Hana Bank Launches 'Korea Forever Savings' for Veterans with 2% Interest Rate Hana Bank announced on May 28 that it will launch the 'Korea Forever Savings' account on June 1, in honor of the month dedicated to patriotic service and veterans.The Korea Forever Savings account offers a preferential interest rate of 2.0% per year to veterans, police officers, firefighters, and other uniformed personnel without any conditions.General customers can also benefit from a maximum interest rate of 2.0% by meeting certain criteria: a 1.0% rate for making six or more salary or pension deposits within the first year, a 0.5% rate for the first transaction, and an additional 0.5% for completing a pledge to display the national flag and demonstrate love for the country.From June 15 to August 15, customers who sign up will have a chance to win prizes through a lottery, including five An Jung-geun medals and twenty Taegeukgi card medals. Additionally, 100 participants will receive an opportunity to join a tour of the Seoul Veterans Affairs Office's historical sites along with a commemorative gift.Active police officers and firefighters who open an account will receive a 3,000 won mobile voucher for Paris Baguette.The savings account will be available for a limited time, with a cap of 60,000 accounts sold from June 1 to August 15. Each year, Hana Bank collaborates with various organizations, including the Daejeon Veterans Affairs Office, to launch products in recognition of the month dedicated to patriotic service.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:32:00

Oh Se-hoon: Negative Campaigning Accusations Misplaced Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, criticized his opponent Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party on May 28, stating, "It is wrong to classify unfavorable remarks as negative campaigning." This comment was directed at Jung's claim that he refused to participate in a debate due to negative attacks from Oh's camp. During a press conference held at his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, Oh expressed concern over Jung's approach to the election, saying, "Jung's mindset toward the election is not appropriate." He emphasized that elections are fundamentally about verification, which involves both positive and negative aspects to assess a candidate's capabilities. He noted that how candidates respond to unfavorable circumstances is also a crucial evaluation factor. Oh defined negative campaigning as "creating false facts to attack others" and asserted that his campaign has never made baseless claims but has only sought clarifications regarding past actions. He criticized Jung for misclassifying legitimate inquiries as negative attacks, stating, "It is wrong to label something as negative just because it is unfavorable to oneself." He further remarked, "A candidate who refuses to participate in a debate because they classify requests for clarification as negative is likely unprecedented worldwide," adding that the more important the issue, the more it is the candidate's responsibility to address it directly to voters, rather than relying on their campaign or spokesperson. Oh also rebuked Jung's accusations of his campaign engaging in smear tactics, asserting that Jung has consistently resorted to slander against him since the beginning of the election, despite proposing a policy-focused campaign without negativity. In response to Jung's heightened criticism regarding safety concerns, Oh firmly countered, stating, "I was the one who led the installation of CCTV at construction sites commissioned by the city and the 100% installation of screen doors in subways." He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing safety through policy development and execution. Regarding a recent poll showing both candidates tied in support, Oh stated he would not be swayed by the results and would continue to campaign with a challenger’s mindset until the election's conclusion. He acknowledged the polling results as "anticipated" but maintained that he would approach the campaign with the mentality of being 3-5% behind, vowing to work tirelessly until the end. He expressed confidence in the support of Seoul citizens, stating, "I have done my best over the past five years, focusing on policies." A survey conducted by Munhwa Ilbo and Embrain Public from May 26 to 27 revealed that both Jung and Oh received 39% support from 805 Seoul voters. The gap, which was in double digits at the start of the election, has significantly narrowed. The poll was conducted via mobile phone interviews, with a response rate of 14.0% and a margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Committee's website. Oh's campaign is currently considering resuming active campaigning. Following the collapse of the Seosomun overpass on May 26, he suspended his campaign activities to focus on recovery efforts and response measures. Since the incident, he has visited the site four times and paid respects to the victims without prior media notification on May 27. During the press conference, Oh stated, "It is premature to discuss resuming campaign activities while the victims have not yet been laid to rest," but acknowledged the importance of the election and indicated he is contemplating his next steps. 2026-05-28 16:30:00

