South Korea Finance Ministry Awards 30 Million Won in Special Bonuses to 24 Officials The government awarded special bonuses totaling 30 million won to Ministry of Finance and Economy officials credited with key achievements, including responses to the Middle East war and efforts to secure inclusion in the World Government Bond Index, or WGBI. The ministry said it held its first special performance awards ceremony on the 27th during an expanded senior staff meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol. It selected 24 employees for raising t April 27, 2026

Korean Retail Investors Sell Overseas Stocks as RIA Accounts Draw Money Back Home Korean retail investors have been selling across major overseas stock markets at the same time, and attention is turning to whether that money will flow back into domestic shares. Data from the Korea Securities Depository’s Seibro portal show that from April 1 to 24, Korean individual investors were net sellers of U.S. stocks worth $1.28555 billion (about 1.8915 trillion won). Over the same period, they were net sellers of Japanese stocks worth $9.48 million (about 14 billion won), Hong April 27, 2026

South Korea, Google DeepMind Expand K-Moonshot AI Partnership, Plan Gangnam AI Hub South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT said it will expand cooperation with Google DeepMind as it pushes the “K-Moonshot” project, a national strategy to apply artificial intelligence across research and development to tackle major science and technology challenges. The ministry said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Google DeepMind on April 27 at the Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul. The agreement focuses on joint AI research, talent development and the spread of April 27, 2026

Korea Construction Association Holds Policy Meeting With Chungcheong Members The Korea Construction Association said it held a policy meeting on the 27th at its Sejong office for member companies in Daejeon and North and South Chungcheong provinces. Attendees included association President Han Seung-gu; Choi Gil-hak, head of the Chungnam-Sejong chapter; Choi Tae-jin, head of the Seoul chapter; Jeong Hyeong-yeol, head of the Busan chapter; So Jae-cheol, head of the Jeonbuk chapter; Hwang Geun-sun, head of the Gyeonggi chapter; Choi Mun-gyu, head of the Daejeon ch April 27, 2026

China’s DeepSeek Cuts Prices Up to 75% After Launching V4 AI Models China’s AI startup DeepSeek is moving quickly to win customers, rolling out steep price cuts immediately after unveiling its latest model, “DeepSeek V4.” DeepSeek introduced two preview versions on April 24: the high-performance, higher-priced “V4 Pro” and the lighter, lower-cost “V4 Flash.” According to China’s National Business Daily and other outlets, the company said April 25 it would offer V4 Pro at a 75% discount through May 5. On April 26, it also said it would cut the cost of “in April 27, 2026

Japan’s Hokkaido Hit by Magnitude 6.2 Quake as Aftershock Advisory Nears End Seismic activity off Japan’s northeast coast is again drawing attention after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Hokkaido early on the day an “aftershock advisory” issued following last week’s major quake was set to end. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake occurred at about 5:23 a.m. on April 27, centered in southern Tokachi in Hokkaido. It registered a maximum intensity of “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Urahoro. The intensity scale reflects how strongly shaki April 27, 2026

Big Tech Earnings Week Seen as Key Test for U.S. Stock Rally U.S. markets are turning their attention to a heavy week of earnings from major technology companies, with results expected to help determine the next move for stocks. Tech shares have led gains even as tensions between the United States and Iran have added to uncertainty. MarketWatch reported April 26 that Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta are scheduled to report results after the close April 29 (Korea time: the morning of April 30). Apple is set to report after the close the next day April 27, 2026

KOSPI Hits Record 6,600 as Retail Day Trading Pushes April Turnover Near 40% The rally to record highs is accelerating in South Korea’s stock market, and short-term trading is rising with it. The KOSPI on the 27th climbed past 6,600 for the first time, and April turnover is nearing 40% as investors rapidly rotate in and out of shares. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 6,615.03, up 139.40 points, or 2.15%, from the previous session. The index also broke above 6,600 during the session, putting the 7,000 level within sight. By investor type, for April 27, 2026

Nexon, SOOP launch N-CONNECT preseason to link streamers, users and games SOOP is teaming up with Nexon to build a new ecosystem that connects streamers, users and games. SOOP said it will begin a preseason for “N-CONNECT,” a streamer-focused program, starting on the 27th. The rollout includes an account-linking service that connects the two companies’ activity data in real time. N-CONNECT is designed to tie together streamers’ content activity, user participation and in-game experiences. Centered on Nexon titles, it aims to expand viewing and participation so April 27, 2026

LH Holds Briefing With Builders to Advance Small-Scale Housing Renewal Projects 한국토지주택공사(LH)는 민간 건설사와 소규모주택정비 관리지역의 사업 활성화를 위한 소통 간담회를 개최했다고 27일 밝혔다. LH는 이번 간담회에서 소규모주택정비 관리지역(서울시 모아타운)의 사업 장점과 인센티브를 소개하며, 우수 건설사의 참여를 유도했다고 설명했다. LH는 앞으로 시공사 선정이 필요한 관리지역 8곳(약 7300가구 규모)에 대한 선정 로드맵도 제시했다. LH는 올해 관악난곡, 서대문홍제, 강서화곡, 금천시흥2 등 4곳의 시공사를 선정할 계획이다. 내년에는 동작노량진, 성북종암, 종로구기, 인천가 April 27, 2026