Upstage Completes Acquisition of Daum Operator AXZ AI company Upstage has finalized its acquisition of AXZ, the operator of the portal Daum. Upstage plans to integrate its large language model (LLM) with Daum's search and content data to build a next-generation AI portal aimed at creating an accessible AI service ecosystem. On May 7, Upstage signed a formal acquisition agreement with Kakao, which will transfer its entire stake in AXZ. This marks Kakao's separation from the portal business 12 years after it absorbed Daum in 2014. The two com May 7, 2026

Upstage Acquires Daum, Aiming for AI-Driven Platform Synergy Upstage's acquisition of the portal Daum has sparked significant interest in South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) sector. This marks the first instance of a generative AI company securing a large consumer interface after primarily focusing on business-to-business (B2B) growth. Upstage plans to integrate its proprietary large language model (LLM) SOLAR with Daum's search and content data to create an "AI composite platform." The goal is to transform Daum into a next-generation AI por May 7, 2026

Kim So-young Denies Charges in Motel Murder Trial Kim So-young, 20, has reiterated her denial of charges in a trial related to a series of motel murders. On May 7, video footage was shown in court for the first time, depicting Kim leading a man who appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The Seoul Northern District Court held the second hearing for Kim, who is facing murder charges. She appeared in court wearing a prison uniform. While witness testimonies were conducted behind closed doors, Nam Eon-ho, the lawyer representing t May 7, 2026

Weather Forecast: Cloudy Nationwide with Rain in Gangwon and Jeju Mountains On Friday, May 8, most of the country will be cloudy, except for the capital region. According to Yonhap News, rain is expected in the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, eastern North Jeolla, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Jeju Island early in the morning. Light rain of less than 0.1 mm is forecast for the inland and mountainous regions of Gangwon in the morning, with some areas in Gangwon receiving rain in the afternoon. Expected rainfall in the mountainous areas of G May 7, 2026

Iranian Media Claims Physical Action Against South Korean Vessel Iranian state media reported that Iran has taken "physical action" against a South Korean vessel. According to Yonhap News Agency, Iran's Press TV stated on May 6 that targeting a South Korean ship for violating newly defined maritime rules signals Iran's commitment to defending its sovereignty. While the specific name of the vessel was not mentioned, it is believed to refer to the HMM Namoo. The column also claimed that the U.S. halted its "Project Freedom" not out of goodwill, but du May 7, 2026

Rising Burden of Loss Compensation Amid Uncertain Oil Reserve Release Timing The South Korean government's policy of releasing strategic oil reserves to stabilize prices is set to conclude in a month, but the future direction remains unclear. As international oil prices remain high, concerns are growing over the increasing burden of loss compensation for the refining industry, raising questions about the sustainability of the policy.The government has relied on short-term measures like the oil price cap and reserve releases, leading to heightened market uncertainty due t May 7, 2026

South Korea Freezes Oil Price Cap for Third Time Amid Economic Concerns The South Korean government has decided to freeze the fifth oil price cap, marking the third freeze since the second increase. Despite rising international oil prices and accumulated factors for further increases, the government is prioritizing inflation concerns. However, the ongoing freeze amid rising price pressures suggests that future fiscal burdens may increase. Concerns about the prolonged situation are also growing as the government lacks a clear exit strategy. The Ministry of Tra May 7, 2026

Deputy Minister Moon Warns of Concerns Over Samsung Strikes Amid AI Transition Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Shin-hak stated on May 7 that the transition to artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, known as M.AX, is being pursued out of a sense of urgency to remain competitive globally. He emphasized the need for both labor and management to share a common understanding during negotiations. Speaking to reporters at the government complex in Sejong, Moon addressed the ongoing strikes by the Samsung Biologics union and the impending strike by May 7, 2026

National Assembly Passes 115 Bills Including AI Data Center and Defense Semiconductor Laws The legal framework to support the activation of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers has been established. Additionally, a law to support the development of defense semiconductors has been enacted. On May 7, the National Assembly passed 115 bills, including the 'Special Act on the Promotion of the AI Data Center Industry' and the 'Law on the Development and Support of Defense Semiconductors.' A proposed constitutional amendment was not voted on due to a lack of quorum. The AI Dat May 7, 2026

Hoshino Resort Redefines Travel Standards in Guam with 'Regeneration Philosophy' Hoshino Resort is setting new travel standards in Guam, focusing on 'experience' over 'relaxation' and 'value' over 'price.' With over a century of history, the Hoshino Resort Group is applying its unique 'regeneration philosophy' to the global stage, starting with the transformation of 'Rizonare Guam.' On May 7, Hoshino Resort held a press conference in Seoul to unveil its brand vision and the Guam resort regeneration project. Founded in 1914, Hoshino Resort operates 74 facilities worldwi May 7, 2026