Putin's Visit to China and Xi Jinping's Strategy: New Coordinates in a Shifting World Order In diplomacy, 'order' conveys a message. Who arrives first and who follows reveals not just a schedule but the distribution of power and strategy. This is evident in the recent events in Beijing. Following President Donald Trump's visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit shortly thereafter, just days apart. This arrangement appears to be less coincidental and more a product of China's orchestrated 'staged diplomacy.' China is employing a dual strategy of managing competi May 17, 2026

U.S.-China Agreement on Tariff Reductions Signals Need for South Korea to Revise Export Strategy The United States and China have announced a principled consensus on reducing tariffs and easing non-tariff barriers during their recent summit. China's Ministry of Commerce stated that both countries have agreed to discuss mutual tariff reductions on a range of products and to improve market access in certain sectors, including agriculture. However, specifics regarding which items will see tariff reductions and the timeline for implementation have yet to be finalized, and negotiations are ongoi May 17, 2026

Ruling Party Responds to Kim Du-gyeom's Allegations of Collusion in Ulsan Mayoral Race The Democratic Party on May 15 responded to allegations of collusion made by Kim Du-gyeom, the candidate from the People Power Party, regarding the unification of progressive candidates for the Ulsan mayoral election. Jo Seung-rae, the party's Secretary-General, expressed confidence that they would not unify with independent candidate Park Maeng-woo. While Kim Sang-wook of the Democratic Party and Kim Jong-hoon of the Progressive Party agreed to unify their candidacies through a 100% opini May 17, 2026

Former Minister Ju Young-seop Discusses Korea's AI Strategy Artificial intelligence is reshaping the industrial landscape. As the competition shifts from technological prowess to purposeful innovation, where should South Korea's industry head? Ju Young-seop, the former Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, offers a pragmatic and strategic perspective on this question. With experience as a CEO, government policy maker, and academic, he views AI not merely as a technology but as a "key tool for restructuring industries." He asserts, "The A May 17, 2026

China and U.S. Reach Preliminary Agreement on Tariff Reductions The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that the United States and China have reached a preliminary agreement on tariff reductions and the easing of non-tariff barriers during their recent summit. According to Yonhap News on May 16, a ministry spokesperson stated in a press release posted on their website that both countries achieved initial results in economic and trade discussions during high-level talks held on May 13 in South Korea and the summit in Beijing on May 14. The spokesper May 17, 2026

India Day Celebrated on the Han River: A Cultural Exchange May brought an early summer to the Han River. Under a clear blue sky without a hint of fine dust, brilliant sunlight danced on the silver waves. That afternoon, fresh green buds painted the Yeouido riverside in vivid colors, while an unfamiliar scent wafted through the river breeze—an aromatic blend of saffron, turmeric, and cardamom, a smell rarely encountered in the heart of Seoul.People paused, their ears perked up, and they found themselves walking toward the source of the enticing aroma.Thi May 17, 2026

Chinese 'Table Diplomacy' Message Through Kung Pao Chicken and Jajangmyeon In international diplomacy, state dinners are often referred to as "food diplomacy" because each dish served carries a message and consideration for the other country. This is why food is called the oldest language of diplomacy. The menu presented by China during President Donald Trump's visit naturally conveyed such messages. The highlight of the working lunch on May 15 at Zhongnanhai, where President Xi Jinping and Trump met for the last time, was Kung Pao Chicken, a classic Sichuan dis May 16, 2026

Samsung's Lee Jae-Yong Apologizes Ahead of Union Strike, Negotiations Resume May 18 Lee Jae-Yong Apologizes, "It's All My Fault"...Negotiations Resume May 18 Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-Yong publicly apologized to the nation and customers just five days before a planned strike by the company’s labor union. The company and the union have agreed to resume negotiations on May 18. Upon arriving at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center on May 16, Lee stated, "I sincerely apologize to our global customers for the anxiety and concern caused by our i May 16, 2026

Heizee Explains Family Trip Without Second Son Due to Ongoing Treatment YouTuber Heizee, whose real name is Kang Hye-jin, explained why her family traveled without her second son. On May 16, a video titled "The Story You Asked About: Why My Second Son Wasn't with Us on Our Trips" was posted on her YouTube channel, "Hyejin's." In the video, Heizee shared, "Many people have been curious about Seung-yu, and I often receive questions like, 'Why isn't Seung-yu joining you on your trips?'" She continued, "Seung-yu has been undergoing treatment for otitis media for fo May 16, 2026

Israeli Military Announces Elimination of Hamas Leader Izz al-Din al-Hadad The Israeli military announced on May 16 that it has eliminated Izz al-Din al-Hadad, a leader of Hamas and head of its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in the Gaza Strip. According to Yonhap News, the Israeli military stated that al-Hadad was killed in a targeted airstrike carried out the previous night, describing him as one of the architects of the brutal massacre that occurred on October 7. Al-Hadad took over as the military chief and leader of Hamas in Gaza fol May 16, 2026