Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Jeong Eun-hye and read by an artificial voice. Netflix is looking for a home run with its latest move: livestreaming MLB games. Coming off the heels of its exclusive rights to broadcast the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan earlier in March, the streaming giant upped the ante recently in the race among platforms to secure the rights to sports broadcasts, which help retain subscribers over longer periods than films or dramas do. The season opener between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco drew strong interest from Korean fans as Lee Jung-hoo of the Giants — who served as captain of Korea's national team in the WBC — took the field. Netflix plans to continue its MLB coverage with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13 and the "MLB at Field of Dreams" specialty game on Aug. 13. Netflix entered sports streaming later than other streaming platforms. In the United States, Amazon Prime began broadcasting NFL Sunday Night Football in 2017 and has since expanded to the English Premier League and the NBA. In Korea, Tving has streamed KBO games since 2024, Coupang Play has aired K League matches since 2022 and Disney+ began broadcasting League of Legends (LoL) competitions including the LoL KeSPA Cup organized by the Korea e-Sports Association last year. Sports content offers what industry insiders call a "lock-in effect." It keeps users on a platform during periods when major film and show releases are limited. Tving, for instance, saw its monthly active users surpass 7.31 million in Korea in May of last year due to KBO broadcasts. This reduced the gap with Netflix, which had 11.18 million monthly active users in the same month, to 3.87 million. Just three months earlier, during baseball's offseason, the gap exceeded 6 million users. This year, Tving — the only streaming platform to stream WBC games — also saw an influx of new subscribers. Its average weekend daily active users in March rose about 22 percent from February, according to aggregator Mobile Index. "In March, WBC games were followed by KBO preseason games, and both contributed to the increase in users," a Tving representative said. Live sports also generate higher advertising revenue, commanding significantly higher ad rates than on-demand content. Netflix's ad-supported subscription tier, introduced in November 2022, had 190 million users around the world as of November last year — accounting for 58 percent of its 325 million global subscribers. Its advertising revenue reached $1.5 billion last year, a two-and-a-half-fold increase from the previous year, with a target of $3 billion this year. "Like traditional TV primetime ads, live-streaming ads carry high rates," said Cho Young-shin, a visiting professor at Dongguk University's Graduate School of Digital Image and Contents. "Since launching its ad-supported tier, Netflix has entered the sports broadcasting market backed by massive capital." However, exclusive streaming rights have raised concerns over access to major sporting events. In Japan, viewers criticized Netflix after the streaming service secured exclusive rights to broadcast all WBC games across both TV and streaming platforms. Broadcasting rights are typically split between television and new media, but Netflix's full exclusivity meant viewers had to pay to watch the tournament. The decision triggered backlash among viewers. Older audiences in particular expressed frustration, while younger viewers launched subscription cancellation campaigns after Japan was eliminated in the quarterfinals. "For major sporting events, streaming platforms need to consider co-broadcasting with terrestrial TV as part of brand management," said culture critic Kim Hern-sik. "If platforms raise subscription fees while holding exclusive rights, they will inevitably face user backlash and cancellations." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of gener...

This article is by Yoon Seung-jin and read by an artificial voice. Warm breezes sweep cherry blossom petals across Korea as spring reaches full bloom, offering a soft contrast to students buried in midterm preparations. For college students in Korea, however, enjoying the season doesn't require navigating the crowds at popular spots like Seokchon Lake or Yeouido. Many campuses themselves transform into cherry blossom havens, offering pink-lined paths just steps away from lecture halls. On Friday, The Korea JoongAng Daily visited Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, to take in the scene firsthand and speak with visitors on campus. "I heard some Korean universities have beautiful cherry blossoms, but I think this building with cherry blossoms is one of the most beautiful scenes in Korea," Magdalena, a French student who asked to be identified by her first name, said, referring to the Peace Hall, a neoclassical stone building, on campus. "I go to Korea University, but I came to Kyung Hee University after seeing the cherry blossoms on Instagram Reels." Magdalena wasn't the only one who made the trip to Kyung Hee University on Friday to see its cherry blossoms. From groups of college students chatting over picnic mats to high school students posing for photos in their uniforms and club members capturing moments for their activities, the campus was filled with laughter beneath the blossoms. Such popularity has even earned the university the nickname "Kyung Hee Land," reflecting its reputation as a destination not only for students but also for visitors from across Seoul. The term highlights its landmark-like appeal, with the combination of stately stone buildings and cherry blossoms making it a particular favorite. One of the most popular viewing spots at the university is the fountain plaza in front of the university's main hall. Built in the 1950s, the stone structure showcases classical architectural aesthetics, while the circular fountain and surrounding cherry trees create a balanced, symmetrical landscape. The space offers unobstructed views, making it a popular spot for photography. While Kyung Hee University stands out as a landmark during cherry blossom season, many other universities across Korea also burst into bloom each spring. Here are several campuses where students can enjoy cherry blossoms without traveling far. Yonsei University At Yonsei University, cherry blossom trees line the path from Sinchon Station to Underwood Hall, forming a straightforward route that cuts through the center of the campus. Walking along this path, visitors can take in rows of blossoms on either side, with the ivy-covered stone buildings adding to the campus's distinctive atmosphere. The front yard of Underwood Hall, around 10 minutes by walk from the main gate, is the highlight where a large, mature cherry tree stands in full bloom. When the flowers peak, the tree fills the space like a giant bouquet set against the Gothic-style building, making it one of the campus's most popular photo spots. Ajou University Located in Suwon, Gyeonggi, Ajou University is known for its dense concentration of cherry blossoms. Unlike Kyung Hee University's architectural emphasis, Ajou University's defining feature is its long, straight main road lined with cherry trees. From the main gate to the central library, mature trees on either side create a tunnel of blossoms, with the central lawn providing close-up views. At night, campus lighting creates a softer atmosphere, making it a popular evening walking spot for nearby residents. Visitors can also extend their trip to nearby attractions such as Gwanggyo Reservoir or Hwaseong Fortress, both about 20 minutes away by public transportation. Seoul National University Due to its mountainous terrain, Seoul National University in Gwanak District, southern Seoul, typically sees cherry blossoms bloom about three days to a week later than central Seoul. This timing allows visitors to cat...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. Korean oil refiners have begun importing sizable volumes of Canadian crude — long a marginal and rarely used option — as they scramble to replace disrupted Middle Eastern supplies amid the protracted Iran war. Prior to the outbreak of the Iran war, refiners had only brought in Canadian crude in small volumes on a trial basis last year, but have since been sharply ramping up the purchases. The shift comes as Canada's export capacity to Asia has been surging following the completion of a major pipeline expansion project in 2024, potentially encouraging Seoul to give greater prominence to Canadian crude in its future import portfolio. "Korean refiners are actively bringing in Canadian crude as an alternative supply amid the current inability to secure Middle Eastern barrels," a government official overseeing the country's oil imports told the Korea JoongAng Daily. Still, most of Korea's alternative supply comes from the United States, and Canadian crude remains a secondary option rather than a mainstream source. Despite being cheaper than Middle Eastern or U.S. grades, it is a high-sulfur heavy oil, while Korea's refining infrastructure is primarily optimized for Middle Eastern crude. Leading the charge is HD Hyundai Oilbank, the refiner equipped with facilities capable of processing Canadian crude, whose dependence on Middle Eastern oil — at 60 percent — is the lowest among its peers. HD Hyundai Oilbank in April last year became the first in Korea to import 548,000 barrels of Canadian crude, worth $82.3 million, after the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term. "Since last year, we began preparing for potential instability in Middle Eastern supply by modifying pipelines and related infrastructure to accommodate Canadian crude," said a spokesperson for HD Hyundai Oilbank. "Whereas our non-Middle Eastern imports were previously dominated by Mexican crude, we plan to gradually increase Canadian volumes." SK Energy and GS Caltex are also pushing to secure Canadian crude. S-Oil, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, continues to rely almost entirely on Middle Eastern oil but has indicated that it could consider foreign crude under the right conditions in the event of unavoidable disruptions such as war. Korea's imports of Canadian crude, which stood at zero barrels in 2023, rose to 1.37 million barrels in 2024 and surged to 4.54 million barrels last year, according to data from the Korea National Oil Corporation. While the volume has tripled in just a year, it still accounts for only about 0.5 percent of Korea's total crude imports. Moreover, Canada has been actively working to increase exports to Asia, including Korea, as a means of seeking to reduce its long-standing dependence on the United States, which accounts for more than 95 percent of its crude exports. Canada completed the long-awaited Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in May 2024, linking Alberta to the Vancouver area in British Columbia, which nearly tripled the volume of crude arriving at the port of Vancouver. In practice, the landed cost of Canadian crude to Korea was $64.65 per barrel as of 2025, roughly $10 cheaper than U.S. crude at $73.64 and Saudi Arabian crude at $73.80 per barrel. The Korean government's crude swap system is also expected to play a role in expanding Canadian imports. With Middle Eastern supply constrained, the Korean government has agreed with four domestic refiners to allow crude imported from other countries to be exchanged for government-held Middle Eastern reserves. Around 20 million barrels are slated for such swaps, with 2 million barrels already released to a refiner on Tuesday.

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. Judging by the number of preregistered visitors, which surpassed 50,000 for the first time, as well as the substantial crowds seen at the 14th edition of the expo in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Thursday — which runs through Sunday — the approach appears to be working. Even before the gates opened at 10 a.m., a large crowd had already formed. By early afternoon, the venue — home to 430 booths — was so packed that visitors could barely move without brushing past one another. The young women were the most visible. Buddha — a new aesthetic motif Much of the expo's appeal lay in how Buddhist concepts were translated into everyday experiences, drawing even from K-pop culture. At one corner, visitors sipped lotus lattes in Buddha-themed cup holders, posing beside a life-size Buddha standee while holding "photo cards" featuring the Buddha that came with their drinks — just like at a K-pop idol birthday cafe, where fans decorate the space with photos and goods to throw a birthday party for their favorite star. Photo cards, a staple of K-pop fandom, are small, collectible cards bearing the photos of entertainers. But the real crowd magnets for young people were the merchandise booths, where Buddhist ideas and symbols were reinterpreted through modern design — often in playful, humorous ways that resonated with everyday life. Haetal Company, a brand founded by the daughter and son of Venerable Taehyeon, a Buddhist monk, offered everything from key-cab key rings and stickers to towels and underwear, incorporating stylized Buddha imagery and messages of calm and self-reflection. Its denim monk pants sold out by midafternoon. This shift toward "lifestyle Buddhism" was also evident in booths that were less expected to find it. A crowd gathered around a booth selling moktak — wooden percussion instruments traditionally used by monks — as they lined up to test each one and find their preferred sound. "No two trees are the same, and because each piece is handcrafted, no two moktak sound alike, just like people," said Ahn Jin-seok, owner of the Yeongcheon Moktak. "Until about three years ago, visitors in their 40s to 60s made up around 70 percent. But now, people in their 20s and 30s account for nearly 70 percent." The shift, he added, reflects rising interest in self-discipline and mental well-being among young people, with even non-Buddhists and temple-goers purchasing moktak for personal use. That same curiosity extended to other booths offering temple-inspired scents, meditation books and art, which played a role in reshaping perceptions. "I draw Buddhist illustrations in a fairytale-like style, hoping they can reach people in a warmer and friendlier way," said artist Kim Baek-seoul. "My work conveys that the Buddha exists within us. That I, too, can be a Buddha." Buddhism meets everyday concerns Beyond merchandise and branding, the expo also created opportunities for visitors to engage with Buddhism in ways closely tied to their everyday lives. Venerable Haeyoung offered guidance on topics ranging from personal concerns to philosophical questions about gong, or emptiness. The appeal laid in the accessibility of engaging with Buddhist thought in a casual, open-ended way. Reflecting the concerns of many young visitors, particularly women, Venerable Yeonwoo offered physiognomy readings, dubbed "plastic surgery consultations," which drew long lines. "I asked whether I could improve my fortune through makeup instead of plastic surgery," said Moon Chae-young, a 25-year-old who attended the event with a friend. "The monk said everything was good overall, but that my nose was 'weak,' meaning my back or heart could be weak. She advised me to breathe with my mouth closed so that good energy comes in and bad energy goes out." Moon, who is not Buddhist, said that while the consultation was comforting, the expo itself also exceeded her expectations. "Being here feels heali...

