Samsung Electronics Union Plans to Discuss After Strike Ends on June 7 Samsung Union Rejects Dialogue, Plans to Continue Strike Until June 7 Despite repeated calls from Samsung Electronics management and the government to resume talks, the union has refused to engage in dialogue and remains committed to its planned strike. On May 15, the largest union at Samsung, the Samsung Electronics branch of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, stated in response to a letter from the company urging dialogue that it is willing to negotiate after June 7, the date it has set for the end of the strike. The union expressed its determination to exercise its constitutionally guaranteed rights, indicating that the planned strike will proceed as scheduled. With the union rejecting dialogue, the anticipated strike beginning on May 21 is expected to take place over the next 18 days. Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Surpasses 1500 Won Amid U.S. Inflation Concerns The won-dollar exchange rate has exceeded 1500 won for the first time in over a month. As of 2:50 PM on May 15, the exchange rate in the Seoul foreign exchange market stood at 1504.7 won per dollar, rising from an opening rate of 1494.2 won, which was an increase of 3.2 won. This marks the first time the rate has surpassed 1500 won since April 7. Blue House Protests Bloomberg's Report on AI Profit Sharing The Blue House has confirmed that it sent an official letter of protest to Bloomberg News regarding its interpretation of Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom's proposal for a 'national dividend' as a distribution of 'excess profits' from artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The Blue House expressed serious concerns about the way Bloomberg reported on Kim's personal social media posts. In the letter sent the previous day, the Blue House urged Bloomberg to acknowledge the 'inaccurate framing' that has caused 'substantial confusion in the market and negatively impacted investor sentiment' and requested an official apology for the adverse effects on the market. Tensions Rise Over Seoul Mayoral Debate Between Candidates Oh and Jung Tensions are escalating between Seoul mayoral candidates Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party and Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party over a proposed debate. On May 15, Oh stated at a campaign event in Gangdong-gu that he had suggested a debate to discuss how to address citizens' concerns but received no response from Jung. He criticized Jung for rejecting the debate and opting for individual press conferences instead, labeling him as an irresponsible candidate who does not consider the public's right to know. In response, Jung urged Oh to reflect on his own statements, asserting that he would only participate in legally mandated debates as defined by election law. Jung also pointed out that Oh had previously rejected debates with his primary opponents, questioning his credibility. Trump Reveals Xi's Proposal to Mediate Iran Agreement During China Visit President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a willingness to help resolve issues related to Iran. During a recent U.S.-China summit, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and China's import of Iranian oil were key topics of discussion. In an interview with Sean Hannity following his meeting with Xi in Beijing, Trump stated, 'Xi wants an agreement to be reached.' He added that Xi mentioned he would like to assist if he could. Trump also noted that Xi expressed a desire for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, highlighting its significance as a crucial route for Middle Eastern oil transport, which has become a major variable in the international energy market due to shipping restrictions and safety concerns following the Iran conflict.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 01:04:51

President Lee Calls Private Retaliation a Serious Crime President Lee Jae-myung stated on May 15 that "private retaliation is a serious crime for both the requester and the executor," urging individuals not to let trivial matters ruin their lives.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee emphasized that disputes in a modern civilized society should be resolved according to the rule of law.He attached a document detailing an incident in which a suspected act of private retaliation occurred, including the painting of an apartment entrance in Incheon’s Seo-gu, which is currently under police investigation.The rise of so-called "retaliation services," where individuals are hired to vandalize property or distribute threatening flyers, has sparked social controversy recently.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 01:00:32

Japan's Takaichi Discusses China with Trump, Affirms Strong US-Japan Alliance Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 15, following his visit to China. According to Yonhap News, citing Kyodo News and NHK, Takaichi held a 15-minute phone call with Trump starting at 7:30 p.m. that evening, during which she received detailed insights about the president's trip to China. Takaichi reported that they exchanged views on various issues concerning China. She also conveyed Japan's position to Trump regarding the situation in Iran, emphasizing the importance of a swift resolution to the crisis. Takaichi stated, "This call confirmed the unwavering U.S.-Japan alliance." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:58:23

