Small Business Agency Receives Prime Minister's Award for Policy Communication The Small Business Market Promotion Agency was recognized with a Prime Minister's Award for Policy Communication at the 2025 Policy Communication Awards hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. According to the agency on May 11, it has completely overhauled its policy communication system to successfully implement key national tasks, including enhancing public communication, promoting inclusive finance, and revitalizing small businesses and local markets. The agency has foc May 11, 2026

Democratic Party Launches Election Committee Ahead of Local Elections The Democratic Party of Korea has officially launched its election campaign committee in preparation for the June 3 local elections. Jeong Cheong-rae, the chair of the committee, emphasized the message of "high goals, low posture." While this call for humility is common in political rhetoric before elections, its significance is particularly weighty this time. Voter expectations are higher than ever, with a clear shift towards valuing results over rhetoric. The Democratic Party views this local May 11, 2026

Lotte Shopping Reports 70% Surge in Q1 Operating Profit Driven by Foreign Tourists Lotte Shopping reported a significant increase in its first-quarter performance, driven by growth in its department store segment. The surge in spending by foreign tourists, particularly in Myeongdong, along with high-margin fashion sales, contributed to a more than 70% rise in operating profit. The company also noted improvements in its profitability efforts and strong performance in overseas markets, including Vietnam. On May 11, Lotte Shopping announced that its consolidated operat May 11, 2026

Teen Girl Killed in Stabbing; Suspect's Appearance Draws Attention Online A teenage girl was fatally stabbed by a man in his twenties in downtown Gwangju while returning home, leading to the rapid spread of the suspect's personal information online. Photos and personal details of the suspect, identified as A, have circulated widely on various online communities and social media platforms. The posts include recent snapshots of A, as well as what appears to be a high school graduation photo. Notably, claims have emerged stating that A had been reported for stalk May 11, 2026

Young Investor Turns 26 Million Won from Samsung Stock, While Another Regrets Selling As semiconductor stocks continue to rise, a 1992-born office worker has gained attention for turning her investments into assets worth over 2.6 billion won (approximately $2 million) in just six years. In a recent post on the anonymous workplace community "Blind," a woman identified as A shared her experience as a "six-year stock investor," expressing her astonishment at surpassing 2 billion won in assets. A reported her total investment assets at approximately 2.6455 billion won, with May 11, 2026

Hummer EV SUV Launches in South Korea with Advanced Features The Hummer EV SUV, a large electric off-road vehicle, has officially launched in South Korea. Manufactured in the United States, the Hummer EV SUV is equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including Super Cruise, which is a hallmark of General Motors. General Motors (GM) announced on May 11 that its electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) and pickup truck brand GMC has introduced the Hummer EV SUV to the domestic market. The Hummer EV SUV, GMC's flagship electric sports utility May 11, 2026

Cosmo Robotics Soars on First Day of KOSDAQ Listing Cosmo Robotics, a company specializing in wearable robotics, recorded a remarkable debut on the KOSDAQ market on May 11, achieving a fourfold increase from its initial public offering (IPO) price. According to the Korea Exchange, at 9:46 a.m., Cosmo Robotics was trading at 20,600 won, up 14,600 won (243.33%) from its IPO price of 6,000 won. Shortly after the market opened, the stock surged to 24,000 won, marking a 300% increase. Founded in 2016, Cosmo Robotics specializes in medical an May 11, 2026

KOSPI Triggers Buy Sidecar After Surge On May 11, the KOSPI surged, prompting the activation of a buy sidecar in the securities market. This marked the first activation in three trading days since May 6. This was the 15th sidecar triggered in the KOSPI market this year, with eight of those being buy sidecars. According to the Korea Exchange, at 9:29:32 a.m., the KOSPI 200 futures index soared, leading to a five-minute suspension of program buy orders. At the time of the sidecar activation, the KOSPI 200 futures index was up May 11, 2026

Samsung Heavy Industries Shares Surge Amid U.S.-Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation Samsung Heavy Industries shares experienced a significant increase early in the trading session, driven by expectations of strengthened U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation. As of 10:06 a.m. on May 11, Samsung Heavy Industries shares rose 7.36% (2,530 won) to 34,300 won, according to the Korea Exchange. Other major shipbuilding stocks also saw gains during the same period, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries up 3.04%, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering rising 5.86%, Hanwha Ocean in May 11, 2026

President Lee Vows to Recover All Profits from Price Collusion President Lee Jae-myung has issued a strong warning to the business community, stating that the government will recover all profits gained from collusion and market disruption. This declaration makes it clear that practices such as price collusion, self-dealing by conglomerate families, and unfair internal transactions will no longer be tolerated as mere customs or compromises. The Fair Trade Commission is also working to significantly strengthen its penalties for collusion and increase sanction May 11, 2026