Samsung to Hold Galaxy S26 Family Festa Promotion for May Samsung Electronics said on the 24th it will run a “Galaxy S26 Family Festa” promotion ahead of May, widely observed in South Korea as Family Month. For purchases of the Galaxy S26 series through May 10, all buyers will receive a 50,000-won discount coupon for game items usable in the Galaxy Store, the company said. Samsung said customers who buy the Galaxy S26 series on Samsung.com with a Samsung Card and join the “New Galaxy AI Subscription Club” will also be eligible for up to 55,000 won in additional cashback. The company is also expanding hands-on marketing. From the 24th through May 5, Samsung Electronics will operate a pop-up store for the popular RPG “Honkai: Star Rail” at Samsung Store Hongdae. The pop-up is designed as a game experience zone using the Galaxy S26 series, targeting family visitors with children and people in their teens, 20s and 30s, Samsung said. Visitors can take part in events and stamp missions in a space decorated with in-game settings and characters. During the pop-up period, Samsung said it will sell 2,000 limited sets of the “Galaxy S26 Ultra Kyrene Accessory Edition,” featuring in-game characters and including a magnet case, an acrylic music box and a smartphone stand. “We prepared a range of promotions that families can enjoy together for Family Month,” said Jeong Ho-jin, a vice president at Samsung Electronics’ Korea business. “We hope customers will enjoy not only the strong performance of the Galaxy S26 series, but also the additional purchase benefits.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 13:00:16

Lee’s tailored gifts to India, Vietnam highlight cultural ties and promote K-culture President Lee Jae-myung used what his office called “tailored gift diplomacy” during state visits to India and Vietnam, selecting items reflecting each leader’s cultural background, personal preferences and governing priorities. The presidential office said the gifts were intended to go beyond protocol, signaling cultural links and promoting Korean beauty and cultural industries. The presidential office on April 24 (local time) disclosed the gifts Lee presented to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Vietnamese Communist Party chief and President To Lam and his wife. For Modi, Lee gave a bronze model of a pensive bodhisattva and an ink painting of a tiger. The office said the bodhisattva symbolizes cultural ties because Buddhist thought originated in India and later developed in Silla Korea, and it said Modi’s contemplative, philosophical reputation was considered. The tiger painting was chosen for symbolism shared by Korea and India, the office said. In Korea, the tiger represents authority, protection and good fortune, and in Hindu tradition it is also seen as a sacred protector. The office also cited India’s tiger conservation policy under “Project Tiger,” launched in 1973. Murmu received a Korean traditional meditation set and herbal skin care products. Citing her preference for meditation, the office said it selected a large cushion in the style of traditional patchwork cloth and hanji paper featuring a modern interpretation of dancheong patterns. The herbal skin care products were meant to showcase K-beauty, the office said, noting India’s growth potential as an emerging beauty market. In Vietnam, Lee presented Lam with a folk painting combining a haetae and a pine tree, along with a custom-made music frame. The office said the haetae symbolizes judging right from wrong and driving out injustice, while the pine represents strength and steadfast integrity, reflecting Lam’s governing emphasis on anti-corruption and clean government. The music frame is a speaker built into a picture frame featuring a caricature of Lam and his wife. It was specially made with Lam’s preference for classical music in mind, the office said. For Ngo Phuong Ly, Lee gave a set of National Museum of Korea goods, Korean beauty devices and a mother-of-pearl box decorated with butterfly and arabesque motifs. The office said it reflected her strong interest in official museum goods when she visited the museum during a state visit to South Korea in August last year. The mother-of-pearl box features butterflies symbolizing marital harmony and arabesque patterns symbolizing prosperity, the office said, adding it conveyed wishes for the couple’s health and happiness. The presidential office said it took special care in selecting the gifts to express friendship and trust between leaders. In a briefing at a hotel in Hanoi, presidential spokesperson Lee Kyu-yeon said, “On this trip as well, we expressed friendship and trust through thoughtful gifts for the leaders,” adding, “We prepared them with meaning, considering each leader’s disposition and governing priorities.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 12:57:20

