Korean Stock Market Surpasses 8000 Points, Eyes Global Top 5 The KOSPI index has crossed the 8000-point mark for the first time in history, marking a significant milestone for the South Korean stock market. Once labeled as 'Parkspi' due to its undervaluation, the market is now gaining recognition as a key player globally, driven by the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) boom, along with an influx of foreign capital. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI reached an intraday high of 8002.62 at 9:13 a.m. on May 15. The index opened at 7951.75, down 0.37% from the previous day, but managed to turn positive and surpass the 8000-point threshold. Historically, the South Korean stock market has been viewed as undervalued, trapped in a 'Korea Discount' structure. However, recent developments in the AI sector and expectations of a semiconductor supercycle have shifted the market's sentiment dramatically. Strong foreign buying, particularly in major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, has propelled the index upward. Improvements in corporate earnings and a trend toward increased shareholder returns have also supported the market's reassessment. Analysts note that major listed companies are enhancing dividends and engaging in stock buybacks, boosting global investor confidence. The financial investment sector is now focusing on the potential for the South Korean stock market to join the ranks of global core markets following the KOSPI's breakthrough of 8000 points. There are expectations that it could rise to become one of the top five markets globally in terms of market capitalization and trading volume, alongside the U.S., China, and Japan. Recently, the market capitalization of the South Korean stock market surpassed that of Taiwan. As of May 11, the Korea Exchange reported a market capitalization of 7084 trillion won, which translates to approximately $4.81 trillion when using an exchange rate of 1472 won to the dollar. In contrast, Taiwan's market capitalization was about $4.34 trillion. However, concerns remain regarding valuation pressures due to the rapid rise, U.S. interest rate policies, and fears of a global economic slowdown. Despite these challenges, there is a prevailing sentiment that global investors are viewing the South Korean stock market more favorably than in the past. A financial industry insider stated, "The KOSPI's breakthrough of 8000 points signifies more than just a record; it indicates that the South Korean stock market is being re-evaluated as a global center rather than just an emerging market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:44:16

NS Home Shopping Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Aims for Food & Life Platform Growth NS Home Shopping announced on May 15 that it held a vision declaration ceremony on May 8 at the Saemaul Undong Central Training Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The event was attended by Kim Hong-guk, Chairman of Harim Group, along with representatives from major affiliates and NS Home Shopping employees. The company declared its new vision as the "No. 1 Food & Life Shopping Platform," aiming to provide substantial value to customers' lives across food and lifestyle sectors. The core values for realizing this vision include trust, challenge, communication, and customer focus. In his commemorative speech, Jo Hang-mok, CEO of NS Home Shopping, stated, "This vision declaration is not just an announcement of a slogan; it is a clear declaration of our direction and standards for how we should work and where we are headed." He emphasized that NS Home Shopping will grow into a Food & Life shopping platform that delivers real value to customers, adding, "When our choices centered around customers accumulate, the future of NS Home Shopping will be realized." Kim Hong-guk, in his encouraging remarks, noted, "NS Home Shopping's vision for 2050 is not merely a declaration to be number one in the market, but a commitment to provide the top value to customers." He stressed the importance of focusing on customer value as the essence of business, even in a changing market environment. He further stated, "In an era where data and AI redefine industrial competitiveness, retail competition is shifting from channel competition to experience competition. We must create a platform where customers can naturally connect their experiences across online and offline channels." Meanwhile, NS Shopping, the operator of NS Home Shopping, has acquired Homeplus Express, the supermarket division of Homeplus. This acquisition marks Harim Group's re-entry into the domestic offline retail market in the form of a corporate supermarket (SSM) after 14 years, following the sale of NS Mart to E-Mart in 2012.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:42:48

Kim Jeong-soo Appointed Chairman of Samyang Foods Amid Global Expansion Samyang Foods has appointed Kim Jeong-soo as chairman to accelerate its global business expansion. On May 15, the company announced that its board of directors approved Kim's promotion during a meeting held on May 12. He will officially take office on June 1. This marks a significant milestone for Kim, who was promoted from general manager to vice chairman in December 2021. The company stated that this decision aims to enhance accountability and respond to the growth of its global operations. Kim is credited with transforming Samyang Foods from a domestic-focused company into a thriving export business. Following the international success of Buldak Bokkeumyeon, which gained popularity through YouTube in 2016, the company expanded its market reach to over 80 countries within two years. As a result, the company’s financial performance has significantly improved. When Kim took office in 2021, the revenue was 642 billion won, which surged to 2.3517 trillion won last year. During the same period, the operating profit margin rose from 10% to 22%. With Kim's promotion, the transition to a global management system is expected to accelerate. Currently, overseas sales account for 80% of Samyang Foods' revenue. The company is rapidly expanding its international business by establishing sales subsidiaries and production facilities in key markets, including the United States, China, and Europe. This year, Samyang Foods plans to strengthen its business foundation to enhance regional and country-specific strategies. In addition to the ongoing construction of a factory in Jiaxing, China, the company is considering the establishment of additional regional offices. Meanwhile, Samyang Foods reported record-breaking results for the first quarter of this year. Consolidated revenue reached 714.4 billion won, and operating profit was 177.1 billion won, marking increases of 35% and 32%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Overseas sales also grew by 38% to 585 billion won, driving overall performance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:39:27

