Hanwha Solutions Reschedules Rights Offering Amid Ongoing Debt Repayment Controversy Hanwha Solutions, which had postponed its rights offering schedule due to two correction requests from the Financial Supervisory Service, has confirmed a new schedule just two days later. However, the structure remains unchanged, with about half of the raised funds still allocated for debt repayment, leading to ongoing controversy over using shareholder money to pay off debts. According to industry sources on May 15, Hanwha Solutions announced in a correction disclosure that it has changed the date for determining the new stock issuance price from early June to July 7. The subscription period for existing shareholders will run from July 10 to 13, with the new shares expected to be listed on July 31. The scale of the rights offering and the purpose of the funds remain the same. The company plans to issue 600,000 new shares, representing a 32.10% increase. The total amount to be raised is 1.8 trillion won, with an expected issuance price of 32,400 won per share. Of this, approximately 907.7 billion won will be used for facility funds, while the remaining 906.7 billion won will go toward debt repayment. Initially, Hanwha Solutions aimed for a rights offering of 2.4 trillion won. The company explained that improving its financial structure was essential to avoid a credit rating downgrade due to the deteriorating global solar and chemical market. However, regulatory intervention forced the company to reduce the offering size to 1.8144 trillion won. During the rights offering process, financial authorities have repeatedly questioned whether there are alternative funding methods aside from the rights offering. On May 11, Hwang Seon-o, deputy director of the Financial Supervisory Service, stated, "There was insufficient explanation regarding whether Hanwha Solutions truly has no other means of raising funds apart from the rights offering." In the first review of the rights offering, the Financial Supervisory Service raised concerns about why Hanwha Solutions was pursuing a rights offering despite holding a significant amount of non-operational assets. Subsequently, the company revised the offering size down to approximately 1.8 trillion won from the previous amount. However, similar criticisms arose during the second review. The Financial Supervisory Service assessed that the company lacked sufficient disclosure. They also questioned the 5 trillion won worth of non-operational assets, including real estate and shares in other companies, held by Hanwha Solutions. Hanwha Solutions stated, "This revised disclosure includes plans for selling non-core assets, capital raising strategies, anticipated benefits from the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (AMPC), and long-term profit and loss estimates." With the additional explanations in the revised disclosure, attention is focused on whether the rights offering will pass this time. Some analysts suggest that Hanwha Group, the parent company, may need to participate in the rights offering with an amount larger than the debt repayment amount to ensure its success. Hanwha Group is expected to participate in the rights offering with about 843.9 billion won, which is less than the 906.7 billion won needed for debt repayment. This has fueled the narrative of using shareholder money to pay off debts. In contrast, SKC recently confirmed its final issuance price, with its parent company, SK, investing 6.295 trillion won, exceeding the 5.775 trillion won debt repayment amount. Industry analysts warn that if Hanwha Solutions' newly submitted revised disclosure is rejected again, the entire rights offering could be jeopardized. A representative from Hanwha Solutions remarked, "We have made every effort to address the concerns raised by shareholders, the media, and the Financial Supervisory Service regarding the issues they identified."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:33:00

Yannick Sinner Sets New ATP Masters 1000 Record with 32 Consecutive Wins Yannick Sinner, the world No. 1 in men's tennis, has set a new record for the most consecutive wins at ATP Masters 1000 events, surpassing Novak Djokovic with 32 victories. On May 14, during the quarterfinals of the Italian Open in Rome, Sinner defeated Andrey Rublev, ranked 14th, with a score of 2-0 (6-2, 6-4). Since winning the Paris tournament last November, Sinner has continued his winning streak through Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid, achieving 32 consecutive wins in this category of tournaments. This achievement breaks Djokovic's previous record of 31 consecutive wins set 15 years ago in 2011. After the match, Sinner stated, "I don’t step onto the court to break records. I just try to write my own history," while acknowledging the significance of this record in tennis history. He expressed pride in achieving it in front of his home fans. Sinner is also eyeing another record held solely by Djokovic, the 'Career Golden Masters,' which requires winning at least once at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. The Italian Open is the only Masters event where Sinner has yet to claim victory. If he wins this tournament, he would become the second player in history to achieve this milestone after Djokovic. Sinner's next opponent in the semifinals will be Daniil Medvedev, ranked 9th. Sinner holds a 9-7 career advantage over Medvedev, including a recent four-match winning streak against him.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:30:36

