• 
  Lee calls for faster push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for accelerating South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as the government is seeking to unveil a basic plan for the development of a Korean nuclear-powered submarine by the end of this month. “We must speed up the introduction of AI and drone technologies and move faster to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a key strategic asset for future defense capabilities,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeti May 26, 2026
• 
  KOSPI tops 8,000 for first time as oil slump, Asia rally lift Seoul SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korean stocks broke through the 8,000 mark for the first time on Tuesday as the market reopened from a long holiday to a weekend slide in oil prices and record highs across Asia. The benchmark KOSPI traded at 8,105 as of around 10 a.m., up about 3.3 percent from Friday's close of 7,847.71, while the junior KOSDAQ stood at 1,184.76. It was the first time the index has opened and held above 8,000, after a brief touch on May 15 that ended in a steep sell-off. The w May 26, 2026
• 
  Shinsegae chief's apology over Starbucks controversy - text SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) -Below is the full statement of Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin's apology over Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" controversy. To the people of the nation, I stand before you today with a heavy and apologetic heart. First, as chairman of Shinsegae Group, I sincerely bow my head in apology and ask for forgiveness from the bereaved families of the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the bereaved family of the late activist Park Jong-chul, the citize May 26, 2026
• 
  KOSPI breaks 8,000 as oil retreat lifts Asia, though the rally rests on unfinished Iran deal SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korea's Kospi pushed above the 8,000 mark at Tuesday's open, reaching roughly 8,060 as the market reopened from a holiday to a weekend of falling oil prices and record highs across Asia, even as the diplomatic breakthrough driving the move remained far from settled. The benchmark traded about 2.7 percent above Friday's close of 7,847.71. It marked only the second time the index has crossed 8,000 and the first time it has opened and sustained the level, af May 26, 2026