Lotte Hi-Mart's PLUX Brand Achieves Success in First Year, Aiming for 200 Billion Won in Sales Lotte Hi-Mart's private brand (PB) PLUX is experiencing growth, particularly among one- to two-person households and younger consumers. The company reported on May 21 that its overall PB sales increased by 15% year-on-year from April of last year to March of this year. In the first quarter of this year, sales rose by 26% compared to the same period last year. PLUX was designed to cater to the needs of one- to two-person households, which tend to prefer smaller appliances due to limited living space and prioritize price and energy efficiency. The company stated, "PLUX differentiates its key products based on these characteristics." The flagship product, the PLUX 245L refrigerator, sold over 40,000 units in one year, making it the best-selling refrigerator in Lotte Hi-Mart's lineup. The company attributed its success to the refrigerator's 200L capacity, top energy efficiency rating, and a five-year extended warranty, which align with customer demands. Additionally, the proportion of customers in their 20s has increased since the launch of PLUX. Lotte Hi-Mart is also expanding the PLUX product line into subscription services. In March, it introduced the "PLUX Subscription Service" for popular categories such as washing machines, air conditioners, and rice cookers, with plans to include water purifiers in June. In July, Lotte Hi-Mart will launch a dedicated PLUX store where customers can explore all PLUX appliances in one location. The company aims to boost PLUX sales from 130 billion won last year to over 200 billion won this year. Park Byeong-yong, head of Lotte Hi-Mart's PB overseas sourcing division, stated, "PLUX has achieved sales growth and changes in the purchasing demographic within just one year of its launch. We will continue to develop it as a daily appliance brand." Lotte Hi-Mart introduced PLUX after approximately a year of consulting, consumer research, and product planning that began in April of last year. The concept of PLUX is based on the idea of "changing daily life with small differences."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:39:00

Trump Says Iran Negotiations Are in Final Stages as Iran Demands Sanction Relief Amid a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran are in the final stages, suggesting a potential end to hostilities. Meanwhile, Iran confirmed it is reviewing U.S. proposals but insists that the release of frozen assets and the cessation of maritime blockades must be prerequisites for any dialogue. On May 20, during a visit to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, Trump told reporters, "We are in the final stages regarding Iran," adding, "Let’s see what happens." He continued, "We will either reach an agreement or face some rough situations, but I hope that doesn’t happen." When asked if he was rushing to resolve the Iran conflict ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump replied, "Everyone talks about the midterms, but I am not rushing at all." Earlier that day, Punchbowl News reported that Republican Congressman Tom Cole, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, indicated that the Pentagon's funding for operations related to Iran could run out by August, highlighting growing concerns within the GOP about the war. Cole expressed worry that Congress may not have enough time to address additional funding for Iran. In the same vein, Trump did not shy away from applying pressure on Iran. During his commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy, he stated, "We will be watching what happens. We have hit them very hard. We may have to hit them even harder, but maybe not." He emphasized, "We will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. It’s very simple." Trump also claimed that Iran's military capabilities have significantly weakened. He stated, "Everything has disappeared. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Almost everything is gone," adding, "The only question is whether we will go in and finish it or whether they will sign a document." Iran Demands Economic Sanctions Relief First As Trump mentioned both the possibility of an agreement and further pressure, Iran confirmed it is reviewing the U.S. proposals. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated in an interview with state television, "We have received the U.S. perspective and are currently reviewing it closely," explaining that the visit of Pakistan's Interior Minister to Tehran is aimed at facilitating message exchanges between the two countries. Earlier, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Iran again on May 20 following a previous visit on May 16. Baghaei outlined the prerequisites for dialogue to end the war, emphasizing the need for the release of frozen assets and the cessation of U.S. maritime blockades. He stated, "At this stage, we are focused on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. Our demands are clear: the release of Iran's frozen assets, issues related to piracy, and actions targeting Iranian shipping have all been clearly stated from the beginning." He added, "If this process is based on Iran's legitimate demands, we can say diplomacy has succeeded; otherwise, if unreasonable demands persist, we will obviously not succeed." Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly expressed strong opposition to the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Axios reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the negotiation process during a phone call with Trump, advocating for a resumption of hostilities against Iran. Sources indicated that Trump informed Netanyahu that mediators are preparing a 'letter of intent' to secure signatures from both the U.S. and Iran. This letter is said to outline a 30-day negotiation period to officially end the war and discuss Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu remains skeptical about the negotiations with Iran, asserting that military action should be resumed to weaken the Iranian regime and its military capabilities. A U.S. source noted, "Netanyahu was very angry after the call with Trump."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:36:31