China and U.S. Reach New Consensus During Trump’s Visit Chinese Foreign Ministry officials announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a "series of new consensuses" during their recent summit. However, they did not confirm Trump's claims of a "fantastic trade agreement" or any specific cooperation regarding Iran and the Hormuz Strait. Instead, China emphasized the importance of maintaining stable U.S.-China relations over concrete outcomes. On May 15, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the two leaders engaged in deep discussions on significant issues affecting both nations and the world, resulting in a series of new agreements. This visit marks Trump's first trip to China as president in nine years, according to the ministry. The Foreign Ministry noted that both leaders agreed to establish a "constructive strategic stability relationship" as a new standard for U.S.-China relations. This framework is expected to provide strategic guidance for the relationship over the next three years and beyond. The ministry added that it aims to promote stable, healthy, and sustainable development in bilateral relations, contributing to global peace, prosperity, and progress. The schedule of the summit was also highlighted. The Foreign Ministry reported that Xi hosted a welcome ceremony and banquet for Trump the previous day, and the two leaders visited Tian Tan together after their discussions. The ministry assessed that their interactions enhanced mutual understanding and trust, benefiting practical cooperation and the welfare of both nations' citizens. However, there is a noticeable difference in tone between the Chinese statement and the U.S. announcement. Following the meeting, Trump claimed they had reached a "fantastic trade agreement" and highlighted China's commitment to increasing purchases of U.S. agricultural products and cooperation on issues related to Iran and the Hormuz Strait. In contrast, the Chinese statement did not mention specifics regarding the trade agreement, U.S. agricultural purchases, imports of U.S. crude oil, or the reopening of the Hormuz Strait. Instead, China emphasized communication on international and regional issues. The Foreign Ministry stated that the two leaders reached an important consensus on appropriately addressing each other's concerns and agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional matters. While this could encompass issues like the Iran conflict and the Hormuz Strait, it does not imply specific concessions or commitments from China on these matters. Regarding the Taiwan issue, a firm stance was reiterated in a separate briefing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang stated that Xi told Trump that "the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in U.S.-China relations." He warned that mishandling the situation could lead to conflict or confrontation, pushing U.S.-China relations into a very dangerous situation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:28:35

Strengthening Shuttle Diplomacy Between South Korea and Japan Amid Global Instability Shuttle diplomacy between South Korea and Japan is gaining momentum once again. President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are set to hold a summit on May 19-20 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. Following President Lee's visit to Japan in January, this meeting marks the first time a Japanese leader will visit South Korea, signaling a renewed commitment to regular mutual visits between the two countries' leaders.The relationship between South Korea and Japan has long been fraught with historical grievances, security issues, and economic disputes. Controversies over forced labor and comfort women, along with export restrictions, have severely strained relations, often exacerbated by hardline rhetoric from political leaders. However, the global landscape has shifted dramatically. The war in Ukraine continues to drag on, while tensions in the Middle East are rising amid potential conflicts involving Iran and Israel. The trade war between the United States and China has escalated into a broader conflict over tariffs and supply chains, destabilizing the global economic order. Fluctuations in international oil and commodity prices have also increased, creating an era of uncertainty in both economic and security realms. In this context, South Korea and Japan find themselves inextricably linked as neighbors. Both nations rely heavily on exports and depend on foreign sources for significant portions of their energy and raw materials. They share a common foundation as economies centered on advanced manufacturing, making cooperation more essential than ever amid supply chain