Korea’s SME Divide Widens as Exports Hold Up but Domestic Sectors Struggle Exports led by semiconductors, autos and shipbuilding have continued to recover, but domestic-facing industries such as real estate leasing, construction and wholesale and retail are seeing worsening cash conditions amid high interest rates and weak consumption. According to the financial sector on the 29th, the Industrial Bank of Korea said its delinquency rate for small and medium-sized enterprises in real estate and leasing stood at 1.28% at the end of the first quarter, based on April 29, 2026

Inside Korea’s Curated Singles Parties: Dating as Risk Management “Even in a crowd, there’s one person who stands out. Here, that feeling can even lead to marriage.” “I hesitated at first, but now it feels like I’ve walked onto a TV set. I’ve already sent a ‘signal’ to two people.” Lines that sound like they belong on a hit dating show were heard one April afternoon at a lounge party in Seoul’s Samseong-dong. In a room where dozens of men and women circulated, one couple said a few words we April 29, 2026

Naver upgrades AI Cleanbot 3.0 to better block hateful, abusive comments Naver is tightening controls on hateful comments tied to suicide, death and accidents, saying the move is aimed at fostering a healthier comment environment. The company said April 29 it has completed an upgrade to its abusive-comment detection system, AI Cleanbot 3.0. Under the upgrade, Naver said it will focus on blocking comments that encourage disregard for life, including references to suicide, death and bodily harm, as well as comments that mock, demean or express hatred toward vic April 29, 2026

OpenAI Pushes Back on Growth Slowdown Concerns, Citing Strong Consumer and Business Demand OpenAI rejected concerns about slowing growth, saying its business is progressing smoothly overall. Bloomberg reported that OpenAI said in a statement Monday that both its consumer and enterprise businesses are performing strongly and that “internal sentiment is very positive.” The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that OpenAI had fallen short of targets for new users and revenue, and that concerns had been raised internally about whether it can sustain the heav April 29, 2026

Will Banks, Hospitals, Delivery and the Stock Market Close for May 1 Labor Day? Interest is growing over whether workplaces and essential services will close for May 1 Labor Day. Starting this year, Labor Day is a statutory public holiday, extending the day off to public-sector workers such as civil servants and teachers. That has prompted more people to confirm operating schedules for banks, schools, hospitals, parcel delivery and the stock market. The Ministry of Personnel Management said April 28 that the Cabinet approved a partial revision to the regulation on pu April 29, 2026

Reform Party floor leader urges budget support for Jeonnam-Gwangju integration, state-backed legal aid for teachers Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, on the 29th proposed central government budget support for the Jeonnam-Gwangju integration and a state-backed system to handle lawsuits involving teachers. Speaking at a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae that morning hosted by President Lee Jae-myung for lawmakers from non-negotiating parties and independents, Cheon said that during the review of a supplementary budget, 57.3 billion won in “essential” funding for the Jeonnam-Gwang April 29, 2026

Rep. Kang Sun-woo Says She’s Wrongly Accused in 100 Million Won Nomination Bribery Trial In the first trial of a case alleging a 100 million won cash payment in exchange for a city council nomination, a former Seoul city council member and an aide to independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo admitted the charges. Kang’s side said she is being treated unfairly and postponed a detailed response. Judge Lee Chun-geun of the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 1 held the first hearing Tuesday for Kang, former Seoul city council member Kim Kyung and Kang’s aide, identified on April 29, 2026

People Power Party candidates turn to Kim Moon-soo as local election face With the June 3 local elections approaching, People Power Party candidates are increasingly turning to Kim Moon-soo, a former candidate, rather than party leader Jang Dong-hyeok as the campaign’s public face. Reports say candidates in Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, Sejong and North Gyeongsang Province have asked Kim to serve as an honorary chief campaign chair or to join their stump speeches. That candidates would elevate another figure despite having a sitting party leader underscores the party’s curre April 29, 2026

Justice Ministry Drops Appeals in 863 State Compensation Suits Over Past Abuses The Justice Ministry said it has withdrawn or waived appeals in 863 damages lawsuits filed against the state by victims of major past human rights abuses, including the Brothers Home case, Seongam Academy, the Samcheong re-education camp and the Yeosu-Suncheon Oct. 19 incident. The ministry said on the 29th it has taken steps to strengthen remedies for victims of past abuses, including refraining from routine appeals in state compensation cases, withdrawing or waiving appeals, and stoppin April 29, 2026

Actress Tang Wei Faces Online Speculation About Second Pregnancy After Shanghai Event Actress Tang Wei has become the subject of online speculation that she is pregnant with a second child. According to the entertainment industry on the 29th, Tang appeared at a brand event held April 26 in Shanghai, China. She wore a loose black dress and low-heeled shoes, and images of what some described as a visible baby bump spread quickly online. Fans said she appeared to be expecting, and Chinese media outlets also reported the claims, fueling the speculation. In March, Tang was al April 29, 2026