South Korea Requests Police Probe Into Illegal Vehicle Software Changes South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has asked police to investigate cases in which vehicle software was altered without authorization. In a press note released on the 23rd, the ministry said unauthorized software changes have continued to occur and it has requested a probe by the National Police Agency. The police agency plans to begin an investigation after receiving related materials from automakers, the ministry said. The ministry said it had already warned April 23, 2026

Retail Trading in Single-Stock Futures and Options in South Korea Triples Amid Rally As South Korea’s stock market rally continues, retail investors are increasing high-risk leveraged bets, with trading in derivatives tied to individual stocks surging more than threefold from a year earlier. The rise in debt-funded investing has also accelerated, prompting warnings that household investor risk is approaching dangerous levels. According to the Korea Exchange, retail investors traded 276.605 trillion won ($276,605,000,000,000) in domestic single-stock futures from January April 23, 2026

Hyundai Motor posts record first-quarter revenue as profit drops on tariffs, higher costs Hyundai Motor Co. said geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs weighed on its first-quarter results, even as sales in its biggest export market, the United States, held up. The automaker pointed to tariffs, higher raw material prices and currency moves as key drags, and said it plans to lean more on hybrids and other eco-friendly models to regain momentum. In a preliminary earnings filing on Wednesday, Hyundai said first-quarter operating profit on a consolidated basis fell 30.8% from a April 23, 2026

SK hynix Profit Surge Fuels Bonus Pressure as Big Chip Investments Loom SK hynix has posted a record first-quarter operating profit of more than 37 trillion won, prompting talk that it could climb into the world’s No. 4 spot on an annual basis. But as earnings surge, management faces rising pressure from the labor union over performance bonuses, adding to the company’s burden. According to securities-industry consensus estimates released on April 23, SK hynix is projected to post 358.037 trillion won in revenue this year, with operating profit as high as 27 April 23, 2026

Korean Brokerages Ramp Up Marketing for Domestic Derivatives as Retail Trading Grows A bull market is drawing more retail investors into derivatives, intensifying marketing competition among brokerages. Firms are cutting fees and offering gift-card promotions. Experts warn that if the rally fades, losses from leveraged derivatives trading could fall squarely on individuals. According to the securities industry on the 23rd, brokerages are stepping up campaigns tied to domestic derivatives. Brokerage A said it will offer up to three months of discounted fees for domestic April 23, 2026

Court Jails Driver Accused in Union Protest Death, Member Accused of Ramming Police Barricade A court has ordered the detention of a truck driver accused of running over and killing a union member at a Cargo Truckers Union rally and a union member accused of injuring a police officer by driving into a barricade. Legal officials said the Changwon District Court’s Jinju branch on the 23rd issued arrest warrants for a truck driver in his 40s, identified only as A, on suspicion of murder and other charges, and for a union member in his 60s, identified only as B, on suspicion of obstru April 23, 2026

South Korea to Check Crypto, Financial Assets in Debt Relief Reviews to Curb Abuse The South Korean government has secured a legal basis to let debt workout agencies review a debtor’s virtual assets, along with other financial holdings, during screening for debt relief programs. Officials said the goal is to curb moral hazard and focus support on people who genuinely need help. The Financial Services Commission said Thursday that a revision to the Credit Information Use and Protection Act passed the National Assembly’s plenary session the same day. The key change allows April 23, 2026

South Korea’s Lee Meets Vietnam’s Prime Minister, National Assembly Speaker on Cooperation South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Thursday (local time) with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Speaker Tran Thanh Man, the country’s No. 2 and No. 3 leaders, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The meetings followed Lee’s talks the previous day with To Lam, Vietnam’s top leader, the Communist Party general secretary and state president, completing two days of meetings with the country’s newly formed leadership. At the prime ministe April 23, 2026

Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association Names Moon Jong-hoon PR Committee Chair The Public Relations Committee under the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association held its regular general meeting on April 22 at the association’s office in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and completed the election of a new chair and the formation of its executive team, the association said April 23. The committee is a consultative body of public relations and external communications professionals from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Moon Jong-hoon, a director at Cho April 23, 2026

South Korea to Auction 19 Trillion Won in Treasury Bonds in May; 1.1 Trillion Won FX Stabilization Bonds The Ministry of Economy and Finance said it will issue 19 trillion won in Korean Treasury bonds next month through competitive auctions with primary dealers participating, citing improved market conditions including inflows tied to the World Government Bond Index. The amount is up 1 trillion won from the previous month. The ministry said Thursday the issuance by maturity will be: 3 trillion won in 2-year notes; 3.1 trillion won in 3-year notes; 3.2 trillion won each in 5-year and 10-year n April 23, 2026