Special Prosecutors Summon Yoon Suk Yeol for Investigation on May 26 The comprehensive special prosecutor team investigating remaining allegations after the three major special investigations has summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear as a suspect at the end of this month. According to Yonhap News on May 14, the second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, plans to investigate allegations of abuse of power against Yoon. The team suspects that Yoon directed the transmission of messages justifying the declaration of martial law to allied countries, including the United States, through the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately after the declaration. The messages reportedly included statements such as, "This action is to protect liberal democracy," and "Yoon Suk Yeol maintains a stance against North Korean leftists and anti-Americanism." The special prosecutor team intends to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delivery of messages justifying martial law to allied countries and whether Yoon issued related directives. However, Yoon's side has expressed difficulty in preparing for the summons, citing the lack of specific details in the summons notice and a busy trial schedule, leaving his attendance undecided. The special prosecutor team plans to first summon Kim Tae-hyo, former first deputy director of the National Security Office, as a suspect for questioning on May 15 regarding related allegations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:28:39

China Reverses Approval for U.S. Beef Exporters Amid Trade Talks On the same day as the U.S.-China summit, Chinese authorities temporarily restored the export qualifications of hundreds of U.S. beef exporters, only to revoke them shortly after, creating confusion. According to Yonhap News Agency on May 14, the General Administration of Customs of China changed the export registration status of over 400 U.S. beef slaughter and processing plants from 'expired' to 'valid.' These companies had not renewed their five-year export registration, granted between March 2020 and April 2021, for more than a year. This change sparked optimism in the U.S. livestock industry regarding the resumption of exports to China, including facilities owned by major food companies Tyson Foods and Cargill. However, shortly after reports emerged, the registration status on the customs administration's website reverted back to '(permit) expired.' As a result, the hopes of U.S. beef exporters turned to uncertainty within just a few hours. The White House had previously indicated that this issue could be discussed at the U.S.-China summit. Reuters reported that the General Administration of Customs did not respond to inquiries regarding the reason for the change in permit status. Market analysts suggest that this move may indicate China is using the import of agricultural products as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with the U.S. U.S. beef exports to China peaked at $1.7 billion in 2022 but fell to about $500 million last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:27:13

President Lee Shares U.S. Treasury Secretary's Post, Emphasizes U.S.-Korea Partnership President Lee Jae-myung stated on May 14 that "South Korea and the United States are the most important partners supporting each other's growth."In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee highlighted U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant's message, affirming that despite challenging international circumstances, the two countries will work closely to create opportunities and pave the way for shared prosperity.He emphasized that as South Korea prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2028, it will communicate with the United States, the G20 president in 2026, to fulfill its responsible role in the international community.President Lee also referenced his meeting with Secretary Besant the previous day at the Blue House, noting that it reaffirmed the deep trust and commitment to cooperation between the two nations.In his post on X regarding the meeting, Secretary Besant expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and the strong U.S.-Korea alliance, stating, "Through extensive discussions, I reaffirmed the United States' commitment to advancing economic cooperation between our two countries and recognized South Korea's economic achievements."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:25:49

Chinese Vessels Begin Transit Through Hormuz Strait Following Iranian Approval Some Chinese vessels have begun transiting the Hormuz Strait after receiving permission from Iranian authorities, according to local media reports. On May 14, Yonhap News reported that Iran's Fars News Agency cited sources stating, "Following a decision by Iranian authorities, some Chinese vessels started their transit through the Hormuz Strait from the night of May 13 (local time)." The report noted that these vessels were granted permission to navigate under the condition that they comply with Iran's transit regulations. Sources claimed that this move resulted from diplomatic efforts by Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, and the Chinese Ambassador to Iran. They added, "The transit of Chinese vessels was promoted based on the deep and strategic partnership between the two countries." Iran's state television also reported, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, that over 30 vessels authorized by Iran passed through the Hormuz Strait starting on the night of May 13. However, it has not been confirmed whether all of these vessels are Chinese. This development coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. As the situation in the Middle East and issues concerning Iran are expected to be key topics during the U.S.-China summit, analysts interpret this as Iran emphasizing its cooperation with ally China to strengthen its position.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:24:53