The author is a music critic and director of the classical music brand Poongwoldang. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spent many years in the small city of Weimar. He loved the modest duchy, yet he often regretted not being able to attend the major cultural events of a metropolis such as Berlin. When his close friend Carl Friedrich Zelter wrote to him about leading the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin in performances of Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Goethe expressed genuine envy. Still, he was too energetic a spirit to lament his circumstances. If Weimar was small, he would make music flourish there. He imagined how meaningful it would be to hear refined polyphonic church music each week in his town. On July 27, 1807, he shared this wish with Zelter and asked him to send scores that were not overly difficult to perform. From the autumn of 1807 to 1816, a "small singing circle" took shape in Goethe's home in Weimar. Rehearsals were held every Thursday, and performances took place on Sundays. Goethe himself paid stipends to the singers affiliated with the Weimar theater who participated. The gatherings brought him considerable joy. Theater vocalists and instrumentalists from the court orchestra usually performed, but on occasion, Goethe joined the small choir and sang the bass part. Beginning in 1809, rehearsals and concerts were largely directed by Carl Eberwein, a member of the court orchestra. With Goethe's support, Eberwein later studied in Berlin under Zelter and in 1820 became music director of the Weimar court orchestra. At the house concerts, motets, cantatas and songs were the main repertoire. The programs also included lighter pieces such as canons, social songs and what Goethe called "musical humor," allowing anyone to enjoy the occasion. Names such as Zelter, Joseph Haydn, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Handel and Mozart appeared regularly on the programs. In this way, Germany's leading literary figure showed a deep affection for the sister art of music. That affection gradually spread, fostering a valuable tradition in which literature and music could readily coexist and enrich one another. These gatherings reflected broader cultural networks linking Weimar and Berlin, as scores, styles and performers circulated between court and civic institutions. Goethe's initiative blurred boundaries between private salon and public concert life, anticipating later house concert traditions. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

The author is an adjunct professor at Hanyang University's Institute for Future Education. Financial crises always appear in new forms, which is why people insist that "this time is different." In 1929, the stock market collapsed. In 2000, the technology bubble burst. In 2008, the financial system itself broke down. Today, the global economy stands at another turning point shaped by AI. While appearances change, the underlying structure repeats. Technology evolves, but human behavior and the dynamics of credit remain largely the same. In the 1920s, electricity enabled round-the-clock factory operation, while automobiles transformed logistics and mobility. Mass production lowered costs and raised productivity, supporting economic growth and driving stock prices higher. Yet stock prices reflected expectations of future gains far beyond actual earnings. Margin trading allowed investors to buy large amounts of stock with limited capital. Rising prices attracted more borrowing, reinforcing the cycle. When markets began to weaken in October 1929, margin calls triggered forced selling. Prices fell further, leading to more liquidation and a rapid collapse. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged from 380 in August 1929 to 43 in June 1932, a decline of 89 percent. The crisis extended beyond markets. Banks failed, money supply contracted, and credit across the economy deteriorated. Firms struggled to secure funding, consumption weakened and unemployment surged. The episode marked not just a market correction but a collapse of credit itself. The dot-com bubble of 2000 began differently, driven by technological optimism. The internet transformed information flows and created new industries. Productivity improved, with annual labor productivity growth rising to 2.9 percent between 1996 and 2000 from 1.5 percent in the prior period. Optimism dominated markets, but investors incorporated future potential into present valuations too aggressively. Valuations surged to extreme levels. The price-to-earnings ratio of the S&P 500 approached 50, while companies without profit models attracted large investments. Initial public offerings and venture capital expanded rapidly, with capital moving faster than the real economy. The bubble burst when the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate from 4.7 percent in May 1999 to 6.5 percent by March 2000. The Nasdaq fell 78 percent, and many firms disappeared. The internet remained, ultimately becoming core infrastructure. The problem was not the technology but that markets had priced its future too quickly. The global financial crisis of 2008 differed again. This time, financial structure was the source of instability. Low interest rates drove housing prices higher and fueled household debt. That debt was repackaged into mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations, spreading risk across the system. Financial institutions believed risk had been reduced and increased leverage accordingly. However, the system proved both complex and fragile. As housing prices fell, delinquencies rose, and asset values deteriorated sharply. Trust between banks collapsed, and funding markets froze. This was not simply an asset price adjustment but a breakdown of the financial system itself. Today, AI represents a new platform reshaping industry and productivity. Yet it requires massive capital. Investment in data centers, semiconductors and power infrastructure is rising rapidly, based largely on expectations of future returns rather than current profits. In effect, an unrealized future is already determining present investment and asset prices. Credit is expanding again, particularly in private credit markets tied to AI investment. This creates a structure that combines valuation expansion with hidden credit accumulation. In this sense, 2026 may reflect both the valuation excess of 2000 and the credit vulnerability of 2008. Signs of risk are already emerging. Capital is concentrated in a small number of A...

The author is a senior editorial writer at the JoongAng Ilbo. "Taiwan's sacred mountain that protects the nation" is a phrase used to describe Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), reflecting its role in safeguarding the island's economy and security through its dominance of the global foundry market. In Korea, memory semiconductors now appear to play a similar role. High bandwidth memory (HBM), a key component in the AI boom, is dominated by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which together account for about 80 percent of the market. Their combined share in dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is roughly 70 percent, giving them a position that is difficult to replace in economic terms. If Iran has the Strait of Hormuz and Taiwan has TSMC, Korea has memory semiconductors. Even as geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Iran, weigh on the global economy, Korea's exports reached a record $86.1 billion in March, driven largely by a sharp rise in semiconductor shipments compared to a year earlier. The domestic stock market also fluctuates in line with the performance of these companies. The question is whether Korea can sustain this advantage. Externally, the environment is becoming less favorable. Both the United States and China are intensifying efforts to reshape the semiconductor industry. China has designated semiconductor self-sufficiency as a core goal in its 2026—2030 economic plan announced at the National People's Congress in March. Vast financial resources and policy support are being mobilized. China's determination is underscored by its earlier "Made in China 2025" strategy, which helped it emerge as a global leader in sectors such as EVs, drones and robotics. The United States is also shifting course. It is moving away from the previous division of labor, in which design was centered in the United States and manufacturing in East Asia, toward domestic production. Micron Technology, the world's third-largest memory chipmaker, began construction of a new plant in New York in January despite high labor costs. At the groundbreaking ceremony, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that memory chipmakers face a choice between paying steep tariffs or building facilities in the United States. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also signaled plans to enter semiconductor production in Texas. Internal challenges are no less serious. Securing talent is the first urgent issue, as the semiconductor industry ultimately depends on skilled workers. Korea's past success in industries such as shipbuilding and nuclear energy was driven by its concentration of top talent. Today, however, medical schools attract many of the country's best students. At the same time, experienced engineers are being recruited abroad by companies in the United States and China offering significantly higher pay. Korea is already one of the world's advanced economies with high net outflows of AI talent, in part due to compensation systems that do not adequately reward performance. Moving toward a more performance-based system may be necessary. Second, labor-management relations must be stabilized. Concerns are growing over the possibility of a strike by the Samsung Electronics union. While union demands for better compensation should not be dismissed, resorting to strikes risks undermining competitiveness. Semiconductor manufacturing requires precision and trust from global clients, and labor disruptions could weaken that trust. Notably, companies such as TSMC, Intel and Nvidia operate without unions. Third, political interference must be minimized. Politicians have sought to attract semiconductor clusters to their own regions, often prioritizing local interests over national strategy. Such competition can lead to redundant infrastructure, weaken industrial ecosystems and accelerate the outflow of talent. It reflects a short-term approach that could damage a sector central to the national economy. China has set 2030 as its targ...

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a national address that the United States would deliver "extremely powerful strikes" against Iran within the next two to three weeks and that "we will bring them back to the Stone Age." On the Strait of Hormuz, he added that countries dependent on the route will have to resolve it themselves. The remarks have dampened expectations for a near-term end to the conflict and raised concerns that tensions will escalate further. An energy crisis and supply chain disruption are likely to intensify. Trump's statement that affected countries should handle the issue of the strait on their own places a significant burden on Korea. If the United States reduces its direct involvement, it may instead increase pressure on partner countries to contribute militarily. Iran could also demand substantial transit fees, further complicating the situation. The government must prepare for all possible scenarios. Close communication and coordination with countries facing similar risks will be essential. Particularly notable was Trump's expression of dissatisfaction with Korea during an Easter luncheon before the address. He said Korea "was not helpful" despite the United States stationing 45,000 troops "in a dangerous place, right next to nuclear forces," signaling potential friction in bilateral relations. Regardless of how the conflict develops, Korea faces a difficult path ahead. Managing immediate energy supply challenges will not be easy. At the same time, Seoul may be confronted with what could be interpreted as a political and security "bill" from the Trump administration. Such demands may be linked to broader economic and security interests, including the possible redeployment of U.S. air defense assets currently positioned in the Middle East. This could directly affect Korea's security posture and alliance arrangements. A careful and strategic response is required. Strengthening communication with the United States while minimizing potential burdens should be a priority. However, given recent signs of discord between the two governments, concerns remain about whether communication channels are functioning effectively and whether mutual trust has been sufficiently established. The government should mobilize all available diplomatic networks to enhance engagement with the Trump administration and avoid unnecessary disadvantages. The risks extend beyond the economy and may spread across security and foreign policy as well. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Seo Ji-eun, Cho Jung-woo and read by an artificial voice. [EXPLAINER] While much of the world reacts to the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran by stockpiling bottled water or canned goods, Koreans have turned their attention to a more domestic essential: plastic garbage bags. "I visited four different convenience stores this week and kept coming up empty. I finally managed to find one at the fifth location," said Lee Sang-hwa, living in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi. "With a baby at home, we go through a 20-liter bag every two to three days just for diapers. [As I couldn't find my usual size,] I secured a 50-liter bag." Lee is far from alone. Hyper-local community platforms like Karrot were flooded with posts from anxious residents sharing inventory sightings at specific retail outlets or offering to share their remaining stash with neighbors in need. Since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, the protracted war in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. For Korea, the instability has led to a supply crunch of naphtha — a key feedstock for petrochemical products — with the ripples now reaching the very bottom of the household waste bin. Public anxiety reached a tipping point following recent news reports that raw material inventories for garbage bags had dwindled to just a one-month supply. The revelation triggered a sense of déjà vu, drawing comparisons to the 2020 Covid-19 mask shortage, which saw citizens braving long lines at pharmacies for rationed supplies. Adding to the tension was a moment of policy whiplash on Wednesday. Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan initially suggested the government might implement "mask-like" rationing to curb hoarding. However, the Blue House overruled the proposal later in the day, saying that direct regulation is not under consideration. The current trash bag panic in Korea boils down to a fundamental and fragile link in the global supply chain: the petrochemical industry. The core material for Korea's standard garbage bags is polyethylene (PE), a versatile plastic derived from naphtha. Crude oil is refined to produce naphtha at temperatures between 75 and 150 degrees Celsius (167 and 302 Fahrenheit). This naphtha is then cracked to produce ethylene, which finally undergoes polymerization to become the PE film we recognize as a trash bag. Because naphtha is a refined product of crude oil, any instability in the Middle East — the world's primary oil tap — vibrates directly through the supply chain. As international oil prices soar due to the ongoing conflict, the cost of these raw materials has followed suit. According to the Korea Federation of Plastics Industry Cooperatives, the supply price of PE jumped by approximately 200,000 won ($138) per ton in March alone. The outlook for April is even grimmer, with manufacturers having already received notices of impending hikes ranging from 400,000 to 800,000 won per ton. When the Korea JoongAng Daily surveyed several convenience stores and retail outlets across western and central Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday, the experience varied wildly by neighborhood. In Yeongdeungpo District, household-sized bags were still largely available. Moving toward the center of the city in Yongsan District, however, the most common 10-liter and 20-liter bags were almost entirely sold out across multiple locations. "Some people seem to wait for the exact moment I step out and only the part-time worker is behind the counter to sweep up the bags in a single go," said one convenience store owner in Yongsan, surnamed Seo. Seo recounted instances where customers accused her of hiding stock for herself, even threatening to report her to the district office. To protect herself, Seo has posted an official notice from the Yongsan District Office next to the cash register and implemented a self-imposed limit of one bundle, or 10 bags, per customer. In a nearby store, t...

This article is by Sarah Chea, Park Eun-jee and read by an artificial voice. [EXPLAINER] The outbreak of the Iran war has left the fate of 26 Korean-flagged vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz uncertain as cease-fire talks drag on more than a month into the conflict. Many of the Korean ships carrying crude oil and goods such as cars have ties to the United States and are therefore subject to scrutiny by Iran. Even as the possibility of a cease-fire is raised, developments in the Strait of Hormuz appear to be unfolding on a separate track, increasing the likelihood that Iran will continue to exert control over the waterway — including by imposing transit fees. No serious harm to the crew has been reported so far, though some are said to be suffering from trauma after witnessing airstrikes unfold at close range. But the financial toll is mounting, with each isolated vessel reportedly incurring costs of up to $1.43 million per day. Q. How are Korean ships and crews faring in the Strait of Hormuz? A total of 26 Korean–flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, carrying some 600 crew members, including 136 Korean nationals. An additional 37 Koreans are aboard 11 foreign-flagged ships, bringing the total number of stranded Korean nationals in the waterway to 173. Of the 26 ships, 16 are operated by nine major shipping companies, while eight smaller firms operate the remaining 10. Five of the ships are owned by HMM, the country's largest shipping line. Seven are very large crude carriers (VLCCs), along with a mix of petrochemical tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and car carriers, carrying a broad spectrum of industrial essentials, including crude oil, petrochemicals, fertilizers, steel and ammonia. While countries such as Japan, Indonesia and Thailand have secured safe passage for their vessels through separate negotiations with Iran, Korea has refrained from pursuing bilateral talks, maintaining a cautious stance given its ties with the United States. Q. What is Iran's stance? Although Tehran labels Korea a "nonhostile" nation, not a single Korean-flagged vessel has succeeded in exiting the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade. Iran has previously warned that it barred ships from countries it considers hostile — or allied with the United States and Israel — from transiting the waterway. Yet on March 26, Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi told the Korean press that Korea is "nonhostile," suggesting that the current blockade is linked to Korea's extensive trade ties with the United States. Koozechi also said Iran is detaining ships belonging to Saudi Arabia's Aramco, the world's largest oil company, citing its collaboration with U.S. oil firms behind its growth, at an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper on Wednesday. Korea imported a record 174.89 million barrels of crude oil from the United States last year, making it its second-largest supplier after Saudi Arabia, with imports valued at $12.88 billion, according to data from the Korea National Oil Corporation. With crude oil supplies disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, Korea is seeking to expand imports of U.S. oil as an alternative source. In refined fuels such as jet fuel, Korea is the United States' top source, with a roughly 70 percent share due to the technical demands of refining fuel for aircraft operating at high altitudes and low temperatures. If Korea can't source crude from the Middle East, where it relies on around 70 percent of its total imports, it could disrupt jet fuel supplies in the United States. Q. What are the projected economic losses from the stranded vessels? Exact figures are difficult to determine, but the Korea Shipowners' Association estimates that the 26 stranded Korean vessels are collectively losing over $1.43 million per day. Fixed capital costs alone — including charter fees and loan repayments — amount to a collective $630,000 per day, while war-risk insurance premiums run $560,000, and fuel costs a...