disruptions and technological competition. The security environment is similarly precarious. North Korea's advancements in nuclear and missile technology pose direct threats to both countries. The growing military cooperation between Russia and China, coupled with rising military tensions in Northeast Asia, further complicates regional security. Deteriorating relations between South Korea and Japan could ultimately burden both nations. The significance of shuttle diplomacy cannot be overstated. Diplomacy is not merely about avoiding conflict; it is about managing it through ongoing dialogue. Maintaining regular communication channels between leaders can prevent relationships from deteriorating into crises, even when unexpected events or political clashes arise. Historically, the most severe downturns in South Korea-Japan relations have coincided with periods of halted dialogue, leading to increased mistrust. Recently, both countries have prioritized economic security and supply chain cooperation as key agenda items. Collaboration on semiconductor materials, advanced components, and energy is not just an economic issue; it directly impacts national survival and industrial competitiveness. The United States has also consistently urged for strengthened trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and itself. In a world increasingly defined by bloc politics, collaboration between South Korea and Japan is becoming a practical necessity rather than a choice. Nonetheless, structural issues in South Korea-Japan relations remain unresolved. Historical grievances continue to be sensitive topics, and certain factions within Japanese politics perpetuate conflicts over historical narratives. Nationalistic sentiments within both countries can also disrupt relations at any moment. Therefore, a more stable dialogue structure is essential. As emotions run high, diplomatic channels must be activated more frequently. Crucially, it is important not to treat the improvement of relations as a mere political event. Increasing the frequency of meetings between leaders is not sufficient on its own. The focus should be on institutionalizing and creating sustainable frameworks for economic security cooperation, supply chain responses, and cultural exchanges. This underscores the need for a cooperative system that remains resilient despite changes in government. The South Korea-Japan relationship is geopolitically inseparable. While competition exists in certain areas, it is vital to collaborate in sectors where cooperation is necessary. In times of significant global upheaval, strategic partnerships with close neighbors become even more critical. What is needed now is not a repetition of emotional confrontations but a mature diplomacy that acknowledges reality.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:25:41

Dongkuk Pharmaceutical Reports Record First Quarter Performance with 332% Increase in Centellian24 Exports Dongkuk Pharmaceutical announced that it achieved record sales and operating profit in the first quarter of this year. The company reported consolidated sales of 251 billion won ($211 million), operating profit of 27.3 billion won ($23 million), and net profit of 26.3 billion won ($22 million) for the first quarter. These figures represent increases of 12.2%, 8%, and 46.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. On a standalone basis, sales rose by 15.9% to 212.4 billion won ($178 million), while operating profit increased by 12.3% to 23.3 billion won ($19.5 million). Net profit also saw a significant rise of 40.6%, reaching 23.6 billion won ($19.8 million). The company attributed its sales growth to improved efficiency in selling and administrative expenses and enhanced profitability in its Health & Beauty (H&B) division. The dermacosmetic brand Centellian24 continued to grow in global markets, including North America, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with exports increasing by 332% compared to the previous year. Centellian24 is expanding its presence in key channels such as Watsons, beauty edit shop Beautrium, Central Department Store, and the beauty platform Konvi, while also strengthening its local distribution network in Thailand through various online and offline channels. The company's strategy to leverage its established trust as a pharmaceutical firm to expand into consumer goods, including cosmetics and beauty devices, has been recognized as a key driver of sales growth. By business division, the over-the-counter (OTC), prescription (ETC), Health & Beauty, global business sectors, and subsidiary Dongkuk Life Sciences all experienced balanced growth. The OTC division continued its growth based on strengthened brand competitiveness and expansion into the general product market. Although the ETC division faced price reductions affecting injectables, it still expanded due to the growth of the cholesterol treatment drug Rosutanjett. The global (export) division was also bolstered by the expansion of Lorelin in the Latin American and Asian markets, with increased sales of the general anesthetic Propofol and the antibiotic raw material Teicoplanin. The antibiotic raw material Teicoplanin has also shown consistent growth. Dongkuk Pharmaceutical plans to expand its future pipeline through open innovation and accelerate the development of new products based on its drug delivery system (DDS). The company is currently commercializing the prostate cancer treatment Lorelin (one-month and three-month formulations) using microsphere technology. Additionally, it aims to strengthen its growth drivers through new products in its DDS pipeline, including obesity treatments, acromegaly treatments, and immunosuppressants.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:24:15

