Operator of Illegal Filming Site AVMOV Arrested Amid Flight Risk Concerns Authorities have arrested a key operator of the online site AVMOV, which distributed illegal filming materials targeting families and couples.According to Yonhap News on May 13, the Suwon District Court issued an arrest warrant for a man in his 40s, identified as A, who faces charges under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes and the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth from Sexual Abuse. The court cited concerns over potential flight and evidence destruction as reasons for the warrant.A is accused of posting a large volume of illegal filming materials on the AVMOV site and profiting from these crimes.On May 11, the Cyber Investigation Division of the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency arrested A and another suspect, B, at Incheon International Airport as they were returning to South Korea. The two had fled to Thailand after the police investigation began but reportedly expressed their intention to return after diplomatic measures, including the invalidation of their passports, were taken against them. While the police applied for arrest warrants for both A and B, only A's warrant was approved.The Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency had detected the AVMOV site during its monitoring efforts in December of the previous year and subsequently launched an investigation. They identified A, B, and seven other suspects associated with the site, all facing charges under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. Evidence, including computers, has been seized from five of the suspects' residences for analysis, and further investigations are planned for another suspect. One individual remains at large abroad, and police are tracking them through diplomatic channels.Following the news of the arrests, President Lee Jae-myung warned on May 12 via his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "Even if they hide overseas, we will forcibly repatriate them and ensure they face severe punishment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 21:07:04

SK Networks Reports 102% Increase in Q1 Operating Profit SK Networks announced on May 13 that its consolidated operating profit for the first quarter of this year reached 33.35 billion won, marking a 102.4% increase compared to the same period last year. The company reported first-quarter revenue of 1.74 trillion won, a 6.5% increase, while its net profit turned positive at 427 billion won. Compared to the previous quarter, revenue rose by 7.7%, and operating profit surged by 651.7%. Additionally, SK Networks completed a transaction with Anchor Equity Partners regarding a change in share structure for SK Eleclink, continuing its efforts to optimize its business structure by divesting non-core assets. Earlier in March, SK Networks signed a contract to transfer 90% of its subsidiary Mintit for 45 billion won to T&K Private Equity, and in 2024, it plans to sell its entire stake in SK Rent-a-Car for 820 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 20:54:41

Police Raid National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Over Alleged Legal Fee Payments Police have launched a raid on the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) amid allegations that it covered legal fees for its employees. According to Yonhap News on May 13, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police conducted searches at the NACF's compliance support department in Jung-gu, Seoul. Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs discovered during a comprehensive audit that 320 million won (approximately $240,000) of public funds were allegedly used to pay for legal fees related to a personal criminal case involving an employee identified as A. The ministry referred the case to the police for investigation in January. The raid is reportedly unrelated to ongoing investigations into NACF Chairman Kang Ho-dong, who has been under scrutiny for alleged bribery since September of last year. Police have yet to reach a conclusion in that case after nearly eight months of investigation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 20:36:42

Taiwan Conducts Live-Fire Drills Near China Ahead of Trump’s Beijing Visit Taiwan conducted large-scale live-fire drills on a frontline island as U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Yonhap News on May 13, Taiwan's United Daily News reported that the Taiwan Army's Kinmen Defense Command carried out extensive live-fire exercises early that morning along the coast of Kinmen, the island closest to China. The drills simulated a potential landing invasion by the People's Liberation Army, utilizing artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons to establish overlapping fire networks along the coastline to thwart enemy landing operations. Notably, this exercise marked the first live-fire use of two U.S.-made Javelin anti-tank missiles stationed in Kinmen. The United Daily News quoted Taiwan's military authorities stating, "The exercise aimed to attack enemy landing infantry and armored vehicle targets at sea using Javelin missiles while providing cover for armored units advancing to the beachhead." Participants included the Kinmen Defense Brigade, artillery battalions, support units, and amphibious reconnaissance teams, with training also focused on target detection, battlefield management, and real-time information sharing using drones and tactical command systems. In the latter part of the drills, M60A3 tanks and CM21 armored vehicles were deployed to simulate combat scenarios to repel enemy forces attempting to land. The timing of these exercises coincided with President Trump's state visit to Beijing, where he arrived that evening. He is scheduled to meet with President Xi at least six times over the course of May 14 and 15 to discuss key issues including economic, trade, and security matters. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since their encounter in Busan, South Korea, last October, and the first meeting in Beijing since Trump’s first term in November 2017. Prior to his departure, Trump indicated at the White House that he would discuss the Taiwan issue with Xi, suggesting that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could be on the negotiation table.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 20:28:03

