Pop star Dua Lipa files lawsuit against Samsung Electronics over unauthorized use of her Image SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - Dua Lipa, the British-Albanian pop star known for numerous global hits and multiple Grammy Awards, has filed a US$15 million lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, entertainment news outlet Variety reported on Saturday. According to Variety, Lipa filed the lawsuit the previous day in the Central District of California, alleging that the South Korean electronics giant "used her likeness to sell TVs without paying her and without permission." In the lawsuit, she complained that Samsung used her "image on the cardboard packaging of its TVs beginning last year." The lawsuit also states that "face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever." Her legal team reportedly demanded that Samsung stop using the image after becoming aware of its use, arguing that Lipa, who is "highly selective in making product endorsements," holds the copyright to it and had never approved its commercial use. Samsung, however, allegedly refused to comply. The image in dispute is known to have been taken backstage at the annal Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas in 2024. Lipa rose to global fame with her eponymous 2017 debut album and has since become one of the world's biggest pop stars, earning multiple Grammy Awards and a string of chart-topping hits. Samsung has not yet responded to a request for comment, according to Variety. 2026-05-10 18:16:55

South Korean inspectors wrap up probe into fire on cargo vessel in Strait of Hormuz SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - South Korean inspectors have wrapped up their on-site investigation into a cargo vessel that mysteriously caught fire while anchored near the Strait of Hormuz last week, government authorities said on Sunday. Their inspection into the cause of the fire and explosion on shipping and logistics company HMM's Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu began later last week after it was towed from the strait to a port in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Friday. During the investigation, inspectors examined the ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) and surveillance camera footage, and interviewed crew members on board to determine what happened. Later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press briefing, during which spokesperson Park Il said investigators had confirmed that unidentified flying objects struck the stern of the vessel twice on May 4, roughly one minute apart. According to Park, the objects were captured on CCTV footage, but officials have been unable to identify where they came from and what they were, due to insufficient evidence. The strikes left a hole about five meters wide that extended roughly seven meters into the ship. The fire is believed to have started after the first strike and rapidly intensified following the second one. But the concrete findings of their inspection are expected to be disclosed soon after they return home and complete a review and evaluation with relevant agencies. Further analysis of debris and fragments recovered from the scene would also reveal more details about the incident. A key question had been whether the fire was caused by an external factor such as an attack by Iran or others including a strike by an object like a drifting sea mine or by an internal cause such as a defect in the vessel or a malfunction. Last week, when asked by reporters about his claims that Iran was behind the fire, which Tehran denies, U.S. President Donald Trump avoided answering and, in a somewhat baffling remark, said, "I love South Korea." The fire broke out on May 4, following an explosion on the port side of the engine room while the Namu was anchored in the strait, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Meanwhile, all 24 crew members including six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals have disembarked after the vessel was towed to Dubai. But they are reportedly willing to board the vessel again once it is repaired, though they may temporarily return home if repairs take a long time. 2026-05-10 17:05:21

Defense minister heads to Washington to push for early transfer of wartime troop control SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - There will be "no major hurdles" in pushing for the speedy transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean troops to Seoul, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said as he left for Washington, D.C. on Sunday for talks with U.S. officials. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Ahn said the two countries made "significant progress" through follow-up talks after both sides reached a relevant agreement in 2015, hinting that it would be one of the key topics for his weeklong trip to the U.S. Seoul hopes to regain wartime operational control of its own troops from the U.S. before President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ends in 2030. During his stay there until Thursday, Ahn is scheduled to meet senior officials, including U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It is Ahn's first trip to the U.S. since assuming his post in July last year. Ahn is also expected to meet Hung Cao, the newly appointed acting secretary of the Navy as well as ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee among others. Seoul and Washington are reportedly planning to tentatively set 2028 as the target year for completing the transfer and to formalize it with specific plans in October, when the two countries' defense ministers meet for their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). As for joint nuclear submarine projects and relevant cooperation between the allies as part of a tariff-related deal reached last fall, Ahn stressed the importance of implementing follow-up steps. When asked whether the long-stalled projects could begin in the first half of this year, he remained positive, saying, "Of course" and adding that they must be resolved "no matter what difficulties arise." Ahn's trip also coincides with a two-day meeting of a defense consultative body between working-level officials from the two countries, known as the Korea Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) earlier in the week. 2026-05-10 15:14:30

