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COVER STORY Zelenskyy's disclosure of NK POW transfer raises risks for families: experts

For two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2025 while fighting for Russia, their recent arrival in South Korea, where they requested to go, offers freedom and the prospect of a new life. But for their families left behind in the North, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public disclosure of the transfer may have heightened potentially life-threatening risks, experts said Wednesday. They say the relatives may already have become vulnerable when the soldiers' capture was made public in January 2025, but the Kim Jong-un regime's retaliation against them could be harsher after Zelenskyy disclosed the soldiers' transfer to South Korea during his U.N. General Assembly speech on Sept. 23. Forced relocation, loss of official positions and tighter surveillance are among the possible consequences cited by the experts, although the families’ whereabouts and any punishments remain unconfirmed. “North Korea probably had already banished the families to remote mountainous areas and stripped those in official positions of their posts,” said Ahn Chan-il, a North

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AI-driven cyberattacks hit 16 financial firms, expose 100,000 records

The number of financial firms affected by suspected artificial intelligence (AI) agent-driven cyberattacks has risen to 16, more than double the seven initially reported, financial regulators said Wednesday. About 100,000 records containing personal information, including resident registration numbers, were exposed. The tally could rise as companies continue checking their systems for signs of intrusion. Regulators also found security deficiencies at 130 of the 555 financial firms reviewed, including failures to apply the latest security patches. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) disclosed the findings at an emergency response meeting. It said the breaches, reported since the beginning of this month, have affected banks, savings banks, credit finance companies, electronic payment providers and cryptocurrency businesses. The affected firms include four banks — Shinhan, KB Kookmin, BNK Busan and Hana — and four savings banks — Yegaram, Welcome, DB and OK. Hyundai Capital and KDB Capital are among the affected credit finance companies. Others on the list include online investment

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Embassies express concern over foreign ministry's Sejong relocation plan

Foreign embassies in Seoul are quietly monitoring the Korean government’s plan to relocate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Sejong, about 110 kilometers south of the capital, with some expressing concern over the “inconvenience” the move would create for diplomatic activities. Of a total of 44 ministries and agencies subject to relocation, 27 will relocate in two phases in the first and second halves of next year, while another 17 agencies, comprising 6,934 employees, will move in stages by 2031, after new office buildings are constructed. The foreign ministry is among those 17, along with the ministries of unification and national defense. With more than 110 foreign embassies and international organizations and representatives based in Seoul, the announcement has created uncertainty, particularly as no detailed relocation plan has been announced. Most embassies appear to be quietly assessing the situation. One European representative based in Seoul said it was still "too early" to evaluate the impact, adding they may discuss the matter internally as well as with their headquart

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President Lee names National Tax Service head as new chief of staff

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday appointed the head of the National Tax Service (NTS) as his new chief of staff, his office said. Outgoing chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the appointment of Lim Kwang-hyun as his successor, weeks after he offered to resign amid Lee's falling approval ratings and controversy over the qualifications of two Cabinet nominees, who ultimately withdrew. "(Lim) is a former economic official-turned-politician with both abundant administrative experience and political acumen," Kang told a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae. "With experience across the National Assembly and government, he is the right person to more broadly incorporate the people's voices into the running of state affairs and speed up state achievements through cooperation between the ruling party, government and Cheong Wa Dae," he said. Lim served in various posts at the NTS before being elected a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea by proportional representation in 2024. He gave up his parliamentary seat upon taking office as NTS chief in 2025. Standing alongside Kang, Lim told

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KOSPI falls for 6th session, barely holds above 6,000

The KOSPI erased an intraday rebound of more than 2 percent Wednesday to close lower for a sixth consecutive session, barely holding above 6,000 after plunging more than 5 percent the previous day. The secondary Kosdaq also fell 1.57 percent, reflecting weak investor sentiment across the domestic stock market. The KOSPI closed at 6,008.81, down 26.54 points, or 0.44 percent. It opened 26.73 points, or 0.44 percent, higher at 6,062.08 and climbed as much as 2.57 percent to 6,190.65 before losing momentum and turning lower. Foreign investors remained net sellers for a seventh consecutive session. Among the two semiconductor heavyweights, Samsung Electronics rose 0.65 percent, while SK hynix fell 1.66 percent. The Kosdaq closed at 823.88, down 13.15 points, or 1.57 percent. It opened 1.13 points, or 0.14 percent, lower at 835.90 and fluctuated between gains and losses during the session. Overnight, Wall Street’s three main indexes ended lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.35 percent, the S&P 500 slipping 0.02 percent and the Nasdaq Composite shedding 0.15 percent. Some chip