K-Tourism's Future Rides on Fair Accommodation Practices As the large K-pop concert in Busan approaches in June, the issue of accommodation overcharging has resurfaced. The practice of unilaterally canceling confirmed reservations and demanding extra fees goes beyond mere pricing disputes; it undermines the very order of transactions. This behavior leaves foreign tourists with a negative impression, shaking the foundation of trust that is vital for K-tourism. In response, the city of Busan and local communities have stepped in, urgently providing over 1,300 alternative accommodations by utilizing university dormitories and religious facilities. It is a bittersweet scene where local governments, desperate to attract tourists, take on the role of firefighters to prevent some businesses from exploiting the situation for short-term profits. In this context, the establishment of the 'Task Force to Eradicate Regional Overcharging' by the government on the 28th holds significant importance. Led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the task force includes the Fair Trade Commission, the National Tax Service, the National Police Agency, and the city of Busan. Notably, this response goes beyond mere recommendations for restraint. The government plans to eliminate the cap on rewards for reporting price collusion and unfair practices among accommodations, offering up to 10% of fines as rewards. Joint inspections by the National Tax Service and the Fair Trade Commission will be conducted, with corrective orders and business suspensions for any identified violations. Additionally, businesses found guilty of overcharging will face a threefold increase in penalties for hotel grading evaluations. The true significance of this task force lies in the government's clear intention to regulate accommodation prices and reservation practices within a formal framework for the first time. In February, the government had already announced measures to eradicate overcharging, introducing the 'Safe Price System' that requires accommodations to report and disclose seasonal pricing in advance. Amendments to relevant laws, including the Tourism Promotion Act, are underway to allow for business suspensions if accommodations charge more than reported or fail to display prices. Proposals are also being considered to penalize unilateral reservation cancellations. Historically, the domestic accommodation market has been left unchecked during specific periods such as concerts, festivals, and holidays under the guise of 'market pricing.' However, the government's current approach is different. Rather than simply preventing price increases, it aims to establish a minimum level of predictability and order in transactions. This means ensuring that tourists can check into their reserved rooms and pay the displayed prices. Of course, there are structural issues. While demand for K-pop concerts and international events is rapidly increasing, the supply and management of accommodations have not kept pace. This is why prices skyrocket whenever demand concentrates in specific areas. However, overbooking and overcharging cannot be justified. Supply shortages are a policy issue, while undermining transaction order is a separate concern. As we talk about a future with 20 million foreign tourists, tourism competitiveness cannot be built solely on flashy content. The level of Korean tourism ultimately depends on how tourists are treated outside world-class venues, whether they can access their reserved rooms, and if the displayed prices are honored. K-pop has already reached the pinnacle of global success. Now, the focus must shift to enhancing the fundamental capacity of Korean tourism to welcome these fans. If local communities continue to scramble for alternative accommodations every time a concert is held, the growth of K-tourism will inevitably face limitations. What is needed now is not another campaign but a predictable accommodation order. It is hoped that this task force will serve as a starting point for rebuilding trust in the accommodation market beyond mere one-time crackdowns. 2026-05-28 16:24:00

Samsung SDS Shares AI Transformation Strategies with Manufacturers in Chungcheong and Jeolla Regions Samsung SDS hosted the "Samsung SDS Industry Day" on May 28 at Lotte City Hotel in Daejeon, targeting manufacturing companies in the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions. The event focused on sharing strategies for AI transformation (AX) in the manufacturing sector and showcased innovative case studies. The Industry Day serves as a customer seminar introducing Samsung SDS's key solutions, service directions, and actual implementation cases across various industries, including public, finance, manufacturing, distribution, and defense. Since March, Samsung SDS has conducted seminars starting with the public sector, followed by sessions for manufacturing, distribution, services, and finance in April. Under the theme "AX: Accelerating the Future of the Manufacturing Industry," the seminar attracted over 100 IT professionals from manufacturing companies in the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions. The agenda included strategies for implementing AX in manufacturing and real-world examples of AI-driven business innovations and outcomes. In his welcoming remarks, Park Chang-hong, Executive Director of Samsung SDS's Manufacturing AM Team, stated, "Companies are now focusing on how to apply AI to their operations to achieve tangible results, moving beyond mere AI adoption. Samsung SDS is actively supporting our clients' successful AX transformations based on our AI full-stack strategy." Samsung SDS is enhancing its approach to the AX market by leveraging its comprehensive AI full-stack strategy, which encompasses AI infrastructure, platforms, solutions, and consulting, covering all areas from implementation to operation. This strategy aims to support not just technology adoption but also real operational innovations and outcomes. The subsequent presentation session highlighted several AX innovation cases in the manufacturing sector, including: data platforms for manufacturing AX, the Harim Group's One ERP implementation, AI-driven product lifecycle management (PLM) strategies, operational technology (OT) security strategies against ransomware, applications of 5G networks for physical AI implementation, and the use of generative AI-based collaboration solutions like Britworks. Samsung SDS noted that the OT security strategy, tailored to the unique characteristics of manufacturing environments where production halts can lead to significant losses, and the application of 5G networks for the dissemination of physical AI within factories garnered considerable interest. In domestic manufacturing settings, various robots, including automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), are being utilized. The integration of AI allows for the creation of a physical AI environment that can control robots and processes with a single complex command. Samsung SDS introduced a case study on building a 5G network that supports real-time data transmission between robots and control systems. Additionally, Samsung SDS presented the One ERP implementation case for the Harim Group, which connects 18 key subsidiaries. The company shared its experience and results in standardizing ERP to enhance operational efficiency, aligning with Harim Group's integrated business structure from raw materials to distribution. Lee Jeong-heon, Vice President and Head of Strategic Marketing at Samsung SDS, remarked, "This seminar was significant in sharing AX implementation directions and actual innovation cases with manufacturing companies in the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions. Samsung SDS will continue to provide insights to clients across various industries based on our AI full-stack capabilities and industry expertise." Meanwhile, Samsung SDS is expanding its AX business across various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, and public services, leveraging its AI full-stack capabilities that encompass infrastructure, platforms, solutions, and consulting. The company's strategic collaborations with global firms allow for the flexible adoption of various AI models, tailored to client operations through consulting and system integration (SI) capabilities. Notably, Samsung SDS is rapidly expanding the application of AI in real operational environments, including customer service and manufacturing sites, through innovations driven by AI agents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:20:00