Actor Jang Dong-joo Announces Retirement 배우 장동주가 은퇴한다고 밝혔다. On May 15, actor Jang Dong-joo announced his retirement via social media, stating, "I have received so much love and support while living as an actor for a long time." He continued, "Every moment I laughed and cried in front of the camera has been the brightest time of my life," expressing gratitude to the directors, staff, and fellow actors who believed in him and supported him throughout his career. "Above all, I have been able to walk this path happily thanks to the fans who have always been by my side," he said. "With today, I will lay down my life as an actor." In closing, he remarked, "Although I am leaving the stage, I will never forget the love you have sent me. I apologize to everyone who has supported me," and added, "Thank you sincerely for loving me, Jang Dong-joo, until now." Jang had previously caused concern last October when he posted a message saying, "I’m sorry" along with a black screen on his social media, after which he went silent for a day before his whereabouts were confirmed. In January, he revealed that he had been a victim of phone hacking and extortion. He described receiving calls from an unknown number and stated, "A man who knew my exact movements. I can still hear that voice clearly," adding that the number turned out to be from a burner phone. He disclosed that his phone had been completely hacked, with personal photos, chat logs, and contact lists compromised. During this ordeal, he admitted to accumulating debts amounting to billions of won, expressing remorse to those who were hurt or affected by his situation. He pledged, "If you believe in me and wait, I will work hard to repay every single won. Please help me." Jang Dong-joo made his debut in 2017 with the KBS drama 'School 2017' and has appeared in works such as 'Criminal Minds,' 'Mr. Temporary,' 'Honest Candidate,' and 'Trigger.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:21:00

Trump Highlights Trade Agreement with Xi During China Visit President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China by emphasizing the outcomes of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted a trade agreement and the expansion of U.S. agricultural product purchases, while also stressing China's alignment with the U.S. on issues related to the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz. On May 15, Trump told reporters in Beijing after a private meeting with Xi, "The visit was unbelievable," adding, "We reached a fantastic trade agreement for both countries." He noted that they addressed several issues that others had failed to resolve. Trump stated that topics discussed during the meeting included trade, technology, Taiwan, and the Iran conflict. In the realm of trade, the expansion of Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products was a key achievement. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, expressed optimism that an agreement would lead to China purchasing "tens of billions of dollars" worth of U.S. agricultural products annually over the next three years. Reuters reported that this could include not only soybeans but also corn and sorghum, in addition to existing commitments. Energy discussions were also part of the agenda. According to AP, Trump explained that China could increase its imports of U.S. crude oil. This move is seen as an effort to diversify China's energy import structure away from reliance on the Middle East and expand U.S. energy exports. Regarding the Iran issue, Trump emphasized China's cooperation, stating, "President Xi expressed his willingness to help end the Iran conflict." He also noted that Xi indicated China would not supply military equipment to Iran. Trump remarked, "We feel very similarly in that we do not want Iran to have nuclear weapons and we want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open." Greer also mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg that China desires to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls or military control. He explained that China views the easing of tensions in the Middle East pragmatically and has shown a willingness to limit military support to Iran. However, it is difficult to view this meeting as a resolution to the underlying U.S.-China conflicts. Xi raised the Taiwan issue as a core matter in U.S.-China relations, sending a warning to the United States. AP noted that while both sides projected a friendly atmosphere, complex issues regarding Iran, Taiwan, and technology controls remain unresolved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:16:20