South Korea seeks quick return to normal U.S. cooperation after minister’s North Korea nuclear remarks Cheong Wa Dae said it is consulting with the United States to “return as soon as possible to a normal state of cooperation” following remarks by Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young about North Korean nuclear facilities. Wi, the national security office director, made the comments April 23 (local time) at a press center in Hanoi while meeting with the traveling press corps covering President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to India and Vietnam. Asked about the U.S. reaction to Jeong’s remarks, Wi said it could take time but the two sides should “sort out the current situation through communication.” Jeong said at a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting on March 6 that North Korea is advancing its nuclear program and pointed to three locations — Yongbyon, Kangson and Kusong — as areas where uranium enrichment facilities are operating. The government and the International Atomic Energy Agency have officially confirmed Yongbyon in North Pyongan province and Kangson in Nampo, but Jeong also mentioned Kusong in North Pyongan. It has been reported that the United States viewed Jeong’s remarks as based on U.S.-provided intelligence and, in protest, partially suspended sharing satellite intelligence on North Korea. Lee defended Jeong in a post on X on April 20, calling the information “already widely known facts.” The main opposition People Power Party has said it will submit a motion recommending Jeong’s dismissal unless he is removed. Wi said Jeong has communicated directly with the United States and that he has also been in ongoing contact. He warned that if the issue becomes an excessive domestic controversy and political flashpoint, it could create obstacles to quickly stabilizing the situation and returning to the previous state. Wi described the dispute as a difference in perception. “The United States thinks he spoke using information they provided, and Minister Jeong says he obtained it from other open sources,” Wi said. He added that excessive controversy would not help and that it was important to consult, adjust and find a way forward. Still, Wi said coordination is necessary. “Some compare an alliance to a garden,” he said. “An alliance is a very close relationship, but it must be carefully coordinated and managed.” He again stressed that managing the U.S.-South Korea alliance requires avoiding turning issues into political disputes. Wi said Lee’s social media message was meant to reject arguments and debate based on the premise that Jeong “leaked information received from the United States.” Asked about limits on intelligence exchanges between the two countries after Jeong’s remarks, Wi said it was difficult to confirm or deny. Wi also suggested media coverage contributed to the issue escalating. He said the matter “became a big issue” after recent reporting, which drew political attention and prompted further statements, complicating the situation. Jeong, speaking to reporters after visiting Park In-jun, head of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace, at Cheondogyo’s Suun Hall in Seoul’s Jongno district, criticized what he called the “intent” of those who “caused the problem.” He called it political maneuvering that harms the national interest. On the reported U.S. step to limit intelligence sharing on North Korea, Jeong said similar things had happened intermittently in the past without becoming public. “That’s the national interest — why stir up conflict?” he said. He did not identify who he meant by “those who caused the problem.” Wi also addressed a letter from 54 Republican U.S. lawmakers to Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha in Washington urging