Local Election Candidate Registration Rate Hits Record Low at 1.8 to 1 As of 8 p.m. on May 15, the second day of candidate registration for the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections, a total of 7,787 candidates have submitted their registration documents. According to a report by Yonhap News, citing data from the National Election Commission, 7,664 candidates have completed their registration. The overall average competition rate stands at 1.8 to 1 based on completed registrations. While the final tally for candidate registration is still pending, the current competition rate matches the record low of 1.8 to 1 seen during the 2022 local elections. This local election will see the election of 4,227 local officials, including 16 heads of metropolitan governments and education superintendents, 227 heads of basic local governments, 933 metropolitan council members, and 3,035 basic council members. In the metropolitan government elections, 54 candidates (3.2 to 1) have completed their registration. The number of registered candidates for other election categories includes 585 for basic local government heads (2.6 to 1), 1,649 for metropolitan council members (2.0 to 1), 354 for proportional representation in metropolitan councils (2.3 to 1), 4,389 for basic council members (1.7 to 1), 656 for proportional representation in basic councils (1.7 to 1), and 57 for education superintendents (3.3 to 1). Alongside the local elections, by-elections for the National Assembly will also be held in 14 regions, with 47 candidates (3.4 to 1) having completed their registration for these races.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:55:01

Trump Discusses North Korea with Xi, Says No Promises on Taiwan During his visit to China, President Donald Trump stated on May 15 that he exchanged views with President Xi Jinping regarding North Korea. Trump made these remarks while returning to the U.S. on a private jet after his trip to Beijing, as reported by Yonhap News, citing Reuters. Trump also addressed the Taiwan issue, which was a significant topic during the U.S.-China summit, saying, "I had many discussions with President Xi and do not believe there is a dispute with China." He added, "I made no promises regarding the Taiwan issue." Regarding negotiations with Iran, Trump emphasized that a "real" commitment would be acceptable if Iran agrees to suspend its nuclear program for 20 years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:54:32

President Lee Engages with Community Through Rice Planting and Lunch with Former Teacher President Lee Jae-myung continued his community engagement efforts on May 15, traveling between his hometown of Andong in Gyeongbuk and Gunwi-gun in Daegu.On the occasion of Teacher's Day, President Lee had lunch with his former elementary school teacher, Park Byeong-gi, and alumni from Samgye Elementary School in Andong before visiting Umusil Village in Gunwi-gun.Dressed casually in beige pants and a checkered shirt, President Lee arrived at the village, donned a straw hat and boots, and participated in rice planting using a rice transplanter after receiving instructions.As he loaded seedlings onto the transplanter, local residents cheered, prompting him to respond, "I’m doing better than I thought."President Lee drove the transplanter alone for over 100 meters to plant the seedlings. While jumping over a muddy path, he joked, "It feels like I’ve worked hard," as mud splattered on his face.He also observed a demonstration of drone pest control and remarked, "This is much better than what I did," eliciting laughter from those present.Before the planting experience, he welcomed residents who requested photos, smiling as he said, "This is all part of farming too."During a break, he sat under a zelkova tree with farmers, sharing dishes like banquet noodles, tofu kimchi, and makgeolli while holding an impromptu meeting.Additionally, President Lee engaged residents in conversation about the market for agricultural products and the income of the local community."Having planted rice myself, I can feel how much effort farmers put in on-site," he said, expressing hopes for a bountiful harvest.Before his visit to Gunwi-gun, President Lee inspected the construction site for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport in Gunwi-gun and Uiseong-gun, reviewing the progress and conditions of the project, according to Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong in a written briefing.The site visit was arranged to hear about the challenges in the ongoing process of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, a major regional issue. President Lee received updates on the project's progress from officials of Daegu City, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.Daegu City officials reported that excessive financial costs have arisen in the process of securing funding for relocating the urban military airport for the new airport, warning that risks associated with the prolonged project are concentrated on the city and requesting national-level support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:52:44

President Lee's Approval Rating Drops to 61% Amid Controversy President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has slightly decreased to 61%. This decline follows discussions within the Democratic Party regarding granting the special prosecutor investigating allegations of manipulated investigations and prosecutions the authority to dismiss charges. According to a survey released by Gallup Korea on May 15, 61% of respondents rated President Lee's job performance positively, a decrease of 3 percentage points from the previous survey, which recorded a 64% approval rating. Meanwhile, the disapproval rating rose by 2 percentage points to 28%, with 11% of respondents remaining undecided. The primary reasons for the positive evaluations included 'economy and livelihood' at 26%, followed by 'diplomacy' at 10%, and 'overall performance' at 7%. On the other hand, the main reasons for disapproval were 'excessive welfare and livelihood support' and 'issues of morality and evasion of personal trials,' each cited by 10% of respondents. This was followed by 'economy, livelihood, and high exchange rates' at 9%, and 'overall poor performance' at 8%. In terms of party support, the Democratic Party's approval rating fell by 1 percentage point to 45%. The People Power Party saw an increase of 2 percentage points, reaching 23%. While the Democratic Party maintained higher support in most regions, the People Power Party led in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province with 41% compared to the Democratic Party's 23%. The survey was conducted through interviews with randomly selected wireless phone numbers, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 12.5%. For more details, please refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:50:15