North Korea makes first appearance at Russia's military parade amid deepening ties SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - North Korea took part in a parade as part of Russia's World War II victory celebrations, state media reported on Sunday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean troops marched in the parade at Moscow's Red Square the previous day marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, during which Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "gratitude." Russian media earlier reported that North Korea participated in the annual parade for the first time, with its leader sending a "message of greeting" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. KCNA carried detailed coverage of the parade along with a slew of photos, highlighting the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Meanwhile, this year's parade was the most scaled down in years amid Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine. Putin, however, suggested the war may soon be resolved, saying, "I think that the matter is coming to an end," while urging continued support from his allies. North Korea has reportedly dispatched around 15,000 combat troops along with military weapons to Russia to support Moscow's war in Ukraine since the two countries signed a mutual defense pact during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024. Thousands of North Korean soldiers, most of them deployed to Kursk, a southwestern Russian region bordering Ukraine, are believed to have been killed or wounded during the prolonged war. 2026-05-10 14:03:06

Lotte Hi-Mart Targets Increased Demand for Cooling Appliances Amid Summer Heat As this summer is expected to bring intense heat, Lotte Hi-Mart is launching a promotion for cooling and washing appliances. On May 10, Lotte Hi-Mart announced that the promotion will focus on air conditioners from major manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Carrier, offering simultaneous purchase benefits. Customers who buy key air conditioner models, including Samsung's 'Wind-Free Gallery,' LG's 'View Series' and 'Objet Collection Tower,' and Carrier's 'Aero X,' along with Lotte Hi-Mart's private brand PLUX fans or Shinil Electronics fans, will receive cashback and other benefits. The promotion also includes washing appliances. Customers who purchase Samsung and LG combo washing machines along with storage boxes or mini washers using a Lotte partnership card will receive cashback and discounts. To address hygiene needs during the summer, Lotte Hi-Mart is offering cleaning service benefits for appliances. Until the end of this month, customers who purchase air conditioner and washing machine cleaning products will receive up to a 10% discount on cleaning services after one year. The air conditioner cleaning service includes disassembling the unit, high-pressure cleaning of filters and internal components, and UV sterilization. The washing machine cleaning service involves complete disassembly, high-pressure cleaning, steam sterilization, and UV sterilization. Moon Chong, head of Lotte Hi-Mart's large appliance division, stated, "Summer is the peak season for cooling appliance usage, increasing the importance of washing and hygiene management. We have prepared various benefits centered around frequently used products and services." Meanwhile, this summer is expected to be record-breaking in terms of heat. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's recent three-month forecast, there is a 50% chance that temperatures in May and June will be higher than average, with a 60% chance for July.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 13:47:42

Strengthened Regulations on Multiple Homeowners May Increase Jeonse Market Instability Concerns have been raised that stricter regulations on multiple homeowners could exacerbate instability in the jeonse market. Demand suppression measures aimed at stabilizing the sales market may lead to a reduction in rental housing supply, potentially increasing pressure on jeonse prices. According to the Korea Construction Policy Research Institute on May 10, the domestic housing market exhibits a supply structure centered around the metropolitan area, a focus on apartment-type housing, and a significant imbalance in supply and demand characterized by high volatility in supply levels. Go Ha-hee, a deputy researcher at the institute, noted, "While 46.7% of all housing is concentrated in the metropolitan area, the housing supply rate in this region is only 97.3%. In contrast, the supply rate in non-metropolitan areas is 108.4%." With housing demand concentrated in the metropolitan area, stricter regulations on multiple homeowners could have a significant impact on the rental market. Although some homes owned by multiple homeowners may enter the sales market, a decrease in homes previously used for rental purposes could lead to a reduction in jeonse supply. Lee Eun-hyung, a researcher at the institute, also commented on the implications of tightening regulations on multiple homeowners, stating, "We are witnessing a simultaneous decrease in rental market listings and rental demand. If we assume that all housing across the country is the same and that supply and demand are always constant, we risk creating a disconnect with the actual market." The jeonse market is particularly sensitive to regional supply and demand differences. In areas like the metropolitan region, where housing demand is high, a reduction in rental listings can quickly lead to price instability. Go emphasized that the current housing supply issue has a structural nature that cannot be resolved through short-term market responses. Industry experts suggest that it is difficult to separate the stability of the sales market from that of the rental market. While regulations on multiple homeowners may effectively suppress sales demand, weakening the foundation of rental supply could negatively impact the jeonse market. Experts advise that to stabilize the jeonse market, regulations on multiple homeowners and supply policies should be coordinated. They stress the need for long-term improvements in the supply structure, such as alleviating concentration in the metropolitan area, exploring diverse housing types, and managing stable supply, rather than merely responding to short-term price fluctuations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 13:46:35

