Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

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 ...