the South Korean government to stop what they called “discriminatory measures” against U.S. companies such as Coupang. Wi said it is true the Coupang issue is affecting security consultations between South Korea and the United States. He said the government has told the United States it will proceed on the Coupang matter “according to legal procedures” while advancing security negotiations separately. He added that security talks should resume quickly because the dispute does not help the alliance. Wi dismissed comments by the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and the Combined Forces Command about transferring wartime operational control by before the first quarter of 2029, calling them the commander’s personal view. Gen. Xavier Brunson told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on April 22 (local time) that, in response to a question, “We submitted to the Department of Defense a roadmap to achieve those conditions before the second quarter of fiscal year 2029 (first quarter of 2029 by Korean standards)." On the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control, Wi said military considerations cannot be ignored but the transfer is ultimately a political decision. He said the leaders of both governments will decide and that South Korea will make its best efforts to complete the transfer as soon as possible without damaging the bilateral coordination framework. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 12:06:30

Hyundai Unveils China-Only Ioniq V, Plans 20 New Models by 2030 Hyundai Motor is ramping up its electrification push in China with a China-focused model under its dedicated EV brand, Ioniq. The automaker said it will deepen strategic cooperation with local companies — including battery maker CATL and autonomous-driving firm Momenta — and plans an aggressive rollout of 20 new models over the next five years. Hyundai on April 24 unveiled the Ioniq V (IONIQ V) for the first time worldwide at the 2026 Beijing International Motor Show (Auto China 2026) at the China International Exhibition Center in Shunyi. The Ioniq V is the production version of the “Venus Concept” revealed April 10. Hyundai described it as the Ioniq brand’s first China-strategy model, tailored to Chinese customers’ lifestyles. The company said the vehicle reflects its electrification know-how, including a locally optimized platform and battery developed through technology cooperation with Chinese partners, and a quieter ride. Hyundai said it will add another electrified SUV by the first half of 2027 and, by 2030, introduce 20 new models — including extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs — to build a midsize-to-large electrified lineup. It also said it will revamp the full ownership process, from purchase through use, to deliver an electrification experience tailored to China. ◆“20 new models by 2030 ... China is a core market” Hyundai also outlined its China strategy, centered on expanded investment, tailored product development and closer partner cooperation. The company said it and joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive Group last year jointly invested 8 billion yuan (about 1.73 trillion won) in Beijing Hyundai, aiming to build a system that can better tap China’s innovation-driven industrial ecosystem. Hyundai said it aims for annual sales of 500,000 vehicles at Beijing Hyundai and will broaden its lineup by launching 20 new models in China over the next five years. It also pledged to make China a core sales market and a long-term hub for strengthening global competitiveness by innovating EV sales and service and expanding cooperation with local technology partners. Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor’s CEO, said China combines the fastest development pace, a strong battery supply chain, demanding EV consumers and an advanced innovation ecosystem. “China is an essential and core market,” he said. Munoz said Hyundai will “write the strongest, most ambitious and most anticipated new chapter” in China, citing large-scale investment in Beijing Hyundai, the 20-model rollout over five years, the official launch of the Ioniq brand in China and the unveiling of the Ioniq V. He said the company will work to define the future of mobility in China under its “In China, For China, To Global” strategy. ◆Sleeker, roomier