Energy Forum: Middle East shock puts energy security in focus; Korea urged to redesign grid and energy mix Energy supply-chain shocks triggered by war in the Middle East are rattling the global economy and elevating energy security as a key factor in national resilience. Disruptions in crude oil supply and sharp price increases have rippled through inflation, interest rates and exchange rates, quickly affecting household budgets and corporate operations. South Korea, which relies on imports for most of its energy, is among the countries most exposed to external shocks, analysts say. Experts wa April 29, 2026

LG Electronics Says AI Data Center Cooling Business Nearing Visible Results LG Electronics said on Tuesday that it has made progress in its AI data center cooling solutions business and expects to share tangible results soon.    In a conference call on its first-quarter earnings, the company said certification procedures for key products are moving smoothly with major customers, including global big tech firms.    LG Electronics said it is moving quickly to secure next-generation cooling technologies and develop products, while expanding cooperation to deliver t April 29, 2026

Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile Ahead of the June 3 local elections, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has kept a low profile, avoiding regional campaign events, as former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo’s presence has grown. With People Power Party candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor and mayor posts in Busan, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK), Gangwon and other areas asking Kim to serve as campaign chair, Jang has appeared to step back. Jang on April 29 announced regional economy and livel April 29, 2026

Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae campaigns in Hanam for Choo Mi-ae and Lee Kwang-jae Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, visited Hanam in Gyeonggi Province on April 29 to rally support for Choo Mi-ae, the party’s candidate for Gyeonggi governor, and Lee Kwang-jae, who is running in the Hanam-gap by-election. Jeong joined Choo and Lee that afternoon at Hanam’s Deokpung traditional market to begin campaign activities. Their first stop was a rice-cake shop, where Jeong fed rice cakes to Choo, Lee, Rep. Kim Yong-man, and Kang Byeong-deok, the Democratic Party’s April 29, 2026

Iran War Nears 60-Day War Powers Deadline as Congress Weighs Role The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is nearing a 60-day deadline, raising uncertainty over whether Congress will step in and how President Donald Trump may proceed. CNN and Al Jazeera reported that the conflict will reach its 60th day on May 1, counted from when Trump formally notified the start of the war. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, a president must obtain congressional approval to continue military operations beyond 60 days. How Congress responds is expected to be pivotal. Analysts April 29, 2026

GM Korea Union Seeks 30 Million Won Bonus, 149,600-Won Monthly Base Pay Raise The GM Korea branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union said Tuesday it has finalized its 2026 wage and labor contract demands, calling for a performance bonus of about 30 million won per union member and a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay. The union said it confirmed the proposal through a recent meeting of interim delegates. It said the bonus was calculated by allocating 15% of 10% of GM Korea's total sales last year, which it put at 12.6 trillion won, to about 6,300 union member April 29, 2026

Nvidia executive Madison Huang meets Samsung, SK hynix and Doosan to expand physical AI ties Madison Huang, a senior director for Omniverse and robotics product marketing at Nvidia and the eldest daughter of CEO Jensen Huang, has been meeting with executives at major South Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Doosan Robotics to pursue cooperation on physical artificial intelligence, industry officials said. Officials said Huang, who is visiting South Korea, met Wednesday morning with key executives from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to discuss ways to April 29, 2026

Science Ministry Checks Deployment of Homegrown AI Chips as Commercial Use Expands South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has begun on-site checks at major AI companies as it moves to speed adoption of Korean-made neural processing units, or NPUs. The ministry said it visited SK Telecom’s Incheon data center and LG AI Research on the 29th to review how domestic AI semiconductors are being used in real services and to hear feedback from companies. The visit was arranged to assess the rollout of Korean-made NPUs. At SK Telecom’s Incheon data center, Lee Do-gyu, direct April 29, 2026

South Korea Unveils Youth New Deal to Expand Training and Help 100,000 Find Jobs Unemployed young people total 171, and the youth employment rate stood at 43.5% in the first quarter, underscoring a prolonged hiring slump for people in their 20s and 30s. The government said it drew on feedback from young people to craft a “Youth New Deal implementation plan” built around three tracks — advancement, experience and recovery — to support entry into the workforce. The government announced the plan on the 29th at a public-private Youth New Deal briefing chaired by Deputy Pri April 29, 2026

South Korea Lawmakers Push Strategic Export Finance Fund to Boost Arms Sales South Korea’s National Assembly began accelerating debate on legislation aimed at closing a financing gap that has hindered defense exports, as competition in large export projects increasingly hinges on bundled financial support. The Assembly’s Fiscal and Economic Planning Committee held a public hearing April 29 at the main Assembly building to discuss the need for the proposed Strategic Export Finance Support Act. The bill, introduced by Democratic Party lawmakers Han Jeong-ae and Ah April 29, 2026