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Harris predicts Democrats will win midterm, slams Trump for weakening Korea alliance

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris predicted Wednesday that the Democrats will win both the House of Representatives and Senate in November’s midterm elections, while using a Seoul appearance to deliver a pointed critique of U.S. President Donald Trump’s handling of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and his overtures toward North Korea. Speaking at the 2026 Asan Memorial Lecture, Harris said the electoral map is shifting in Democrats’ favor. “We are facing a lot of obstacles, but the Democrats are going to win. I believe certainly the House and ... each day presents a new reason to think that of winning the Senate as well,” she said, noting that the number of competitive House seats that could flip from Republican to Democrat had grown from 40 to 46 in recent days. When asked about a potential 2028 presidential run, she sidestepped the question. “(The year) 2028, from my perspective, doesn’t matter if we don’t win 2026,” she said. The remarks came as Trump faces declining approval ratings following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war in late February, with congressional

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Suspect says frustration at hospital prompted knife attack in Incheon: police

The suspect in this week's stabbing spree in Incheon has cited frustration over his treatment at a hospital as the motive for his crime, police said Wednesday. The 59-year-old man gave the account to investigators during questioning, one day after he attacked random people at a shopping complex in the city west of Seoul, injuring eight, including one who remains unconscious. "I did not target any specific person, and I chose people who looked weaker than me, but I had no intention to kill," the suspect was quoted as saying during questioning at Incheon's Namdong Police Station. According to police, the man received treatment for athlete's foot at a local hospital but was unhappy that his symptoms did not improve and began to stage a one-man protest in front of the facility in August. The hospital reported him to the police for carrying a weapon during the protests, and he was booked last month before undergoing questioning last week. "I was unhappy with the hospital and unhappy that I was investigated by the police because the hospital reported me," he was quoted as telling investigators.

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Nominee vows political neutrality in leading new investigative agency

Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor nominated to lead the newly-established Serious Crimes Investigative Agency (SCIA), pledged political neutrality at his parliamentary confirmation hearing on Wednesday, defending his suitability for the post while criticizing practices that have undermined public trust in the prosecution. Speaking before the National Assembly, Kim said he had worked without political bias and did not consider himself unfit to become the inaugural chief of the organization, which will hold investigative authority over seven serious crime categories, including corruption as well as national security violations and cybercrime. His remarks came as he sought to counter allegations that he was a close ally of Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor-turned-president. Kim said that under his watch, the SCIA would not allow politically motivated investigations, amid skepticism among ruling party politicians about his political neutrality. “I take pride in having handled cases according to my convictions (as a former prosecutor), without favoring any political side,” Kim said. Kim r

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Hyundai Motor India opens Pune plant, marks 30 years in country

Hyundai Motor India inaugurated a new smart manufacturing plant in Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra, on Wednesday, marking 30 years of operations in India as Hyundai Motor Group expands investment to strengthen the country’s role in its global production and export network. The facility will initially have an annual production capacity of 170,000 vehicles, with plans to increase it to 320,000 by 2030. The opening comes as the group plans to invest $15.5 billion in India from 2026 through 2032 to expand manufacturing, research and development, supplier networks and future mobility businesses. “India remains one of Hyundai's most important and strategic markets globally. The inauguration of the Pune plant reflects our long-term commitment to India's growth and our confidence in its bright future,” Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun said. The plant's opening was marked in a ceremony by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alongside Korean Ambassador to India Lee Seong-ho, state deputy chief ministers and senior Hyundai executives. The Pune facility will produce the H

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Min Hee-jin referred to prosecutors over Illit plagiarism claims

Min Hee-jin, former CEO of HYBE subsidiary Ador, has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of defamation and obstruction of business over her claims that HYBE girl group Illit copied NewJeans, a girl group she had nurtured. The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul confirmed Tuesday that it had sent the case to prosecutors on Oct. 1, believing Min spread false plagiarism claims to disparage HYBE and Illit's label, Belift Lab. Two former Ador vice presidents were also referred on the same allegations. Min first raised the allegations in April 2024, claiming Illit had copied NewJeans' debut strategy, choreography and visual concept. Belift Lab filed a criminal complaint against her the following month. Courts evaluating the disputes have so far declined to recognize the plagiarism claims. In March 2025, ruling on Ador's injunction request to confirm its status as NewJeans' agency, a court said it was difficult to view Illit's concept as a copy of NewJeans. In October 2025, a court upholding NewJeans' exclusive contracts with Ador found some similarities in the groups' internal documents and p

