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  Samsung Electronics Reports 20 Trillion Won in Q4 Operating Profit, Up 209% * This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
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  Fire at Recycling Company in Incheon Extinguished; No Injuries Reported A fire at a recycling company in Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, was extinguished in about an hour after breaking out at about 5:56 a.m. on the 9th. No injuries were reported. Fire authorities deployed about 30 pieces of equipment and about 80 personnel and finished putting out the blaze at about 7 a.m. Authorities are investigating the cause and the extent of the damage.* This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
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  Fed holds key rate at 3.50%-3.75%, says inflation remains elevated The Federal Reserve on Tuesday held its benchmark interest rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. The decision followed the central bank’s first scheduled Federal Open Market Committee meeting of the year, which ran for two days. The Fed had cut rates three straight times — in September, October and December — by 0.25 percentage point each, but paused that easing streak. The move was widely seen as a bid to slow the pace of policy changes as concerns persist that President Donald Trump’s sweeping tari January 29, 2026
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  South Korea’s Digital Asset Framework Bill Stalls Over Stablecoin, Exchange Rules The government and the ruling party are struggling to draft a second-phase virtual asset bill, with delays in submitting a government proposal. The Democratic Party of Korea has moved to prepare its own version, but has yet to produce a draft as disagreements persist over licensing conditions for won-denominated stablecoin issuers and limits on ownership stakes in virtual asset exchanges. Draft framework takes shape as parties discuss creating a virtual asset council The Democratic Par January 29, 2026
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  Fire Reported in Incheon’s Seo District; Heavy Smoke Reported Near Gajwa-dong A fire broke out in Incheon’s Seo District, officials said. In a disaster alert text message sent on the 29th, the district office said a fire near 173-222 in Gajwa-dong was producing heavy smoke as of 6 a.m. It urged nearby residents to move farther from the site and drivers to detour. * This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
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  Fed Holds Key Rate at 3.50%-3.75%, Keeping U.S.-South Korea Gap at 1.25 Points On Jan. 28 local time, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. The Fed said after its first regular Federal Open Market Committee meeting of the year that it decided to keep the rate unchanged. The decision keeps the interest-rate gap between South Korea (2.50%) and the United States at 1.25 percentage points, based on the upper end of the U.S. range.* This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
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  South Korea to Fund 70 New Energy R&D Projects Worth 136.9 Billion Won The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it will post its “2026 Energy Technology Development Implementation Plan” and a first round of 70 new energy technology development projects totaling 136.9 billion won on the ministry website and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning website on Wednesday. The ministry said it plans to support 201.4 billion won this year for new energy technology R&D projects to respond to the climate crisis and advance a su January 29, 2026
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  Guri Mayor Baek Kyung Hyun Lays Out Six Policy Priorities for 2026 Guri Mayor Baek Kyung Hyun used a New Year news conference on Tuesday to present what he called six operating directions for 2026: welfare, the economy, urban infrastructure, transportation, culture and the environment. Baek framed the agenda as a question of direction rather than speed, arguing that city policy should focus on where Guri is headed. On welfare, he emphasized what he described as a tighter safety net, treating support as a system rather than a one-time benefit. He pointed January 29, 2026
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  Yangpyeong County head cites 88.3% pledge completion, outlines 2026 priorities Yangpyeong County Gov. Jeon Jin-seon told reporters on Jan. 28 that his administration has carried out 88.3% of its campaign pledges and will steer county policy in 2026 around four priorities: safety, the environment, tourism and health. About 100 news outlets attended the New Year briefing at the county hall. Jeon reviewed major projects and outlined plans, while stressing that the county’s focus is on building policies that last beyond a single term. Jeon cited the 88.3% pledge-implem January 29, 2026
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  Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra Questions Eligibility Limits in Proposed Regional Doctor Program South Korea’s government is pushing to introduce a “regional doctor program” to address uneven distribution of medical workers. The plan aims to fill gaps in essential care in rural areas, smaller cities, and island and mountainous regions where staffing is scarce. Support for the idea is broad, but the debate has focused on how the program is designed. On Tuesday, Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra raised questions in a social media post. Kim said she supports the program in principle but asked whe January 29, 2026