Iran Foreign Minister to Return to Pakistan, Raising Prospects for Second Round of Talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to return to Pakistan on April 26 (local time), Iran’s state media reported, as speculation grows about whether ceasefire talks with the United States could resume and a second round could still be held. IRNA, citing Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on April 25 that Araghchi would “return to Pakistan again after completing his Oman schedule and before heading to Russia.” His trip had been expected to run Pakistan-Oman-Russia, but was adjusted to include a return to Pakistan after Oman. IRNA said some members of Araghchi’s delegation returned to Tehran for consultations and instructions related to ceasefire discussions. They were expected to rejoin him on the night of April 26 in Islamabad. Araghchi visited Pakistan on April 24 with a small delegation and met with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, fueling expectations that a second round of talks could be held over the weekend. But after Araghchi delivered Iran’s demands and traveled to Oman on April 25, and the United States canceled plans to send its negotiating team to Pakistan, some observers questioned whether the talks had effectively collapsed. Even after the U.S. cancellation, President Donald Trump left the door open, saying, “If they want to talk, all they have to do is call.” He also said he received “a much better new document” in less than 10 minutes, suggesting Iran had put forward a new proposal. The purpose of Araghchi’s return to Pakistan remains unclear. Still, with the United States signaling it remains open to dialogue and Pakistan continuing mediation, attention has again turned to the possibility of renewed talks. The United States had been preparing to send Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff for negotiations, and it was also reported to have considered having Vice President JD Vance join the team if the situation progressed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:57:16

Lotte Tour Development Chairman Kim Ki-byeong Wins April 19 Revolution Service Award Kim Ki-byeong, chairman of Lotte Tour Development, has received the April 19 Revolution Service Award in recognition of his contributions to carrying on the spirit of the April 19 Revolution. Kim received the award on the 24th at the 44th National Prayer Breakfast marking the 66th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution, held at the April 19 Revolution Memorial Library in Seoul’s Seodaemun District. The National Prayer Breakfast is jointly hosted by the April 19 Democratic Revolution Association, the bereaved families association of April 19 victims and the association of April 19 meritorious persons. Since 2013, the service award has been presented each year to one person who has contributed to advancing the revolution’s core values of freedom, democracy and justice. Kim was at the forefront of the April 19 Revolution in 1960, serving as president of the student council at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and as chair of a nationwide university student order-restoration committee. He later continued related work, including serving as executive committee chair for the 50th anniversary commemorative project and as chair for the 60th anniversary commemorative project. In 2024, he was selected as a national patriots honoree and received the Moran Medal, a Republic of Korea National Order of Merit, in recognition of those contributions. “Receiving this meaningful award makes me feel a heavy sense of responsibility,” Kim said. “I will continue to do whatever small part I can to help protect and spread the values of the April 19 Revolution.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:51:49

Hana Bank teams with KIND and Vietnam’s BIDV to expand infrastructure finance and QR payments Hana Bank is expanding its finance and payments footprint in Vietnam through partnerships with a state-owned Vietnamese bank and a South Korean public agency. The bank said April 26 that it signed a three-way memorandum of understanding on April 23 with the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, known as BIDV, and the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corp., or KIND, at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi. Under the agreement, the three organizations plan to build a strategic partnership in infrastructure and energy, urban development and green projects, and to jointly identify investment opportunities to support South Korean companies entering the market. Hana Bank also said it will deepen cooperation with BIDV, one of Vietnam’s four major state-owned banks, to link investment development with financial services. Hana Bank is also moving into Vietnam’s digital payments market. Working with its subsidiary GLN International, it launched a cross-border QR payment service in partnership with Vietnam National Payment Corp., known as NAPAS, and BIDV. Hana Bank said it is the only South Korean financial institution participating in the project as a settlement bank, while GLN will operate payments directly connected to Vietnam’s national QR network. Users can pay at major tourist destinations including Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc through domestic banking and financial technology apps without exchanging currency, the bank said. Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-seong said the bank will combine Vietnam’s growth potential with its international financial capabilities to create practical value. He said the strategy, spanning infrastructure finance and digital payments, aims to provide convenient and stable services and to upgrade the bank’s global payments network. 2026-04-26 10:51:06

