Park Hong-geun: Criteria for High Oil Price Relief Payments to Favor Citizens Park Hong-geun, the Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, announced that if citizens who were notified they do not qualify for the high oil price relief payments file an appeal, the criteria will be adjusted favorably based on recent income and asset changes. On May 22, Park visited the Sinwol 1-dong community center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, to assess the second round of high oil price relief payments. During the visit, he stated, "Even if someone is informed they are not eligible for the payments, if there have been recent changes in income or assets, we will quickly adjust health insurance premiums and apply the criteria in a way that benefits the citizens." This visit was organized to review the status of the second round of applications and payments, which began on May 18. Park checked the application and reception counters, the operation of the system, and the availability of prepaid cards, urging local officials to ensure prompt and smooth execution of the program. Park emphasized, "In a challenging economic environment due to high oil and inflation, it is the government's fundamental role to alleviate the burden on citizens through proactive fiscal management. I understand the significant burden on local officials who are managing both the upcoming local elections and the relief payment tasks." He added, "To boost the morale of staff handling the high oil price relief payments, we have implemented an exception for overtime pay limits. We also plan to discuss additional support measures, such as special grants and rewards for outstanding local governments, with relevant ministries." After visiting the community center, Park went to the nearby Sinyeong Market to meet with merchants and hear about the difficulties faced by local businesses due to high oil prices and inflation. He expressed hope that the high oil price relief payments would help reduce the actual burden on self-employed individuals and invigorate local economies. He also stated, "Despite the tough economic situation, we will ensure that the budget for alleviating the burdens of small business owners and low-income citizens is reflected in next year's budget proposal."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:18:00

Naegohyang becomes first N. Korean club to win Asian women's football title SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club defeated Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan on Saturday to win the Asian women’s club football title. Naegohyang beat Tokyo Verdy 1-0 in the final of the 2025-26 Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) at Suwon Sports Complex, with captain Kim Kyong-yong scoring the winner in the 44th minute. The victory made Naegohyang the first North Korean team to win the tournament and will also receive $1 million in prize money. The AWCL, Asia’s top women’s club football competition, was officially launched in the 2024-25 season. Naegohyang FC reached the final after defeating South Korea’s Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semifinals at the same venue on Wednesday, also thanks to a decisive goal by Kim. The visit marked the first trip by North Korean football players to South Korea since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. It was also the first visit to South Korea by a North Korean women’s football club team. 2026-05-23 16:15:27

Hyundai Engineering Proposes 'Private Life' Concept for Apgujeong District 5 Hyundai Engineering announced on May 22 that it has proposed a 'Private Life' concept for the Apgujeong District 5, designed to allow residents to utilize community facilities in a separate space. Hyundai explained that to enhance residents' privacy, the pathways connecting the complex, buildings, and units are referred to as 'Private Sequence,' effectively isolating them from outside visitors. To access resident-only facilities, individuals must first pass through the 'Timeless Gate,' the entrance to the building. The pathways leading to the units feature amenities such as the Heritage Garden (individual gardens and water features), Signature Gallery (private gallery), Concierge Lobby (hotel-style lobby), and Hidden Botanic (a second-floor sky garden), all separated from external access. Privacy considerations extend to vertical circulation as well. Each line is designed with one elevator, and there are dedicated drop-off zones and private elevator halls for each building. In addition to open spaces, community areas operated by reservation are available in the basement of each building. These include personal healing saunas, private golf studios, personal workrooms, and private gyms and Pilates studios, allowing residents to focus on exercise, relaxation, and work without disturbances. Private studios are also offered, equipped with heating, ventilation, and security systems, designed to accommodate various lifestyles such as personal libraries, hobby spaces, and private offices. Furthermore, the proposal includes hotel-style concierge services in collaboration with The Plaza Hotel, as well as personal wealth management lounges, senior care centers, and premium healthcare lounges. The aim is to minimize external movement, enabling residents to manage their assets and health, and access concierge services within the complex. The senior care and healthcare services will be supported by a professional operating system to help residents maintain a healthier and more stable daily life. A Hyundai Engineering representative stated, “We focused not only on adding luxury facilities to Apgujeong District 5 but also on how meticulously we can protect residents' personal spaces and daily lives. We propose a new residential direction that enhances privacy alongside the symbolism and premium nature of 'Apgujeong Hyundai.'” Meanwhile, Apgujeong District 5 will be rebuilt through the reconstruction of Hanyang Apartments 1 and 2, consisting of six underground floors and 68 above-ground floors, with eight buildings and a total of 1,397 units. The reconstruction association is set to hold a general meeting on May 30 to select the construction company, deciding between Hyundai Engineering and DL E&C. The estimated construction cost is approximately 1.5 trillion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:15:24