Coupang Launches Year-Round Campaign for Government-Certified Green Products Coupang has partnered with the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, to launch a year-round campaign featuring government-certified green products starting this month. According to Coupang on May 10, the campaign focuses on products certified as green by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute. Green products are designed to reduce energy and resource consumption throughout their lifecycle, from production and distribution to use and disposal, while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. Coupang has set up a dedicated section for the green products campaign within its 'Coupang Good Store.' All items included in the campaign will be available through its Rocket Delivery service. Featured products include eco-friendly dishwashing and household detergents, water-saving showerheads, energy-efficient food waste disposers, and resource-efficient toilet paper and hygiene products. Since 2022, Coupang and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute have been collaborating to promote the sale of green products. Through this year-round campaign, Coupang aims to increase the visibility of government-certified eco-friendly products and contribute to the spread of sustainable consumption culture. A Coupang representative stated, "This green products campaign is the result of public-private cooperation to help customers easily recognize and choose government-certified eco-friendly products. We will strive to make eco-friendly consumption a regular part of everyday life through Rocket Delivery." Meanwhile, Coupang has been strengthening its eco-friendly policies, including expanding the delivery of reusable eco-bags to general orders last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 13:45:20

Market Stalls as Capital Gains Tax on Multiple Homeowners Resumes Multiple homeowners are facing a resumption of increased capital gains taxes for the first time in four years. Starting today, the tax will apply to those owning multiple properties in designated adjustment areas, with rates ranging from 6% to 45%, plus additional surcharges. For those holding three or more properties, the effective tax rate could reach as high as 82.5%. Our team visited the area just one day before the tax increase took effect. On the afternoon of May 8, near the Eunma Apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, the atmosphere was surprisingly calm despite the impending tax changes. While some property listings were visible in agency windows, inquiries and foot traffic were notably sparse. What was once a market buzzing with last-minute transactions has shifted to a wait-and-see phase after most urgent sales were completed. The owner of a local real estate agency remarked, "Most urgent sales were settled in April. Now, only homeowners looking to raise prices remain. Once the district office closes tomorrow, it will be a case of whatever price they ask for." He added that homeowners are reluctant to list their properties alongside those trying to evade taxes, leading to a trend of waiting until after May 9 to list. A representative from another agency near Hanbomido Apartments echoed this sentiment, stating, "Almost all properties that were likely to sell have already been transacted. There won’t be many last-minute urgent listings now." The government allowed multiple homeowners to keep their options open until the last moment. As long as land transaction permit applications were submitted by May 9, homeowners could complete payments and registrations later to avoid the increased tax. On Saturday, May 9, 25 district offices in Seoul and 12 in Gyeonggi Province operated special hours to accept these applications. The deadline for payment can be extended up to six months, providing a final opportunity to avoid a tax burden. However, the Gangnam District Office was also relatively quiet on that day. A separate area for land transaction permits was set up within the real estate information department, but only civil servants handling inquiries were present; no lawyers or applicants were visible. A representative from a law office in Nonhyeon-dong noted, "We were busy with land transaction permit applications a few weeks ago, but that’s not the case now. There may be some last-minute price adjustments, but it doesn’t seem like there will be a sudden influx of applications." The depletion of urgent sales and withdrawal of listings is reflected in market data. According to real estate big data firm Asil, the number of apartment listings in Seoul as of today stands at 69,175, a decrease of over 10% from 77,010 a month ago. This marks the first time since February 24, when listings were at 68,564, that the number has dropped below 70,000. In the past month, the area with the largest decline in listings was Guro District, which saw a drop from 2,772 to 2,283 listings, a 17.7% decrease. Other areas in northern Seoul, such as Gangbuk (-16.0%), Seongbuk (-15.8%), and Jungnang (-15.8%), also experienced declines exceeding 15%. This trend is attributed to the completion of last-minute transactions to take advantage of tax benefits, along with multiple homeowners withdrawing listings as they missed their selling window. With listings depleting, localized price increases are occurring. In outer districts, rising prices are further pressured by real demand stemming from instability in rental markets. According to the Korea Real Estate Agency, apartment prices in Seoul rose by 0.15% in the first week of May, maintaining a strong performance for three consecutive weeks. Areas with significant listing reductions, such as Guro (0.24%), Seongbuk (0.27%), and Gangbuk (0.25%), have outpaced the overall price increase in Seoul, solidifying the market's support level. A representative from a real estate agency in Sangye-dong, Nowon District, stated, "While urgent sales in mid-priced complexes were cleared out early, steady demand from newlyweds and those moving out due to rental shortages has led to continued inquiries and contracts, pushing prices back to early-year levels since last week." 2026-05-10 13:43:32

