SKC Achieves Oversubscription in Capital Increase, Accelerates Glass Substrate Business and Financial Improvement SKC has successfully achieved oversubscription in its capital increase of 1.1671 trillion won, with both existing shareholders and employee stock ownership plans exceeding expectations. According to SKC on May 18, the subscription rate for existing shareholders reached 113.01%, surpassing the 100% mark, while the employee stock ownership plan recorded a high subscription rate of 131.4%. The company attributed the strong interest in the capital increase to improved performance and market May 18, 2026

Government Pushes to Expand National Growth Fund Amid Global AI Investment Trends The government is addressing concerns over the National Growth Fund, which has faced criticism for potentially supporting large corporations and distorting the market. Officials emphasized that the fund serves as a catalyst to attract private investment, given the nature of advanced industry investments that require substantial long-term funding and risk-sharing. On May 18, the Financial Services Commission held a seminar at the Korea Development Bank's IR Center to assess the National Gr May 18, 2026

BBQ Chairman Yoon Hong-geun Receives Korea's Mid-sized Business CEO Award Yoon Hong-geun, Chairman of Genesis BBQ Group, has been awarded the Korea Mid-sized Business CEO Award for his efforts in promoting franchise cooperation and achieving global business success. BBQ announced on May 18 that Yoon received the award at the 2026 Spring Conference of the Korean Management Association, held on May 15 at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Korea Mid-sized Business CEO Award is presented to exemplary small and medium-sized business leaders who have de May 18, 2026

Homeplus: Meritz Requires Immediate Repayment of Express Sale Proceeds Homeplus, which is undergoing corporate rehabilitation, announced on May 18 that Meritz Financial Group has demanded immediate repayment of the proceeds from the sale of Homeplus Express as a condition for providing a short-term operating loan (bridge loan).According to Homeplus, Meritz is considering a short-term operating loan of approximately 100 billion won ($75 million) for a duration of 2 to 3 months, with interest rates similar to those of existing emergency operating loans (DIP loans). T May 18, 2026

HVEM Shares Surge Over 20% Amid Positive Market Outlook HVEM shares experienced a significant increase of over 20% during trading hours, driven by optimistic forecasts from the financial sector. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:22 PM, HVEM shares were trading at 117,700 won, up 19,800 won (20.22%) from the previous trading day. Earlier in the day, Meritz Securities released a report projecting growth and improved performance across all business divisions for HVEM. Jung Ji-soo, a researcher at Meritz Securities, stated, "In the fir May 18, 2026

Korea's Fair Trade Commission Fines Top 5 Delivery Companies $30.8 Million for Unfair Practices The top five delivery companies in South Korea have been penalized by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for repeatedly abusing their power over subcontractors. With these companies controlling over 90% of the domestic delivery market, the sanctions are seen as a significant step toward addressing unfair practices across the industry. On May 18, the FTC announced that it would impose a total fine of 3.08 billion won (approximately $30.8 million) on five delivery firms—Coupang Logistics Ser May 18, 2026

CJ Logistics CEO Shin Young-soo: Building a Competitive Edge Through Small Successes CJ Logistics CEO Shin Young-soo presented the accumulation of "small successes" and organizational culture innovation as key strategies for future growth during a town hall meeting with employees.On May 18, CJ Logistics reported that CEO Shin stated at the meeting on May 14, "The massive innovations that will change the future of the logistics industry begin with small successes." He emphasized that these small successes are crucial for creating new growth opportunities and enhancing future comp May 18, 2026

Economic Groups Urge Samsung Union to Withdraw Strike Plans Business groups have expressed concern over the Samsung Electronics union's plans to strike, urging the union to withdraw its strike announcement and return to negotiations. They warned that if a strike occurs, the government should consider invoking emergency measures to address the situation. On May 18, six major economic organizations, including the Korea Employers Federation, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Economic Association, the Korea International Trade Associ May 18, 2026

Supreme Court Rules U.S. Companies Must Pay Corporate Tax on Technology Transfer Fees to Korean Firms The Supreme Court has ruled that fees paid by U.S. companies to Korean firms for technology or know-how transfers are not exempt from corporate tax. On May 18, the Supreme Court's third division, led by Justice Oh Seok-jun, overturned a lower court ruling that favored U.S. pharmaceutical company Genosco in its lawsuit against the head of the Dongjak Tax Office regarding the denial of a tax refund for withholding tax. The case has been sent back to the Seoul High Court for further proceedings.In May 18, 2026

Samsung Biologics Faces Labor Dispute Amid Rising Concerns for K-Bio The ongoing labor dispute at Samsung Biologics is raising concerns within and outside the bio industry as signs of a prolonged conflict emerge. Similar to the situation with Samsung Electronics, this issue should not be viewed merely as a wage negotiation for one company. Samsung Biologics symbolizes the South Korean bio industry, and any decline in its competitiveness could lead to a broader trust issue for K-Bio, especially as Chinese and Japanese firms aggressively pursue market share. May 18, 2026