U.S. Stock Holdings Exceed 300 Trillion Won as Big Tech Rally Resumes The resurgence of a rally centered on major U.S. tech companies has pushed the total value of U.S. stock holdings to over 300 trillion won. Following a period of hesitation due to domestic market stimulus policies and expectations for the KOSPI to reach 8,000, overseas investors are preparing to return to the U.S. market. According to the Korea Securities Depository's securities information portal, Saveuro, as of May 14, the value of U.S. stocks held by domestic investors was recorded at $200.11 May 17, 2026

Lee to Hold Summit with Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi on May 19 The Blue House announced on May 17 that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will be welcomed with honors equivalent to a state visit ahead of the upcoming South Korea-Japan summit on May 19. This summit marks the first return visit since President Lee Jae-myung met with Prime Minister Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, Japan, in January, and will take place in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the president's hometown. Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated, "This visit is significant a May 17, 2026

Housing Loans in South Korea Increase by 5.5 Trillion Won as Authorities Target Business Loan Loopholes The increase in housing loans from financial institutions in South Korea expanded in April, reaching the highest level in eight months. Financial authorities are closely monitoring the potential for rising household loans as housing transactions increase, while also significantly tightening regulations on the misuse of business loans for real estate purchases. According to the Financial Services Commission on May 17, total household loans across all financial sectors rose by 3.5 trillion May 17, 2026

Democratic Party Condemns Negative Campaigning Against Seoul Mayor Candidate The Democratic Party on May 17 condemned negative campaigning directed at Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-o, urging an immediate halt to what they described as "malicious smear tactics." The party specifically referenced the controversy surrounding the missing rebar in the GTX-A line, promising a thorough investigation at the national assembly level. Lee In-young, the head of Jung's campaign, spoke with reporters at the National Assembly, stating, "We strongly condemn the smear tactics a May 17, 2026

Professor Yeo Hyun-deok Discusses AI Management in New Book Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological issue; it has become a management, human, and civilizational concern. More crucial than how quickly companies adopt AI is the question of how humans will relate to it. In light of this, Yeo Hyun-deok, head of the KAIST G-School and professor responsible for the AI Management program, has released a new book titled AI Management: Child Soldiers and Einstein and engaged with readers.Professor Yeo held a book concert on May 16 at the Youngpo May 17, 2026

Seoul Mayor Candidate Oh Se-hoon Promises Improved Teacher-Child Ratios "I understand how difficult it is on the ground, as I have two grandsons myself," said Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for Seoul mayor from the People Power Party, during a meeting with over 100 childcare teachers on May 14, 2026, in Jongno, Seoul. The teachers shared their challenges, and Oh took notes while nodding in agreement. The main focus of the meeting was a pressing request: "Please allow us to care for fewer children." Childcare teachers particularly expressed concerns about overcr May 17, 2026

Oh Se-hoon Proposes 'Seoul Chance' Housing Plan for Young People Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, unveiled a housing plan on May 17 aimed at assisting young people without homes. At his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, Seoul, Oh introduced the 'Seoul Home' initiative, which allows young individuals to purchase a home by paying just 20% of the price of a property valued at 1.2 billion won or less, the current median price for homes in Seoul. Under this plan, the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) will buy the May 17, 2026

NH Bank President Kang Tae-young Supports Rural Labor in Gangwon Province NH Bank announced on May 17 that President Kang Tae-young visited Guam Village in Dongsan-myeon, Chuncheon, to participate in joint rural support activities.The volunteer event included over 60 participants, including President Kang and Heo Jang-hyun, head of Gangwon Techno Park. The group assisted with agricultural tasks such as thinning peach blossoms and installing support stakes for peppers. They also delivered watermelons to all households in the village, which is facing labor shortages dur May 17, 2026

Seoul's Retail Landscape Transformed by Reconstruction Projects Reconstruction and redevelopment projects are reshaping not only residential areas but also the consumption landscape in cities. The influx of residents into large complexes and improvements in infrastructure are attracting more people to surrounding commercial areas, while the demand for new housing is expanding everyday consumer spending, highlighting new growth factors for offline retail.On May 17, an analysis of statistics from Seoul's commercial area analysis service revealed a significant May 17, 2026

Hanwha Life Financial Services Holds 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony, Honors 15 Champions Hanwha Life Financial Services announced on May 17 that it held its 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony to recognize outstanding sales performance by agents and sales managers from the previous year.The Annual Awards Ceremony is a key event celebrating agents and sales managers who achieved exceptional sales results over the past year. The ceremony was attended by approximately 1,600 people, including 15 champions, agents, sales managers, and employees.Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, conveyed May 17, 2026