NH Investment & Securities Shifts to Co-CEO Structure, Citing Accountability NH Investment & Securities said its board of directors met on the 24th and approved a change in its CEO management structure, shifting from a single-CEO system to a co-CEO system. The company said the move is intended to respond to its larger scale and more diversified business structure following its entry into the IMA (investment management account) business. It said it revamped its top management structure to enable faster, more efficient decision-making as capital markets grow. U April 24, 2026

Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as US-Iran Talks Are Floated Again Iran foreign minister to visit Pakistan; possibility of second U.S.-Iran talks raised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan, according to reports, as the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations is being discussed again, though no schedule has been set. Reuters reported on the 24th that Pakistani sources said Araghchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. The timing of any U.S.-Iran talks remains undecided. The Associated Pres April 24, 2026

Pentagon chief says Europe, Asia must share costs for Hormuz security U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly pressed European and Asian countries over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the era of relying on U.S. military power to secure key sea lanes is over. Bloomberg reported on April 24 that Hegseth criticized what he called “free-riding” by Europe and Asia in connection with Hormuz transit. GB News said Hegseth told a Pentagon news conference that Europe and Asia had benefited for decades from U.S. protection, but that “the time April 24, 2026

Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as Possible US-Iran Talks Resurface Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan, according to reports, as talk resurfaces about a possible resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran, though no schedule has been set. Reuters reported on the 24th that Pakistani sources said Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. The timing of any U.S.-Iran talks remains unconfirmed. The Associated Press, citing two Pakistani officials, also reported that Araghchi co April 24, 2026

Pentagon Email Discussed Suspending Spain’s NATO Status Over Iran War Cooperation, Reuters Says U.S. Defense Department officials discussed the possibility of suspending Spain’s membership in NATO, Reuters reported, reflecting frustration over what was described as Spain’s lack of cooperation during the Iran war. Reuters, citing a U.S. government official, said the idea was raised in an internal Pentagon email. Spain was reported to have denied U.S. requests to use Spanish bases and airspace during U.S. operations in the Iran war. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected t April 24, 2026

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Says Ruling Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Must Make a Decision Ahead of Local Elections Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul, said it was “time for a decision” for Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, publicly raising questions about Jang’s responsibility as the party’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level ahead of the June 3 local elections. Oh, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, made the remarks on April 24 during an appearance on the TV Chosun YouTube channel. He said candidates campaigning in the field “honestly feel that it would be be April 24, 2026

Gwangjang Market Stall Suspended for 3 Days After 2,000-Won Bottled Water Dispute A street stall at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market that drew criticism for selling a 500-milliliter bottle of water to a foreign customer for 2,000 won has been suspended for three days. The Gwangjang Market street vendors association said April 24 that the stall was ordered to halt business under its disciplinary decision from April 22 through April 24. The dispute began after a Myanmar-born YouTuber living in South Korea posted a video of a visit to the market with a Russian friend on Apri April 24, 2026

KOSDAQ Closes Above 1,200 for First Time Since 2000 on Chip Materials, Biotech Rally The KOSDAQ index closed above 1,200 on Thursday, its highest level since 2000, lifted by gains in semiconductor materials, parts and equipment shares and biotech stocks. The KOSPI, after setting record highs in recent sessions, traded in a narrow range. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSDAQ rose 29.53 points, or 2.51%, to finish at 1203.84. It was the first time the index has closed above 1,200 since Aug. 4, 2000, about 25 years and eight months ago. The rally was led by chip-re April 24, 2026

Samsung Electronics union reports rally outside Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s home on first strike day Samsung Electronics’ labor union has reported plans to hold a rally outside the home of Chairman Lee Jae-yong on the first day of a planned general strike, escalating a dispute over the company’s performance-bonus system beyond the workplace. The Samsung Electronics National Union said Thursday it filed a report with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for a gathering at 1 p.m. on May 21 in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, outside Lee’s residence. The reported turnout is about 50 people. The u April 24, 2026

Iran Central Bank Says Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees Paid in Cash-Like Currency, Not Crypto Iran’s central bank said it collected ship transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz in a cash-like currency, not cryptocurrency, pushing back against speculation that payments were being demanded in digital assets. Iran’s state-run Press TV and Iran International reported on the 24th that the central bank confirmed the revenue was deposited into a central bank account. It said the payment was made in “cash-like currency,” not cryptocurrency. Iran International said the information was carr April 24, 2026