Hancom Transitions to Sovereign Agentic OS, Phasing Out Legacy Brand Hancom, a pioneering software company, has announced the retirement of its 36-year-old brand "Hangul and Computer" and its identity as a traditional office software provider. The company is transitioning to become a Sovereign Agentic Operating System (OS) firm based on artificial intelligence (AI). On May 19, Hancom held a strategy presentation titled "Hancom: The Shift" at the Fairmont Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, where it unveiled its AI business achievements and new corporate vision. Kim May 19, 2026

National Growth Fund to Launch on May 22, No Principal Guarantee and Five-Year Lock-In The National Participation Growth Fund will be launched on May 22, with a total size of 6 trillion won. Sales may close early if the funds are exhausted. On May 19, the Financial Services Commission provided key information regarding the National Participation Growth Fund. The fund aims to raise 6 trillion won from the general public and will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis through major banks and securities firms from May 22 to June 11. However, this is not May 19, 2026

Samsung C&T Expands Home Platform Services to Pre-Move-In Stage Samsung C&T's construction division is expanding the services of its home platform, HomeNick, to include the pre-move-in stage for apartments. On May 19, Samsung C&T announced a collaboration with interior design firm Hanssem to introduce the "HomeStyle" service for prospective residents. Those moving into new developments where HomeNick is implemented will be able to view 3D interior concepts tailored to their apartment size and can book consultations at showrooms, leading to purchase o May 19, 2026

Samsung Electronics Labor Negotiations Continue Amid Stalemate Samsung Electronics' labor negotiations entered their second day on May 19, with Park Soo-geun, chairman of the Central Labor Relations Commission, stating that while both sides are making concessions, two key issues remain unresolved. He noted, "There is a possibility of reaching an agreement, but it is difficult to say at this point." Speaking to reporters as he entered the meeting room after a break, Park commented on the ongoing difficulties in reaching a consensus, saying, "The two mo May 19, 2026

Uniqlo Returns to Myeongdong, Recovering Sales After Boycott Uniqlo, which left Myeongdong due to the No Japan movement and the impact of COVID-19, is returning to the area after five years. With an increase in foreign tourists and improving Japan-South Korea relations, the company is set to target Myeongdong with its largest store in the country.The "Uniqlo Myeongdong" store will officially open on May 22 in the Myeongdong area of Seoul. The store spans three floors and covers a total area of 3,254.8 square meters, making it the largest in South K May 19, 2026

MC Mong's TikTok Account Suspended After Celebrity Allegations 가수 MC몽이 소셜미디어(SNS) 계정을 정지당했다고 밝혔다. On May 19, MC Mong announced that his TikTok account was suspended for a week due to "specific expressions" he used. Previously, on May 18, during a live broadcast on his social media, MC Mong claimed that there exists an illegal gambling ring involving celebrities, mentioning Kim Min-jong as one of its members. In response, Kim Min-jong stated through his legal representative, the law firm Okims, that he firmly denies the allegati May 19, 2026

Jung Won-oh: It's Unwise for the Seoul Mayor to Engage in Political Conflicts Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, stated that it is unwise for the mayor, as the head of local government, to be embroiled in political conflicts. Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Broadcasting Journalists Club in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, on May 19, Jung emphasized, "The place for the mayor to stand is not in the midst of political disputes but in the midst of people's livelihoods." He added, "If discussions are heading in a direction that is very diffe May 19, 2026

87% of This Year's African Swine Fever Cases Linked to Foreign Sources This year, 87% of the confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF) in South Korean farms have been traced back to foreign sources. The primary routes of transmission are believed to be through feed ingredients and the compounded feed made from them. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency released the findings of its epidemiological investigation into the causes of ASF on May 19. Between January 16 and March 16, 24 cases of ASF were reported across seven provinces nationwide. Notably, the di May 19, 2026

President Lee Welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi in Andong President Lee Jae-myung personally welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on May 19 in Andong, where they were set to hold a Korea-Japan summit.President Lee stood at the entrance of a hotel in downtown Andong around 1:40 p.m. waiting for the arrival of Prime Minister Takaichi's vehicle.As the black car arrived, President Lee greeted Takaichi with a bright smile, clapping his hands and shaking her hand.The two leaders, meeting for the third time in an official capacity, displayed their May 19, 2026

Kim Kwan-young Leads Slightly Over Lee Won-taek in Jeonbuk Governor Race A recent poll indicates a tight race between Lee Won-taek of the Democratic Party and independent candidate Kim Kwan-young in the Jeonbuk governor election. The survey, conducted by Hangil Research on May 16-17 and commissioned by the New Jeonbuk Newspaper, involved 1,001 residents aged 18 and older in Jeonbuk. The results, released on May 18, show Kim Kwan-young leading with 42.1% support, while Lee Won-taek follows closely with 40.5%. The poll also recorded 4.9% for Yang Jeong-moo of May 19, 2026