Ioniq V adds advanced features Hyundai said the Ioniq V follows its new design language, “The Origin,” with a focus on delivering a strong first impression. It features a sporty hood line and edge lighting up front, a curved side silhouette with frameless doors and diamond-cut detailing, and thin rear lamps stretched horizontally to the far left and right edges. Hyundai said the cabin is larger, with overall dimensions of 4,900 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,470 mm in height, and a 2,900 mm wheelbase. It listed legroom of 1,078 mm in the front and 1,019 mm in the rear, and shoulder room of 1,502 mm in the front and 1,473 mm in the rear, calling it best-in-class interior space. Features include a Horizon head-up display (H-HUD), a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset and a 27-inch 4K display. Hyundai said Dolby Atmos is standard, delivering spatial audio through eight speakers. ◆Co-developed with CATL, Momenta and other local partners Hyundai said the Ioniq V incorporates technologies developed with Chinese partners to better fit the local market and strengthen global competitiveness. It uses a platform co-developed with joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive, and a battery developed in cooperation with CATL. Hyundai said it expects more than 600 kilometers of range per charge under China’s CLTC standard. It also includes ADAS functions developed with Momenta. Hyundai said it will build standalone brand hubs in major cities and dedicated brand spaces inside dealerships, and introduce Ioniq specialists and an expanded service program to support customers from purchase through maintenance. It said it will adopt a “one price” policy across all sales channels to bolster trust, and accelerate expansion of charging infrastructure and its battery service network. Li Penggang, general manager of Beijing Hyundai, said unveiling the Ioniq V in China goes beyond introducing a new vehicle and reflects respect for the market and a firm commitment to the future. He said the Ioniq V and the new China strategy show Hyundai’s intent to set a new global mobility benchmark based on China’s innovation capabilities. Hyundai said it is operating a 1,816-square-meter (about 549-pyeong) booth at the Beijing motor show through May 3, displaying nine vehicles — the Ioniq V, the Venus concept, the Earth concept, the Elexio, the Palisade Hybrid, cutaway models of the Ioniq 9 and Ioniq 5 N — along with two Mobed models. 2026-04-24 12:05:17

South Korea’s Q1 Livestock Herds Fall; Broiler Chickens Rise Major livestock numbers in South Korea fell in the first quarter of 2026, with broiler chickens the only category to increase, according to a government survey released Thursday. The National Data Center said its “2026 first-quarter livestock trends survey” showed that as of March 1, the combined number of Korean native cattle and beef cattle totaled 3,218,000, down 4.9% from a year earlier. With fewer breeding cows, the number of animals under 1 year old fell 6.9%, those aged 1 to 2 years fell 3.2%, and those 2 years and older fell 4.7%. Dairy cattle totaled 371,000, down 1.7%. With fewer breeding dairy cows, animals under 1 year old fell 5.4% and those 2 years and older fell 1.8%. The pig herd stood at 10,716,000, down 0.7%. Pigs aged 2 to under 4 months fell 3.0%, while some other age groups were little changed, resulting in a mild overall decline. Laying hens totaled 77,747,000, down 0.3%. The agency cited culling tied to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with birds 6 months and older down 5.5%. Duck numbers dropped 15.9% to 5,294,000, as fewer meat ducklings were placed, sharply reducing overall production. By contrast, broiler chickens rose 2.7% to 96,463,000 as chick placements increased. Broilers were up 3.0%, and samgye chickens rose 3.4%, the survey said. 2026-04-24 12:04:26

