South Korea to Expand Community Solar, Aiming for 700 'Sunlight Income Villages' This Year The South Korean government is moving to expand resident-led solar power projects, gathering on-the-ground feedback as it pushes to build more than 700 “Sunlight Income Villages” this year through regulatory tweaks and stronger administrative support. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it held a policy forum on Thursday morning at the Han River Flood Control Office in Seoul’s Seocho district. Climate Minister Kim Seong-hwan attended along with members of the Sunlight In May 7, 2026

Korea Fair Trade Commission to Brief Big Conglomerates on Disclosure Rules South Korea’s antitrust regulator will hold tailored briefings online and in person for disclosure officers at major conglomerates, aiming to prevent repeat violations.  The Korea Fair Trade Commission said May 7 it will host the sessions with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry from May 11 to 13 for companies designated as disclosure-target business groups, commonly known as large conglomerates.  The commission holds quarterly briefings each year to improve understanding of di May 7, 2026

KT Overhauls Security Systems to Rebuild Customer Trust KT said Thursday it will push a sweeping overhaul of its companywide information security system, centered on a newly formed Information Security Office, as it works to restore customer trust. The company said it will shift to an always-on prevention and proactive response posture through an integrated governance structure led by its chief information security officer and chief privacy officer. KT said it will also upgrade customer protection and complaint-handling systems through its pr May 7, 2026

Korea, Japan Collaborate at Venice Biennale, Crossing a Hedge Between Pavilions “I’ve long hoped that someday we could do something together.” Mizuki Takahashi, a co-curator of the Japan Pavilion, said that through tears after a joint performance by the Korea and Japan pavilions on May 6 (local time) at the Venice Biennale. Takahashi recalled that about 10 years ago, a candidate for Japan Pavilion curator suggested working together. She said she proposed a plan to build an exhibition with the Korea Pavilion, but it was not selected. “Still, I kept thinking that some May 7, 2026

Finance Minister Koo to Announce Fifth Oil Price Cap at 7 p.m.; Anti-Hoarding Ban Extended to July Deputy Prime Minister and Finance and Economy Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government will announce the fifth round of a cap on petroleum product prices at 7 p.m. on May 7, ahead of its application starting May 8. He also said the ban on hoarding petroleum products will be extended by two months, through July, and that the government will move to strengthen the system, including introducing administrative fines. Koo made the remarks while chairing the eighth meeting of the inte May 7, 2026

Gwangju stabbing suspect, 24, allegedly roamed with knives for two days before killing student A man in his 20s accused of stabbing two high school students he did not know in downtown Gwangju, killing one and injuring the other, told police he meant to take someone with him because he was going to die anyway, according to reports. Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday that the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency is questioning Jang, 24, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, about the circumstances and motive. Jang is believed to have confessed that h May 7, 2026

Bithumb Signs MOU With Vietnam’s SSID to Pursue Crypto Exchange Venture Bithumb is expanding cooperation with overseas financial firms as it builds a base for global business. Bithumb said May 7 it signed a broad memorandum of understanding with SSID, a subsidiary of SSI Securities, Vietnam’s largest securities firm, to pursue a virtual-asset exchange business. Attendees at the signing included Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won, SSID CEO Nguyen Khac Hai and SSI Securities Chairman Nguyen Duy Hung, the company said. The MOU aims to build a strategic partnership to e May 7, 2026

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Spain’s Canary Islands; WHO says risk remains low A cruise ship hit by a cluster of hantavirus infections while sailing off West Africa headed for Spain’s Canary Islands after disembarking three suspected patients. AP and Reuters reported that the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which had been anchored for several days off the coast of Cabo Verde, began moving on May 6 (local time) with 146 passengers and crew aboard. The three suspected patients were taken off the ship and were being flown by air ambulance to the Netherlands. The Dutch Fore May 7, 2026

Over 33,000 Illegal River and Valley Facilities Found, Far Above Initial Count More than 33,000 illegal facilities have been found along rivers and valleys nationwide, far beyond the 835 cases the government initially reported. The gap is not just statistical. It underscores how loosely authorities have managed sites on the ground and how long the problem was effectively left unattended. President Lee Jae-myung recently told a Cabinet meeting that the issue must not be ignored, ordering intensive inspections and investigations into possible dereliction of duty. He also c May 7, 2026

WSJ: Trump Wants Iran War Deal Before China Trip, May Resume Strikes if No Accord An analysis says President Donald Trump wants to reach an agreement to end the war with Iran before his planned May 14-15 visit to China. If no deal is reached even after the trip, Trump could again turn to military action, the reports said. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, that the longer the war drags on, the more China’s leverage grows in other U.S.-China negotiations. “Trump has a strong incentive to wrap up the war May 7, 2026