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Korea bets on regional airports to spread tourism beyond capital area

Korea plans to invest 410 billion won ($306.4 million) next year to develop five major tourism regions centered on regional airports, seeking to draw more international tourists to venture beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il said Wednesday that the government aims to attract a combined 5 million international arrivals by 2029 to the five regions, selected last month around airports in Busan, Daegu, Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, Yangyang in Gangwon Province and Muan in South Jeolla Province. The government hopes to turn these airports into gateways for travel beyond the capital and boost regional economies. Lee outlined the plan at a task force meeting on developing the service sector. Korea has welcomed a record 15.05 million international tourists as of Aug. 31 this year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. More are beginning to enter through regional gateways; arrivals via regional airports and seaports accounted for 27.8 percent of the total, marking the highest share. To build on that trend, the government will use 410 bi

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New cross-border bridge between N. Korea, China to open Thursday: report

A bridge between North Korea and China will officially open to traffic this week after sitting idle for more than a decade following its construction, according to a Chinese news report on Wednesday. The New Yalu River Bridge, which connects the North Korean city of Sinuiju and Dandong in China, will open Thursday, according to China's Xinhua News Agency. There will be an opening ceremony on that day, the report said. The construction of the four-lane motor bridge began in October 2011 and wrapped up in October 2014, but it stood unused for years because North Korea did not finish the buildings and infrastructure on its side. Vehicles have recently been spotted crossing the 3,024-meter bridge, raising the possibility of a test run. The bridge, which is expected to boost trade and personnel exchanges between the two countries, opens after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged at their June summit in Pyongyang to raise their ties to a strategic level and enhance exchanges. It would supplement the existing Friendship Bridge, which opened in 1943 and has long

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7 in 10 teachers oppose CSAT essay questions over grading disputes, AI concerns

A parent demands full marks for a written English answer, citing an email from a professor at an American university. In another case, a private academy challenged an English test score, and the dispute later led to a lawsuit over partial credit. These incidents, described in a casebook recently released by the National Secondary School Teachers’ Union, show the challenges facing discussions about introducing written-response and essay questions into Korea’s College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), potentially aided by artificial intelligence (AI) grading. The casebook accompanied a survey of 2,427 middle and high school teachers conducted from Sept. 7-30. Middle and high school teachers nationwide say persistent grading complaints have pushed them to set questions with fixed answers. They warn that expanding essay-based assessments could worsen disputes and increase their workload. Several teachers described a tension between encouraging diverse, well-reasoned answers and creating grading criteria precise enough to withstand complaints. One English teacher reported that a dispute inv

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Interview'Train to Busan' director builds low-budget paradise to test human existence

Director Yeon Sang-ho said his latest low-budget psychological thriller "Paradise Lost" explores human identity, the double-edged nature of filling a loss and a story written by his mother. The director explained that the movie uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to examine human existence and emotional boundaries, rather than simply warning about its dangers. "Trying to replace what you've lost always has two sides," Yeon told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul on Wednesday, recalling how he often discussed existential literature, such as Albert Camus' "The Stranger," during his college years. "The main character So-young's choices may or may not be emotionally understandable to viewers by the end, but I think that gap creates a necessary story in today's AI-driven world." The film centers on So-young (Kim Hyun-joo), a mother trapped in grief nine years after her son Sun-woo went missing along with 12 other children on a school bus. To endure her pain, she interacts daily with a virtual version of her child through an augmented reality program. However, she collapses when a grow

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KOSPI to hit fresh record highs in next 6-12 months: Wall Street analyst

The KOSPI will likely hit fresh all-time highs over the next six to 12 months, as Korean stocks have been oversold amid broader investor concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), veteran Wall Street analyst Dan Ives said Wednesday. "Memory is the heart and lungs of the AI revolution," Ives, a partner and senior managing director at Yorkville Ives, said during a press conference in Seoul. "It just creates an opportunity to own these stocks when irrationality hits the market, which I think is what's happening right now here in Korea." Ives, who has 25 years of experience as a Wall Street technology analyst, said the foreign investor sell-off in shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix is nearing an end. Foreign investors were net sellers of 199.1 trillion won ($148.9 billion) worth of KOSPI-listed shares this year through Monday, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix accounting for 173.2 trillion won, or 87 percent of the total, according to the Korea Exchange. He said there is a significant disconnect between the companies' fundamentals and their share prices, as the memory chip mark