KOSPI Surpasses 8000 Points, Setting New Records in Trading and Market Capitalization The KOSPI index has reached a historic milestone by surpassing 8000 points for the first time, establishing a new chapter in market history. Key indicators such as market capitalization, trading volume, investor deposits, and margin loan balances are also setting record highs. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI, which started the year at 4214.17, closed at 7493.18 on May 15, marking a 77.81% increase since the beginning of the year. After a remarkable 75% rise last year, which made it the top-performing major stock market globally, the KOSPI continues its strong upward trend this year. Analysts attribute this bullish market to the capital market reforms initiated by the administration of Lee Jae-myung, which include amendments to commercial laws, enhanced protection for minority shareholders, and increased stock buybacks. Additionally, improvements in the semiconductor sector since September of last year have led to a significant upward revision in earnings forecasts for KOSPI-listed companies, driving the market's rise. By sector, the electronics industry has recorded the highest increase, rising 134.07% since the start of the year. This is followed by construction (109.10%), manufacturing (95.30%), and securities (94.17%). Notably, securities stocks have emerged as key beneficiaries of the trading volume surge and the bullish market sentiment. The market capitalization of KOSPI-listed companies has also reached unprecedented levels. On May 14, the KOSPI market capitalization hit a record high of 653.67 trillion won, surpassing 6500 trillion won for the first time. This marks an increase of nearly 3000 trillion won from the 347.78 trillion won recorded at the end of last year, achieved in just over five months. The KOSPI market capitalization first crossed the 4800 mark on January 16, surpassing 4000 trillion won, and exceeded 5000 trillion won on February 25. It then crossed the 6000 trillion won mark on March 6 and reached 7000 trillion won on April 6, reflecting a steady expansion in market size alongside the index's rise. The global standing of the Korean stock market has also improved significantly, now ranking sixth among major global stock markets, surpassing Taiwan. The domestic market overtook the UK on April 27, Canada on May 7, and Taiwan on May 11. At the end of last year, the Korean stock market was ranked around tenth. Investor enthusiasm is reaching a fever pitch. On May 12, the KOSPI recorded its highest daily trading volume ever at 67.115 trillion won. From May 1 to May 15, the average daily trading volume for the KOSPI was 52.615 trillion won, significantly higher than the monthly averages of January (27.056 trillion won), February (32.234 trillion won), March (30.143 trillion won), and April (29.551 trillion won). The amount of idle funds in the stock market has surged as well. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, investor deposits have remained above 130 trillion won for seven consecutive trading days from May 6 to May 14. This is a sharp increase compared to 57.58 trillion won at the beginning of last year and 89.52 trillion won at the start of this year. Margin trading has also reached unprecedented levels. The balance of margin loans in the domestic stock market exceeded 35 trillion won for the first time on April 23 and surpassed 36 trillion won on April 29. As of May 14, the margin loan balance reached a record high of 36.4698 trillion won. The share of foreign investment has also increased. Foreign ownership of KOSPI market capitalization has recently surpassed 37%, reaching its highest level in nearly six years. This influx is attributed to significant global passive fund investments in sectors such as semiconductors, finance, and holding companies. However, concerns about volatility are rising as the market level increases rapidly, with a concentration of investments in major stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. These two companies account for nearly 48% of the total KOSPI market capitalization. On May 15, the KOSPI opened at 7951.75, down 29.66 points (-0.37%) from the previous trading day, but briefly surpassed 8000 points due to strong individual investor buying. However, profit-taking led to a sharp decline of 488.23 points (-6.12%), closing at 7493.18. The KOSPI experienced extreme volatility on May 12, when it briefly soared to 7999 points before plummeting to 7421.71. On this day, the KOSPI 200 Volatility Index (VKOSPI) reached 74.71, marking the third-highest level in the past year. The VKOSPI has remained above 70 for four consecutive trading days since May 12, indicating a simultaneous increase in overheating and anxiety in the market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:47:18