SoftBank Group Reports Record Annual Profit of 5 Trillion Yen SoftBank Group (SBG), led by Chairman Masayoshi Son, reported a record net profit of 5.02 trillion yen (approximately $47.2 billion) for the previous year, marking the largest profit ever recorded by a Japanese company. According to a financial statement released by SBG on May 13, the net profit represents a 4.3-fold increase compared to the previous year. The surge in profit was driven by the rising valuation of OpenAI, in which SBG has invested through its Vision Fund. SBG's investment gains from OpenAI amounted to 6.73 trillion yen (about $63.6 billion). As of the end of March, SBG had invested a total of $34.6 billion (approximately 51.5 trillion won) in OpenAI. The investment gains from the Vision Fund reached 6.99 trillion yen (around $66 billion), a 16-fold increase from the same period last year. Additionally, SBG generated $2.3 billion (approximately 3.4 trillion won) in investment returns from its subsidiary PayPay, which went public on the Nasdaq in March. SBG's total revenue for the past year was 7.80 trillion yen (about $73.6 billion), reflecting a 7.7% increase. However, due to significant investments in OpenAI, SBG reported an investment cash flow deficit exceeding 4 trillion yen (around $38 billion) in the fourth quarter of last year. Looking ahead, SBG is reportedly planning to secure substantial loans for additional investments in OpenAI and to acquire the robotics business of Swiss multinational ABB in the 2026 fiscal year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:57:50

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to Host Dinner with Democratic Party Leadership Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will host a dinner with the leadership of the Democratic Party on May 19. According to Yonhap News on May 13, Kim will meet with Democratic Party floor leader Han Byeong-do and other party leaders at the Prime Minister's residence in Seoul. The dinner was arranged at the request of the party's leadership, and 18 members, including Han and the chief deputy floor leader, are expected to attend.Previously, Kim held dinners with lawmakers from both parties on May 11 and 12. Another meal is scheduled for May 14.These series of dinner meetings are seen as an effort by Kim to urge lawmakers to expedite legislative cooperation. During the eighth high-level government-party meeting on April 22, Kim noted, "There are still significant key bills that have not yet passed through the National Assembly, which need to be addressed within the first half of the year," and requested active cooperation from the assembly.Some analysts suggest that Kim, who is rumored to be considering a bid for the party leadership, is expanding his interactions with lawmakers ahead of the party's convention in August. It is speculated that he may step down from his role as Prime Minister after the June 3 local elections to formally pursue the party leadership position.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:47:25

IEA Warns of Global Oil Supply Shortage by Year-End Amid Middle East Conflict As U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations remain stalled and tensions escalate, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that global oil supply will fall short of total demand this year due to the ongoing conflict. According to a report released by the IEA on May 13, global oil demand is expected to reach 100.4 million barrels per day in 2026. This figure is 1.3 million barrels per day lower than the levels recorded before the outbreak of war following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February.The IEA forecasts that if tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resumes gradually starting in June, global oil supply will be around 100.2 million barrels per day, indicating a shortfall of 1.8 million barrels per day compared to demand. In January and February, prior to the conflict, oil supply was approximately 107 million barrels per day.The agency also reported that global oil supply in April was recorded at 95.1 million barrels per day, resulting in a cumulative decrease of 12.8 million barrels per day since February. This decline is attributed to a reduction of 14.4 million barrels per day in oil production from countries affected by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.According to preliminary data from the IEA, global observed crude oil inventories fell by 129 million barrels in March and an additional 117 million barrels last month. Disruptions in maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz led to a decrease of 170 million barrels in land-based inventories, while maritime inventories increased by 53 million barrels.As IEA member countries release strategic reserves in response to the energy crisis, land-based inventories in OECD countries have plummeted by 146 million barrels, while non-OECD countries saw a relatively smaller decrease of 24 million barrels.Furthermore, the IEA noted that cumulative supply losses from Gulf oil-producing countries due to restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have already surpassed 1 billion barrels, with current production halts exceeding 14 million barrels per day. However, the agency assessed that the market was already in a state of oversupply before the crisis began, and both producers and consumers are responding to market signals, which has significantly narrowed the current supply-demand gap.The IEA stated, "If an agreement is reached to end the war and oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz gradually resumes in the third quarter, demand could begin to rise again by the end of the year," but cautioned that the pace of supply recovery is expected to be slow, predicting that the oil market will remain in a state of supply shortage through the final quarter of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:46:40

Democratic Party to File Complaint Against Kim Jae-seop Over Allegations Against Candidate Jeong Won-o The Democratic Party plans to file a complaint against Kim Jae-seop, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, for allegedly spreading false information regarding Jeong Won-o, the party's candidate for Seoul mayor. According to Yonhap News on May 13, Jeong's camp announced that they would report Kim for violating the Public Official Election Act by disseminating false information intended to undermine Jeong's candidacy. In their statement, Jeong's team argued that Kim's claims were based on a transcript from a Yangcheon District Council meeting in October 1995, stating, "The transcript merely records the words of the meeting attendees and cannot be considered objective evidence." They labeled Kim's assertions as blatant falsehoods. They further contended, "Kim's claims merely repeat unfounded statements made by an independent council member nine days after the incident occurred." Regarding Kim's assertion that the council member who raised the issue was independent, Jeong's camp responded, "This is an attempt to cover up the truth. While independent council members were not subject to party nominations at the time, it is a fact that the council member was affiliated with the Democratic Liberal Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party." They added, "Kim continues to engage in negative campaigning based on false information. While Jeong Won-o's campaign will compete on policy grounds to earn the rightful evaluation of Seoul citizens, we will take strong action against clear falsehoods." Meanwhile, Kim Jae-seop held a press conference earlier that day, alleging that Jeong's explanation for a past altercation related to differing views on the May 18 Democratic Uprising was a lie. He presented the council meeting transcript, claiming it detailed an incident where Jeong assaulted two citizens and a police officer while trying to coerce a cafe owner into allowing an overnight stay with a female employee. He urged Jeong to come forward and clarify the situation honestly. Jeong was convicted in 1995 for assaulting two citizens and two police officers while drinking at a cafe in Yangcheon District, where he was serving as a secretary to the Yangcheon District Mayor at the time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:45:00

