Seoul Forest Hosts 'K-Construction Zone' at International Garden Expo The Seoul International Garden Expo is currently underway at Seoul Forest in Seongdong-gu, where construction companies are showcasing their brand gardens in the newly established 'K-Construction Zone.' This marks a shift in construction marketing from traditional model homes to gardens, pop-ups, and lifestyle spaces. Upon entering the grassy area of Seoul Forest, visitors are greeted by a red gate, a circular garden, and lush green pathways. Families with strollers strolled through the space, while many young visitors in their 20s and 30s took photos. The 'K-Construction Zone' features contributions from GS Construction, IPARK Hyundai Industrial Development, Gyeryong Construction, Daewoo Construction, and Hoban Construction. Gyeryong Construction attracted attention with its red gate and stone wall garden, while Daewoo Construction presented a 'Silo' garden centered around a circular structure. HDC Hyundai Industrial Development showcased landscaping with hydrangeas and a sign reading, "Imagine Before You Build" hanging from existing trees. Seating and lounge areas were set up throughout the zone, allowing visitors to relax naturally. This strategy aims to expand construction brands beyond simple sales promotions into 'experiential content' to connect with younger consumers. Among the displays, GS Construction's corporate garden 'Garden Xi' stood out. Inspired by Jeju's Gotjawal forest, GS Construction created the 'Elysian Forest' by preserving existing trees in Seoul Forest and densely planting oak and fern species to enhance the forest's depth. A 'UFB Cooling Mist System' was installed in shaded areas, providing a refreshing experience akin to being in a real forest. Staff members were present to curate the space and offer merchandise. Visitors commented, "I stumbled upon this while walking in Seoul Forest, and it doesn't feel like a construction company space," and, "There are many photo spots, and the atmosphere is trendy." Families with strollers and couples in their 20s and 30s filled the area. Ryu Hye-bin, head of the new product strategy team at GS Construction, stated, "We designed this space so that visitors to Seoul Forest can naturally encounter the Xi brand. We focused on creating a space where people can linger without disrupting the existing grassy area." According to GS Construction, approximately 86,000 visitors have visited 'Elysian Forest' from May 1 to 12. After the garden's operation concludes, the space will be donated to the city of Seoul, ensuring that citizens can continue to use it even after the pop-up ends. About a 15-minute walk from Seoul Forest, another 'Xi experience space' is operating in Seongsu-dong. GS Construction has rebranded a space previously used as a promotional center for members of the Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone into a 'House Xi' pop-up store. The interior of the pop-up differs from typical apartment promotional centers. Open from 10 a.m., the space accommodates about 20 to 30 visitors per session, with most pre-reservations already filled. Many visitors arrived after hearing word-of-mouth about the event. Upon entering, visitors first encounter a large model of 'Rivenique Xi,' which is set to be launched in 2031, in the 'Diorama Zone.' The following 'Amenity Zone' is designed like a small movie theater, while the 'Unit Zone' allows visitors to indirectly experience views of the Han River from a height of up to 64 stories. The technology used to create a panoramic view through an open window structure is currently under patent application. Throughout the space, elements that stimulate the senses are incorporated. The interior features curated Xi sound music, and the lighting and diffuser arrangements catch the eye. Collaborative content with Kyobo Bookstore and CGV, as well as high-end community services such as a sky lounge wine bar party, kids' zone, and non-face-to-face medical services from Cha Hospital, are also introduced. Jung Yu-jin, a former member of the GS Construction brand strategy team, expressed, "We hope this space allows people to experience life at Xi in advance. We aim to expand the concept of home from a product to an experiential domain." She added, "Past construction company events felt like they belonged to the previous generation, but now, content that young people want to share on social media has become important. We are seeing many visitors in their 20s and 30s who want to experience Xi, in addition to those in their 40s to 60s with actual purchasing power." A visitor in their 30s remarked, "This is my first time at a construction company pop-up, and it's much more sensory than I expected, with plenty of photo spots for Instagram. It felt like a preview of future living rather than just a sales promotion."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 21:25:43

Fashion Designer Choi Bok-ho Reflects on His Journey Ahead of 80th Birthday Choi Bok-ho, a pioneer in South Korea's fashion industry, shares his tumultuous life story and success journey. In an episode airing on May 13, EBS's 'The Millionaire Next Door' features Choi Bok-ho, a fashion designer with cumulative sales of approximately 500 billion won. Debuting in 1973, he is recognized as a living legend in the Korean fashion scene, marking his 53rd year in the industry. The broadcast will showcase Choi's tailor shop nestled deep in the mountains of Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which he has operated for 18 years. He revealed, "We receive an average of 1,000 to 1,500 visitors each month, with monthly sales reaching up to 60 million won," surprising viewers. The program will also highlight his ongoing work in the industry, including an outdoor fashion show and his active lifestyle as he approaches his 80th birthday. Choi was born to a single mother who lost her husband while pregnant with him. Growing up under her care, he was inspired by her always neat appearance and developed an interest in fashion. He nurtured his dream of becoming a designer after seeing Andre Kim, Korea's first male fashion designer, and eventually dropped out of college to pursue his passion. After completing his military service, Choi enrolled in a fashion school that had produced Andre Kim, where he honed his skills. His debut work, known for its bold designs, caught attention, leading to him being scouted by Choi Kyung-ja, a prominent figure in the fashion industry at the time. However, his promising start was met with unexpected challenges. Choi recalled, "I was fired after just one week on the job for earning 800 won. I thought the sky was falling down on me." The story behind his swift departure from the fashion industry, where he was once seen as a rising star, will be revealed in the broadcast. Later, Choi had to return to his hometown of Daegu due to unavoidable circumstances, leaving behind the fame and career he built in Seoul. Starting from scratch, he made a comeback with bold items like 'back pants' and 'fake gadamai,' shaking up the Daegu fashion scene. At a time when tailor shops primarily showcased elegant styles, Choi targeted the younger demographic with his designs, leading to a surge in popularity. He noted, "There were even followers who imitated my style," with reports of many people emulating his looks on the streets. His business expanded rapidly, and by the early 1980s, his monthly sales reached 100 million won, equivalent to the price of an apartment in Seoul, solidifying his status as a star designer. This success paved the way for him to make a name for himself on the global stage. The journey of a boy born to a single mother who grew up to become a leading designer in the Korean fashion industry, along with the secrets behind the 'back pants myth,' will be explored in 'The Millionaire Next Door' airing today at 9:55 PM.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 21:21:55

President Trump Arrives in Beijing for Three-Day State Visit Donald Trump, the President of the United States, arrived in Beijing on May 13, beginning a three-day state visit. According to Yonhap News, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Trump’s Air Force One landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 7:49 PM local time. This marks the first visit by a U.S. president to China in nine years, since Trump’s first term in November 2017. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over trade tariffs, the Taiwan issue, and the situation in the Middle East, drawing significant international attention. On May 14, the second day of his visit, Trump is scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two leaders last met in October during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan. During the upcoming talks, they are expected to discuss trade and tariff issues, as well as matters concerning Taiwan and Iran. Before departing the White House on May 12, Trump told reporters, "There is a lot to discuss with President Xi, and trade will be a primary focus." When asked about his message to Xi regarding the conflict in Iran, he replied, "We will have a long conversation about that. He is my friend, and good things will happen." Following the summit, Trump plans to tour the Temple of Heaven in Beijing with Xi and will attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People that evening. On the final day, May 15, the two leaders will continue discussions over a small tea meeting and lunch.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 21:18:56

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