Police Transfer Former Lawmaker Tae Yong-ho's Son to Prosecutors for $12 Million Fraud The son of former lawmaker Tae Yong-ho has been transferred to prosecutors on charges of cryptocurrency investment fraud totaling approximately 16 billion won (about $12 million). According to police on May 22, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul sent Tae's son, identified as Tae Mo, to prosecutors on May 13 while he was in custody. Police had arrested him on May 7. Tae is accused of defrauding acquaintances by promising them returns on cryptocurrency investments, leveraging his father's prominent political name. Investigations revealed that he allegedly swindled around 16 billion won from seven victims. Additionally, Tae is reported to have embezzled 300 million won from a publishing company run by his mother, author Oh Hye-sun. Born in Pyongyang, Tae followed his father, a former North Korean diplomat, abroad from a young age and defected to South Korea with him in 2016. He attended Pyongyang Medical University and later completed his studies at Korea University after their defection. In response to the fraud allegations against his son, Tae Yong-ho expressed regret during a parliamentary audit of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in 2024, stating, "I apologize for causing social controversy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:12:38

LS Electric Chairman Gu Ja-kyun: We Must Exceed Customer Expectations LS Electric Chairman Gu Ja-kyun emphasized that the company must go beyond merely meeting customer expectations. He conducted an on-site inspection of the switchgear production line and smart factory to assess quality control. During his visit to the Cheongju plant in North Chungcheong Province on May 22, Gu stated, "The hyper-scale data center market led by the U.S. does not allow for any margin of error in next-generation power grids, such as direct current (DC) distribution. High-end quality and impeccable delivery responsiveness are essential." This visit marks a strategic move to secure a competitive edge in the core production hub for global big tech data center distribution solutions. Gu further added, "We must not only satisfy customer standards but also overwhelm global partners with our advanced smart manufacturing capabilities." The Cheongju plant serves as LS Electric's production base for power equipment and systems, featuring a fully automated smart factory. In 2021, it was recognized as a 'Global Lighthouse Factory' by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Gu expressed a strong commitment to achieving unparalleled technological innovation through bold preemptive investments. He noted, "The massive transition in the global power market presents an opportunity we cannot miss. We must secure unique technological capabilities that exceed our partners' expectations." In meetings with on-site workers and labor union representatives, he stressed the importance of labor-management harmony as a prerequisite for growth. Gu stated, "Without the dedication of employees who protect the site, we cannot achieve our dream of being number one globally. Labor and management must become a united team to ride the wave of advancement together." Following Gu's on-site management, LS Electric plans to accelerate proactive production line expansions and technological innovations to meet the growing demand for power equipment in North America. An LS Electric official remarked, "We will strengthen our trust with major big tech partners based on our manufacturing competitiveness and product reliability, aiming to simultaneously expand our market share and maximize profitability in overseas markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:10:08

