Krafton Reports Success of Parental Support Program, Births Nearly Double Krafton has revealed the results of its parental support program after one year, reporting that the number of births among employees has nearly doubled, and employee satisfaction has increased. The creation of a family-friendly work environment has been linked to changes in perceptions about childbirth and improved employee morale. On May 14, Krafton announced that from January to April, 46 babies were born to employees, a nearly twofold increase compared to the same period last year. Since January 1 of last year, Krafton has provided up to 100 million won (approximately $85,000) per child to employees who give birth. This includes a birth incentive of 60 million won and annual childcare support of 5 million won until the child turns eight, totaling 40 million won. As of April, Krafton has distributed birth incentives to about 150 employees. Last year, approximately 400 employees received childcare support. The company has also focused on enhancing non-cash benefits. Initiatives include remote work for child care, extending parental leave to a maximum of two years, providing leave for prenatal checkups for spouses, and automating the hiring of substitute staff during parental leave, all aimed at creating a better work-life balance. Krafton is currently conducting joint research with the Population Policy Research Center at Seoul National University to analyze the practical effects of its programs. The study indicates that cash incentives, such as birth bonuses, serve more to convey the company's sincerity in addressing low birth rates rather than being direct factors in the decision to have children. About 83.4% of survey participants felt the company's family-friendly message was genuine. In contrast, non-cash support measures, such as remote work for child care and expanded parental leave, have been found to reduce psychological burdens related to childbirth and parenting while enhancing work engagement. Choi Jae-geun, Krafton's General Executive Officer, stated, "This research confirms that when companies actively participate in solving social issues, they can create tangible changes. We will continue to foster an organizational culture that supports both work and family through our parental support programs." Krafton plans to further enhance its parental support initiatives and actively engage in addressing the low birth rate issue while strengthening its commitment to corporate social responsibility. 2026-05-14 14:48:21

Samsung Life Reports Q1 Net Profit of 1.2 Trillion Won, Up 89.5% Year-on-Year Samsung Life announced on May 14 that it recorded consolidated revenue of 14.72 trillion won and a net profit of 1.20 trillion won for the first quarter of this year. These figures represent increases of 75% and 89.5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The improvement in performance was driven by increased investment income, which rose to 1.27 trillion won, a 125.5% increase year-on-year. This growth was attributed to higher dividend income and increased profits from subsidiaries. Notably, separate investment service income surged by 289% to 774 billion won. However, insurance service income decreased by 7.7% to 256.5 billion won compared to the previous year. While the profit margins from insurance contracts (CSM) and risk adjustments remained stable, losses related to insurance payouts and business expenses widened. The discrepancy in insurance payouts increased from a loss of 46 billion won in the first quarter of last year to a loss of 56 billion won this year. The new contract CSM continued its upward trend, reaching 848.6 billion won, an 11% increase from the previous quarter, with a CSM multiplier of 11.4 times. This growth reflects the expansion of health insurance sales and the effectiveness of both exclusive and non-exclusive channels, with health insurance accounting for 66% of total sales. The number of exclusive agents rose by approximately 1,500 to 44,373 since the beginning of the year. Samsung Life has been recognized for achieving a leading level of channel competitiveness in the industry. In the asset management sector, the company stated it is maintaining a comprehensive asset-liability management (ALM) strategy while diversifying its assets. The total assets under management in the general account amounted to 265 trillion won. The increase in stock assets was influenced by rising stock prices, and the duration gap was managed at approximately 0.8 years. The solvency ratio (K-ICS) improved to 210%, up 12 percentage points from the end of last year, reflecting an increase in available capital due to rising interest rates and stock prices, as well as the impact of new contracts. The basic capital K-ICS ratio also rose to 170%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:39:28

