Gas Explosion Injures Resident at Apartment in Eumseong During City Gas Hookup A gas explosion at an apartment in Daeso-eup, Eumseong County, North Chungcheong province, injured a resident in their 30s at about 9:40 a.m. on May 4, authorities said. The resident, identified only as A, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials said the injuries were not life-threatening. Yonhap News Agency reported the blast appeared to have occurred inside the unit. A had moved in the day before and called a company to start city May 4, 2026

North Korea Calls Japan’s Planned Security Document Revisions a ‘Blatant Challenge’ North Korea on Monday criticized Japan’s push to revise its “three major security documents,” calling it a “blatant challenge to international peace and humanity,” Yonhap News Agency reported. The Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried the remarks in an article titled, “Evolving into a war state and war merchant will only recreate the shameful fate of the old Japanese empire.” The paper said Japan was exploiting rising regional tensions to move quickly toward becoming a “war st May 4, 2026

Hyundai E&C, DL E&C Face Off for Apgujeong District 5 Reconstruction Contract Competition is intensifying between Hyundai Engineering & Construction and DL E&C as the selection of a builder for Apgujeong District 5, one of Seoul’s biggest redevelopment battlegrounds, nears. Industry officials said Monday the contractor will be chosen at a homeowners association general meeting on May 30. The project will rebuild the Hanyang 1st and 2nd apartment complexes near 490 Apgujeong-dong in Seoul’s Gangnam district into eight buildings ranging from five basement le May 4, 2026

Hyundai, Kia U.S. April Sales Dip on Tariff-Driven Early Buying; Hybrids Hit Record Hyundai Motor and Kia reported slightly lower U.S. sales in April, which the companies attributed to earlier buying tied to tariff concerns. Even as overall volume slipped, hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sales rose to a record on strong demand for fuel-efficient models amid high oil prices. Hyundai Motor and Kia said their combined U.S. sales in April totaled 159,216 vehicles, down 2.1% from a year earlier. Hyundai sold 86,513 vehicles, down 1.5%, while Kia sold 72,703, down 2.8%. Premium May 4, 2026

Japan LDP power broker visits China but holds no talks with Chinese officials A senior official of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has visited China for the first time since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office, but no meetings were held with Chinese government officials, according to reports. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the LDP’s election strategy chief, visited Beijing on May 2, toured Chinese robotics and autonomous-driving technology companies including Unitree, and met with local businesspeople, Kyodo News and other outlets reported. The trip was made a May 4, 2026

Kim Seong-jin Named New Chairman of Korea Power Exchange Kim Seong-jin, former head of the Gwangju Future Car Mobility Promotion Agency, officially took office on the 4th as the next leader of the Korea Power Exchange, which oversees South Korea’s power supply and demand. The Korea Power Exchange said Kim was appointed chairman with a three-year term. An inauguration ceremony is scheduled for the 6th at the agency’s headquarters in Naju, South Jeolla Province. Born in 1963 in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Kim graduated from Gwangju Daedong H May 4, 2026

Report: Middle East war could boost China’s renewable energy edge despite oil shock Energy supply shocks triggered by the Middle East war are rattling the global economy, but China could emerge as a medium- to long-term beneficiary in renewables despite near-term pain, a report said. According to the International Finance Center’s report, titled “China’s windfall gains from the Middle East war,” the conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains, prompting governments and businesses to accelerate adoption and conversion to renewable energy. With ins May 4, 2026

Yang Hyang-ja says Gyeonggi needs a tech expert, not a legal specialist, as governor Yang Hyang-ja, a People Power Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, criticized Democratic Party candidate Chu Mi-ae on Monday, saying the province needs “a capable governor who can revive the economy, not a legal technician.” Speaking on KBS radio’s “Jeongyeok Sisa,” Yang said Chu is “South Korean politics’ representative brawler,” and claimed Chu was involved in the impeachments of three presidents, including President Roh Moo-hyun. Yang said Gyeonggi’s 14 million residents need “a wor May 4, 2026

An Se-young’s 20 Wins Show Routine, Not Luck, Behind Her Dominance The scoreline was simple: 21-10, 21-13. But it reflected more than a routine win. Against the world No. 2, An Se-young did not allow a single tie, extending a run that has produced 20 victories. An holds a career record of 20 wins and five losses against China’s Wang Zhiyi. The margin is large enough to invite talk of a difficult matchup for Wang. Still, dominance over one opponent does not automatically mean control of an entire sport. Matchups and styles can shift outcomes. Even so, th May 4, 2026

Krafton shares jump nearly 14% on plan to form autonomous driving venture with Socar Krafton shares rose more than 13% in early trading on news it will work with Socar to commercialize autonomous driving services. According to the Korea Exchange, Krafton was trading at 302,000 won as of 10:01 a.m. on the 4th, up 37,000 won, or 13.96%, from the previous session. Krafton said on April 30 that it will participate in Socar’s plan to establish a 150 billion won autonomous driving company, Apex Mobility. The new entity is expected to be set up this month. Krafton May 4, 2026