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

Hanwha Aerospace Partners with Milrem Robotics for Romanian UGV Project Hanwha Aerospace has announced a partnership with Milrem Robotics, a leading European unmanned systems company, to collaborate on unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) projects in Romania. This initiative aims to expand Hanwha's European portfolio, traditionally focused on firepower systems, into the unmanned systems sector, enhancing its competitive edge in future ground warfare markets. On May 14, during the BSDA 2026 international defense exhibition in Bucharest, Hanwha Aerospace signed a cooperation agreement with Milrem Robotics and Hanwha Aerospace Romania (HARO) to jointly participate in UGV projects. In response to evolving security dynamics in Europe, there is a growing demand among European and NATO member countries for versatile unmanned systems, with Romania also pursuing the introduction of next-generation UGVs. Hanwha Aerospace possesses independently developed wheeled UGV platforms, including the Arion-SMET and GRUNT. Milrem Robotics' tracked UGV platform, THeMIS, is recognized globally for its superior off-road mobility, hybrid propulsion system, and capability to integrate various mission equipment. The two companies are also developing a larger tracked UGV platform. Prior to this agreement, Hanwha Aerospace garnered significant interest from Romanian military officials by demonstrating the capabilities of the GRUNT and THeMIS in a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) performance showcase in Romania. Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, stated, "THeMIS is one of the first UGVs to enter mass production in Europe. We aim to contribute to expanding production capabilities in Romania and revitalizing the local defense ecosystem." Lim Kyung-wook, head of Hanwha Aerospace Romania, remarked, "Through this collaboration, we will provide solutions optimized for the Romanian operational environment while expanding our unmanned systems portfolio in the European and NATO markets." Hanwha Aerospace plans to establish local production and supply systems for next-generation unmanned solutions in Romania, thereby expanding its unmanned systems business in the European market. In February, the company broke ground on a local factory (H-ACE Europe) to produce K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition supply vehicles, laying the foundation for local production in Europe. H-ACE Europe, located on a site of approximately 180,055 square meters (about 44.5 acres) in the Petresti area of Romania, features advanced assembly lines, performance and verification testing facilities, and a 1,751-meter-long driving test track. The factory is set to produce 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition supply vehicles under a contract worth 1.38 trillion won, signed in July 2024. A Hanwha Aerospace official stated, "Through H-ACE Europe, we will establish a comprehensive life-cycle support system, including assembly, integration, testing, and maintenance, and aim to increase the localization rate in Europe to as high as 80% based on local industrial participation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:20:11

Jung Cheong-rae Criticizes People Power Party's Negative Campaigning Jung Cheong-rae, chairman of the Democratic Party's central election committee, criticized the People Power Party for its negative campaigning, stating, "They seem to be focused on negative tactics rather than offering a vision for the future." Speaking at a Central Election Countermeasure Committee meeting in Jeju on May 15, Jung expressed concern that the People Power Party does not understand the public's desire for constructive policies that improve their lives. "It is frustrating, but we have nothing to lose," he added. In response to perceptions that People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk is seen as a strategic asset for the Democratic Party, Jung remarked, "We hope the People Power Party will normalize. If they become stronger, it will also make us stronger and more vigilant." Jung characterized the People Power Party's campaign as a "five-no" campaign, lacking in policy, vision, candidates, communication, and integrity. He suggested that even within the People Power Party, there are sentiments labeling it as a "burden to the people" and "the people's enemy." He asserted that the public perceives the party as engaged in negative tactics, including controversial nominations and undermining public welfare. He further criticized the party's attempts to distance itself from what he termed "insurrectionist forces," stating that the public likely views the recent cancellation of charges as an attempt to cover up numerous politically motivated prosecutions during the tenure of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. "How many wrongful prosecutions must there have been for them to want to hide it?" he questioned. 2026-05-15 10:18:27

KakaoTalk Expands Message Reaction Feature, Supports 114 Types Kakao has significantly enhanced the message reaction feature and revamped user convenience functions through a regular update to KakaoTalk. On May 15, Kakao announced the expansion of its existing reaction feature and the introduction of new functionalities, including improvements to open chat and call features. The core of this update is the enhancement of the reaction feature. Users can now leave up to 30 different reactions on KakaoTalk message bubbles, with the total number of reaction types increasing to 114. Notably, the range of mini emoticons that users can utilize as reactions has been broadened. Users can now tap on reactions left by others, even if they do not own those mini emoticons, allowing for a more natural and diverse expression of emotions during conversations. The emoticon store has also been revamped. The 'Emoticons' menu under the More tab now includes new and popular sections, making it easier for users to explore a variety of emoticon products and the latest trends. Users can save their favorite items using the 'like' feature, and enhanced search functionality allows them to quickly view popular styles and emoticon rankings. Improvements have also been made to the open chat feature. Users can now reply to specific comments, facilitating a more natural flow of conversation. Additionally, a new 'Call' folder has been added at the top of the chat tab, where users can view recent call records for voice and video calls in one place. KakaoTalk's regular updates typically occur on a monthly basis. The new features are available in KakaoTalk version 26.4.0 and above.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:15:41