DB Insurance Reports 39.9% Drop in Q1 Net Profit Due to Rising Claims DB Insurance reported a nearly 40% decline in net profit for the first quarter of this year, attributed to an increase in claims from actual loss insurance and a rise in high-value incidents. Although revenue increased, profitability weakened significantly due to a sharp drop in insurance profits. On May 15, DB Insurance announced that its net profit for the first quarter was 268.5 billion won, a 39.9% decrease compared to the same period last year. During the same timeframe, revenue rose by 16.2% to 5.7782 trillion won, but operating profit fell by 28.5% to 462.7 billion won. The primary reason for the poor performance was a decrease in insurance profits. DB Insurance's insurance profit for the first quarter was 226.6 billion won, down 43.7% from the previous year. Long-term insurance profits also fell by 32.7% to 265.2 billion won, impacted by a temporary increase in high-value claims related to death and disability, as well as a continuing rise in the loss ratio for actual loss insurance. Automobile insurance profits were limited to 8.8 billion won, an 80.8% decrease compared to the same period last year, primarily due to an increased loss ratio. General insurance reported a loss of 47.5 billion won, reflecting the impact of major domestic incidents, including accidents related to Daejeon Safety Industries. General insurance, which has a high proportion of corporate policies, can experience significant profit volatility due to large incidents such as factory fires or industrial accidents. However, the foundation for future profits showed signs of improvement. By the end of the first quarter, the insurance contract margin (CSM) balance increased by 616.9 billion won to 12.8 trillion won compared to the end of the previous year. Capital soundness indicators also improved. DB Insurance's consolidated solvency ratio (K-ICS) rose to 232.1%, an increase of 13.9 percentage points from the previous quarter, reflecting proactive capital expansion measures such as the issuance of new capital securities. 2026-05-15 10:35:19

Jang Dong-hyuk Criticizes Jung Won-o's Housing Policy and Past Assault Case Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, launched an attack on Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, on May 15, addressing his housing policies and a past assault incident. Jang criticized Jung, stating, "Following Lee Jae-myung's intentions is the priority, while Seoul citizens are left behind." During a meeting of the Central Election Countermeasure Committee at the National Assembly, Jang warned, "If Jung Won-o becomes mayor, a tax bomb will drop, and 'Hell Seoul' will open up." He expressed concern that Lee Jae-myung's housing policies seem to be a continuation of the Moon Jae-in era, but added, "The new Lee Jae-myung is even worse." He noted that housing prices in Seoul, including Gangnam, have skyrocketed, and the abolition of the capital gains tax has drastically reduced available listings. Jang pointed out, "With rental properties so scarce, we are seeing 'no-look' contracts where payments are made without viewing the homes first," and mentioned that monthly rents have surged, with some reaching 3 million won even in northern Seoul. He remarked, "Ordinary citizens, whose loans have been cut off, are now spending their entire salaries on rent," and criticized Lee Jae-myung for shifting to silence after previously pressuring the real estate market, stating, "The government seems to have no further measures in sight." Jang also criticized Jung for proposing a property tax reduction for retirees with no substantial plans for housing policies to assist young people who are delaying marriage. He questioned whether the development approach is effective, saying, "Is it a steady development or a gradual one? The supply policy is inadequate." He added, "There has been no stance on increasing property taxes or abolishing long-term holding special deductions," emphasizing that the only mayor who protects homes and assets is Oh Se-hoon from the People Power Party. Regarding Jung's past assault controversy, Jang stated, "His explanations only seem to fuel public anger rather than clarify the situation," and pointed out that the minutes from council meetings show that the then-district mayor did not respond at all to inquiries. He questioned the validity of bringing in unusual individuals to stir public outrage, stating, "He cannot address his campaign promises or clarify allegations and keeps passing them off to substitutes." He concluded, "Broken things tend to leak everywhere," asserting that this local election is about ousting underqualified Democratic candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:34:25

