South Korea Launches Global K-Founders Network in India to Expand Startup Cooperation South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it held a launch ceremony Monday for the 'Global K-Founders Network in India' at the Global Business Center (GBC) in New Delhi. The Global K-Founders Network is an international project the ministry is starting this year to connect Korean entrepreneurs and investors working across the world. The ministry said it plans to step up efforts to help Korean startups expand overseas, including through high-level talks with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). Starting with the India launch, the ministry said it will broaden exchanges to major regions including the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia, aiming to build a sustainable, private-sector-led framework for international cooperation. The ministry said it chose India as the first hub for supporting Korean startups abroad, citing the country's large domestic market and strong human resources. On Sunday, the ministry said it activated a Korea-India SME cooperation working group with India's Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and signed a memorandum of understanding to build a partnership to support small and midsize companies entering India. First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok said, “If India's outstanding talent and Korea's innovative startup capabilities come together, it will create strong synergy, and we will further solidify cooperation between the two countries' startup ecosystems so that Korea's 'Entrepreneurship for All' can succeed on the global stage as well.” 2026-04-21 15:50:31

Anabuki-Backed JV to Manage Housing Complex at New Ho Chi Minh City Resort Condominium management firm Anabuki Housing Service said its Vietnam joint venture, Anabuki NL Housing Service Vietnam, in which it holds a 69% stake, signed an operations and management contract on the 18th with local company MDS for a housing complex being developed at a new resort in southern Ho Chi Minh City. The complex, LumiAn Village, is in the heart of the Dat Do resort area in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. It will include townhouses and villas and feature gated shared amenities totaling 4,000 square meters, including a swimming pool, clubhouse, restaurant, pickleball courts, a golf practice range and an outdoor theater. Anabuki NL Housing Service Vietnam began managing LumiAn Village on the 10th of this month, covering 6.3 hectares. As of now, only the clubhouse, model home and swimming pool have been completed, and the residential area will be developed later. 2026-04-21 15:49:47

Samsung Compliance Chief Urges Caution as Union Plans Rally, Strike With a large rally by a Samsung Electronics labor union set for the next day, Lee Chan-hee, chairman of Samsung’s Compliance Monitoring Committee, urged caution, saying Samsung is viewed not simply as a private company but as a “national company.” He said many people are directly and indirectly connected to the company, including shareholders and investors, and the union should act more carefully. Lee made the remarks on April 21 before a regular meeting of the committee’s fourth term at Samsung Life Insurance’s Seocho building in Seoul. He said he hopes the labor-management conflict, which Samsung is facing for the first time, will be resolved “rationally and in an exemplary way” befitting the company’s standing. Samsung Electronics and the union remain deadlocked over wage talks, including a demand to remove the cap on performance bonuses, and negotiations have been suspended. Management proposed compensation that could exceed the cap on excess profit incentive pay, or OPI, through special rewards if the Device Solutions, or DS, division that runs the semiconductor business achieves the industry’s No. 1 position in South Korea. The union is demanding distribution of 15% of operating profit. The union plans to hold a large rally on April 23 at the company’s Pyeongtaek campus in Gyeonggi province and then strike from May 21 to June 7. The union claims a strike could cause losses of 20 trillion won to 30 trillion won if it leads to disruptions such as semiconductor line shutdowns. The company has asked a court for an injunction to bar what it calls illegal labor actions, citing the possibility of unlawful acts such as occupying worksites. A decision is expected soon. On the escalating dispute, Lee said reaching agreement through dialogue is most important, adding it was regrettable that the situation left room for the matter to move into criminal procedures. He said he agrees workers’ rights should be better protected, but added that human rights among workers should also be treated as a basic right. He said the union has not entered an illegal stage so far and added the committee is monitoring the situation to prevent any crackdown or violence driven by unlawful intent. The fourth-term committee, launched in February, has strengthened expertise in labor-management issues. It appointed Kim Kyung-sun, a labor and women’s policy expert, and Lee Kyung-mook, an expert in corporate organization and human resources management, as new members. Lee said the committee reorganized its labor subcommittee into a “Labor Rights Subcommittee” to match the expanded expertise. He said it will consult with a labor-management advisory group and set the committee’s direction based on expert advice. Lee also addressed prosecutors’ recent investigation into suspected insider trading involving Samsung Electronics and Rainbow Robotics. He said it is difficult to comment because the case is under investigation, but added the committee has reviewed the matter through affiliates. Prosecutors are investigating allegations that employees engaged in insider trading during Samsung Electronics’ acquisition of a stake in Rainbow Robotics. Last month, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office’s joint financial and securities crime unit conducted searches and seizures at Samsung Electronics’ headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi province, and Rainbow Robotics’ headquarters in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Homes of employees at both companies who are subject to the probe were also included in the searches. 2026-04-21 15:48:54