Court: Labor Ministry staffer’s sub-$30 meal with Coupang executive did not violate anti-graft law A court has ruled that a Labor Ministry employee and a Coupang Logistics Service (CLS) executive did not violate South Korea’s anti-graft law by sharing a meal costing less than 30,000 won per person, finding no quid pro quo. According to legal officials on the 25th, Seoul Central District Court Judge Cho Ji-hwan of the court’s Civil Division 79 recently decided there was no need to impose an administrative fine on A, an employee at a local office under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, or on Coupang CLS for an alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The judge also decided not to proceed with a fine trial for A after the ministry withdrew its notice of the alleged violation. The court said there was no ongoing guidance, supervision or inspection case involving Coupang CLS at A’s office at the time of the meal, and found the meeting was for social purposes that did not hinder the proper performance of duties. The court cited that the per-person meal cost was 27,500 won, within the 30,000-won limit allowed under the law’s enforcement decree. “The value of the food provided was 30,000 won or less per person, falling within the permitted scope for social or ceremonial purposes,” the court said. The court also pointed to the pair’s personal ties dating to 2006, when they worked together, that the meeting was not planned in advance and happened by chance, and that other staff who attended also knew the Coupang CLS executive. A had been handling industrial accident-related work at the ministry when, around February last year, a Coupang CLS executive provided lunch worth 165,000 won to A and four colleagues. After learning of it, the head of A’s agency notified the court that A had violated the anti-graft law, triggering fine proceedings. In March, the court decided in a summary ruling not to impose a fine. Prosecutors objected, leading to formal proceedings. The government has continued to stress compliance with the anti-graft law. At a National Assembly hearing on Coupang last year, Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon cited several grade 5 and 6 officials who moved to Coupang from six labor offices before the presidential election and warned of punishment at a “ruinous” level, ordering officials not to make contact.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:43:58

KBO League Tops 2 Million Fans in Record 117 Games The KBO League’s early-season surge in attendance has set another record, reaching 2 million fans in the fewest games in league history. The Korea Baseball Organization said 99,905 fans attended games across five stadiums on the 25th, pushing season attendance to 2,094,481. Four parks sold out: Jamsil (23,750), Gwangju-Kia Champions Field (20,500), Gocheok Sky Dome (16,000) and Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark (17,000). Incheon SSG Landers Field, with a capacity of 23,000, drew 22,655, just short of a sellout. The league reached 2 million in 117 regular-season games, breaking last year’s record of 118 games for the same milestone. The KBO has been drawing strongly since opening day. On the 10th, it topped 1 million fans in 55 games, beating the previous record set in 2025 (60 games). Average attendance this season stands at 17,902 per game, up 7.9% from 16,596 at the same point last year. After setting an all-time record of 12,312,519 total fans last year, the KBO is running ahead of that pace again, fueling expectations of topping 10 million for a third straight year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:43:13

Loud bang at WHCA dinner prompts Trump evacuation; he says suspect arrested President Donald Trump was rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner after a loud bang, believed to be possible gunfire, was heard at the venue. CNN and other outlets reported that the incident occurred about 8 p.m. on April 25 (local time) during the WHCA-hosted dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington. After concerns were raised that shots may have been fired, Secret Service agents quickly escorted Trump off the stage. Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet officials who were at the event also left the room in an emergency evacuation. A source said Trump was safe, and administration officials were also reported to be unharmed. According to a press pool report, multiple Secret Service agents shouted, "shots fired," and radio traffic indicated the suspect had already been arrested. After being evacuated, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that "the suspect has been arrested" and that the Secret Service and law enforcement "responded excellently." He said he suggested, "LET THE SHOW GO ON," but that the final decision would be left entirely to law enforcement. He added that authorities would decide soon, and that whatever the decision, the event would be "very different" from the original plan and would ultimately need to be held again.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:27:16

SK hynix wins IEEE Corporate Innovation Award for HBM advances in AI computing SK hynix said April 26 it won the Corporate Innovation Award at the '2026 IEEE* Awards' ceremony hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. IEEE, a leading global organization of technology professionals, has presented the IEEE Awards for more than 100 years. The program honors recipients in three categories — medals, technical field awards and recognition awards — for technological innovation and contributions to society. The Corporate Innovation Award, part of the recognition awards, has been given since 1986 to companies credited with advancing industry and society through innovative technology. It is the first time SK hynix has received the honor. SK hynix said it was recognized for reliably mass-producing every generation of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, and for contributing to the growth of the global AI computing ecosystem. The company said it aims to provide memory solutions that help overcome performance limits in AI platforms and to strengthen its position as a trusted partner in the global AI market. The company said the award reflects its role in expanding AI computing through HBM innovation and applications, including by proposing HBM solutions early and responding to customer demand in a timely way. The company also cited its efforts to broaden AI infrastructure partnerships with major global technology companies in the United States, under SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's management focus on securing long-term technological competitiveness. Ahn Hyun, president and chief development officer, attended the ceremony and accepted the award on the company's behalf. Ahn said he was honored to accept the award on behalf of SK hynix employees who have continually challenged and overcome technological limits. He said the company will work closely with global customers and partners to create value ahead of market needs and become a top-tier company leading AI innovation. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:25:02