Former Intelligence Chief Moon Sang-ho Faces Five-Year Sentence for Leaking Agent List The Insurrection Special Prosecutor's team, led by Cho Eun-seok, has requested a five-year prison sentence for former Intelligence Command Chief Moon Sang-ho for allegedly leaking the names of intelligence agents during the martial law declared on December 3. During a sentencing hearing on May 15 at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-kyung, the prosecution argued for the sentence based on charges of military secret leakage and violations of the Personal Information Protection Act. The prosecution also sought five-year sentences for Kim Bong-kyu, a former head of the Central Newspaper Division (Colonel), and Jeong Seong-wook, a former head of the 100th Brigade's Second Business Division (Colonel), on similar charges. The prosecution stated, "The defendants colluded with civilian Noh Sang-won, a former Intelligence Command Chief, who had no authority to access military information, to participate in the unconstitutional and illegal enforcement of martial law, leading to the leak of military secrets, specifically the list of intelligence agents. The exposure of this list poses a significant risk, as it could make agents direct targets for terrorist groups." They further emphasized, "The defendants were aware that the personal information of agents constituted military secrets and that leaking this information could lead to catastrophic consequences. They neglected their duties and used their subordinates as tools for power rather than protecting them, thereby undermining the foundations of democracy and the rule of law." The prosecution noted that the leaked list was utilized in the formation of the Second Investigation Team, which was created to investigate allegations of election fraud, immediately following the declaration of martial law. They stressed the need for severe accountability. The prosecution explained that the requested sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the defendants' lack of remorse. Moon Sang-ho and others are accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to leak personal information, including the names of approximately 40 intelligence agents, to Noh Sang-won in order to establish an unofficial organization, the Second Investigation Team, to investigate election fraud allegations. Previously, the prosecution had also sought a five-year sentence for former Minister Kim on the same charges. Noh Sang-won, who allegedly received the list of intelligence agents from Kim, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:14:04

Samsung Executives Call for Unconditional Dialogue with Union Amid Strike Threat Samsung Electronics executives, including Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun and President Roh Tae-moon, reiterated their call for unconditional dialogue with the union amid indications of a total strike. In an official statement titled "We Apologize to the Public" released on May 15, the executives acknowledged that the ongoing labor issues have caused significant concern and burden for the public and the government. They stated, "As Samsung's achievements grow, the expectations from society become stricter and more substantial, and we have failed to adequately address this." The executives expressed a heavy sense of responsibility for the situation, saying, "We deeply apologize for how things have come to this point." They urged the union to resume discussions, emphasizing that they view the union as a family and a community of shared destiny. They added, "We request the union to consider the public's concerns and the national economy and to engage in dialogue promptly." Additionally, Samsung Electronics emphasized its commitment to resolving internal issues amicably and focusing on enhancing its core competitiveness. The executives noted, "We are in an era of infinite competition where the global business environment is changing rapidly, and we cannot afford to waste time on internal problems." They pledged to collaborate and share wisdom while considering the current economic situation and South Korea's long-term future. They concluded with a promise to strengthen management practices, continuously innovate technology, and make bold investments for the future, ensuring that Samsung remains a stable pillar for the national economy. The statement included signatures from all executives, including Jeon Young-hyun, Roh Tae-moon, Kim Soo-mok, Kim Yong-kwan, Kim Woo-jun, Kim Won-kyung, Nam Seok-woo, Mauro Porcini, Park Seung-hee, Park Yong-in, Park Hong-geun, Baek Soo-hyun, Song Jae-hyuk, Yong Seok-woo, Yoon Jang-hyun, Lee Won-jin, Choi Won-jun, and Han Jin-man. 2026-05-15 14:10:41