This article is by Lee Jian. and read by an artificial voice. At 34 years old, Song Ji-hee is a ballerina — something she once thought she could never become. These days, she pulls on a leotard and tights, ties the ribbons on her toe shoes and heads to the studio for ballet lessons alongside fellow adult amateurs. "I had friends who majored in ballet from a young age. Back then, teachers would select only the most promising children for separate training, so even as a child I felt that there were certain qualifications you had to meet to do ballet," she told the Korea JoongAng Daily via email. In college, Song discovered that her best friend had begun taking ballet classes as a hobby. But what ultimately pushed her to start was her fascination with what she calls "athletic art." "Whenever I imagined ballet, I thought of that light, graceful, beautiful image — and that made me want to learn it even more." Song is one of a growing number of adults in Korea taking up ballet later in life, reshaping perceptions of the art form as something reserved only for the young or professionally trained. Its surge in popularity — particularly visible on social media — has spilled into fashion trends and brand collaborations, cementing ballet as the latest lifestyle obsession. Whether this boom is translating into larger theater audiences for full-length ballet performances, however, remains an open question. Among the influx of social media posts — 456,000 are hashtagged "hobby ballet" in Korean. Ballet Mate Festival, an annual gala for adult amateur ballerinas and ballerinos, has also seen its participant numbers rise steadily from 268 in 2023 to 321 in 2024. Last year, it recorded an all-time high of 390 participants, since the program was founded in 2017. Those in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than half of participants, followed by those in their 40s and 50s, at around 39 percent. Jeon Joon-young of the Performance Planning Team at Wise Ballet Company, the festival's organizer, said that when the first Ballet Mate Festival launched, the words "hobby" and "ballet" were "hardly considered compatible." "It was difficult to find people who practiced ballet as a hobby because ballet was regarded as the exclusive domain of professionals, and for the general public, it was something to be watched only as spectators," he stated via email. "At the time, Kim Gil-yong, current director of Wise Ballet Company, anticipated that Korea would eventually follow Europe, the United States and Japan, where hobby ballet was already steadily growing. With the vision of pioneering a new market and bringing aspiring amateur dancers to the forefront, he founded the Ballet Mate Festival under the slogan 'A Festival for Hobby Ballet Dancers' — the first of its kind in Korea." His prediction appears to have been accurate. Today, hobby ballet classes are easy to find across the country, with even celebrities publicly embracing the art form. "I can't really say I'm doing ballet. It feels more like going to a ballet studio to stretch. It's basically a hobby," K-pop star-turned-actor Suzy said in a YouTube interview in December last year. "Someone recommended it to me as a form of exercise, and I found it fun. The clothes are pretty and suit me well. I enjoyed it more than regular fitness workouts, and because there's music, it feels relaxing." For some, cost is also part of the appeal. Office worker Noh Yoon-seo, 28, said ballet classes can be more affordable than comparable yoga or Pilates sessions. "My ballet class costs about three-quarters of what I used to pay for Pilates," she said. She has been taking hobby ballet lessons since October last year. For Song, however, the appeal runs deeper than trend or convenience. "The more I learn ballet, the more I realize this isn't just exercise — it's art," she said. "I understand why ballet isn't in the Olympics. It's an artistic act: creating the most beautiful lines with your body in harmony with music, alig...

This article is by Kim Ji-ye and read by an artificial voice. Recognizing the growing global influence of Korean content, TikTok will invest more than $50 million in Korea's content ecosystem, the company announced Thursday. "We believe that Korean creators' originality will become a much more powerful asset than ever before," said Jung Jae-hoon, head of operations at TikTok Korea, during a press conference, dubbed "K-Impact Summit 2026," held in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Thursday. "Through this investment, more Korean content will be able to inspire global creativity and deliver joy, helping TikTok advance its mission of bringing creativity and happiness to audiences around the world." Citing the global success of acts such as boy band BTS, Rosé of Blackpink's song "APT." (2024), director Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" (2019) and Netflix's sensational hit "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025), the company emphasized that Korean culture is rapidly becoming a part of the global mainstream. "Korea is no longer a country that follows cultural trends," Jung said. "Korean context and sensibility have confidently become a global mainstream appeal." He added, "K-content is no longer just an export product. It has become a source of inspiration that audiences around the world enjoy, reinterpret and recreate." TikTok noted that content consumption has shifted dramatically, from passive viewing to active discovery, engagement and sharing, with users now playing a central role in shaping cultural trends. In such an environment, the company sees Korea as one of the most attractive markets in this landscape, citing its strong content infrastructure, fast-adapting Korean creators and powerful fandom community. To boost the global reach of K-content, TikTok will focus on fostering two key groups through the investment: creators, referred to as "Wave Makers" who drive cultural trends, and professional content partners, called "Amplifiers." As part of its initiative, it introduced four programs on Thursday aimed at strengthening its Korean creator ecosystem, including reward programs. "There are still so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Korea," Jung said, referring to untapped K-content creators. Launched on Wednesday, the Creator Rewards Program: 2X offers double reward payouts exclusively for Korean-language content — the highest incentive rate in TikTok's global rewards programs, according to the company. TikTok added that accounts must be created in Korea to be eligible, meaning creators using Korean language content from accounts created overseas will not qualify. Others include the Specialized Rewards Program, which will offer three times the standard payout for content in select categories — film, TV and sports. To attract and foster creators, TikTok will launch the Creator Growth Challenge and the Creator Incubator Program on May 1. When the programs will end has yet to be decided, according to Ko, and will be determined based on the creators' and users' responses. The company also plans to invest in expanding collaborations with professional content partners across sports, news and entertainment. In sports, TikTok announced that it is preparing with FIFA to release content during the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America this year. It will also continue its partnership with the K League and the KBO, while expanding collaboration with a broader range of sports leagues and associations.

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice. [INTERVIEW] Yu Ji-suk, art director of the National Gugak Center's folk orchestra and certified instructor of seodo sori (a genre of Korean folk song that originated from the northwestern provinces), has recently added an unusual entry to her illustrious career: performing "Arirang" in front of Gwanghwamun for K-pop megaband BTS's comeback performance. "It was quite a tough project, but whether it was big or small, my team and I were able to play a role in performing 'Arirang' to the global audience, and it will be remembered as a happy memory," the 63-year-old director said in a recent interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. " Gugak [Korean traditional music] is such a highly specialized and niche music genre, but the fact that it was able to be played at the symbolic Gwanghwamun Square means something." Yu and her team, comprising four vocalists and eight instrumentalists, performed about a minute of "Arirang" on March 21 before some 22,000 ticket holders gathered to celebrate BTS's comeback after nearly four years. Geomungo player Lee Jae-ha, a member of the folk orchestra, participated in remixing the "Arirang" music for the performance as well. "We rehearsed walking out of [Gyeongbok Palace] when rehearsing at Kintex [an exhibition hall in Goyang], but when we actually did it, the organizer ought to have thought that it didn't deliver as well as expected. Since it was going to be livestreamed, there needed to be no accident whatsoever, so we changed at the last minute to performing standing still," she said. Toward the end of "Body to Body," which opened the Gwanghwamun performance, the melody of "Arirang" overlapped with the song's predominant hip-hop rhythm before taking over for about 30 seconds, which was the part responsible for by Yu's team. When the part starts, the camera, which had been focused on BTS on a special stage at Gwanghwamun Square, moves back to the woldae [elevated stone walkway] area in front of Gwanghwamun, where Yu and her team were standing by. "If reviving gugak and Korean tradition is one of their motifs after all, then performing 'Arirang' on stage with a master singer of Korea's folk songs — even if it's not me — would be meaningful." The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q. You are a master of seodo sori, songs that have roots in Hwanghae and Pyeongan Provinces, known for their sorrowful yet bold sounds. What was it like for you to record "Arirang"? A. When I first received the demo for the part that I was going to sing, the notes were slightly different compared to the "Arirang" that I knew. It was a bit more rhythmic. It felt unfamiliar, but at the same time quite interesting. They suggested recording it instead of performing it live on site. I thought, "Oh, that would make the job much easier." I sang the first verse and sang together with my team for the second verse. The music director told me that my vocals were more sorrowful compared to others, probably because that's the sentiment of seodo sori. I wanted to record a bit more, but they said they could fine-tune it. When I heard the final version, they had refined it, of course, especially the high pitch. "Arirang" has a very high note, so it's quite hard to make it sound solid and full-bodied. I got the feeling that they made it sound brighter and more upbeat. The team's wardrobe is not what's usually worn for a Korean traditional music performance. What was the intention? We're used to wearing hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) and putting on a low bun, but the outfits presented for the Gwanghwamun concert were quite modern. We thought it didn't match, so we asked for a few fixes, such as taking in the waist of the skirt. Our male performers' outfits were mostly shades of blue, while the females' were red. At first, male performers were also considering wearing gat (a Korean traditional hat for males). They explained that the overall co...

This article is by Kim Kyung-hee and read by an artificial voice. Thirties are the new 20s, at least for working women, with the employment rate for women aged 30 to 34 exceeding that of 25-to-29-year-olds for the first time since 1995 last year, effectively eliminating the "M-shaped curve" phenomenon, where the employment rate of women in their 30s typically declines due to career interruptions caused by childbirth and child care. The shift in the trend was found through an analysis of data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (Kosis) by the JoongAng Ilbo on Wednesday. The employment rate for women aged 30 to 34 reached 75.1 percent last year. This exceeded the employment rate of women aged 25 to 29, which stood at 73.6 percent. Employment rate data has been tracked since 1980. This was the first reversal since the employment rate for women aged 25 to 34 first exceeded 50 percent in 1997. In terms of labor force participation — which for this data set includes both the employed and unemployed not actively seeking work — women in their early 30s recorded 77.4 percent, slightly below the 77.8 percent for women in their late 20s. The gap between the two groups has nearly closed. The previous pattern, in which the employment of women in their 30s dropped due to childbirth and child care to create an "M-curve" trend on a line graph, has essentially flattened, and is even trending toward an inverted "U-curve." "The flattening of the M-shaped curve is primarily the result of delaying or opting out of marriage and childbirth to avoid career interruption," said Min Se-jin, a professor of economics at Dongguk University. "Women born between 1985 and 1996 — often called the 'M generation' — prioritize careers and tend to push marriage to a later stage." Lower birthrates and difficulty finding jobs at younger ages are also contributing factors. Women in their 30s — many of whom experienced rising housing prices and slow economic growth after 2015 — are increasingly prioritizing financial stability and delaying or forgoing marriage and childbirth. Although the total fertility rate has rebounded for two consecutive years, it remained in the 0.8 range as of last year, while the share of unmarried women aged 30 to 34 reached 58 percent. The average age of childbirth rose from 30.2 in 2005 to 33.8 last year, with women aged 35 and older accounting for 37.3 percent of all births last year. The labor force participation rate for women born between 1988 and 1992 — who were 30 to 34 in 2022 — stood at 75 percent, up 8.8 percentage points from 66.2 percent for women born between 1983 and 1987, according to the analysis of Kosis data. The share of women with children, meanwhile, fell from 46.9 percent to 32.3 percent. Government policies supporting work-life balance, such as expanded paternity leave and child care support, also appear to have had an effect. Men accounted for 36.4 percent of all parental leave users last year, according to employment statistics. The number of working mothers has also increased. Data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics shows that as of April last year, the employment rate for married women under the age of 54 living with children under 18 reached 64.3 percent. The share of married women who experienced career interruptions fell to 14.9 percent. Although the number of births began to rebound in the second half of 2024, experts caution against optimism, noting that the increase is the result of more women entering their early 30s, the prime childbearing age, rather than a structural change. In fact, the number of women aged 30 to 34 is expected to decline from 1.67 million this year to 1.23 million in a decade, according to population projections from the Data Ministry, and slide by more than 30 percent in 20 years compared to now. Despite this, the vice chair position of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy has remained vacant for three months since December of last...

This article is by Lim Sun-young, Choi Hyun-ju, Noh Yu-rim and read by an artificial voice. In the kitchen of Nuwa, a Chinese restaurant in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on March 20, chef Park Eun-yeong, known as the "goddess of Chinese food," was cooking with Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce. Park has used the sauce that changed the course of her culinary career for years. As a college student in 2011, she won a Lee Kum Kee cooking competition with a pork dish made with the sauce, and the prize — a trip to Hong Kong — opened her eyes to the world of gastronomy. Lee Kum Kee, the 138-year-old global sauce brand based in Hong Kong, exports more than 300 kinds of sauces and condiments to over 100 regions. Since 2007, it has held an annual cooking competition to discover chefs from around the world and spread its products across global markets. Along the same lines, Korean sauces are drawing attention in the restaurant and food industries as a practical answer for the future of K-food. For K-food to secure a place on tables around the world, experts say a strategy that allows it to blend naturally into local food cultures is needed. Sauces have an advantage because they can be easily applied to local dishes, lowering the barrier to cooking and making it easier to expand into a wide range of recipes. Overseas, Korean sauces are already spreading rapidly. Exports of Korean sauces reached $410 million in 2025, up 4.6 percent from 2024, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The product lineup is also growing more diverse, ranging from traditional condiments such as gochujang (chili paste) and doenjang (bean paste) to meat marinades, tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) sauce and chicken sauce. Food companies are also stepping up their push into overseas markets. Dongwon Home Food's low-sugar, low-calorie sauce brand Vivid Kitchen now exports 37 products, including kimchi salsa and gochujang hot sauce, to multiple regions including the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Vietnam. As of early this year, sales on Amazon in the United States have surged more than 600 percent from a year ago. Overseas sales in the sauce business at Samyang Foods, which exports products including Buldak Sauce to around 50 regions, also rose four and a half times, from 8.4 billion won ($5.6 million) in 2021 to 38 billion won last year. CJ CheilJedang is also seeing an average annual growth of 12 percent in overseas sauce sales. These companies are expanding beyond the consumer market into the business-to-business market, supplying sauces to restaurants and other food service operators. "Sauces can improve the current structure of K-food exports, which remains concentrated in a few categories such as ramyeon and snacks, and they can become a new growth engine," said a source in the food industry. But industry voices say more active government support for exports is required to make that happen. For K-food to become an everyday staple around the world, the number of chefs who can cook Korean food locally and help spread it also needs to grow. Critics say, however, that the educational foundation for systematically training Korean cuisine talent remains insufficient. Of the roughly 100 culinary departments at two- and four-year colleges in Korea, fewer than 10 schools have Korean cuisine departments or similar programs dedicated to training Korean food specialists. Among them, only a handful offer K-food classes in English for foreign students. The D-4-5 visa for Korean cuisine training also acts as a further barrier to entry. Experts agree that broader institutional support is needed. "To actively train foreign K-food chefs, the government needs to provide universities with a standardized Korean cuisine curriculum and expand English-language courses," said Kim Hye-young, chair of the Korean culinary arts and food science program at Woosong University. Other countries already have culinary education institutions established a...