Minister Kim Jong-kwan Warns of Urgent Mediation Amid Samsung Union Strike Threat Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan urged for prompt dialogue between management and labor regarding the planned strike by Samsung Electronics' union, warning that urgent mediation may be necessary if the strike proceeds. On May 14, Kim posted on social media, titled "I earnestly urge Samsung Electronics' management and labor to compromise," stating, "The date for the total strike at Samsung Electronics is approaching." He noted that while the Central Labor Relations Commission requested a resumption of talks, management agreed, but the union believes there is no reason for further discussions unless management changes its stance. He expressed concern, saying, "If an agreement is not reached, the union plans to begin a total strike on the 21st, which is regrettable and worrisome." Kim emphasized Samsung Electronics' economic significance, stating, "The importance of Samsung Electronics to our economy cannot be overstated." He highlighted that the company's sales account for 12.5% of the national GDP and employs approximately 129,000 people, calling it a national representative company. He added, "One in ten citizens is a shareholder in this national enterprise," noting that Samsung's performance and stock prices directly affect the lives of citizens through various pension funds, including the National Pension Service. Regarding the semiconductor industry, he expressed concern, calling it "almost the only core strategic asset of our country and a unique growth engine for the future." He stated, "The semiconductor industry is a winner-takes-all sector that competes based on investment speed and scale," emphasizing that continuous process innovation and large-scale investments are necessary for survival. He warned that competing nations are expanding their positions in the semiconductor market with strong government support and bold investments, stating, "The moment we lose our competitiveness, survival becomes difficult, not just finishing second, leading to a downward spiral." Kim noted that a factory shutdown could result in production losses of up to 1 trillion won per day, and if all wafers currently being processed are damaged, potential losses could reach 100 trillion won. He also mentioned the impact on approximately 1,700 partner companies, the erosion of trust in the global supply chain, and the pressure on foreign clients to relocate their production facilities. He stated, "What is more concerning than visible losses is the intangible national loss, such as damage to our economic credibility," reiterating the need to prevent a strike under any circumstances due to the seriousness and ripple effects of the situation. He added, "As the Minister of Industry, I believe that if a strike occurs, urgent mediation will be unavoidable." Finally, he urged management to propose reasonable compensation and for the union to demand a rational distribution that does not undermine the company's future and sustainability, appealing to meet the expectations of citizens, domestic and foreign customers, and investors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:23:16

Jeju Air Surpasses 1 Million Passengers for Four Consecutive Months Jeju Air announced on May 14 that it has exceeded 1 million passengers for four consecutive months from January to April this year. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation information portal, Jeju Air transported 1,127,370 passengers in April, a 20.3% increase from 936,899 during the same period last year. Domestic flights saw an increase from 387,429 to 432,582, a rise of 11.7%, while international flights grew from 549,470 to 694,788, marking a 26.4% increase. In particular, Jeju Air recorded 1,176,532 passengers in January, 1,067,659 in February, and 1,067,167 in March, making it the only South Korean low-cost carrier (LCC) to achieve over 1 million passengers each month. In April, Jeju Air accounted for 23.8% of the total passengers among nine domestic LCCs, with 25.3% on domestic routes and 23.1% on international routes. The airline's load factor also exceeded the LCC average, with an overall load factor of 91.9% in April, surpassing the LCC average of 89.5% by 2.4 percentage points. Domestic flights achieved a load factor of 97%, while international flights recorded 89.1%. Jeju Air is responding flexibly to travel demand through efficient route operations. Since the start of the winter schedule on October 26 last year, the airline has increased its Incheon-Osaka route from four to seven flights per day. Additionally, as part of a corporate merger remedy, it has utilized all slots allocated for the Gimpo-Jeju route, increasing service to four round trips daily starting March 29. On May 12, Jeju Air began trial operations on the Incheon-Jeju route with two flights per week. Starting June 11, it will launch a new route from Incheon to Kobe, further enhancing its competitiveness on Japanese routes. Jeju Air is accelerating its market share growth by expanding its domestic routes and focusing on medium-haul international flights. The airline plans to adjust its supply of medium-haul routes, which are popular during the summer vacation season, to actively attract passengers during peak periods. As competition among LCCs intensifies, Jeju Air aims to maximize its competitiveness through efficient fleet operations and rapid route restructuring. A Jeju Air official stated, "We are continuing flexible route operations to respond to changes in travel demand due to fluctuations in fuel prices and exchange rates, and we will strengthen our competitiveness through efficient route management even in a volatile market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:21:29