Korea and India in One Frame: Bridging a translation gap SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) -The meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on April 20 was amicable, but slow. The words of both leaders traveled through English first then into Hindi because the Korean entourage lacked a translator who spoke Hindi. Technically, communication occurred. But something was lost in that detour, and everyone in the room knew it. Back at home, Lee complained out loud. At a cabinet meeting on April 28, he rebuked Foreign Minister Cho Hyun directly: find a way, he said, to make sure this never happens again. Train someone. Grow one. It is absurd, he argued, to navigate a country of 1.4 billion people through double translation. The rebuke was warranted. But the problem it exposed runs deeper than a staffing gap in the foreign ministry. Korea and India are not strangers by any reasonable measure. They share a continent. They share the memory of colonial humiliation and the hard-won pride of recovery. They share booming trade figures, growing diplomatic ties, and — increasingly — the attention of the same geopolitical moment. And yet, for decades, India has occupied a curious blind spot in the Korean imagination: present in the abstract, absent in the particular. A civilization of 1.47 billion people, reduced in popular consciousness to a handful of images. The interpreter was missing because, for a long time, the genuine curiosity was too. Language is a measure of intent. The languages a nation chooses to learn are a record of where it has decided to look. By that measure, India has long sat outside Korea's field of vision. Not out of hostility — out of something perhaps more consequential: indifference dressed as familiarity. This is what made the response to this year's Korea-India Essay and AI Video and cohosted by the Indian Cultural Centre and the Embassy of India in Seoul and Aju Press (AJP). Over 550 people answered to our call. They were students, writers, and ordinary citizens who had decided, for reasons of their own, to look. What they saw was worth recording. Sonali Ray, whose essay One Frame, Two Worlds took the top prize, wrote about kimchi and Indian achar — not as the same food, but as the same idea. Two cultures that understood, long before modern science confirmed it, that fermentation is philosophy: the patient transformation of humble ingredients into something alive and complex. She wrote about Korean pojangmacha and Indian dhabas operating on identical democratic principles — honest food, generous portions, a cook with opinions no critic could shake. She wrote about the way a Korean grandmother's doenjang jjigae and an Indian mother's dal speak the same grammar of love: slow-cooked, unpretentious, irreplaceable. These are not the observations of someone looking at a foreign country. They are the observations of someone recognizing a reflection. Kim Ji-young, who took the gold prize, arrived at India from a different direction — through language itself. In Hindi, she discovered, a single word carries two opposite meanings: kal means both yesterday and tomorrow. For a student of Hindi, it is an early lesson in grammar. For Kim, it became something else: a lens through which to examine a culture that refuses the false comfort of finality. She encountered this refusal everywhere — in the Indian professor who answered questions with a tilt of the head meaning perhaps, in the philosopher Sri Aurobindo's words that man is a transitional being, never complete, always becoming. She returned to Korea with a quieter mind and a more honest question: why are we so desperate to conclude? It is a question worth sitting with. Korea is a society that has, at remarkable speed, built extraordinary things. That speed has costs. Among them is a certain intolerance for ambiguity — a cultural impatience that manifests in everything from the pressure to declare one's MBTI type within minutes of meeting a stranger, to the fear that a classroom moment of genuine connection might constitute a legal liability. Kim's essay does not argue for India over Korea. It argues for what each might offer the other: that a civilization comfortable with kal — yesterday and tomorrow in a single breath — might have something to teach one that has forgotten how to wait. This is what cultural exchange looks like when it works. Not the exchange of tourist impressions, not the soft diplomacy of trade delegations, but the slow, unglamorous work of one person genuinely trying to understand how another civilization has organized its experience of being human. The awards ceremony takes place tomorrow, May 16th, at Yeouido Hangang Park, alongside India Day festivities that will fill the riverbank with color, music, and the specific warmth of two cultures meeting in the open air. It is, by any measure, a small event. It will not produce a Hindi interpreter overnight. It will not, by itself, close the distance that an empty chair at a translation table exposed. But 550 people looked toward India this year and found, in that looking, something that surprised them. A word that contains its own opposite. A pickle that is not the same pickle but the same wisdom. A civilization that has been there all along, patient as fermentation, waiting to be seen whole. The summit will happen again. Next time, perhaps, the words will travel direct. 2026-05-15 14:09:47