South Korea to Cut Virgin Plastic Use by 30% by 2030 in Shift to Circular Economy The government will step up its shift to a “plastic-free circular economy,” aiming to cut plastic waste by 2030 and reduce the use of virgin plastic made from oil and naphtha by at least 30%. Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Seong-hwan reported the “Action Plan for Transition to a Plastic-Free Circular Economy” to a Cabinet meeting on Monday, outlining measures to expand recycling and curb demand for new plastic. The plan is being pushed as a key national policy task as the r April 28, 2026

National Railway Authority, Korea Defense Diplomacy Association sign MOU on overseas projects The National Railway Authority said April 28 it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Defense Diplomacy Association to expand overseas business and strengthen cooperation in defense diplomacy. The authority said the agreement is aimed at building a broader foundation for South Korean companies to enter overseas markets by combining the authority’s capacity to carry out international rail projects with the association’s experience and expertise in defense diplomacy. Under April 28, 2026

PIC Guam Partners With Yohemity to Target Active Travelers South Pacific all-inclusive resort PIC Guam is launching a brand collaboration with premium sports nutrition brand Yohemity to strengthen its wellness- and sports-focused lifestyle offerings. Yohemity is known among active lifestyle consumers for energy gels and protein-based sports nutrition products used in running, outdoor activities and other performance settings. PIC Guam’s Korea PR office said it pursued the partnership because Yohemity’s brand direction is expected to align closely April 28, 2026

Japan's PM Takaichi to Visit Vietnam, Australia to Boost Economic Security Cooperation Japan’s government said April 28 that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Vietnam and Australia from May 1 to 5. According to the Asahi Shimbun and other reports, Takaichi will travel to Vietnam starting May 1 and hold talks May 2 with To Lam, the Vietnamese Communist Party’s general secretary and state president, and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The two sides plan to reaffirm efforts to strengthen their “comprehensive strategic partnership,” including cooperation on energy, critic April 28, 2026

South Korea Designates Labor Day and Constitution Day as Public Holidays, With Substitute Days Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (July 17) have been officially designated as public holidays starting this year, following approval by the Cabinet. The Ministry of Personnel Management said April 28 that the Cabinet passed a partial revision to the regulation on public holidays for government offices, adding the two days and applying substitute holidays when they overlap with weekends or other holidays. The move follows the National Assembly’s passage in January and March of amendm April 28, 2026

Hanwha Solutions posts 92.6 billion won Q1 operating profit, up 205.5% on year Hanwha Solutions said it improved results despite growing external uncertainty, posting profits across all business units. The company said Monday it posted a consolidated operating profit of 92.6 billion won ($?) for the first quarter of 2026, up 205.5% from a year earlier. It marked a return to profitability after three quarters, following the second quarter of 2025. Revenue rose 25.4% to 3.882 trillion won. By division, the renewable energy business posted revenue of 2.1109 trillion wo April 28, 2026

Samsung Heavy Industries Becomes First Shipbuilder to Earn Zero Waste to Landfill Certification Samsung Heavy Industries said it has strengthened its environmental, social and governance efforts by raising the recycling rate of waste generated at its shipyard. The company said it held a ceremony on the 28th at its Geoje shipyard after receiving UL Solutions’ “Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL)” certification. Attendees included Namgung Geum-seong, vice president and head of the shipyard, and Yoon Hye-jin, executive director of UL Solutions Korea, the company said. ZWTL April 28, 2026

Seoul to Add Bus, Subway Service; Expands Off-Peak Commute Fare Refunds The government will increase bus and rail service during rush hours to ease crowding and expand fare refunds for commuters who travel earlier or later than usual under staggered work hours. Public agencies will be urged to have at least 30% of employees participate in staggered commuting, and the government will encourage private companies to adopt flexible work arrangements. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it announced a joint plan with nine related ministries April 28, 2026

OpenAI Renegotiates Microsoft Deal, Opening Path to AWS and Google Cloud OpenAI and Microsoft have revised their partnership, loosening a structure that had effectively given Microsoft exclusive rights to sell OpenAI’s AI models. Reuters reported on 27일(현지시간) that the companies renegotiated key terms, allowing OpenAI to offer its products through rival cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud under certain conditions. Under the amended agreement the companies released, Microsoft remains OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, and OpenAI prod April 28, 2026

Kumho Petrochemical to Restore Migratory Bird Habitat in Yeosu Wetland Project Kumho Petrochemical Group said it is launching a habitat restoration project in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, aimed at protecting biodiversity and supporting climate response efforts. The group said April 28 it will begin a project to improve habitat for endangered migratory birds. Five affiliates will participate: Kumho Petrochemical, Kumho P&B Chemicals, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, Kumho Polychem and Kumho T&L. Working with Thanks Carbon, the group will invest a total of 260 million April 28, 2026