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  BTS Comeback D-40: Seoul readies an army to protect ARMY on concert day SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) -South Korea’s elite counterterrorism units are preparing for a mission unlike any other this spring: protecting not a summit, not a visiting head of state, but the global fan base of BTS. On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square — framed by royal palaces and glass towers — will host the group’s first full-member comeback concert in nearly four years. Police expect up to 260,000 people to converge on the historic plaza for what is alrea February 9, 2026
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  South Korea, U.S. air forces hold first Buddy Squadron exercise of the year SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - The South Korean Air Force and the U.S. Air Force on Monday began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of the year, which runs through Friday, at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province. The Buddy Squadron exercise is a squadron-level combined air drill in which South Korean and U.S. fighter units take turns training together at air bases across the country. The exercise began in 1991 under the name “Friendship Training” to enhance combined operat February 9, 2026
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  Lee praises late bloomer's surprise silver-medal finish at Winter Olympics in Italy SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday congratulated snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum after the athlete secured South Korea's first medal at this year's Winter Olympics, which kicked off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan last Friday. Lee praised Kim's silver-medal finish in the men's parallel giant slalom, saying the athlete spent "years of training for races decided by fractions of a second, perfecting his technique and equipment on harsh snow, February 9, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-40: Free tickets for Gwanghwamun Square show SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - BTS will open free ticket reservations for their upcoming outdoor comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square starting February 23. According to an announcement posted to the fan platform Weverse on Monday, the group has finalized the entry process for "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," a massive event marking their return as a full seven-member unit. The ticketing is split into two categories to accommodate both the general public and dedicated fa February 9, 2026
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  Nikkei tests new highs after sweeping Takaichi win, Seoul recoups last week's rout SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) — Asian markets joined the celebration of a landslide victory by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a rare vote of confidence just three months after taking office, reinforcing expectations for a stimulus-focused economic agenda and a tougher stance toward China. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, won 354 of the 465 seats in the lower house, giving the ruling bloc a more than two-t February 9, 2026
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  Teaser posters for BLACKPINK's upcoming album unveiled SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - Teaser posters for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's upcoming album were unveiled on Monday, ahead of its release scheduled for late this month. Their management agency YG Entertainment uploaded two posters for "Deadline" on social media, which will mark the quartet's first full-group return in about three years and five months. The posters' vivid contrast in tone and color hints at a wide musical range in the February 9, 2026
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  K-pop girl band IVE pre-releases single track 'Bang Bang' ahead of second studio album SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - K-pop girl band IVE released their new single "Bang Bang" across major streaming platforms at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) on February 9. The track serves as a pre-release single for the group's second studio album, "REVIVE+," which is scheduled for release on February 23. "Bang Bang" conveys a message of self-reliance and confidence, focusing on the theme of forging one's own path regardless of outside rumors or public scru February 9, 2026
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  North Korean leader vows stronger military role over next five years ahead of key party congress SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised the "victorious journey" of the country's military, state media reported on Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim attended an event marking the 78th anniversary of the military's founding the previous day along with top Workers' Party officials and senior military brass. Kim said, "In looking back upon the victorious journey of our army over the past t February 9, 2026
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  K-pop icon G-DRAGON draws 40,000 fans to first solo fan meeting in Seoul SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - G-DRAGON drew approximately 40,000 fans to the KSPO Dome in South Korea over a three-day run that wrapped up on February 8. The event, titled "2026 G-DRAGON 'FAM' MEETING ," marked the artist's first solo fan meeting since his debut and was designed to feel more like a dense 'family gathering' than a standard concert. The atmosphere inside the venue reflected G-DRAGON's effor February 9, 2026
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  Naver/Kurly steps up delivery race to win over Coupang customers SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s dominant internet platform, has rolled out same-day grocery delivery in partnership with fresh-food unicorn Market Kurly, stepping up efforts to capitalize on mounting reputational troubles at e-commerce leader Coupang. Under the expanded service, Naver and Kurly’s joint grocery platform, Kurly N Mart, began offering same-day delivery on Monday. Orders placed between 11 p.m. the previous day and 3 p.m. on the same day are now de February 9, 2026