Lee expresses respect on Teachers' Day SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Friday expressed "deep respect and gratitude" to teachers as the country marked Teachers' Day. In a Facebook post, he thanked teachers across the country "who are working tirelessly in schools and classrooms even at this moment." He added, "Because of their efforts and dedication, today's Korea exists." He also pledged to do his best to create better environments in which teachers can concentrate on teaching their students, with support to help them keep their passion and sense of calling from fading. His comments came amid growing calls for stronger protection for teachers amid recent incidents of abusive behavior toward teachers by parents and students. Quoting a saying, "We receive life from our parents, but learn from our teachers how to make life meaningful," he recalled that, as a child, he gained the courage to move forward thanks to a teacher's warm encouragement. He added that a single encouragement from that teacher has remained a "great source of strength" for him even after many years. 2026-05-15 10:29:32

Kang Jun-hyun to Announce Candidate Unification with Progressive Party for Ulsan Mayor The Democratic Party is set to announce a candidate unification with the Progressive Party for the Ulsan mayoral race ahead of the June 3 local elections. Kang Jun-hyun, the party's spokesperson, held a press conference on the morning of May 15 in Yeouido, Seoul, addressing local election issues. He stated that the unification involves "the Ulsan mayor, local council heads, and provincial council members," adding that "the secretaries of both parties are scheduled to meet today for final adjustments." Regarding unification in other regions, he noted, "I understand that each candidate is handling the unification process on their own," and emphasized that to avoid confusion, it would be ideal to finalize unifications by today, before the ballots are printed. When asked if the unification discussions include the Pyeongtaek district, where Justice Party candidate Cho Kuk is running, Kang responded, "Does Representative Cho have the will for unification?" Additionally, Kang criticized the People Power Party's attacks on Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o for the Seoul mayoral race, calling them very malicious. He stated, "The People Power Party is leading with crude expressions and unreasonable incitement across various sectors," and pointed out their intention to exploit weak evidence to sensationalize discussions about the May 18 incident for electoral gain. He further questioned, "What kind of mayor was Oh Se-hoon? He spent 20.7 billion won of taxpayer money to create an awkward structure resembling a ceremonial sword in Gwanghwamun Square. Is this the normal image of a Seoul mayor? Who exactly is the People Power Party running this election for?" Regarding the Election Commission's referral of Democratic Party candidate Yoo Chan-jong for Jongno District to prosecutors, Kang stated, "The investigation is a separate issue," and clarified, "Based on the party's internal investigation, it seems there are no grounds for disqualifying the candidate. If the party does not reach a conclusion, the candidate's eligibility remains intact."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:28:26

Government signals emergency powers as Samsung strike clock ticks SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and its overarching labor union are waging a war of nerves to settle their dispute on their own under competing deadlines, as the government signals it may invoke a rarely used emergency strike suspension authority. The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), the company’s largest labor group, sent an official letter to Vice Chairman and Device Solutions chief Jun Young-hyun on Thursday, giving management until 10 a.m. Friday to present an acceptable proposal on the company’s reward system. The union demanded concrete measures to improve transparency in the Overall Performance Incentive (OPI) system, remove payout caps and institutionalize clearer compensation standards. It warned that failure to provide a specific response by the deadline would lead to a lawful general strike scheduled for May 21. Samsung management has maintained a relatively calm public posture while internally emphasizing operational discipline and production stability. According to industry sources, Jun recently warned executives against complacency, describing the current AI-driven semiconductor upcycle as the company’s “last golden time” to restore fundamental competitiveness. Rather than relying on strong first-quarter earnings, Jun reportedly urged executives to maintain a humble “super supplier” mindset to preserve long-term customer trust. He is also understood to have stressed the need for uninterrupted chip production and stable operations regardless of external uncertainties, including the looming strike threat. With the deadline quickly approaching, attention is focused on whether Samsung management will offer a last-minute compromise to prevent what could become the company’s most disruptive labor action in decades. The government has meanwhile escalated its rhetoric amid concerns over broader economic fallout. Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan issued one of the strongest warnings yet late Thursday, saying emergency mediation could become unavoidable if the union proceeds with its planned strike. “Samsung Electronics’ importance to the Korean economy cannot be overstated,” Kim wrote on X, describing the company’s semiconductor business as a strategic national asset. He warned that disruptions to continuous wafer-processing lines could cause as much as 100 trillion won ($74 billion) in economic damage, affecting roughly 1,700 partner firms and inflicting potentially irreversible disruption on global supply chains. “As industry minister, I believe emergency adjustment measures would become inevitable if a strike occurs,” Kim said. Emergency mediation is a rarely used government intervention that can suspend strike action for up to 30 days if authorities determine a labor dispute poses a serious threat to the national economy or public welfare. Kim’s remarks drew particular attention because they were noticeably more forceful than those of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, both of whom have stressed dialogue while warning that “a strike must never happen.” The dispute is increasingly being viewed as more than a conventional wage negotiation, emerging instead as a critical test of labor stability at South Korea’s largest company during a pivotal moment in the global AI semiconductor race. Share prices fell 1.6 percent to 291,250 won amid waning sign of breakthrough. 2026-05-15 10:28:25