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LG Electronics emerges as Apple's home AI ally

LG Electronics has built an alliance with Apple in the home artificial intelligence (AI) sector, unveiling a range of internet of things (IoT) devices that will be integrated into Apple's ecosystem. The two companies’ partnership is now extending into the home appliance sector, evolving from component supplies and service integration to jointly developing finished products. For LG Electronics, the collaboration provides access to Apple’s global ecosystem, while Apple can leverage LG’s expertise in home appliances to strengthen its presence in the smart home market. LG Electronics and Apple jointly held a new product showcase in Manhattan, New York, Tuesday (local time), unveiling seven IoT devices. LG Electronics North America CEO Kwack Do-yeong, LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Platform Business Center Head Jung Ki-hyun and Apple Vice President of Hardware Engineering Matthew Costello attended the event. Dubbed as smart home accessories, the devices include indoor and outdoor cameras, a video doorbell, a smart lock, a smart thermostat and a temperature sensor. They were co-

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Ha Jung-woo, Cha Jung-won to marry in December

Actors Ha Jung-woo and Cha Jung-won are set to tie the knot in December. An official from Ha's agency, Workhouse Company, told Xportsnews on Wednesday that the two will marry on Dec. 13 at "an undisclosed location in Seoul." The wedding will be held privately, according to the official. Ha and Cha first met in 2020 and maintained a low-profile relationship for about six years, initially as colleagues in the entertainment industry and later as a couple. Their relationship became public earlier this year after reports emerged that they were dating. The pair subsequently confirmed their relationship, ending years of keeping their romance largely out of the public eye. The wedding announcement comes with a touch of irony. When marriage rumors surfaced in July, the couple had drawn a line under speculation that a wedding was imminent. They are now set to make it official just five months later. Ha, born in 1978, made his film debut in "Madeleine" in 2002 and has since become one of Korea's best-known film actors. His major works include "The Chaser," "Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time," "The

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LIG D&A, Firehawk to co-develop Poniard rocket system

LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) has partnered with U.S. defense technology company Firehawk to develop a propulsion system for its Poniard guided rocket, as the Korean defense company seeks to expand its presence in the U.S. market. The two companies signed a teaming agreement Tuesday (local time) in Washington, D.C., to jointly develop propulsion technology for the 2.75-inch guided rocket system, known as "Bigung" in Korean. Under the agreement, the companies will work together on propulsion system development, with plans to expand the partnership into mass production, further technical cooperation and joint marketing targeting the U.S. government. Firehawk specializes in advanced energetics and propulsion technologies. The company has developed a thermoplastic manufacturing platform designed to overcome material and production limitations associated with conventional rocket propulsion manufacturing. Its technology can be applied across the production process, from propellant and rocket motors to complete munitions. The partnership is expected to support LIG D&A's efforts to localize

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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Why Gyeonggi Province is under financial strain

COVER STORY Why Gyeonggi Province is under financial strain

Gyeonggi Province, Korea's most populous province, narrowly averted disruptions to essential welfare programs with the passage of a supplementary budget on Monday. But restoring funding for the rest of 2026 has not resolved the fundamental problem behind the crisis: falling revenue, growing spending obligations and fewer resources to bridge the gap. With the provincial government required to submit next year’s budget proposal by Nov. 11, residents and welfare providers remain concerned and question whether the province's Gov. Choo Mi-ae can prevent further funding shortfalls. What did Monday’s agreement resolve? The provincial council approved the supplementary budget after last-minute negotiations restored 21.6 billion won ($16 million) for livelihood-related programs, including support for child care and postpartum care. The agreement broke a monthlong impasse over funding needed to keep essential services running through the final quarter. Some welfare programs had been allocated only nine months of funding, leaving them facing suspension this month and prompting protests by child