Kim Sung-jae The author is a business administration professor at Furman University and author of "The Story of Tariffs" (2025). On Oct. 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights lost in the 1967 war. The conflict, which erupted on Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day, quickly took an unexpected turn. Israel, accustomed to swift victories in earlier wars, had underestimated the risk of conflict. Egypt's President Anwar Sadat, by contrast, reformed a military long weakened by corruption and inefficiency, while strengthening it with Soviet support. In the early stages, Egyptian forces seized the initiative by crossing the Suez Canal. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir requested assistance, prompting the United States to provide military support. Once Israel regained air superiority, the tide turned. As Israeli counterattacks pushed Egyptian forces toward encirclement, a ceasefire was reached on Oct. 25 through United Nations mediation. The aftermath proved more consequential. Six days before the ceasefire, U.S. President Richard Nixon asked Congress to expand military aid to Israel, triggering backlash from Arab oil producers. Led by Saudi Arabia, nine nations imposed an oil embargo on the United States and its allies. Over five months, ending March 18 the following year, global oil prices quadrupled. The surge in oil prices delivered a severe supply shock. Inflation surged into double digits while growth slowed, ushering in stagflation. Countries responded by implementing energy-saving measures and establishing strategic petroleum reserves. Today, the global economy again faces stagflation risk following a war that began in late February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. While hopes for an early end remain, oil supply conditions continue to worsen. The scale is different. The 1973 embargo cut about 4.5 million barrels per day. In contrast, disruptions linked to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz have reduced supply by roughly 20 million barrels per day. Flows of natural gas and fertilizer feedstocks have also declined sharply. The differences go beyond volume. In the 1970s, Iran did not join the embargo and helped buffer supply. Diplomatic efforts led by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger helped persuade Saudi Arabia to lift the embargo early, allowing supplies to recover. Now, there is little certainty over when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Even if passage resumes, restoring supply will take time. Diplomatic options also appear limited. Ultimately, the issue is not just higher oil prices but the persistence and spread of the shock. The lesson of the 1970s is clear: Supply disruptions often begin underestimated, but their costs exceed expectations. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

John Everad The author is the former British ambassador to North Korea. I took a particular interest in the visit to North Korea by Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, on March 25 and 26, as I have served as an ambassador to both countries. Two questions arise from the visit. First is the purpose of Lukashenko's trip. The friendship treaty signed by the two leaders has not been released, though it reportedly covers areas such as agriculture, health care and science. Both sides described it as the start of a new relationship, but its substance is likely to remain limited. Both countries face economic constraints and are not natural trade partners. The new Belarusian Embassy in Pyongyang that Lukashenko announced is likely to be largely symbolic. The timing of the visit is also questionable. Although North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invited Lukashenko in September of last year, the arrangements appeared rushed. The welcoming crowds were small, Belarusian flags were scarce, and the official performance took place in a modest venue. Even allowing for differences from the reception given to Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, such details are unusual for a country as attentive to protocol as North Korea. Lukashenko's visit can be understood in the context of changing relations between Belarus and the United States. He has recently shown interest in improving ties with the West. Engagement with envoys from President Donald Trump has led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, including opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's husband. A visit to Minsk by U.S. envoy John Coale on March 19 further raised expectations of a possible summit with Trump. Belarus could gain significantly from such a deal, including sanctions relief, expanded trade and investment. Lukashenko, who sees himself as a mediator, may be seeking to demonstrate his usefulness by facilitating communication between Washington and Pyongyang. The war in Iran is another factor. Trump is under pressure to shift attention away from the conflict, particularly with midterm elections approaching. Lukashenko may believe that arranging talks between Trump and Kim would strengthen his position in negotiations with Washington. The rushed nature of the Pyongyang visit and references by Belarusian officials to relations with major powers suggest this possibility. Kim, for his part, may also see value in renewed dialogue. North Korea faces potential fuel shortages as disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz affect energy flows. Reports that Pyongyang has asked Russia to increase oil shipments support this concern. Engagement with the United States could offer economic benefits, and Kim may calculate that Trump's political urgency gives him leverage. For both Kim and Trump, Lukashenko offers a useful intermediary, reducing the risks of direct engagement. However, such mediation carries significant risks. Lukashenko may raise expectations unrealistically, increasing the chance of failure similar to the collapse of the Hanoi summit in 2019. A second failure would damage North Korea-U.S. relations. A more serious concern is the potential marginalization of South Korea. Trump may prioritize a visible diplomatic success over long-term stability on the Korean Peninsula. Kim could exploit this by excluding denuclearization and sidelining Seoul while seeking concessions such as recognition of North Korea and economic support. The United States may accept such terms and shift the burden onto South Korea. An early summit driven by Lukashenko's initiative could therefore destabilize the Korean Peninsula. What appears to be a diplomatic opportunity may, in reality, carry substantial risk.

The author is the head of the editorial board at the JoongAng Ilbo. Two long-standing taboos in Middle East conflict appear to have been broken in the Iran war. The first is that the United States and Israel do not fight together. Historically, that pattern held. During the four Arab-Israeli wars, Washington supported Israel indirectly but avoided direct involvement. Conversely, Israel did not join U.S.-led wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. This division of roles reflected not only strategic coordination but also a broader effort to prevent escalation across the region. That understanding began to erode during last year's short conflict and has now been decisively broken in the current war. President Donald Trump may have calculated his own interests, but prevailing assessments suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a key role in encouraging confrontation. Trump, emboldened by what he viewed as a success in Venezuela, appeared ready to extend his approach to the Middle East. The dynamic resembled a classic stratagem of driving one force to attack another. Yet such tactics do not always unfold as intended. The actor that unleashes force may lose control of it, or see gains slip away to others. In some cases, the force that is mobilized becomes exhausted first or fails to deliver the expected outcome. A second broken taboo is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. For years, Iran treated the option as a deterrent rather than an action. This time, it moved closer to implementation. Even without confirmed deployment of naval mines, shipping has been disrupted and global markets have reacted as if the threat were real. The effectiveness of the move may have surprised even Tehran. Having tested its leverage, Iran may now treat the strait as a durable and reusable instrument of pressure. Trump's apparent exit strategy suggests that the United States will step back from the Hormuz issue and expect others to secure their own access to energy supplies. Yet it is unlikely that Iran will relinquish control without extracting concessions. Reports indicate that transit fees of about $2 million per tanker are under consideration. If such measures take hold, Iran's geopolitical position could strengthen despite the damage it has suffered, producing an outcome contrary to Washington's intentions and calculations. The outcome of war has long been explained through timing, terrain and human factors. It is unclear which of these Trump secured before entering the conflict. In modern terms, timing reflects alignment with broader international conditions and political momentum. Trump may have believed that circumstances favored decisive action, but that judgment is now open to question. More critical miscalculations appear in terrain and human factors. As the Financial Times noted, Trump has shown a tendency to hand strategic advantages to his opponent. By prompting Iran to leverage Hormuz, he effectively ceded a key geographic advantage. The human dimension has also proven resistant. Trump suggested that removing Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could reignite domestic unrest and lead to systemic change. Instead, developments have moved in the opposite direction. Leaders killed by external forces risk becoming symbols of resistance, while successors emerge within a resilient political and ideological system. The assumption that internal opposition would quickly translate into regime change appears misplaced and overly optimistic. Historical analogies underscore the risk. In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (14th century), a strategy intended to provoke conflict ultimately weakened the initiator and exposed new vulnerabilities. Trump, too, appears to have incurred losses. Politically, the war complicates prospects ahead of midterm elections. Personally, it diminishes the plausibility of ambitions such as a Nobel Peace Prize. Internationally, it has strained perceptions of U.S. leadership and credibility among allies and...

Hopes are rising for an end to the Iran war, which was triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, "All I have to do is leave Iran. We will leave soon," and indicated that military operations could cease in two to three weeks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also signaled an openness to ending the conflict, provided that conditions are met to prevent further aggression. With both sides publicly expressing such an intent despite their differences over cease-fire terms, expectations of the war ending have grown. Korea's stock market, which had fallen sharply after the outbreak of the crisis, rebounded more than 8 percent on Wednesday, reflecting this renewed optimism. Still, it is too early to assume the conflict will end soon. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the United States will "negotiate with bombs" and deployed the 82nd Airborne Division, Marine forces and B-52 strategic bombers to sustain pressure on Iran. Iran's resistance also remains firm. However, while significant obstacles to a settlement remain, Trump's plan to deliver a national address and his earlier remark about receiving a "gift from Iran" have raised expectations that negotiations may be advancing, even if the details remain unclear. The greater concern lies in how Korea should respond to the shifting global order. The Trump administration has indicated that countries should manage passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked due to the war, on their own, and Iran has reportedly imposed transit fees of $2 million per oil tanker. For Korea, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports, the burden is unlikely to ease even after the conflict ends. Damage to oil and liquefied natural gas facilities has further heightened supply risks and exposed structural vulnerabilities. The government should therefore reassess its energy response measures and maintain an emergency posture by diversifying supply sources. It should also replenish U.S. Forces Korea assets that may have been redeployed during the crisis while strengthening the alliance with the United States and sustaining regional security cooperation in Northeast Asia. Effective diplomacy requires securing national interests at such sensitive and uncertain moments. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. Korea will elevate its resource security status for crude oil to "alert" starting 12 a.m. Thursday — the third-highest level in the country's four-tier system — as the war in the Middle East continues to strain global supply channels. The level for natural gas will be raised to "caution," the second tier, as instability mounts in energy markets, particularly for liquefied natural gas (LNG), following Qatar's March 5 declaration of force majeure after an attack by Iran on its Ras Laffan LNG plant. The elevation in crude oil alert status marks a three-tier jump in a month after the government first issued an "attention" advisory on March 5, right after the war outbreak, and raised it to "caution" on March 18 due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which around 25 percent of global seaborne oil transits daily. Korea's crude oil imports have come to a complete standstill since March 20, when the last tanker to have transited the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 finally docked at port. In the case of natural gas, benchmark prices across East Asia have surged sharply, raising the prospect of higher electricity and heating costs. Still, the government maintains that supply remains manageable through year's end, having secured alternative volumes via spot purchases and overseas resource development. To stabilize crude supply, the government will launch a coordinated outreach effort targeting countries with confirmed export capacity that does not rely on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, leveraging commercial attachés and the global Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency network. Korea already decided to release 20 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude from strategic reserves to domestic refiners through swap arrangements, a stopgap measure they say will be sufficient to meet demand through the end of June. "Aligned with the elevated crisis alert, the government will shift to a more robust, higher-level response framework," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, urging citizens to actively participate in overcoming the current emergency. Starting April 8, the Environment Ministry will tighten its vehicle-use restrictions for public-sector workers to a two-day rotation — known colloquially as an "odd-even system" — which bans vehicle use every other day based on license plate numbers. This represents a step up from the five-day rotation implemented on March 25, which restricts cars from operating on a designated weekday each week. Under the system, vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers will be permitted on odd-numbered dates, while those ending in even numbers will be allowed on even-numbered days. The policy will apply to roughly 1.3 million cars in 11,000 entities, including central government ministries, public agencies, local governments and provincial education offices, as well as to public elementary, middle and high schools. Still, the affected vehicles account for less than 7 percent of the total fleet, as authorities have opted to maintain voluntary participation for the private sector. The five-day rotation system will also be introduced at roughly 30,000 paid on-street and off-street parking lots run by local governments and other public institutions. The government explained that the heightened system could reduce oil consumption by up to 87,000 barrels per month. Including restrictions at public parking lots, monthly savings could reach as much as 114,000 barrels. "Regulations for the private sector remain voluntary for now, but should the resource security alert be elevated to 'serious,' we will then consider implementing mandatory measures," said Oh Il-young, director-general for the Climate and Energy Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, during a press briefing on Wednesday. Naphtha, already under strain from disruptions to crude imports, has been placed under an export b...

This article is by Seo Ji-eun and read by an artificial voice. Despite growing concern in Seoul that Washington's focus on the war with Iran has caused the Korea-U.S. nuclear submarine project agreed to at last year's summit to stall, a senior U.S. lawmaker said the administration has given Congress an unambiguous pledge that the initiative remains on track. Rep. Ami Bera, a Democrat of California and a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily in Seoul on Wednesday delivered a direct reassurance on one of the alliance's most closely watched — and most anxiously debated — commitments: the nuclear-powered submarine project pledged in the joint fact sheet signed by Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in Gyeongju last October. Bera traveled to Seoul, leading a six-member bipartisan delegation of lawmakers from the U.S. Congressional Study Group on Korea, which he co-chairs. Bera said Thomas DiNanno, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, pledged that "the administration was firmly committed" to the submarine project, adding that he raised the question directly in a congressional committee hearing just last week. He plans to convene a follow-up meeting with Republican colleagues to begin working through the technical and legislative details. On the complex legal and technical hurdles involved — nuclear fuel arrangements, 123 agreements and where the submarines would ultimately be built — Bera pointed to the Aukus submarine pact between Australia, Britain and the United States as the most viable model for moving forward. "There's a template in that deal that allows us to work on this with Korea," he said. "We were able to work through that with Australia." Now on his 12th visit to Seoul in 14 years in Congress, Bera argued that the old framing of the United States as Korea's protector no longer captures the reality on the ground. "Whereas maybe a decade, two decades ago, it was the United States being a big brother to Korea," said Bera. "Today, they are siblings that are partners." The shift, he said, is most visible in the industrial domain. American naval shipyards are struggling with aging infrastructure and a shrinking work force — and Korea, he said, is now essential to fixing that. "Korean shipbuilding is far ahead of where U.S. shipbuilding is, and we need Korean companies to help revitalize American shipbuilding," Bera said, pointing to Hanwha's acquisition of Philly Shipyard as a blueprint for rebuilding American industrial capabilities. "It should be a positive thing that I think Korean companies should be proud of," he added. The reassurances on the submarine project arrive amid acute uncertainty over tariffs, which have rattled Korean businesses and raised questions about the durability of planned investments in the United States. "President Trump sometimes is more transactional," acknowledged Bera, though he pointed to both Congress and the courts as counterweights. The Supreme Court, he noted, has already ruled that some of the administration's tariffs are unconstitutional — and that Congress must now act. "I would hope that we can work through these issues in Congress," he said. He also stressed that the bipartisan consensus within Congress on the alliance itself has not moved. "Within Congress, nothing has changed about the importance that the United States Congress sees about the alliance on the Korean Peninsula," he said, describing the bipartisan consensus as a "safety net" against the turbulence of the current moment. Bera pushed back against the Trump administration's recurring characterization of allies as benefiting from American military power without paying their fair share. "I don't see Korea as a free rider," he said flatly, highlighting Lee's commitment to raising Korea's defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP — well beyond the 2 percent NATO benchmark t...

