Uber, Naver, and Baemin Sale Speculations Signal New Platform Wars The German company Delivery Hero is considering the sale of Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baedal Minjok (Baemin), marking a significant turning point in South Korea's platform market. According to investment banking sources, JP Morgan, the advisor for the sale, has distributed teaser letters to major domestic and international companies, including Naver, Uber, Alibaba, and DoorDash, as well as some private equity firms. However, it appears that the acquisition process has not yet formally begu May 14, 2026

Trump and Xi Affirm Commitment to Strengthening US-China Relations U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit in Beijing, confirming their commitment to stabilizing U.S.-China relations and expanding economic and trade cooperation. However, Xi emphasized that the Taiwan issue remains a critical concern in U.S.-China relations, urging the U.S. to respond cautiously. On May 14, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released details of the summit held at the Great Hall of the People. Xi highlighted the need for both nations to overcom May 14, 2026

CJ Olive Young's 'Olive Better' Marks 100 Days of Success, Plans 10 New Stores CJ Olive Young's wellness curation platform, 'Olive Better,' is set to expand its offline presence following a successful 100 days since its launch. The company plans to open 10 new stores in key areas of Seoul, including Myeongdong and Seongsu, capitalizing on strong demand from foreign tourists and the 2030 demographic to take the lead in the K-wellness market. On May 14, Olive Young announced its intention to expand the number of Olive Better stores to 10 by the end of the year. La May 14, 2026

CJ ENM Vice Chair Im Mi-kyung: K-Content Connects Beyond Korean Culture Im Mi-kyung, Vice Chair of CJ ENM, discussed the growth of the Korean content industry and its global expansion strategy in the CNN documentary "K-Everything." He highlighted the importance of "authentic storytelling" as a key factor in the global spread of Korean culture, stating, "It is crucial not just to promote Korean culture but to connect people worldwide through stories." According to CJ ENM, Im shared these insights during the broadcast of "K-Everything" on May 9, where he addres May 14, 2026

Financial Sector Divided on Inclusive Finance Policies A divide is emerging in the financial sector regarding the government's policies aimed at expanding productive and inclusive finance. While domestic financial holding companies have emphasized the importance of inclusive finance, their business reports filed in the United States indicate that these policies could pose risks to profitability and asset soundness. According to the financial sector on May 14, KB, Shinhan, and Woori Financial Groups included the productive and inclusive financ May 14, 2026

South Korea's Foreign Minister Condemns Attack on HMM Cargo Ship Namwoo Cho Hyun, South Korea's Foreign Minister, stated on May 14 that the attack on the HMM cargo ship Namwoo and other civilian vessels is "unjustifiable and unacceptable under any circumstances." He emphasized the government's commitment to ongoing consultations with relevant countries regarding the incident. During a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Cho announced that the government will conduct a further investigation into the attack on the Namwoo an May 14, 2026

Korean Scholarship Foundation and Labor Welfare Corporation Join New Leap Fund The Korean Scholarship Foundation and the Labor Welfare Corporation have expressed their intention to join the New Leap Fund, confirming their commitment to financial authorities. Following the controversy surrounding the private bad bank, Sangnoksoo SPC, the review of long-term delinquent loans has expanded, prompting discussions about including policy-related bonds held by public institutions into the New Leap Fund. The New Leap Fund is a program designed to purchase unsecured loans unde May 14, 2026

AI Fuels Nuclear Renaissance: Opportunities for K-Nuclear Exports As global electricity demand surges due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear energy is re-emerging as a key power source. With countries worldwide expanding their nuclear capabilities, South Korea, which has experience operating the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and possesses APR1400 reactor technology, is seeing new export opportunities arise.According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand is projected to increase by about 40% by 2035 compared t May 14, 2026

Andy Weir's 'Project Hail Mary' Reclaims Top Spot on Bestseller List Andy Weir's science fiction novel Project Hail Mary continues to capture readers' attention, bolstered by its recent film adaptation. It has reclaimed the number one spot on the bestseller list at major bookstores like Kyobo Bookstore and Yes24. As of May 14, Yes24 reported that Project Hail Mary returned to the top during the second week of May, maintaining its long-term popularity. After five consecutive weeks at number one in April, it briefly dropped to second place due to Children's D May 14, 2026

Seoul City and Ultra Marathon Organizers Clash Over Legality of Event The upcoming Seoul Han River Ultra Marathon is causing a significant clash between Seoul City and the event organizers, leading to confusion among participants. The city has even hung banners at the event site declaring it an "unauthorized illegal event" as tensions escalate. The controversy began when banners were installed around Ttukseom Han River Park, stating, "The Seoul Han River Ultra Marathon on May 16 is an unauthorized illegal event," and warning that "the organizers will bear a May 14, 2026