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Life in Korea

Seoul expands express transit to relieve commuter rush

Seoul expands express transit to relieve commuter rush

Seoul Metro Line 9 will run more express trains during the morning rush and pilot four express bus routes connecting outlying districts with the city center starting Nov. 16, city officials said Wednesday. Line 9, which cuts through key commercial and financial districts, remains one of Seoul’s most notoriously overcrowded transit corridors. During peak morning hours, its express trains routinely carry up to 192.5 percent of their rated passenger capacity. Korea measures subway congestion relative to a train’s total design threshold, including standing commuters, meaning 100 percent represents a fully loaded train. To alleviate the problem, the city will alter the operational ratio of express to all-stop trains based on commuter demand for the first time since the line opened. From 5:40 a.m. to 7 a.m., eastbound service will run two express trains for every all-stop train, replacing the current one-to-one alternating schedule. Additionally, the municipal government is moving peak hour schedules earlier. Morning express service will begin at 5:40 am instead of 6:30 am, while evening

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Lifestyle

Interactive exhibition turns K-drama fans into regional tourists

A landmark exhibition featuring more than 40 iconic Korean television dramas has opened in Seoul, offering international audiences an immersive look into the storytelling and real-world settings behind the country’s biggest cultural exports. Co-organized by Studio Dragon, the production company behind "Crash Landing on You" and other popular works, and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), "K-Drama Exhibition: Scenes to Destinations" has attracted visitors touring around Seoul. Running at HiKR Ground near Cheonggyecheon Stream through Nov. 19, the exhibition features five thematic zones: Script, Scene, Sound, Prop, and Location. Interactive journey into narrative, emotion On entry, visitors step into a recreation of the hotel reception desk from the 2019 drama "Hotel Del Luna." In the Script Zone, guests become screenwriters and complete unfinished scripts or collect printed cards featuring memorable lines. International K-drama fans at the exhibition emphasized the emotional connection that draws them to Korean series. "The first Korean drama I ever watched was 'Healer,'" said Ester, 49

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Interactive exhibition turns K-drama fans into regional tourists

K-Culture

InterviewINFINITE's vocalist plays the devil on his solo anniversary album

Nam Woo-hyun, the vocalist of boy band INFINITE, could easily have marked his 10th year as a soloist by returning to the ballads that launched his solo career. Instead, the title track of his new album casts him as a devil, a character he traces back to the hardest stretch of his life. “2X8,” his second full-length album, drops Wednesday, and its title fits several milestones into three characters. Two plus eight makes 10, for his years as a soloist. Two times eight makes 16, matching both the number of tracks and the years since INFINITE debuted in 2010, and the two numbers together form his birthday, Feb. 8. Nam co-wrote the lyrics and music for every track on the album, which took about a year to complete and moves from an orchestral intro through pop rock and R&B before closing on a ballad. “The tracks span a lot of genres, and they’re the result of 10 years of making music,” Nam said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. “This album gathers everything from the past decade in one place.” Nam debuted in 2010 as the main vocal

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INFINITE's vocalist plays the devil on his solo anniversary album

Celebrities

Rose to perform at LACMA's 2026 Art+Film Gala

Rose of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will perform at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's annual Art+Film Gala next month in Los Angeles, the museum announced. The singer is the musical guest of this year's edition honoring artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the museum said on its website Tuesday (U.S. time). Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the gala will take place Nov. 7. Gucci is returning as the presenting sponsor, with Audi providing transportation and additional support. "The LACMA Art+Film Gala celebrates creative icons and the connections between all forms of creativity, all around the world," Chow said in a statement. "As a global pop superstar, Rose will amplify the spirit of the evening with her incomparable talent and style." Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support the initiative to make film more central to the museum's curatorial programming and its broader mission, including exhibitions, acquisitions and educational programming.

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Rose to perform at LACMA's 2026 Art+Film Gala

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. COVER STORY Zelenskyy's disclosure of NK POW transfer raises risks for families: experts

  2. Fire at chemical company in Ulsan extinguished after thousands evacuate; no casualties reported

  3. Suspect says frustration at hospital prompted knife attack in Incheon: police

  4. Harris predicts Democrats will win midterm, slams Trump for weakening Korea alliance

  5. Embassies express concern over foreign ministry's Sejong relocation plan

  6. Busan wins over overseas tourists

  7. Female Marine stands guard on Korea's front-line island

  8. AI-driven cyberattacks hit 16 financial firms, expose 100,000 records

  9. ED Zelenskyy's credibility crisis: From Seoul to Washington

  10. KOSPI falls for 6th session, barely holds above 6,000

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