Kim Sei-young Rises to No. 9 in Women’s Golf World Ranking After LA Championship Runner-Up Kim Sei-young, who finished second at the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship (total purse $3.75 million), moved up one spot in the women’s world rankings. In the rankings released April 21 (Korea time), Kim rose to No. 9 from No. 10 a week earlier. Kim led through the final day of the LA Championship, which ended April 20, but after finishing tied she lost in a playoff to Hannah Green of Australia. Im Jin-hee, who also went to the playoff and finished tied for second with Kim and Green, jumped eight places to No. 32. Yoon Ina, who posted her best finish since her LPGA Tour debut by placing fourth at the event, climbed 15 spots to No. 53. The top four were unchanged from last week: No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States, No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo and No. 4 Charley Hull of England. Green, the LA Championship winner, moved up to No. 5 from No. 8. Kim Min-sun, who won the KLPGA Tour’s Nexen·SaintNine Masters on April 19, jumped 29 places to No. 87. 2026-04-21 15:47:32

11st Launches 'Happy Family Week' Discounts for May Gift Shopping With high prices persisting, South Korean e-commerce platform 11st is rolling out a large-scale discount campaign aimed at shoppers feeling the pinch as they prepare gifts for May, a month marked by family holidays. 11st said Monday it will run its “Happy Family Week” promotion through May 8, offering special deals on gifts spanning all ages, from Children’s Day toys to Parents’ Day home appliances and budget-friendly health supplements. The event, held in collaboration with popular domestic and global brands, features price cuts, live-stream sales and exclusive free gifts, the company said. Among the headline deals, 11st will offer steep discounts on massage devices, a common gift for parents. On April 28, it will sell Bodyfriend’s healthcare robot “Legnum Robot” at a discount of more than 540,000 won off the list price. It will also bundle popular lines and official refurbished products from brands including “New Falcon” and “Da Vinci AI,” with discounts of up to 61%. For value-focused shoppers, 11st is also promoting health supplements priced in the 20,000- to 30,000-won range, including premium deer antler, black ginseng and black goat extract. Orders placed before midnight on weekdays will be delivered free the next day via its “Shooting Delivery” service, it said. Other discounted items include anti-aging cosmetics such as Sulwhasoo, luxury accessories including Louis Vuitton, and seasonal staples such as carnations and cash envelopes. For Children’s Day, 11st is partnering with Lego. It will host a Lego-themed live broadcast at noon on April 22, followed by a “Lego One-Day Big Deal” on April 23 offering up to 30% off selected sets, including Lego Harry Potter, City, Duplo and Super Mario Game Boy series products. The company is also issuing a daily first-come, first-served 4,000-won cart coupon for customers who spend at least 50,000 won in the toy category through the end of this month. During the event period running through April 26, the top spender on participating Lego items will receive a free gift valued at 250,000 won: a “Lego Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car.” “We will target the April-May gift market with ample inventory and benefits so customers can prepare gifts economically even amid high prices,” said Ko Kwang-il, head of 11st’s sales group. 2026-04-21 15:46:43

