Toss, Korea Mint Sign MOU to Build Blockchain-Based Payment Infrastructure Viva Republica, operator of the Toss app, said April 23 it signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. to build blockchain-based payment infrastructure. Under the agreement, the two sides will work to improve convenience in digital payments and jointly pursue the introduction and linkage of blockchain-based payment systems. They plan to connect their payment infrastructure to improve users’ payment experience and review the feasibility April 23, 2026

Culture Ministry Launches ‘Sports for Everyone’ Campaign to Boost Daily Participation The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a “Sports for Everyone” campaign to encourage people to take part in sports as part of daily life. Kim Dae-hyeon, the ministry’s second vice minister, will visit the Jongno Culture and Sports Center in Seoul’s Jongno district on the afternoon of the 23rd to kick off a participation relay campaign and review on-the-ground issues in the sports sector. The campaign was organized to coincide with Sports Week, set for April 27 to May 3 un April 23, 2026

Ruling Party Reviews Seoul Candidate After Lawyer’s Past Defense of Valley Murder Suspect The People Power Party’s Seoul chapter said it will reexamine the candidacy of Hong Deok-hee, a lawyer who was given a sole nomination for Guro District mayor, after it emerged he previously represented Lee Eun-hae, the main perpetrator in the so-called “valley murder” case. Hong has issued a public explanation, but the controversy has continued. According to political circles on the 23rd, the party’s Seoul chapter said the previous day that “because this is a case that sparked publi April 23, 2026

USFK commander says wartime OPCON transfer conditions targeted by early 2029 Xavier Brunson, commander of the Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, said on April 22 (local time) that the allies have submitted a roadmap to the Defense Department aimed at meeting the conditions for transferring wartime operational control before the second quarter of fiscal 2029, which corresponds to the first quarter of 2029 in South Korea. According to Yonhap News Agency, Brunson made the remarks while testifying before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, responding t April 23, 2026

Hyundai Unveils New Staria Electric and Limousine Models for Premium MPV Push Hyundai Motor’s Staria is moving further upmarket with an electric version and a top-end limousine trim, as the automaker signals a new push in the multipurpose vehicle market. Hyundai on April 21 unveiled the electrified “The New Staria Electric” and the flagship “The New Staria Limousine” at a media gallery event at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul. The updated Staria keeps a rounded profile with sharper lines. Hyundai said it applied a “seamless” design, adding gold garnish and a black April 23, 2026

White House: No 3- to 5-Day Deadline Set for Iran Proposal The White House said Tuesday local time that President Donald Trump has not set a specific deadline for receiving a “unified proposal” from Iran. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “Contrary to some reports I saw today, the president has not set a firm deadline to receive Iran’s proposal.” Trump also told Fox News that a “three-to-five-day deadline” was not true, adding that he was not rushing talks with Iran. The comments followed a report Monday by Axios, citing April 23, 2026

KOTRA Offers Real-Time Logistics Updates, Expands Support as Middle East War Disrupts Shipping As global logistics disruptions from the Middle East war drag on, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, known as KOTRA, said it is stepping up real-time information sharing and cost support for exporters. The agency said it is focusing on easing sharply higher shipping costs driven by port disruptions and longer detours, while helping companies restore blocked routes quickly. KOTRA said it is continuously monitoring logistics conditions through its 13 offices in the Middle East and April 23, 2026

Crypto Prices Rise After Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire; Bitcoin Nears $79,000 Donald Trump, the U.S. president, extended the ceasefire deadline with Iran, lifting global markets and pushing cryptocurrencies higher. Bitcoin was trading at $78,553 as of 8 a.m. Thursday, up 4.18% from a day earlier, according to CoinMarketCap. Major altcoins also gained. Solana rose 2.66% to $87.43, ether climbed 3.88% to $2,396.88, and XRP added 1.27% to $1.43. Investor sentiment improved after Trump said Wednesday that he had received a “unified negotiating proposal” from the Iran April 23, 2026

WIRobotics launches WIM Premium subscription to update WIM S wearable walking robot #At a WIM walking exercise center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, a reporter strapped on a waist belt connected to leg supports and headed toward Olympic Park outside the facility. After pressing “Air Mode” and taking a few slow steps, the device felt as if it gently nudged the body forward. Within several steps, walking became easier, and when the pace increased slightly, the stride rhythm stayed steady. On an uphill section, switching to “Hiking Mode” made climbing feel more comfortable. Rather th April 23, 2026

Hana Securities Keeps PharmaResearch Target, Sees Strong Cosmetics Growth at Home and Abroad Hana Securities said Wednesday it expects PharmaResearch’s medical-device exports to rebound after bottoming out in the first quarter, while both domestic and overseas cosmetics sales post strong growth. The brokerage maintained its 480,000-won target price and “buy” rating. In a report, analyst Kim Da-hye said the first quarter likely marked the low point for the year due to softer demand in China and Japan and shipping disruptions in the Middle East. She added that demand adjustments t April 23, 2026