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. Buoyed by mild, rain-free weather in recent weeks, as well as the Tulip Festival and the soft opening of its fireworks show, the amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi, has already drawn around 250,000 visitors since Feb. 20, an on-year increase of 30 percent. The first major transformation begins at the Grand Stage, where Everland's new circus show, "Wings of Memory," comes to life. Created in collaboration with Cirque Éloizev, a globally renowned circus company that has staged over 7,000 performances across 700 cities, and featuring performers with experience in "Cirque du Soleil," the show moves beyond a simple string of high-level acts to tell a story. It follows E.L, the young protagonist who is drawn into a magical world after encountering a mystical swan — one that glides and flies across the stage, delicately controlled by a performer. From there, the narrative unfolds, blending high-level acts and dances performed by 24 performers. The show is performed twice daily at 3:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Visitors with an admission ticket can watch it free of charge. Bringing the wild closer After about a year of preparation, Safari World — one of Everland's most popular attractions since 1976, visited by roughly three out of 10 guests — has been recreated with a clear philosophy: better lives for animals and a better experience for visitors. The habitats have been expanded to give animals more freedom, with new environmental elements designed to encourage natural behaviors. Where the previous setup focused on up-close viewing of eight types of predatory animals, including lions, tigers, hyenas and bears — often with staff drawing them near the safari buses using food — the new environment prioritizes animal welfare, allowing visitors to observe them in more natural settings. "Our animals will now be able to greet visitors in a more beautiful, healthy and happy state within their newly improved ecological environment," said Jeong Dong-hee, Everland's zoo director, during a tour with reporters held Tuesday for a firsthand preview of the new offerings. The experience unfolds across themed zones inspired by the animals' habitats: the open plains of "Savanna Grassland" for lions, the tense, shadowy "Predator Forest" for tigers and the rugged "Northern Forest" for brown bears. The driver, who doubles as a guide during the tour, calls out, "Doctor!" Soon after, a recorded "doctor" voice fills the bus with facts. "Male Korean tigers can reach up to 3.3 meters [10.8 feet] in length and weigh as much as 370 kilograms [815.7 pounds]," the voice explains. While watching the animals is fascinating, the added narration — with both the guide and the "doctor" explaining their characteristics — further enhances the experience. K-pop meets fireworks But the biggest surprise happens after sunset. At 9:18 p.m., all the lights and signboards of buildings near Four Seasons Garden go out. Two minutes later, Everland's new multimedia fireworks show begins. Titled "The Guardians of Light," the show blends K-pop, storytelling and cutting-edge visuals as well as drones to become something closer to a live concert than a traditional fireworks display. Directed by Yang Jeong-woong, known for large-scale productions such as the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics opening ceremony and the cultural performance for the 2025 APEC summit in Gyeongju, the show follows a character named Lenny, with narration by actor Lee Sang-yoon bringing the story to life. "This time, we recorded with a full orchestra to create a richer, more immersive sound," said Kim Hee-jin, Everland's creative director. During the show, drones with character dolls onboard glide overhead. Laser projections ripple across the sky. Fire bursts in sync with the storyline. For most of the show, the fireworks remain restrained. Then comes the finale, when thousands erupt at once, filling the sky with colors and delivering a satisfying, ...

This article is by Kim Ji-ye and read by an artificial voice. The confirmed sequel to global sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025) will bring the unexpected just like it did with the first one, according to co-director Chris Appelhans on Wednesday. "I think part of what inspires us [when] working on the sequel is we want to do things that we did the first time," Appelhans said during the film's press conference in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. The event took place to celebrate the movie's Oscars accolades and was attended by co-directors Appelhans and Maggie Kang; singer-songwriter EJAE, who worked on the soundtrack and provided the singing voice for the protagonist, Rumi; and the music producer trio IDO. "Not in the sense of repeating, but in the sense of surprising those fans [and] doing things that are unexpected, that are breaking rules, that are pushing the boundaries — and underneath all of that, the authenticity. The Korean-ness is the soul of the movie on every level, from the [...] characters to the music to the mythology," Appelhans explained. Released in June 2025, "KPop Demon Hunters" and its soundtrack, including the viral hit "Golden" (2025), have earned major awards since their release, such as the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Most recently, the movie and "Golden" won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, respectively, at the 98th Academy Awards last month. The film revolves around Rumi, Mira and Zoey, members of the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X who secretly hunt demons to protect the world. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they encounter the Saja Boys, a rival boy band made up of demons disguised as humans. Kang previously mentioned the possibility of incorporating trot and heavy metal into the sequel's soundtrack during a press event in Korea last August. At this press conference, she noted that such a chance remains. "My thoughts [about including trot and heavy metal] haven't changed, but the story hasn't been set yet," said Kang. "Trot is a uniquely Korean [music] style, so I'd love to introduce it more to the world. And since heavy metal is also part of K-pop's base, I'd like to explore that genre as well." She added that they are still at the early stage of the sequel and "working on its big picture." "Just like with the first film, I want to [...] create a [movie] that I personally want to see," Kang said. "For the [sequel], we plan to make it bigger and more eventful." As for the possible return of Jinu, the leader of the Saja Boys and Rumi's love interest, the directors were tight-lipped. "Jinu is alive in our hearts. Beyond that, we can't say anything," Appelhans said. Kang also reflected on her experience as a Korean living abroad, noting that there has often been a sense of misunderstanding surrounding the diaspora. Seeing a story like this resonate globally, she said, highlights the role of art in bridging cultures. "Now that we have reached this kind of a global market — especially in entertainment — I do think a lot of us [...] who kind of are skirting both cultures, we are the ones who will be bridging that gap [...] whether it's Korean or not," Kang said. "I really wanted to recognize those people that are like me and EJAE, and I wanted to [...] celebrate that we are part of this culture [that] may be different, but it doesn't make us any less Korean than anybody who was born or lived here." EJAE also shared her experience of performing "Golden" at the Oscars alongside Rei Ami, the singing voice of Zoey, and Audrey Nuna, the singing voice of Mira. The performance featured traditional Korean instruments and pansori, a traditional Korean method of musical storytelling. "I actually cried a lot during rehearsals," EJAE said. "It was such a proud moment for me as a Korean, seeing gugak [traditional Korean music] and pansori on such a big stage in the United States." During the performance, Hollywood stars, such as actors Leonardo DiCaprio and...

This article is by Lee Jae-lim and read by an artificial voice. [NEWS ANALYSIS] TurboQuant, Google's latest AI efficiency breakthrough, has rattled memory semiconductor markets — dragging down shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix and Micron — amid concerns that its compression technology could dampen memory demand. Those concerns have intensified on the belief that easing memory bottlenecks in data processing could reduce the need for additional capacity. Samsung Electronics slipped 4.7 percent and SK hynix shares fell 6.2 percent on March 26 compared to the day before, following Google Research's dissertations about the breakthrough posted on its blog. The shares spiraled after the announcement, but rebounded sharply on Wednesday amid signs of a potential end to the Iran war. The shares of U.S. memory suppliers such as Micron and SanDisk also plummeted 6.9 and 11 percent, respectively, during the same period. Analysts and academics, however, say the reaction is overblown, arguing that the technology should be better understood as a more efficient way to process data rather than a factor that would significantly curb long-term memory demand or the ongoing supply shortage. TurboQuant compresses an AI model's short-term memory, known as the Key-Value (KV) cache, reducing the amount of data that must be stored and transferred. The technology cuts KV cache usage to one-sixth while maintaining near-original accuracy, according to Google, resulting in up to an eightfold boost in inference speed on Nvidia H100 GPUs. This allows AI systems to run faster, handle longer inputs and serve more users simultaneously without needing more hardware. The KV cache has long been a major bottleneck in AI inference, contributing to memory latency and rising compute costs as models process larger volumes of information with longer interactions with users as the technology advances. Since models must retain prior interactions to generate contextually relevant responses, memory demands grow with longer conversations. Will TurboQuant reduce memory demand? The market consensus maintains that the memory upcycle will persist, supported by long-term supply agreements — often three years or longer — with major tech companies such as Google and Microsoft, which are already being finalized. Such commitments would be unlikely if a near-term price decline were expected. However, some investors point to the possibility that a scale-back in price hikes could dampen the appeal of memory stocks. Even so, with supply still tight and higher memory prices constraining consumer electronics production, prices are likely to remain elevated. Moreover, some argue that relieving key bottlenecks in AI infrastructure will drive memory demand higher, as improved efficiency allows for a broader range of applications, from agents to more advanced AI models, to be scaled up. "By reducing memory usage during inference, TurboQuant lowers the cost of running AI models, which in turn reduces the overall cost of AI services," said KB Securities analyst Kim Il-hyuk. "At a time when AI demand is outpacing the construction of new data centers, this kind of software-level innovation could significantly boost infrastructure efficiency. For hyperscalers, it effectively allows existing data centers to process more workloads, delivering benefits comparable to building entirely new facilities." Experts say memory demand will continue to rise with AI, driven by KV cache advancements. Kim Jung-ho, a professor of electrical engineering at KAIST, said these technologies may slow growth, but won't reduce overall demand. "Memory demand in AI will keep rising," the professor said. "Technologies like this may moderate the pace, but they won't change the direction. KV cache usage is structurally tied to AI evolution. As models handle longer contexts — whether in physical AI or agent-based systems — memory requirements will inevitably scale with them." Academics also point out that the KV ca...

This article is by Jeong Eun-hye and read by an artificial voice. Korean shamanism, long seen as a traditional belief system, is finding new life overseas as emotionally resonant "healing" content. "I can't stop getting chills. I'm crying too," one comment reads among hundreds on a short-form video clip on the Disney+ original television survival series "Battle of Fates," which features shamans. "K-shamanism is really amazing," another reads. The clip showed cast members reading one another's fortunes. When Jiseon Doryeong, one of the shamans on the show, looked into the fate of another shaman named Seulbi and told her, "You must have been very lonely," Seulbi broke down in tears over painful family memories she had kept bottled up. The clip racked up 610,000 views. Unlike the dark and frightening sensibility often associated with Western occultism, Korean shamanism is being received as a fresh and unusual cultural phenomenon, especially after the success of the Netflix animation "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025). The most popular K-shamanism content overseas in recent months has been "Battle of Fates." According to market tracker WiseApp Retail, Disney+'s monthly active users rose to 2.95 million as of press time, up about 20 percent from 2.45 million in January, before the show premiered. In Thailand, tickets for a fan meet and greet in April featuring four Korean shamans from the program — including Seulbi and Maehwa Doryeong — sold out in two minutes. A Disney+ Korea official said the company's headquarters decided to produce an overseas version of "Battle of Fates" based on the success of the Korean original. The range of K-shamanism content finding audiences abroad has also widened. "Phantom Lawyer," a television legal fantasy series centered on shamanistic themes that recently began airing on SBS and Netflix, ranked fifth globally in Netflix's non-English TV category list in the week immediately after its release, from March 16 to 22. The drama follows lawyer Shin Yi-rang, played by Yoo Yeon-seok, who begins seeing ghosts after opening a law firm in a building that used to house a fortune-teller's shop, and goes on to resolve the grudges of the dead. At times, a spirit possesses Yi-rang, who then consoles the bereaved families left behind. Analysts say Korean shamanism-based content began drawing serious overseas attention after the global success of "KPop Demon Hunters" last year. In the film, the story centers on HUNTR/X, a girl group tasked with protecting the world from evil spirits through a blend of powerful performances and music, a mission handed down from village shamans of the past. "'KPop Demon Hunters' has transformed concepts such as the afterlife, shamans and rituals from elements of local culture into globally popular content material," said Chung Yeon-hak, head of the Asian Comparative Folklore Society. Film critic Min Yong-jun added that the film "blends Western exorcism with the characteristics of Korean shamanism, shifting shamanistic belief from the occult genre into fantasy and lowering the barrier to entry for overseas fans." Experts say what sets Korean shamanism apart from Western or Japanese exorcism stories is its distinctive ritual of healing. In Korea's traditional shamanistic worldview, ghosts unable to leave this world are believed to carry deep resentment or unresolved sorrow, and only after achieving haewon — the release of that bitterness — can they depart peacefully for the afterlife. "Traditional Korean shamanism has a strong tendency to see ghosts not as evil spirits but as people," Chung said. "Another unique element is that a shaman's gut [traditional Korean shamanistic ritual] accompanied by intense performance and sound, creates a kind of communal catharsis and offers comfort." "In the Christian worldview of the West, exorcism is centered on driving out evil spirits," Min said. "Japanese ghosts are also closer to malevolent entities, which makes them different from the worldview ...