One-Third of Rail Promises Not Included in National Plan, Misleading GTX and CTX Pledges As local elections approach, candidates for regional leadership positions are unveiling numerous rail-related promises. Many of these proposed new routes are not reflected in the current national railway network plan. On May 28, a review of 108 pledges from 21 candidates that included rail-related items found that 33 of these (34.4%) are new promises not included in the fourth national railway network construction plan. This analysis excluded 12 items that were not clearly defined, such as transfer centers and simple stop requests. The fourth national railway network plan is the highest legal framework for rail projects, and only projects included in this plan can proceed to preliminary feasibility studies and basic plan development. Routes not currently in the plan must first pass through the fifth plan approval process. A prominent example of misleading promises is the expansion of the GTX (Great Train Express). While Line A has been opened and Lines B and C are under construction, only the western section of Line D has been included as a new project in the fourth plan and has passed the preliminary feasibility study. Lines E, F, G, and H are not part of the fourth plan, making their inclusion in the fifth plan a prerequisite. Candidates like Choo Mi-ae from the Democratic Party and Yang Hyang-ja from the People Power Party have promised Lines E and F, with Choo also including G and H in her pledges. Several candidates have also proposed extensions to existing routes. Yoo Jeong-bok, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon mayor, suggested extending the newly included Daechang-Hongdae line towards Cheongna and Gyeyang. Unlike the main line, these extensions lack planning justification and require separate feasibility studies and funding. In the Chungcheong region, the CTX (Chungcheong Regional Express Railway) promises also represent another form of misleading pledges. The fourth plan includes a new project for the Daejeon-Sejong-Chungbuk line. Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for Chungnam governor, has promised to establish new lines from Sejong to Cheonan-Asan and Sejong to Gongju. However, experts in the rail industry warn that differing routes, project methods, and funding structures could necessitate re-evaluation, making these separate projects. The situation is similar outside the capital region. The People Power Party's Kim Du-gyeom, a candidate for Ulsan mayor, has proposed the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan metropolitan railway and the southeastern circular metropolitan railway, both of which are included as new projects in the fourth plan. In contrast, the TRX proposed by Jeon Jae-soo, the Democratic Party candidate for Busan mayor, and the Gyeongnam governor candidate Kim Kyung-soo's Nahae-gwon metropolitan express railway (GTX-G, Busan-Jinju) are not part of the fourth plan, requiring fifth plan approval before construction can begin. Even routes included in the fourth plan vary significantly in feasibility. Some newly included projects are still awaiting preliminary feasibility studies, while others require further business viability assessments. Industry experts emphasize that the effectiveness of rail pledges should be judged not by route names but by their inclusion in the fourth and fifth national railway network plans, as well as their success in passing feasibility studies and private investment eligibility assessments. Go Jun-ho, a professor of urban engineering at Hanyang University, noted that rail projects directly impact citizens' lives and property rights, making them a recurring issue during elections. However, he stressed that local governments cannot fund these projects alone and must rely on central government plans, highlighting the need for alignment with national strategies. He added that there is a significant difference in feasibility between projects already included in national plans and entirely new promises, urging candidates to transparently explain the current status and administrative limitations of their proposed projects. 2026-05-28 16:18:00

