HanAll Biopharma Hits Daily Limit Up Following Partner's Clinical Results HanAll Biopharma reached its daily trading limit after a surge in buying interest following the announcement of clinical results from its global partner. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:09 PM, HanAll Biopharma's stock rose by the maximum allowable limit of 11,700 won (29.85%) to trade at 50,900 won. Market analysts noted that Immunovant, HanAll Biopharma's partner, released interim clinical data for its drug candidate, imlifidase (IMVT-1402), for the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis ahead of schedule. The efficacy results exceeded market expectations. Immunovant previously reported that, in a 16-week interim analysis involving patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis, the ACR20 response rate was 72.7%, ACR50 was 54.5%, and ACR70 was 35.8%. ACR measures the improvement in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, with ACR70 indicating the percentage of patients showing over 70% improvement. This significant symptom improvement in a patient group that had not responded to multiple existing therapies, including first-generation DMARDs, anti-TNF agents, and JAK inhibitors, has drawn attention. Reports also indicated that the treatment demonstrated overall good tolerability without new safety signals. Imlifidase works by inhibiting FcRn to reduce pathogenic autoantibodies and is currently undergoing global clinical trials for various autoimmune diseases, including myasthenia gravis, CIDP, Sjögren's syndrome, and Graves' disease, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis. Jung Yi-soo, a researcher at IBK Investment & Securities, stated, "Given that competing FcRn inhibitors have shown poor results in rheumatoid arthritis trials, this positive data could prompt a reevaluation of IMT-1402's potential as a Best-in-Class treatment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:45:49

Despite Leaving Penny Stock Status, Companies Face Fresh Declines As financial authorities intensify efforts to expel poorly performing companies from the stock market, many firms are opting for stock consolidations. However, despite the numerical boost in stock prices from these consolidations, many companies are experiencing significant declines shortly after their re-listing, leading to concerns that simple consolidation is insufficient for long-term stability.According to the Korea Exchange, from May 18 to 20, ten companies listed on the KOSPI and 21 on the KOSDAQ underwent stock consolidations. All of these companies recorded declines compared to their consolidation reference prices. The average drop for KOSPI stocks was 14.7%, while KOSDAQ stocks saw an average decline of 15.86%. Most of these stocks plummeted on their first day of re-listing, with investor sentiment rapidly cooling.On the previous trading day (May 20), among the KOSPI stocks that underwent consolidation, Korea Electronics Holdings closed at 2,950 won, down 26.34% from its reference price. KEC fell by 29.92%, Bohae Brewery by 20.62%, and Enex by 14.95%. Ontide also dropped by 5.02%.Stock consolidation typically involves merging multiple shares to reduce the total number of shares and increase the price per share. Recently, companies have been using this strategy to shed their 'penny stock' image and avoid delisting requirements. For instance, consolidating five shares priced at 500 won each into one share raises the price to around 2,500 won.In February, the Financial Services Commission announced a reform plan aimed at the swift and strict delisting of underperforming companies. Starting July 1, any stock trading below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive trading days will be designated as a management stock. If it remains below that threshold for more than 45 out of the next 90 trading days, it will face delisting procedures.The recent declines in the stock prices of companies that have undergone consolidation suggest that fears of delisting persist. The Financial Services Commission is also tightening market capitalization criteria. From July, companies with a market capitalization below 30 billion won on the KOSPI and below 20 billion won on the KOSDAQ will be subject to delisting reviews. By January of next year, these thresholds will be further lowered to 50 billion won for KOSPI and 30 billion won for KOSDAQ companies. Many of the recently consolidated stocks have market capitalizations below 50 billion won.Market analysts note that stock consolidation alone does not enhance a company's value, and without improvements in performance or financial stability, regaining investor confidence will be challenging.A securities industry representative stated, "Stock consolidation is merely a technical adjustment of share quantity and price; it does not change a company's fundamentals. To alleviate delisting concerns, substantial changes such as performance improvement, financial stability, and shareholder return policies are essential."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:43:14

