SK On-Nissan Battery Deal Under Review as EV Demand Slows Cracks are emerging in the electric-vehicle battery industry, with reports that SK On and Japan’s Nissan have entered a full review of a battery supply agreement said to be worth about 15 trillion won. The move highlights structural uncertainty in a market long described as a growth sector, as demand shifts collide with heavy investment burdens. The review is rooted in a slowdown in the EV market. As global automakers adjust production plans, battery demand is weakening faster than expect May 5, 2026

On Children’s Day, South Korea’s kids are still headed to cram schools "A magic trick that turns a golden holiday into a skills holiday." That was a promotional line from a private academy for Children’s Day 2026. The day is meant for children, but the copy’s real beneficiary is the parent — more precisely, parental anxiety. This year’s Children’s Day scene in the academy districts is familiar. Academies advertising special classes added that they would “maintain learning continuity and secure parents’ rest time.” It is Children’s Day, but children are not the su May 5, 2026

Hanwha’s KAI Stake Signals Shift Toward Management Role, Raising Integration Questions Hanwha Aerospace has secured more than a 5% stake in Korea Aerospace Industries and changed the stated purpose of its holding from a “simple investment” to “management participation.” The numerical shift may look modest, but it signals a potentially important moment as South Korea’s defense sector moves from competition among individual firms toward competition among integrated systems. A key point is separating what has happened from what may come next. A 5% stake does not, by itself, confer c May 5, 2026

South Korea Holds Emergency Meeting After Blast, Fire on Ship in Strait of Hormuz South Korea convened an emergency meeting after an explosion and fire broke out on a Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The government said it will strengthen coordination with host-country authorities so Korean sailors can be rescued and protected immediately if needed. The Foreign Ministry said the Overseas Nationals Protection Countermeasures Headquarters met at midnight on May 5 under Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a, with seven diplomatic missions in the Middle East an May 5, 2026

Domino’s Korea Raises Prices on Six Drinks, Including Coca-Cola and Sprite Domino’s Pizza has raised prices by up to 8.7% for major beverages sold in its stores, including Coca-Cola and Sprite. Industry officials said on May 5 that Domino’s increased prices on six drink items by 100 to 200 won. The company said it raised the prices starting May 4 due to higher costs. Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero in 1.25-liter bottles rose 8.7% to 2,500 won. Sprite in a 1.5-liter bottle increased 8.3% to 2,600 won. Three 500-milliliter drinks also went up 100 won each. Co May 5, 2026

Samsung Electronics Union Rift Deepens as Donghaeng Group Quits Joint Action Samsung Electronics’ labor unions are showing visible cracks, with a joint bargaining and protest front beginning to unravel from within — a development that goes beyond a routine labor-management dispute. Donghaeng, a union centered in the company’s non-semiconductor operations, has formally withdrawn from the joint bargaining group and the joint struggle headquarters. The unified response system was formed for last year’s wage talks and later expanded into a protest organization after n May 5, 2026

Trump Pressure Puts South Korea’s Hormuz Strait Decision in Focus Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are rising again. President Donald Trump has publicly pressed South Korea to join a military operation after claiming Iran attacked a South Korean vessel, urging participation in a U.S.-led “liberation project.” With possible damage to a South Korean ship being discussed, public opinion may sway. But in moments like this, the standard for decision-making should be clear: national interest, not emotion. First, the facts must be verified. So far, it has not b May 5, 2026

Explosion, Fire Reported on Korean-Operated Ship in Strait of Hormuz; Government Checking if It Was Attacked The South Korean government said it was checking the facts after an explosion and fire broke out on a Korean shipping company’s vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States launched what it calls the “Project Freedom” operation using warships and military aircraft to help civilian ships transit the area. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the incident occurred at about 8:40 p.m. Korean time on May 4 on a vessel operated by a South Korean shipping company that was anchore May 5, 2026

MBC Documentary Revisits Actor Choi Bul-am’s Life and Career MBC will air a two-part Family Month special documentary, 'Paha, This Is Choi Bul-am.' The first episode, airing at 9 p.m. on the 5th, is a radio-style documentary that looks back on actor Choi Bul-am’s life and acting career through music. Actor Park Sang-won, who played Choi’s eldest son in the MBC drama 'You and I,' serves as presenter. Part 1 traces the time of Choi as a person, beyond the label of “national actor.” It introduces moments in which he dreamed, loved and wrest May 5, 2026

South Korea Says Blast, Fire Hit Korean-Operated Ship in Strait of Hormuz; No Casualties A blast and fire broke out on a Korean-operated ship that had been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control, South Korea’s government said. Officials were checking whether the vessel was attacked and said no casualties had been reported so far. The Foreign Ministry said the explosion and fire occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on the 4th (Korea time) on a vessel anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was the NAMU, operated by South May 4, 2026