Asian Constitutional Experts Gather in Seoul to Discuss Future of Constitutional Jurisprudence Constitutional experts from across Asia are convening in Seoul to share insights on constitutional values and judicial experiences in response to rapidly changing societal dynamics. On May 18, the Asian Constitutional Court Union (AACC) announced that it is hosting the "5th International Conference of Researchers" from today until May 21. The conference, themed "Recent Trends and Issues in Constitutional Law," aims to reflect on the constitutional journeys of various countries amid the global changes since 2018. Particularly, the event will address the implications of constitutional amendments and key rulings experienced by different nations in light of various issues such as the pandemic, technological advancements, and social conflicts, providing a platform for sharing concrete legislative achievements. The agenda includes three sessions and a comprehensive session. The first session, held immediately after the opening ceremony on May 19, will focus on "Constitutional Amendments Since 2018," followed by the second and third sessions, which will cover "Major Constitutional Court Rulings" and "Key Legislative Developments," respectively, featuring in-depth presentations and discussions from member institutions. Around 40 experts, including judges and researchers from the 15 member institutions of the AACC, as well as invited guests, will participate to strengthen the unity of the Asian constitutional community. Since hosting the AACC Research Office in 2017, the Constitutional Court has played a pivotal role as a hub for Asian constitutional jurisprudence by alternating the hosting of international conferences for judges and researchers every two years. A court official stated, "Through this conference, we aim to share South Korea's experiences as a leading institution in global constitutional jurisprudence with countries in Asia and contribute to the promotion of human rights and the advancement of democracy in the region."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:47:11

Kolmar Group Reaffirms Commitment to Compliance Management on 36th Anniversary Starting with just four employees, Kolmar Group has reached the status of a large business group after 36 years, reaffirming its commitment to compliance management on its anniversary. The event served as a reminder for all employees of the increased social responsibilities that come with the company's growth. According to Kolmar Group, Kolmar Holdings and Korea Kolmar held their '4th Compliance Day' events on May 14 at the Korea Kolmar Comprehensive Technology Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and at the Sejong plant in Jeonui-myeon, Sejong City, respectively. They designated May 15, their founding anniversary, as 'Compliance Day' and have held annual commemorative events since 2023. This year's event aimed to establish a culture of compliance programs (CP) within the group and enhance employees' awareness of legal compliance. Prior to the event, both companies conducted an ethics management pledge campaign involving all employees across their business sites. Notably, this year featured various experiential programs. Kolmar Holdings organized a 'CP Contest' for employees, inviting them to create slogans centered on compliance culture. This contest was held for the first time this year, with Vice Chairman Yoon Sang-hyun personally presenting awards to the winners. Korea Kolmar designated May 11 to 14 as 'Compliance Week,' offering both online and offline programs. Events such as 'Compliance MBTI' and 'Compliance Case Judgment Challenge' encouraged employee participation, and five employees recognized for their exemplary compliance practices received awards. On April 29, Kolmar Group became the first cosmetics original design manufacturer (ODM) to be designated as a large business group by the Fair Trade Commission, marking a significant milestone since its founding by Chairman Yoon Dong-han with four employees in 1990. As of the end of last year, Kolmar Group's total assets amounted to 5.2428 trillion won, meeting the asset criteria for large business groups. By subsidiary, Korea Kolmar reported 1.529 trillion won, HK Inno.N 2.0969 trillion won, Kolmar Holdings 546.1 billion won, and Kolmar B&H 520.6 billion won. Kolmar Group has diversified its business from cosmetics into pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and health supplements, achieving growth through global expansion. Last year, Korea Kolmar recorded consolidated sales of 2.7224 trillion won and an operating profit of 239.6 billion won, marking double-digit growth and the highest performance in its history. Vice Chairman Yoon stated, "The compliance program is a core competitiveness that influences corporate value and trust. We will continue to enhance our compliance system at the group level to meet the heightened social responsibilities and expectations following our designation as a large business group." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:44:13

