Bank of Korea Raises Economic Growth Forecast to 2.6% Driven by Semiconductor Boom The Bank of Korea has revised its economic growth forecast for this year from 2.0% to 2.6%. This adjustment is attributed to strong export performance driven by a booming semiconductor industry. In a revised economic outlook released on May 28, the Bank projected a real GDP growth rate of 2.6% for the year. This figure significantly exceeds the potential growth rate of approximately 1.8% and marks the highest growth rate since 2022, when it was 2.7%. Compared to the forecast made in Febru May 28, 2026

Oh Se-hoon Vows to Win Against Unreason and Unconscionable Acts to Protect Seoul "My opponent is not just someone with different views. It is unreason that can quickly dismantle the order we have worked hard to maintain and unconscionable behavior that denies the responsibilities of candidates seeking the people's choice." Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for Seoul mayor, expressed his determination to fight fiercely as the election nears. He framed the election as a critical battle to protect Seoul, emphasizing the urgency of his message. On May 27, Oh posted a lengthy May 28, 2026

Structural Failures Highlight Gaps in Demolition Safety Standards The recent collapse of the Seosomun overpass has prompted South Korea's largest civil engineering organization to declare that the incident reflects a systemic failure rather than mere negligence at the site. As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, concerns are being raised about the deficiencies in the cost and oversight systems for demolishing aging infrastructure. On May 28, the Korean Society of Civil Engineers issued a statement identifying three major gaps in the May 28, 2026

Lee Calls for Thorough Investigation on 10th Anniversary of Guui Station Tragedy President Lee Jae-myung stated on May 28 that "the harmful practice of prioritizing money and efficiency over safety still exists in some parts of society." He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the recent accidents at the Seosomun overpass demolition site and the missing rebar issue at the Samsung Station GTX construction site, suggesting these incidents may stem from the same systemic issues.During a senior secretary meeting at the Blue House, President Lee remarked, "Money May 28, 2026

OpenAI and Anthropic Prepare for IPOs, Valuations Reach $2 Trillion OpenAI and Anthropic are both gearing up for initial public offerings (IPOs), with a combined valuation potentially reaching $2 trillion. Among domestic companies, SK Telecom and LG CNS are expected to directly benefit from the anticipated rise in corporate value following these IPOs. According to Yuanta Securities on May 28, Anthropic's post-IPO valuation is estimated to be as high as $1 trillion. The 0.3% stake held by SK Telecom could be valued at approximately 3.5 trillion won. After May 28, 2026

President Lee Dismisses Opposition Claims of Election Interference President Lee Jae-myung on May 28 dismissed claims of election interference from opposition parties, stating, "I have always enjoyed eating at markets, so I hope people can understand that." During a senior secretary meeting that afternoon, President Lee noted, "I often have meals at markets after events, listening to various people's stories." He has consistently visited traditional markets during regional schedules. Notably, on May 26, he had dinner at the Jagalchi Market in Busan, followed by May 28, 2026

Alibaba.com Launches AI Agent 'Accio Work' to Streamline Trade for SMEs in South Korea A new era of hiring artificial intelligence (AI) team members has begun. Alibaba.com has launched its AI business team 'Accio Work' in the South Korean market. The initiative aims to significantly lower the barriers for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter global markets by having AI manage the entire trade process, from sourcing to negotiation and marketing. On May 28, Alibaba.com held a press conference at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul to announce the launch of Acc May 28, 2026

Vietnam Strengthens Tourism Cooperation with South Korea, Expands 10-Year Multiple Visa South Korea is reaffirming its commitment to Vietnam as a key strategic market for tourism in 2026, accelerating efforts to attract visitors. The expansion of the 10-year multiple-entry visa, focused support for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and large-scale roadshows are set to enhance tourism exchanges between the two countries. According to various Vietnamese media outlets, including Bao Dau Tu (Investment News), the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) office i May 28, 2026

Jensen Huang Joins Tsinghua University Advisory Board Led by Tim Cook Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is set to join the advisory board of Tsinghua University, which is chaired by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Huang is intensifying efforts to penetrate the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chip market through this advisory role. The Financial Times reported on May 28, citing multiple sources, that Huang accepted an invitation to join the advisory board of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management (SEM) after accompanying President Donald Trump on his r May 28, 2026

NC Hits New 52-Week High Amid Defense AI Development News NC reached a new 52-week high during trading on news of its participation in an artificial intelligence (AI) defense project. This development, coupled with positive earnings forecasts from analysts, has improved investor sentiment. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:27 PM, NC's stock was trading at 280,000 won, up 2,500 won (0.09%) from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 276,000 won and surged to 297,000 won at one point, marking a new 52-week high. However, some profit- May 28, 2026