Seoul Reviews Three Development Plans for Guro, Jungnang and Gangdong Areas Seoul is moving to update city planning rules to improve housing conditions and expand housing supply, placing three urban development items on the agenda for areas in Guro, Jungnang and Gangdong districts. The city said it reviewed the three proposals at its seventh joint City Planning and Architecture Committee meeting held the previous day. In Guro District, the committee discussed changes to the district unit plan and a detailed development plan for a special planning zone coverin April 23, 2026

Foreigners Net Buy 8.5 Trillion Won in Korean Treasuries After WGBI Inclusion Foreign inflows have picked up since South Korea began its inclusion in the World Government Bond Index, helping stabilize domestic financial markets, the government said. Officials cautioned, however, that external risks remain, including uncertainty tied to the war in the Middle East. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said Thursday it held the fourth meeting of its “WGBI standing monitoring and investment promotion task force” on Tuesday at the Government Complex Seoul. Related agenci April 23, 2026

South Korea Launches 19.6 Billion Won Program to Build Local Social Economy Ecosystems The government is launching a large-scale support program with local governments to foster social enterprises as key players in solving regional problems, including youth employment and gaps in care services. A total of 19.6 billion won will be invested this year. The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the plan at a launch ceremony for the “Social Solidarity Economy Local Ecosystem Revitalization Project” held Thursday morning at COEX Magok in Seoul. The project shifts away fr April 23, 2026

Taiwan Actor Wang Ta-lu Sentenced to 6 Months for Illegal Use of Personal Data Taiwanese actor Wang Ta-lu, once dubbed an “icon of first love,” was sentenced in a first trial to prison for illegally obtaining and using personal information. Taiwan’s Central News Agency and other outlets reported that the New Taipei District Court on Tuesday sentenced Wang and his girlfriend to six months in prison each. Under Taiwan law, the sentence can be commuted by paying a fine. In the same case, Liu Ju-lung, a police official, was sentenced to one year and four months for cha April 23, 2026

SK hynix says memory oversupply fears are overblown; Yongin fab on track SK hynix said Thursday it sees limited risk of a repeat of past memory oversupply, citing a shared focus by customers and suppliers on improving long-term visibility for demand and supply. In a question-and-answer session during its first-quarter earnings conference call, the company said memory demand remains solid and that it expects this year’s investment to rise sharply from last year to prepare future infrastructure and secure key equipment to meet demand. “Specifically, construct April 23, 2026

South Korean Won Slips as Oil Prices Rise, Dollar Firms; USD/KRW Near 1,479 The won edged lower against the U.S. dollar. As of 9:50 a.m. on April 23 in Seoul’s foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,478.6 per dollar. It opened 2.0 won weaker at 1,478.0. The move was attributed to a firmer dollar amid rising global oil prices. Overnight, crude climbed after reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. On April 22 (local time), Brent crude futures for June delivery settled at $ April 23, 2026

SK hynix: HBM4 to Ship on Customer Timelines as Demand Outstrips Capacity SK hynix said Thursday that high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, is a business where overall competitiveness depends not only on performance such as speed and power efficiency, but also on quality, yield and supply stability. In a question-and-answer session during its first-quarter earnings conference call, the company said it has worked closely with major customers from the early stages on HBM4, building development and supply systems in advance. It said it is preparing to supply products th April 23, 2026

U.S. Blocks at Least 3 Iranian Tankers in Asian Waters, Raising Maritime Tensions The U.S. military has blocked at least three additional Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters in recent days, according to reports. Reuters, citing shipping and security sources, reported on April 22 (local time) that U.S. forces detained at least three Iranian-flagged tankers near waters off India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka and directed other vessels operating in the area to change course. Sources and the ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic said one of the intercepted vessels, the April 23, 2026

SK Hynix says it can build 100 trillion won in net cash while boosting shareholder returns SK Hynix outlined its financial strategy and approach to supply agreements during its 2026 first-quarter earnings conference calls held on April 22 and 23. The company said that given its profit-generating capacity, which it described as having risen to a record-high level, it can pursue both stronger financial health and expanded shareholder returns. It said it aims to secure financial soundness with net cash of more than 100 trillion won while increasing shareholder payouts. SK Hynix April 23, 2026

PPP’s Jang says probe backfired on Lee, exposing North Korea cash claims and Daejang-dong case Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said April 23 that hearings by a National Assembly special committee investigating alleged “fabricated prosecutions” had backfired on President Lee Jae-myung.  Speaking at a party leadership meeting at the Assembly, Jang said the hearings had brought to light what he called the substance of allegations involving Lee, including claims tied to sending money to North Korea and the Daejang-dong case.  Jang accused Democratic Party lawmakers April 23, 2026