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Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin has issued repeated apologies after Starbucks Korea’s short-lived “Tank Day” tumbler promotion on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising drew public outrage. The campaign was halted within hours; officials, activists and Starbucks’ U.S. headquarters responded as a civic complaint and sales impact followed.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol visited London and Paris to promote South Korea's economic strengths and AI capabilities, highlighting a shift from 'Korea discount' to 'Korea premium.' He also urged G7 nations to prioritize AI capacity building in developing countries and met with executives from major financial institutions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held their fourth meeting in Andong, Lee's hometown, agreeing to enhance cooperation on supply chains and LNG and crude oil supplies amid Middle East conflict. The summit marked the first time sitting leaders of both countries have visited each other's hometowns.
South Korean tech giant Naver Corp. has stated it has not yet reached a decision on acquiring Woowa Brothers, the operator of food delivery app Baedal Minjok (Baemin). Reports suggest Delivery Hero is seeking around 8 trillion won ($5.37 billion) for the sale, with Uber and Naver reportedly eyeing the stake.
South Korea's household credit reached a record 1,993.1 trillion won ($1.33 trillion) in Q1 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarterly rise though at a slower pace due to stricter lending regulations. While mortgage and credit purchases grew, concerns mount over record household debt and rising global bond yields, prompting caution from the Bank of Korea.
South Korean stocks experienced volatile trading sessions from May 18-20, 2026, as investors reacted to U.S. market declines, inflation concerns, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The KOSPI opened lower on Monday, plunged sharply, then saw mixed but lower closes on Tuesday, before trimming losses on Wednesday.
South Korean director Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller 'Hope' is competing for the Palme d'Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The film, set in a coastal town near the Demilitarized Zone, features an international cast and marks Na's fourth invitation to Cannes.
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service has cautioned that retail investors' heavy reliance on leveraged and margin trading could lead to significant losses as market volatility increases. The warning comes ahead of the introduction of single-stock leveraged ETFs, which may further channel retail capital into high-risk products. The KOSPI has surged over 70% this year, but recent sharp declines highlight the potential for sudden reversals.
President Trump told the New York Post he is not open to concessions to Iran, including a 20-year uranium enrichment moratorium, and ruled out sanctions relief before a bilateral agreement. Iran has submitted a revised 14-point proposal, but the White House reportedly views it as insufficient.
South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo visited Washington to discuss the implementation of security and economic agreements from last year's summit, including Seoul's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines and civil nuclear fuel rights. Meetings with senior U.S. officials and lawmakers highlighted both progress and challenges in the follow-through on these commitments.
South Korea's national football team has begun its pre-World Cup training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, with head coach Hong Myung-bo unveiling a 26-man squad that includes several K League players and surprising selections. The team will play friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador before opening the tournament against Czechia on June 11, with a focus on acclimating to high altitude and overcoming injury concerns.
South Korea's special counsel team has booked six former National Intelligence Service officials, including former chief Cho Tae-yong and former deputy director Hong Jang-won, on charges related to the alleged insurrection tied to President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. Separately, former National Fire Agency Commissioner Heo Suk-gon was questioned over alleged instructions to cut power and water to media outlets.
South Korea's unification ministry has released an annual white paper outlining a shift from pressure and confrontation to peaceful coexistence with North Korea, emphasizing mutual trust and a 'two-state' relationship. The paper, which also scales back human rights references, has drawn criticism from those who argue it contradicts the long-standing view of inter-Korean ties as a special unification process.
A South Korean court has partially accepted Samsung Electronics' request to limit a planned union strike, mandating minimum staffing to prevent facility damage. Meanwhile, internal union disputes over wage deals have emerged, with a minor union filing for an injunction to suspend a vote on the agreement.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un convened a meeting with top military commanders and called for reinforcing front-line units along the southern border, describing the goal as turning the area into an 'impregnable fortress.' State media reports indicate plans to restructure the military and enhance training, while analysts note the influence of lessons from the war in Ukraine.
A South Korean special counsel team has appealed the nine-year prison sentence of former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who was convicted of playing a key role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. The appeal challenges the court's partial acquittal on abuse of power charges.
Multiple South Korean polls show President Lee Jae Myung’s job approval climbing back above 60 percent in mid-May, with Gallup Korea putting it at 64 percent and Realmeter surveys showing readings near or above that threshold. Pollsters linked the gains mainly to positive views of economic and livelihood policies and a strong stock market, while noting offsets from political disputes and corporate controversy.
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran finished second at the Kroger Queen City Championship after a final-round comeback fell short. She was two strokes behind winner Lottie Woad of England. Ryu reflected positively on her performance as she looks ahead to the U.S. Women's Open.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has warned that the government will consider all measures, including emergency arbitration, to prevent a planned 18-day strike at Samsung Electronics. The dispute over performance bonuses could cause up to 100 trillion won in economic damage and disrupt global semiconductor supply chains.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing, reaffirming a cooperative tone and agreeing on a new vision for bilateral ties. While both sides emphasized partnership and announced plans for continued dialogue, the summit yielded no major breakthroughs on contentious issues such as Taiwan, trade imbalances, and technological competition.