Korea Launches First Tax Credit for Overseas Fund Investors; Must Claim in May Filing 올해부터 펀드를 통한 해외투자에 대한 세액공제 제도가 처음 시행되면서, 해당 투자자는 5월 종합소득세 신고 시 공제 신청 여부를 확인해야 한다. The National Tax Service said on 24일 that a new tax preference for overseas investments made through funds applies for the first time to income attributable to 2025. The measure is intended to encourage overseas investing and diversification. Individuals who invest in qualifying overseas-investment funds may claim a tax credit when filing their comprehensive income tax return. The program is designed to reduce tax burdens at the investment stage and support Korean investors expanding into foreign assets. The agency noted that it is structured as a tax credit, not an income deduction, meaning it reduces calculated tax directly and can provide a larger practical benefit for the same amount. Eligibility is limited. It applies to residents whose combined annual interest and dividend income exceeds 20 million won and who invest in foreign assets through certain products, including: domestically listed ETFs tracking the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100; domestically listed overseas real estate REIT ETFs; and overseas bond-type public funds established in Korea. The credit is available only when taxable income such as dividends or interest is generated and tax is actually paid overseas. Investors can claim the credit only if they report the fund’s dividend or interest income under comprehensive taxation. It does not apply when a taxpayer has only financial income that is finalized under separate taxation. Investors can confirm with their financial institution or fund manager whether their fund qualifies. The credit applies within a set limit to part of the investment amount and is deducted directly from calculated tax. Not all invested amounts qualify because the cap and other requirements are fixed. The credit is not applied automatically. Taxpayers must select and claim it when filing their comprehensive income tax return. Even if some data provided by financial institutions appears in the Hometax simplified service, investors must verify eligibility and the amount themselves. With the program in its first year, the agency warned that credits could be missed if taxpayers are unaware. The National Tax Service said it will strengthen guidance during the filing period and provide materials to help taxpayers determine eligibility in advance. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 12:03:20

Aeon Fantasy Opens Kidzooona Safari Indoor Playground in Surabaya, Indonesia Aeon Fantasy, an operator of amusement facilities, has opened a large indoor playground called Kidzooona Safari in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia's second-largest city. It is the company's fifth location in Indonesia under this business format. The site opened at Pakuwon Mall Surabaya, a major commercial complex in western Surabaya. The store covers 1,169 square meters. Membership pricing starts at 100,000 rupiah (about 920 yen) for one hour on weekdays. Miki Kawashima, president of Aeon Fantasy Indonesia, said the facility is located in a restaurant area, so the company introduced hourly short-stay rates to make it easy to visit before or after meals. Kidzooona Safari launched as a new format in April 2024 with its first Indonesian location in Cibubur, West Java, on the outskirts of the capital. In Indonesia, it has also expanded to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Bandung in West Java and Makassar in South Sulawesi. Overseas, it operates in Thailand and Malaysia. Including the newly opened Kidzooona Safari, Aeon Fantasy Indonesia now operates 62 facilities in total.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 12:00:16

Bloomberg Hosts ‘Invest in Asia’ Forum in Seoul, Spotlighting China’s Financial Markets 블룸버그는 서울에서 중국 금융시장과 아시아 투자 전략을 주제로 한 포럼을 열고 글로벌 자본과의 연결 확대를 모색했다. 블룸버그는 최근 서울에서 ‘인베스트 인 아시아: 중국을 조명하다(Invest in Asia: China Spotlight)’ 포럼을 개최했다고 밝혔다. 행사에는 한중 양국 정부 관계자와 금융시장 전문가들이 참석해 중국 금융시장 개방 흐름과 투자 기회, 양국 간 금융 협력 가능성 등을 논의했다. 이번 포럼에는 다이빙 주한 중국대사가 기조연설자로 나섰으며, 한국은행, 중국외환거래센터, 채권통 등 주요 기관과 자산운용사, 증권사 관계자들이 참석했다. 다이빙 대사는 연설에서 중국이 기술 혁신을 바탕으로 고품질 성장 전략을 추진하고 있으며 금융시장 개방을 계속 확대하고 있다고 말했다. 그는 외국인 투자자 접근성을 높이기 위한 제도 개선과 함께, 한국을 포함한 글로벌 투자자들에게 더 안정적이고 투명한 투자 환경을 제공하겠다는 방침을 강조했다. 중국은 최근 수년간 외국인 투자 규제를 단계적으로 완화해 왔다. 채권시장에서는 ‘채권통(Bond Connect)’과 ‘중국은행간채권시장(CIBM) 직접투자’ 제도를 통해 해외 투자자 참여가 확대됐고, 주식시장에서는 ‘후강퉁·선강퉁’ 제도로 교차 거래가 가능해졌다. 이에 따라 글로벌 자산운용사들의 위안화 자산 편입 비중도 점진적으로 늘고 있다. 왕다하이 블룸버그 대중화권 총괄은 글로벌 시장 변동성이 커지는 가운데 중국 시장의 분산투자 대상지로서 중요성이 높아지고 있다고 진단했다. 그는 블룸버그가 금융 데이터와 지수 서비스를 통해 글로벌 투자자의 중국 시장 접근성을 높이는 역할을 지속해 왔다고 말했다. 세션에서는 한국은행 외자운용원의 김영욱 팀장이 위안화 채권 투자 경험을 공유했다. 한국은행은 외환보유액 운용 과정에서 일부를 위안화 자산에 투자하고 있으며, 이는 외환 포트폴리오 다변화 전략의 일환으로 평가된다고 블룸버그는 전했다. 이어 국태해통증권 관계자는 중국 금융시장의 구조 변화와 정책 방향을 설명했다. 패널 토론에는 중국공상은행, 중국은행(홍콩), KB자산운용, NH투자증권, 한화자산운용 등 주요 기관 전문가들이 참여해 해외 투자자의 중국 채권·주식·외환시장 참여 확대 현황과 멀티에셋 투자 전략을 논의했다. 참석자들은 금리 변동성과 지정학적 리스크가 커지는 환경에서 국가별 자산 분산 전략의 중요성이 부각되고 있다고 봤다. 중국 시장은 세계 2위 규모의 경제와 방대한 채권시장을 기반으로 관심이 이어지고 있으며, 일부 글로벌 지수에 중국 채권이 편입되면서 기관 자금 유입도 지속되고 있다고 블룸버그는 전했다. 참석자들은 중국이 금융시장 개방 정책을 이어갈 경우 글로벌 투자 포트폴리오에서 중국 자산의 전략적 비중이 커질 가능성이 크다는 데 의견을 같이했다. 다만 시장 변동성과 정책 리스크를 고려한 장기적 접근이 필요하다는 점도 함께 언급됐다. 블룸버그의 ‘인베스트 인 아시아’ 포럼은 아시아·태평양 시장 투자 정보를 공유하고 글로벌 투자자와 현지 시장을 연결하는 행사로, 주요 금융 허브 도시를 순회하며 열리고 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 11:51:58

