ECONOMY

Naver to remove Chinese components from AI models, fully adopt in-house vision encoder

Naver will completely remove the Chinese vision encoder that had sparked controversy when it was included in its AI model during participation in the government-led “sovereign AI foundation model” project. The company plans to fully adopt a self-deve

PPP’s Jang Dong-hyuk says U.S. expressed concerns that South Korea is “not aligning with U.S. voice” on Iran war

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, currently visiting the United States, said on April 15 that officials from the Donald Trump administration expressed concerns that “allies should speak with the same voice as the United States,” addin

May Flight Fuel Surcharge Soars 2.1x: What This Means for Your Next Trip

International fuel surcharges are set to double in May, raising red flags for airlines as travel demand slows and performance suffers.Passengers flying to the U.S. from Seoul will face an additional cost of around 113,000 KRW (about 76 USD), while th

Korea vs. U.S.: Will Trade Law 301 Affect Korean Manufacturing in 2026?

The U.S. has initiated an investigation into overproduction and forced labor under Section 301 of the Trade Act. In response, the South Korean government has officially submitted a position paper, asserting that sanctions or aggressive measures again

How K-Beauty Brands Like APR Prepare for U.S. Customs Duty Refunds: A Complete Guide

APR, the company behind the leading K-Beauty brand Mediheal, is preparing to apply for duty refunds as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launches its new mutual duty refund system.On Thursday, customs authorities announced that the CBP wil

How the Iran-U.S. Maritime Tensions Could Trigger a Naphtha Shock in Asia's Petrochemical Industry

The ripple effects of the U.S.-Iran maritime blockade are spreading beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the southern Red Sea, sounding alarms across domestic petrochemical, construction materials, paint, plastic, and consumer g

K-Beauty and K-Fashion Set to Gain Unexpected Profits from U.S. Tariff Refunds: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to launch a phased implementation of the Comprehensive Automated Processing for Refunds (CAPE) system starting on April 20. This system will refund tariffs, including interest, that were imposed und

How Samsung's 2026 Bespoke AI Refrigerator Transforms Food Management: A Complete Guide

Samsung Electronics held a home appliance technology seminar, The Brief New York, in the U.S. on April 15-16, showcasing an artificial intelligence (AI) driven home lifestyle, the company announced on Friday.The event took place at the Connected Expe

Buldak's Heat Match: A Must-Watch Reality Dating Show for MZ Generation – Here’s What to Expect!

Samyang Foods is making waves in the global entertainment scene with a sizzling new reality show that blends its mega-hit brand Buldak with the world of dating, aiming to captivate the international Gen Z and Millennial audience.The company announced

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Dominates Consumer Reports: Why It’s the Best Smartphone of 2026

Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday that its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, clinched the top spot in Consumer Reports' latest smartphone evaluation.Consumer Reports, a monthly publication by the U.S. Consumer Union, is renowned for