Conflict Escalates Between Kim Kwan-young and Democratic Party Over Election Issues In response to the results of the Democratic Party's primary for the Jeonbuk governor race, independent candidate Kim Kwan-young's camp criticized the leadership of Jeong Cheong-rae on May 28, stating that their negative tactics resemble a low-quality drama. The Democratic Party has retaliated by labeling Kim as someone who was expelled for allegations of cash distribution, intensifying the conflict between the two sides. Kim's election campaign committee released a statement claiming, "The negative tactics of Jeong Cheong-rae's leadership, in an attempt to counter the Kim Kwan-young surge, evoke images of a low-quality drama that cannot be tolerated. It is not too late to reflect on why the public sentiment in Jeonbuk is shifting against the ruling party." They further asserted, "The slander and distortion tactics employed by Jeong Cheong-rae's leadership have reached an intolerable level. The individuals responsible for turning this election into a mudslinging contest are the candidates like Lee Won-taek, who were accused of colluding with insurrectionists, along with Jeong Cheong-rae's leadership." Regarding recent speculation about prior communication between Kim and President Lee Jae-myung, the committee stated, "Kim has never claimed to have spoken with the president. We question who is manipulating the situation by dragging the president into the election." In response, the Democratic Party issued sharp remarks through spokesperson Han Min-soo and Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae. Spokesperson Han stated, "The act of cash distribution committed by Kim is a serious violation that cannot simply disappear. It is time to stop gambling the future of Jeonbuk on Kim's political maneuvers. Apologizing and resigning today would be the right thing to do for the people of Jeonbuk." Secretary-General Jo also addressed reporters in the National Assembly, asserting, "Kim is a person who was expelled by the Democratic Party for distributing cash. He continues to act as if he is a political victim while rationalizing his independent candidacy by leveraging President Lee."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:16:00

Democratic Party Claims Lee Won-taek Surpasses Kim Kwan-young in Polls The Democratic Party stated on May 28 that a recent poll showing Lee Won-taek with higher support than independent candidate Kim Kwan-young reveals the latter's ongoing portrayal as a political victim. The party also criticized former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, asserting that the public would likely view them unfavorably due to their legal troubles and impeachment. During a press conference at the National Assembly, Cho Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, introduced a poll conducted over two days starting May 26, which indicated that Lee Won-taek was leading Kim Kwan-young. "It is clear that Kim Kwan-young is someone who was expelled from the Democratic Party for distributing cash," Cho said. "He has been pretending to be a political victim, and this essence has now been revealed." Cho further noted that Kim even attempted to justify his candidacy by invoking President Lee Jae-myung, despite an official denial from the Blue House. He expressed concern that anger among residents of Jeolla Province might be growing over the situation, suggesting that support for Lee Won-taek would increase as voters prioritize regional development. Additionally, Cho addressed the recent campaign activities of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, stating, "The majority of the public will likely evaluate them very harshly." He pointed out their past legal issues and the disappointment they caused during their presidencies, implying that their involvement in the campaign may not be well-received. Cho also expressed skepticism about the possibility of unifying with the Justice Innovation Party in the Pyeongtaek constituency, stating that discussions had concluded with the realization that unification was not feasible at this time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:16:00