Lotte Home Shopping Launches First Dedicated App for ChatGPT Shopping Lotte Home Shopping has launched the first dedicated shopping application within the generative AI platform ChatGPT, allowing users to search and purchase products in one seamless experience. The company has accelerated its transition to AI commerce by introducing a virtual human host named 'Lucy' and an in-house AI chatbot called 'Belly Gunggeumi.' This new app leverages the convenience of conversational AI. On May 18, Lotte Home Shopping announced the release of its dedicated app that can be accessed directly within ChatGPT. The key feature is that users can utilize Lotte Home Shopping's services through conversation without needing to install a separate app or visit a website. Using the app is straightforward. Users simply select 'Apps' from the ChatGPT menu, search for Lotte Home Shopping, and start chatting. They can ask everyday questions such as, "What are today's broadcast programs?" "When is the kitchenware broadcast?" or "What discounts are available this month?" to receive immediate responses. The app is linked to Lotte Home Shopping's actual shopping data, providing personalized product recommendations and broadcast information, with suggested items directly connected to purchase links. Previously, users had to navigate categories or input search terms to find desired products in existing home shopping apps. This new service replaces that process with conversational queries, reducing search time and allowing users to compare products and check benefits all on one screen, enhancing convenience. Earlier, several Lotte affiliates, including Lotte Department Store and Lotte On, had also launched dedicated apps connecting their services to ChatGPT.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:41:17

Netanyahu: Mission to Eliminate Key Hamas Planners Nearly Complete Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the mission to eliminate the key planners behind Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, is nearing completion. His remarks followed an Israeli military announcement that a Hamas military commander had been killed in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. On May 17, during a weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated, "I promise to eliminate those who designed the massacre and hostage-taking, and we are very close to completing this mission." He referred to the deceased commander, Ezzedin al-Haddad, as a "despicable terrorist." The Israeli military previously reported that al-Haddad was killed in airstrikes on May 15. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, Israel has continued operations targeting the political and military leadership of the group. Israel has also claimed to have eliminated Yahya Sinwar, identified as a key architect of the October 7 attack, along with Muhammad Deif, a long-time leader of Hamas's military wing. According to AFP, the attack resulted in 1,221 deaths in Israel. Netanyahu also addressed the extent of Israeli military control in the Gaza Strip, stating, "The Israeli military currently controls 60% of the Gaza Strip." This aligns with recent reports indicating that Israeli forces have advanced toward a newly established operational boundary known as the "Orange Line." Israel and Hamas entered a ceasefire, mediated by the United States, on October 10 of the previous year. Under the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces were to withdraw to the so-called "Yellow Line," but even then, over 50% of the Gaza Strip would remain under Israeli control. Netanyahu's statement about 60% control suggests that the operational scope of Israeli forces may have expanded beyond the agreed withdrawal line. Netanyahu emphasized, "We are pressuring Hamas," adding, "Our mission is to ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel." The humanitarian toll in the Gaza Strip has also risen significantly. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is governed by Hamas, over 72,700 people have died as a result of Israeli military operations since October 2023, with the majority of casualties being civilians. The United Nations considers the Gaza Health Ministry's statistics to be reliable data.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:39:38

LS Shares Surge 13% Following Major U.S. Contract Win LS is experiencing a strong performance in the market, driven by expectations of improved results from its major subsidiaries and news of significant contracts within its group of wire and cable affiliates. As of 1:30 PM on May 18, LS shares were trading at 537,000 won, up 64,500 won (13.65%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange. The surge in stock price is attributed to upward revisions of target prices by analysts and growth expectations for the group’s affiliates. LS's subsidiary, Gaon Cable, announced that it has signed a long-term contract with a major U.S. tech company through its U.S. entity, LSCUS, to supply bus ducts for data centers until 2030. The contract is valued at over 4 trillion won, marking the largest order in the history of the domestic wire and power equipment industry. Under this agreement, bus ducts produced at LS Cable's Gumi plant will be prioritized for supply, with plans to expand distribution through its Mexican subsidiary and Gaon Cable's Jeonju plant in the future. Market analysts are increasingly optimistic that the expansion of AI data centers will lead to greater investments in power infrastructure, serving as a long-term growth driver for LS Group's wire and cable affiliates. Additionally, Daishin Securities raised its target price for LS by 37% to 630,000 won, citing structural improvements in the performance of its major subsidiaries. The firm maintained a 'buy' rating. Analyst Heo Min-ho noted, "LS's first-quarter revenue reached 9.5 trillion won, with operating profit of 476.1 billion won, significantly exceeding market expectations. The profit increases from key subsidiaries such as LS Cable, LS MnM, LS ELECTRIC, and LS I&D are the main factors behind this growth." Particularly, expectations for LS Cable's expansion in the submarine cable business have been highlighted. Heo stated, "The selective order volume centered on high-value underground and submarine cables is being reflected in sales this year. Starting from the fourth quarter, revenue recognition for HVDC submarine cables for export to Europe will begin, leading to an expansion in performance." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:30:21