Seoul Turns Gwanghwamun Plaza Into Outdoor Reading Space Central Seoul is being recast as a city of readers. Areas once closely associated with rallies and protests — Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul Plaza and parts of the Cheonggyecheon stream corridor — are drawing strong public response as places to read and relax. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday it has opened its outdoor library program, operating spaces at Gwanghwamun Plaza and along Cheonggyecheon where residents can read freely. Visitors who came over the weekend spent time reading or resting in warm spring sunshine. Along Cheonggyecheon, seats filled with people reading to the sound of running water. At Gwanghwamun Plaza, a “book yard” offered a range of setups, from cushioned chairs for reclining with a book to small tents for quieter personal time. Visitors said they welcomed the change, coming with friends, partners and family. One resident of Gwanak-gu said, “Downtown always feels noisy, so it feels special to have a place like this where you can read quietly.” Another resident, from Seocho-gu, said, “When I think of Gwanghwamun, I only think of rallies, traffic and noise, so I can’t say how happy I am that there’s now a place to read.” The “Seoul Outdoor Library” began in 2022 as “Reading Seoul Plaza,” aimed at helping people encounter reading culture in everyday life. The city expanded the concept beyond indoor libraries to sites across the downtown area. Seoul said the program drew a cumulative 8 million visitors through last year. Seoul plans to open an additional “Reading Plaza” on May 1. The city said it will place about 5,000 books each at Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Plaza, and about 2,000 along Cheonggyecheon — about 12,000 in total — to broaden access. The initiative has also drawn international attention. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development selected the Seoul Outdoor Library as an example of government innovation, and 22 overseas institutions, including from Japan and the United States, have sought to benchmark it, the city said. Lee Min-kyung, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said the reading spaces are expanding around Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggyecheon for use in all four seasons. “We will continue to expand an environment where anyone can easily access books in the heart of the city,” Lee said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:24:16

LG Unveils Hybrid In-Vehicle Emergency Call System That Works Across 2G-5G Networks LG Electronics has unveiled an in-vehicle “Hybrid e-Call” system designed to quickly send crash information to emergency rescue centers after an accident. The company said April 26 that it demonstrated the system on April 23 at the 37th General Assembly of the 5G Automotive Association, a global vehicle communications group, in Gothenburg, Sweden. An e-call system is an in-car emergency communications function that automatically transmits details such as the crash location, time and vehicle information to a nearby rescue center when an accident occurs. In Europe, e-call systems have been mandatory on newly launched vehicles since 2018. Starting next year, Europe will require “NG e-Call” (Next Generation emergency-Call), a 4G- and 5G-based system. The regulation is expected to expand to regions including China and the Middle East. LG’s Hybrid e-Call is installed in a vehicle telematics control unit and supports networks from 2G through 5G. The company said it combines the fast, high-capacity data transmission of 4G and 5G with the broader coverage of 2G and 3G to minimize connectivity dead zones. LG said it has completed reliability verification and has been supplying the system to global automakers since this year. At last year’s 5GAA general assembly in Paris, LG unveiled a solution using satellite-based non-terrestrial networks, or NTN, to enable two-way in-vehicle communications in areas where terrestrial networks are difficult to access. The company is also expanding its telematics certification capabilities. LG said its VS Certification Lab, under its Vehicle Solution business division, operates a testing and evaluation system based on the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. The lab obtained accreditation last year as an authorized testing institution from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, or KOLAS, and also secured qualifications for major European and North American communications certifications, including GCF (Global Certification Forum) and PTCRB. LG said this allows it to handle the full process in-house, from development and testing to conformity certification for vehicle communications components. “Based on world-class technology, we will further strengthen our leadership in the global telematics market,” said Lee Sang-yong, vice president and head of LG Electronics’ VS Research Laboratory.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:19:08

Samsung Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Rank No. 1 in Italy Consumer Satisfaction Survey Samsung Electronics said its HVAC products, including heat pumps and air conditioners, ranked first in an Italian consumer satisfaction survey. The company said April 26 it was named No. 1 in the heat pump and air conditioner categories in the “Best Value for Money Quality 2026” study conducted by the German Institute for Quality and Finance (ITQF). ITQF, described as a leading brand-preference research group in Italy, evaluated about 1,350 brands across 127 industries by analyzing roughly 640,000 consumer review data points. Samsung placed first in heat pumps for the third consecutive year and in air conditioners for the sixth straight year, it said. It also ranked No. 1 for six consecutive years in major home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, and for five straight years in vacuum cleaners. Samsung said it is strengthening its lineup of high-efficiency heat pumps as Europe’s market for environmentally friendly heating and cooling expands. Heat pumps use air heat and electricity to provide space heating and hot water, and the company said they produce less carbon emissions and offer higher energy efficiency than conventional gas boilers. Samsung said its EHS All-in-One, which received strong marks in the survey, provides air heating and cooling, floor heating and cooling, and hot-water supply using a single outdoor unit. It also includes a heat recovery function that reuses waste heat generated during cooling to improve energy efficiency. The product is designed to operate in heating mode at temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius and to supply hot water up to 65 degrees Celsius, the company said. In air conditioners, Samsung said its WindFree technology was rated highly. The company said the approach reduces direct airflow, targeting European consumers who are sensitive to drafts. Samsung said it has also applied artificial intelligence features to strengthen personalized cooling based on users’ living patterns and indoor conditions, improving energy-use efficiency and convenience. “This result shows the trust local consumers have in Samsung HVAC products,” said Ettore Giovane, an executive director at Samsung Electronics’ Italy unit. “We will continue to strengthen our competitiveness in the global HVAC market.” Samsung said it plans to expand into the electric-based heating market by launching in Korea this month heat pump boiler products that have been proven in global markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 10:12:17