This article is by Lim Sun-young, Noh Yu-rim and read by an artificial voice. The war in Iran, now into its fourth week, is taking a toll on businesses in Korea, with the fallout feeding into so-called warflation as food prices and living costs rise. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), which are more vulnerable to external shocks, are bracing for another tough month in April after weathering key material supply and logistics disruptions during a tumultuous March. According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, 422 cases of war-related business complications were reported. Transportation disruptions accounted for the most at 170, or 59.9 percent, followed by contract cancellations or delays at 101 cases, or 35.6 percent, and rising logistics costs at 96 cases, or 33.8 percent, with some complaints claiming multiple grievances. "A contract worth 500 million won ($327,000) is likely to be canceled, and all returned shipments will have to be disposed of," said the head of a small business manufacturing beauty and cosmetic devices, surnamed Kim. Kim's exports bound for the United Arab Emirates have been stranded at an Indian port for nearly a month, as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz face delays. "The delivery deadline has already passed, so we have no choice but to send the inventory back to Korea," Kim said. "On top of additional shipping costs, we will have to dispose of customized items worth 60 million won." "We had expected exports worth 500 million won over two years with this first Dubai contract, but that has all fallen through. With about half of our exports concentrated in the Middle East, prolonged conflict could threaten the company's survival," added Kim. The pessimistic outlook appears prevalent among SMEs, with the Small Business Health Index — which indicates how companies view the outlook for the coming month — standing at 80.8 for April, down 1.7 points from the previous month, according to the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KBIZ). A reading below 100 means more companies expect business conditions to deteriorate than improve. Supply instability for naphtha, a key raw material for plastics and vinyl, is triggering what industry sources describe as a "naphtha shock" affecting sectors ranging from automobiles and furniture to beauty and fashion. Interior businesses, particularly smaller firms, are struggling to secure materials, with rising costs and eroding profitability. "Shipments of imported raw materials such as surface materials and boards are facing difficulties, and prices for some items have already risen by 20 to 30 percent," said Jeong Oh-gyun, an executive at a housing and furniture association under the Korea Furniture Testing and Research Institute. Major paint companies have already raised product prices by 20 to 55 percent, citing the impact of the Middle East conflict. "Estimates for interior renovations have risen by more than 10 million won in just a month," said an office worker named Park Su-bin. The food industry is especially on alert. Inventory of packaging materials for products such as instant noodles and snacks is estimated to last only one to two months, while securing alternatives remains difficult. "If the war is prolonged, we are considering emergency management measures, including suspending production of nonessential products," an industry source said. "After April, production disruptions across the food sector will be hard to avoid." Some restaurant and cafe owners are also considering raising prices to keep up with rising costs, with the prices of containers for delivery food surging by 40 percent, adding further stress to small business owners. "Cost pressures are significant, and we will inevitably have to consider raising prices," another source in the sector said. Surging fuel prices are raising concerns about further disruptions in logistics and delivery services. "Delivery drivers may quit their jobs as increased fuel costs reduce actual e...

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice. On most days, the trail along the Yangjae Stream, a tranquil tributary of the Han River that flows through Seocho and Gangnam Districts in southern Seoul, is sparsely filled with residents out for their daily walk. Come spring, however, the area draws a different kind of crowd. Beneath rows of cherry trees lining the embankment road spanning approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) between Yangjae and Dogok Stations on Line No. 3, couples, families and tourists alike pour in to catch a glimpse of the pale pink petals blanketing the trails. This section of the Yangjae Stream is Seoul's latest hot spot for enjoying the cherry blossom season, alongside well-known destinations like Yeouido Hangang Park and Seokchon Lake Park. What was once a quiet neighborhood of scattered diners and cafes serving longtime regulars is now lined with polished restaurants, artisanal coffee shops and galleries. Even with the crowd, though, the vibe here is more low-key and intimate compared to other bustling neighborhoods of Seoul. "[We] want to be famous but stay hidden at the same time," says the head of craft shop Nuieun, and that is exactly the predominant energy here. Navigating blocks of posh neighborhoods formed around the Yangjae Stream, it is hard to imagine the stream has acted as a source of frustration for nearby residents. But for many years, it was. Before real estate prices in the adjacent Dogok-dong and Daechi-dong — now among Seoul's most affluent neighborhoods — soared, the Yangjae Stream was widely seen as a nuisance. Wastewater flowed into the stream, creating foul odors. During the monsoon season, the waterway often overflowed, shutting down nearby streets and at times affecting residential areas. Where terraced cafes now stand, there were once logistics facilities and auto repair shops. Restoration efforts began in the mid-1990s under the relevant district governments. The project gained momentum in the early 2000s, when Samsung Group built Tower Palace, a luxury residential complex, next to the Yangjae Stream in Dogok-dong and financially contributed to the restoration project. With the construction of water purification facilities, cycling trails, metasequoia-lined roads and planted embankments, the stream is now one of the neighborhood's main appeals. Herons, mallards and even raccoons become your unlikely companions here. Taking a lengthy morning walk is recommended to enjoy the scenic view in a tranquil ambience before the crowd starts storming in at around noon. If you are a coffee lover, don't forget to get some as well because there are a handful of high-quality coffee places here. One of the most popular walking routes runs roughly between Maebong Station and Yangjae Station on Line 3. Once caffeinated, head to the Yangjae Stream trail, just a five-minute walk away. There are effectively four different paths to choose from on just one side of the stream. The pedestrian path beside the driving range is lined with towering metasequoia trees. Above it, the embankment road draws the biggest cherry blossom crowds, with petals scattering across the trail at peak bloom. On the stream side, there is a pedestrian-friendly path midway, while the lowest level, right by the water, has a trail reserved for cyclists. Pick a path and start walking. Brunch, brunch, brunch Near Maebong Station, B Plate by Brown Bread has been a reliable sandwich spot since 2009. The place is cramped but cozy. About a dozen types of bread are baked in-house, with the olive ciabatta and cream scone among the most popular. For brunch, the grilled chicken ciabatta (14,900 won) and mushroom-and-feta focaccia topped with truffle oil are solid choices. If your walk has carried you farther afield, you may find yourself on the other side of the Yangjae Stream in the Gaepo-dong area. No need to head back for a bite because this area has Comida QQQ, an all-day Spanish brunch spot that has recen...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. 이재명 대통령이 3월 26일 충남 서산 한국석유공사 비축기지를 방문해 비축유 관리 현황을 점검하고 있다. [뉴스1] Korea imposes naphtha export ban, sets second-round price cap on gasoline in face of energy disruptions 정부, 공급 차질에 나프타 수출 금지…2차 휘발유 최고가격 설정 Korea JoongAng Daily 1면 기사 Friday, March 27, 2026 Korea is imposing a five-month ban on naphtha exports beginning at 12 a.m. Friday, in a bid to cushion energy disruptions stemming from the Iran war. impose: 시행하다 stemming from: ~에서 기인한 한국 정부는 이란 전쟁으로 인한 에너지 공급 차질에 대응하기 위해 금요일(3월 27일) 0시부터 5개월간 나프타 수출을 금지하기로 했다. To rein in surging fuel costs, the government set a second-round price cap at 1,934 won ($1.3) per liter for gasoline and 1,923 won per liter for diesel — levels officials say could shave as much as 500 won off prices compared with an unregulated market. Korea is currently mulling over raising the national resource crisis alert to "alert" — the third-highest level of the four-tier system — and is preparing to release 22.46 million barrels of strategic reserves in line with International Energy Agency agreements. rein in: 억제하다, 통제하다 price cap: 최고가격, 최고가격제 mull over: 고려하다, 검토하다 strategic reserves: 전략 비축 자원 in line with: ~에 따라, ~에 부합하여 정부는 급등하는 연료비를 억제하기 위해 2차 석유 최고가격제를 도입하고, 휘발유는 리터당 1934원, 경유는 1923원으로 최고액으로 설정했다. 정부는 이 조치로 최대 500원가량 인하 효과가 있다고 보고 있다. 또 현재 국가 자원 위기 경보를 4단계 체계 중 세 번째로 높은 '경계' 단계로 상향하는 방안을 검토 중이며 국제에너지기구(IEA) 협약에 따라 2246만 배럴 규모의 전략 비축유 방출도 준비하고 있다. Fuel tax cuts will be extended through the end of May, while the ban on hoarding and the sales refusals for urea and diesel exhaust fluid will begin on Friday. The measures were unveiled on Thursday at an emergency economic review meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, as the prolonged war in the Middle East has effectively choked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting flows of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other critical materials. fuel tax: 유류세 extend: 연장하다 hoarding: 사재기 prolonged: 장기화된 choke: (공급·흐름을) 막다, 차단하다 유류세 인하 조치는 5월 말까지 연장되며, 디젤 차량용 요소수에 대한 매점매석 및 판매 거부 금지 조치도 금요일부터 시행된다. 이번 대책은 중동 전쟁 장기화로 호르무즈 해협이 사실상 봉쇄되면서 원유와 액화천연가스(LNG), 기타 핵심 물자의 공급에 차질이 빚어지는 가운데 이재명 대통령 주재로 목요일 열린 긴급 경제점검회의에서 발표됐다. Often dubbed the "rice of industry," naphtha is a critical feedstock for petrochemicals used in semiconductors, automobiles and a wide array of manufacturing supply chains. Korea relies on imports for roughly 45 percent of its naphtha demand, with 77 percent of those imports sourced from the Middle East. dubbed: ~로 불리는, 별명이 붙은 feedstock: 원료 rely on: ~에 의존하다 흔히 '산업의 쌀'로 불리는 나프타는 반도체와 자동차 등 다양한 제조업 공급망에 사용되는 석유화학의 핵심 원료다. 한국은 나프타 수요의 약 45%를 수입에 의존하고 있으며, 이 가운데 77%가 중동에서 공급된다. Affected by naphtha supply constraints, LG Chem has already halted operations at its No. 2 naphtha cracking center (NCC) in Yeosu, a facility capable of producing 800,000 tons of ethylene annually. Yeochun NCC has also suspended olefin conversion processes to recalibrate output. facility: 설비, 시설 suspend: 중단하다, 일시 정지하다 conversion: 전환 recalibrate: 재조정하다, 재설정하다 나프타 공급에 차질이 생기자 LG 화학은 최근 전남 여수 국가산업단지 내 NCC(나프타 분해시설) 2공장의 가동을 중단했다. 이 시설은 연간 에틸렌 약 80만 t을 생산할 수 있는 국내 핵심 나프타 설비다. 여천NCC도 올레핀 전환 공정 일부를 멈추며 생산량 조정에 들어갔다. As a key input for plastics and vinyl, naphtha disruptions have already triggered early signs of panic buying, including stockpiling of trash bags. trigger: 촉발하다, 야기하다 panic buying: 공황적 구매, 패닉 바잉 플라스틱과 비닐의 핵심 원료인 나프타의 공급 차질로 이미 쓰레기봉투 사재기 등 초기 패닉 바잉 조짐이 나타나고 있다. Yet the policy's impact remains uncertain as naphtha exports account for less than 10 percent of domestic refiners' output, raising questions about how much relief the curbs can deliver. uncertain: 불확실한 account for: ~을/를 차지하다 하지만 이번 정책의 효과는 제한적이다. 국내 기업의 나프타 수출량은 전체의 10% 미만으로 수출 제한이 수급난 완화에 충분한 효과를 가져올 수 있을지는 미지수다. SK Innovation supplies nearly all of its naphtha to its affiliate SK geo centric, while HD Hyundai Oilbank similarly directs substantial volumes to Hyundai Chemical for domestic use. affiliate: 계열사 similarly: 마찬가지로 direct: (물량을) 보내다, 배정하다 SK이노베이션은...

This article is by Cho Jung-woo and read by an artificial voice. Nearly five years after Korea enacted a law targeting stalking crimes, a recent killing in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, is spotlighting whether the system is failing at its most critical moment — preventing violence in high-risk cases. A young woman was killed on March 14, allegedly by a man who had previously been reported for stalking her, despite being subject to court-ordered restrictions. Experts say the case highlights a systemic weakness — while legal tools exist, they are not always used aggressively enough to stop escalation. The Namyangju suspect, Kim Hoon, 44, whose identity was disclosed by police due to the brutality of the crime, had previously been in a romantic relationship with the victim. Experts say stalking crimes often occur between individuals who know each other. Kim had already been subject to provisional measures, including a court order barring him from coming within 100 meters (328 feet) of the victim or contacting her via telecommunications. He was also wearing an electronic ankle monitor for a past sexual offense, in a separate case, and was under supervision by the Ministry of Justice. However, that monitoring system was not linked to the emergency smartwatch issued to the victim by the police. The victim reportedly pressed the emergency button on the smartwatch, but it was too late when Kim allegedly appeared with a weapon. Failure to intervene The Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking, enacted in 2021 following the murder of a mother and two daughters in Nowon District, northern Seoul, marked the first law in Korea dedicated solely to stalking offenses. It was later revised in 2023. Under the law, stalking is defined as "repeated or continuous" acts such as following a person or waiting near their residence or workplace. While authorities may recognize the danger, they often stop short of using the strongest available measures. "The current system focuses on victim protection measures such as smartwatches and increased patrols because of the difficulty in detaining or separating the perpetrator," said Han Min-kyung, a professor of criminology at the Korean National Police University. "In high-risk cases, detention may be the most effective way to prevent escalation." Han added that the application of multiple provisional measures indicates that the police had already assessed the case as high risk, citing the Namyangju case. "In such cases, we need to consider whether stronger preventive steps could have been taken, such as private security, rather than waiting to secure enough evidence for an arrest warrant," she said. Police had classified Kim as "high risk" and were reportedly considering seeking an arrest warrant. Under Article 9 of the stalking punishment act, detention is the strongest provisional measure available. All provisional measures are subject to court approval. "Measures such as placing victims in protective facilities should also be actively pursued in high-risk situations," added attorney Chung Bok-reon, who provides legal aid through a program supported by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Following the Namyangju incident, President Lee Jae Myung on March 14 criticized the police's "lax handling" of the case and ordered a comprehensive review of all reported stalking cases. He also instructed the authorities to conduct an inspection of the officials responsible for the incident and to take firm action against those found responsible. A slap on the wrist Beyond immediate intervention, experts point to a broader structural issue that weak sentencing may limit the law's deterrent effect. The antistalking law introduced a range of measures and helped shift public awareness of stalking as a serious crime. "There has at least been a meaningful change in recognizing stalking as a crime," said attorney Chung. Consultations related to stalking surged more than three-fold between 2021 and 2024, reaching 14,533 case...

