Lee's approval rating inches up to 61% SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has inched up to 61 percent, up 2 percentage points from two weeks ago, a fresh poll showed on Thursday. Some 29 percent of respondents disapproved of Lee's performance, down 3 percentage points. But Lee gained support across the country overall except in the traditional conservative stronghold of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, where his approval rating stood at 49 percent. This was attributed t January 8, 2026

Hanwha chairman visits Jeju space center, underscores private space ambitions SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn visited the firm's Jeju Space Center on Thursday, underscoring the conglomerate’s push to build a private-sector space industry ecosystem. The Jeju center, located in Seogwipo on Jeju Island, is a key base for the group's space business. Kim toured satellite production and testing facilities and received briefings on this year’s business plan and Hanwha’s broader space operations. “ January 8, 2026

North Korea keeps mum on leader's birthday SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - North Korea's state media made no mention of leader Kim Jong-un's birthday, believed to fall on Thursday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said there has been "no coverage at all by the country's state-run news agencies, and no related activity has been identified." Instead, North Korean media have focused on preparations for the Workers' Party's upcoming key congress, expected to take place early this year, with the of January 8, 2026

Shinsegae Casa completes acquisition of Jaju, targets 500 bln won in revenue this year SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Shinsegae Casa said on Wednesday it has completed the acquisition of the operating business of lifestyle brand Jaju, finalizing the transaction on Dec. 31 as it moves to broaden its portfolio beyond furniture. The company said the deal will help expand its business scope from home interiors to everyday lifestyle categories such as household goods and fashion, reducing earnings volatility tied to housing cycles and construction market conditions. Shinse January 8, 2026

PHOTOS:Evergreen in Seoul, even in icy winter SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - While Arctic-level cold grips Seoul, the greenhouse at Seoul Botanic Park in Magok remains lush, green and humidly warm. Beneath the glass dome, temperatures stay steady, and dense foliage retains its vivid color, offering a striking contrast to the wintry landscape outside. Located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul Botanic Park stands next to Magoknaru Station, where Subway Line 9 and the Airport Railroad intersect. The surrounding Magok dis January 8, 2026

Samsung Electronics record Q4 may be just the start of red-hot streak SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics’ record fourth-quarter results may mark the start of a two-digit, billion-dollar earnings run, as AI infrastructure — from data centers to humanoid robots — drives memory prices into uncharted territory. In preliminary earnings guidance released Thursday, the South Korean tech giant said operating profit for the October–December period reached 20 trillion won ($14 billion), more than tripling from a year earlier January 8, 2026

Alleged ringleader behind South Korean Student's brutal death nabbed in Thailand SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - A key suspect in the brutal torture and killing of a South Korean college student in Cambodia last summer has been nabbed in Thailand, government authorities here said on Thursday. The Justice Ministry said a 42-year-old Chinese, the alleged mastermind of a Cambodia-based scam ring, was arrested in Pattaya, Thailand, the previous day, following a joint investigation with the National Police Agency and the National Intelligence Service. Between May and J January 8, 2026

South Korea's K Bank targets 85 trillion won assets by 2030 SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Choi Woo-hyung, CEO of South Korea's digital lender K Bank, said on Thursday the bank aims to become a “comprehensive digital finance platform” by 2030, targeting 26 million customers and 85 trillion won ($59 billion) in assets. Choi unveiled the mid- to long-term growth strategy at the bank’s 10th anniversary event. For this year, K Bank set a goal of reaching 18 million customers, supported by three growth pillars: platform- January 8, 2026

K-food finds lasting appeal in China through social media, localization SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Walking through university districts and busy shopping streets in major Chinese cities, signs for Korean-style food are increasingly hard to miss. Advertisements for “Korean-style lunch boxes,” “Korean fried chicken” and rabokki — ramyeon cooked with tteokbokki rice cakes — line storefronts catering to young consumers. Convenience stores prominently stock Shin Ramyun and Buldak Bokkeum Myun with Chinese-language label January 8, 2026

KOSPI continues to test new heights SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI touched fresh milestone of 4,600 won to gallop toward much-anticipated 5,000 on Wednesday. The KOSPI opened 19.60 points, or 0.43 percent, lower at 4,531.46. The buying spree sent the Korean won higher at 1,449.40 versus the U.S dollar. Retailers joined in full force to pick up foreign selling. January 8, 2026