Semtech Shares Surge 20% Amid Semiconductor Sector Optimism Semtech shares have seen a significant increase, rising nearly 20% as investor sentiment improves amid strong performances from major domestic semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. As of 1:56 PM on May 21, Semtech's stock was trading at 124,000 won, up 24,000 won (19.69%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange. On the same day, shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix also experienced substantial gains, reflecting a broader buying trend across the semiconductor value chain. The positive sentiment followed the resolution of labor negotiations at Samsung Electronics, which improved investor confidence in the semiconductor sector. At that time, Samsung Electronics rose by 7.79%, while SK Hynix surged by 11.12%, indicating a widespread buying interest in major semiconductor stocks. Samsung Electronics and its labor union signed a tentative agreement on wage negotiations for 2026 just before a planned strike. Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, noted that "the easing of strike risks could lead to a favorable supply-demand environment centered around semiconductor stocks." Additionally, strong earnings from Nvidia have further stimulated investor interest. Nvidia reported that its revenue for the first quarter of the fiscal year (February to April) reached $81.62 billion (approximately 122 trillion won), marking a nearly 20% increase from the previous quarter and setting a record for the twelfth consecutive quarter. Analysts suggest that the growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) driven by increased investments in AI servers is positively impacting the entire domestic semiconductor sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:40:36

Controversy Surrounds '21st Century Great Prince Consort' Over Historical Distortion "It's faster to send emails to the members of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. They will raise a fuss during the audit. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism will have to face their wrath. Let's send emails regardless of party affiliation." (From a community post) As controversy over historical distortion in the drama '21st Century Great Prince Consort' intensifies, calls for the recovery of production funds have emerged following revelations that the show received support from the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), a government agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. On May 21, various online communities in South Korea reported a growing movement to share the email addresses of committee members to voice concerns about the issue. '21st Century Great Prince Consort' was selected as a finalist for KOCCA's 2025 'OTT-Specialized Content Production Support (IP Acquisition)' program in the long-form drama category. While the exact amount of funding allocated to the project has not been disclosed, long-form dramas can receive up to 2 billion won. According to KOCCA, '21st Century Great Prince Consort' has received the full amount of funding in two installments. However, a performance evaluation is scheduled for this month to determine the success of the project. Under Article 55 of KOCCA's content support project management regulations, if the evaluation is deemed unsuccessful, the full amount of funding and accrued interest must be returned within 30 days. Critics argue that it is problematic for government funds to be allocated to a drama that has already sparked controversy over historical inaccuracies. Some community members have filed requests for information disclosure with KOCCA. One user stated, "KOCCA should disclose the evaluation criteria and the assessment details for 'Great Prince Consort.' We need to know why historical accuracy was not addressed in the evaluation for a historical drama and whether there are regulations for compensation or fund recovery if issues arise in future productions." Meanwhile, in the 11th episode, a coronation scene depicted officials shouting 'Cheonse' instead of 'Manse,' and the king wore a crown of a vassal state rather than the imperial style. Viewers have criticized this portrayal as inappropriate, even considering the show's fictional setting, as it misrepresents the royal customs of the Joseon dynasty.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:39:00

Taiwan to Provide Monthly Cash Support for Children to Combat Low Birth Rate 대만이 저출산 대응을 위해 18세까지 매달 현금을 지급하는 방안을 추진한다. 0~18세 아동·청소년에게 매달 5000대만달러(약 23만원)를 지원해 양육 부담을 낮추겠다는 취지다. On May 20, Taiwan's Central News Agency and Minshi News Network reported that President Lai Ching-te announced a "New Population Policy Strategy" during a press conference marking his second anniversary in office. A key component of this strategy is the proposal to provide a monthly growth allowance for children aged 0 to 18. Executive Yuan Minister Su Tseng-chang stated that the program is set to be implemented next year. Taiwan's demographic indicators are deteriorating rapidly. The total fertility rate fell to 0.695 last year. As of the end of April this year, the total population stood at 23,262,544, marking a decline for 28 consecutive months. The proportion of the population aged 65 and older has surpassed 20%, indicating that Taiwan has entered an ultra-aged society. Details regarding the payment structure are still under review. For children aged 0 to 6, the allowance is intended for parental childcare expenses, while for those aged 6 to 18, part of the funds may be deposited into a "Child Future Account." This account would allow the savings to be used for education or startup costs once the child reaches adulthood. The estimated budget for this initiative is around 200 billion New Taiwan dollars (approximately $9.4 billion). President Lai stated, "Considering Taiwan's economic scale and tax revenue growth, this is a manageable level." He clarified that this funding will not come from cuts to other budgets. This growth allowance is one of 18 policies included in the "Family Support Package." The Taiwanese government aims to reduce the burdens of marriage and childbirth for young people by bundling the growth allowance with support for marriage, pregnancy, childcare, work-life balance, and housing assistance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:36:23

