New Task Force Launched to Combat Illegal Medical Practices and Shorten Recovery Periods for Health Benefits The South Korean government has launched a task force to address the rising number of illegal medical institutions and improve the collection rate of health benefits that have been determined for recovery. On May 18, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the formation of the "Joint Investigation Team for Illegal Medical Practices," which includes personnel from seven investigative and regulatory agencies, including the police and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.The task force comprises 30 May 18, 2026

New Book Chronicles Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hee-ho's Imprisonment Kim Dae-jung Lee Hee-ho Imprisonment Records=Planned by Yonsei University Kim Dae-jung Library, published by Hangilsa. A new book reflecting on the political life of former President Kim Dae-jung has been released. Following Kim Dae-jung's Oral Memoirs and Kim Dae-jung's Exile Diary, this book includes the imprisonment records of Kim Dae-jung and his wife, Lee Hee-ho. The book focuses on the years from 1976 to 1982, during which Kim was imprisoned due to the March 1st Democratic Declaration May 18, 2026

Rainbow Robotics Achieves Record Quarterly Revenue Amid Ongoing Challenges Rainbow Robotics is experiencing significant growth, achieving its highest quarterly revenue to date, thanks in part to synergies with Samsung Electronics. However, ongoing losses and the nascent stage of its software capabilities pose challenges to qualitative growth. According to industry sources on May 18, Rainbow Robotics reported first-quarter revenue of 9.0625 billion won, a 116.6% increase from 4.18477 billion won in the same period last year. With Samsung's supply volumes now ful May 18, 2026

Korean Business Leaders Meet Japanese Prime Minister Ahead of Summit Ahead of the Korea-Japan summit scheduled for May 19 in Andong, South Korea, major domestic companies met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Attention is focused on whether concrete business outcomes will emerge in advanced industries such as supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy during their meetings with Japanese business leaders.According to industry sources on May 18, the Korean deleg May 18, 2026

Samsung's Internal Strife Deepens Amid Strike Threats Samsung Electronics and its labor union returned to the negotiating table three days before a planned total strike, but experts predict that any outcome will severely impact the company's competitiveness. Since its founding in 1969, Samsung Electronics has been known for its lack of labor disputes, but the internal turmoil it is currently facing is expected to have greater consequences than anticipated. On May 18, political and industry sources reported that Samsung Electronics and its May 18, 2026

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Collects One Ton of Marine Waste at Geomundo Lotte Chilsung Beverage has partnered with the National Park Service to engage in environmental activities that promote marine ecosystem conservation and plastic resource recycling. The company announced on May 18 that it conducted a marine cleanup on Geomundo, located in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, on May 14-15. Employees from Lotte Chilsung Beverage, along with officials from the National Park Service and the Korea National Trust for Nature, participated in the efforts. The volunteer May 18, 2026

Korea Technology Guarantee Fund Partners with Seoul Bankruptcy Court to Support Reviving Companies The Korea Technology Guarantee Fund has signed a business agreement with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court to support the successful revival of bankrupt companies. According to the Technology Guarantee Fund on May 18, the agreement aims to identify companies with a high potential for management normalization and link them with financial support, enabling these companies to establish a stable recovery foundation and quickly normalize their operations. Under the agreement, the Seoul Bankruptcy C May 18, 2026

Starbucks Faces Backlash Over 'Tank Day' Event on May 18 Starbucks is facing backlash for its 'Tank Day' event held on the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising on May 18.According to industry sources, Starbucks promoted the event with the slogan 'Tank Day' as part of its 'Dante Tank Nasu Day' initiative. The promotional page also featured the phrase 'Bang! on the desk!'This sparked criticism on online communities and social media, with many arguing that the expressions trivialized the Gwangju Uprising. Critics noted that the slogan evoked memories May 18, 2026

Prospects After Emergency Mediation Authority Activation: A Look at Past Cases As tensions rise between Samsung Electronics and its labor union, the possibility of the government activating its "emergency mediation authority" is drawing attention in the industrial sector. Legal experts believe that if this authority is invoked before a strike occurs, it would be an unprecedented preemptive activation. According to legal sources on May 18, the emergency mediation authority is based on Article 76 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act. The Minister of E May 18, 2026

Samsung Electronics' AI Glasses Generate Excitement Ahead of Galaxy Unpacked Samsung Electronics is generating buzz as it considers unveiling artificial intelligence (AI) glasses alongside its foldable phones at the Galaxy Unpacked event later this year. Industry analysts suggest that the next-generation AI interface is shifting from wrist devices to eyewear. According to industry sources, Samsung plans to hold the Galaxy Unpacked event in London around July 22, where it is expected to introduce its next-generation foldable phone and AI glasses. While there has b May 18, 2026