Sony Raises PS5 Prices in South Korea as Memory Costs Surge Surging semiconductor demand tied to the spread of artificial intelligence has driven memory prices sharply higher, prompting a steep increase in Sony's PlayStation 5 console prices in South Korea. The so-called “chipflation” is spreading across consumer IT devices. Sony Interactive Entertainment Korea said on the 27th it will raise PS5 prices in the Korean market, with the new prices taking effect May 1. The PS5 Digital Edition will rise 43.48% to 858,000 won from 598,00 April 27, 2026

South Korea to Launch Farm Energy Transition Task Force; NH Reform Plan Due in June Song Mi-ryeong, South Korea’s minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, said April 27 the government will launch an agriculture and rural “energy transition” task force this week to prepare for a prolonged war in the Middle East. She also underscored the need for reform at NongHyup, citing survey results showing broad support for a government-led overhaul. Speaking at a briefing for reporters at the government complex in Sejong, Song said that if the conflict continues, “lea April 27, 2026

Fifth-Generation Private Health Insurance to Launch May 6, Cutting Premiums and Narrowing Some Noncovered Benefits Fifth-generation indemnity health insurance will launch May 6, marking a broader overhaul of South Korea’s private health insurance system as insurers introduce redesigned coverage. The new plans are expected to lower premium burdens for consumers while insurers look to improve loss ratios. A key challenge, however, will be creating incentives for existing policyholders to switch. According to reporting by Aju Business Daily on the 27th, major nonlife insurers including Samsung Fire & April 27, 2026

Attorney Won Chang-yeon Chosen as New Managing Partner of Law Firm Dongin Attorney Won Chang-yeon, a member of the Judicial Research and Training Institute’s 28th class, has been selected as the new managing partner of Law Firm (LLC) Dongin, according to reporting by Ajunews on Monday. Dongin recently chose Won through an internal election, the report said. An official announcement is expected soon. Won, born in November 1963, graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in political science and diplomacy and earned a master’s in law from Yonsei University’ April 27, 2026

Dong-A Socio Holdings Q1 Operating Profit Falls 6% Despite Revenue Growth Dong-A Socio Holdings said profitability weakened in the first quarter as higher costs offset revenue growth. The company said on the 27th that, on a consolidated basis, first-quarter revenue rose 6.9% from a year earlier to 351.0 billion won, while operating profit fell 6.0% to 19.1 billion won. The company attributed the decline in operating profit to higher cost ratios at its operating subsidiaries, citing the impact of external conditions. Healthcare unit Dong-A Pharmaceutical poste April 27, 2026

Dongsuh Foods’ Maxim Plant in Seoul Unveils Spring Makeover and Lavender Latte Maxim Plant, a landmark coffee venue in Seoul’s Hannam-dong operated by Dongsuh Foods, has refreshed its look for spring with a purple-themed design and a seasonal menu. The company has positioned the site as a coffee culture space, rotating interiors and offerings by season. Dongsuh Foods said on the 27th that Maxim Plant, which opened in April 2018, has logged about 1.55 million cumulative visitors, supported by seasonal staging, specialty coffee and hands-on content. This spring’s c April 27, 2026

HD Construction Equipment Q1 2026 Operating Profit Jumps 88.3% to 190.7 Billion Won HD Construction Equipment said in a regulatory filing on the 27th that it posted first-quarter 2026 revenue of 2.3049 trillion won and operating profit of 190.7 billion won. Revenue rose 22.1% from a year earlier and operating profit climbed 88.3%. The company attributed the revenue gain to a broad recovery in global demand for construction equipment and faster growth in industrial and defense engine sales. Operating profit also increased sharply as profitability improved in the constructi April 27, 2026

One in Four South Korean Public Agencies Faces Leadership Vacuum as Appointments Stall About one in four public institutions in South Korea is operating with a vacant top post or in a transition period after a term has ended, according to government data. The prolonged delays are drawing concern that policy execution could weaken, particularly at agencies responsible for industry and energy, as geopolitical risks in the Middle East and domestic and external economic strains such as a weak currency and high inflation intensify. As of Monday, the public institution manageme April 27, 2026

Delivery App Fee Talks Stall as Second Meeting Collapses A social dialogue body launched under the leadership of the Democratic Party’s Euljiro Committee to discuss overhauling delivery platform commission structures is faltering from the outset, with talks on shared-growth measures such as fee cuts repeatedly stalling. Industry officials said the second meeting of the delivery app coexistence consultative body, scheduled for the 27th, was called off after merchant groups that list on the platforms did not attend. The first meeting on April 10 April 27, 2026

Moon Urges Kim Jong Un to Meet Boldly With Trump as Panmunjom Declaration Turns 8 Former President Moon Jae-in urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to “boldly sit down” with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying dialogue remains the quickest and safest way to break the current stalemate. Moon made the remarks in a commemorative speech on April 27 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building during an event marking the eighth anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, hosted by the Democratic Government Korean Peninsula Peace Inheritance and Development Co April 27, 2026