Kia Says U.S. Tariffs Cut Profit; Bets on Hybrids and EVs to Rebound Kia said U.S. tariffs pushed its operating profit below 10 trillion won for the first time in three years, and it expects its annual tariff bill to remain above 3 trillion won despite a lower rate. The automaker said it plans to expand sales in major markets including the United States, Europe and India and step up cost-cutting to restore operating profit to 10 trillion won this year. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, Kia reported 114.1409 trillion won in revenue last year and 9.0781 t January 28, 2026

Why SK Group Is Channeling More Capital to SK hynix: HBM4 Supply and Long-Term Lead SK hynix has cemented its role as a core profit engine for SK Group after posting record results again in the fourth quarter of 2025. As demand tied to artificial intelligence accelerates, industry watchers say the group’s growth strategy is increasingly being reshaped around SK hynix, not just short-term earnings. According to the industry on Tuesday, SK Group has secured about 80 trillion won through asset sales and business restructuring and is focusing that money on future growth area January 28, 2026

Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin named among 15 LPGA players to watch in 2026 Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin were named among 15 players to watch for the LPGA Tour’s upcoming 2026 season. Golf Digest announced its list on Tuesday (Korea time) ahead of the season opener. The three were the only South Korean players included. Kim Sei Young, ranked No. 9 in the world, is a 13-time LPGA winner. She won the BMW Ladies Championship in October last year to add her first title since November 2020. Golf Digest said Kim had one win and 10 top-10 finishes last sea January 28, 2026

South Korea, U.S. Hold Third Visa Working Group Talks; B-1 Adds 'Specialized Trainers' Category South Korean and U.S. government delegations held a third round of consultations under the “South Korea-U.S. Business Travel and Visa Working Group.” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the meeting was held in Seoul on Jan. 28. The South Korean delegation was led by Kim Seon Young, director general for bilateral economic diplomacy, and the U.S. side included Jonathan Fritz, senior deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs. The U.S. side said a “Specialized Trainers” i January 28, 2026

President Lee Calls for Broad Review of Capital Markets, Orders Exchange Reform President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea should take a broad look at its capital markets and also ordered reforms at the exchange.* This article has been translated by AI. January 28, 2026

South Korea’s presidential office says it is seeking calm tariff solution, cites Kim-Lutnick channel Breaking: Cheong Wa Dae says it is calmly seeking solutions on tariffs; Kim Jeonggwan-Lutnick channel is important* This article has been translated by AI. January 28, 2026

South Korea Expands Youth Internships, but Participants Say Impact Is Limited South Korea’s “youth intern” program at public institutions, introduced to give young people work experience and serve as a bridge to full-time jobs, is drawing criticism that it is not delivering meaningful employment benefits in practice. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said Wednesday the government plans to expand youth intern hiring this year to 24,000, up 3,000 from last year. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government will “actively support” youn January 28, 2026

South Korea’s Blue House Says U.S. Frustrated by Delay in Korea-U.S. Special Law Breaking: The Blue House said the United States appears frustrated that investment projects have been delayed due to a holdup in a special law related to the United States.* This article has been translated by AI. January 28, 2026

South Korea’s Blue House Says U.S. Complaints Stem From Legislative Delays Breaking: The Blue House said U.S. dissatisfaction is “100%” due to delays in legislation and said it will explain its efforts to move the bills forward.* This article has been translated by AI. January 28, 2026

South Korean Lawmakers Clash Over Trump’s Proposed Tariff Hike and Ratification Claims Lawmakers traded blame Wednesday over President Donald Trump’s sudden plan to raise tariffs on South Korea, with the People Power Party arguing the government failed to secure National Assembly approval for follow-up steps in U.S. tariff negotiations after Prime Minister Kim Min Seok’s trip to Washington. The Democratic Party countered that Trump’s approach to diplomacy and trade is unconventional and said a unified political response is needed to strengthen South Korea’s negotiating pos January 28, 2026