Nexon Reports Record First Quarter Earnings Under Global Strategy Nexon’s global market-focused restructuring strategy, led by Chairman Patrick Soderlund, has shown a strong start as the company reported its highest quarterly earnings to date. On May 14, Nexon announced that it achieved revenues of 1.42 trillion won, operating profit of 542.6 billion won, and net profit of 533.8 billion won for the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 34% increase in revenue, a 40% rise in operating profit, and a 118% jump in net profit compared to the same period last year. The improvement in performance is attributed to the strengthened competitiveness of key intellectual properties (IPs) such as 'MapleStory' and 'Dungeon Fighter,' along with strategies to expand into North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Soderlund, who took over as chairman of Nexon Japan in February, outlined a focus on high-potential projects during the '2026 Capital Market Briefing' in March. Previously, he served as the executive vice president at Electronic Arts, where he led the development of global hits like 'Battlefield' and 'Mirror's Edge.' He is seen as the right person to enhance Nexon's competitiveness in North America and Europe. Notably, 'Arc Raiders,' developed by Embark Studios, which Soderlund co-founded, contributed to revenue growth in those regions during the first quarter. Success in Diversifying Key IPs and Expanding Global Revenue Soderlund's emphasis on strengthening key IPs and expanding into global markets has resulted in significant achievements for the 'MapleStory' IP and new titles in the first quarter. Nexon confirmed the potential for platform diversification of its franchise IP through the release of a sequel to 'MapleStory' in the first quarter. The idle RPG 'MapleStory Growing' has performed exceptionally well since its launch in November, topping revenue charts on major app markets. In the first quarter, it also attracted new users from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The user-generated content platform 'MapleStory World' saw a 79% increase in revenue year-over-year in Taiwan, driven by the Lunar New Year update. The original PC version of 'MapleStory' is undergoing a hyper-localization strategy to enhance its influence in Western markets, with overseas revenue increasing by 8% year-over-year due to winter updates. Nexon plans to apply the diversification strategy used for 'MapleStory' to 'Dungeon Fighter.' The mobile idle game 'Dungeon Fighter Growing' is set to launch later this year, alongside ongoing development of 'Dungeon Fighter Classic,' 'Dungeon Fighter: Arad,' and 'Project Overkill.' The expansion into global markets has also driven record quarterly earnings. 'MapleStory' and the new PC title 'Arc Raiders,' released last October, signal a shift in Nexon's revenue structure, which had been heavily reliant on East Asia. The proportion of overseas revenue increased from 52% in the first quarter of last year to 62% in the first quarter of this year. Revenue from North America and Europe surged by 310%, while Southeast Asia saw an increase of 111%. 'Arc Raiders' sold an additional 4.6 million units in the first quarter, bringing its global cumulative sales to 16 million within six months of release. Thanks to its success in Western markets, Nexon's quarterly PC and console revenue surpassed 1 trillion won for the first time. Growing Expectations for Annual Revenue of 5 Trillion Won As a result, expectations are rising for Nexon to become the first domestic gaming company to achieve annual revenue of 5 trillion won. In 2024, Nexon became the first domestic game company to surpass 4 trillion won in annual revenue. Last year, all quarterly revenues exceeded 1 trillion won, resulting in a record annual revenue of 4.5072 trillion won. In 2024, former Nexon CEO Lee Jung-hun set a goal to reach 7 trillion won in annual revenue by 2027. However, Soderlund announced in March during the CMB 2026 that the timeline for achieving the previous revenue target has been postponed. He has yet to disclose a new annual revenue target. Despite the delay in the previous target, the first quarter revenue of 1.42 trillion won increases the likelihood of Nexon surpassing 5 trillion won in annual revenue for the first time among domestic game companies. This year, Nexon plans to expand investments focused on core franchises and projects with high global appeal under a strategy of selection and concentration. Nexon has signed a long-term publishing agreement for the 'FC' franchise with EA in South Korea and extended its publishing contract for 'Dungeon Fighter' in China with Tencent for another 10 years. The company is also pursuing new partnerships and expanding its next-generation IP lineup. In March, Nexon announced a publishing agreement with Blizzard Entertainment for the Korean service of the PC version of 'Overwatch' within the year. The extraction survival game 'Paradise: Last Paradise' is currently in development with a target release next year. Additionally, Nexon plans to expand its IP portfolio for global market penetration through self-developed titles such as 'Vindictus: Defying Fate,' 'Durango World,' and 'Uchi the Wayfarer.' Following the refund and stringent personnel measures taken after the probability error incident in 'MapleStory Growing,' there are positive assessments that these actions could help restore user trust. 'MapleStory Growing' reached the top of the revenue charts shortly after its launch in November but faced a probability error incident that led to refund procedures in February. Refunds were processed for all in-game items purchased from the launch date of November 6 last year to January 28 this year, targeting users who requested them. Industry estimates suggest the expected refund cost is around 130 billion won. The refund amount for in-game items in 'MapleStory Growing' was reflected in the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year. Lee Jung-hun, CEO of Nexon Japan, stated, "We will secure mid- to long-term growth drivers through strategic partnerships and a new lineup of titles, and we will enhance profitability and global competitiveness through the innovative initiatives strategy presented at CMB 2026."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:18:53