Orion to Release Four Limited-Edition BBQ Snacks With Chef Yoo Yong-wook Orion said Tuesday it will release four limited-edition “BBQ” snack products in collaboration with barbecue specialist Chef Yoo Yong-wook. The company said it designed the lineup for the outdoor season, aiming to bring the flavors of a camping and picnic staple into an easy, everyday snack format. Orion said it adapted the chef’s signature recipes into snack products. The new items add barbecue flavors to Orion’s popular snacks, including Kkobuk Chip, Yegam and Swing Chip. Orion said it tailored each recipe to the texture and shape of each product to improve overall taste. “Kkobuk Chip Barbecue & Chimichurri Sauce Flavor” includes a squeeze sauce for the first time in the Kkobuk Chip line, Orion said. The company said it combined the snack’s signature four-layer crunch with smoky notes and maple flavor to create a rich barbecue taste, then paired it with a South American-style chimichurri sauce made with herbs and vinegar that can be squeezed into the bag and mixed. “Dip Yegam” will be sold in two versions: “Chimichurri Sauce Flavor” and “Smoky Whole-Grain Sauce Flavor,” Orion said. The company said it used real meat ingredients and added barbecue seasoning. Orion said the chimichurri version emphasizes a fresh taste, while the whole-grain version highlights the texture of whole mustard seeds and a smoky aroma. “Swing Chip Barbecue Galbi Ramen Flavor” was inspired by galbi ramen, one of Yoo’s course-menu items, Orion said. The company said it designed deeper ridges than existing chips so seasoning adheres better, and added barbecue flavor along with vegetable flakes for visual appeal. Yoo Yong-wook said he focused his expertise across the process, from flavor design to seasoning and sauce development, to capture barbecue’s signature smoky aroma in a snack. He said he hopes consumers will enjoy a special food experience that brings the philosophy of Yoo Yong-wook Barbecue Lab to Orion’s popular snacks. 2026-04-21 15:45:48

Lotte Chilsung Marks 20 Years of Chum Churum Soju With Original 2006 Design Lotte Chilsung Beverage is rolling out a commemorative version of its Chum Churum soju to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary, reviving the original design used at its 2006 launch as it seeks to strengthen its position in the market. The company said Tuesday the refreshed packaging applies the early label to reinforce the brand’s heritage and to revisit the meaning of “first,” reflected in the product name. The updated label restores early visual elements such as a young bird and sprout. It also depicts the brand’s key ingredient — bedrock water from the slopes near Daegwallyeong — as a water droplet, underscoring its “smooth soju” identity. A neck label reading “20th ANNIVERSARY” has been added, and the front highlights the 16-degree alcohol mark. Lotte Chilsung Beverage lowered the alcohol content in July last year to 16 degrees from 16.5, a 0.5-degree cut, citing growing consumer demand for smoother soju. The company said it was the first change since a 2021 reduction. The product uses 100% bedrock water, adds rice-distilled spirits and blends in allulose, a natural sweetener. The company also pointed to strong results from hands-on marketing aimed at promoting its “100% bedrock water” message. The Chum Churum Brand Experience Center at its Gangneung plant has drawn more than 35,000 cumulative visitors since opening in April 2023, a company official said, with activities such as making personalized glasses and mixing soju cocktails gaining popularity through word of mouth. “Going forward, we will continue active marketing to promote the differentiated smoothness made with 100% bedrock water from Daegwallyeong,” a Lotte Chilsung Beverage official said. 2026-04-21 15:45:08

Democratic Primary Candidate Kim Han-jeong Urges End to Negative Attacks, Seeks Meeting With Choi Hyeon-deok Kim Han-jeong, a preliminary candidate in the Democratic Party’s Namyangju mayoral primary, on April 21 proposed an urgent meeting with rival preliminary candidate Choi Hyeon-deok, calling for a “one-team” primary. Speaking at an emergency news conference at his campaign office, Kim said the primary should not be a contest over “who attacks more harshly,” but a choice of “who can change Namyangju.” He said candidates should face citizens and party members with mutual respect and a contest of policies. Kim called on Choi to agree to principles of ending negative campaigning, showing mutual respect and focusing on policy, and to run a clean primary. Kim also addressed recent attacks against him. He said an “unfair smear frame” he experienced during the nomination process two years ago was being repeated in this primary, adding that it had gone beyond political criticism to the level of damaging a person’s life and reputation. He rejected claims that he was not present at an anti-martial law rally, saying that was not true. Kim said he was overseas at the time but continued efforts to publicize the unfairness of martial law to U.S. political circles, media and think tanks. Kim said he was imprisoned while fighting military dictatorship as a university student and has never left the Democratic Party since joining in 1988. He also said he was the first sitting lawmaker to declare support when Lee Jae-myung sought the Gyeonggi governor’s post. Kim laid out a development vision for Namyangju, saying concerns are growing that while new towns are expanding, older downtown areas are stagnating. He pledged balanced growth so that Wangsuk New Town and existing areas — Jinjeop, Onam, Byeollae, Hwado, Sudong, Pyeongnae and Hopyeong — can develop together.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:44:23