Government Warns of Economic Downside Risks Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflict 정부는 최근 우리 경제가 중동전쟁 장기화에 따른 지정학적 리스크로 경기 하방 위험이 이어지고 있다고 진단했다. 국제유가와 원자재 가격 불안이 지속되면서 물가 상승과 민생 부담 확대 우려도 함께 커지고 있다는 판단이다. The government has assessed that the South Korean economy continues to face downside risks due to geopolitical uncertainties stemming from the prolonged Middle East conflict. Concerns over rising prices and increased burdens on households have also intensified amid ongoing volatility in international oil and commodity prices. In its May report on recent economic trends, the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, "While domestic consumption and the service sector show signs of recovery, the geopolitical risks associated with the Middle East conflict persist, leading to continued downside risks for the economy." The government reiterated its concerns about external uncertainties, maintaining similar language from its April report, which noted that the escalation of geopolitical risks due to the Middle East conflict has heightened economic downside risks. Notably, this month, the government emphasized the impact of high oil prices on inflation and household burdens. Recent inflation trends have also shown signs of instability. In April, consumer prices rose 2.6% compared to the same month last year, an increase from the previous month's 2.2%. The inflation rate for industrial products climbed to 3.8%, while the cost of living increased by 2.9%. Fluctuations in international oil prices and exchange rates are additional burdens. At the end of April, the won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,483.3 won, remaining at a high level, and government bond yields also rose due to the impact of the Middle East conflict. However, the government noted improvements in some indicators, such as production and exports. In March, total industrial production increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month, and service sector output rose by 1.4%. The coincident composite index and leading composite index also saw increases of 0.5 points and 0.7 points, respectively. Exports continue to show signs of recovery, particularly in the semiconductor sector. In the first quarter of this year, the current account recorded a surplus of $65.4 billion, and net financial assets also increased. Notably, strong exports in the information and communication technology sector, driven by semiconductors, have propelled overall export growth. In the financial markets, the stock market has shown significant strength. In April, the KOSPI surged 30.6% to reach 6,598.87, influenced by improved earnings from major companies. The proportion of foreign ownership in the market has also expanded. The government has stated that it will maintain an emergency economic response system to minimize the impact of the Middle East conflict, expedite the disbursement of support funds for high oil prices, manage the supply of key items, and ensure stability in prices and livelihoods.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:13:20

Samyang Foods promotes Buldak architect Kim Jung-soo to chair SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Samyang Foods announced that its board has elevated Vice Chair Kim Jung-soo, the executive widely credited with creating its globally popular Buldak instant noodles, to chair effective June 1, as the company tightens its grip on a fast-expanding overseas business. The promotion is Kim's first since she became vice chair in December 2021. Kim joined the noodle maker during the 1998 financial crisis and launched the Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen, or Buldak, brand in 2012, transforming a struggling domestic player into one of South Korea's most-watched export stories. Samyang said the move reflects the need for unified leadership as overseas sales now account for about 80 percent of revenue, with sales subsidiaries and plants taking shape across the United States, China and Europe. A new factory in Jiaxing, China, is under construction, and the company is reviewing additional regional liaison offices. Under Kim's watch, revenue climbed to 2.35 trillion won ($1.56 billion) in 2025 from 642 billion won in 2021, while the operating margin more than doubled to 22 percent from 10 percent. The momentum carried into this year: Samyang on Wednesday reported record first-quarter revenue of 714.4 billion won, up 35 percent on year, driven by a 215 percent surge in European sales. "The promotion of Vice Chair Kim Jung-soo is aimed at reinforcing responsible management for global expansion and corporate value," said a Samyang Foods spokesperson, adding that the company will concentrate group-wide resources on cementing its overseas competitiveness under her leadership from June. 2026-05-15 10:12:05

Government Expands Use of Seawater Energy in Multi-Family Housing 정부가 상업건물을 중심으로 활용하던 수열에너지를 공동주택으로 확대하는 방안을 논의한다. 기후에너지환경부와 한국수자원공사는 15일 오전 서울비즈센터에서 '수열에너지 발전협의체' 출범식을 진행했다. 수열에너지는 대기온도보다 여름에는 낮고 겨울에는 높은 물의 특성을 활용해 건물의 냉난방에 활용하는 재생에너지다. 실제로 롯데월드타워는 수열에너지를 도입해 32.6%의 에너지를 절감하는 등 기존 냉난방 설비에 비해 에너지 절감 효과가 높다. 또 하천의 물을 정수장까지 보내는 도수관로를 활용해 도심지에 빠르게 공급할 수 있다. 다만 국내 수열에너지 산업은 현재 초기단계로 중대형 상업건물에서 주로 활용되고 있다. 해외에서는 이미 공동주택과 도시 단위의 수열에너지 활용이 활발하다. 특히 러시아·우크라이나 전쟁 이후 에너지 가격이 상승하면서 유럽에서는 히트펌프 기반의 수열에너지 활용이 증가하고 있다. 네덜란드는 호수·운하의 물을 이용한 수열에너지를 주거단지 지역 냉난방에 적용하고 있다. 노르웨이와 스웨덴, 핀란드 등 북유럽 국가들도 수열에너지를 활용하고 있다. 기후부는 이번 발전협의체를 통해 △수열원의 범위 확대 △제품 인증기준 마련 등 제도개선 사항 △핵심설비(열교환기·히트펌프 등) 국산화 △시스템 설계 등 수열산업 전반의 발전방향을 논의한다. 이를 위해 △정책제언 △기술개발 △사업확산 등 3개 분과로 나뉘어 활동한다. 발전협의체 출범에 앞서 '공동주택 수열에너지 보급확대를 위한 간담회'도 열린다. 금한승 기후부 1차관을 주재로 열리는 간담회는 공동주택 세대별 수열에너지 시스템의 최적설계 방안을 중심으로 실제 주거환경에 적용 가능한 설비 구성과 효율성 등을 검토한다. 금한승 기후부 차관은 "수열에너지는 에너지 효율 제고와 온실가스 감축을 동시에 달성할 수 있는 중요한 재생에너지원"이라며 "특히 공동주택 분야로 수열에너지 활용이 확대된다면 탄소중립과 에너지 전환의 성과를 체감할 수 있을 것으로 보인다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:08:49