South Korea Bets on Vietnam as Hub for Nuclear, Infrastructure and Energy Deals President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam, joined by a business delegation led by heads of major conglomerates, is expected to accelerate South Korean corporate cooperation and investment in nuclear power, transport infrastructure and energy in Vietnam, a key “Global South” emerging economy. Business officials said a Korea-Vietnam business forum was held in Hanoi on April 23 (local time) with Lee and leading executives from both countries in attendance. On the South Kore April 23, 2026

Doosan Enerbility Seeks Foothold for Vietnam Nuclear Project, Led by Chairman Park Ji-won Doosan Enerbility said it is expanding its global push by securing a foothold to take part in Vietnam’s planned new nuclear power projects, led by Chairman Park Ji-won. The company said Thursday that Park and other top executives joined President Lee Jae-myung’s business delegation during his visit to Vietnam and discussed cooperation on new nuclear power plants with Vietnamese government officials and key figures in the energy industry. Park attended a business roundtable and busin April 23, 2026

OCI Holdings Q1 Operating Profit Falls 77.7% to 10.8 Billion Won OCI Holdings said in a regulatory filing on the 23rd that it posted first-quarter consolidated revenue of 892.4 billion won, operating profit of 10.8 billion won and net profit of 8.8 billion won. Revenue fell about 77% from a year earlier. The company said it has continued a recovery trend after returning to the black in the fourth quarter of last year. The company said higher sales at key units helped drive the profit, excluding Malaysia-based OCI TerraSus, which underwent legal r April 23, 2026

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to Register as Preliminary Candidate April 27, Opens Jongno Campaign Office Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s candidate in the Seoul mayoral race, will register as a preliminary candidate on April 27 and move into full campaign mode for the June 3 nationwide local elections, his camp said. Oh’s side said the earlier-than-expected registration reflects his determination to “get into the community and run the ground campaign.” His campaign office will be set up in the Daewang Building in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, central Seoul. Oh’s camp said Jon April 23, 2026

Nikkei briefly tops 60,000 for first time, then falls on profit-taking and oil worries Japan’s Nikkei stock average briefly crossed 60,000 for the first time on April 23 but reversed to finish lower, as profit-taking after a sharp run-up combined with renewed worries over Middle East-driven oil volatility. The Nikkei fell for the first time in four sessions, closing down 445 points, or 0.75%, at 59,140.23 in Tokyo. It climbed as high as 60,013.98 intraday to set a record, then selling intensified and losses at one point neared 900 points. Nikkei reported the market opened April 23, 2026

Lee Jae-myung Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains President Lee Jae-myung: Vietnam is an ideal partner; strengthen rare earths and urea supply chains President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Vietnam, met with business leaders on April 23 (local time) and called for expanded economic cooperation.  Speaking at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum at a hotel in Hanoi, Lee said economic cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam was more important than ever as uncertainty in the global economy grows.  He said he was confident the two coun April 23, 2026

First lady Kim Hye-kyung promotes K-culture during Vietnam state visit Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of President Lee Jae-myung, on April 23 (local time) cast herself as a “K-culture ambassador” during the couple’s state visit to Vietnam. At the K-Culture Tourism Expo at Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi, Kim said culture, including film, is “the warmest link that connects people beyond language and borders,” adding that such exchanges will deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries. According to a written briefing by presidential deputy spokesp April 23, 2026

SK hynix posts record Q1 operating profit as Hyundai Motor margin slides SK hynix posted its best quarterly results on record on surging demand for artificial intelligence chips, while Hyundai Motor saw profitability weaken despite higher sales, raising fresh concerns about Korea’s growing reliance on semiconductors. On the 23rd, SK hynix said first-quarter revenue rose to 52.5763 trillion won and operating profit to 37.6103 trillion won. That was up 198.1% and 405.5% from a year earlier, respectively, and marked a record for any quarter. Its operating margin April 23, 2026

Lee Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Vietnam, met with business leaders on April 23 (local time) and called for expanded economic cooperation.  Speaking at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum at a hotel in Hanoi, Lee said that with global economic uncertainty rising, cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam — which he called “the best partners” — is more important than ever.  From South Korea, attendees included Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwa April 23, 2026

Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier Moves Closer to Middle East as Ceasefire With Iran Is Extended The U.S. military’s third aircraft carrier has moved closer to the Middle East as a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been extended. Washington is pushing to hold a second round of talks on ending the war while reinforcing forces in case fighting resumes. CNN, citing photos posted on the Pentagon’s website, reported Thursday local time that the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush has been in the Indian Ocean since April 21. With the Bush arriving, the U.S. Navy will soon hav April 23, 2026