Gangnam District Sees Price Increase After 12 Weeks of Decline, Seoul Prices Up 0.28% Gangnam District, a key area in the Gangnam region, has reversed its 11-week decline and is now experiencing an increase in apartment prices, significantly boosting the overall sales prices in Seoul.According to the Korea Real Estate Agency's weekly apartment price trends released on May 14, the average apartment sales price in Seoul rose by 0.28% compared to the previous week, nearly doubling last week's increase of 0.15% and indicating a strong rebound.After three weeks of stagnation with price fluctuations around 0.15%, the demand for purchases surged this week across Seoul, including the Gangnam area. Notably, Gangnam District saw a shift from a decline of -0.04% to an increase of 0.19%, joining Seocho District (0.17%) and Songpa District (0.35%) in the upward trend.A representative from the Real Estate Agency stated, "While some areas continue to show a wait-and-see attitude, the increase in inquiries for well-located complexes and those undergoing reconstruction has led to rising contracts, contributing to an overall increase in Seoul's prices."In the northern regions, Seongbuk District (0.54%) recorded the highest increase, particularly in large complexes in the Gileum and Donam-dong areas, followed by Seodaemun District (0.45%) and Jongno District (0.36%). In the Gangnam area, Gangseo District (0.39%), influenced by reconstruction projects, topped the increase, with Songpa District (0.35%) and Guro District (0.33%) also showing notable rises.In Gyeonggi Province, prices rose by 0.11%, led by Anyang's Dongan District (0.69%) and Gwangmyeong City (0.67%), which saw significant increases due to reconstruction and major complexes. In Incheon, prices remained stable at 0.00%, with rises in Bupyeong District offset by declines in Namdong District. Overall, the metropolitan area saw a 0.14% increase.In contrast, non-metropolitan areas experienced a slight decline of -0.02%, particularly in the five major cities (-0.04%), although Sejong (0.01%) saw a minor increase in newly built complexes. Nationwide, the average sales price rose by 0.06%.Meanwhile, nationwide apartment rental prices increased by 0.11% compared to the previous week.In Seoul (0.28%), demand for rentals remained steady, particularly in large complexes and preferred school districts, leading to an increase from last week's 0.23%. Seongbuk District (0.51%) showed a significant rise, especially in the Gileum and Jongam-dong areas, while Songpa District (0.50%), Seongdong District (0.40%), and Gangbuk District (0.40%) also continued to see strong rental prices.Gyeonggi Province (0.18%) and Incheon (0.09%) maintained their upward trends, with the metropolitan area overall rising by 0.20%. Non-metropolitan areas (0.03%) saw slight increases in Ulsan (0.12%) and Sejong (0.09%), with growth slightly expanding from the previous week.Nam Hyuk-woo, a researcher at Woori Bank's Real Estate Institute, noted, "The active trading of high-priced reconstruction complexes during the 'bargain sale' period for multiple homeowners has led to a reduction in available listings and an increase in asking prices, driving the turnaround in Gangnam District. The trend of depleting urgent sales that began in Songpa District is now spreading to Seocho and Gangdong, reaching key areas in Gyeonggi Province such as Gwacheon, Bundang, and Gwangmyeong." He added, "Demand for upgrading in mid- to low-tier areas of Seoul is also continuing, resulting in a price adjustment phenomenon."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:37:21

Government Inspects Rainwater Management Facilities Ahead of Summer Flood Season Government officials conducted an on-site inspection of urban flood response facilities in the Sinwol-dong area of Yangcheon District, Seoul, ahead of the summer natural disaster response period. The inspection aimed to assess the management of drainage infrastructure, including the deep underground rainwater tunnel, drainage inlets, and manhole fall prevention systems, in preparation for heavy rainfall and urban flooding.On May 14, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that First Vice Minister Kim Han-seung visited Sinwol-dong to review the operational status of the Sinwol deep underground rainwater tunnel, the cleaning of drainage inlets, and the installation of manhole fall prevention systems. This inspection was organized in anticipation of the summer natural disaster response period, which runs from May 15 to October 15.The Sinwol deep underground rainwater tunnel, located 40 meters underground, is the first of its kind in South Korea. It can store up to 320,000 cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to the volume of about 150 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Since the facility began operations in 2020, the area, which was previously prone to flooding, has not experienced any flood damage.During the visit, Vice Minister Kim inspected the operational status of the rainwater tunnel and pumping stations. He emphasized the need for enhanced cleaning and maintenance of drainage inlets and the early installation of manhole fall prevention systems to prevent flood damage due to drainage issues. He also urged for strict safety management at flood response sites.The ministry plans to monitor local governments' cleaning and inspection records of drainage inlets on a weekly basis during the summer disaster response period. It will also continue to check the management status of flood response drainage facilities, including the installation of manhole fall prevention systems. The ministry aims to ensure the implementation of preventive measures through ongoing inspections.Additionally, the ministry will promote three key public initiatives to maintain clear drainage inlets: not littering in drainage inlets, not placing covers on them, and reporting blocked drainage inlets.Vice Minister Kim stated, "The damage from flooding due to heavy rainfall can be prevented by how well we prepare and respond on-site. We will do our utmost to ensure there are no shortcomings in urban flood response ahead of the summer natural disaster response period."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:36:05