Hanwha Solutions Accelerates Financial Improvement with $130 Million AMPC Cash Flow Hanwha Solutions is rapidly improving its financial structure by cashing in on the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) generated from its solar business in the United States. The company is currently pursuing a large-scale capital increase while securing stable cash flow based on its North American production facilities. On May 21, Hanwha Solutions announced that it recently sold approximately 200 billion won ($130 million) of AMPC received last year. The company plans to continue cashing in on AMPC to enhance liquidity and expedite its financial improvement. The AMPC program provides tax credit benefits for solar products manufactured in the U.S. Hanwha Solutions receives 7 cents per watt in AMPC for solar modules produced at its Dalton and Cartersville plants. AMPC can be received as a subsidy or tax credit, with the latter being transferable to third parties. When received as a subsidy, it typically takes over a year from the corporate tax filing date to realize the funds. A liquidity market for buying and selling AMPC rights has also emerged in the U.S. From 2023 to 2025, Hanwha Solutions expects to receive a total of 1.3 trillion won in AMPC, having already sold 1.13 trillion won ($812 million) worth, including this recent transaction. The company is currently negotiating contracts to sell the remaining AMPC for 2025 by the end of the first half of this year. In the first quarter of this year, the company received approximately 220 billion won in AMPC. Once the construction of its solar hub, the largest integrated solar manufacturing facility in North America, is completed this year, Hanwha Solutions anticipates receiving AMPC not only for modules but also for cells and wafers, potentially exceeding 1 trillion won annually. The company expects the AMPC receipts from the Cartersville plant to be around 1 trillion won this year. Lee Jae-bin, head of Hanwha Solutions' finance division, stated, "We will continue to secure stable cash flow through AMPC liquidity and focus on improving our financial structure, solidifying our foundation for long-term growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:33:50

Anthropic Projects $10.9 Billion Revenue for Q2, Eyes First Profit Anthropic, the developer of the AI model Claude, is projected to achieve its first quarterly profit, driven by a surge in revenue. Bloomberg reported on May 20, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Anthropic's revenue for the second quarter is expected to reach $10.9 billion (approximately 16.4 trillion won). This figure represents more than a doubling from the previous quarter and is based on materials disclosed to investors. During the same period, operating profit is anticipated to be $559 million (around 840 billion won). However, the sources indicated that due to increased spending on computing resources and other expenses, sustaining profitability in future quarters may be challenging. Once considered a latecomer trailing behind competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic has rapidly increased its revenue by enhancing the performance of its AI agent tools. The company is particularly noted for expanding its market share among corporate clients. Currently, Anthropic is in discussions to secure new investments that would recognize its valuation at over $900 billion (approximately 1,360 trillion won). If successful, this could surpass OpenAI's recent valuation in the private market. Bloomberg previously reported that Anthropic is considering an initial public offering (IPO) as early as October. OpenAI is also aiming for a potential listing this fall. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, stated on May 6 that while the company planned for tenfold growth this year, it is currently experiencing a growth rate of 80 times. Last month, Anthropic announced that its annualized revenue had surpassed $30 billion (approximately 44.4 trillion won), a significant increase from $9 billion at the end of the previous year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:31:51

Samsung Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun Calls for Unity After Wage Negotiation Agreement Jeon Young-hyun, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of the Device Solutions (DS) Division, urged employees to unite following a tentative agreement on wage negotiations this year. His message came after a period of intense labor-management conflict that nearly escalated into a general strike, signaling a move toward organizational stability and internal cohesion.On May 21, Samsung Electronics announced via internal communication channels a notice regarding the '2026 Wage Negotiation Tentative Agreement' along with a message from Vice Chairman Jeon directed at DS Division employees.In his message titled 'Let's Come Together Again,' Jeon encouraged weary employees from the prolonged conflict and emphasized the need for unity to face the upcoming global semiconductor competition.He stated, "It was the dedication of our employees, who have worked diligently in their respective roles despite challenging circumstances, that made this possible."Jeon acknowledged that while there were disagreements and conflicts during the negotiation process, it was clear that everyone shared a commitment to the company. He expressed that he takes seriously the concerns and disappointments employees have felt throughout this process, particularly in light of rising discontent regarding performance bonuses and internal conflicts among business units.Samsung Electronics and its labor union have been at odds over performance bonus systems and wage increase rates. The issue of compensation for the DS Division has become a central point of contention, especially as the semiconductor market shows signs of recovery. The union had even threatened a general strike, leading to heightened tensions. Amid significant external uncertainties and concerns over potential production disruptions, the parties reached a dramatic tentative agreement, averting a worst-case shutdown scenario.The tentative agreement still requires a vote from union members. The Samsung Electronics union's joint action headquarters plans to conduct voting from 2 PM on May 22 to 10 AM on May 27. If a majority of the eligible members participate and a majority vote in favor, the agreement will be finalized; however, if it fails, discussions about a general strike may be reignited.Thus, Jeon's message is interpreted as a heartfelt appeal to union members to endorse the agreement. He urged, "This tentative agreement still requires gathering the opinions of our members. I ask everyone to come together for the future of the company and its employees."Furthermore, he identified 'the chemical bond of the organization' as a top priority following the labor-management conflict. He emphasized, "What matters now is to leave the time of conflict behind and unite as one. I believe that if we work together based on mutual respect and trust, we can achieve another significant leap forward."In conclusion, Jeon stated, "The company will continue to listen to the efforts and dedication of our employees and strive to create a better working environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:29:21