KG Mobility Hires Former Hyundai Executive to Boost Exports KG Mobility has taken a significant step in its global market strategy by hiring a former Hyundai Motor executive. On May 21, industry sources reported that KG Mobility appointed Han Chung-seop as the head of its Overseas Business Division. The company disclosed the new executive in its first-quarter audit report. Han has extensive experience in overseas sales, having previously managed operations in Latin America and the Middle East at Hyundai Motor. His expertise is expected to support KG Mobility's strategy for expanding its international sales. Recently, KG Mobility has restructured its overseas business organization to enhance its responsiveness to the global market. KG Group Chairman Kwak Jae-sun visited Vietnam in March to assess the progress of local assembly production (KD). In April, the company held a global launch event for its Musso pickup truck in Turkey, its largest export market. The company's export share is also increasing. In the first quarter, out of 27,077 vehicles sold by KG Mobility, 15,608 were exported, accounting for 57.6% of total sales. A KG Mobility representative stated, "The hiring of Han Chung-seop appears to be a strategic move to expand into overseas markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:33:54

CJ Olive Young Launches First U.S. Store in Pasadena, California CJ Olive Young is set to make a significant entry into the U.S. beauty market by opening its first standalone store and launching a dedicated online shop simultaneously. Positioned in the heart of Pasadena, California, an area dominated by major beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty, the store aims to serve as a showcase for K-beauty and a launchpad for domestic indie brands entering the U.S. market. The Pasadena location, named "Olive Young Pasadena," will open on May 29 (local time) on Colorado Boulevard, a prime shopping district in California. This area is known for its concentration of global premium brands, including Apple, Lululemon, and Tiffany & Co. The store will span approximately 803 square meters (about 243 pyeong), comparable in size to Olive Young's major outlets in South Korea. The Pasadena store will focus exclusively on K-beauty, featuring over 400 brands and more than 5,000 products, with more than 80% of the offerings being K-beauty and K-wellness items. The store will adapt quickly to trends, updating its product curation every two weeks. Inside the store, "The Beauty Lab" will offer free skincare lessons that include self-diagnosis using skin scan devices, followed by personalized consultations. Olive Young's unique "half-service" model, which allows customers to explore freely while still having access to professional beauty advice, will be implemented in the U.S. market. Alongside the Pasadena store, Olive Young will launch a dedicated online shopping platform for U.S. customers. The company recently established a 3,600-square-meter (about 1,100 pyeong) automated logistics center in Bloomington, California, which has reduced delivery times from 5-7 days to 3-5 days. Additionally, the minimum purchase for free shipping has been lowered from $60 to $35 for the local online store, making it more accessible for customers. Olive Young will also introduce the "OY Members" program, an integrated online and offline membership system that offers differentiated benefits based on membership levels. The company plans to support local marketing for smaller brands through its own promotions, such as "Brand of the Week." Lee Sun-jung, CEO of Olive Young, stated, "Just as we have helped numerous small and medium brands grow in a market once dominated by a few large international brands, we aim to contribute to the deeper establishment of K-beauty and K-lifestyle in overseas markets." Kwon Ga-eun, head of Olive Young's U.S. operations, added, "The Pasadena store will serve as a forward base for introducing various domestic brands to the global market, leveraging Olive Young's insights and brand incubating capabilities developed in Korea." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:31:45

Construction Oversight Lapses at Samsung Station GTX-A Project At the Samsung Station construction site for the GTX-A line, it has been confirmed that the oversight team marked inspection results as 'satisfactory' for two consecutive months despite being aware of the missing 178 tons of rebar. Additionally, it has come to light that Seoul City submitted the oversight team's construction management report to the Korea Railroad Corporation without independent verification, raising concerns about the overall construction, oversight, and supervision system.According to the 'Construction Management Report for the Underground Complex Development Section 3' obtained by Park Yong-gap, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the oversight company, Saman, continued to give passing grades on inspection checklists even after acknowledging the missing rebar.Hyundai Construction, the contractor, first identified the missing 178 tons of rebar in 80 columns on October 23, 2025, through its own quality checks. The company informed the head of the oversight team on October 30 and subsequently emailed the details to Seoul City on November 10.However, the oversight team, despite knowing about the missing rebar, marked all key items on the inspection checklists dated November 11 and 14 as 'pass,' including questions about the accuracy of rebar spacing and the condition of the rebar's size, shape, and assembly. Inspection requests submitted later, such as on December 23, also recorded the rebar placement as 'satisfactory and passing.'Seoul City was aware of the structural deficiencies reported in November but accepted the oversight team's report without question. The city then submitted the construction management report to the Korea Railroad Corporation, the project client.The issue is expected to lead to disputes over liability under the Construction Technology Promotion Act. Seoul City maintains that the matter was addressed through internal checks during construction and does not constitute a 'construction accident' since there were no fatalities or property damage. However, critics argue that immediate site inspections and reports to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should have been conducted as soon as concerns about construction quality arose.The Ministry has already begun audits of both Seoul City and the Korea Railroad Corporation. A special inspection team has also been formed to review overall construction, safety, and quality management.Cost burdens due to project delays are another concern. If reinforcement work and external verifications continue, it could disrupt the schedule for non-stop service at Samsung Station and its official opening. This raises the possibility of increased financial liabilities for operational loss compensation to private contractors.In the political arena, there are calls for financial accountability. During a recent inquiry by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jun-ho stated, "We cannot pass the costs of construction failures and delayed responses onto taxpayers," suggesting the need for a review of claims against Seoul City, Hyundai Construction, and the oversight company Saman. In response, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok agreed, stating, "That is only natural."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:29:03