Lee attends memorial for Gwangju democratic uprising SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung attended a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising in the southwestern city on Monday. The ceremony was held at the square of the former provincial office in Gwangju to remember those who rose up against military dictatorship to defend democracy 46 years ago and to comfort their bereaved families. The square, which officially reopened the same day after years of restoration work that began in 2019, is located at a historic site where young students, civilians, and other protesters held rallies for democracy against the late former President Chun Doo-hwan, who sent troops to suppress the uprising. In a speech, Lee said, "The great people of stopped martial law forces with their bare hands in 2024, just as the citizens of Gwangju did in May 1980," referring to the botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law by former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was later ousted from office after the debacle. He also said the uprising should be written into the Constitution to ensure its spirit is remembered for future generations. The ceremony was attended by roughly 3,000 people including government officials and the families of those who died in the brutal crackdown. Before the ceremony, Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung paid their respects at the May 18th National Cemetery. 2026-05-18 14:29:40

Samsung Bioepis Releases Patient Data on Adaloche, Highlights Quality of Life Improvements Samsung Bioepis has publicly released clinical data on its biosimilar Adaloche for autoimmune diseases for the first time. The data indicates improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among domestic patients, with a safety profile comparable to existing products, confirming the potential for stable disease management. Samsung Bioepis participated in the International Congress of the Korean Rheumatism Association (KCR 2026), held from May 14 to 16 at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, where it presented two studies on the therapeutic effects and safety of Adaloche. Adaloche is a biosimilar of adalimumab, used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The studies are significant as they are based on observational and post-marketing surveillance (PMS) data from patients prescribed the drug in real-world settings. In an observational study involving 488 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, the health-related quality of life indicator (EQ-5D-5L) improved by an average of 0.09 points after 52 weeks of Adaloche treatment. Additionally, patients' self-assessed health status, measured by the EQ-VAS score, improved by 11.9 points. This suggests that Adaloche contributes not only to reducing disease activity but also to enhancing daily functioning and subjective well-being. Samsung Bioepis also released results from a post-marketing surveillance study involving 303 patients across all approved treatment indications for Adaloche. The study found an adverse event rate of 29.7% and a serious adverse event rate of 2.6%, which the company stated is consistent with safety results observed in previous clinical trials. A representative from Samsung Bioepis noted, "We plan to expand data collection for other autoimmune disease indications in the future." In the first quarter of this year, Samsung Bioepis reported revenues of 454.9 billion won and an operating profit of 144 billion won, marking increases of 13.6% and 12.6%, respectively, compared to the same period last year, achieving the highest quarterly revenue in its history. Buoyed by Samsung Bioepis's strong performance, its parent company, Samsung Epics Holdings, reported consolidated revenues of 453.9 billion won and an operating profit of 90.5 billion won, recovering from an operating loss of 63.6 billion won in November and December of last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:27:23

Celltrion Maintains 60% Market Share in Japan with Begzelma, Prepares for Omilclo Launch Celltrion is strengthening its presence in the Japanese biosimilar market. The company’s drug Begzelma (active ingredient: bevacizumab), used for treating metastatic colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, has secured over 60% market share in Japan. With the upcoming launch of Omilclo (active ingredient: omalizumab) in the second half of the year, the expansion of its local portfolio is expected to accelerate.According to market research firm IQVIA and local data released on May 18, Begzelma achieved a 64% market share (based on prescriptions) in March. This marks a significant increase from 50% in September of the previous year, representing a rise of over 14% in just six months.Begzelma has successfully overcome its status as a latecomer to become the leading product in Japan, quickly gaining market share since its launch at the end of 2022, surpassing five competing products, including the original.Celltrion's success in Japan is closely tied to the local healthcare system, where the use of cost-effective biosimilars benefits hospitals, patients, and the government alike. Other key products such as Herzuma, Remsima, and Uplizna are also performing well in the market.The company’s financial results support this growth. In the first quarter of this year, Celltrion reported record sales of 1.145 trillion won and an operating profit of 321.9 billion won, raising expectations for annual sales to exceed 5 trillion won.Industry observers are keenly watching whether Celltrion can expand its successful oncology model into autoimmune diseases in Japan. If Omilclo and the future launch of Remsima SC are successful, Japan is likely to become a key growth area for Celltrion.Celltrion's market influence is expected to grow further. Omilclo, which received product approval from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in March, is being prepared for launch in the second half of the year. Additionally, the world’s only subcutaneous formulation of infliximab, Remsima SC, is also planned for entry into the Japanese market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:24:55