Trump Calls US-China Talks 'Very Productive'; Invites Xi Jinping to White House President Donald Trump positively assessed his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and officially invited Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to visit the United States. According to Yonhap News Agency, during a state dinner hosted by Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, Trump stated, "We had very positive and productive discussions and meetings with the Chinese delegation." He added, "Tonight is also a precious opportunity to discuss various matters we talked about among friends," and expressed optimism that these discussions would lead to beneficial outcomes for both the United States and China. Trump formally requested Xi and Peng to visit the White House on September 24. At the end of his remarks, Trump proposed a toast, emphasizing the importance of a rich and lasting relationship between the American and Chinese peoples. This statement is seen as a reaffirmation of the commitment to stabilize relations between the two countries following the summit. Earlier in the day, the leaders agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz should not be militarized or subject to tolls.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:16:32

Trump and Xi Visit Temple of Heaven, Marking a Shift in Protocol During their meeting on May 14, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a notable change from their first meeting nine years ago when they toured the Forbidden City together. According to state media, Xi welcomed Trump near the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven, where they posed for commemorative photos and enjoyed a brief tour. The Temple of Heaven was a site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held ceremonies to pray for good harvests. It symbolizes the ancient Chinese cosmological belief that "heaven is round and the earth is square." This was the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to the Temple of Heaven since Gerald Ford in 1975. The visit has drawn attention for its contrast to Trump's first trip to China in 2017, when he and Xi toured the Forbidden City and attended a performance of Peking opera, followed by a lavish banquet. In contrast, the Temple of Heaven visit lasted about 30 minutes, a stark difference from the half-day Trump and his wife, Melania, spent at the Forbidden City. Analysts suggest this change in protocol reflects the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations. Unlike in 2017, the strategic competition between the two nations has intensified, and China appears more confident in its dealings with the U.S., leading to a shift in ceremonial practices. Trump is scheduled to hold additional talks and a luncheon with Xi at Zhongnanhai on May 15 before returning to the United States.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:14:59

Choi Tae-won and Noh So-young to Return to Court Next Month for Asset Division Dispute Choi Tae-won, 66, chairman of SK Group, and Noh So-young, 65, director of Art Center Nabi, will return to court next month to continue their divorce asset division dispute. As the retrial process intensifies, both sides are expected to reignite their battle over the division of assets valued at over 1 trillion won. According to Yonhap News on May 14, the Family Division of the Seoul High Court, led by Judge Lee Sang-joo, has scheduled the second mediation session for the asset division case between Choi and Noh for June 15 at 2 p.m. During the first mediation session held the previous day, the court indicated it would set a new date that accommodates both parties. Unlike the first session, where only Noh attended, there is a possibility that Choi will appear in person for the second mediation. If both parties do attend, it will mark their first court appearance together in approximately 14 months since the final arguments of the appeals trial in April of last year. A key issue in this retrial is whether the SK shares should be included in the asset division. Choi argues that the SK Corporation shares are his separate property, inherited and gifted, and thus not subject to division. Conversely, Noh contends that her long-term contributions to household management and child-rearing supported Choi's business activities, and therefore, those shares should be considered marital property. In a previous ruling, the first trial ordered Choi to pay Noh 100 million won in alimony and 66.5 billion won in asset division. However, the second trial significantly increased this to 2 billion won in alimony and 1.38 trillion won in asset division. The second trial court determined that 30 billion won in slush funds from Noh's father, former President Roh Tae-woo, had flowed to Choi's late father, Choi Jong-hyun, contributing to the foundation of SK's growth. However, in October of last year, the Supreme Court ruled that this money, deemed illegal, could not be recognized as a contribution to Noh's asset formation and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court. The decision to award 2 billion won in alimony was upheld.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 03:13:17