bold infra budget invites Korean investment I extend my warmest New Year’s wishes to the Korean people and readers of Aju Press. 2026 promises a year of dynamism and progress in German-Korean relations, a partnership built on shared values and a forward-looking spirit. A shining example of our cooperation is the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, returning to Korea in October, having last been held here in 2008. It connects German business leaders, high-ranking members of the German government, and Asia-P January 12, 2026

SK On pushes into LFP batteries for early lead in Korea's energy storage market SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korean battery maker SK On is moving forward with plans to establish a lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery production system for energy storage applications at its Seosan facility, according to industry officials on Monday. The company could place orders for LFP battery manufacturing equipment as early as the first quarter of this year, the officials said. It is expected to install an energy storage system, or ESS, battery production line in t January 12, 2026

OPINION: America First, rewired as Trump mixes tech with national security SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - When the Donald Trump administration unveiled two national strategies in November and December 2025 — the AI-focused Genesis Mission and a new National Security Strategy (NSS) — I read them not as separate policy documents, but as a single statement of intent. Together, they recast “America First” and “Make America Great Again” for a technological age, fusing industrial policy, military power and economic coercion into a January 12, 2026