Acecook Vietnam Breaks Ground on Ho Chi Minh City R&D Center Vietnam’s largest instant-noodle maker, Acecook Vietnam, held a groundbreaking ceremony on the 20th in Ho Chi Minh City for a research and development center. The company said it aims to strengthen its R&D system to develop more health-oriented products and speed up global expansion. The center will be built in the Tan Binh Industrial Park. The site covers more than 7,000 square meters, with completion planned for 2027. Guided by its philosophy of “creating the value of food culture from Vietnam to the world,” the company will focus on developing new products beyond instant noodles, researching technologies to meet health-focused demand, and conducting basic food-chemistry research. Acecook Vietnam described the project as a key investment in its shift toward becoming a “comprehensive food company.” It said it plans to pursue broad-based research without limiting itself to specific fields.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 11:51:15

Youth Foundation Expands Finance Job Mentoring With Working Professionals The Youth Foundation said it is strengthening job support for young people seeking work in finance by running a mentoring program focused on specific roles. The foundation said it held its “Youth Working-Professional Job Mentoring” sessions on April 14 and 15 and again on April 23 via the Zoom video platform. Assistant manager- and manager-level finance employees served as mentors, offering guidance on job preparation, understanding day-to-day work and even consultations related to changing jobs. The April program, themed on the financial industry, was divided by role, including information and communications technology, universal banker and investment banking tracks. About 100 young people took part. Sessions covered job overviews, hiring preparation strategies, workplace case studies and how to respond to job changes tied to the shift to artificial intelligence. Counseling was tailored using questions submitted in advance. Working professionals from KB Kookmin Bank participated as a talent donation, the foundation said. With digital transformation and the expansion of non-face-to-face services, demand is rising for workers with ICT skills and data analysis capabilities, increasing the need for practical, workplace-based advice. Participants said they valued hearing concrete accounts of mentors’ work experience, industry trends and how tasks flow by role. As finance hiring places greater weight on role-specific expertise, access to information through networks of working professionals is increasingly important in job preparation. Over the past two years, the foundation said it has run the mentoring program 32 times, with about 600 participants. A post-program survey showed an average satisfaction score of 4.68 out of 5. Starting this year, the foundation expanded operations by shifting from every other month to a regular monthly schedule and extending each session from two hours to three. It also plans to add in-person mentoring alongside online sessions to broaden access. An in-person mentoring program focused on culture and the arts is scheduled for next month, the foundation said, citing growing demand for new roles across planning, production and distribution as the culture and content industry shifts toward platform-centered structures. Chairman Oh Chang-seok said sharing working professionals’ experiences provides practical help as young people explore careers and prepare for jobs. “We will continue to expand job training and mentoring opportunities based on public-private cooperation,” he said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 11:48:20