Samsung Electronics Revamps TV Division Under Lee Won-jin's Leadership Samsung Electronics' Video Display (VD) Division is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting its focus from traditional TV operations to software and platform services. This move comes just a week after Lee Won-jin took the helm of the TV business. The company aims to build a sustainable revenue model beyond its status as the world's leading TV manufacturer for 20 consecutive years.According to industry sources, shortly after his appointment on May 4, Lee established a new task force dedicated to maximizing advertising revenue from its proprietary TV platform, Samsung TV Plus, and took on the role of team leader. The initiative aims to create a revenue-generating structure that continues after device sales.Since its launch in 2015, Samsung TV Plus has provided immediate TV viewing services without the need for separate subscriptions or additional equipment. Earlier this year, the service surpassed 100 million global monthly active users for the first time in its 11-year history. Currently, it offers 4,300 channels and over 76,000 on-demand videos across 30 countries.The existing TV Plus Group, which previously managed the FAST business, will now focus on expanding its licensing business for its operating system, Tizen, to external TV manufacturers in countries like China. Samsung has supplied Tizen to companies such as Tempo in Australia, Artmacha in Turkey, and HKC in China since 2021, with plans to increase supply tenfold this year. The strategy includes broadening its target from individual TV manufacturers to original design manufacturers (ODMs) to rapidly capture the TV OS ecosystem.Both the newly established task force and the TV Plus Group will report directly to Lee, reflecting his commitment to shift the decision-making structure from hardware development to prioritizing software and platform services as the new core of the division.In his inaugural speech, Lee called for bold innovation to overcome challenges in the TV business. He noted, "The competition has expanded to include big tech companies with overwhelming software capabilities and platform firms that capture customer time through content. We must redefine the essence of our business and prepare for a new 20 years of Samsung TV without fear of challenges."Reactions among employees to the organizational restructuring have been mixed. While there is optimism that Lee, an expert in marketing platform services, will find new breakthroughs in a stagnant TV market, there is also tension regarding potential personnel changes driven by a focus on performance. One Samsung employee shared anonymously in a workplace community, "Getting approval from the service business team is now more important than from the development team. The atmosphere has definitely shifted to prioritize platform revenue metrics over unnecessary reporting formats."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:40:47

Democratic Party Elects Cho Jung-sik as Candidate for National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik, a six-term member of the Democratic Party, was elected as the candidate for National Assembly Speaker on May 13. This marks his third attempt at the position, leveraging support from the party's pro-Lee Jae-myung faction. With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, this election is considered a de facto final round.After being elected during a party meeting, Cho stated, "We will complete the reorganization by June and pass all legislative tasks by December." He secured a majority in the first round of voting, defeating fellow five-term lawmakers Park Ji-won and Kim Tae-nyeon. For the first time, the Democratic Party introduced a voting system that combined in-person votes from lawmakers (80%) with online votes from party members (20%), although the specific vote percentages were not disclosed.Before the election, Cho remarked, "I am a three-time candidate. This is my third and final attempt," urging members to support him as he has prepared extensively. He emphasized that the first half of the National Assembly was a historic moment that established the Lee Jae-myung government, and now he aims to create a productive National Assembly to support it. His key pledges include creating a people-centered National Assembly, completing constitutional reforms, enhancing the role and status of the National Assembly, and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy.Political analysts suggest that Cho's election was influenced by support from President Lee Jae-myung. After Cho resigned from his position as Special Advisor for Political Affairs on May 3 to run for Speaker, President Lee expressed gratitude on Facebook, saying, "Thank you for your hard work and for always being there." On May 11, he shared a post from a netizen who ranked Cho first in the preference voting system that would influence the Speaker selection.In response to speculation about President Lee's support for Cho, a Blue House official clarified, "This was merely an explanation of the preference voting system and not related to any specific candidate." The preference voting system allows voters who did not have their first choice make it to the runoff to have their second choice counted in the final decision.Additionally, the Democratic Party nominated Nam In-soon, a four-term lawmaker, as the candidate for National Assembly Vice Speaker. Nam faced off against fellow four-term lawmaker Min Hong-cheol. After her election, Nam stated, "I will work with Speaker candidate Cho to complete legislation on livelihood issues and constitutional reforms."Meanwhile, the People Power Party also selected Park Deok-heum, a four-term lawmaker, as its candidate for Vice Speaker earlier that morning. This completes the candidate lineup for the National Assembly leadership for the second half of the term. The Democratic Party plans to hold a plenary session on May 20 to vote on the election of the Speaker and Vice Speaker.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 19:38:42