Macau Aims to Attract South Korean Tourists as a Multi-Destination Hub "This year, we aim to attract 41 million tourists, leveraging diverse infrastructure and integrated content to draw South Korean travelers to Macau," said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Chair of the Macau Tourism Board. Macau is accelerating its efforts to attract South Korean tourists as it transforms into a multi-destination hub connecting Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. On May 21, the Macau Tourism Board held the 2026 Macau Tourism Seminar and Travel Mart at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, where it unveiled its key tourism strategies for the year. ◆ Macau Expands Engagement with South Korean Travelers The event was attended by over 250 representatives from Macau, including Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing, and officials from the Hengqin Economic Development Bureau, Macau International Airport, and major integrated resorts, as well as members of the South Korean travel industry. In her welcoming remarks, Fernandes noted, "South Korea is Macau's top overseas tourism market, with 184,900 South Koreans visiting in the first quarter of this year, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year. We aim to increase our engagement with South Korean travelers as we target a total of 41 million tourists and over 3 million foreign visitors this year." Dai Bing also addressed the audience, stating, "Since the return of Macau to the motherland, it has successfully implemented 'one country, two systems' and has established itself as a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. The Chinese Embassy in South Korea will closely cooperate with the Macau SAR government to actively support exchanges in culture, tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) among various fields." ◆ Free Bus Service from Hong Kong to Macau: A Multi-Destination Travel Experience This year's core tourism strategy for Macau focuses on enhancing accessibility and diversifying the global market. The emphasis is on developing multi-destination tourism products linked to Hengqin, Guangdong, and Hong Kong. As part of the "Fly You to Macau" campaign, free direct buses to Macau will be provided to foreign tourists using Hong Kong International Airport until the end of the year. Additionally, with the implementation of China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers from 55 countries can explore Macau, Hengqin, Guangdong, and Hong Kong without a separate Chinese visa for up to 10 days. ◆ Culinary Experiences, Performances, and Convenient Payments: Enhancing Stay Tourism Macau is also expanding its offerings to transform from a simple visit to a stay-oriented destination. The "Tourism Plus" strategy combines MICE, culture, sports, and culinary experiences, with various experiential events planned throughout the year. The goal is to extend tourists' stay by featuring large-scale performance content. To enhance payment convenience for South Korean travelers, Macau has improved its payment options. In addition to KakaoPay, this year it will collaborate with Naver Pay to create a travel environment free from currency exchange burdens. The Macau Tourism Board plans to continue strengthening business cooperation with the domestic industry to cater to diverse demands, from family travel to the MICE sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:25:19

Seongdong Police Chief Suspended Amid Allegations of Misusing Emergency Vehicle Gwon Mi-ye, the chief of the Seongdong Police Station, has been suspended amid allegations that she used an emergency electric vehicle for commuting to avoid restrictions under the government’s two-part vehicle system. The National Police Agency has initiated an official investigation and announced a strict response policy. According to Yonhap News on May 21, the National Police Agency stated in a press release that it has begun an official investigation into Gwon Mi-ye and that it will take strict action against any misconduct identified during the investigation. Consequently, Gwon has been placed on suspension. Police reports indicate that Gwon is suspected of using a government electric vehicle, which is exempt from the two-part system, for commuting instead of using a designated command vehicle that falls under the restrictions. This vehicle was originally designated for emergency response duties. As the controversy escalated, the National Police Agency also issued directives to reinforce discipline across the national police organization. The agency emphasized the importance of adhering to vehicle restrictions and maintaining electoral neutrality, especially in light of the national energy crisis and the ongoing election campaign. Earlier, Kang Yu-jeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, stated during a briefing that President Yoon Suk Yeol had been informed of the allegations and directed a prompt investigation to ensure accountability. The police plan to determine whether further disciplinary actions are necessary based on the findings of the investigation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:24:20