Olive Young Reports 24.5% Revenue Increase in Q1 Driven by Foreign Customers CJ Olive Young achieved sales of 1.5372 trillion won in the first quarter of this year, marking a 24.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was supported by an increase in foreign visitors, the expansion of specialized stores, and the launch of wellness-focused outlets.According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system on May 15, the company's net profit for the quarter rose by 2.9% to 130 billion won.The surge in sales is attributed to the infl May 16, 2026

US-China Summit Addresses Iran Nuclear Issue and Hormuz Strait Access The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May 2026 transcended mere bilateral relations, impacting the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and global energy order. The primary focus of the meeting was the Iran nuclear issue and the reopening of the Hormuz Strait.According to a White House statement, both leaders agreed on the principle that “Iran must never possess nuclear weapons” and that “the Hormuz Strait must remain open for internat May 16, 2026

SCFI Index Recovers Above 2000, Boosting Hopes for South Korean Shipping Sector Global container freight rates are showing signs of recovery as the Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI) has rebounded, signaling positive prospects for the shipping industry in the second half of the year. Analysts attribute this trend to uncertainties in the Middle East affecting supply and the onset of an early peak season. The market is closely watching to see if this upward momentum will continue into the latter half of the year. On May 15, the Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SSE) repo May 16, 2026

Kolon Industries Reports 1st Quarter Operating Profit of 98.8 Billion Won, Up 158.3% Year-on-Year ㈜코오롱 announced on May 15 that it recorded sales of 1.5188 trillion won, an operating profit of 98.8 billion won, and a net loss of 44.7 billion won for the first quarter of 2026. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 7.7% and operating profit rose by 158.3%, although the net loss persists. Its subsidiary, Kolon Industries, saw both sales and operating profit rise year-on-year, driven by the success of its operational efficiency (OE) projects and strong sales growth i May 16, 2026

Kim Geon-hee Faces 7 Years and 6 Months in Prison for Corruption Charges The special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, has requested a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months for Kim Geon-hee, who is accused of receiving expensive gifts in exchange for favors related to personnel and business dealings. The special prosecutor characterized Kim's actions as a form of corruption exploiting her status as the spouse of the president, emphasizing the need for severe punishment. During a hearing on May 15 at the Seoul Central District Court, the special prosecut May 16, 2026

Counterterrorism Center to be Reformed into National Counterterrorism Headquarters The government is reforming the Counterterrorism Center, currently under the Prime Minister's office, into the National Counterterrorism Headquarters. On May 15, a final report meeting of the public-private counterterrorism task force was held at the Government Seoul Building, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, where the reform was confirmed. The National Counterterrorism Headquarters will serve as a central control tower overseeing and coordinating government-wide counterterror May 16, 2026

Kyobo Life Reports 60.7% Increase in Q1 Net Profit to 458.7 Billion Won Kyobo Life Insurance continued to improve its performance in the first quarter of this year, driven by increased sales of health and protection insurance and rising investment profits. On May 15, Kyobo Life announced that its consolidated net profit for the first quarter was 458.7 billion won, up 173.3 billion won, or 60.7%, from 285.4 billion won in the same period last year. The standalone net profit was 330.1 billion won, a 4.7% increase from 315.3 billion won a year earlier. Both ins May 16, 2026

Orion Reports 26% Increase in Q1 Operating Profit Driven by Overseas Growth Orion has reported a double-digit improvement in performance for the first quarter of this year, driven by growth in its overseas subsidiaries.The company announced on May 15 that its consolidated operating profit for the first quarter reached 165.5 billion won, a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue rose 16% to 930.4 billion won.The growth was primarily attributed to overseas subsidiaries in China, Vietnam, and Russia. The Chinese subsidiary reported sales of 409.7 billio May 16, 2026

Citibank Reports Record Q1 Profit of 132.8 Billion Won Citibank Korea announced on May 15 that it achieved a net profit of 132.8 billion won in the first quarter of this year. This marks a 61% increase compared to the same period last year, reaching the highest level in eight years.Total revenue for the first quarter was 330.5 billion won, a 23% increase year-over-year. This growth was largely driven by a 77% rise in non-interest income from corporate finance, including foreign exchange, derivatives, and securities-related earnings.Interest income f May 16, 2026

Power Ultimately Tests Humanity History is often said to repeat itself, but more accurately, it is human nature that recurs. Across different eras, human nature remains remarkably consistent. The desires, pride, face-saving, and emotions surrounding power are strikingly similar to those we see today. The story of Yi Seong-gye, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, and the Lee An-sa family, a powerful local elite in Jeonju during the late Goryeo period, illustrates this point. Regardless of its factual accuracy, the endur May 15, 2026