Air Force Chief Son Seok-rak Announces Early Retirement for F-5 Fighters Air Force Chief Son Seok-rak announced plans to accelerate the retirement of the long-serving F-5 fighter jets from 2030 to 2027. During a meeting with defense reporters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on May 13, Son stated, "We are preparing for the F-5 fighters to retire honorably before the end of next year." He added, "We will push for the introduction of low-cost unmanned systems like LUCAS, which can be deployed in large numbers at the beginning of a conflict by the early 2030s," and mentioned plans to develop AI pilots aimed for the 2040s, further transitioning to unmanned combat squadrons. Son emphasized that relying solely on the KF-21 would be insufficient, stating, "We must expedite the development of unmanned attack and combat aircraft, completing a combined manned and unmanned system to transition to a sixth-generation fighter system in the 2040s to 2050s." He clarified that unmanned systems are not meant to replace humans but to enhance combat capabilities, asserting that the judgment and expertise of pilots will become increasingly important. The Air Force is actively working on establishing an AI-based command and operational system. Son noted, "The Air Force is currently operating its own generative AI platform, 'AirWars.' We have established the military's first AI-based reporting management system," and added that the Air Force is leading in military AI initiatives, participating in the design of generative AI platforms for the Ministry of National Defense and defense projects. He further stated, "We are now accelerating the introduction of AI into military operations, following its application in administrative tasks," explaining the use of AI for geographic information collection and target processing systems.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:34:09

Jung Won-oh Apologizes for Past Assault Incident Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, apologized on May 14 for a past assault incident, stating he would express his regrets again if necessary. After attending a forum hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association in Jung-gu, Seoul, Jung addressed claims from the victim's side that they had never received an apology. "It seems that due to the long passage of time, they may not have a clear memory of the event," he said. "I did apologize at the time, but I want to reiterate my feelings of regret and sorrow at any time." In response to assertions from the People Power Party that the background of the assault was not due to political differences, based on records from the Yangcheon District Council, Jung stated, "I do not believe that statements from council members in the records hold more weight than a ruling from an official court in South Korea. Even if we check the five journalists who reported on the incident at the time, the reasons for the dispute are clear." He added, "Once again, I deeply apologize for the past, regardless of the reasons, and I feel sorry for the distress caused." On May 13, Kim Jae-seop, a member of the People Power Party, claimed that the 1995 assault incident involving Jung occurred after he demanded that a cafe owner allow a female employee to stay overnight, which was denied. This contradicts Jung's explanation that the altercation stemmed from political differences. On the same day, fellow party member Joo Jin-woo released audio recordings purportedly from the assault victim, who stated, "I have no memory of any arguments related to the May 18 incident or of receiving an apology afterward."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:32:26

Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi to Visit South Korea for Summit with President Lee Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi is scheduled to visit South Korea on May 19-20 for a summit with President Lee Jae-myung, the Japanese government reported to its parliament on May 14. According to Japanese media, including TBS News, Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki conveyed the details of Takaiichi's visit during a meeting of the House of Representatives' Committee on Rules and Administration. The upcoming summit is part of a "shuttle diplomacy" initiative, where the leaders of both countries visit each other's nations. President Lee and Prime Minister Takaiichi first met in person during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last October, where they agreed to actively pursue shuttle diplomacy. Following this, the two governments have discussed holding the next meeting in Andong, President Lee's hometown, after he visited Takaiichi's hometown in Nara Prefecture, Japan, for a summit on January 13-14. TBS News reported that the agenda for the upcoming meeting is expected to include discussions on stable energy supply in light of the situation in Iran and the geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia, including North Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:30:39

Naver Shares Rise on Acquisition Hopes for Woowa Brothers Naver's stock price has shown strong gains amid speculation about its potential acquisition of Woowa Brothers, the operator of the popular food delivery service Baedal Minjok (Baemin). According to the Korea Exchange, as of 1:33 PM on May 14, Naver shares were trading at 211,500 won, up 4.96% from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 204,000 won, a 1.24% increase from the last close, and quickly gained momentum, reaching a peak of 216,000 won during the session. However, some profit-taking led to a slight pullback in gains. Market analysts suggest that the news of Delivery Hero's (DH) efforts to sell Woowa Brothers has boosted investor sentiment. DH is reportedly exploring acquisition interest from major domestic and international companies, with Naver identified as a key contender. DH acquired Woowa Brothers in 2020 and is now looking to sell the company approximately six years later. The expected sale price is estimated to be around 8 trillion won. Industry sources indicate that Naver has received a teaser letter containing key management and business information from DH. Additionally, global platform companies such as Alibaba, Uber, and DoorDash are also being mentioned as potential buyers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:29:24

