Emerging Drugs Transform South Korea's Pharmaceutical Landscape The landscape of South Korea's pharmaceutical industry is changing. The focus has shifted from domestic and wholesale markets to global sales and royalties from new drugs in markets such as the United States, Europe, and Japan. Major companies like Yuhan, GC Green Cross, HK Inno.N, and SK Biopharm are increasingly competing on the international stage.According to the pharmaceutical industry on May 21, the sales performance of new drugs approved in advanced markets and the accompanying licensing May 21, 2026

Samsung and SK Hynix Labor Disputes Intensify Over Profit-Linked Bonuses Following an agreement between Samsung Electronics and its labor union to link bonuses to operating profits, demands for profit-sharing bonuses based on a percentage of operating income are expected to grow louder. Concerns are rising that escalating labor disputes and feelings of relative deprivation could undermine the competitiveness of South Korea's industries. On May 21, industry sources indicated that the tentative agreement on bonuses at Samsung Electronics could signal a new phase May 21, 2026

Samsung Electronics Faces Internal Strife Despite Wage Agreement Samsung Electronics has narrowly avoided a total strike by reaching a tentative wage agreement, but internal labor conflicts are intensifying. Tensions are rising not only between the Semiconductor (DS) and non-Semiconductor divisions but also within the DS division itself, particularly between memory and non-memory sectors, complicating efforts to stabilize the situation.As of May 21, anonymous posts on Samsung Electronics' internal community have escalated, with employees criticizing the perfo May 21, 2026

Samsung's New Compensation Model Raises Concerns Over Profit Sharing Samsung Electronics, South Korea's largest company, has avoided a total strike but has accepted a tentative agreement that ties a portion of its operating profit to long-term performance bonuses. This move has raised concerns that it could set a new standard for compensation practices across South Korean companies. According to industry sources on May 21, Samsung Electronics' management and labor union reached a dramatic agreement around 10:30 p.m. the previous day, postponing a planned t May 21, 2026

Samsung's Performance Bonuses Could Increase Severance Pay by Sixfold Samsung Electronics and its labor union have agreed to a performance bonus system that will allocate more than 10% of business performance as bonuses, including a special management performance bonus based on 10.5% of the semiconductor division's (DS) business performance, to be maintained for the next decade. While the company has specified conditions for bonus payments, such as achieving an operating profit of 200 trillion won in the DS division, concerns remain that these bonuses could May 21, 2026

Samsung Electronics Reaches Wage Agreement Amid Performance-Based Pay Focus Samsung Electronics has reached an agreement on wage and collective bargaining negotiations this year. The fact that both labor and management found common ground amid prolonged conflicts and the potential for strikes is a positive development. This resolution could signal a meaningful shift in the industrial landscape, demonstrating that a leading domestic company can find solutions through negotiation rather than extreme confrontation. However, for this agreement to be regarded as a t May 21, 2026

Huh Tae-jung Criticizes Lee Jang-woo's Campaign Promises Ahead of Local Elections Huh Tae-jung, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daejeon mayor, criticized Lee Jang-woo, his opponent from the People Power Party, on May 21, stating that he only has "absurd campaign promises and no achievements." He urged voters to judge the remnants of past turmoil in the upcoming local elections on June 3. Speaking at a campaign launch event in Daejeon's Eunjeong Cultural Street, Huh declared, "I will restore the collapsed citizens' rights and focus on people's livelihoods," adding, May 21, 2026

Jeong Cheong-rae Criticizes Starbucks Amid Daejeon Election Campaign Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, sharply criticized Starbucks on May 21, questioning the appropriateness of its recent Tank Day event amid ongoing controversies regarding the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Speaking at the campaign launch for Daejeon mayoral candidate Heo Tae-jeong, Jeong stated, "We must hold a grateful heart for those who lost their lives during the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement." He emphasized the need for respect and remembrance. May 21, 2026

Hanwha Q CELLS to Supply 640,000 Solar Modules for Major Solar Project in Jeollanam-do Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS (hereafter Hanwha Q CELLS) will supply high-efficiency solar cells and modules manufactured in South Korea for a record-breaking 400MW solar power project by Korea Southern Power at a single domestic site. According to industry sources on May 21, Korea Southern Power plans to develop a large-scale solar power plant in the Munnae-myeon area of Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do. The project aims to complete the solar power plant on approximately 1.4 million pyeong (4.79 km²) o May 21, 2026

Actress Kim Kyu-ri's Home Burglarized; Roommate Injured A burglary occurred at the home of actress Kim Kyu-ri. According to a report by Channel A on May 21, a man in his 40s unlawfully entered Kim's residence in Bukchon Hanok Village, Jongno District, Seoul, around 9 p.m. the previous night, attempting to commit robbery before fleeing the scene. A woman living with Kim discovered the intruder, who reportedly attempted to steal money but was caught in the act and fled. During the incident, the woman sustained injuries. Police began thei May 21, 2026