South Korea Launches NEST to Connect Public Research Outcomes with Startups and Investments The Ministry of Science and ICT has officially launched a consortium to support deep tech startups aimed at expanding the market reach of public research outcomes. On May 20, the ministry held a ceremony at the Peace and Park Convention Center in Seoul to inaugurate the "Deep Tech Commercialization Support Consortium (NEST)." NEST is a collaborative network of key support organizations that connects outstanding public research outcomes from universities and research institutes with star May 21, 2026

LG Electronics Launches 'Housewarming' Pop-Up in Southeast Asia to Showcase K-Lifestyle LG Electronics is launching an experiential marketing campaign centered around the Korean-style "housewarming" concept in Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to connect local interest in K-culture with LG's home appliances to expand its premium customer base. On May 21, LG Electronics announced that it will sequentially roll out the "Housewarming by LG" campaign in three major Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. The campaign invites local customers to pop-up store May 21, 2026

KFTC Holds Briefing on Subcontract Payment Disclosure System and Linkage System The Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is set to assess the implementation of the subcontract payment disclosure system and linkage system for large business groups.On May 21, the KFTC announced it will hold a briefing at the DMC Tower for representatives from 102 designated business groups regarding the 'Subcontract Payment Disclosure System and Linkage System.'The briefing will cover the expansion of the application of the subcontract payment linkage system and the prohibition of unlawful activitie May 21, 2026

Krafton's 'Subnautica 2' Surpasses 4 Million Sales in Just 5 Days Krafton's creative studio Unknown Worlds has announced that its new title, 'Subnautica 2,' has surpassed 4 million copies sold globally within just five days of its release. Krafton reported that 'Subnautica 2' achieved 1 million sales shortly after its early access launch, and exceeded 2 million copies sold within the first 12 hours. The game has continued to perform well, reaching 4 million sales in just five days. User engagement metrics are also on the rise. The peak number of concu May 21, 2026

SK Chemicals Validates Recycling Suitability of Seven Plastic Materials in Europe SK Chemicals has confirmed the recycling suitability of its plastic (PET) materials in Europe. On May 21, SK Chemicals announced that its copolyester Ecotria Claro and the SkyPet PET product line have been validated for recyclability by Recyclability, a European recycling assessment organization. Recyclability is a non-profit industry consortium established to promote a circular economy for plastics in Europe. It verifies and certifies the recyclability of plastic materials based on ass May 21, 2026

240,000 Discount Tickets for Performances Available Starting May 22 Starting May 22, 240,000 discount tickets for performances will be distributed. Each person can receive up to two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Arts Management Support Center and the Korea Arts Council, announced that the first distribution of 240,000 10,000-won discount tickets will begin on May 22 through online ticketing platforms and non-metropolitan cultural centers. This initiative aims to expand public acc May 21, 2026

U.S. Ambassador Nominee Michelle Steel Advocates for Equal Market Access for American Companies in Korea Michelle Steel, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, stated that American companies operating in Korea should be guaranteed equal market access. Issues surrounding non-tariff barriers in Korea and regulations affecting U.S. tech companies have emerged as significant trade concerns for the next U.S. ambassador. During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 20, Steel remarked, "American companies doing business in Korea deserve the same marke May 21, 2026

Hyundai Motor Group Highlights Hydrogen Ecosystem at World Hydrogen Summit 2026 Hyundai Motor Group announced on May 21 that it participated in the World Hydrogen Summit 2026, held from May 19 to 21 at the AHOY Convention Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Now in its seventh year, the World Hydrogen Summit is the largest global hydrogen industry exhibition, focusing on key issues related to hydrogen, including mobility, production, infrastructure, regulation, and investment. The event is divided into a summit and an exhibition. More than 10,000 attendees, including May 21, 2026

K-Tourism Surges Amid Challenges, April Visitors Reach Record High The South Korean government's goal of attracting 30 million inbound tourists is gaining momentum. Despite challenges such as high oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea reached 203,000 in April, a 19% increase from 171,000 in the same month last year. Spending also rose, with foreign credit card expenditures reaching a record 1.9 trillion won in April, indicating that the growth in visitor numbers is translating into increased May 21, 2026

Xi Jinping's Possible Visit to North Korea Signals Shifts in Geopolitical Landscape The possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting North Korea has stirred the diplomatic landscape surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Although no official announcement has been made, recent visits by Chinese security and protocol teams to Pyongyang, along with high-level exchanges between North Korea and China, suggest a strong likelihood. Particularly, in the wake of a US-China summit where North Korea's nuclear issue has resurfaced as a key agenda item, speculation about Xi's visit carri May 21, 2026