Kim Yong-hyun Summoned Again Amid Rebellion Charges; Special Prosecutor Pressures Yoon and Former Minister The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has notified Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, of a summons scheduled for May 21. According to legal sources, the special prosecutor's team informed Kim that he is to appear as a suspect in a rebellion case under military law. Kim is accused of conspiring with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others to incite a riot by sending armed soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during the declaration of martial law. Kim's team plans to decide whether he will attend the questioning after internal discussions. They argue that the special prosecutor's team is attempting to apply different charges to the same case for which Kim is already under indictment and undergoing trial, claiming this constitutes double investigation and prosecution. Former President Yoon is also asserting that this is a double investigation regarding the same charges. Previously, the special prosecutor's team had summoned Kim on April 29 for questioning related to the rebellion charges. The police special investigation unit had been questioning Kim regarding perjury related to Yoon's impeachment trial, which overlapped with the special prosecutor's investigation, causing it to be postponed. On May 6, the special prosecutor attempted to question Kim regarding charges of organizing a criminal group, but Kim's team submitted a notice of non-attendance. The special prosecutor's team has also notified former President Yoon to appear for questioning on May 23 regarding the rebellion charges, followed by another session on May 26 concerning allegations of abuse of power related to a "justification message for martial law." Kwak Jong-geun, former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, was summoned for questioning as a suspect for the first time the previous day. The special prosecutor's team has charged Yoon, Kim, and former National Intelligence Service Director Noh Sang-won with rebellion. It remains uncertain whether they will be brought to trial on these charges.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:26:21