Baemin Supports 310 Children of Restaurant Owners with $1.75 Million in Scholarships Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baedal Minjok (Baemin), has awarded scholarships totaling 1.75 billion won ($1.3 million) to 310 children of restaurant owners.On May 9, Woowa Brothers announced that it held the 2026 Woowa CEO Children Scholarship Award Ceremony at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. During the event, high school students selected as scholarship recipients received 3 million won ($2,250), while college students were awarded 4 million won ($3,000).The Woowa CEO Children Scholarship Fund, established by Woowa Brothers founder Kim Bong-jin and his wife, Seol Bo-mi, is supported by a 10 billion won ($7.5 million) fund aimed at assisting restaurant owners and their families.Since launching the scholarship program in 2022, Woowa Brothers has provided a total of 9 billion won ($6.75 million) in scholarships to 1,578 children of restaurant owners, including this year's recipients.In addition to the scholarship program, Baemin has been actively supporting restaurant owners through various initiatives. Since 2014, the company has offered free business training programs covering cooking techniques, menu development, and marketing strategies for restaurant owners.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 13:42:14

Constitutional Court Researcher Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations A senior researcher at the Constitutional Court has reportedly resigned following disciplinary action for allegedly stalking a female colleague. Another senior researcher, who faced sexual misconduct allegations years ago, remains in position but has been temporarily reassigned from his duties. According to Yonhap News on May 10, the Constitutional Court accepted the resignation of senior researcher A, who had received a reprimand due to the stalking allegations. A is accused of persistently contacting a female researcher and requesting to meet her. Previously, the court's disciplinary committee decided to issue a reprimand to A for violating the duty to maintain dignity, and he was stripped of his senior position. Reports indicate that A submitted his resignation in response to this decision. Additionally, about three years ago, senior researcher B was implicated in allegations of inappropriate physical contact with female colleagues during an internal workshop while intoxicated. The court stated that it received complaints at the time but concluded the matter without initiating a formal investigation, respecting the victims' wishes. While the court did not take personnel action against B, internal dissatisfaction has led to recent guidance advising researchers not to report to him for the time being. Critics in the legal community have questioned the court's response, suggesting it was inadequate given the circumstances. Despite previous complaints from victims, there are claims that senior staff members overlooked the issues and did not respond sufficiently. Both senior researchers are currently under investigation by police following a report filed by the Freedom Korea Defense Corps at the end of last month, accusing them of violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and sexual assault.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 13:40:52