Chinese 'Table Diplomacy' Message Through Kung Pao Chicken and Jajangmyeon In international diplomacy, meals shared between leaders are often referred to as 'food diplomacy.' Each dish served carries messages and considerations intended for the other country, which is why food is considered the oldest language of diplomacy. During U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, the menu presented by the Chinese side also conveyed such messages. The standout dish at the final working lunch shared by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 15 at Zhongnanhai in Beijing was Kung Pao Chicken, a classic Sichuan dish. China had previously featured this dish during Trump's first visit in 2017 as part of the state banquet menu. Kung Pao Chicken, which consists of diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts and chili peppers, is a representative dish from the Sichuan region. Some interpretations suggest that the choice of this dish was a nod to Trump's Chinese name, 'Chuanfu' (川普), linking it to Sichuan cuisine, known as 'Chuan Cai' (川菜). Kung Pao Chicken also resonates with the history of U.S.-China exchanges. It was one of the favorite dishes of Chinese immigrant laborers who worked on railroads, in mines, and on farms in the U.S., and it has become a symbolic menu item in American Chinese cuisine due to its spicy yet familiar flavor. The day before, on May 14, the welcome state banquet for President Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing continued this tradition of Chinese 'table diplomacy.' The menu not only preserved the identity of traditional Chinese cuisine but also carefully considered President Trump's tastes and Western preferences. Among the dishes served was Peking Duck, a signature dish known for its crispy skin and tender meat, often featured at state banquets for foreign leaders. Other dishes included Guangdong-style lobster soup, crispy beef, and slow-cooked salmon with mustard sauce. The meal also featured Chinese-style crispy dumplings, conch-shaped pastries, and Italian dessert tiramisu. The menu blended Eastern and Western flavors, reflecting a message of mutual respect and compromise emphasized in U.S.-China relations. The music played during the banquet also showcased careful consideration, mixing American and Chinese songs. Notably, the song 'YMCA,' frequently used by President Trump during his campaign rallies, was included, interpreted as a gesture of respect from the Chinese side. China's 'table diplomacy' was also a topic of discussion earlier this year during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to China. During that state banquet, President Xi served Beijing-style Jajangmyeon and encouraged President Lee to taste the differences compared to Korean Jajangmyeon, fostering a warm atmosphere for dialogue on a shared topic between the two nations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:45:30

Prosecutors Seek 5-Year Sentence for Former KTV Chief Over Censorship Charges Lee Eun-woo, the former chief of the Korea Policy Broadcasting (KTV), has been sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly ordering the removal of broadcast subtitles that criticized the constitutionality and legality of the martial law declared on December 3. According to Yonhap News on May 15, the special prosecutor's team, led by Cho Eun-seok, requested this sentence during the final hearing of Lee's case at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Oh Se-yong. The prosecution stated, "As the head of programming and a public servant, the defendant had a duty to provide fair and balanced information regarding the martial law declaration, which threatens the existence of the state and the basic rights of citizens, yet he failed to do so. The defendant's actions not only increased public confusion but also amounted to promoting and endorsing unconstitutional and illegal martial law." In his closing argument, Lee's attorney contended, "Considering the nature of KTV, the application of fairness under broadcasting law should be relaxed. Even if deemed illegal, it is questionable whether actions contrary to broadcasting fairness warrant criminal punishment." Lee also stated in his final remarks, "KTV is not a typical media outlet that checks and criticizes power; it exists solely as a government agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote government policies. Broadcasting political disputes without editing violates the political neutrality expected of public servants." The court has set June 26 as the date for its ruling. Lee was indicted for abuse of authority for allegedly instructing news department staff to delete reports criticizing the martial law while serving as KTV chief on December 3, 2024. He was accused of directing the broadcast editing team leader, Choo Mo, to remove news related to politicians' statements, political parties, the National Assembly, and the judiciary, stating, "These do not align with KTV's broadcasting principles; only include factual information about the president and proclamations." When freelance subtitle specialist Ji Mo refused to comply, Lee contacted the head of the broadcasting department, Park Mo, to ensure the subtitles were deleted. As a result, some subtitles were removed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:42:00