Im Soo-jung Chooses 'DCLASSY CaHA' to Target Collagen Booster Market DNC Aesthetics is making strides in the collagen booster market with its premium medical aesthetics brand, 'DCLASSY.' As demand for natural skin improvement and long-term skin health grows, the company is accelerating its market expansion with 'DCLASSY CaHA,' which emphasizes safe ingredients and natural volume formation. According to industry sources, DCLASSY CaHA is a collagen booster based on calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA). CaHA is known for its high biocompatibility and is a mineral component that makes up human bones and teeth. Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers that directly fill the injection site, DCLASSY CaHA creates volume immediately after the procedure and gradually breaks down in the body, inducing natural collagen production. It stimulates fibroblasts in the skin to improve skin elasticity and texture, enhancing the overall skin environment. A research team led by Professor Park Gwi-young at Chung-Ang University found that after 24 weeks of treatment with the CaHA collagen booster, improvements in mid-facial volume, skin hydration, barrier function, and elasticity were observed. Notably, a pilot study involving ten adults aged 19 to 70 showed significant improvements in skin barrier, hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction. Additionally, a separate clinical study involving 32 adults aged 35 to 59 confirmed an average 51% increase in dermal and epidermal thickness based on ultrasound evaluations. The study also indicated that patient satisfaction remained high for over a year. DCLASSY has recently appointed actress Im Soo-jung as its brand model and is expanding its brand campaign across various channels, including TV advertisements, digital photo shoots, OTT platforms, YouTube, and digital signage. This strategy aims to broaden consumer engagement in the premium medical aesthetics market. An industry insider noted, "There is a clear trend in the medical aesthetics market favoring natural changes, such as improved skin elasticity and texture. The CaHA-based collagen booster aligns with recent market demands for enhancing the skin's internal environment and promoting healthy changes." 2026-05-21 16:27:23

Korea to Become Hub for AI Collaboration with UN and MDBs, Says Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated on May 21 that South Korea can serve as a connection hub for collaboration between UN agencies and multilateral development banks (MDBs) in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Global AI Hub Vision Declaration ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt in Seoul, Koo noted that international cooperation in AI is currently fragmented among various organizations, and there is a lack of collaborative frameworks. He also pointed out that while various AI pilot projects are being attempted, there are limitations in their actual dissemination to developing countries. Koo explained that South Korea can play a mediating role to overcome these limitations and facilitate smooth cooperation between international organizations and MDBs. In South Korea, the World Bank's Global AI and Digital Knowledge Center is already in operation, and efforts are underway to establish AI collaboration hubs with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). The Ministry of Economy and Finance aims to consolidate these MDB AI collaboration hubs into a global AI hub, thereby establishing a global AI cooperation network. Koo elaborated, "If the global AI hub develops public AI solutions in areas such as health, labor, disaster, and migration, MDBs can play a role in linking these solutions to development projects in developing countries, facilitating their actual implementation." Koo emphasized that even if the global AI hub is located in South Korea, it is intended for people around the world. He stressed that a foundational global AI society should be built through cooperation among nations rather than competition. He added, "The South Korean government will continue to work with the international community to ensure that the benefits of AI are not confined to certain countries or groups but are distributed to all people worldwide." Koo also outlined a vision for South Korean AI companies and research institutions to participate in solving global challenges by sharing AI technologies and practical experiences. South Korea has been gaining experience in building various public infrastructures integrated with AI, such as water resource management, which is expected to be beneficial in the process of AI collaboration with international organizations and MDBs. Koo concluded, "The connection between the global AI hub and MDBs will go beyond simple inter-agency cooperation, becoming a new model for development cooperation that spreads AI as a global public good and serves as a cooperative hub for supporting AI in developing countries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:24:28