K-Bio Gains Global Attention at Major Conferences with Cancer, Obesity, and Diabetes Advances The global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is entering a peak season as major conferences commence. K-Bio aims to share clinical results on the world stage and pursue significant deals with global pharmaceutical companies.According to industry sources, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, on May 27, followed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago on May 29, and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) conference set for June 5.Numerous K-Bio companies are participating in these conferences to showcase their clinical data and enhance their global presence. There is growing optimism in the industry, particularly in the fields of cancer treatment and therapies for obesity and diabetes.At ASCO 2026, the world's largest cancer conference, companies presenting clinical results orally are gaining attention. Oral presentations are prestigious sessions where only top research is selected from global submissions.GI Innovation plans to present abstracts on its next-generation immuno-oncology candidate, GI-101A, both as a monotherapy and in combination with Keytruda. The company reported encouraging anti-cancer activity and tolerability in Phase 1 and 2 trials for both treatment approaches, noting that anti-cancer activity tends to increase with higher doses of GI-101A.VigenCell will formally present the results of its Phase 2 clinical trial for the immune cell therapy VT-EBV-N. This marks the first instance of a domestic company having its cell therapy clinical data accepted for a formal oral presentation at ASCO. Additionally, the medical AI firm Lunit will unveil five research results utilizing its AI biomarker platform, Lunit Scope, at ASCO 2026.D&D Pharmatech is set to present the results of its Phase 2 study on the GLP-1 and glucagon dual-action MASH treatment, DD01, at EASL 2026. This study has been selected for a late-breaking abstract (LBA) presentation, which is reserved for the most significant recent research deemed academically important after the regular abstract submission period. The company plans to reveal top-line data, including liver tissue biopsy results after 48 weeks of treatment, which has led to a surge in D&D Pharmatech's stock price, closing at its upper limit on May 27.At ADA 2026, new candidates for obesity treatments are expected to be unveiled. Hanmi Pharmaceutical will present eight research results on two obesity drug candidates from June 5 to 8 in New Orleans, USA.The candidates to be disclosed include the innovative obesity treatment LA-UCN2 and the next-generation muscle-enhancing treatment LA-MSTN. Notably, the peptide-based myostatin inhibitor HM500197 will be introduced for the first time. Additionally, Inventis Labs will present non-clinical research results on its long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation, IVL3021, based on semaglutide.A pharmaceutical industry representative stated, "The participation of companies in key presentation slots at consecutive global conferences demonstrates that K-Bio's clinical capabilities have reached a world-class level. Particularly, cancer, obesity, and diabetes treatments represent massive markets worth hundreds of trillions of won, raising expectations for future technology licensing fees and royalty revenues for companies."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:16:00

Kookmin University student racing team KORA unveils EV ahead of international competition SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Kookmin University student racing team Kookmin Racing (KORA) unveiled its new electric formula vehicle, F-26, during a launch ceremony on campus in Seoul, South Korea, ahead of an international engineering competition, Kookmin University said Thursday. KORA will participate in the 2026 Formula SAE Electric, an international student vehicle design competition hosted by SAE International (SAE). The event will take place from June 16 to June 20, 2026, at the Michigan International Speedway in the United States. KORA previously achieved a global fourth-place and Asia first-place finish at the 2015 event. During the ceremony held on May 27, 2026, the team conducted a test drive of the F-26, demonstrating its cornering performance and overall engineering to attending university officials, faculty and students. "The F-26 vehicle is an electric formula car developed with the goal of optimal stability and consistent performance based on our past experience participating in the competition," Cho Hyun-sung, project manager for KORA, said. "We will prove our preparation and efforts on the world stage with results." "KORA is a team with sufficient skills, so if they succeed in finishing the race based on the vehicle's stability, we can expect top-tier results," Shin Sung-hwan, dean of the College of Automobile and Mobility, said. "I hope the vehicle the students created with their best efforts completes the race stably on the international stage and leads to good results," Na Chang-soon, vice president of academic affairs, said. "Above all, I hope the entire process of participating in the competition concludes safely." 2026-05-28 16:15:01

Social Welfare in the AI Era Must Uphold Human Dignity The Asan Social Welfare Foundation hosted an academic symposium to discuss key social welfare issues in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Experts predict that as the use of AI in social welfare expands, the importance of empathy, relationship building, and ethical judgment among people will increase.Celebrating its 49th anniversary this year, the Asan Social Welfare Foundation held the symposium on May 28 at the Asan Policy Institute in Jongno, Seoul, inviting academic experts to discuss "Innovation in Social Welfare in the AI Era."In his opening remarks, Jung Mong-joon, chairman of the Asan Foundation, emphasized, "As the use of AI in social welfare expands, empathy, relationship building, and ethical judgment will become increasingly important. We must not lose sight of 'human dignity' in the process of utilizing advanced AI."During the symposium, three researchers, selected from ten recipients of the foundation's academic research support program last year, presented their findings.Hwang Kwang-seon, a professor at Gachon University, discussed the ethical issues and limitations of AI in social welfare, highlighting the need for effective guidelines that emphasize human responsibility and professional oversight.Kim Hyun-jung, a professor at Dong-A University, presented on the introduction of AI in welfare administration and policy outcomes, comparing the integration of welfare data in Estonia and the UK, and proposed strategic models for a Korean AI welfare system.Oh Young-sam, a professor at Pukyong National University, addressed the question, "How far can AI replace social welfare?" He focused on preserving the uniquely human domains of ethical judgment and emotional connection, presenting effective social welfare practice models.As the world accelerates digital transformation across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, finance, and marketing, the symposium participants agreed that while AI can be partially integrated into social welfare, the areas requiring ethical judgment and emotional connection must be preserved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:14:00