Transactions in Nowon and Dobong Surpass Gangnam as 80% of Seoul Deals Are Below 1.5 Billion Won In the Seoul apartment market, transactions for properties priced below 1.5 billion won now account for over 80% of sales, with rapid increases in transactions in outer districts such as Nowon, Dobong, and Gangbuk. This shift is attributed to the tightening of loan regulations and the designation of the entire city as a regulated area following the government's October 15 measures last year, which lowered the entry barrier for mid-priced apartments. Additionally, the end of the capital gai May 17, 2026

Export-Import Bank of Korea Expands AI-Based Development Cooperation, Selects Sri Lanka as First Project Site The Export-Import Bank of Korea is set to expand its AI-based international development cooperation initiatives targeting developing countries. On May 17, the bank announced that it has signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the National Information Society Agency (NIA) to enhance the effectiveness of official development assistance (ODA) projects and support the overseas expansion of domestic AI companies. Through this agreement, the Export-Import Bank plans to collaborate with the N May 17, 2026

NATO Secretary General Rutte to Pressure European Defense Firms for Investment and Production Boost NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to pressure major European defense firms to increase investment and production. The Financial Times reported on May 16, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Rutte plans to meet with key European defense groups this week in Brussels. During the meeting, Rutte is expected to urge defense companies to expedite investments and ramp up production, laying the groundwork for significant defense agreements to be announced at the NATO annua May 17, 2026

Major Countries and Developing Nations Must Unite to Address Global Imbalances To address global imbalances, there is a growing call to enhance the roles of international organizations responsible for analysis and monitoring. The South Korean government proposed at the G20 Deputy Finance Ministers' meeting that both major and developing countries must work together to mitigate negative spillover effects. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the third G20 Deputy Finance Ministers and Central Bank Deputy Governors meeting took place from May 14 to 15 in Flo May 17, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol Promotes South Korean Economy in Europe Koo Yoon-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, is traveling to Europe to showcase South Korea's economic resilience and advancements in capital markets. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Koo departed for the UK on the morning of May 17 to participate in the Investment Briefing (IR) for the South Korean economy. During his trip, he will conduct IR sessions for global investment institutions, hold meetings with major financial firms, and attend the May 17, 2026

KB Financial Completes Technology Validation for Won-Based Stablecoin Payments and Remittances KB Financial Group has successfully completed a technology validation for payments and remittances based on a won stablecoin. By integrating QR payments and overseas remittances into a single blockchain flow, the company is accelerating the establishment of financial infrastructure in preparation for the institutionalization of digital assets. On May 17, KB Financial announced that it has successfully concluded a proof of concept (PoC) in collaboration with electronic payment firm KG Inic May 17, 2026

Acro River Sky in Noryangjin Offers Spacious Living Options "The 59㎡A type feels particularly spacious. The high ceiling and the view from the kitchen to the living room create a sense of openness," said a 43-year-old visitor, identified as A, after touring the Acro River Sky model home near Maebong Station in Gangnam on the morning of May 15. Residing in Gangdong District, A noted, "The prices in this area are high, so I am contemplating my options for purchasing, but I do think I will need to upgrade eventually. I am especially interested in No May 17, 2026

Why Xi Jinping Cannot Abandon Taiwan During a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the most extensively and sensitively discussed topic was Taiwan. Trump revealed that Xi asked whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan, indicating that Taiwan was at the forefront of Xi's concerns, despite discussions on tariffs, trade, and supply chains.China has long referred to the Taiwan issue as a "core interest." However, this obsession has intensified recently, primarily because Taiwan has become the heart o May 17, 2026

Candidates Confirmed for Busan North Gap By-Election Amid Speculation on Conservative Unity Following the confirmation of candidate numbers for the Busan North Gap by-election, political circles are closely watching the potential for a unification of conservative candidates. However, as of the first unification deadline on the 17th, a consolidation among conservative candidates remains unlikely. According to the Election Commission on the 17th, the candidates for the June 3 by-election in Busan North Gap are Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party (number 1), Park Min-sik of the P May 17, 2026

Government Launches Drone Initiative to Manage Manure and Prevent Algal Blooms The government has initiated special inspections of stockpiled livestock manure, identified as a major contributor to summer algal blooms. This effort is part of the newly implemented "Algal Bloom Seasonal Management System," which aims to expand monitoring periods and utilize drones and pollution monitoring systems to prevent these blooms before they occur. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on May 17 that it will conduct special inspections of stockpiled livestock May 17, 2026