AI Can Identify Vulnerabilities in 10 Minutes, South Korea's Ministry of Science Says The Ministry of Science and ICT is examining the need for developing security-focused AI models to counter evolving AI-based cyber threats. During a briefing on May 8 in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Choi Woo-hyuk, head of the Cybersecurity Policy Division, stated, "There was a consensus that the current information security system is insufficient to address threats based on AI models. We discussed the necessity of a dedicated AI model specialized in cybersecurity." Earlier that day, the ministry May 8, 2026

Blue House Expresses Regret Over Failed Constitutional Amendment Due to Opposition The Blue House expressed regret on May 8 that a proposed constitutional amendment was not presented at the National Assembly due to opposition from lawmakers of the People Power Party. It urged continued discussions on the amendment in the upcoming second half of the 22nd National Assembly. Chief Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated in a written briefing that the amendment aimed to incorporate the spirit of the Busan Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement into the preamble May 8, 2026

Jang Dong-hyuk Calls Opposition's Special Prosecutor Proposal Unconstitutional Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, criticized the opposition's proposed "manipulated prosecution special prosecutor" as "unconstitutional and illegal." Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in central Seoul on May 8, Jang stated, "The special prosecutor appointed by President Lee Jae-myung would have the authority to dismiss charges against the president, ultimately aiming to eliminate the trial of the president altogether." May 8, 2026

KOSPI Closes Slightly Higher on Individual Investor Buying Amid Profit-Taking The KOSPI, which started lower, closed slightly higher on May 8, buoyed by buying from individual investors. As the market digests the recent surge, a rotation among stocks continues. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI rose by 7.95 points (0.11%) to close at 7,498.00. The index opened at 7,353.94, down 136.11 points (1.82%) from the previous session. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "The domestic market is seeing profit-taking after a sharp rise recentl May 8, 2026

Trump Claims U.S. Holds Negotiation Advantage Over Iran Amid Hormuz Tensions President Donald Trump emphasized that the United States maintains a negotiating advantage over Iran, even as hostilities in the Hormuz Strait have resumed. He suggested that rather than viewing the renewed clashes as a sign of escalating conflict, it indicates Iran's increasing urgency to reach an agreement. On May 7, during a visit to the construction site of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Trump told reporters, "Negotiations are going very well." He added, "Iran wants an agree May 8, 2026

Anti-Corruption Agency Requests Investigation into Kim Geon-hee's Luxury Bag Scandal The Anti-Corruption Agency has decided to request an investigation from the National Investigation Headquarters regarding allegations related to Kim Geon-hee's acceptance of luxury bags and potential violations of the anti-bribery law. On May 8, the agency announced the findings of its normalization task force (TF). According to the agency, the TF reviewed various allegations, including past reports concerning luxury bags and new claims related to interference in complaints. It found that May 8, 2026

Seoul Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Opening of 'Garden of Gratitude' The opening of the 'Garden of Gratitude' scheduled for May 12 has sparked a heated exchange between Seoul mayoral candidates Oh Se-hoon and Jung Won-o. According to a report by Aju Economy on May 8, Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, plans to attend the opening ceremony for the Garden of Gratitude. Meanwhile, Jung Won-o's camp from the Democratic Party is calling for the ceremony to be halted through a series of one-person protests by its members. Following protests b May 8, 2026

Saemaul Geumgo Provides 93.4 Billion Won in Policy Loans in Q1, Expanding Support for Low-Income Finance Saemaul Geumgo Central Association is actively providing policy loans to support economically vulnerable groups, including low-credit and low-income workers, self-employed individuals, and small business owners. The organization aims to fulfill its role as a financial institution for the underprivileged. On May 8, Saemaul Geumgo announced that it supplied 93.4 billion won in low-income financial support through three policy loan products—HaetSal Loan, municipal agreement loans, and small bu May 8, 2026

Hyundai GF Holdings Reports 24% Increase in Q1 Operating Profit Hyundai GF Holdings, the holding company of the Hyundai Department Store Group, reported strong results for the first quarter of this year, driven by improved profitability across its major subsidiaries. According to a disclosure on May 8 from the Financial Supervisory Service, Hyundai GF Holdings announced that its consolidated operating profit for the first quarter was 117.6 billion won, marking a 23.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue for the quarter was 2.08 May 8, 2026

Kumho Tire Reports 42.9% Increase in Operating Profit Amid Electric Tire Expansion Kumho Tire & Technology reported a significant increase in revenue, driven by the expansion of its electric tire supply. Despite tariffs and high oil prices, the company continued to see strong performance in the global replacement tire market. On May 8, Kumho Tire announced that its consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2026 reached 5.31 trillion won, with an operating profit of 506.9 billion won. This marks a 7% increase in revenue and a 42.9% increase in operating profit compare May 8, 2026