Law Firm Gwangjang to Discuss Stock Price Control Prevention Law Strategies Law Firm Gwangjang announced on May 14 that it will conduct a lecture on May 22 for KOSDAQ members, focusing on key legal issues affecting corporate management and capital markets, including the mandatory cancellation of treasury stocks and the so-called "stock price control prevention law." The lecture aims to assess corporate management risks arising from recent changes in commercial law and capital market regulations and to share response strategies. It will consist of three sessions: mandatory cancellation of treasury stocks, the stock price control prevention law, and the reform of the delisting system. In the first session, attorney Kim Tae-jung from the M&A group will present on "Mandatory Cancellation of Treasury Stocks Under the Third Amendment to the Commercial Law and Response Strategies." Amid ongoing discussions in political and market circles regarding the use of treasury stocks for maintaining control and defending management rights, he will explain key issues of the amended commercial law and practical response measures from the perspectives of corporate governance and financing. The second session will feature attorney Kim Sang-hoon from the tax group, who will discuss "The Purpose and Impact of the Stock Price Control Prevention Law." This law aims to prevent major shareholders from intentionally keeping corporate stock prices low to reduce inheritance and gift tax burdens, which is part of ongoing discussions regarding amendments to inheritance and gift tax laws. In the political arena, there are ongoing discussions about supplementing tax standards to reflect not only the market price but also net asset values for companies with excessively low price-to-book ratios (PBR). The lecture is expected to focus on how these regulatory changes will impact corporate shareholder return policies and succession strategies. In the final session, advisor Song Young-hoon, who previously served as the deputy head of the KRX's securities market division and the KOSDAQ market division, will present on "Reform of the Delisting System and Key Considerations." He plans to introduce the direction of the delisting system reform and practical application cases from the exchange, as well as outline the response measures that listed companies should be aware of. A representative from Gwangjang stated, "We hope this lecture will help KOSDAQ members effectively respond to legal and regulatory changes and establish a stable management environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:25:58

Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation Meeting to Focus on Supply Chains and AI As global supply chains are being reshaped and competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector intensifies, Korea and Japan are accelerating their economic cooperation. Business leaders from both countries will discuss ways to establish a 'future-oriented partnership' focusing on key industries such as semiconductors, mobility, energy, and finance.The Korea-Japan Economic Association announced on May 14 that it will co-host the 58th Korea-Japan Business Meeting in Tokyo at the The Okura Tokyo from May 19 to 20. This year's theme is 'Next Step Together,' marking the first event since the new presidents of the two economic associations took office, and is expected to outline a new direction for Korea-Japan economic cooperation.The meeting is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with a scheduled Korea-Japan summit on May 19, suggesting that the business sector will also contribute to strengthening private-sector cooperation amid improving political and diplomatic relations.Leading the Korean delegation will be Koo Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association and LS Group. Other prominent attendees include Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group; Park Jung-won, Chairman of Doosan Group; Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS Group; Koo Ja-kyun, Chairman of LS Electric; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor; Lee Hyung-hee, Vice Chairman of SK; and Lee Jae-eon, President of Samsung C&T.Representatives from the finance sector and platform companies will also participate. Notable attendees include Shinhan Bank CEO Jin Seon-kyu, OK Financial Group Chairman Choi Yoon, and Kwon Dae-yeol, Head of ESG at Kakao, who will discuss digital transformation and financial cooperation.On the Japanese side, key figures will include Koji Akiyoshi, Chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association and Asahi Group, along with other prominent business leaders such as Masakazu Tokura, Honorary Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren); Masayuki Hiodo, Chairman of Sumitomo Corporation; Keiichi Iwata, Chairman of Sumitomo Chemical; Akitoshi Takemura, General Manager of Toyota Motor; and Koji Nagai, Chairman of Nomura Holdings.The meeting is expected to highlight the necessity of industrial collaboration between Korea and Japan in response to growing global economic uncertainties. As the U.S.-China conflict continues and supply chain fragmentation deepens, there is an increasing need for cooperation between companies in sectors such as semiconductor materials, components, equipment, batteries, future vehicles, and decarbonized energy.With the intensification of competition in the AI industry, discussions are also anticipated regarding collaboration in data centers, power infrastructure, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. The potential for cooperation between manufacturing companies like LS, Doosan, and Hyundai Motor and Japanese material and component firms will be closely watched.On May 18, Koo Ja-yeol and the Korean delegation plan to meet with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to explain the significance of the Korea-Japan Business Meeting ahead of the summit and request the Japanese government's cooperation for economic collaboration between the two countries. 2026-05-14 14:23:53