Shin June-bong The author is an editorial writer at the JoongAng Ilbo. Presidential elections and parliamentary general elections, held every four or five years, are peak seasons for the publishing industry. Books by prominent politicians, which are almost guaranteed to sell, flood the market. Even so, President Lee Jae Myung's royalty income last year stands out as extraordinary. In a recent asset disclosure, Lee reported earning 1.56 billion won ($1.07 million) in royalties. He is listed as the author of six books, according to Kyobo Book Centre. Some best-selling authors sign contracts in which royalty rates increase with higher sales, but the standard rate is about 10 percent of a book's price. For a book priced at 10,000 won, the author typically receives 1,000 won per copy. Lee's royalties include earnings from e-books, a market that has steadily grown in Korea. Still, a rough calculation based only on print sales suggests that nearly 800,000 copies of his six books were sold in total. The estimate comes from dividing his royalty income by one-tenth of the average book price in 2024, which was 19,526 won. What explains such figures? Even for a leading politician who became president, the numbers are striking. Last year was not an ordinary election cycle. Of Lee's six books, the only new release, "It Is Ultimately the People" (2025), devoted nearly half its roughly 300 pages to the process of overcoming what he described as an insurrection, from the declaration of martial law to the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol. The book reached No. 1 on best-seller lists immediately after its publication on April 15 of last year but later lost momentum. Sales rebounded after a YouTube endorsement by broadcaster Kim Eo-jun on April 30 that year, followed by a Supreme Court decision on May 1, 2025, to remand Lee's election law violation case. Purchases surged as supporters encouraged buying the book to help cover his legal expenses. As the film industry welcomes blockbusters that draw more than 10 million viewers, there is little reason to object to the emergence of major bestsellers, regardless of timing or authorship. However, just as a single hit film cannot sustain the entire industry, the success of a few star authors such as Han Kang or Lee cannot rescue a publishing sector that remains in decline. The livelihoods of the countless writers who form the backbone of the industry do not improve as a result. The recent launch of a writers' union at the end of February reflects this reality. Led by chair O Bitnari, the organization represents a form of collective self-help. Its existence may seem counterintuitive, given that writing is often viewed as a calling rather than labor. Yet the union includes not only literary writers but also essayists, web novelists and webtoon creators. Its members argue that romanticizing authorship as inherently impoverished obscures the harsh working conditions behind writing. In its founding statement, the union pledged to address stagnant manuscript fees, which have remained largely unchanged for decades, as well as publishing contract practices that often disadvantage individual writers. Numerous studies have already documented the challenges faced by writers in Korea. Even so, it is difficult to believe that great works can emerge from well-fed comfort alone. Still, there may be room for society to agree on a reasonable baseline of support for authors, whether through minimum fees or fairer contracts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is currently reviewing the introduction of a public lending right system. Though unfamiliar to some, the issue has long been a contentious one across the publishing, literary and library sectors. Under the "first sale doctrine," once a library purchases a book, the author's rights are effectively exhausted, allowing the book to be lent to users for free. Advocates argue that this infringes on authors' rights and that some form of compensation is ...

The author, a former president of Seoul National University, is the chairman of the Korea Institute for Shared Growth. Despite increased volatility, the stock market has posted a sharp rise compared to last year. The Kospi broke through the 5,000 mark, escaping a longstanding trading range and raising expectations for asset gains among investors. Rising stock prices also help companies raise funds, making the development welcome. Yet Kospi 5,000 is not only a cause for celebration. It also calls for caution. Korea's stock market began in 1956 with the launch of the Korea Stock Exchange. At the time, only 12 companies were listed, with a total market capitalization of 15 billion won ($9.8 million). Today, more than 2,600 firms are listed, and market capitalization exceeds 2,500 trillion won. Although simple comparisons are difficult, market capitalization has grown far faster than nominal GDP over the past 70 years. Even so, many have long argued that Korean equities remain undervalued and that the market should expand further. Why has the Kospi reached 5,000 now? Some point to strong presidential interest and increased purchases by public funds such as pension funds. Yet two structural factors appear more decisive. The first is the expansion of AI investment. As global technology companies pour resources into AI infrastructure, demand for high-performance semiconductors and memory has risen sharply. The competitiveness of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in this market has drawn attention and helped lead the rally. The second factor is the expectation of improved corporate governance. Revisions to commercial law and capital market regulations have raised hopes of resolving the longstanding "Korea discount," boosting investor sentiment. For years, Korean companies have been undervalued due to low dividends, a management focus on internal reserves and decision-making structures centered on controlling shareholders. Treasury shares, intended as a tool to enhance shareholder value, have often been used to defend management control. To address this, amendments to the Commercial Act in July and August 2025 expanded directors' fiduciary duties to include all shareholders, mandated cumulative voting for large listed firms and broadened the separate election of audit committee members. A third amendment in February introduced a rule requiring companies, in principle, to retire treasury shares they acquire. The aim is to curb their use as a control device and to improve shareholder value and capital efficiency. These reforms mark a significant institutional shift toward greater transparency and trust in the capital market. There are, however, notable risks. Given the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, the overall market remains unstable. External shocks, including geopolitical tensions such as U.S. military action involving Iran, could also unsettle markets. More fundamentally, even as the stock market heats up, the real economy continues to struggle with low growth and widening inequality. Since 2023, annual growth has remained below 2 percent. The gap in business sentiment between large corporations and small- and medium-sized enterprises, as measured by the business survey index, has continued to widen. When finance grows excessively relative to the real economy, "financialization" occurs, transforming industrial capitalism into financial capitalism. Rising credit trading and leveraged investment in recent markets suggest that asset price increases may be feeding speculative behavior. As economist James Tobin warned, financial markets can take on a "casino-like" character. The late economist Cho Soon similarly cautioned that such trends could lead to an economy driven by speculative gains. The consequences begin at the individual level and spread into structural problems. When financial returns exceed those from industrial investment, capital shifts toward speculation rather than production. This resembles a farmer ...

The government on Tuesday approved and submitted to the National Assembly a supplementary budget totaling 26.2 trillion won ($17.2 billion), the second extra budget under the Lee Jae Myung administration, aimed at mitigating the economic shock from the Middle East war. The plan allocates 4.8 trillion won to provide relief to the tune of 100,000 to 600,000 won per person to households in the bottom 70 percent of income earners, covering 32.56 million people, to combat rising oil prices. It also earmarks 5.1 trillion won to ease fuel and transportation costs, including 4.2 trillion won to compensate for losses from a cap on oil prices. Additional spending includes 2.8 trillion won for stabilizing livelihoods and 2.6 trillion won to minimize industrial damage and strengthen supply chains. The ruling and opposition parties plan to pass the bill at a plenary session on April 10. Given the strain on households from the so-called triple burden of high oil prices, a weak currency and inflation, there is some justification for the ruling party's push to move quickly on what it calls a "war budget." Supplementary budgets can be effective when deployed at the right time and in the right place. However, an excessive focus on speed risks undermining their effectiveness. The size of the package exceeds earlier estimates by 5 trillion to 10 trillion won. The scope of cash-based support has also expanded. With 70 percent of the population eligible for relief payments, critics argue that the program approaches a near-universal cash distribution. If politically motivated or poorly designed projects are included without sufficient scrutiny, the result could be wasteful spending and accusations that the budget is intended to influence voters ahead of the June local elections. The potential side effects of such a large budget must also be considered. The government has emphasized that the spending will rely on higher-than-expected tax revenue rather than additional bond issuance. Even so, the supplementary budget would increase this year's total budget by 11.8 percent compared with last year. Using excess revenue for immediate spending, rather than saving it or repaying deficit-financing bonds, could reduce fiscal flexibility. If additional spending becomes necessary in the future, the government may have little choice but to take on more debt. Cash-based support could also add upward pressure on prices and contribute to rising interest rates. Government bond yields have already climbed, pushing the upper range of mortgage rates above 7 percent. If this trend continues, the financial burden on households, small business owners and the self-employed is likely to grow. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. BTS may have sparked thousands of visits to Korea, but the country's layered offerings — from medical tourism to culinary experiences — are what ultimately sustain its tourism industry, according to a Trip.com executive. "Korea as a destination is gaining a lot of attention, especially over the last few weeks due to BTS's performance," said Boon Sian Chai, the managing director and vice president of international markets at Trip.com Group, in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily in central Seoul last Thursday. To celebrate its return after nearly four years, BTS held a free show at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, a day after releasing its fifth studio album "Arirang." In response, accommodation bookings on Trip.com surged 52 percent on year from March 19 to 22, and those within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of Gwanghwamun Square jumped 64 percent. However, Chai emphasized that BTS is only part of a broader wave that is driving interest in Korea's tourism. "It's not just BTS. It's Blackpink. It's Seventeen. It's also 'Culinary Class Wars' (2024-), 'Squid Game' (2021-25) and so on," he said. "Korea as a culture and as a country is garnering a lot of attention." Thanks to this growing interest, Korea has emerged as one of Trip.com's top five global destinations. According to a Trip.com report released in January, Korea ranked among the top three most preferred destinations worldwide, alongside Japan and Thailand. To accommodate the increased rate of inbound travel driven by K-content and major K-pop acts, Trip.com has expanded its package deals to include not only flights and hotels but also tickets to concerts and cultural activities. Still, Korean pop culture alone is not enough to sustain tourism, though it may serve as an entry point. What keeps visitors engaged is Korea's broader range of offerings, Chai said. "One is medical tourism," he said. "Many countries offer medical tourism, but Korea stands out in terms of quality, control and standards." "On top of that, there is a rich mix of history, culture and food," Chai continued, highlighting "very localized" Korean dishes such as dak hanmari (whole-chicken soup) and budae jjigae (spicy sausage stew). Despite the popularity, Korea's tourism industry remains heavily concentrated in Seoul and Busan — in contrast to Japan, where travelers are more widely dispersed across regions. But Chai said that signs of change are steadily emerging. Accommodation bookings in Daejeon surged 188 percent on year between March 19 and 22, and Busan recorded an 85 percent increase over that same period. Daejeon is turning into a popular stop for travelers, largely thanks to its iconic bakery Seongsimdang, which is only available in the city. Busan, meanwhile, remains a bustling coastal destination known for its beaches, temples and lively markets. BTS is also set to hold concerts in Busan in June as part of its world tour. Cities such as Goyang and Sokcho have also seen rapid rises in popularity. Based on Trip.com's accommodation booking data from last year, Goyang and Sokcho recorded a 133 percent and 90 percent on-year increase, respectively. Of course, there is still room for improvement, according to Chai. One issue Chai pointed out was a longstanding problem of navigation difficulties, but he expressed optimism over the Korean government's recent move to allow the export of high-precision map data, a change expected to improve Google Maps' functionality in the country. "For many years, foreign travelers struggled with navigation in Korea because Google Maps was not fully integrated," he said. "I think access to Google Maps is going to [...] help travelers to navigate around Korea." Chai also highlighted underutilized infrastructure, such as Cheongju International Airport in North Chungcheong, which has multiple international routes but lacks visibility. "There are actually many flights from international...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. Korea is moving to release 20 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude from its strategic reserves for distribution to local refiners under a swap arrangement that is expected to help sustain supply through the end of June. Follow-up measures on urea supply, which were initially planned for Tuesday, were abruptly postponed, citing concerns that a rapid succession of interventions could inflame consumer anxiety and, in turn, exacerbate market dislocations. Under the swap program, the government will lend its crude reserves to domestic refiners, who will return the crude later. It's designed to bridge the temporal gap created by shipping delays, as refiners scramble to secure replacement cargoes from Africa, the Americas and Central Asia, a process that can take several weeks from purchase to delivery. All four of the country's major refiners — SK Energy, HD Hyundai Oilbank, GS Caltex and S-Oil — have signaled their intention to participate, with roughly 20 million barrels expected to be exchanged under the scheme. Refining facilities are typically optimized for Middle East crude, meaning that alternative supplies cannot be fed into the system immediately if blending ratios are not met. By swapping in government-held Middle Eastern reserves, officials aim to relieve these so-called blending constraints and preserve processing efficiency. "Even if refiners find alternative suppliers and they are procured now, they would not arrive until May, leaving an interim gap in supply," said Yang Ki-wook, director-general of the Office of Industry, Trade and Resource Security at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Sejong government complex. "Flexible deployment of strategic reserves would bridge that lag as refiners move to secure alternative volumes," Yang said, adding that the deployment would prevent disruptions to crude supply "at least through June." The program will be implemented temporarily over April and May, with the option of one-month extensions subject to approval by the industry minister. The Korean government is pushing hard to source crude from other countries, including the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Algeria, Gabon and Kazakhstan, as well as Asia-Pacific suppliers such as Australia and Papua New Guinea. Yang also explained that the government's decision to hold off on additional measures regarding urea was driven by concerns that, given the market's heightened sensitivity to urea, "consumers tend to react more sharply, and wholesalers may resort to stockpiling." Urea solution, widely used to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, remains a critical input in both the transport and agricultural sectors. Korea relies on the Middle East for 43.7 percent of its fertilizer-grade urea, with 38.4 percent of that volume transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Korea's combined public and private inventories of automotive urea solution are sufficient to last more than 2.8 months, Yang said, with an additional 6,000 tons of urea scheduled for import by April. The government has already banned hoarding and sales refusals of urea starting last Friday, which means importers, producers and distributors who stockpile volumes beyond typical levels for more than seven days or deliberately withhold sales will face penalties. Violations may trigger corrective orders, up to three years in prison or fines of up to 100 million won ($65,000). The directive is intended to pre-empt a repeat of the 2021 supply shock, when China's export restrictions triggered a nationwide shortage of urea solution. Around 99 percent of gas stations in Korea, or 4,242 out of 4,267 monitored gas stations, currently have urea solution in stock, with their average retail price standing at 1,504.8 won per liter ($3.71 per gallon), a level below typical norms, according to data from Opinet, ...