Law Firm YK Signs MOU With Korea Senior Vision Federation to Expand Legal Aid for Seniors and Youth Large law firm YK and the Korea Senior Vision Federation have signed a partnership agreement aimed at expanding structured public-interest legal support for seniors and youth, moving beyond one-off free consultations. According to the legal community on the 21st, the memorandum of understanding ceremony was held at YK’s main office in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Attending for YK were managing partner Kang Gyeong-hun, Kwon Soon-il, a former Supreme Court justice, and attorneys Kim Ji-hoon and Guk Go-eun. The federation was represented by Chair Cha Heung-bong, a former health and welfare minister, along with CEO Park Seong-bo, Vice Chair Park Yeong-ae and Secretary General Lee Hyeong-geol. The Korea Senior Vision Federation is a nonprofit incorporated association under the Ministry of Health and Welfare that carries out public-interest projects by drawing on the expertise of retired professionals. It operates 49 senior vocational clubs nationwide and runs programs including youth career mentoring and humanities lectures for older adults. The two sides said the agreement is intended to present a new cooperation model aligned with rising demand for corporate ESG and CSR initiatives. The plan is to combine the federation’s public-interest infrastructure with YK’s legal expertise to jointly develop social contribution programs that companies can trust and join. YK said it will provide tailored legal support across the projects, including legal education for youth on preventing school violence and cybercrime, and practical guidance for seniors on inheritance and wills and responding to voice-phishing scams. Cha said, “I am very pleased to form a meaningful partnership with the dynamically growing Law Firm YK,” adding, “At this critical time as we enter a super-aged society, if YK’s legal support is added, it will be a great help for seniors in our society to enjoy a more stable and active later life.” Kang said, “As a young law firm, YK has a firm commitment to sincerely provide practical help to our society,” and added, “We deeply sympathize with the federation’s meaningful efforts, and we will do our best to make a real contribution to protecting the legal rights and interests of its members and supporting vulnerable groups by fully leveraging an organic collaboration system.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:43:42

Singer-Actor Nana Confronts Robbery Suspect in Court, Says She Acted in Self-Defense Singer and actor Nana confronted the defendant in a robbery-and-injury case for the first time in court and showed anger. On 21, the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Court’s 1st Criminal Division, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Guk-sik, held the third trial of a man identified as A, who has been indicted in custody on charges of robbery and injury. Nana appeared as a witness. As she entered the courtroom, she addressed A, saying, “Is this fun?” She continued, “Is it fun to do something like a robbery and walk around like you want? Look me in the eye. Is it fun?” A did not avert his gaze. The court told her it could not proceed smoothly if emotions ran high, and asked her to calm down. Nana replied, “I can’t not be upset.” Testifying about the incident, Nana said she heard her mother groaning and a man breathing, and sensed danger as she went out carefully. “When I saw it, I was extremely worked up, and I thought I had to go quickly and separate my mom and that man,” she said. She said she did not imagine there would be a knife and thought she had to take it away. “From the way he was acting, I thought that because he was holding a knife, he could do anything to my mom,” she said, indicating she acted in self-defense. Nana said she resisted by grabbing the knife with both hands during the struggle. “When I swung it, he grabbed the blade with both hands. I was holding it with one hand, so I was very weak. I had no choice but to swing wherever I could see,” she said. “So I punched him in the face. He still wouldn’t let go of the knife. In the middle of that, my mom woke up and grabbed the knife too. The three of us struggled over it.” She said she managed to make him release the hand holding the knife while wearing gloves, told her mother to put the knife away, and that the defendant was shaking. She said his neck was injured and bleeding from the knife she swung, and that he told her, “I was wrong, please spare me.” She said she thought she needed to calm him down. She also testified that while trying to calm A, she mouthed to her mother to call 112. Prosecutors say A broke into Nana’s home in Acheon-dong, Guri, Gyeonggi Province, with a weapon at about 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 last year. Nana and her mother subdued him after a struggle, but Nana and her mother were injured in the process. A also claimed he was hurt while they restrained him and filed a complaint accusing Nana of attempted murder and aggravated assault. Police concluded Nana’s actions were self-defense and decided not to forward the case, citing no suspicion. Nana then filed a complaint accusing A of making a false accusation. A has acknowledged breaking into the home but claims he did not intend to commit robbery and did not have a weapon. Nana and her mother had not wanted to face A, but the court sent additional witness summonses, leading them to take the stand.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:42:19