Samsung and Union Enter Final Negotiations Ahead of Strike Samsung Electronics and its labor union are entering final negotiations ahead of a planned strike. Following an apology from Lee Jae-yong, the company's chairman, the government has warned of strong measures, including emergency mediation, should a strike occur. This has raised hopes for a potential agreement between the two sides. According to government and business sources, Samsung and the union will attend a second post-mediation meeting at the Central Labor Relations Commission May 17, 2026

Samsung's Lee Jae-yong Takes Responsibility Amid Labor Negotiations As labor tensions at Samsung Electronics escalated towards an unprecedented strike, efforts by Chairman Lee Jae-yong have reopened negotiations. According to industry sources on May 17, a meeting between the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Samsung Electronics executives, including Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun, took place on May 15 to persuade the union. As a result, the two sides agreed to hold a second post-adjustment meeting on May 18, just days before a planned general strike on May 17, 2026

Negative Campaigning Intensifies in Seoul Mayor Race Ahead of Local Elections As the nationwide local elections approach on May 31, the race for Seoul mayor is heating up. Negative campaigning surrounding alleged mistakes and controversies has intensified, increasing tension among candidates. Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate, targeted Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, over a construction issue involving missing rebar in the GTX-A line at Samseong Station, which occurred during Oh's tenure as mayor. During a visit to the construction site, May 17, 2026

Iran-Backed Militants Expand Attack Plans to Include U.S. Soil Concerns are growing that Iran-backed militant groups may expand their activities beyond the Middle East, including potential attacks on U.S. soil, following revelations of their plans to target Western nations. The New York Times reported on May 16, citing an indictment released in a Manhattan federal court, that Mohammad al-Sadi, a senior official of the Iraqi militia Kata'ib Hezbollah, has been charged with plotting at least 20 attacks against Western countries, including the United St May 17, 2026

Samsung Electronics Strike Looms as Government Considers Emergency Mediation The impending strike by Samsung Electronics' labor union has deepened concerns for labor authorities. The government, which has maintained a principle of 'self-resolution' between labor and management, has officially mentioned the possibility of invoking emergency mediation for the first time, reflecting the tension between pro-labor policies and economic risks.In a public address on May 17, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok stated, "If a situation arises where the strike could cause significant damag May 17, 2026

Korean Won Surges Past 1500 Against Dollar Amid Foreign Capital Outflow The won-dollar exchange rate has experienced significant fluctuations, rising nearly 70 won in just over a week to surpass the 1500 mark. This volatility is attributed to ongoing foreign capital outflows, compounded by geopolitical risks in the Middle East and strong dollar pressures. According to the Seoul foreign exchange market on May 17, the won closed at 1500.8 won per dollar on May 15, up 9.8 won from the previous trading day. On that day, the exchange rate opened at 1494.2 won, ri May 17, 2026

Semiconductor Society Warns Samsung Strike Could Harm Industry Workforce Development The Semiconductor Society, representing the domestic semiconductor academic community, expressed concern over the total strike at Samsung Electronics. On May 17, the society's president, Choi Ki-young, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, stated, "The total strike at Samsung Electronics will have a devastating impact on the entire ecosystem of the domestic semiconductor industry," urging both labor and management to avoid the strike. He further noted, "If negotiations are p May 17, 2026

Yoo Jeong-bok and Yang Hyang-ja Criticize Democratic Party's Support for Daejang-dong Yoo Jeong-bok, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon Mayor, and Yang Hyang-ja, the candidate for Gyeonggi Governor, condemned the Democratic Party candidates' remarks supporting the Daejang-dong project during a press conference on May 17 at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The candidates criticized the Democratic Party's candidates for the metropolitan area, stating, "We are astonished to think that they have come out to align with the president's inte May 17, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Visits Andong as Korea-Japan Relations Shift to 'Hometown Diplomacy' Diplomacy often carries a stronger message when tied to a specific location. The venue of a summit is not merely a matter of protocol; it symbolizes the direction and atmosphere of the relationship. In this context, the Korea-Japan summit scheduled for May 19 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, may encapsulate the recent changes in Korea-Japan relations. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi will visit Andong, the hometown of President Lee Jae-myung. This visit serves as a reciprocal gesture May 17, 2026

Gangnam Among 44 Areas Applying for Urban Public Housing Project, Expecting 60,000 Units Seoul's urban public housing complex project, aimed at redeveloping aging residential areas through public-led high-density development, has attracted participation from 44 locations, including the three districts of Gangnam, with expectations of supplying approximately 60,000 new housing units. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on May 17, proposals from residents were submitted from 44 locations across 16 districts in Seoul by the application deadline on May May 17, 2026