Home & Shopping Launches 'Traditional Market Revitalization' Project at Yeonggwang Terminal Market Home & Shopping hosted a 'Local Small Business E-Commerce Seminar' at Yeonggwang Terminal Market in Jeolla Province. According to Home & Shopping on the 21st, this event is part of the 'Traditional Market Revitalization Project' launched last year, which focuses on providing concentrated support to five selected traditional markets across the country each year. Last year, the project included markets such as Changwon Masan Fish Market (Gyeongsang region), Gwangju Yangdong Traditional Market (Jeolla region), Chungbuk Yeongdong Traditional Market (Chungcheong region), and Gangwon Chuncheon Pungmul Market, as well as the Hwajeongbon-dong Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and southern alley markets. This year, it follows the event at Hapcheon Wanghu Market (Gyeongsang region). The project aims to connect traditional market products, which struggle with distribution, to online sales and home shopping broadcasts. During the seminar, the procedures for entering home shopping and successful case studies were presented, and the Small Business Market Promotion Corporation delivered a lecture on 'Digital Transformation of Traditional Markets.' Home & Shopping plans to sequentially support online sales for 6 to 10 businesses, home shopping broadcasts for 3 to 6 businesses (60 minutes of broadcasting), and promotional video production for markets and stores, starting with this event. A representative from Home & Shopping stated, "We will do our best to support the merchants of Yeonggwang Terminal Market, who have excellent local specialties, in gaining digital competitiveness to reach consumers nationwide through home shopping and online sales channels."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:21:40

NCT's Taeyong begins 'WYLD' promotions with music shows, Seoul Jazz Festival SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Taeyong of K-pop group NCT will perform at the Seoul Jazz Festival this week as he begins promotions for his first full-length solo album "WYLD," SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 30-year-old rapper, dancer and songwriter is the leader of NCT and its subunit NCT 127. Taeyong will perform tracks from "WYLD" at the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival 2026, which runs from May 22 to 24 at Olympic Park in Seoul. The festival has grown into one of South Korea’s major outdoor music events by expanding beyond jazz to feature pop, R&B, hip-hop, indie and crossover artists. His festival setlist will include the first live performances of several album tracks. Taeyong will also appear on Mnet’s "M Countdown" on Thursday, followed by KBS2’s "Music Bank," MBC's "Show! Music Core" and SBS’ "Inkigayo" throughout the week, performing the album's title track. "WYLD," released on Monday, consists of 10 tracks, including songs Taeyong participated in the production stage. The hip-hop title track draws on the instinctive movements of wild animals, with choreography built around the contrast between restrained expression and explosive energy. Since its release, the album has topped domestic album and music charts. It also reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Albums charts in 10 regions and entered the top 10 in 18 regions, while the title track topped iTunes Top Songs charts in nine regions. Tracks from the album also occupied all top 10 spots on the real-time rising chart of AWA, a Japanese music streaming service, SM Entertainment said. 2026-05-21 16:20:05

LG Electronics Shares Surge Amid KOSPI Rally and Robotics Hopes LG Electronics is experiencing a strong performance on the stock market, buoyed by a significant rise in the KOSPI index. Investor sentiment has been further enhanced by growing expectations surrounding the robotics value chain. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:38 PM, LG Electronics shares were trading at 235,000 won, up 54,000 won (29.83%) from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 185,200 won and surged to near the upper limit during the trading session. On this day, the KOSPI index rose more than 8% from the previous session, reviving investor confidence. This surge has led to increased buying interest in LG Electronics, which has recently been highlighted as a beneficiary of the robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. Kim Min-kyung, a researcher at Hana Securities, noted in a report on May 14 that LG Electronics is aggressively pursuing new business opportunities in robotics, which is expected to secure growth momentum. She raised the target price for LG Electronics to 230,000 won. Kim stated, "LG Electronics announced plans to establish a production system for humanoid robot actuators by the end of the year during its March shareholders' meeting, along with plans for proof of concept (PoC) technology verification in 2027. Given that the PoC timeline has been moved up to the first half of 2026, it suggests that the company is actively accelerating its robotics business." She also mentioned, "Additionally, new orders for data center cooling projects are rapidly increasing, and discussions are ongoing with NVIDIA regarding AI data centers, physical AI, and mobility collaborations, indicating momentum in AI-related business initiatives."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:19:29