Former mimiirose member Hyori releases duet single 'Neutron Star' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hyori, former member of K-pop girl group mimiirose, has released a new duet single, "Neutron Star," with rookie vocalist Yuni, her agency Pocket7 Entertainment said Thursday. The digital single was released on major streaming platforms on May 16. Neutron Star is a ballad that uses images of the night sky and outer space to describe longing for someone who has grown distant but still exerts an emotional pull. The track pairs Hyori’s delic May 21, 2026

America-first policy to outlast Trump, says his former chief of staff SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said the “America First” brand of economic nationalism and a more restrained U.S. approach to overseas engagement are likely to remain defining features of Washington’s policy landscape long after Donald Trump leaves office. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Mulvaney said protectionism and economic nationalism reflect broader stru May 21, 2026

AJP Focus: Samsung strike on hold, but shareholders see a new battle beginning SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The chip lines at Samsung Electronics ran uninterrupted Thursday morning. What had been dreaded as the opening day of an unprecedented 18-day walkout instead turned into relief rally on the market after labor and management reached a last-minute settlement shortly before midnight. Samsung shares surged as much as 7 percent during trading and closed at a fresh record high as markets priced out the immediate risk of production disruption at the world’s May 21, 2026

FSC to offer low-rate insurance for 10 Korean ships near Hormuz SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won said Thursday the government will provide low-rate marine insurance for 10 vessels operated by small and midsized Korean shipping companies currently waiting near the Strait of Hormuz. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with shipping companies, policy lenders and insurers in Seoul, the fourth in a series of industry-finance meetings aimed at supporting sectors hit by the Middle East conflict. “The h May 21, 2026

KOSPI outperforms Asian peers with record point gain on Nvidia boost, Samsung labor deal SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - South Korean stocks sharply outperformed regional peers Thursday, as Nvidia’s upbeat earnings and Samsung Electronics’ tentative labor deal triggered a powerful rally in Seoul’s chip-heavy market despite mixed trading across Asia. The KOSPI jumped 606.64 points, or 8.42 percent, to finish at 7,815.59, dwarfing other gains across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 3 percent, while Chinese and Taiwanese shares lost ground, undersco May 21, 2026

HD Korea Shipbuilding wins $1.2 bln order for 6 ammonia carriers SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said Thursday it has signed a contract with a European shipowner to build six very large ammonia carriers. The deal is worth 1.08 trillion won ($1.2 billion), the intermediate shipbuilding holding company of HD Hyundai said in a regulatory filing. The vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Samho and delivered by the second half of 2029. With the latest order, HD Korea Shipbuilding has secured orders for 104 ve May 21, 2026

Two South Koreans released after Israeli seizure of Gaza-bound vessels SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Two South Koreans detained after Israeli forces seized vessels bound for the Gaza Strip have been released, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. Their release comes after the Gaza-bound ship Kyriakos X, carrying humanitarian aid, was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus last Thursday, and another vessel, Rina al Nabulsi, was seized by Israeli forces in waters near the Gaza Strip two days later, both carrying Sou May 21, 2026

Hanwha Qcells to supply modules for South Korea's largest solar project SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions' Qcells division announced it will supply high-efficiency solar cells and modules for a 400-megawatt solar power project being developed by Korea South-East Power (KOSEP), the largest solar installation ever built on a single site in South Korea. The plant, set to rise across about 4.63 square kilometers of land in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, is scheduled for completion in June 2028. KOSEP selected a preferred EPC (engineering, pr May 21, 2026

NCT's Taeyong begins 'WYLD' promotions with music shows, Seoul Jazz Festival SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Taeyong of K-pop group NCT will perform at the Seoul Jazz Festival this week as he begins promotions for his first full-length solo album "WYLD," SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 30-year-old rapper, dancer and songwriter is the leader of NCT and its subunit NCT 127. Taeyong will perform tracks from "WYLD" at the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival 2026, which runs from May 22 to 24 at Olympic Park in Seoul. The festival has grown into one of Sout May 21, 2026

ASIA INSIGHT: Samsung dispute exposes wider risks to chip supply despite last-minute deal SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - For the past couple of weeks, Samsung Electronics was locked in a labor dispute that, on its surface, looked like a routine clash between management and workers over wages and performance bonuses. But the tremors it sent through markets suggested something far larger was at stake, not just a labor standoff over pay but the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain. Even before a tentative agreement was reached late last night, the negotiations, describ May 21, 2026