South Korea's Ministry of Trade Accelerates AI Adoption with New Expert Hires The Ministry of Trade is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in its internal administrative processes by hiring private sector experts dedicated to planning and implementing AI initiatives. On May 22, the ministry launched an AI Innovation Advisory Group composed of external experts and held its first kickoff meeting. The ministry aims to promote AI transformation (AX) to create an efficient industrial and trade work environment, focusing on building AI governance, introducing customized AI services, and enhancing the AI capabilities of its staff. While the government has recently intensified its AX efforts, security concerns have posed significant limitations. To address this, the Ministry of Trade plans to hire private sector experts to oversee the planning and execution of AI governance. This move is interpreted as a step toward establishing an organizational framework for AI innovation. Additionally, the ministry will form and operate an AI Pioneer Group consisting of practical staff members leading AI innovation. Regular meetings of the advisory group will be held to explore ways to expand AI adoption. Considering the separation between internal administrative networks and external internet networks, the ministry will set up a private AI portal that provides the latest AI models and services used by private institutions on the external network. On the internal network, the ministry plans to introduce the intelligent work management platform, OnAI, which will be gradually distributed by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in the first half of the year. Starting next year, the ministry will also pursue the development of an AI platform tailored to its specific functions, including industry and resources, trade, standards, and certification. To enhance the AI capabilities of its internal staff, the ministry will regularly hold practical AI training sessions and lectures by external experts to improve employees' understanding and skills in utilizing AI. Oh Seung-cheol, head of the Planning and Coordination Office at the Ministry of Trade, stated, "To enhance productivity and innovate work methods, it is essential to expand AI functionalities centered around internal employees, increasing their participation and utilization. We aim to create an AI work environment that ultimately improves the quality of services for citizens and businesses."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:07:32

Emro Unveils Agentic AI at Global Supply Chain Event to Target Procurement Automation Market Software company Emro is accelerating its global market strategy by showcasing agentic artificial intelligence (AI)-based procurement automation technology at the world's largest supply chain event. Emro announced on May 22 that it participated in the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium & Expo held in Orlando, Florida, and Barcelona, Spain, where it presented AI-driven procurement innovations and its SRM software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, Cadencia. The event attracted around 5,000 supply chain executives from major global companies and over 180 supply chain solution providers. Emro has participated for three consecutive years, aiming to secure a global client base. Amid increasing supply chain uncertainties and cost pressures in the global manufacturing sector, there is a growing demand for automating procurement processes with AI. Emro is focusing on enhancing its agentic AI-based supply chain automation technology in line with this trend. At this year's event, Emro introduced features that automate the entire direct procurement process, from product design to raw material sourcing and settlement, under the theme of "Accelerating Direct Procurement Processes Using AI Technology." The AI-based bill of materials (BOM) management feature garnered significant interest from local companies. Cadencia digitizes complex BOM data and applies agentic AI throughout the new product introduction (NPI) process, supporting real-time change management, cost optimization by component, and quality verification. A demonstration of the automated procurement process using AI agents was also conducted. When a procurement officer inputs requests in natural language into the AI workspace, the AI agent automatically handles the entire process, from drafting purchase requests (PR) and request for proposals (RFx) to recommending suppliers and issuing purchase orders (PO). Emro expects this technology will enhance the speed and efficiency of procurement operations. An Emro representative stated, "According to Gartner, the agentic AI-based supply chain management software market is projected to grow to $53 billion by 2030. We aim to connect the global customer demand identified at the event to actual references, strengthening our leadership in the global market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:06:00