ASIA INSIGHT: AI and semiconductors become global power amid recession of tariff war As the Tariff War Recedes, Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors Rise to the Center of Global Power Beijing in May 2026 was not a city of Cold War hostility. Yet neither was it a city of complete reconciliation. Beneath the red carpets of the Great Hall of the People and along the quiet stone paths of the Temple of Heaven, one could sense both tension and restraint — the unmistakable weight of two powers attempting to manage the future of the international order. The summit between President Donald Trump of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China outwardly projected stability and cooperation. But the true substance of the meeting was no longer tariffs. The real center of gravity had shifted decisively toward artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Global power is no longer defined primarily by oil, steel, automobiles, or low-cost manufacturing. It is increasingly determined by data, computational capacity, advanced semiconductor architecture, and the ability to dominate the infrastructure of artificial intelligence. One symbolic moment captured this transformation with unusual clarity: the presence of Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang alongside President Trump during the Beijing visit. After concluding his Alaska schedule, Trump effectively brought Huang with him into the strategic theater of the summit. This was not merely the inclusion of a corporate executive. It was a declaration that advanced artificial-intelligence chips have now become instruments of national power. Only a few years ago, the center of U.S.-China confrontation was the tariff war. During Trump’s first presidency, sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods shook global supply chains and rattled both Chinese manufacturing and American consumers. Washington framed the measures as an attempt to reduce trade imbalances and challenge what it regarded as unfair Chinese trade practices. Beijing responded with retaliatory tariffs of its own. The phrase “tariff war” soon became a defining term of the era. But within a remarkably short period, the strategic landscape changed. The central question is no longer who can produce goods more cheaply. It is now who will shape the architecture of the future. And at the heart of that struggle stand artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Semiconductors are no longer simply industrial components. In the age of artificial intelligence, they have become a direct expression of national capability. Military systems, cloud computing, autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, biotechnology, financial infrastructure, and advanced communications all depend upon high-performance chips. In particular, Nvidia’s graphics processing units — once associated primarily with gaming and visual computing — have evolved into what many now call the “oil of the artificial-intelligence era.” It is therefore no coincidence that Washington’s strongest pressure on China has focused precisely on advanced AI semiconductors. The United States has restricted exports of its most advanced AI chips, including the H100 and H200 series, while tightening controls on semiconductor equipment and software. American allies have increasingly aligned themselves with these measures. The Dutch lithography giant ASML and major Japanese semiconductor-equipment firms have, to varying degrees, joined the broader strategic effort, significantly limiting China’s access to cutting-edge manufacturing technology. Yet China has not retreated. On the contrary, Beijing has elevated semiconductor self-sufficiency to the level of a national survival strategy. Efforts are accelerating simultaneously across multiple fronts: artificial-intelligence chip development led by Huawei, domestic graphics-processing ecosystems, memory-chip independence, and the expansion of Chinese semiconductor-equipment manufacturing. The rise of the Chinese artificial-intelligence company DeepSeek has especially attracted global attention. Despite restrictions on access to America’s most advanced chips, DeepSeek has demonstrated that optimization techniques and highly efficient computational structures can still produce competitive AI performance. That development has challenged a widely held assumption in the West — namely, that Chinese artificial intelligence could not advance meaningfully without unrestricted access to American semiconductor technology. This reality has created growing strategic anxiety in Washington as well. Excessive pressure may produce short-term advantages for the United States, but over time, it could accelerate China’s technological independence. History repeatedly shows that technological containment often strengthens the very ecosystems it seeks to weaken. That is precisely why both sides handled the semiconductor issue with such caution during the Beijing summit. The United States remains wary of China’s ambitions in military artificial intelligence, yet it also understands that American corporations cannot easily abandon the Chinese market. Companies such as Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla still regard China as indispensable to their global strategies. China, meanwhile, fully recognizes that sustained economic growth remains difficult without access to advanced Western technology and the broader global financial system. As a result, the atmosphere surrounding this summit differed fundamentally from earlier tariff confrontations. The old dispute centered on trade balances and customs duties. The new rivalry concerns the command of future civilization itself. Behind the diplomatic smiles and carefully choreographed handshakes lies a deeper and quieter struggle: who will control the operating system of the artificial-intelligence age? Across the United States, competition for AI infrastructure and advanced graphics processors has already become intense. Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are investing enormous sums into artificial-intelligence data centers and computational networks. Wall Street financial institutions are also pouring unprecedented capital into AI systems. America still retains commanding advantages in chip design, software ecosystems, and advanced processing architecture. China, however, is leveraging a different strength: scale. Supported by vast domestic markets, state-directed investment, and one of the world’s deepest manufacturing bases, China is accelerating its pursuit of technological parity. Provincial governments are spending heavily on AI industrial zones, semiconductor talent recruitment, and domestic equipment development. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are rapidly evolving into concentrated hubs of artificial-intelligence and semiconductor innovation. This is why the AI and semiconductor struggle cannot be understood merely as industrial competition. It is a contest over the future structure of state power and the shape of the international order itself. And within this transformation, the tariff war has gradually moved into the background. Tariffs still matter, certainly. But tariffs belong largely to the industrial logic of an earlier era. The decisive assets of the artificial-intelligence century are data, computational power, advanced chips, and supply-chain control. The world is moving from an age defined by manufacturing efficiency toward one defined by algorithmic dominance and computational supremacy. The implications for the global economy are profound. If Washington and Beijing maintain a workable level of cooperation and commercial exchange in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, the global chip market may regain a measure of stability. But if tensions intensify again, supply-chain fragmentation and technological bloc formation are likely to deepen further. The world could gradually divide into competing American-centered and China-centered technology spheres. For South Korea, the challenge is particularly delicate. South Korea remains one of the world’s leading semiconductor powers, especially in memory chips. Yet it also stands directly between America’s security alliance system and China’s economic gravity. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix must comply with U.S. semiconductor restrictions while simultaneously protecting their production bases and commercial interests in China. South Korea therefore, faces a historic strategic test. It can no longer remain merely a manufacturing power. It must evolve into a comprehensive technology state capable of leadership in AI semiconductor design, software ecosystems, power semiconductors, advanced packaging, and next-generation computing architecture. At the same time, Seoul must preserve the diplomatic sophistication necessary to avoid becoming trapped entirely within either side’s geopolitical orbit. The Beijing summit of 2026 revealed one reality with unmistakable clarity: The central axis of global power is no longer tariffs. It is now artificial intelligence and semiconductors. And that quiet war has already begun. 2026-05-15 10:24:12