Real Estate Project Financing Fees Reduced as Financial Supervisory Service Acts The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has reported significant improvements in the management of fees related to real estate project financing (PF). Following a review, the number of fee categories has been consolidated from a peak of 32 to just 11, and penalties and extension fees have been reduced to zero.On May 18, the FSS held a meeting in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with representatives from financial companies and associations to discuss the findings of this review and necessary improvements.The review targeted 17 financial companies, particularly those with high volumes of new PF transactions, to assess the effectiveness of the 'Best Practices for Real Estate PF Fees' introduced in January of last year.The results indicated that most financial institutions are now operating in accordance with these best practices. Since the implementation of the guidelines in January 2025, the number of fees associated with new and extended real estate development projects has decreased significantly.Previously, the FSS had introduced guidelines that limited the imposition of fees to those directly related to service performance. The amount collected from penalty fees for new PF transactions, which had reached 6.4 billion won in 2024, has dropped to zero since February of last year. Similarly, extension fees, which totaled 9.3 billion won in 2024, have not been collected since February 2025.Additionally, 100% of the companies reviewed have incorporated the PF fee guidelines into their internal regulations. The rates for preparing and distributing service execution plans were 88%, while the rates for preparing and distributing final reports were 82%. The establishment of separate internal control standards for PF fees was reported at 76%, and measures to prevent unfair business practices were noted at 88%.However, some financial institutions were found to have shortcomings. Instances were noted where fees of a nature permitted under the guidelines were still being charged under their previous names, such as asset management fees and private bond underwriting fees. There were also cases of formal compliance with the preparation of service execution plans and final reports, and deficiencies in internal control mechanisms for verifying the appropriateness of PF fees and preventing conflicts of interest among employees.The FSS plans to continue monitoring the appropriateness of PF fee operations and risk management systems among financial companies.Kim Wook-bae, Deputy Director of Consumer Protection at the FSS, emphasized the importance of rational fee management to enhance fairness, transparency, and trust in real estate PF financing. He urged companies to ensure that the best practices are effectively integrated through regular employee training and the refinement of internal control procedures.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 14:22:50

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan expand bilateral trade and transport networks SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - Bilateral trade and transport volumes between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are surging following the introduction of a free trade regime between the two nations, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said Monday. Total trade turnover reached 80.1 million dollars in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 42.5 percent increase from the same period last year. The economic expansion is driven by established intergovernmental platforms, including a joint commission that held its 14th meeting in Baku in June 2025. These institutional ties, alongside a regional business council established in 2020 and upcoming regional forums, have facilitated a diversification of goods and strengthened logistics chains connecting the two economies. Full-year trade turnover for 2025 totaled 307.3 million dollars, representing a 14.6 percent rise from the previous year. Exports from Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan grew by 7.8 percent to 227.3 million dollars, while imports from Azerbaijan surged 39.3 percent to 80 million dollars. Uzbekistan expanded its exports across 230 product categories last year, observing strong growth in tobacco products, copper wire, grapes, nuts, household appliances, and petroleum products. The country also introduced 116 new export categories valued at 7.8 million dollars, while importing industrial resources like sugar, aluminum, and metal pipes from Azerbaijan. This trade growth relies on expanding logistics infrastructure across rail, road, and air networks. Total cargo transportation volume between the two countries reached 154,300 tons in 2025, an increase of 28.3 percent, with transit cargo operations growing 1.4 times over the same period. The logistical expansion has accelerated into the current year, with first-quarter cargo volumes in 2026 rising by 88 percent to reach 58,700 tons. The two nations currently maintain transport connectivity through 14 regular weekly flights operating on the route between Tashkent and Baku. 2026-05-18 14:21:07