This article is by Kim Ji-ye and read by an artificial voice. Actors Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi reunite in Netflix's action series "Bloodhounds" (2023–) season two, throwing punches once again. And this time with a deeper bond that goes beyond bromance, in what is being called a levelled-up "bro-melodrama." "The friendship between the two has grown much deeper," said Woo during the show's press conference held in Jung District, central Seoul, on Tuesday. "People often call it a 'bromance,' but we like to think of it as a 'bro-melodrama,' a new kind of genre we're carving out." "Our characters have both experienced losing someone precious, which makes them want to protect each other even more and hope that no one gets hurt." Lee echoed Woo's sentiment, while director Kim Ju-hwan described their dynamic as "one of the best bromances I've worked on so far." Kim is known for projects centered on male partnerships, including the films "The Divine Fury" (2019) and "Midnight Runners" (2017). Directed by Kim, the second season of "Bloodhounds" returns with duo fighters Gun-woo and Woo-jin, picking up three years after they took down a loan shark operation. Now training under Woo-jin as his coach, Gun-woo continues to pursue his dream of becoming a boxing champion. However, when he becomes a target of Baek-jeong, an operator of an illegal international boxing league, the duo once again join forces to protect their dream and the people they care about against the underground world. Actors Woo and Lee reprise their roles as Gun-woo and Woo-jin, respectively. They are joined by singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known as 2000s pop star Rain, who plays new antagonist Baek-jeong. Known for its boxing-driven action, the series faced the challenge of elevating its already well-received realism. For Kim, the answer was "to face it head-on." "One of the reasons 'Bloodhounds' received so much love was its realistic portrayal of boxing," Kim said. "This time, the challenge was how to make that realism go even further and much of that responsibility fell on the actors." "So, we decided to face it head-on. Instead of holding back, we trained even harder and dove deeper into boxing to make the action feel more raw and authentic. We really wanted to showcase a kind of K-action that only our actors can pull off." To fully embody the action, the actors said that they endlessly trained and rehearsed, reaching a level Lee referred to as like performing a "couple's dance." The second season also introduces a new villain on screen, Baek-jeong. Director Kim noted that Jung was the only actor who could match the character's aura, physicality and charisma. Taking on his first villain role, Jung admitted he "felt a lot of pressure," though it was a challenge he had long wanted to take on. Jung described Baek-jeong as a "cold-blooded" character, whom main purpose is to make Gun-woo and Woo-jin miserable as possible. To portray someone shaped by such a life, he immersed himself deeply in the role, even bringing the character home at times, which didn't end well. "I thought that if it looks staged, it won't work," Jung said. "I wanted to showcase someone who has been like that for their whole life, and it even slipped into at home once and I got in trouble for it. I basically lived as that character for almost a year." Action series "Bloodhounds" season two will be released on Friday on Netflix.

This article is by Noh Yu-rim and read by an artificial voice. Korea's fried chicken franchises are caught in a bind: Poultry prices are surging due to avian influenza outbreaks and rising feed costs, but raising menu prices remains difficult under the government's push to rein in inflation. Major poultry producers, including Maniker, Harim and Allpum, a chicken subsidiary of the Harim Group, have raised supply prices by 5 to 10 percent for franchise chains, large retailers and distributors, according to industry sources on Sunday. Harim attributed the increase to prolonged avian influenza outbreaks and rising feed costs linked to a weaker won. "Bird flu has continued longer than last winter, leading to a larger-scale culling of breeder chickens, and feed prices have also risen due to the weaker won," the company said. The impact has been particularly severe this year. From November of last year through early this month, about 440,000 breeder chickens were culled, up 3.5 times from 120,000 a year earlier. The figure accounts for roughly 5 percent of the total breeder chicken population, which stood at 8.2 million birds as of last November. Retail and wholesale chicken prices have risen accordingly. According to livestock distribution platform Dabom, retail chicken prices reached 6,534 won per kilogram ($1.95 per pound) as of Saturday, the highest level in two years and nine months since June 2023. The weekly average price also climbed to 6,612 won per kilogram, up about 5 percent from the previous week. Wholesale prices rose 10.2 percent to 4,240 won per kilogram between March 1 and 27, compared to 3,846 won in February. The industry, which relies heavily on domestically sourced chicken, is now grappling with both supply shortages and rising costs. While some companies use imported chicken for boneless menu items, bone-in chicken — a core product — is largely made with domestic poultry. Franchise brands such as BHC, Goobne Chicken and Cheogajip use domestic chicken for all menu items, leaving them more exposed to price pressures. Earlier and more severe avian influenza outbreaks are likely to weigh on demand, according to Korea Rural Economic Institute researcher Lim Hyo-bin. "Last year, bird flu began in September, about a month earlier than usual," Lim said. "Rising chicken prices are expected to act as a constraint on consumption this year, leading to a decline in demand." Despite mounting cost pressures, companies are hesitant to raise prices immediately. "Profitability is likely to deteriorate as the outbreak continues, and we are closely communicating with franchise owners to manage supply conditions," a representative of a chicken franchise said. "Although there are many factors pushing up costs, including packaging materials, raising prices is burdensome given the government's emphasis on price stability," another industry source said. "We will delay price hikes as long as possible and recover losses later when supply stabilizes." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

The author is a principal researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. "There is a high probability of a new planet near this coordinate." This line comes from an 1846 letter written by French astronomer and mathematician Urbain Le Verrier. Upon reading it, German astronomer Johann Galle located Neptune, dealing a blow to Britain's scientific pride at a time when three countries were fiercely competing to discover new planets. British astronomer and mathematician John Couch Adams had reached the same conclusion months earlier, yet failed to secure the discovery. Bureaucratic inertia cost him the prize. Seventy-three years later, wartime Britain approved an expedition led by Arthur Eddington, who was subject to conscription, to observe a solar eclipse in Africa. The mission confirmed the general theory of relativity proposed by German scientist Albert Einstein. Even in the midst of war, Britain preserved its scientific standing by validating the work of an enemy nation's physicist. In April 2008, Kang Young-woon, then the president of the Korean Astronomical Society, shared a striking anecdote. "I attended the centennial celebration of the Astronomical Society of Japan," he said. During the event, participants began discussing the founding years of their respective societies. The Royal Astronomical Society in Britain was established in 1820, followed by Germany and Canada, with France, the United States, Japan and Italy joining later. "That's when we realized — it was essentially the Group of 7 [G7]," he recalled. The G7, which now leads the global order, had already recognized the strategic value of astronomy one to two centuries ago. As King Charles II once noted, accurate navigation allowed these nations to establish rules governing global sea routes and supply lines. They went on to standardize time and effectively create an analog form of GPS, enabling faster and safer maritime travel for both naval and commercial fleets. Telescopes, once used to observe the stars, evolved into instruments for detecting enemy ships, while orbital mechanics gave rise to ballistics. These advances ultimately paved the way for the era of space navigation. Companies such as Nikon and Canon, which once manufactured naval targeting optics, later contributed to building the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope and its Hyper Suprime-Cam. The Korean Astronomical Society was founded on the vernal equinox in 1965. Astronomers today use more than 300 quasars — luminous objects located some 8 billion light-years away — as reference points, and even military GPS systems rely on such calibrations. It is a somber spring, as the achievements of astronomy continue to find their way into warfare. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

The author is the Minister of National Defense. The rollout of the first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet, Boramae, on Wednesday at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, marked a milestone in Korea's pursuit of self-reliant defense. The unveiling of the aircraft, developed through years of sustained national effort, generated both pride and reflection. While the achievement is significant, it also underscores that Korea has yet to complete its transition toward full strategic autonomy. The KF-21 program traces back to March 2001, when then-President Kim Dae-jung first presented its blueprint. Since 2015, approximately 64,500 personnel, including researchers, engineers and industry workers, have participated in the development process. Before the rollout of the first production model, six prototypes conducted 955 ground tests and 1,601 flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled to undergo further performance verification before being deployed to the Air Force in September. For decades, Korea has functioned within what may be described as a "tactical state," operating largely within a given international order rather than shaping it. Although the country has risen in global standing, ranking fifth in conventional military power and entering what is often referred to as the Kospi 6000 era, its level of strategic autonomy has not fully matched its economic and military status. The long service of the F-4 Phantom and F-5 fighter jets illustrates this limitation. These aircraft protected Korea's airspace for more than half a century, supported by the dedication of domestic maintenance crews. However, as systems dependent on foreign design and supply, they faced inherent constraints in adapting to rapidly changing operational environments. Recent conflicts, including those in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine, demonstrate that modern warfare has evolved into a complex, multi-domain battlespace integrating cyber and electromagnetic operations. In this context, the notion that those who design weapons ultimately shape the battlefield has become increasingly evident. Control over weapons development is closely linked to control over strategic planning. The KF-21 stands at a turning point in this transformation. It is not merely a high-performance multirole fighter but also an advanced platform equipped with technologies such as an active electronically scanned array radar. More importantly, it provides Korea with the capability to design and manage key aspects of the aerial battlespace, marking a shift toward greater strategic initiative. Historical experience shows that technological leadership plays a decisive role in determining national power. Countries that led the Industrial Revolution continue to occupy dominant positions in the global system. In the security domain, leading nations maintain strict controls on critical technologies through frameworks such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Missile Technology Control Regime, limiting access for others. Among these technologies, advanced aircraft engines remain one of the most challenging barriers. Often referred to as the crown jewel of aerospace engineering, they are independently produced by only a few countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China. The KF-21 still relies on foreign-made engines, highlighting a significant vulnerability. Achieving domestic capability in this area is essential for Korea's transition to a fully fledged strategic state. The path forward is not easy. While Korea is beginning to cultivate its own capabilities, advanced countries have already established mature technological ecosystems. Nevertheless, the success of the KF-21 program has helped dispel much of the earlier skepticism. The project demonstrated that sustained investment and coordination can overcome initial doubts and deliver tangible results. Confidence is now growing across the defense sector. The f...

The author is an editorial writer at the JoongAng Ilbo. The misery index, calculated by adding inflation and unemployment rates, has long been used to gauge the strain on households. When prices rise and jobs are scarce, hardship intensifies. Recently, however, a new metric has emerged: the so-called Trump Pain Point Index. At first glance, it appears similar in concept, suggesting an attempt to quantify the economic pain experienced by households under U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. In reality, it seeks to measure something else — the level of pressure felt by Trump himself — as markets struggle to interpret his often unpredictable policy decisions. The index, designed by U.S. research firm BCP Research, combines several variables: inverse returns of the S&P 500, yields on 10-year U.S. Treasurys, the 30-year mortgage rate, gasoline futures prices and one-year consumer price index swaps that reflect inflation expectations. It also incorporates changes in the president's approval rating over the past month. In essence, the index assumes that Trump faces greater pressure when stock prices and approval ratings fall while interest rates, inflation and energy prices rise. Whether Trump actually feels such pressure remains uncertain. Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, 233 mental health professionals published an open letter in The New York Times warning that Trump posed a danger due to what they described as severe and untreatable "malignant narcissism." Trump himself has at times made remarks suggesting unpredictability, including saying that he could strike Iran "just for fun." Yet he remains a political figure acutely aware of electoral consequences. A defeat in the November midterm elections would risk an early lame-duck presidency if Republicans were to suffer heavy losses. This is where market participants see a pattern. When the Trump Pain Point Index rises sharply beyond a certain threshold, analysts say, Trump tends to reverse course — a dynamic sometimes described as "TACO," or "Trump Always Chickens Out." Policy shifts often follow moments of heightened pressure. Deutsche Bank last year developed a similar "pressure index," combining stock performance, interest rates, inflation and approval ratings. Both measures are currently near record highs, suggesting that unexpected policy announcements could emerge at any time. The existence of such indices reflects a deeper issue: Markets can no longer rely solely on Trump's statements to assess policy direction. This points to an erosion of what economists call credibility capital, a key attribute of effective leadership. A recent report by NH Investment & Securities argued that credible leaders can influence expectations and behavior through declarations alone. Threats prompt action and promises move markets. But once credibility is depleted, it is difficult to restore. Like tolerance to a drug, stronger stimuli are required to achieve the same effect, and when trust is lost, even policy measures fail to deliver results. The report suggested that the diminishing impact of Trump's repeated rhetoric on tariff negotiations and the war involving Iran illustrates this erosion of credibility. Markets appear increasingly less responsive to his statements, reinforcing the need for alternative indicators to gauge policy direction. Meanwhile, the conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its second month. The long-feared scenario of Iran disrupting the Strait of Hormuz has begun to demonstrate its potential to shock the global economy. The latest cover story of The Economist was titled "Advantage Iran," reflecting concerns that Tehran, with little left to lose and hardline factions gaining influence, may pursue aggressive strategies that complicate U.S. decision-making. Washington now faces a difficult choice between escalation with uncertain prospects and negotiations that could be seen as a concession. Even if the conflict were to end immediately,...

The government confirmed its 2027 budget guidelines on Monday, signaling that it will maintain an expansionary fiscal stance. With this year's total spending projected to reach 754 trillion won ($496.55 billion) after supplementary budgets are included, next year's budget could approach 800 trillion won if a 5 percent increase is sustained. Given the economic uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict, some degree of fiscal expansion appears necessary. The concern lies in the pace of spending and the risks that may follow. Warning signs are already visible. Korea's total national debt reached 6.5 quadrillion won last year, rising by 280 trillion won in a single year. While household and corporate debt grew at rates in the 3 percent range, government debt surged by 9.8 percent. This means the government accounted for about 40 percent of the overall increase. As fiscal policy expands beyond being a tool for economic stabilization, concerns are growing that it could become structurally entrenched. The side effects are emerging. Large-scale fiscal spending and increased issuance of government bonds have contributed to upward pressure on interest rates, which has quickly passed on to households. With the combined impact of fiscal expansion and geopolitical tensions, mortgage rates have exceeded 7 percent in the upper range. Currency volatility is also likely to intensify as fiscal spending continues to expand. The government has pledged structural adjustments, including a 15 percent reduction in discretionary spending and a 10 percent cut in mandatory expenditures. However, if the savings are redirected into new spending, the intended tightening effect may be undermined. Such an approach risks creating a cycle in which debt increases without meaningful fiscal discipline. Revenue uncertainty presents an additional challenge. While corporate tax revenues may benefit from a semiconductor recovery this year, prolonged geopolitical instability could weaken the revenue base in the latter half of the year. Korea's economic growth has already slowed to around 1 percent, trailing major economies such as the United States, China and Japan. If fiscal stability is shaken under these conditions, broader economic risks could intensify. Ultimately, the effectiveness of expansionary fiscal policy depends on how resources are used. Even if spending increases, funds should be directed toward strengthening growth drivers and improving productivity, including investments in AI and structural transformation. If fiscal resources are instead used for one-off cash handouts or politically driven expenditures, the result will be higher debt without lasting economic benefits. In times of uncertainty, caution is essential. Rapid fiscal expansion can create hidden risks that undermine long-term stability. Government spending must therefore be justified by measurable outcomes rather than short-term political gain. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.