Over 80% of Diabetic Patients in Their 30s in South Korea Are Obese More than 80% of diabetic patients in their 30s in South Korea are reported to be obese. This shift from the previously prevalent 'thin diabetes' to 'obesity-related diabetes' in recent years indicates a concerning trend. Experts emphasize the growing need for integrated treatment that combines blood sugar management with weight loss. Kangbuk Samsung Hospital announced on May 22 that a research team led by Professor Park Se-eun from the Department of Endocrinology published an analysis of the current state of diabetes in South Korea in the March 2026 issue of the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. The research team conducted a detailed examination of obesity among adult diabetes patients based on the Diabetes Fact Sheet 2025. The findings revealed that 52.4% of adult diabetes patients in South Korea are obese (with a BMI of 25 or higher). The obesity rate was particularly high among younger patients, with 81.3% of those in their 30s and 76.7% in their 40s classified as obese. This is more than double the obesity prevalence of 38.3% among diabetes patients aged 65 and older. Abdominal obesity is also a significant concern. Among all adult diabetes patients, 61.1% were found to have abdominal obesity, with rates of 78.4% in patients in their 30s and 73.1% in those in their 40s. Abdominal obesity is known to increase insulin resistance, complicating blood sugar control and raising the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease. Professor Park stated, "The increase in young diabetes patients can be attributed to a Westernized diet and decreased physical activity leading to obesity. When obesity-related diabetes begins at a young age, the duration of exposure to complications can be longer and more severe." He further emphasized that integrated treatment, which addresses both blood sugar levels and weight loss, is essential. As the trend of diabetes combining with obesity becomes more pronounced among younger populations, treatment paradigms are shifting. Approaches that manage not only blood sugar but also weight, dietary habits, exercise, and metabolic disorders are expected to gain importance in the future. Meanwhile, the obesity treatment market is rapidly expanding. According to global healthcare market research firm IQVIA, the global obesity treatment market, valued at approximately $30 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $200 billion by 2030. The domestic market is also experiencing rapid growth, recording a 51% increase in the first half of last year compared to the same period the previous year, reaching a size of 270 billion won. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:03:29

Minister Kim Yoon-deok Inspects GTX Samsung Station Construction Site for Rebar Issues Minister Kim Yoon-deok of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport directed a thorough investigation into the cause of rebar omissions at the GTX Samsung Station construction site. The ministry reported that Kim visited the construction site of the underground complex development project on Yeongdong-daero in Seoul on the morning of May 22 to inspect the area where construction errors occurred. This site is part of the underground complex development project being implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The 1-kilometer section of the GTX Samsung Station is being constructed under the supervision of the Korea National Railway Corporation, which has been entrusted by the city. The Seoul government commissioned the construction project. Following the formation of a special inspection team on May 18, the ministry expanded it into a government joint inspection team starting May 21. The team plans to focus on the overall construction project, examining safety conditions, construction practices, quality control, and project management. After receiving a report on the construction status and reinforcement plans, Minister Kim confirmed the safety management practices at the site where the construction errors occurred and the follow-up measures taken. Kim stated, "The occurrence of rebar omissions in the GTX line, which residents in the metropolitan area will use daily, is a very serious matter directly related to public safety." He emphasized the need to thoroughly identify the causes of construction deficiencies and to ensure that no safety issues remain by verifying reinforcement measures. Kim also instructed that all necessary reinforcement measures should be considered based on the inspection results. Meanwhile, the issue of rebar omissions at GTX Samsung Station has sparked controversy over the adequacy of construction management and reporting systems. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety decided to include not only the section where construction errors were confirmed but also all facilities under construction along Yeongdong-daero in the inspection scope. Private experts and related agencies will also participate in the inspections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 16:00:42

Lee pays respects to former President Roh in Bongha Village SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung attended a memorial ceremony for former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on Saturday. Lee made the remarks marking the 17th anniversary of Roh’s death, saying he would push ahead with reforms regardless of pushback from vested interests. “Beyond mourning you, I now feel the heavy responsibility and weight as president of the Republic of Korea, and I seek to carry on your will,” Lee said. Referring to the Oct. 4 South-North Summit Declaration, which included efforts toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace regime, Lee said he would continue Roh’s vision. “I will steadily walk the path of peaceful coexistence and shared growth, inheriting the will of the president who turned the line of division into a path of peace and achieved the declaration,” Lee said. Lee said Roh envisioned a Korea where no one is driven to give up on life over making a living, and where people are treated with dignity. Lee also drew applause when he said, “After you left us, countless Roh Moo-hyuns were born again on this land. I am one of them.” It marked Lee’s first attendance at Roh’s memorial ceremony as a sitting president. Lee, who took office in June last year, attended the ceremony on May 23 last year as a presidential candidate. 2026-05-23 15:59:20